Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 146 03-25 - 134: The outstanding student Zhong Niannian
Chapter 146 -134: The outstanding student Zhong Niannian
This voice was simply unbearable.
The owner of the voice hadn’t really put on an affectation, nor was there any deliberate coquettishness or seduction. It was the charm of the voice quality itself—exceptionally soft, sticky like freshly cooked glutinous rice, yet within its tenderness, there was a slight huskiness. Every tremor seemed to roll right at the tip of one’s heart, creating a fascinating allure with its slightly distant and indifferent tone.
Upon hearing this voice, nearly everyone in the hall turned their attention toward the source of the sound, and Chu Yu also looked over.
At that moment, a dressed-up young lady was walking out from a side door at the back of the hall.
The young lady appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, her eyes sparkling and lively, her appearance extremely beautiful, with a neat air about her brows that was quite distinctive. However, Chu Yu couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed as she looked at her; perhaps it was the high expectations that led to greater disappointment. She felt that the World’s First Beauty was just so-so, as if the external world had exaggerated Zhong Niannian’s beauty, giving rise to the title of the World’s First Beauty.
However, after walking out, the young lady did not proceed toward the crowd as Chu Yu had thought, but instead stopped and stood respectfully, turning to face the door.
...
Following that, another young lady, who looked exactly like the first, came out. Only her expression was slightly more serene. After she came out, she stood at the other side of the door.
Wang Yizhi turned toward Chu Yu and whispered, “These two are Zhong Niannian’s personal maids, named Zhu Yan and Zhu Sha. They have been with Zhong Niannian since three years ago.”
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
After the two maids made their appearance, then came Zhong Niannian.
The first thing to emerge was a hand. This hand was white and smooth, with a warm luster like that of jade, seemingly carved from a single block of jade. It was just a hand, a little whiter, a little smoother, and a bit more gracefully shaped than those of ordinary women, yet it seemed to possess an invisible magic that captivated the gaze of others.
Speaking in detail, it would take a long time, but actually, it all happened very swiftly—Zhong Niannian reached out her hand and gently patted the shoulder of the young lady, whether it was Zhu Yan or Zhu Sha, who had first come out, and then, she walked out herself.
She walked out quite ordinarily, her demeanor gentle and tranquil, dressed in a begonia-red long dress that was softly vibrant. When she reached the center of the hall, she gave a curtsey in several directions, “Niannian has arrived late, I have kept everyone waiting.”
Chu Yu watched Zhong Niannian intently; only now did she understand that there truly were women so beautiful in the world, flawless from top to bottom. Her features were delicate, almost beyond criticism, her makeup very light, her long eyelashes slightly lowered, shielding her clear gaze. Her expression was neither mournful nor excessively charming, but rather calm and shallow, yet within this simplicity, one could imagine countless styles.
As she moved, each gesture resembled a leisurely blooming flower, so composed and graceful.
Zhong Niannian’s beauty was not just skin deep. If it were merely about physical beauty, people’s aesthetic opinions might vary, and she wouldn’t universally be acknowledged as the World’s First Beauty. What truly made people rave about Zhong Niannian was this effortlessly splendid charm.
Even Chu Yu, who was of the same sex, couldn’t help but hold her breath, devoid of any thought of comparison.
World’s First Beauty—Zhong Niannian was indeed worthy of this title.
Zhong Niannian, which was originally a very ordinary name, but having seen the person herself, those three characters seemed to be draped in a layer of dreamlike beauty—Zhong—Niannian—each syllable, each change in tone, seemed as if it came from the heart, carrying a cautious reluctance to intrude upon such beauty.
After completing her greetings, Zhong Niannian walked back to her place in the front of the hall and slowly sat down. Chu Yu softly exhaled and then shifted her gaze, turning to Wang Yizhi and saying, “She truly lives up to her reputation.”
Wang Yizhi had not been as mesmerized as many others present, though his eyes did carry a look of admiration. But the moment Chu Yu spoke, he was immediately able to follow up, “Indeed she is a beauty, what about you, Brother Zichu, are you moved?” He teased Chu Yu with a chuckle.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but roll his eyes, “Please, Brother Yizhi, stop joking.”
Wang Yizhi laughed heartily and pulled Chu Yu along to casually find an empty spot in the corner. They sat down shoulder to shoulder, which also made it easier to continue their conversation. As Chu Yu glanced around, he saw Huan Yuan sitting across from them, his gaze fixed on Zhong Niannian with concentrated attention. Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile slightly and turned back to Wang Yizhi, “Brother Yizhi, do you know what Zhong Niannian usually does when she invites people to gather?”
In a soft voice, Wang Yizhi said, “It’s nothing other than discussing qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, composing poetry and singing songs. I too deeply admire Zhong Niannian’s learning. Although our dynasty has many scholars and literati, there are very few who can match her.”
Chu Yu smiled and also lowered his voice, “Then how about comparing her with you, Brother Yizhi?”
It seemed to be the first time someone had asked him this question. After thinking for a moment, Wang Yizhi responded, “Well, I have never thought about it before. In other aspects, I’m probably not as good as her, but in the one aspect of ‘calligraphy,’ Zhong Niannian is perhaps two grades inferior to me.” He evaluated frankly and justly. When discussing his shortcomings, he did not feel particularly defeated, and when he talked about where he excelled over Zhong Niannian, he was not overly proud.
If you were to say that Zhong Niannian’s skills in all areas were ninety points, compared to others’ fifty, sixty, seventy, or eighty points, she was much better. However, in the art of calligraphy alone, Wang Yizhi scored a hundred points, where Zhong Niannian could not compare.
“And speaking of poetic talent, perhaps Zhong Niannian is also not as good as Yu Ziyuan in your residence. Brother Yu is indeed the most outstanding talent I have seen since I learned to read,” Wang Yizhi said, glancing at Huan Yuan and expressing his admiration unabashedly. “And as for the musical instrument skills, Zhong Niannian is not as good as Xiao Bie. Xiao Bie’s music is just one step away from reaching the transcendental realm, while Zhong Niannian is far from this realm.”
In other words, every one of Zhong Niannian’s skills was excellent and much better than most people, but there was still a slight gap from the top tier.
This kind of example, Chu Yu had also seen in the 21st century in his previous life. At school, students had to study several subjects, and among these students were various types. Some students excelled in just one subject, studying it so well that they nearly always scored full marks and won awards frequently in competitions. However, exams counted the total score, and no matter how well he studied this subject, it could not completely make up for his shortcomings in other areas. Such students often left teachers feeling both fond and frustrated.
Other students might not top any single subject, but they exerted a very balanced effort across all subjects and did quite well universally. Thus, when it came to the total score, it was often these students who topped the leaderboard, and they were the ones teachers found most reliable, always among the honor students every year.
Using this analogy, Wang Yizhi was like the student who excelled in a specific subject, while Zhong Niannian was the type of student who teachers could rely on.
Although there is nothing wrong with being a jack-of-all-trades, when people mention the student who excels in a specific subject, they say, “That person who is really good at so-and-so,” but when referring to a well-rounded good student, they say, “That person who is good at studying.” If asked which subject he excels in, it’s hard to say.
Zhong Niannian was just such a good student. Everyone said she was proficient in qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, composing poetry, and singing, but exactly which one she excelled at remained unclear. She was quite good in every aspect, but not top in any field.
It felt… a bit strange.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but think.
Although he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was strange, it definitely felt odd.
At that moment, the outstanding student Zhong Niannian revealed the purpose of her invitation to everyone.
