My Five Bigshot Seniors: I am The Most Coddled Junior!-Chapter 423 - 103: [Second Update]

When the results were announced, the plaza buzzed with astonishment once more.

The man standing to the left of Jun Wu looked at Jun Wu in disbelief. Just moments ago, he was assuming in his heart that Jun Wu was out of the running for first place. Who could have guessed the City Lord would announce Jun Wu as the winner? This left the man feeling as if he’d been slapped across the face, his cheeks burning.

Even though no one else knew his thoughts, he felt a profound sense of embarrassment and simultaneously held Jun Wu in great admiration.

Wen Xiyue had already guessed the outcome as soon as she noticed that Jun Wu finished earlier than she did. Thus, when she heard Jun Wu had taken first place, she wasn’t as shocked as she was yesterday. Instead, she felt a sense of "as expected"!

This made her internally marvel at Jun Wu’s strength!

The smile on Helian Shen’s face gradually disappeared as he glanced at where Jun Wu was standing, a surge of fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

Being defeated twice in a row by the same person had never happened in the past twenty-some years of Helian Shen’s life. Even Wen Xiyue and Leng Yan had never beaten him twice in succession. Normally, in their competitions, their wins and losses were about equal, never like the current situation.

Being defeated twice in the field he prided himself on most, by the very same person, was something Helian Shen, always a darling of heaven, found hard to accept.

He lowered his head, hiding his expression.

In contrast, Leng Yan remained calm from start to finish. Just by looking at his expression, one couldn’t detect any thoughts, but his clenched fists revealed that his inner feelings were not as calm as his surface suggested.

Luckily, though focused solely on Artifact Refining, his mental fortitude was strong. He was not defeated by this setback and quickly regained his composure, determined that in the third round, he would go all out to see who was truly stronger between him and Jun Wu!

"Mr. Jun is incredible, isn’t he? I noticed he was the first to hand in his work, and judging by the judges’ expressions, they were very pleased with his answers. Just how many materials did he write down?"

"Could it have been thirty kinds? With Mr. Shen and Miss Yue’s abilities, writing down thirty kinds shouldn’t be a problem for them. If Mr. Jun wants to surpass them, it would probably be necessary to list thirty kinds!"

"Mr. Jun has taken first place in both the first and second rounds. Even if he gets second place in the third round, he can still be the champion of this Artifact Refining competition!"

"As expected of my idol, Mr. Jun truly is remarkable!"

"When did Mr. Jun become your idol? You should look at your own conduct; compared to Mr. Jun, it doesn’t even bear looking at!"

"..."

Faced with the astonished, envious, and doubtful gazes of everyone, Jun Wu acted with composure. After the City Lord announced the end of the competition, allowing them to leave, he walked straight toward where Gu Qingqing was waiting outside the arena.

The crowd instinctively parted as he approached, opening a path for him to reach Gu Qingqing smoothly. In front of everyone’s eyes, he took Gu Qingqing’s hand and leisurely walked away.

"Ah Wu is amazing, another first place!" Once outside the crowd, Gu Qingqing clung to Jun Wu’s arm, saying with a cheerful smile.

"Geng Geng is happy?" Jun Wu turned his head to look at Gu Qingqing, asking.

"Of course, our Ah Wu is so amazing, I’m definitely happy." Gu Qingqing nodded without hesitation, not forgetting to praise Jun Wu as well.

"Then, since I’m so amazing, is there any reward?" A glint of amusement flickered in Jun Wu’s eyes as he asked Gu Qingqing.

"Hmm?" Gu Qingqing was momentarily stunned, looking at Jun Wu, "What reward does Ah Wu want?"

Jun Wu raised an eyebrow, suddenly bending down to whisper a few words into Gu Qingqing’s ear.

Initially, Gu Qingqing wore a smile, but as she listened to Jun Wu’s words, her face grew redder, her ears turning crimson, and she became very bashful. When Jun Wu finished speaking, she couldn’t help but glare at him.

"If Geng Geng doesn’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes." Jun Wu, thoroughly enjoying Gu Qingqing’s shy demeanor, said with a hint of roguishness in his eyes.

"I didn’t, since when did you become so shameless?" Gu Qingqing puffed her cheeks, looking at Jun Wu in discontent, completely unable to comprehend why Jun Wu became so bold after marriage, leaving her defenseless.

"I’m not shameless at all, it was Geng Geng who asked me what reward I wanted. I told you, and you’re the one not agreeing. Doesn’t that make you the shameless one, Geng Geng?" Jun Wu looked at Gu Qingqing with an expression of innocence, his voice carrying a trace of grievance.

"You—," Gu Qingqing hadn’t expected Jun Wu to turn it back on her, "Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore!"

Gu Qingqing huffed, turning away, ignoring Jun Wu.

Jun Wu watched Gu Qingqing walk a short distance away, chuckling quietly before quickly catching up to her pace.

When Gu Qingqing saw Jun Wu catching up, she gave him a look but didn’t mention her earlier statement of ignoring him.

...

After the competition ended, Helian Shen unusually did not invite Wen Xiyue and Leng Yan out. Instead, he returned home alone, shutting himself in his study once he got there.

When the Helian Family Master returned home, he was informed by a servant that Helian Shen had been in the study for an hour. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, then understanding. After some contemplation, he headed toward Helian Shen’s courtyard.

The Helian household was simple; the Helian Family Master and his wife were childhood sweethearts with a deep bond, and they only had one son, Helian Shen. Ever since discovering Helian Shen’s talent in Artifact Refining, the Helian Family Master had been nurturing him. Helian Shen’s achievements were not only due to his natural talent but also the Helian Family Master’s dedication to his training.

After Jun Wu won first place yesterday, the Helian Family Master thought Helian Shen might have some thoughts. However, Helian Shen didn’t seem to dwell on it. Although he went to befriend Jun Wu, it was merely out of curiosity.

When today’s first-place result was announced, the Helian Family Master was pondering Helian Shen’s reaction. Hearing now that Helian Shen had locked himself in the study, he knew Helian Shen must be contemplating something.

Standing outside the study door, the Helian Family Master knocked. From inside came Helian Shen’s voice.

"Who is it? I want to be alone; don’t disturb me!" Apparently thinking it was a servant, Helian Shen spoke grumpily to shoo them away.

"It’s me!" The Helian Family Master’s eyes flickered as he spoke.

Recognizing the Helian Family Master’s voice, a sudden commotion sounded from within the study, and shortly after, the door was opened from inside. Helian Shen, slightly disheveled, appeared before the Helian Family Master.

"Father." Meeting the Helian Family Master’s gaze, Helian Shen pursed his lips, softly addressing him.