"Next time, remember to hold the camera steady."

After Jiang Ning said this, he pushed his mountain bike and left.

Xue Yuantong followed closely behind him. Compared to her previous meek demeanor in front of them, Yan Chuchen suddenly noticed that the little girl's entire aura had changed, her steps had become arrogant?

'Telling us to hold the camera steady? Who do you think you are?' The long-haired girl beside them fumed internally, intending to say something and return the favor.

Yan Chuchen suddenly said casually, "Are we still taking pictures?"

They had spent 26 yuan on two cups of milk tea, intending to drink after taking photos, but as her friend's hand shook, both cups ended up on the ground.

Usually confident and composed, Yan Chuchen couldn't help feeling a bit regretful, wondering if they wouldn't have been so unlucky if they had only taken one cup for the photo?

The long-haired girl asked, "Sis, everyone says you're talented. Can you see if there's a way to salvage this?"

Yan Chuchen's gaze shifted to the ground, milk tea spilled all over, a mess, with the scent of tea and milk wafting up, as if announcing the earlier mishap.

Looking at the milk tea mixed with dust, Yan Chuchen felt a sense of pity and helplessness, her dignified appearance revealed her cluelessness.

Yan Chuchen is in her senior year of high school, and starting from her first year, she's been chosen as the host for every major event at Fourth Middle School. With heavy makeup and glamorous attire, she's the center of attention, surrounded by applause.

But... Yan Chuchen glanced at her: "What can I do? I'm just as helpless!"

The long-haired girl had a sheepish expression, "I believed in you, didn't I? Your presence at the party was amazing. In my opinion, with your excellence, the Evergreen Liquid launch should have you as the host."

Yan Chuchen stopped talking.

The atmosphere paused for a few seconds, the long-haired girl cautiously asked, "Sis, are you ignoring me?"

Yan Chuchen: "Girl, you've left me speechless."

"But..."

"But what?" The long-haired girl raised her hopes, milk tea is really expensive, a cup costs 13 yuan!

Yan Chuchen cleared her throat, her voice became melodious: "I can sing you a lament in bel canto style."

...

Nanhong Road.

The noon sun was gentle, softly spreading across the land, adding a hint of warmth to the early winter.

Lin Zida and Zhuang Jianhui strolled along the road, like aimless street loafers.

Beside them was a girl wearing a white duckbill hat. Though her face was mostly obscured by the brim, the exposed half and her chin were stunningly beautiful, the curves exceptionally graceful, her skin fair and delicate under the sunlight.

"Shuyan, you haven't been to school in a while. Can you still keep up with the classes?" Zhuang Jianhui chuckled.

Lately, Zhuang Jianhui knew Ding Shuyan had been staying by Lin Han's side, broadening her horizons, learning her business acumen, and even directly collaborating with Evergreen Liquid.

Lin Zida: "Don't worry about that, the Old Witch hired a private tutor for her."

Hearing this, Zhuang Jianhui laughed: "If your aunt heard you, you'd probably lose a couple of pounds of fat."

He was all too aware of Lin Han's fierceness.

Naturally optimistic, Lin Zida couldn't help but shudder at the mention of that woman's name.

Ding Shuyan spoke, her voice like a mountain spring, captivating: "Maintaining a spot within the top four probably isn't an issue."

Just listening to her voice was a pleasure, Zhuang Jianhui said, "I think if you focused on studying, you might improve even further."

They came from different backgrounds than ordinary people, and in Zhuang Jianhui's view, it was a matter of genetic superiority.

Like him, not only did he come from a good family, have good looks, and high intelligence, but even his physical fitness far exceeded his peers. He could easily achieve dunks that many boys couldn't after a lifetime of trying.

Lin Zida, however, disagreed: "Jianhui, it's not that simple, Du Chuan isn't easy to surpass, that guy was hired for a high fee by Principal Yu as a college entrance exam mercenary."

This was indeed the case. Back in her first year, Ding Shuyan thought herself exceptionally talented, believing she only needed to put in a little effort to become the top student at Fourth Middle School.

At that time, she thought she could even control her ranking to take third place and sit behind Jiang Ning in the next exam.

During that period, she had her aunt Lin Han find the best tutors in An City for her, for one-on-one tutoring.

For English, there were renowned teachers from the international department of the 168th school, for math, she'd hired a math competition coach, for physics, an expert from a special program for youth innovation and foundational planning.

Ding Shuyan thought she was ready for anything, confident in that exam.

But...

It's hilarious. Forget first place, she couldn't even beat [the college entrance exam mercenary] Du Chuan.

Sometimes you don't realize the gap with others until you push yourself.

Recalling this past event, Ding Shuyan slightly turned her head, revealing the elegant curve of her chin, her eyes hiding under the shadow of the brim, gazing into the distance through the gap.

The crepe myrtle trees along the road had lost the lushness of summer, but the shape of the branches was uniquely beautiful.

Occasionally, a car drove by, bringing a gentle breeze.

Thinking about the upcoming Evergreen Liquid launch, Ding Shuyan felt she was close to lifting the veil of fog lingering in her heart.

...

The intersection of Nanhong Road and the river dam formed a crossroad, where fruit stalls frequently appeared, sometimes selling blankets, occasionally there were fish sellers in the morning.

Xue Chuchu rode a black electric scooter, with her mother not returning home at noon, she had lunch in the school cafeteria today and was just returning now.

As she was about to pass by this place, she originally intended to go straight through without stopping.

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