"Is that all?" Shen Ling looked at Zhang Chen with wide eyes, recalling his words as she stared at him blankly.
"I know what I'm saying is cruel to you, but I don't want you to misunderstand anything! Besides, it's not as though you've never faced the trials of love before. Back then, you got through what happened with Zhang Gaoqiu. There was never anything between us to begin with, so this shouldn't affect you, should it?" Zhang Chen said to Shen Ling, without the slightest trace of apology on his face.
Back then, it had originally been he and Shen Ling who were betrothed. Shen Ling had looked down on him and gotten involved with Zhang Gaoqiu instead. Later, Zhang Gaoqiu abandoned Shen Ling, and she had even carried Zhang Gaoqiu's child. How could Zhang Chen, a spotless young man, possibly want Shen Ling?
Although Shen Ling was simple-minded and guileless, a kind-hearted good girl—otherwise, Zhang Gaoqiu would not have been able to fool her so thoroughly—Zhang Chen still kept his distance from her out of respect. If Zhang Chen was going to marry, he would marry a woman who was pure and untouched.
A strained smile appeared on Shen Ling's face as she smoothly changed the subject. "When did you arrive at the academy? I haven't heard the slightest news of you these past few years. I've been terribly worried."
"You still worried about me? That truly is surprising." Zhang Chen teased, "With my abilities, where couldn't I live well? I did quite well in the northern lands and in Jinling City before. Later, my abilities only grew, so my days could only get better and better. You, on the other hand—how did you get the chance to join the academy? I heard the academy's selection process is