Chapter Thirty-Eight: Knowing Contentment

  Chu Jing didn't mind spending a leisurely afternoon chatting with friends in a coffee shop, the laid-back atmosphere was so relaxing that even speaking loudly seemed like too much effort. He hadn't felt this way before, but since following Xiao Fei Po on her spiritual purification and emotional refinement activities, such occurrences had become more frequent.

  Choo Jin-woo is very good at hiding his emotions, even the emotions on his face can be hidden well, so this is one of the reasons why Soo-jin always complains to Kim Tae-hee that she can't understand Choo Jin-woo at all.

  Because she didn't know when Chu Jingyan was really smiling and when he was just pretending to smile.

  Just like now, Choo Kyung-yeon is sitting calmly in front of Kim Tae-hyun, who has just confessed her feelings to her only friend.

  At least now, Chu Jing's smile is genuine and comes from the heart.

  Whenever it's teasing Xiao Feipu, Chu Jingyan is always laughing from the heart.

  Sipping coffee, she momentarily forgot about the trivial matters that had been bothering her. She listened with a smile as Sohee and Taeyeon chatted about some interesting stories that happened during their practice sessions at the company. Chu Jingyan didn't have experience being an audience before, but now it seemed that being an audience felt pretty good.

  The afternoon sunlight shines through the glass window onto the table where Chu Jingyan and three others are sitting, Jintaiyan is leaning on the table, sipping a drink with a straw, her delicate face glowing warmly under the soft light, exuding an otherworldly charm. Her incredibly youthful face is now fully absorbed in the delightful aftertaste of the milkshake, unable to extricate herself.

  A tiny drop of water clung to her lips, the tip of her tongue darted out and quickly retreated back into her mouth, the entire movement done in one smooth motion, it seemed she hadn't lost the habit of doing such endearing things.

  This ordinary scene can still appear vividly in Chu Jingyan's mind many years later, so that in many situations afterwards, whether right or wrong, Chu Jingyan will stand on the side of the protagonist of this scene with a completely unreasonable attitude.

  Since childhood, in days with memories, Chu Jingyan has never been fond of talking about reason.

  Chu Jingyan's cells hide many violent factors, this special emotion can make him guarantee 100% excitement and rigor when dealing with anyone, the whole person will be like a thunderstorm, similar to now wearing casual shirts and jeans, listening to little girls nagging.

  Would never have happened in the past.

  "Did you say that Xiaoxian never eats fried foods?" Tiffany said, holding up a piece of fried chicken and chewing it slowly before swallowing. "How is it possible for someone not to eat fried chicken? How is it possible not to drink Coke?"

  "How can we possibly not have doughnuts and hot cocoa?" Chu Jingyan added.

  Kim Tae-yeon thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, I've known Soo-young for so long, but I've never seen her eat fried foods or carbonated drinks, although it's possible that she secretly eats them behind our backs."

  "Then even an honest kid like you would steal food?" Tiffany asked incredulously.

  "So I'm just guessing anyway."

  "Tiffany said, "I heard that Kwon Yuri has become somewhat crazy in her pursuit of becoming fair-skinned, I'd better be on my guard lately, or else I'll end up getting hurt by her madness."

  "I also need to be more careful lately." Taeyeon agreed with Tiffany's words.

  Choo Jin-woo looked at Kim Tae-hee and asked: "Why did you want to become a star?"

  "Because I like singing." Kim Tae-yeon scratched the back of her head with a slightly embarrassed smile, saying: "Although it's embarrassing to say so, my teachers all praised me for singing well."

  "Is it fun being a star?"

  Taeyeon shook her head and said, "Although I'm not an artist yet, the seniors in our company have taught us lessons. The real challenge will come after we debut, it'll be tiring, and who knows, we might even be influenced by bad things. I think being a star isn't fun at all."

  "But is there any easy job in this world?" Kim Tae-yeon said, "If we succeed, we'll become very famous and maybe the whole world will know us. Compared to that, what we put in should be worth it."

  The tone is full of hope for life after debut, as the leader, Kim Tae-yeon knows that the company has poured its heart and soul into this group, the packaging and promotion have already reached this level, as long as these people work hard, they will definitely achieve success.

  It's a nearly naive and silly idea, but for Kim Tae-yeon, who has been practicing for many years, it's the most genuine reflection of her heart. After working hard for so many years, she didn't have the student life she should have had, nor did she have the chance to be a daughter who stayed by her parents' side and enjoyed their love. Most of the time, it was just a group of girls sweating in the practice room.

  What you give out will come back to you, is the most beautiful thing in this world.

  But if there is a return for every effort, then why are there so many failures in this world?

  "Put down the coffee," said Chu Jing, "it's not about whether others think it's worth it or not, but whether you'll regret all these years of hard work in the days to come. If your mindset is right, others' opinions won't bother you."

  "I'll try." Jina took a deep breath.

  "No need to rush." Chu Jing said with a smile, "I'm an impatient person, even in winter I like to drink iced drinks, but I know being impatient is not a good habit."

  Kim Tae-yeon smiled: "Actually, I'm not a patient person either."

  Chu Jingyan and Kim Taeyeon were chatting happily, but the little fatty beside them looked dissatisfied and shouted at Chu Jingyan: "Why don't you ask me why I came all the way to Korea?"

  "Are you?" Chu Jingyan glanced at Tiffany and said, "Isn't it because you wanted to try Korean ramyeon that you desperately passed the selection?"

  “............”

  Being with the young people made Chu Jingyan feel that he had become more optimistic and open-minded, which was completely incomparable to Qi Qingrong's decadent life of indulgence.

  It is said that he has been running to the architecture department of a university every day recently due to engineering problems. The drunkard's intention is not in wine, there must be a conspiracy. What is the most attractive thing in a university campus?

  Sister!

  This bastard actually took advantage of his business trip to fool around, the most hateful thing is that he didn't even bring himself, Chu Jingyan was extremely indignant.

  Fortunately, I'm not bad either. Chu Jingyan picked up the iced coffee and took a sip, looking at the little fatty and Kim Tae-hyun sitting across from her with satisfaction. They're just ordinary people, nothing special, no need to be heartbroken, why would I be heartbroken?

  "How much longer will you be out?" Chu Jingyan asked.

  "Two months." The little fat woman replied.

  "A little guilty?"

  Kim Tae-yeon and Xiao Fei Po nodded at the same time, then looked at Chu Jingyan with hope. At this moment, Chu Jingyan would start to play the role of a wise old man, helping them to dispel their worries and troubles.

  "See what I'm doing, it's normal to feel guilty. It would be weird if I didn't feel guilty about doing something I've never done before," said Chu Jingyan. "Don't expect me to come up with ideas for you, I'm not a performer."

  Tiffany lay on the table, muttering: "It would be great if you were a senior, we could take care of us after we debuted, I heard from the company's seniors that those experienced seniors are not willing to deal with newcomers like us because they are annoying."

  "It's really annoying." Chu Jingyan agreed.

  "What if we debut and get bullied by others?" Tiffany looked at Taeyeon with concern.

  "Endure it?" Kim Tae-yeon said somewhat uncertainly.

  Snap

  Chu Jing slammed the table and said indignantly, "How can we tolerate this? How can we tolerate being bullied? Is there no justice in your circle? Can you bully people just because you were born a few years earlier? Who set the rules? I'll tell you, from now on, if anyone is bullied, come find me."

  Kim Tae-yeon and Tiffany stared at Chu Jingyan with wide eyes.

  "I'll go reason with him for you!" Chu Jingyan said righteously.

  “............”

  It's been half a month since Chu Jingyan took control of Di Ao and drove out Pu Enzhen, everything has been calm and peaceful. Di Ao's monthly income has started to flow into Chu Jingyan's pockets gradually, while Jin Longyi, who suffered heavy losses, has stopped making moves after a few private attempts.

  Because every attempt at probing was fiercely countered by Chu Jingyan, it's clear that Jin Long is now at a disadvantage.

  Half a month's time was long enough for Chu Jingyan to receive that call.

  In the quiet hall of the clubhouse, Chu Jingyan saw that famous director from Dongfang International.

  Huang Dongzheng is over 40 years old, with a big belly and a very affable appearance. No matter how you look at him, he looks like a university professor rather than the powerful director of a multinational company.

  "What's wrong, Chu Jing?" Huang Dongzheng smiled and said, "Sit down."

  Chu Jingyan sat down and Huang Dongzheng said: "Let's get straight to the point today, shall we?"

  "It can be done." Chu Jingyan said.

  "Five years ago when you entered Dongfang International, I noticed you. It's rare for someone to be personally arranged by the president, and in my impression, there are only two people, you and Qi Qingrong who returned from the US and took a high position. For the first two years, you kept a low profile, and I almost forgot about your existence."

  "But when I heard your name again, you were already somewhat famous in Cheongdam-dong."

  Huang Dongzheng looked at Chu Jingyan, his eyes sharp and slow as he said: "This is actually a very powerful thing, relying on the group's reputation to take down so many things with bare hands. I have to admit that among the young generation of the group, you are the best, perhaps because only you and Qi Qingrong have climbed to a good position at this age."

  "But you have been given such a good position, why are you still not satisfied?" Huang Dongzheng's voice was as cold as the snow on Mount Baekdu, "If you don't know how to be content, how can you live well?"

  Chu Jing's words were silent.

  "You think you're being entrusted with important tasks now, young people can be forgiven, suddenly getting the recognition of top-level superiors, it's understandable to lose gauge for a while. I was young too, and I've been through this before, but one thing I did better than you is that I know when to stop."

  "One must know when to stop while they still can; otherwise, they will die a terrible death."

  Chu Jingyan remained silent as usual.

  Huang Dongzheng was about to say something, when his secretary quietly came up behind him and handed him the vibrating phone. After glancing at Chu Jingyan, Huang Dongzheng answered the call.

  "You speak." Huang Dong Zheng put the phone to his ear.

  "What did you say?!" Huang Dong Zheng suddenly sat up straight, holding the phone tightly to his ear, listening intently, his eyes darting towards Chu Jing Yan, his left fist gradually clenching.

  "I understand." After a long while, Huang Dongzheng hung up the phone.

  "Director Huang just asked me again if I understand what contentment means?" Chu Jingyan finally spoke up after a long silence.

  Looking at Huang Dongzheng who was suppressing his anger, Chu Jingyan smiled and said: "I can very seriously tell Director Huang that in this life, I don't know what 'contentment' is."