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

After all, as her roommate and best friend, Huang Feng knew Xu Su's daily expenses and knew she was definitely not the kind of person who spent money recklessly.

Although she received a generous scholarship and had some savings, Xu Su never changed her spending habits.

"..." Actually, Xu Su also felt a little sorry for her, after all, she not only had to pay for her own tuition and living expenses with her scholarship, but she would probably also have to pay for her own tuition when she went to university.

Relying on Xu Weiping and his wife isn't necessarily reliable.

She had originally planned to buy lottery tickets in the first semester of her junior year of high school so that she would have enough money for college tuition. However, after she started living at school, she was so busy every day that she didn't go home much and for a while she forgot about it.

By the time Xu Su remembered she still needed to buy a lottery ticket, everyone else had already claimed their prize...

So, even if you were to live a second life, you can't take away your fortune, can you?

~~

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Xi Zirong's birthday banquet was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

After Xu Su and Huang Feng met, they headed to their destination together.

On the way, Xu Su received two phone calls from Xi Zirong. As soon as she got off the bus, she saw Xi Zirong standing at the hotel entrance waiting for someone.

He was dressed very formally; he was a tall, slender young man who had come of age today.

He wore a well-tailored suit, and because it was so cold, he also wore an overcoat over it. He looked straight and handsome, like a dashing young man.

Huang Feng, holding Xu Su's hand, recognized Xi Zirong and couldn't help but exclaim, "Xi Zirong is quite handsome! Su Su, you're so lucky!"

"..." Xu Su was affected by these straightforward words and fell silent for a moment.

She thought of the boy's tender gaze...and his strong, lean abs...

Before they even got close, Xi Zirong saw them and immediately came over to greet them, his eyes warmer than the winter sun.

"Susu, you're finally here! I thought you couldn't find the place, and I was all ready to come and pick you up."

Xu Su smiled at him and said happy birthday.

Xi Zirong felt a surge of warmth in her heart and reached out to take Xu Su's hand, but Xu Su dodged her.

Xu Su warned Xi Zirong sternly: "Today I am just an ordinary classmate of yours. Be mindful of the occasion. I don't want your parents and relatives to misunderstand."

She has no intention of meeting her parents.

Xu Su had said this several times before. Xi Zirong pursed her lips, withdrew her hand, and led them inside.

After Huang Feng initially wished Xu Su a happy birthday, she remained silent and quietly watched the drama unfold.

They followed Xi Zirong toward the hotel. She gripped Xu Su's arm tightly and whispered, "Xi Zirong is so wronged. Su Su, you are so heartless."

“…?” Xu Su glanced at her. “Be good, say less.”

The elevator took us up to the third floor, where it was already packed with guests.

Xi Zirong led them to his classmates' table. Every now and then, someone would greet him, and he would respond to each one with a calm and composed demeanor, like a grown-up who could handle anything on his own.

Everyone at the classmate's table was present. Xu Su and Huang Feng were the last to arrive. Fu Jun was the first to notice Xi Zirong when she came over. He smiled and joked, "Finally, our class monitor has arrived. Are you all in a better mood now?"

Fu Jun's voice wasn't too loud or too soft, but fortunately the place was lively and not many people paid attention to the children. Xi Zirong glanced at him and said without any expression of joy or anger, "Fu Jun, don't talk nonsense today."

Xu Su glared at him as well.

Fu Jun was startled. He put his hand to his mouth and made a zipping motion, then fell silent instantly.

The other students laughed and changed the subject.

Xi Zirong sat with them for a while, but soon he was called away by one of his relatives.

Before leaving, he whispered to Xu Su to eat in peace and not to leave early, as there were activities in the afternoon.

Once Xi Zirong left, Huang Feng felt free to explore. She looked around at the surroundings and couldn't help but admire how well-off her class monitor's family was; this was the best hotel in N Province.

The banquet was packed with tables, numbering at least several dozen.

The guests at each table were not dressed like ordinary people; they all looked like extremely respectable members of society.

Fu Jun and Zhou Dongdong, who arrived earlier, knew more. Hearing Huang Feng's words, Zhou Dongdong whispered, "Do you know what the class monitor's parents do?"

Huang Feng's eyes lit up: "What have you found out? Tell me in detail."

Seeing her friend like this, Xu Su couldn't help but tug at her and remind her, "You should have just asked me directly."

Having dated for so long, Xu Su had some understanding of Xi Zirong's family background.

He knows more than his classmates, at least.

Huang Feng decisively abandoned Zhou Dongdong's gossip and looked at Xu Su with a fawning expression: "Su Su, my good Su Su, tell me quickly."

Xu Su rubbed his temples: "His parents are both university professors, they're professors at N University."

N University is the only key university in the city, and it ranks highly in the country. Those who hold professorships there have a very high social status; being a university professor might even be considered a side job for them.

Those invited to Xi Zirong's birthday banquet must at least be students taught by his parents, either with master's or doctoral degrees.

Zhou Dongdong shook her index finger, her face full of "you didn't know either" expression, and whispered, "It's not just university professors. I just overheard a conversation at the next table. He mentioned 'Dean Xi.' I'm guessing that Xi Zirong's father is probably the dean of some college at N University."

Xu Su raised an eyebrow and said "Oh".

When Xi Zirong talked about her parents' professions, she simply said that both of them were professors at N University.

I didn't expect this person to be so low-key. A university professor and a college dean are quite different.

So, does Xi Zirong come from a family with a strong academic background?

So outstanding, and so self-disciplined.

She also loves being a teacher...

The students around them were also shocked.

A university professor!

Another topic that emerged in later generations was roughly this: 'If nothing unexpected happens, your university professor will likely be the highest-ranking person you ever encounter in your life.'

These students haven't realized this cruel truth yet, but that doesn't stop them from being amazed.

Halfway through the meal, Xi Zirong finally finished his work and came over. However, all the seats at Xu Su's table were already full, so he asked the waiter to add a chair and sat down next to Xu Su.

They asked for another set of bowls and chopsticks.

Xu Su glanced at him. The boy's face was a little red, and he had taken off the coat he was wearing outside. He was wearing a clean and crisp suit and looked very energetic.

However... Xu Su asked, "Xi Zirong, have you been drinking?"

She smelled alcohol.

Of all these banquets, their table was probably the only one without a bar, since they were all high school students.

Xi Zirong rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head to look at Xu Su, her eyes clear: "Yes, Su Su, I'm an adult now. They made me drink a few glasses, but I'm not drunk."

Xu Su nodded, showing no aversion to drinking.

In fact, she herself loves to drink it...

Xi Zirong persisted, "If you don't like me drinking, I won't drink anymore, Su Su, I'll be very obedient."