Chapter 28: You Can Do It

"Have you decided which school you're going to apply to?" As they left home, Li Mu asked Zhao Kang on their way to school.

Zhao Kang frowned, "Ah, I forgot. Let me check." He pulled out his list of choices, glanced over it, and finally said, "Yanjing Institute of Information Technology, majoring in Computer Science."

Li Mu had never heard of this school and wasn't sure what it specialized in. But since it was a vocational college, it was probably a technical institute. Choosing Computer Science was a good move—having Li Mu around would surely help Zhao Kang a lot.

Casually, Zhao Kang added, "I looked up the school's address, bought a map of Yanjing, and checked. It's less than two kilometers from Renmin University, so I'll be closer to you."

If it weren't for the fact that the term 'bromance' hadn't emerged yet, Li Mu might have suspected Zhao Kang of having such tendencies. The reason for choosing a university was just to be closer to him...

At that moment, Zhao Kang continued, "I've thought about it. I don't have much talent, my studies are average, unlike you who knows so much. So, as long as you still see me as a friend, just tell me what to do. I trust my judgment of people, and following you won't be wrong."

Li Mu could tell Zhao Kang wasn't joking and was surprised that this eighteen-year-old had the courage to make such a decision. But it was also a sign of trust in him.

With a knowing smile, Li Mu said, "Yanjing is big, and there are lots of opportunities. Let's work hard together."

This year in Yanjing, with Zhao Kang as his brother and Su Yingxue as the goddess, life shouldn't be too dull, right?

...

Li Mu now counted as a man of means, with at least ten thousand yuan in cash to spend. He treated Zhao Kang to a good meal—a Western-style buffet at Haizhou Hotel, one hundred per person.

In those days, spending two hundred yuan on lunch for two was the height of luxury in Haizhou.

Li Mu had considered giving Zhao Kang some cash before selling the Dominator of the Stone Age, so he'd have more flexibility, but knowing Zhao Kang's personality, he feared it might hurt his pride, so he let it go.

After lunch, the two headed to school together.

It was time to submit their choices. Once this final task was done, their high school days would be officially over, and they'd go home to wait for their scores and admission notices.

In his previous life, this moment brought Li Mu immense pain. But not wanting to burden his family, and eager to graduate and earn money, he ruthlessly cut short his own prospects.

This time around, Li Mu was confident enough to fill in Renmin University as his choice. If a teacher saw, they'd be scared out of their wits, thinking Li Mu had gone mad, didn't want to attend college, and was using the application as some kind of revenge against society.

Just as they entered the school, someone called out Li Mu's name from behind.

It was Su Yingxue.

Zhao Kang saw Su Yingxue approaching and whispered to Li Mu, giving him a meaningful look, "I'll go ahead."

Li Mu replied, "Alright, our class has a gathering tonight. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Ours does too."

Apparently, every class had decided to gather today.

Li Mu smiled to himself. Zhao Kang walked away, and Su Yingxue came up beside him.

Li Mu's gaze unabashedly lingered on Su Yingxue. She hadn't dressed up deliberately today, but in modern terms, her goddess aura was unmistakable.

Su Yingxue had excellent composure. Being stared at by all sorts of boys and men every day had trained her to remain unaffected, but Li Mu's gaze still piqued her curiosity.

The difference in Li Mu's demeanor after his makeover had already surprised her on the day of the score estimation. Before the college entrance exam, he would always shy away childishly when their eyes met. After the exam, though, he seemed like a different person—suddenly exuding immense confidence, making him harder to read. She wondered what kind of change the exam had brought him.

"Yingxue, did you need something?" Li Mu unwittingly put on the look of a mischievous uncle coaxing a little girl. One couldn't blame him—Su Yingxue was simply too alluring, and he'd been infatuated with her for over a decade in his previous life. Now, he found himself falling even deeper. There was no helping it—when this girl reached twenty-seven or twenty-eight, she'd undergo another transformation, far surpassing her current beauty. By then, the financial news would be flooded with her flawless photos.

Su Yingxue was still getting used to Li Mu's new attitude. She looked at him, "Are you really applying to Renmin University?"

Li Mu raised his brow, a touch of playfulness in his voice, "Did you think I was just saying it?"

"No," Su Yingxue hesitated, her eyes showing a hint of concern as she spoke softly, "But are you sure? I'm afraid you'll ruin your chances..."

"You're worried I won't get in?" Li Mu smiled, amused. In his previous life, their connection had basically ended here. Su Yingxue went to Yanjing, he went to Jinling. Four years later, carrying his feelings for her, he endured a hard-seat train journey to Yanjing, while she boarded a plane to America.

Even now, thinking back, it was both funny and frustrating, tinged with self-deprecating arrogance. But she had been his dream back then.

Living again, shouldn't he do all the things he once thought impossible?

He hadn't reached the top tier in the previous life; in this one, he'd filled out Renmin University. His parents suffered for him, aged and worn, but he sold a song worth years of their wages—never mind the Dominator of the Stone Age, already a hit among gamers, nor the coming internet and mobile revolutions...

So now, pursuing Su Yingxue shouldn't be considered a toad longing for a swan, should it?

Su Yingxue was indeed worried he wouldn't get in, but didn't want him to misunderstand her intentions. She explained, "I just don't want you to regret it. What if you don't get accepted?"

"You're right," Li Mu nodded with a smile. "I'm afraid I won't get in, too."

Su Yingxue expected him to say more, but he stopped there. Anxious, she blurted, "Then what? How did you fill in your choices?"

Li Mu replied, "Of course I filled in the one I'm absolutely sure about."

Hearing this, Su Yingxue relaxed, but soon felt a bit disappointed, "So, which university did you apply to?"

The moment she asked, Su Yingxue felt a faint hope that Li Mu would choose a university in Yanjing.

Li Mu handed her his folded application form from his pocket, smiling, "See for yourself."

Su Yingxue suspiciously took the form, opened it, and was instantly stunned.

First choice: Renmin University. And only the first choice!

"This..." Even with an estimated score of 650, Su Yingxue hadn't dared to be completely sure and had listed Yanjing University of Science and Technology as her second choice.

"Are you really confident?"

"Absolutely."

"What if you don't get in?"

"If I don't, I'll repeat the year and apply again—still to Renmin University."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Su Yingxue suddenly grew serious, her clear eyes fixed on Li Mu, "Then it's settled!"

Li Mu felt as though those eyes might steal his soul, but after a moment, he frowned and asked, "Wait, Su Yingxue, what do you mean? Are you so sure I won't get in?"

"No," Su Yingxue laughed softly, handed the form back to Li Mu, and walked ahead, saying as she went, "Before you submit it, add Yanjing University of Science and Technology as your second choice, code 10007."

"I'm not adding it!" Li Mu pouted, stuffing the form into his pocket.

Su Yingxue turned back, cheeks flushed and eyes shining, "I added it because I'm not absolutely sure I can get into Renmin University."

Li Mu smiled, bright and a bit mischievous, "You'll make it."