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

You Shan: [Then don't even think about it. I doubt that will happen, because people who are too outstanding are destined to be single. For example, our boss, I've never seen him even glance at any woman.]

Upon seeing this, Xu Su couldn't help but laugh. She typed and joined the group chat: "Is being destined to be single forever a bit too tragic? It can't be that bad, can it?"

Sika asked: "Susu, are there any academic geniuses at your school? Someone whose grades are way ahead of the second-place student, handsome, and from a wealthy family—my crush's family is incredibly rich."

Far ahead of second place?

Xu Su, who was ranked second, paused for a moment and thought of Xi Zirong.

She replied: "Yes, he's handsome, has never ranked second since entering school, and comes from a well-off family. Perhaps not incredibly rich, but not poor either."

Liu Yun (older sister): [Are there really that many high-quality boys in high schools these days? I remember when I was in high school, the top student in my grade took turns, and there weren't many handsome guys among them.]

Feifei (Alchemist Version): [I wish I could go back to high school and relive it all. I also liked handsome young men, especially geniuses! High-achieving beauties!] (Followed by a lewd emoji...)

Bei Yue: [Where did all these handsome guys come from? It's all just your filters. I admit the boy in Xika's photo is alright-looking, but Su Su, are you wearing an idol filter? You're blinded by the brilliance of being the top student in the grade.]

Sika: [@Little SuSu, SuSu, send me some photos!]

Xu Su felt like she had shot herself in the foot.

Why do they suddenly want photos...?

She tried to pretend she didn't see it, but several people tagged her at once, so she awkwardly said: "I don't have a photo, and I can't take pictures secretly, but I didn't use any filters, I'm telling the truth."

Thinking about how she secretly took photos of Xi Zirong with her phone and was caught, Xu shook her head vigorously in her heart. Secretly taking photos was absolutely impossible.

Several members of the group, including Xika, had been urging him for a long time, so Xu Su had no choice but to reply: "I really don't have any photos. It would be embarrassing to get caught taking pictures without permission. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be the top science student in our province next year. He'll get into Peking University in Beijing. We're all in Beijing, right? Maybe we can get to know each other then."

Sika: [There are still six months until the college entrance exam. Does he tell you which university he plans to apply to? Susu! I remember you have a boyfriend. Is he your boyfriend?]

Your boyfriend isn't him, is he...?

Xu Su was somewhat bewildered.

Nanyang: [B University? Wow... And you, my little apprentice? You're not going to apply to B University too, are you? A few of us are at B University, could it be that my eldest disciple will become my junior?]

Fairy Liuyun was pleasantly surprised: 【Really? Susu is planning to apply to Peking University? All five of us are from Peking University. Let us know in the group chat when you arrive, and I'll come pick you up! Let's meet up!】

The five refer to Liu Yun himself, Nan Yang, Bei Yue, You Shan, and Si Xuan.

Xu Su was extremely surprised. She hadn't expected it to be such a coincidence that five students from B University, one of the top universities in the country, would appear in a small online gaming group.

Having spent so much time in the group chat, she had a very good impression of all her gaming friends from the Qingxuan Sect, and even had a good impression of Si Xuan, who didn't talk much.

He saved her twice when she was a newbie, and even got Nanyang to take her as his apprentice. When his master Nanyang didn't have time to go online, he was willing to help her with quests and complete tasks, without any airs of a top player.

It can be said that, apart from Nanyang, he is the person who treats Xu Su the best in the game.

"What a coincidence!" Xu Su replied happily. "That's right! I'm also going to take the entrance exam for Peking University. I'll come to Beijing to find you guys next year!"

Nanyang was overjoyed that his in-game apprentice was going to become his junior sister. He sent a smiley face: "How are your grades? Are you sure you'll get in? If you do get into Peking University, I'll treat you to a meal."

Xu Su: [I'm second in my grade at our school. Aside from the academic genius I can't compete with, my grades are pretty good. Getting into Peking University is a sure thing. I eat spicy food, so don't forget, Master.] (She added a smug emoji in the middle.)

Sika was a little envious: "My grades aren't good enough for the exam, but I'm going to Beijing too, so we can meet in person! But Susu, what's your relationship with the top student in your school? You've already agreed to take the entrance exam for Peking University!"

Xu Su was both amused and exasperated, not expecting her to remember this. She sighed and typed: "It's nothing, we just chat occasionally."

After learning that there were several college students from B in the group, Xu Su's enthusiasm for chatting in the group soared to unprecedented levels.

Whenever I have a spare moment, I take out my phone to browse, and the end of the year is fast approaching.

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Su received a call from Chen Shulan, asking her when the winter vacation would begin.

Chen Shulan's tone wasn't good, and Xu Weiping's voice could be faintly heard shouting from the side. Their daughter hadn't been home for more than half a year, and they seemed very anxious.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were very concerned about their daughter...

Only Xu Su knew that the couple were probably afraid that she would become too independent and not be close to them, so they were unwilling to give her any benefits.

The wedding banquet in Kang County was such a big affair; the couple must have heard that their daughter met a 'boyfriend' with a powerful background.

Xu Su was thoroughly fed up, but ultimately she was unwilling to completely break ties with her biological parents, maintaining the last vestige of pretense.

As usual, Xu Su was picked up by Zhou Mochen to have lunch. She looked at the man serving dishes and soup next to her and asked with some doubt, "Zhou Mochen, aren't you going back to the capital for the New Year?"

It's already the 27th, and there are only three days left until Chinese New Year...

Zhou Mochen placed a piece of beef brisket in Xu Su's bowl with his chopsticks and said with a smile, "Are you coming back with me?"

"I only have two days off." Xu Su shook her head: "I don't want to do anything since it's New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year."

A round trip takes most of the day.

Zhou Mochen said, "Then I won't go back this year. I can't bear to leave you, so I'll stay here and spend the New Year with you."

Seeing his love-struck expression, Xu Su glared at him and said, "I don't need you to accompany me. I have to go home for Chinese New Year. I haven't been home for a whole semester. I must go home for Chinese New Year."

They're still maintaining a superficial relationship. If they don't go back for the New Year, Chen Shulan and her husband will probably make a scene at the school.

Xu Su didn't want to become the subject of gossip again, with people saying things like, "She's so busy dating she doesn't come home, and her parents have to come to the school looking for her."

“Okay, you can go home for the New Year.” Zhou Mochen nodded good-naturedly: “I’m going to my maternal grandparents’ house for the New Year. Have I told you? My maternal grandparents’ family lives in this city. It just so happens that the textile factory where your parents work is theirs.”

I knew that in my past life...

Xu Su pouted: "I never said that."

After Zhou Mochen briefly introduced his maternal grandparents' family situation, he asked, "My maternal grandfather's relatives are quite curious about you, Su Su, do you want to go and meet them?"

"No." Xu Su shook her head decisively: "You're making it like meeting the parents, I'm not used to it."