Chapter 168

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

"Please follow me," Dean Rosalind 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. Aria Bennett's fingers lightly traced the display case, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"This is the long-lost fragment of River's Echo!" she whispered in awe.

Dean Rosalind nodded approvingly. "You have a keen eye, Miss Bennett."

Meanwhile, Damian Cross was already engaged in an intense chess match with Dean Calloway. The black and white pieces clashed fiercely across the board.

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

Soon, Aria 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 Rosalind presented Aria with a priceless antique zither, while Dean Calloway gifted Damian a jade Go set.

"This is too much—" Aria stammered.

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

On the ride back, Wesley Hart teased, "Are you two planning to empty Aldercrest Mountain of its treasures?"

Damian chuckled. "We're honored."

[OMG! That zither looks Tang Dynasty!]

[Damian's full of surprises!]

[Aria playing the zither is breathtaking!]

Caleb Monroe counted on his fingers. "The Apothecary Hall, Combat Hall... Don't tell me you're experts in those too?"

"We know a little," Aria said modestly.

Serena Blake suddenly interjected, "What did you study, Aria? It sounds fascinating."

The air turned awkwardly silent.

Nolan Reed scoffed. "She majored in Classical Studies at Crown 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?!]

[Crown University?! My dream school!]

[How does Nolan know so much?]

Caleb caught the implication. "Nolan, you were also—"

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

Aria 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 Nolan wrapped a scarf around a beaming Aria.

[This is too adorable!]

[Nolan's always been tsundere!]

[Aria's smile could heal the world!]

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

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