The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Two rows of chairs had been set up on the stage, and the judges took their seats one after another.

Fu Hua followed Lu Tingxiao over and sat down next to him.

The audience was already packed with students, a sea of ​​black.

Fu Hua glanced at the audience below the stage, then quickly looked away.

"Look at the stands!"

Someone whispered from below.

"Who is that woman? What department is she in? How come she's so young?"

"I don't know, I've never seen it before."

"Are they students from other schools?"

"A student? How could that be? Didn't you see she was sitting on the judging panel? She was surrounded by old men and women."

Among a group of elderly people, the two young men, Fu Hua and Lu Tingxiao, were quite conspicuous.

Whispers hummed in the air as Fu Hua sat on the stage, her expression calm.

No matter how intense or numerous the gazes of others were, they seemed to sink without a trace when they fell upon her.

She was already used to being watched, used to being the center of attention.

His expression was calm and his demeanor composed.

Professor Lü sat at the head of the table, glanced at Fu Hua, and gradually a look of approval appeared in his eyes.

He nodded slightly, his gaze gentle, and the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly, full of appreciation and respect for the younger generation.

The host walked to the center of the stage and picked up the microphone.

Good morning, leaders, judges, and students.

The awards ceremony for the 36th Citywide Physics Competition for Middle School Students is now beginning.

Applause erupted.

The host began reading the list.

Third Prize Winners: Li Wei from Peking University High School, Wang Fang from the Second Affiliated High School of Beijing Normal University, Zhang Lei from Beijing No. 4 High School...

The list went on for a long time, and the winning students went up on stage one by one to receive their awards.

Second Prize Winners: Chen Chen from Experimental High School, Liu Yang from No. 8 High School…

Several more students went up on stage.

The host paused, then raised his voice slightly.

"Now, let's announce the first prize winner."

The host cleared his throat and solemnly announced,

"Two people won the first prize in this competition."

The audience fell silent.

"Su Rong, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University"

Su Rong stood up from her seat, a smile on her face, and quickly walked onto the stage.

"Zhou Ming, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University"

From another direction, a short-haired girl stood up and walked steadily onto the stage.

Two people stood on the stage, one on the left and one on the right.

The host looked at the card in his hand and then spoke again.

"Please invite Professor Lu Tingxiao from Peking University and Comrade Fu Hua from Peking University to present the awards to the first-prize winners."

A buzz of discussion arose from the audience.

"Fu Hua? I've never heard of that name before."

"So young, is he a professor?"

"Didn't I already say it's Kyoto University?"

Fu Hua stood up and walked to the center of the stage.

Lu Tingxiao also walked over from the other side.

A hostess came up carrying a tray with two certificates and two trophies on it.

Fu Hua picked up a certificate and a trophy and turned to Su Rong.

Su Rong stood there with a smile on her face, but the smile seemed a little awkward.

She accepted the certificate and trophy and nodded.

Fu Hua smiled slightly: "Congratulations on winning the first prize. Keep up the good work, the future is bright."

"Thanks."

Su Rong twitched the corner of her mouth and looked down at the crowd below the stage.

She held the certificate in her hands, her eyes shining brightly.

His chin was slightly raised, his eyes couldn't hide his pride, and even the corners of his mouth were turned up in a smug way.

Lu Tingxiao handed the other copy to Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming took it and nodded.

As the two were about to leave the stage, Fu Hua's gaze lingered on Zhou Ming's face for a second.

Short hair, thin, with calm and clear eyes.

From the moment I arrived until now, I haven't smiled once.

Fu Hua remembered the name Professor Yan had mentioned: Zhou Ming.

Tsinghua University was competing with her for the same project.

She thought it was a boy.

Their eyes met, and Zhou Ming's gaze lingered on her face for a moment.

That face was so striking; sitting among a group of elderly people, it was impossible not to notice it.

And Professor Lü's attitude towards her...

Zhou Ming withdrew his gaze and walked off the stage, a slight, arrogant smile playing on his lips, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

If you're good-looking, people will fawn over you and give you rides.

Isn't this kind of person just climbing the social ladder by relying on family connections?

So what if they come from a good family?

How many of them actually have real skills?

It's nothing special!

She sat back down, placed the certificate on her lap, and stared at the face on the stage with a detached expression.

The host announced, "We'll take a ten-minute break, followed by a group photo after the poetry recitation."

A low murmur arose from the audience as students stood up in twos and threes to move around.

As soon as Su Rong reached the corner, a boy came up to her.

"Su Rong, my classmate."

Su Rong stopped and looked him over.

He was not tall, had fair skin, wore glasses, and had a refined and gentle appearance.

She recognized him; he was a senior physics student.

His name is Chen Rui. He has excellent grades and receives scholarships every year.

"What's up?"

She was a little surprised.

Chen Rui took something out of his pocket and handed it over.

The gift box is light beige with crisp edges and corners, and features a dark red Hero logo on the front.

"This is a Hero brand fountain pen that I specially bought in Shanghai a few days ago. I'm giving it to you."

His voice was a little nervous, and he stammered, "Congratulations on winning the award. I...I thought you were very talented before, I...I admire you a lot."

Su Rong paused for a moment, then looked down at the pen.

It's a Parker, with a silver cap; it doesn't look cheap.

A surge of pride welled up inside her.

She knew Chen Rui; he was a good student and had high aspirations.

I've never heard of him showing any affection to any girl.

He didn't participate in this competition, supposedly because he was preparing to go abroad.

If he had participated, the first place winner might not have been anyone's for sure.

Unexpectedly, he actually liked her.

She sized him up; he was fair-skinned, thin, and refined.

But something is missing.

What's missing?

Suddenly, the image of the man in the jacket at the school gate flashed through her mind.

A tall and straight figure, with a cool and aloof expression.

Standing next to the jeep, I felt full of energy.

That's what makes a man manly.

If it were in the past, she might have agreed to date someone like Chen Rui if he had pursued her.

But now...

She smiled slightly but didn't take the pen.

"Senior Chen Rui,"

Her voice was soft. "Thank you for your congratulations, but... I can't accept your feelings."

She lowered her eyes and paused. When she looked up again, a very faint calculation flashed in her eyes, so quick that it was impossible to catch.

Seeing Chen Rui's dejected look, she spoke softly, as if mentioning it casually:

"Actually... you're so outstanding, you shouldn't be focusing your attention on me."

"Come here, I want to say something to you."

Chen Rui's eyes lit up slightly, and he took a step forward.

Su Rong leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Chen Rui was stunned for a moment, then looked up at her.

Are you sure?

Su Rong nodded and smiled.

"You're such an outstanding senior, you'll definitely succeed. I'm waiting for your good news."

She pushed the pen back, turned around, and left.

Chen Rui stood there, holding the pen, watching her departing figure, his expression slowly changing.

On stage, just as the host was about to speak, someone suddenly stood up from the audience.

"Professors, teachers, and students, I have something to say."

The entire room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the boy who had stood up.

Chen Rui stood in the middle of the seats, holding the pen in his hand.

Her face was slightly flushed, and her eyes were bright.

The judges on stage looked at each other in bewilderment.

The host paused for a moment and looked at Professor Lü.

Professor Lü frowned and stood up.

"Excuse me, what's the matter? It's break time now, the recitation is about to begin."