62: Chapter 62 An Unhidden Favor

Lu Chunyue and Principal Zhao Weiming both felt that this young man had an indescribable air about him.

Looking at their proud and aloof daughter beside them, they were surprised to see her take the initiative to reach out and accept the gift; this was truly rare.

Especially since she was slightly curling the corners of her lips, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes—this little expression of hers surprised them even more.

Only those close to her knew what it meant when Zhao Qingyan curled her lips like that.

It was a sign that she was feeling quite happy.

Principal Zhao Weiming swore that in the last two or three years, they had rarely seen their daughter act this way.

"Shen Weiyue, thank you." Zhao Qingyan accepted the gift.

"I should be the one saying thank you. I didn't know what you liked, so I picked out a music box. Congratulations!" Shen Weiyue said with a smile.

He looked at Principal Zhao Weiming and his wife, showing no sign of nervousness. "Principal, Auntie Lu, hello."

"Student Shen Weiyue, I've long heard of your reputation." Principal Zhao Weiming smiled. "Your Teacher Han has run to my office several times to say that you have great potential, and this time, you really have brought everyone such a big surprise."

"The old gentleman worries himself sick over his students, so I naturally cannot fail his expectations. However, Zhao Qingyan has kept things well hidden; to think she is your daughter. I was wondering how anyone could be so outstanding—it turns out it's hereditary..."

"Hahaha! You kid, you're truly worthy of being taught by old Han. Even the way you speak is exactly like him. Old Han has raised a star pupil!"

"Well, I am also your student, Principal. The achievements I have today are not only due to Teacher Han's hard work, but also your excellent management of the school."

"You're an excellent young man with a limitless future."

"You flatter me, Principal..."

Even though it was their first time meeting, the two of them were exchanging pleasantries with great enthusiasm, almost as if they were engaging in mutual flattery.

Zhao Qingyan couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted, "Alright, stop it, both of you. Isn't it disgusting? You're giving me goosebumps."

She glared at her father and then looked at Shen Weiyue. "Shen the Donkey, don't be so bureaucratic. What's there to flatter my dad about?"

"It's not flattery. With such an outstanding daughter, can't I express my admiration for her father?"

"Shut up, I can't take it anymore. Ning Xi and the others are already in the banquet hall, go find them quickly."

"Principal, Auntie Lu, I'll head inside first then."

Shen Weiyue quickly made his escape; Zhao the Fox looked like she was about to explode.

"Hahaha." Lu Chunyue laughed at the sight. "Honey, your deskmate really is a fascinating person."

Zhao Qingyan huffed. "He's just a donkey, what's so fascinating about him!"

"You can't say that. Perhaps his IQ can't compare to yours, but his EQ is definitely exceptional." Principal Zhao Weiming sighed with conviction. "This boy is definitely not destined to remain in a small pond!"

"Here we go again, here we go again. Dad, isn't he just good at saying what people want to hear? He flatters you a little and you take it seriously..."

"That's where you don't understand. Shen Weiyue only found out today that you are my daughter, right? Look at his words and actions in front of me—was there even a hint of fear throughout the whole time?"

Zhao Qingyan thought about it and shook her head. She really hadn't noticed Shen Weiyue showing any stage fright.

"See? Not only was he calm and composed, but he was also able to smoothly stroke my ego. Does this look like a newly graduated high school student? Many people my age can't even do that."

"Honey, your father is right. This Stupid Donkey deskmate of yours doesn't give me the impression of a child from the countryside."

"I heard Shen Weiyue applied to Qingbei University. If he can be your university classmate, you should interact with him more. There are many things about him worth learning from, especially his social skills."

"Your mother is right. You need to make more friends."

The couple exchanged glances, taking the opportunity to lecture their daughter intensely.

Zhao Qingyan was annoyed beyond measure, so she simply stopped greeting guests there and turned to run towards the banquet hall.

The two looked at each other and sighed.

...

Zhao Qingyan walked into the banquet hall and scanned the room. Shen Weiyue was chatting and laughing with a group of his peers.

Aside from Yuan Tianze and Ning Xi, she didn't really know anyone else in that group.

She heard from her father that this graduation banquet, besides inviting all the teachers, also included some people from the county's education system, and the remaining invitations were for a small number of students—the top-tier elite from each class.

Zhao Qingyan believed that Shen Weiyue didn't know many of these people either, yet he had managed to hit it off with them so quickly.

If this Stupid Donkey were a girl, he would definitely be a social butterfly!

Zhao Qingyan didn't go over; she just found Ning Xi to chat for a few minutes, then, while maintaining her cold and proud demeanor, she secretly observed Shen Weiyue's behavior.

The more she watched, the more she realized her parents were right.

This guy was so approachable, guiding the conversation and controlling the room. Where was there even a trace of a Cultural Reference in him?

Not long after, everyone had arrived.

After Principal Zhao Weiming delivered his welcome speech on stage, the banquet began.

Shen Weiyue ushered a group of people to their seats. Under his guidance, the young people quickly became acquainted, and while eating, they began exchanging contact information.

Therefore, when Zhao Qingyan, who had "resistance" and "despair" written all over her face, was brought over by Principal Zhao Weiming and his wife to make a toast, she was surprised to find that Shen Weiyue was already calling the people at his table brothers.

By the time she finally returned to her seat and picked up her chopsticks, Shen Weiyue actually walked straight over with a glass in his hand and came to her side.

"Student Zhao Qingyan, you have done me a great favor. I toast you with a glass of wine. I will always remember this kindness. Thank you!"

Zhao Qingyan stood up in a daze and raised her glass. The moment they clinked glasses, she caught the scent and realized that the Sprite in his glass had been replaced with liquor.

Before she could speak, Shen Weiyue raised his glass and downed it in one go.

Afterward, he went to toast Principal Zhao Weiming, and then all the subject teachers. He exchanged pleasantries with each of them for a moment, and with everyone, he finished a whole glass.

Until he finally toasted Liang Yuting, Zhao Qingyan noticed a detail.

They didn't clink glasses, and Liang Yuting didn't even look at Shen Weiyue once. There was something strange between them.

Shen Weiyue drank a glass by himself in a glum manner, then smiled and turned to leave.

When Zhao Qingyan had eaten a few bites and searched for him again, Shen Weiyue was no longer in the banquet hall.

Her heart tightened inexplicably. Could that donkey have drank himself dizzy?

Hopefully he doesn't drink himself to death.

Zhao Qingyan left her seat, walked out of the banquet hall to the outside, and then heard voices coming from the flower bed.

Following the sound, she found Shen Weiyue with both hands resting on the flower bed, looking into the distance, seemingly talking to himself.

"Shen Weiyue, what are you doing here?"

Hearing Zhao Qingyan's voice, Shen Weiyue turned around. "Nothing. Zhao the Fox, you go back and eat. I'm just sobering up here for a bit."

"Are you drunk?"

"No. You go back, I'm heading to the station in a bit."

"Are you really okay?"

Zhao Qingyan's face showed concern, but Shen Weiyue shook his head with a smile.

"Why don't you find a chair and sit down to rest for a while? What's so good about drinking..."

"Wine can wash away sorrows. Besides, I'm a Stupid Donkey, like you said."

"Wait here, I'll go get you a bottle of mineral water."

Zhao Qingyan turned around, and Lu Chunyue hurriedly hid behind the door.

She had come out to look for her daughter and inadvertently overheard their conversation.

Actually, hearing it, it wasn't much, but it seemed like the first time she had seen her daughter care so much about an outsider.

She wouldn't even pay attention to others when they toasted or talked to her, yet here she was, actively coming out to find him.

There was a sense of unconcealable favoritism.