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Psst! We're moving!
At 8 o’clock sharp, the competition officially began.
The host took the stage, stirring up the atmosphere with a few words. The brief opening ceremony lasted twenty minutes. Although short, it closely adhered to the theme of “technology” and “change,” and the stage effects were stunning. Especially in the final act, twenty miniature aircraft models soared into the air, spraying colored smoke in the venue’s mid-air, skillfully maneuvering to successively display the national flags of the twenty participating teams. The applause from the audience roared, creating the first climax of the day.
The second item was the participating teams circling the venue, completing the entrance ceremony.
As the host nation, CHINA was ranked first. Qi Yu and his team looked left and right, extremely anxious: “Why aren’t they here yet?!”
“Didn’t they say they’ve arrived?!” Zhang Huayu stomped her foot on the spot: “What’s going on?!”
“Anyway, there are still a few minutes left, I’ll go out and see!” Zhou Yuan made a move to leave.
“Come back!” Qi Yu grabbed his shirt, rebuking softly: “Isn’t it chaotic enough with one person missing? Don’t add to the excitement. It takes time to register identity information, don’t panic.”
Wan Pengpeng looked at the center stage, also frowning: “The entrance ceremony is about to begin. The captain is the flag bearer; if he doesn’t arrive soon, they’ll have to change.”
There were two special positions at the head of the formation: one for the flag bearer of the organizing committee, and one for the national flag bearer representing the host country. Ying Jing was the captain and had won first place in the national competition, making him qualified.
This honor was self-evident.
The stage lights suddenly changed. The host’s impassioned voice echoed throughout the venue: “Let us gather in Beijing, China. Let us immerse ourselves in this ocean of technology. Twenty participating teams from all over the world, vibrant and setting sail for their dreams—”
The music gradually became more solemn. The lights dimmed, and spotlights shone on the entrance.
“They’re here!!” Zhang Huayu shrieked in excitement, pointing to the right and bouncing.
Ying Jing was seen escorted by several security guards, passing through the audience seats and walking towards them.
He had changed his clothes to a pure white Polo shirt, its collar uniquely embroidered with a plum blossom in silver thread, subtle yet exquisite. His gaze shifted, and the square national flag emblem was placed on his left chest.
Ying Jing was tall and handsome, already eye-catching, and coupled with the noticeable bruises on his face, he instantly became the center of attention. The audience whispered among themselves, casting questioning glances.
The team reunited, and the five stood in a circle.
“It’s good you’re back,” Qi Yu managed to stay calm, slowly exhaling, then looking down, his eyes moist.
“Boohoohoo,” the girl’s emotions were more outward. Zhang Huayu burst into tears directly: “Are you hurt? Are you okay?”
Zhou Yuan and Wan Pengpeng also patted his shoulder, silently showing their concern.
Ying Jing nodded, “I’m okay.”
Three words that brought the team’s cohesion back.
“Come on, let’s go!” Qi Yu extended his hand.
Then Zhou Yuan, Wan Pengpeng, palm stacked on the back of the hand. Zhang Huayu looked at Ying Jing: “Boss!”
Ying Jing forced a calm smile, extended his right hand, and firmly placed it on top.
Zhang Huayu: “Good luck!”
All together: “Oh!”
Zhang Huayu: “Good luck, good luck!”
Loudly: “Oh, oh, oh!”
Ying Jing strode forward, took the flagpole from a staff member, then gave it a powerful flick, and the flag unfurled, its five bright stars vivid and dazzling.
A small burst of applause erupted from the nearby audience section, then a ripple effect spread to the left, with applause building up, instantly filling the entire venue like thunder.
“Now approaching us is the Chinese delegation. They come from XX Aerospace University. In recent years, the Party Central Committee and the State Council have intensified development and reform in the national defense and military industry, focusing on the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, all of which will bring favorable opportunities to China’s aviation industry.”
The live commentary was impassioned, and the audience’s emotions were already soaring.
Applause and cheers were generously given to these young people.
Ying Jing held the flag in a standard posture, his back ramrod straight despite his injuries. That spirit radiated from within, and flashlights continuously went off. At the same time, the online live stream was flooded with comments—
“Wow!! The flag bearer is super handsome!! How is his face so small!!”
“From C-Hang! C-Hang! My alma mater, ahhh!”
“The white uniform looks so good~~ Sponsored by Li-Ning, same style in stock, add WeChat xxxx to buy, 99 yuan including shipping.”
“Damn you! Get lost, advertiser upstairs!”
“Sisters! This person is named Ying Jing, twenty-two years old, from Xingcheng, said to be a second-generation revolutionary.”
The news instantly exploded—
“Radiant and upright! Well done!”
“Does he have a girlfriend? I want to have monkeys with him, boohoohoo!”
The topic’s popularity soared instantly, matching the atmosphere of the competition venue.
The entrance ceremony ended at 8:30 AM.
The competition officially began!
________________________________________
At the same time, at Fuwai Hospital.
The smell of disinfectant filled the emergency room hallway. Doctors and nurses bustled in and out, constantly pushing in emergency patients: car accident victims, people with stomach pain, and those bleeding profusely, clutching their arms and yelling.
Zhao Mingchuan held a stack of documents, impatiently stepping aside to avoid them. When a few brushed past him, he recoiled as if from a flood or a savage beast, his brows furrowed in exasperation.
He didn’t mean to be disdainful; Zhao Mingchuan just had a bit of a germophobia.
He’d had a fever or cold only a handful of times in over thirty years. If he could tough it out, he wouldn’t take medicine. If the fever was severe, he’d have a doctor come to his house for an injection. His childhood friend once joked that the only time he’d willingly come to a hospital would be when his wife was giving birth.
There were still things to handle outside, so he sent his assistant away, leaving him alone to accompany Chu Ning. He had intended to throw a fit, but upon entering, the doctor hurriedly said she was being sent to the emergency room.
“Payment! Family member, pay 5,000 first!”
“Don’t ask; we will do our best to save her.”
Three or four people worked together. The curtains were quickly drawn, and monitoring equipment was hastily wheeled in by a young nurse. Figures could be seen bustling inside.
In that moment, Zhao Mingchuan genuinely felt afraid.
“Have you paid?”
“Family member, go to the emergency pharmacy to get the medicine!”
“Take these five tubes of blood to the first floor for testing.”
“Keep these examination forms safe; the family member will push her for a CT scan later.”
In a hospital, a place where life and death are determined in minutes and where lives are saved, it doesn’t matter what your status is; everyone is treated equally.
Zhao Mingchuan cursed inwardly, this troublemaker was the biggest star in his constellation of banes.
Fortunately, after the doctor’s examination, he was informed that she was not in life-threatening danger. The stab wound on the back of her left hand had not healed properly and had repeatedly cracked open. Upon removing the bandage, it was found to be infected and festering.
No wonder her hand felt numb; her entire left hand was swollen like a bun.
“Where is Chu Ning’s family member?” The young nurse called out loudly.
Zhao Mingchuan looked up, “Me.”
Upon seeing the man, handsome but with cold eyes that suggested he was difficult to deal with, and his replies similarly cold and impatient, the young nurse felt intimidated. She pointed at Chu Ning: “Uh, you need to take her for an upper limb CT scan to confirm if there are any other bone injuries.”
Zhao Mingchuan: “Me?”
“Ah, yes,” the young nurse suddenly realized, “Did I make a mistake? Aren’t you the family member of bed 13?”
Zhao Mingchuan glanced at her. “What? Do I not look like it?”
The young nurse, a genuinely simple girl, cooperatively nodded. Seeing his expression darken, she timidly added, “Then you are her...”
These few exchanges had already drawn the attention of those around them, and their gazes converged on Zhao Mingchuan.
Zhao Mingchuan uncomfortably tightened his lips and said, “...Brother.”
Half-siblings for over ten years.
Calling him “brother” was a first.
That strange sensation was like an electric current, tingling and coursing through his limbs, then his whole body felt a rush of blood.
Zhao Mingchuan lowered his head, as if a heavy stone had settled with a “thud.”
“Bang!”
A decisive sound.
He murmured to himself, and when he repeated it, his breathing became smoother: “Yes, I am her brother.”
The young nurse nodded repeatedly. Fortunately, she hadn’t mistaken him for someone else, and she confidently directed him: “You, quickly push the patient to get a CT scan. I’ve marked it as urgent for you, don’t delay.”
Zhao Mingchuan: “I’ll pay for a nursing aide to push her.”
“Alright, a few of them happen to be free.”
Following the direction of her finger, he turned his head and saw two or three elderly men in loose green nursing aide uniforms, some playing on their phones, some dozing. Zhao Mingchuan was silent for a moment, then slowly turned back.
Fine, “I’ll go.”
Chu Ning was pushed out from behind the curtain. Due to extreme weakness, the doctor’s orders were not to get out of bed. “Bring the results after the scan. Before a diagnosis is confirmed, we won’t be responsible if anything happens to you!”
Although the words were harsh, they were ultimately out of concern for the patient.
Chu Ning still felt awkward, “Hey! Doctor, I’ll walk myself.”
Zhao Mingchuan interjected: “Is he the doctor or are you the doctor?! If he tells you to lie down, then lie down! Why so much nonsense!”
Chu Ning glared at him: “Who asked you to mind my business?!”
Zhao Mingchuan snorted coldly, “I’ll mind if I want to mind. Can you stop me?”
Then he pulled a stretcher bed, pushing it against her bed with a “thump,” quite ungentle.
“What are you doing?” Chu Ning asked cautiously.
Zhao Mingchuan bent down, reached out midway, and even got excited: “You mind me, I’ll do whatever I want.”
“Ah!!” The next second, Chu Ning shrieked. She was picked up horizontally by Zhao Mingchuan, who reached under her legs.
“Why are you yelling?!” Zhao Mingchuan’s ears hurt. He roared, “Behave! Or you’ll fall to the ground and die!”
Chu Ning was held by him in an undignified posture and dared not move.
Zhao Mingchuan’s face was like a poker card, grim and impatient. But she could feel his movements slowing down, becoming lighter. Chu Ning was placed on the simple stretcher bed.
Zhao Mingchuan leaned over, their faces close, one breathing lightly, the other heavily.
Their eyes met, then both awkwardly looked away.
A subtle awkwardness built an invisible wall between them.
After a while, Zhao Mingchuan sneered: “You’re really heavy, you should lose weight.”
Chu Ning retorted angrily: “Get lost! I’m 1.65 meters tall! Ninety-two!”
“Kilograms?”
“...Get lost!”
Zhao Mingchuan burst into laughter, his brows clear, completely relaxed.
Chu Ning pouted, turned her head to the side, and couldn’t help but smile too.
Although the CT scan was expedited, there was still a queue.
There were two people ahead, and Zhao Mingchuan pushed Chu Ning to wait outside.
“What time is it?”
“Nine o’clock.”
“Oh.”
Less than a minute of silence passed before Chu Ning asked again, “What time is it?”
Zhao Mingchuan frowned, “What time did you say?”
Chu Ning hesitated to speak, staring at the ceiling, motionless, clearly troubled by something.
Zhao Mingchuan watched her for a few seconds, then let out an extremely cold scoff, “Pathetic!”
Chu Ning pouted, unusually not confronting him directly.
“You, you’ll never learn to ask for help, will you?” Zhao Mingchuan grew annoyed, poking her forehead not so gently: “You want it so badly, but you won’t say a word to humble yourself. Fine, suppress it then. The competition starts at nine. Let’s see how long you can hold out!”
Chu Ning’s eyes reddened, her tone equally defiant: “Mind your own business!”
Zhao Mingchuan calmly took out his phone and waved it.
“...”
Struggling for three seconds, Chu Ning quietly said, “I want to watch the competition.”
Not bad, she’s learning to soften up.
Zhao Mingchuan also had a strange temper. Feeling pleased, he raised an eyebrow and said, “You want to watch?”
Chu Ning nodded.
“Alright,” he teased, leaning closer, “Call me ‘gege’.”
“...”
“Are you going to call me or not?”
“...”
“Really not? Hmm?”
“Gege.”
Chu Ning spoke, two words, softly and politely.
Zhao Mingchuan was incredibly pleased; a man’s satisfaction is truly unfathomable. He quickly picked up his phone, but—
This was a corner of the hospital, deep inside on the first floor, and the signal was weak.
Let alone watching a live stream, he couldn’t even get a call through.
Chu Ning looked at him eagerly. Zhao Mingchuan couldn’t stand that look. As a grown man, he had to keep his promise. That “gege” wasn’t called for nothing.
So, two minutes later, the dignified CEO Zhao was seen searching for a signal throughout the main hall. Finally, by the window, the signal had three bars. He stood on tiptoes, holding his phone, his arm stretched out long, the screen pointed towards Chu Ning.
“Hey! Can you lower it a bit, there’s a glare.”
“To the right, to the right.”
“Zhao Mingchuan, turn up the volume.”
Chu Ning frowned and shouted, anxious and annoyed. She really wanted to ask, “Did you get this phone for free when you paid your bill?”
Zhao Mingchuan’s face turned icy. This posture was truly embarrassing.
“Shut up! Watch it or don’t watch it!”
Chu Ning pecked like a chicken, “Watch, watch, watch... Oh, just a little bit higher.”
People in the hall chuckled.
Zhao Mingchuan really wanted to just throw his hands up and leave! But then, he met Chu Ning’s eyes. Serious, expectant, worried, anxious—every flicker was genuine.
He sheepishly quieted down, feeling quite willing to do it.
The live broadcast footage was intermittent.
The host’s voice was strong and resonant:
“The first stage of the competition has concluded. The United States ranks first, Canada second, and the Chinese delegation third. This competition uses a point system, and the current gap between the top three is very small. This is truly a high-level aerospace technology competition of equal strength. Welcome everyone back to the venue.”
The scene shifted to the audience stands. People were surging, and applause thundered.
Then, the camera cut to the competition area.
Ying Jing’s profile was a close-up. He had an injury on his left forehead, which gave him a different kind of charisma. At this moment, he was bowing his head, meticulously debugging equipment.
Suddenly, Ying Jing in the camera frame looked up.
Across the screen, across the distance.
Ying Jing and Chu Ning faced each other directly, their gazes gently intertwining.
Time subtly shifted.
A silent understanding.
In that instant, tears streamed from Chu Ning’s eyes.
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