Chapter 429 This time it’s Shen Xiangyang’s turn to protect Gu Xi (Script 15)
His face was still pale, almost transparent, and his body was even trembling slightly, but his back was very straight, like a small tree trying hard to take root in the strong wind.
Shen Xiangyang looked directly into Gu Zhenting's eyes, which were full of anger and oppression. He did not retreat. His voice was trembling a little because of nervousness, but it was extremely clear: "Uncle Gu!"
This sudden address made Gu Zhenting, who was furious, and Gu Xi, who was about to explode, pause.
Gu Zhenting turned his sharp eyes to Shen Xiangyang.
Shen Xiangyang took a deep breath, as if he had exhausted all his strength. Facing that terrifying gaze, he continued, "You misunderstood Gu Xi! He's not idle! He's not crazy!"
Shen Xiangyang's voice was filled with the courage of someone who had been forced into a desperate situation. "This past month, I've seen Gu Xi work the hardest and put the most effort into his work! He studies every day and never slacks off! He explains the questions to me and helps me sort out my thoughts. His own notebook is almost full of wrong answers! He knows better than anyone how difficult the A-level exam is, and he wants to prove it to you more than anyone else!"
Shen Xiangyang's tone became faster and faster, with a strong indignation on behalf of Gu Xi: "He brought me here not for fun, but to take me in, because... because I had nowhere else to go..."
At this point, Shen Xiangyang's voice choked, and a trace of humiliation flashed across his beautiful eyes, which was then forcibly suppressed by Shen Xiangyang. His gaze met Gu Zhenting more firmly: "But this did not affect Gu Xi. On the contrary, he studied more seriously and devotedly! Gu Xi said that he wanted to be admitted to University A with me! This is not a joke, Uncle Gu, he is proving it with his actions!"
Shen Xiangyang mustered up his last bit of courage and produced the most powerful evidence.
He didn't beg for sympathy, but instead stated the facts earnestly: "Also, Uncle Gu, do you know? In the last city-wide mock exam, Gu Xi's grade ranking advanced a full thirty places compared to the previous time! His physics score alone broke into the top 50 in the grade for the first time! All these improvements were made by Gu Xi, who only slept five hours a day and worked on each problem one by one! If you don't believe me, you can check his transcript!"
Shen Xiangyang's voice echoed in the empty living room, carrying the sincerity unique to young people and an unquestionable power.
He stopped looking at Gu Zhenting and turned to look at Gu Xi. There was heartache and affirmation in his eyes: "Gu Xi... he is very good, much better than you think... he just... just needs a little time, and... your trust..."
Shen Xiangyang said the last two words "trust" with extra force.
After saying this, he seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He was breathing slightly, his chest heaving, but his back was still straight, like a spear that would rather break than bend, blocking Gu Xi firmly in front of him.
The living room fell into deathly silence.
The anger on Gu Zhenting's face gradually disappeared after hearing Shen Xiangyang's powerful words.
His sharp gaze was no longer aggressive, but fell on Shen Xiangyang again with a new scrutiny.
He was surprised by the courage and clear logic displayed by this thin, poorly dressed boy, whom he regarded as a "troublemaker".
But what shocked Gu Zhenting even more was the information revealed in Shen Xiangyang's words - about Gu Xi's efforts, about the progress he had never paid attention to, and the sentence "He needs your trust."
Gu Zhenting's gaze slowly shifted to his son Gu Xi.
Gu Xi was also looking at him at this moment, and the anger and rebelliousness in his eyes were gone, leaving only a trace of barely perceptible grievance.
Gu Zhenting was silent.
He remembered that his assistant seemed to have mentioned that Gu Xi's performance had improved recently, but he was busy with a merger and acquisition case at the time and didn't take it seriously at all.
The intimidating low pressure around Gu Zhenting dissipated little by little in the long silence.
He stopped looking at Shen Xiangyang and returned his gaze to Gu Xi. His tone was still stiff, but less aggressive: "Let me see the transcript of the first mock exam."
Gu Xi was stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to react.
Shen Xiangyang immediately pushed him gently.
Gu Xi finally came to his senses and hurried to the desk. He rummaged through the stack of folders and quickly took out a printed transcript, which he respectfully handed to his father.
Gu Zhenting took the report card and scanned the numbers and rankings on it with sharp eyes.
Shen Xiangyang was right. Gu Xi's ranking had indeed moved up thirty places, and his physics score was clearly marked as "48th in the grade." He held the thin piece of paper and looked at it for a long time.
The living room was still quiet, with only the slight sound of Gu Zhenting flipping papers. Shen Xiangyang was still standing in front of Gu Xi, like a small protective barrier.
Finally, Gu Zhenting put down the report card.
He raised his eyes and glanced at the two teenagers again.
This time, his gaze stayed on Shen Xiangyang significantly longer, with a sense of evaluation and re-examination.
After a long while, Gu Zhenting said to Gu Xi in a deep voice: "Since you want to apply to University A, you should give it your all and don't let it down..."
Gu Zhenting's eyes vaguely passed over Shen Xiangyang, and finally landed on Gu Xi's face, "Don't let down the expectations of you and the people around you."
After saying this implicit approval, Gu Zhenting did not stay any longer, as if the fierce conflict just now had never happened.
He turned around and walked straight to the study on the second floor with steady steps.
It was not until the sound of the study door closing was heard that Gu Xi's tense body suddenly relaxed and he let out a long, silent breath.
He turned his head and looked at Shen Xiangyang who was still blocking his way.
Shen Xiangyang also turned around slowly, his face still a little pale, but in those clear eyes, there was a light that had never been there before.
Their eyes met.
Silent emotions surged between the two of them.
Gu Xi stretched out his hand, without saying any words of thanks, but very naturally held Shen Xiangyang's fingers, which were still cold due to nervousness.
His palms were hot and strong, conveying silent gratitude and an indescribable emotion.
Shen Xiangyang's fingers curled up slightly, and then he gently and firmly held Gu Xi's hand back.
The sun is still shining outside the window.
Inside the closed door of the study, Gu Zhenting sat behind a large desk, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
He picked up the phone, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately did not dial. Instead, he opened an encrypted folder, in which lay a photo of Gu Xi winning a competition a few years ago.
The boy in the photo has bright eyes and a pure smile.
Gu Zhenting looked at the photo and thought of the thin but extremely determined figure in the living room just now and the description of Gu Xi who was working hard for his goal.
A smile finally appeared in Gu Zhenting's eyes, and the ice deep in his eyes was slowly and quietly melting.
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