Age of Legends

Chapter 267 Complete
"I heard from Wang Shuowei and the others today that Qin Tangxi's second uncle, Qin Yu, is deliberately targeting you?" Shen Nuoyi suddenly asked.

Zhang Chen looked at her and suddenly realized that everything that had just been laid out seemed to point to her asking that final question.

Zhang Chen nodded: "That idea is definitely on their minds."

"So I made you move the flowers, and then left you there all alone, deliberately leaving you hanging." Shen Nuoyi's expression was already quite cold as she said this. Zhang Chen knew that the colder her face, the angrier she was. Back when their English teacher, Qin Guimei, was hit on the head by a soccer ball from another class and subjected to sarcastic remarks, Shen Nuoyi stormed into the opposing class with a face just like that. Those usually carefree Class 8 soccer team members were speechless with intimidation by her aura.

Shen Nuo stared at Zhang Chen, "This isn't like you. You wouldn't normally let him do this."

“These are your relatives after all…and today is your birthday party, we can’t let things get ugly, it’ll be difficult for you to handle,” Zhang Chen said casually.

Shen Nuo was stunned. In her memory, Zhang Chen was always the type to settle scores and never let things linger overnight, but he had suppressed his temper for her sake.

Shen Nuoyi's chest rose and fell slightly as she stared at him and said softly, "Zhang Chen, you're so kind."

A comfortable and refreshing feeling made Zhang Chen feel quite clear-headed.

In fact, in a relationship, it often comes down to me recognizing and appreciating your good qualities.

For Shen Nuoyi, Zhang Chen thought so much about her, but that didn't mean he should tolerate it today. "Next time, you don't have to think so much. I don't want you to suffer because of me."

Zhang Chen nodded. "Okay."

……

Towards the end of the dinner, Qin Yu and her husband came to the restaurant again, their faces beaming with smiles, and asked Shen Nuoyi, "Are you happy today? Did you have a good birthday?"

When she was met with a cold shoulder, Shen Nuo turned her head away and ignored Qin Yu.

Qin Yu's wife, Feng Feng, observed Zhang Chen's every move from the sidelines. She probably never expected that Zhang Chen's background was so extraordinary.

Qin Yu arrived last to wrap things up, having promised Shen Nuoyi's parents. However, when he went to settle the bill for Shen Nuoyi, he discovered that Shen Nuoyi had already paid for the day's meal.

"What's going on with you? Call your boss Zhang Jun over! How could you accept money from my niece? Your boss is my friend, I specifically spoke to him! What's going on...!" Qin Yu slammed his fist on the table in the lobby and threw a tantrum. Shen Nuoyi was too lazy to watch his performance and turned around and left with her classmates.

It's not remote here, it's just within the third ring road of the city. People with family members who can pick them up will come and get a car, and those without will take a taxi. Zhang Chen, Shen Nuoyi, Wang Shuowei and Zheng Xue happened to share a taxi, and since their homes were in the same direction, they went together.

Zheng Xue and Zhang Chen arrived first and left immediately. Wang Shuowei and Shen Nuoyi returned to the TV station compound. Shen Mingbo arrived in Rongcheng by plane that evening and had just taken a shower, so he was waiting at the entrance of the compound.

Wang Shuowei greeted Shen Mingbo, and then Shen Mingbo led Shen Nuoyi home. Once home, Shen Mingbo asked with a smile, "Nuoyi, were you happy today?"

Shen Nuoyi shook her head. "I'm not very happy."

Shen Mingbo exclaimed "Huh?", thought for a moment, and said, "You didn't let Uncle Qin pay the bill, did you?"

"No, I already paid the bill in advance with the front desk."

Shen Mingbo nodded, "That's good. How can you let others help you on your important holiday? I think it's enough if they can lend a hand. Did you have a disagreement with a friend or classmate? These are minor things, nothing that can't be overcome. The important thing is that they are there for you on your important day. It will be a precious memory."

Shen Nuoyi said, "Dad... I'm all grown up now, you don't need to beat around the bush to reason with me."

Her father had always been like this, probably afraid that his rebellious teenage daughter wouldn't listen to his nagging, so he would always repeat himself in circles. Of course, Shen Nuoyi appreciated his carefulness in doing so.

"Ah...oh, it's nothing, it's nothing. You understand, that's all that matters. I don't need to know why you're unhappy. Of course, you don't have to tell me, that's fine..."

Seeing Shen Mingbo's evasive answer, Shen Nuoyi sighed and said, "Dad, we're having dinner at home tomorrow. We don't want to invite any other relatives, just the three of us, okay?" Shen Mingbo paused for a moment, then nodded. "Of course! Of course! Just the family. I'll tell them that you officially turn eighteen tomorrow, so let's keep it simple and just have you at home with Mom and Dad!"

Shen Nuoyi added, "Today, Uncle Qin asked Zhang Chen to move things and do chores, leaving him alone outside. He did it on purpose."

Shen Mingbo was stunned.

What's the story with Zhang Chen?

Not Pei Yan?

But he had already picked up on something from his daughter's words, so he sat down seriously.

The first sentence was: "Why would it be... Zhang Chen?"

Shen Nuoyi looked into his eyes and said, "It's Zhang Chen."

Then she picked up the pendant from her chest. "He gave it to me. Isn't it pretty?"

After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Mingbo nodded. "You look good in anything!"

But she was still clearly a little dazed: "Zhang Chen... I know him. He came to our house last year too... Hmm. What did Qin Yu do?!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Ning Wenjing had finished her work at the party and returned home. Seeing the father and daughter, she laughed and said, "Oh, what's up? It's rare for you two to have a heart-to-heart talk... Today is my darling's official coming-of-age ceremony. Mom and Dad congratulate you on entering adulthood. From now on, you'll be responsible for yourself as an adult!"

Ning Wenjing felt both emotional and relieved. She took off her coat, changed into slippers, washed her hands, picked up her teacup, and went to Shen Nuoyi's room. Seeing the situation between the two, she realized something and asked, "What's wrong?"

“My daughter said not to invite any relatives over for dinner tomorrow, just the family.” Shen Mingbo then told Ning Wenjing about what Shen Nuoyi had said.

Ning Wenjing's expression changed slightly. She then sat down in front of Shen Nuoyi, staring at her. She knew her daughter all too well. Although she could often suppress her, they had clashed many times over the years, sometimes fiercely, sometimes with mutual respect. But Ning Wenjing knew that her daughter was decisive and clear-headed in making her own choices. Moreover, she had now turned eighteen and was capable of making her own decisions.

"So, you like Zhang Chen?"

Shen Nuo nodded slightly. "We like each other."

Ning Wenjing was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. She felt proud of Shen Nuoyi's decisive action, but also a strange sense of reluctance. It was as if her daughter had finally grown up, and the little bird she had always protected was finally ready to face the precipice, spread its wings, and fly under the blazing sun in its own way.

Ning Wenjing nodded, "I understand. Then we won't invite anyone tomorrow, just the three of us. I'll cook for you and buy a small cake."

"Mm." Shen Nuo nodded.

Shen Mingbo couldn't help but speak to Ning Wenjing: "I told you Qin Yu had no good intentions! He's obsessed with getting Pei Yan and our Nuoyi together! He's willing to use such methods! Qin Yu has always been like this. He got his group of classmates to get me drunk back then. Do you remember that day? You even got angry. Although he apologized later, he was still resentful. He looked down on me then, thinking I was just a poor teacher. But after I started my own factory, his attitude changed immediately. Now he even says nice things! But his true nature hasn't changed at all over the years! Now he's setting his sights on my daughter! Does he think we're going to... sell our daughter?!"

"That's just how he is. Just know that. Keep your distance from him in the future and don't get too involved with him..." Ning Wenjing, being a director after all, displayed the demeanor of a general at this moment.

Shen Mingbo nodded, "That's why I told Shen Nuoyi to handle everything himself, just to guard against this trick of his, so he wouldn't have any excuse to say how much he helped us later! This guy has character issues!"

“Actually, the Qin family knows about their second son, but there’s nothing they can do. We’re family, so of course, knowing he’s this kind of person, we’ll have less contact with him in the future,” Ning Wenjing said.

Listening to her parents' discussion in the living room, unwrapping gifts in her room, and receiving a text message from Zhang Chen greeting her upon arriving home, Shen Nuoyi's mood calmed down slightly. She felt that although there were some unpleasant episodes during her eighteenth year, she had someone she liked by her side and parents who supported her every decision and stood behind her.

This coming-of-age ceremony was actually quite successful.

(End of this chapter)