Professor smiled slightly, gesturing for Su Wei to sit. He paced slowly across the podium, scanning the students’ puzzled faces before explaining with a warm chuckle,

“The moment I stepped into my office today, teachers were buzzing: ‘Our department’s produced a celebrity!’ I asked, ‘Who?’ They said our Computer Science Department had birthed a genius—a student who created software that stunned the entire industry.”

Su Wei’s stomach tightened. The professor paused dramatically, eyes twinkling. Only when nearly every head swiveled toward her or locked onto him did he continue, voice leisurely,

“This software is called ‘Heavenly Eye Bug Checker.’ Heard of it?”

“Yes—!”

Nearly ninety percent of the class chorused. As CS students, they followed industry news closely—and this tool was everywhere.

“I was thrilled,” the professor said, smiling at Su Wei. “I rushed to ask, ‘Which student is Su Wei?’ They said, ‘The most beautiful girl the moment you walk in.’ I thought, ‘Too vague! Every student at our Royal Academy is lovely.’ But the second I entered… I spotted you.”

Su Wei forced an awkward smile, inwardly groaning: *This old pervert. Why stir up trouble? Now the whole campus knows. How am I supposed to study?*

“Su Wei,” the professor added gently, “Jiucang Group may be thriving, but don’t follow Wang Meng’s path—dropping out midway. Staying in school is never a loss.”

“Understood. Thank you for the advice, Professor.”

*(Wang Meng was this world’s Bill Gates: top-university dropout, founder of a legendary OS company, global billionaire.)*

Su Wei’s thanks were hollow, but the lecture resumed. She exhaled slowly. During class, students here valued every minute—she was safe. The instant the bell rang, she vanished like a streak of light.

She almost skipped Probability Theory. She’d mastered the material; attending meant more stares, whispers. Bold guys or Western boys used to approach her—until her icy glare made them retreat.

Not anymore. Rich *and* stunning? Who could resist? Even some girls eyed her differently. *Absolutely terrifying.*

Shivering, she messaged Zhou Xi:

*Xiao Xi, my cover’s blown.*

*Hahaha… Relax. Top-tier students won’t go wild.*

*I hope so.*

For now, fate felt heavy. But class was sanctuary. Afterward? She’d attend only major-specific courses. First, she needed the department head’s approval.

Zhang Lian, head of Computer Science, was legendary—a pioneer in computing’s popularization, witness to its entire evolution.

After Su Wei explained her plan, he adjusted his thick glasses in silence.

“So you’re the founder of the famed Jiucang Group?”

“Yes.”

Awkwardness prickled her skin. Was that praise… or sarcasm?

“Hmm. Your case is special—we can accommodate it. But your talent is rare. Don’t let wealth distract you from research. I’d love to see you join our team. I can recommend you to the Grand Zhou Computer Science Laboratory.”

Su Wei hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m sorry, Director. I want to build Jiucang with my friends.”

“Sigh… To each their own path.” Zhang Lian removed his glasses, weary. “Go. I’ll inform your instructors.”

“Thank you, Director.”

Lips pressed tight, Su Wei left. Joining that lab was a dream: citizenship for her, relocation for her family—*when one ascends, even chickens and dogs rise*.

But Su Wei was Chinese. She wouldn’t immigrate. Wouldn’t join a foreign lab. She had to refuse.

Back in the dorm, she froze. Zhou Xi lay sprawled on her bed, gaming while munching snacks.

“Huh?!” they both exclaimed.

“Why aren’t you in class?!”

Shock hit them equally. Freshman schedules were brutal—packed dawn to dusk, only Tuesday afternoons free. How had Su Wei never noticed Zhou Xi skipped class?

“Wait—you’ve *seen the light*? Skipping class too?” Zhou Xi grinned.

“*I’m* asking *you*! Zhou Xiao Xi, do you skip whenever you want?”

Zhou Xi tried deflecting, but Su Wei’s stare pinned her. She flopped onto the mattress, whining,

“Ugh… Quantum Engineering! I know every word—but together? Total heavenly scripture!”

“That’s your excuse?” Su Wei set her books down, sighing. “You were lucky not to get expelled last semester.”

Zhou Xi pouted, muttered, then scrambled close. “You? Skipping because of *them*?”

“Partly,” Su Wei shook her head. “I’ve mastered this semester’s content. Attending wastes time. I’d rather learn new things.”

Zhou Xi’s eyes lit up, ignoring everything: “Let’s hit London for tea! Paris tonight for the Eiffel Tower! Tomorrow—OW! Why’d you hit me?!”

Clutching her head, she looked utterly wronged.

Su Wei shoved the thick volume *The Sovereign’s Mind* into her arms, voice icy.

“Nowhere. Study.”