This time, he wouldn't let her slip away again, as he had when they were young.
The Ning family had always kept a low profile in North City, rarely attending high society private banquets. Their ancestors were famous doctors who ran a pharmacy, practicing medicine to help the world for generations. For six generations, every descendant had been a doctor.
Some served as imperial physicians of the highest rank, some were military doctors who performed meritoriously in battle. Now, the head of the Ning family, Ning Zhengyuan, was a leading figure in traditional Chinese medicine, founding the renowned Kangning Pharmaceutical Group. Ning Ci's father was the dean of the medical school at North City University, his mother was a top obstetrics and gynecology expert and chief physician in South City, and his eldest brother, Ning Shao, was a national authority on cardiac surgery, currently working at the city's First Hospital.
The whole family had illustrious resumes. By comparison, Ning Ci seemed ordinary. He had no interest in medicine and had always loved tinkering with code and programming since childhood. Although he had gained admission to a top-tier university, he still seemed less impressive compared to his family members. Not to mention he had even turned down offers from overseas Ivy League schools. Moreover, he was suspected of planning to play professional basketball after graduation… the elders probably wouldn't allow it.
The next day, learning that his brother had returned, Ning Ci didn't go to visit his parents but went straight to the tea room.
The Chinese-style mansion was meticulously laid out, tranquil and private.
On the second floor of the tea room, the air was filled with curling smoke from the tea. Outside the small building, two Xifu crabapple trees had branches extending into the house, casting green shade over the hall.
"Brother, where are the keys to your 9090?" he asked impatiently the moment he entered, not even bothering with greetings.
Eldest Brother Ning looked up, puzzled as to why he was suddenly asking.
Ning Ci had already decided to come clean with Cheng Buxi and then with his family. He had a girl he liked, and he would marry her one day—of course, if she was willing.
"That one," he knew Brother understood what he meant.
"What do you need it for?"
"Something."
Eldest Brother frowned slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone: "Didn't you just get a new car a few days ago…"
"I don't like driving it," he cut in directly.
Eldest Brother was silent for a moment, lowered his gaze, continued flipping a page of his book, and said indifferently, "With Uncle Feng."
"Thanks, Brother."
9090 was a Hongqi Guoli limousine. 9090 was the license plate number. Originally only three were made, and when released, they caused a sensation nationwide. One was ordered by a foreigner for an eight-figure sum, another belonged to someone unknown with a license plate starting with Jing V, and the last was in Eldest Brother Ning's hands.
Ning Ci was not short of supercars. His coming-of-age gift was a Ferrari SF90, and he had driven others from time to time, like McLarens and Paganis. In college, he kept a low profile, biking everywhere, claiming it was to experience life. But no matter how expensive those cars were, deep down he felt this one best showed how much he valued something.
"Brother, you said this car would be the lead car at my wedding one day," he said, his eyes dark and devout.
Eldest Brother Ning didn't deny it; he nodded: "Mm."
"Anyway, I'll need it sooner or later."
Eldest Brother caught a hint of something off, asking, "…What are you going to do?"
He walked briskly through the hall: "Nothing." There was an extremely rare smile on his face, spreading all the way to his neck.
He was about to find Uncle Feng for the keys and head to the garage. "Uncle, I'm taking 9090 out today," he said elatedly, even already imagining the girl's surprised expression when they met.
But after hearing him out, Uncle Feng frowned: "90?" He reminded him, "I'm afraid it's not possible today, Young Master."
"?"
"Today, plate numbers ending in 0 and 3 are restricted."
"…"
Ning Er: I hate traffic restrictions.