#9: The Gypsum Demon King

Chu Ning dialed the number.

After three rings, Ying Jing picked up. “Hello?”

“It’s me,” Chu Ning said in a calm voice. “What is it?”

On the other end, his breathing was slightly shaky—whether from nervousness or the wind, it was unclear. Ying Jing spoke quickly, like spilling beans: “I want to ask you to take another look at our project.”

Before Chu Ning could respond, Ying Jing rushed on: “I’ve made improvements based on the last version. I adjusted the hypothetical conditions for the turbine’s pre-temperature and rewrote the overly technical parts of our presentation. This time, I made it much easier to understand.” He took a deep breath. “Really, just take a look—you’ll definitely get it this time.”

There was a brief silence. Chu Ning could hear both his eagerness and his caution.

Ying Jing couldn’t hold back any longer. “Please, just take a look, okay?”

As the traffic light switched from yellow to green, Chu Ning turned the steering wheel.

“Alright.”

________________________________________

The birthday banquet for Aunt Zhao was held at Tan Family Hall, styled entirely according to the elder’s preferences.

The waiter led the way, and as the door opened, the lively scene greeted them.

“Ning has arrived!” Several younger cousins greeted her with smiles.

Chu Ning switched to a warm expression, greeting each one individually. “What’s going on? It’s only been a little while since we last met, and you’ve all become so beautiful.”

The younger girls beamed. “Older Sister Ning, I’ve been using this amazing night cream recently!”

Chu Ning played along enthusiastically. “Really? Tell me about it—I need recommendations.”

After naming the product, Chu Ning pulled out her phone as if multitasking. The girls didn’t notice, still excitedly sharing their favorites. “It’s a bit expensive though—one jar costs quite a lot.”

Chu Ning glanced away from the screen, holding it up. “I’ve already ordered some for you. They’ll be delivered to your school—check for them later. One jar each.”

For a moment, everyone froze, then realized what she had done. Chu Ning had bought the cream and was giving it to them as gifts.

“Wow! Sister, I love you so much!!”

In an instant, she went from being called “Ning” to “Sister.” A single word difference, but the intimacy subtly shifted. Chu Ning, always observant, smiled inwardly. She had long mastered the art of navigating these relationships.

The Zhao family was large and prosperous, and their gatherings were always grand—but not ostentatious like nouveau riche affairs. Among the younger generation, there was even a rising starlet in the entertainment industry. On the surface, such a family seemed enviable, dazzling with success. But Chu Ning didn’t like it.

The Zhao siblings formed a tight circle, and though Chu Ning was technically part of the family, it was clear to anyone with eyes that she had never truly been accepted.

The backstory was messy, full of drama worthy of a soap opera.

Chu Ning’s mother, Chen Yue, had been married once before. Chu Ning was the child of Chen Yue’s late first husband. Back then, Chen Yue was a small-time accountant in a subsidiary company—a nobody. Her remarriage to Zhao Peilin had shocked the prestigious Zhao family. To them, it was an unequal match. But no amount of protest could stand against Zhao Peilin’s declaration: “Once you enter the Zhao family, you’re one of us.”

That year, Chu Ning was still young, holding her mother’s hand. Even now, she vividly remembered the look on Chen Yue’s face after Zhao Peilin made that statement—a mix of relief and gratitude for having someone to lean on.

But Chen Yue was well aware of her precarious position within the family.

To secure her place and integrate as quickly as possible, Chen Yue lived cautiously, ingratiating herself and teaching Chu Ning to do the same. From a young age, Chu Ning was drilled with lessons about survival in this world, year after year.

Growing up in such an environment inevitably left her repressed and twisted. Yet, the constant exposure also forged a resilience and stubbornness uncommon in ordinary girls.

Zhao Peilin had lost his first wife, leaving behind a son, Zhao Mingchuan. This young master was the true jewel of the family. Spoiled rotten from birth, he naturally resented the sudden appearance of an outsider like Chu Ning. Though they were called siblings publicly, their relationship was anything but harmonious. Whenever they met, they clashed like steel cannons, each determined to obliterate the other.

After exchanging pleasantries with her peers in the main hall, Chu Ning moved to the inner hall to greet the elders seated there. Chu Ning was lovely and charming, speaking humbly and bowing respectfully to each elder, wishing them well.

Only after completing the rounds did she approach Zhao Peilin. “Father.”

Zhao Peilin’s features were sharp and distinct, exuding vigor and vitality. He nodded. “Sit.”

The long redwood sofa could comfortably seat four people. However, the second occupant—Zhao Mingchuan—ignored her completely, sprawling across the seat without any intention of moving.

Zhao Mingchuan regarded the space as his territory, casting a disdainful glance at Chu Ning without uttering a word. Unfazed, Chu Ning said, “Feng Ziyang will be here soon. I’ll go out to meet him.”

Zhao Peilin waved his hand dismissively. “Alright, go ahead.”

Using this as an excuse, Chu Ning stepped into the corridor for some fresh air. Laughter echoed from the hall, lively and boisterous. She found a quiet spot by the window, pulled out her phone, and opened her email.

Earlier, when Ying Jing had sent her a message, she was driving and asked him to send the updated project proposal to her email instead.

Chu Ning skimmed through it, focusing on a few key points. To be honest, the technical jargon was beyond her understanding. This time, however, Ying Jing had cleverly replaced the complex terms with examples, explaining investment estimates, installed capacity, and expected benefits in simple numerical terms. Even someone outside the field like Chu Ning could grasp the gist.

This kid is pretty smart, she thought objectively.

________________________________________

Half an hour later, on the other side of the city.

Ying Jing, who had pulled yet another all-nighter, was sound asleep in his dormitory. Qi Yu returned from his part-time job and brought him a takeout box, tapping the bedpost with a spoon. “Wake up and eat, livestock.”

Ying Jing rubbed his eyes, locking onto the takeout box. His drowsiness instantly vanished. “Is that all?!”

“... How much more do you want?” Qi Yu asked, exasperated.

Ying Jing scrambled out of bed, staring mournfully at the two pitiful boxes of food. “Why didn’t you buy me extra rice? I’m playing basketball later—I need energy to dunk!”

His phone buzzed with a new text. Still grumbling, Ying Jing picked it up and immediately fell silent.

“Tomorrow at 4 PM, let’s meet to discuss.”

Ying Jing froze for two seconds, then his heart raced wildly. He pounded the desk with both fists:

“Yes!!”

Qi Yu jumped in shock. “What’s gotten into you now?”

Ying Jing waved his phone triumphantly. “Do you know what it means to bring honor?”

But Qi Yu’s attention was caught by something else. “Wait, who’s ‘Gypsum Demon King’?”

Sharp-eyed, he had spotted the sender’s name. Ying Jing quickly snatched the phone back, clutching it to his chest like a guilty secret. “I’m not telling you.”

________________________________________

Meanwhile, on Chu Ning’s side.

After the banquet, the elders retired early, leaving the younger generation to their own devices. Claiming she had business to attend to, Chu Ning slipped away to enjoy some quiet time at home. Feng Ziyang called her halfway through: “Where are you?”

“I left.”

Chen Yue entered the room, overhearing the call. She tugged sharply at Chu Ning’s shoulder and whispered urgently, “Go back and spend more time with Ziyang.”

After hanging up, Chu Ning rolled her eyes. “Mom, can you stop being so forceful?”

Chen Yue’s expression darkened, her nagging unrelenting. “How many times have I told you to spend more time with Ziyang? You’re always apart—he’s in the south, you’re in the north. How can your relationship grow stronger this way?”

Chu Ning crossed her legs and turned her body away.

Seeing her daughter’s indifferent attitude, Chen Yue sighed internally. Feng Ziyang was their best card. Marrying into wealth meant Chu Ning would never be looked down upon, no matter where she went.

Deep down, she feared Chu Ning would repeat her own mistakes.

“The last time you broke your leg and postponed the engagement, their family even hired a Hong Kong master to say there were no auspicious dates for the next six months. What if they’re deliberately stalling because they regret the marriage?” Chen Yue, ever cautious, excelled at overthinking.

Chu Ning grew increasingly irritated. “It’s been so long, and you haven’t even asked if my leg has healed.”

“Oh,” Chen Yue replied absently. “It’s been so long—it must’ve healed by now.”

Chu Ning: “...”

Forget it. There was no point in continuing this conversation.

“Where are you going? Hey! Wait!” Chen Yue watched her daughter walk out of the bedroom, muttering under her breath. “Her stubborn personality needs fixing too.”

Since she couldn’t drive after drinking at the banquet, Chu Ning stayed over at the Zhao residence. After dealing with work matters until 11 PM, she went downstairs to the kitchen for water.

Zhao Peilin wasn’t home, and Chen Yue had retired early. Only a small lamp illuminated the living room, leaving the vast Zhao mansion eerily quiet.

After filling her glass, Chu Ning sipped as she turned around—and nearly dropped her soul!

Zhao Mingchuan had appeared silently at the kitchen doorway, dressed in all-black loungewear, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, leaning lazily against the doorframe. The dim light accentuated his piercing gaze, making him look like a deranged killer.

Chu Ning cursed inwardly, bracing herself for confrontation.

Zhao Mingchuan observed her shift in demeanor and chuckled derisively.

What a psycho, Chu Ning thought, taking another sip and refilling her glass.

Zhao Mingchuan had also been drinking. He asked, “Are you negotiating a deal with Xu Youshan from Jinmu North City?”

Chu Ning paused, her gaze sharp as needles.

“You don’t need to look at me like that. I wouldn’t touch deals with people like him.” When Zhao Mingchuan spoke, his eyebrows naturally lowered, exuding arrogance even in soft loungewear.

“Did you check who you’re dealing with? Know your place. People sell themselves out and still count others’ money—I’ve seen it too many times.”

Chu Ning despised his condescending tone. “None of your business.”

Alcohol fueled Zhao Mingchuan’s anger. His expression darkened. “I’m warning you. Do whatever you want, but don’t use the Zhao family name to swindle people around town. Don’t think I don’t know.”

Chu Ning’s face stiffened.

“This circle is small. Everyone knows everyone. Whatever you’ve done, whatever you’ve said, you think you’re clever? Plenty of people report back to me.” Zhao Mingchuan sneered. “What makes you think you’re capable? You’ll only end up losing big.”

BANG! Chu Ning slammed her glass onto the counter, water splashing everywhere. Her face hardened. “Are you insane?”

In the stillness of the night, the air grew tense and stifling.

Chu Ning rarely spoke much, but when truly provoked, she transformed into a porcupine, every quill aimed precisely at her enemy. She stepped forward, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “Whether or not I’m capable, time will tell. But you—how about you? If you’re so capable, why did the woman you dated for three years dump you?”

Zhao Mingchuan’s face paled, a sharp pain stabbing his chest. This girl was ruthless, striking directly at his weakest point.

That was his greatest failure.

Zhao Mingchuan lost control, rage surging through him. He grabbed Chu Ning’s wrist tightly, his grip filled with malice, as if he wanted to crush her.

“Do you believe I could strangle you right now?” His eyes glistened, cold enough to make anyone shiver.

Caught off guard, Chu Ning froze. The glass slipped from her hand, shattering into shards on the floor.

The loud noise woke the sleeping household. Within half a minute, lights blazed throughout the mansion, like lightning before a storm.