Age of Legends

Chapter 354 The Demeanor of a Heroine
As the newspapers circulated and passed before these relatives, everyone displayed different expressions and reactions. Moreover, the newspapers were not all the same; it was clear that different newspapers had reports about this boy, and they had all been collected.

Qin Tangxi, holding the newspaper that was her turn, watched as her younger siblings huddled around to look at it. She couldn't help but say to Shen Nuo across the table, "I wanted to ask from the beginning, so it really is Zhang Chen, right? I wasn't sure at first!"

No one paid any attention to the unexpected clamp.

Ning Wenjing hadn't expected things to develop this way at all. Shen Nuoyi had mentioned it to her and Shen Mingbo at home, but it was just that Zhang Chen was in the newspaper. Shen Nuoyi sounded like she was talking about someone they both knew, and Ning Wenjing and Shen Mingbo assumed the two had a close relationship, but they hadn't investigated further. Unexpectedly, Shen Nuoyi directly admitted it at the dinner table today.

Shen Mingbo and Qin Liping were looking at the same newspaper. Qin Liping laughed as he read, "I don't think it's that great. It's okay, but it's a bit too general. If it were me, I definitely wouldn't give it a perfect score."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Mingbo glared at him from the side and said, "So you're not a grader! You're not a professional, why are you here to give your evaluations!"

This left Qin Liping speechless, her face flushing red and then pale, unable to refute Shen Mingbo. She could only point at him and laugh, "Getting angry? You're already protecting people now."

Shen Mingbo remained noncommittal. In any case, it was his own daughter's matter of getting certified, so as a father, he would definitely support it.

Qin Chao took the newspaper, glanced at it, and nodded: "Your essay is quite good. You're a talented young man. However, you'll be separated in the future, and you'll face many challenges."

"We should prioritize our studies and careers," Ning Wenjing said, offering a fair response.

Qin Chao smiled and said nothing more, turning to Ning Wenjing and saying, "A talented man is not bad either. It's just that talented men are always aloof, and your Yi Yi is aloof too. The two of you will see who can outdo the other in the future..."

While the adults were talking, Han Zhouxuan took in the whole scene. She looked at Shen Nuoyi and asked, "How did he do that?"

Han Zhouxuan was strikingly beautiful, with two captivating black gem-like eyes that seemed to be able to steal one's soul. At this moment, when she looked at Shen Nuoyi, it seemed as if she was searching for something.

Looking at her expression, Shen Nuoyi unconsciously smiled, then looked up and said, "He's usually very good at summarizing the writing methods of high-scoring essays, copying down many uncommon good words and phrases, and figuring out the examiner's thoughts and intentions..."

"Stop it, you're trying to play tricks on me, aren't you?" Han Zhouxuan rolled her eyes.

Shen Nuoyi added, "I have another newspaper here, would you like to read it...?"

"Enough already! Didn't you say there were only two portions?" Han Zhouxuan rolled her eyes. "Are you Doraemon? Do you have an inexhaustible bag of dimensions in your bag? How many did you prepare in advance?"

Shen Nuo smiled, pulled her hand out of her bag, and found it empty: "Really, that's all. I was just kidding."

Han Zhouxuan gritted her teeth: "Shen Fox, when we used to go out together, people seemed to think I was unconventional and you were a good girl. But actually, no one knew that the most outrageous ideas were often yours! You're the real mastermind!"

"Alright, do you think I really don't know who Zhang Chen is? I bought and read all those reports you brought out today beforehand!" Han Zhouxuan pouted. "I think you've been planning this for a long time, probably coming here today just for this moment. To use his good articles to fool everyone and shut them up!"

“However…” she said softly, “Shen Nuoyi, I really admire you. You’re so brave. I suddenly understand why Pei Yan has liked you all these years.”

Shen Nuo frowned: "Can we please stop talking about him?"

"You're so heartless..." Han Zhouxuan stuck out her tongue. "But if you're blinded and only like someone who can write short essays, while giving up on Pei Yan, this pearl, then I'll have to make my move." Shen Nuoyi: "Please go ahead, and hurry up, don't just make a lot of noise but little action in my ear."

Han Zhouxuan smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth: "Heh, but that's not necessarily true. Maybe I'll suddenly stop liking him too. Besides, the partner I, Han Zhouxuan, choose won't be as hasty as you. I'll pick a rich, handsome, and incredibly charming guy. How can someone like you, who only writes long essays, compare to me!"

Shen Nuoyi was both amused and exasperated: "Aren't you childish?"

She knew her best friend well; she knew she was in the wrong today and had lost her temper, but she was absolutely relentless in her words, determined to get what she wanted, no matter what. Especially considering her lukewarm attitude a while ago, which had thoroughly humiliated Han Zhouxuan.

"No matter what, Shen Nuoyi, you have to live well. Don't let men's sweet talk blind you. You still have to be the confident and amazing you you are today."

Shen Nuoyi looked at her and said, "No. Zhouzhou, perhaps you don't really understand me."

Han Zhouxuan was stunned for a moment, wanting to refute immediately, but it seemed that she had no way to refute it.

This is perhaps the most in-depth topic between two best friends.

Shen Nuoyi said, "The me who used to spend every day with you might not be the real me. That was just the image I projected because I wanted to be with you and be as popular as you."

Yes, being with Han Zhouxuan, you can't help but be infected and moved by her confidence, her quirky personality, and her popularity. You want to emulate her and become like her.

She would also clumsily imitate others, looking in the mirror, hoping to have the same looks as her, and hoping that she, who was not talkative and not good at socializing, would be loved by many people.

This is what growing up looks like.

"But actually I'm not that brave. There are times when I want to back down. I often feel inexplicably insecure... In the past, you walked in front and I followed behind. Looking at your back, I sometimes felt envious, but I also knew that I could never become you."

Many people have only heard of Shen Nuoyi from the Three Departments and Four Hospitals, and Shen Nuoyi from Yude Hospital. But few have seen the little Shen Nuoyi who, hiding in the shadow of Han Zhouxuan's halo, also felt fear and self-doubt.

"Just recently, my dad's company ran into trouble, you've probably heard about it. That period was very stressful at home, and I felt very depressed too. I even doubted myself, wondering if I could successfully pass the college entrance exam. If it weren't for him, I probably would have panicked and wouldn't have been able to concentrate on studying."

Han Zhouxuan was slightly taken aback, but then he understood.

This is Shen Nuoyi. Actually, her public announcement of her relationship today, and the presentation of Zhang Chen's reports, was not simply to show off anything, but also because she believed that Zhang Chen should also be a part of today's celebration.

She should use this opportunity to let everyone present formally get to know the boy they had never met before.

Han Zhouxuan sighed softly, "You really are a chivalrous woman!"

(End of this chapter)