Locking away my heart and love! Going back to 2000 to be a top student again.

Xi Zirong's expression stiffened. She turned her head to the side and emphasized again, "Don't be curious about the first-year students. They are only fifteen years old, two years younger than us."

At 6:30 in the summer, the sunlight was so bright that Xu Su could see the person's flushed profile at a glance.

"......" So easily teased, and prone to little tantrums.

But the more he was teased, the more Xu Su couldn't help but want to tease him.

Her bad temper kicked in, and she smiled and tilted her head to look at him: "Xi Zirong, you're upset just because Huang Feng praised the first-year students for being handsome and having good grades? I always thought you had a good temper and were emotionally stable."

Xi Zirong turned her head and looked at her. "It has nothing to do with other people. You know, what I care about is your opinion."

Xu Su was a little overwhelmed by that straight ball.

She paused for a long time before saying, "I wasn't curious about the first-year students, but Huang Feng was talking about it with great enthusiasm, and I couldn't very well spoil her fun, could I? Xi Zirong, I just realized you're quite petty."

She barely said a few words, yet this was enough to make him angry.

Moreover, everyone has a love for beauty.

There's nothing wrong with looking at handsome guys.

Studying is already so demanding, can't we at least steal a moment to appreciate the beauty in life?

Xi Zirong remained silent.

The two walked side by side toward the competition class. Only after they entered the classroom and sat down did he speak again: "Xu Su, your discovery was correct. I am indeed petty, and I am most afraid that you will bring me a few more love rivals."

The boy's voice was somewhat low, and he seemed to be in low spirits.

Xu Su turned her head to look at him, met his clear eyes, and belatedly realized something.

This person is jealous.

She's still awkwardly jealous.

Xu Su felt a pang of sympathy for no apparent reason; she didn't understand her own feelings.

Does feeling soft-hearted towards someone mean you like them?

She gave a somewhat stiff smile: "You're watching me every day, where am I supposed to find you a rival?"

Xu Su has never truly loved anyone. Xi Zirong is the boy she has had the most contact with in both her lives, besides Zhou Mochen.

He is a good person; he possesses all the gentleness, politeness, sincerity, and passion that a young person should have.

Xu Su didn't know if she liked Xi Zirong, but she was definitely becoming more and more soft-hearted towards him.

Compared to Zhou Mochen's repressed and suffocating feelings, isn't Xi Zirong's kind of affection healthier and more beautiful?

Xu Su had never had one before, so she was genuinely tempted.

~~~~

The competition is too uncertain. At least among the nineteen students in the competition class, very few dared to confidently say that they would definitely pass the preliminary round. And this was only the first stage of the preliminary round. The subsequent semi-finals would be an even more brutal battleground.

However, it is not uncommon for students to be admitted to key universities through competitions every year. At least for some students who are severely unbalanced in their subjects, competitions are undoubtedly easier than the college entrance examination.

After more than a month of intensive instruction from two teachers.

September arrived, and the preliminary round finally came.

Although the number of participants from the No. 1 Middle School in the city was not large, a bus was still arranged to take the students from the school to the examination venue.

The preliminary round was held in the city. After getting off the bus, I found that the area outside the examination hall was already crowded with candidates from various middle schools in Changshi.

There were also the teachers from various schools who were leading the teams.

Compared to the rather meager number of students at the No. 1 Middle School in the city, many schools known for their competitive abilities send a huge number of students to participate in the competition.

Xi Zirong stood next to Xu Su and looked at the area with the most students not far away. She said, "That's the Experimental Middle School. It's different from our school. Competitions are the main focus at the Experimental Middle School. They have a special competition class. In terms of competitions, they are much stronger than the No. 1 Middle School in Changshi."

Xu Su followed his gaze and saw that there were about a hundred students at the Experimental Middle School. Compared to the few students at the No. 1 Middle School in the city, they certainly looked much stronger.

They are looking at others, and others are looking at them.

Although the competition results of No. 1 Middle School are not very outstanding, it is still one of the top key schools in Changshi. Moreover, Xi Zirong, who is recognized as the top student in her grade by various universities, is also participating in the competition this time.

Then, Xu Su noticed that many eyes were focused on her.

Curiosity, amazement, observation, scrutiny...

Amidst the diverse expressions in her eyes, Xu Su recalled what Huang Feng had said during the summer vacation.

She said that Xi Zirong's pursuit of a girl had become the biggest gossip event in all the high schools in Changshi.

Previously, Xu Su was either at school or at home in the countryside.

Now that he's finally made an appearance, all the attention from students from other schools has naturally turned to him.

Xu Su twitched her lips and took a few steps to the side, trying to get away from the person next to her.

As a result, Xi Zirong followed closely behind and asked, still puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"..." Xu Su looked at him with a complicated expression: "What's wrong? Don't you know? Xi Zirong, you're too famous, and it's making me the focus of their attention."

Xi Zirong raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat aggrieved: "This isn't my fault. You know, this is my first time participating in a competition too."

Does this have anything to do with how many competitions you participate in?

There weren't many freshmen from the No. 1 High School in the city participating in the competition.

Most of them only officially participate in the competition in their second year of high school.

Before they could chat for long, Teacher Wu called everyone together and gave each of them an exam card and admission ticket. "After the exam, come back the way you came. We'll be waiting for you here. Do your best and don't feel pressured."

Holding her exam badge with her photo, school, and class affixed to it, along with her exam admission ticket, Xu Su lined up to enter the exam room.

Xi Zirong was right behind her. The two of them were classmates from the No. 1 Middle School in the city. Students from other schools not far away were glancing over in their direction.

Xu Su discovered that Xi Zirong seemed to have a wide network of connections; several boys wearing different school uniforms even came up to greet him.

Then, he casually glanced at Xu Su, and finally looked at Xi Zirong with envy before reluctantly leaving.

Xu Su:...

They were not in the same examination room; Xu Su was assigned to the first floor, while Xi Zirong had to go to the second floor.

Before parting, Xi Zirong said, "Do your best on the exam. I'll hand in my paper early and wait for you downstairs."

To the students around us preparing to enter the examination room: ...

Although some students at their school are in relationships, they all keep it a secret.

Are academic geniuses so great? Do they have to announce their relationships to the whole world?

Feeling a long-lost sense of unease under the gaze of so many students from other schools, Xu Su nudged Xi Zirong and said, "You should leave now."

Xi Zirong nodded calmly, glanced at her again, and then walked towards her own examination room.

Xu Su found her exam seat, and a round-faced girl leaned over next to her, her eyes sparkling and seemingly very familiar. "Excuse me, are you Xu Su? Are you really dating the school's top student?"

The boy in front of the round-faced girl turned around when he heard what she said.

Soon, Xu Su noticed that the examinee in front of her was also quietly eavesdropping, waiting for the next part of the conversation.