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

If Chen Shulan hadn't pulled him aside and winked at him, she probably would have called Xu Su out and scolded him on the spot.

He snorted loudly, the sound coming through the door, but Xu Su ignored it.

Early on New Year's Eve, Chen Shulan knocked on the door, completely forgetting the unpleasantness of the previous day, with an expression of mother and daughter who never held grudges overnight: "Hurry up and pack, we're going to your grandparents' house for the New Year this year."

Xu Su gave a nonchalant "okay," not intending to cause any trouble during the New Year.

After she finished getting ready, the family of four left the house. Xu Weiping still seemed angry about what happened last night, his face still stern and huffy.

Xu Su pretended not to see anything, and the whole family, carrying large and small bags, took the bus to the Xu family's old house.

Before even entering the house, Xu Su could hear the lively sounds inside. She was taken aback. Her sister-in-law, who had only returned to visit on the second day of the Lunar New Year in the previous two years, had actually brought her husband and two daughters back to her parents' home for the New Year this year.

When they saw the family arrive, the Xu family men, including Xu Xiaogu's husband, who were warming themselves by the fire in the lobby, came up to greet them. They were stunned for a moment when they saw Xu Su, and then greeted her with enthusiasm that carried an indescribable feeling.

After only a slight pause, Xu Su realized what was happening.

It's highly likely that this is still a lingering effect of the incident in Kang County. Xu Weiping and his wife must have told the Xu family about their daughter's relationship with a man with a powerful background.

This year, Xu's aunt even brought her whole family back for the New Year. Seeing the strange attitude of this whole family, Xu Su understood perfectly well that they probably wanted to see if they could get some benefits out of it.

Even the Xu brothers, who had always looked down on Xu Su, were pushed out by Xu Weiguo and his wife and reluctantly called her "sister."

For the first time in three years, Xu Su was called "sister" by her two younger cousins. She felt no emotion at all, and even wanted to laugh a little.

Speaking of which, her own younger brother, Xu Yang, has never called her that. Every time he sees her, he gives her a dirty look.

But she always felt that she owed him something and should please him, so she always took it for granted that she should order him around.

In her past life, she was foolish to insist on being a sycophant, eagerly trying to curry favor with their entire family. In the end, she was sold off without hesitation, and this family even took it for granted, wanting to cling to her and leech off her blood. It was utterly disgusting.

Hearing the commotion in the outer room, Aunt Xu came out of the kitchen with her two daughters. She was stunned for a long time when she saw Xu Su before awkwardly greeting her and telling her two daughters to call for help.

The Zhang sisters, Yingying and Tingting, were still very thin and called out "cousin" like little chicks.

Xu Su nodded, smiled, and responded. She didn't have any ill feelings towards the two sisters.

After inviting Xu Su to sit down in the lobby, Chen Shulan put on an apron and quickly went to the kitchen to help.

Thus, Xu Su became the only woman in this old house, besides Old Madam Xu, who was simply waiting for food.

She didn't intend to be polite; she rolled up her sleeves, put her hands over the charcoal fire to warm them, and the watch on her wrist was revealed.

Xu Su had previously only worn the watch that Xi Zirong had given her, but last month the leather strap of the watch cracked, and she didn't have time to take it to the store to replace the strap. Right now, she was wearing the watch that Shen Chen had given her.

The watch bracelet is rose gold, and the dial has a simple and elegant design. It shines brightly on her snow-white wrist, and even someone who doesn't know much about watches can tell that this watch is not cheap.

Xu Hao's eyes lit up immediately, and he asked Xu Su rather bluntly, "Where did you buy this watch? How much did it cost?"

He had always wanted a watch of his own. Although Xu Su's watchband was rose gold, it wasn't too feminine and wouldn't look out of place on a guy.

Xu Su glanced at him, initially not wanting to speak, but after Grandpa Xu pressed him on behalf of his eldest grandson, she finally replied, "It was a gift from someone else; I don't know how much it cost."

Xu Hao's eyes showed disgust, but he said, "Then give me this one and have that person send me another one."

"It's rare for Hao Hao to say anything to you. You, as his older sister, have so many good things, you won't miss this one." Grandma Xu, who always doted on her eldest grandson, glanced at Xu Su, her eyes flashing with the same disdain as Xu Hao's: "Give this watch to Hao Hao."

"!" Xu Su was shocked by this shameless request and her eyes widened. She resolutely refused: "No way."

Grandma Xu's face darkened: "Does what I, as your grandmother, say no longer count? I didn't believe your father when he said you've grown up, but it turns out it's true!"

Xu Su was so angry that she laughed. Just as she was about to speak, Xu Weiping pulled her arm. With a stern face, he scolded, "Go to the kitchen and lend a hand! You're so young, yet you sit there and eat what's served to you. Who taught you such manners!"

Xu Weiping was also somewhat dissatisfied with his daughter's stinginess, but seeing that the situation was not right, he did not want his family to offend his daughter, nor did he want to lose his fatherly authority in front of his family. He thought that his words were to help Xu Su out of the predicament.

Unfortunately, Xu Su didn't want to accept the gesture. She stood up, looked at the family's various expressions, and walked towards the kitchen with a blank expression.

A cold snort came from behind: "Second son, what a fine daughter you've raised! She doesn't even know how to respect her elders, and she's a student at a top high school."

Xu Su clenched her fists, wondering what they were complaining about, given their attitude that was a mix of disdain and enthusiasm.

Chen Shulan, who was busy preparing the reunion dinner in the kitchen, saw Xu Sulai and thought that her daughter had become sensible. She took the initiative to help her, praised her with a smile, and asked her to wash the vegetables.

Xu Su rolled up her sleeves, took off her watch and placed it by the sink, then silently began picking vegetable leaves.

As her hands were immersed in the icy water, Xu Su suddenly came to her senses. She realized that she was being incredibly foolish; she knew how this family behaved in her past life, yet she still couldn't let go of her beliefs.

Always clinging to expectations of family ties that never existed, only to be disappointed time and again, yet still unwilling to despair.

She washed until her fingers were red. During this time, her phone vibrated several times in her pocket, but her hands were wet and she couldn't take it out to check. After washing the last bunch of garlic sprouts, Xu Su dried her frozen hands, took out her phone, and went outside.

I received several unread text messages, one from Huang Feng, and several other New Year's greetings from classmates.

Zhou Mochen also sent her a text message, asking if she could meet up in the afternoon.

Just as Xu Su was about to reply to the message, a phone call came in.

Shen Chen's...

She glanced at the time; it was past eleven, almost lunchtime. Why did this person think of her? After a moment's hesitation, Xu Su answered the call.

"What are you doing? Why haven't you answered the phone for so long?" Young Master Shen's voice was still as nonchalant as ever.

"Nothing much." Xu Su stood in the yard, looking at the orange tree in front of her. She felt several eyes watching her from behind, and her mood was not very good.