<h4>Chapter 81: Chapter 81: The Winner</h4><h4></h4>


    The director nced at her with a smile and said warmly, "Qingnuan performed well, taking first ce to enter the finals. Keep up the good work."


    "What? First ce? Did I hear that right?"


    "No wonder she’s a top student—absolutely deserving! First ce, wow!"


    "Amazing! Not only is she good-looking, but she’s also so capable. So jealous!"


    "....."


    Su Qingnuan had a slightly dazed expression as she stared at the director wordlessly.


    Gu Xiaoxiao nudged her and teased, "What are you spacing out for? The director’s talking to you!"


    "Ah? Oh!" Su Qingnuan snapped back to reality and smiled awkwardly. "Sorry about that, Director."


    "It’s fine." The director nced at the list again and continued, "Let me see who else... Oh, Jiang He—Jiang He, are you here?"


    A schrly-looking boy wearing sses was pushed forward. His cheeks flushed red, surprise flickering in his eyes.


    "Director, is my name really there?"


    "Of course it is!" The director patted his shoulder and smiled. "Well done, young man. Keep it up!"


    "Got it!"


    Jiang He jogged away excitedly. Watching his ecstatic retreating figure, the crowd reacted with mixed emotions—some happy, some disheartened.


    Only one spot remained.


    Su Qingnuan nced at Gu Xiaoxiao, who was also watching the director nervously.


    "Thest one... Kong Rong."


    Kong Rong?


    Su Qingnuan froze briefly and looked back in confusion.


    "I told you! You could definitely make it!"


    "Exactly! Compared to some people, you’re leaps ahead!"


    These sarcastic tones were the kind ofments Su Qingnuan had been hearing a lottely.


    Yet, despite their familiarity, even she couldn’t help but find them somewhat amusing.


    Apanied by two others, Kong Rong strode forward.


    Crossing her arms proudly, she looked at Su Qingnuan with high-spirited confidence.


    "I made it in?" Kong Rong asked.


    The director nodded and smiled. "Our school got three spots in total. You’ve all done very well. Perform your best!"


    "Thank you for thepliment, Director." Kong Rong cast a sly nce at Su Qingnuan, smirking coldly. "But my ambitions extend far beyond this."


    "That’s the energy we like to see in young people!" The director waved his hand with a smile. "Alright, now that you all know the results, time to disperse."


    Saying that, the director took the list over to the bulletin board and posted it there.


    Even though the names had already been announced, many people still couldn’t resist rushing over for onest double-check, hoping for a miracle.


    But upon finding their names absent, they left in disappointment.


    Su Qingnuan nced at Gu Xiaoxiao and sighed softly.


    Gu Xiaoxiao noticed and looked at her in surprise. "What are you sighing about? Didn’t you just make it into the finals?"


    "I..." Su Qingnuan hesitated, looking at her.


    Gu Xiaoxiao paused, then teased with augh, "Are you worried about me, or are you looking down on me?"


    "Of course not!" Su Qingnuan lowered her head, hesitating again. "It’s just that you prepared for so long..."


    "I prepared for a long time, but so did everyone else. Does that mean every person who prepared gets to make the finals?" Gu Xiaoxiao’s smile faded, and she sighed. "Even though it’s a bit disappointing, it’s no big deal. You made it, didn’t you? If even one of us gets through, I’m satisfied."


    With that, she looped her arm through Su Qingnuan’s and smiled lightly. "Come on, you’re treating me to dinner today—a celebration!"


    "Alright!" Su Qingnuan brightened up, smiling softly. "Dinner’s on me today."


    But since she’d be homete tonight, she’d have to report in first.


    Su Qingnuan dialed Fu Yihan’s number, exining the reason, then quietly waited for his reply.


    There was a moment of silence on the other end before he finally said, "Where are you now?"


    "At school."


    "Stay there for a little while longer. A-Qi will take you two to the restaurant. Let him apany you."


    "...Alright."


    After he hung up, Su Qingnuan let out a sigh.


    "Why so dejected?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked,ughing.


    Su Qingnuan waved her phone around helplessly. "He agreed to let me stay outter, but he said A-Qi has to follow us."


    "A-Qi? That’s the driver, right?"


    "Mhm."


    "Himing along is actually pretty good!" Gu Xiaoxiao patted her arm and smiled lightly. "It’ste, and two girls alone outside isn’t so safe. Your husband’s actually being thoughtful."


    "Uh?"


    Su Qingnuan froze slightly, not expecting Gu Xiaoxiao to think that way.


    "What?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled. "Is there a problem?"


    "No." Su Qingnuan quickly shook her head and smiled. "No problem at all."


    Under Gu Xiaoxiao’s persuasion, Su Qingnuan decided not to dwell on unnecessary details anymore.


    That evening, the two enjoyed a rare, carefree night out, having a wonderful dinner together before heading home by car.


    On the ride back, Su Qingnuan felt a mix of happiness and mncholy.


    People always said that after great joyes sorrow.


    Following her excitement with Gu Xiaoxiao earlier, sitting now in the quiet of the backseat, Su Qingnuan couldn’t help but feel a little down.


    Luckily, the mncholy didn’tst long—before she knew it, they were home.


    Entering the house quietly, Su Qingnuan saw the old man sitting on the sofa, her brow furrowing slightly.


    The old man always found ways to trouble her. Now, just seeing him made her want to avoid him altogether.


    "Ah, Qingruo!" Hearing the sound, the old man turned his head and smiled warmly. "You’re finally back."


    Su Qingnuan gave an awkward smile and nodded. "Grandpa, why are you still sitting out here? Shouldn’t you be resting already?"


    "Couldn’t sleep!" The old man patted the spot next to him with a big grin. "Come over here. Grandpa wants to chat for a bit."


    Her body stiffened slightly, but she didn’t move.


    "What’s wrong?" The old man’s smile disappeared, and he looked at her with a stern face. "What, now even talking to Grandpa is too much to ask?"


    "No... not at all." Inside, Su Qingnuan smiled bitterly, but her face showed a polite smile as she walked over and sat down beside him.


    "Grandpa, if you have something to say, please go ahead."


    Seeing her earnest expression, the old man softened his smile. "It’s nothing big... I just wanted to ask something."


    He paused for a moment, ncing around to make sure no one else was paying attention, and then continued, "How are things between you and Yihan?"


    "Ah?" Su Qingnuan froze for a moment, then immediately nodded. "We’re fine. Why do you ask?"


    "No reason." The old man awkwardly chuckled, lowering his voice. "I know I’ve caused you some trouble before, but still, there’s something I want to say..."


    Suddenly, he stopped. His weathered eyes gleamed with a hint of sorrow.


    "I’m getting on in years, and I don’t have much time left. All I hope for is to see a great-grandchild before I go. You know what Yihan’s personality is like. If..."


    As expected...


    Su Qingnuan couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally. At this point, it seemed like the old man’s head was filled with nothing but the idea of a great-grandchild.


    "Grandpa," Su Qingnuan interrupted him with a gentle smile, "I’ll do my best."


    "Good, good!" The old man nodded repeatedly, his face lighting up with joy.


    Su Qingnuan chuckled softly. Just as she was about to stand, her hand was suddenly grabbed, and something was pressed into her palm.