Chapter 168

The grand doors of the Music Pavilion slowly opened, revealing two silver-haired deans who stepped forward to greet their guests.

"Please follow me," Dean Winifred gestured warmly.

Inside the exhibition hall, rare antique musical scores and chess manuals were displayed behind glass cases. The yellowed parchment still bore crisp ink strokes. Lucy White's fingers lightly traced the display case, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"This is the long-lost fragment of Flowing Waters!" she whispered in awe.

Dean Winifred nodded approvingly. "You have a keen eye, Miss White."

Meanwhile, Ethan Smith was already engaged in an intense chess match with Dean Wallace. The black and white pieces clashed fiercely across the board.

"Your strategy carries the elegance of ancient masters," Dean Wallace remarked, stroking his beard.

Soon, Lucy found herself surrounded by Go masters. She moved pieces with swift precision, her expressions shifting between thoughtful frowns and bright smiles, drawing murmurs of admiration.

"That girl is extraordinary," one master muttered under his breath.

By sunset, the two were finally released. Before parting, Dean Winifred presented Lucy with a priceless antique zither, while Dean Wallace gifted Ethan a jade Go set.

"This is too much—" Lucy stammered.

"Take them," Dean Winifred said kindly. "True kindred spirits are rare."

On the ride back, William Jones teased, "Are you two planning to empty Heritage Mountain of its treasures?"

Ethan chuckled. "We're honored."

[OMG! That zither looks Tang Dynasty!]

[Ethan's full of surprises!]

[Lucy playing the zither is breathtaking!]

Robert Lee counted on his fingers. "The Medicine Pavilion, Martial Arts Pavilion... Don't tell me you're experts in those too?"

"We know a little," Lucy said modestly.

Lily Green suddenly interjected, "What did you study, Lucy? It sounds fascinating."

The air turned awkwardly silent.

Michael Johnson scoffed. "She majored in Classical Studies at Imperial University. Top scorer in the national liberal arts exams."

His chin lifted slightly as he spoke, pride flashing in his eyes.

"Wow!" the group gasped.

[No way! National top scorer?!]

[Imperial University?! My dream school!]

[How does Michael know so much?]

Robert caught the implication. "Michael, you were also—"

"National top scorer in science," Michael said flatly. "A year above her."

Lucy glanced at him and added, "We went to the same high school."

[Childhood sweethearts?!]

[This is the ultimate power couple!]

[We need throwback photos!]

Soon, the internet exploded. Netizens unearthed old photos:

A stern little boy carrying a pink backpack while holding hands with a lollipop-sucking girl in elementary school;

A teenage girl tugging at a boy's sleeve in middle school;

Their striking high school graduation photo, standing out in matching uniforms.

Most captivating was a candid university shot—under cherry blossoms, a frowning Michael wrapped a scarf around a beaming Lucy.

[This is too adorable!]

[Michael's always been tsundere!]

[Lucy's smile could heal the world!]

Lily stared at the trending hashtags, her nails digging into her palms. She never expected Lucy to have this card up her sleeve.

As night deepened, the production crew's van wound down the mountain toward Heritage Town. Gazing at the starry sky through the window, Lucy smiled faintly. Those buried memories now carried a strange warmth.