When Xiao Anning spotted Shu Lanzhou, his eyes unmistakably lit up, and he strode toward her with a broad, eager smile.
"Shu Lanzhou, we meet again!" he greeted warmly—his demeanor vastly different from before.
Gone was the proud sharpness between his brows; in its place was a friendly, accommodating smile.
That saying from the internet really did hold some truth—once you're successful, everyone around you becomes a "good person."
Shu Lanzhou wasn't even "successful" yet—she'd merely published a paper that caused a modest ripple in academic circles—and yet Xiao Anning, who'd once made things difficult for her, had suddenly turned into Mr. Congeniality.
"Assistant Xiao, is there something you need?" Shu Lanzhou's voice was cool, her expression distant and guarded.
She didn't like him. His eyes brimmed with calculating ambition—every glance felt like a value assessment. He reminded her of Han Weicheng, and the resemblance alone stirred a quiet repulsion.
Xiao Anning ignored her indifference entirely.
"Yes, actually. Something good. I had arranged to meet with your professor, but I seem to have lost my way. Would you mind showing me the way?"
Though the medical school campus was large, there was only one main road from here to the faculty building. He was clearly lying.
Still, Shu Lanzhou happened to be headed there anyway, so she replied tersely, "Sure. Let's go."
She walked ahead.
The young woman walked briskly, head lowered, clearly unwilling to make small talk.
Xiao Anning found it frustrating.
Ever since he became Elder Xiang's student, he'd grown used to deference and respect. Very few people treated him coldly anymore.
But with Shu Lanzhou, it was one snub after another.
She'd rejected his request to join her team. Then, when the Han Weicheng incident blew up, he ended up being scolded so harshly by Elder Xiang it felt like he'd been skinned alive.
Just thinking about Han Weicheng made Xiao Anning grit his teeth. That idiot had talked such a big game—boasting about his supposed talent—only to lose spectacularly to He Xin's team. Worse, he'd dragged Xiao Anning down with him.
Xiao Anning had actually been naïve enough to believe in Han Weicheng's "breakthrough" and even tried pulling strings to help fast-track his patent—only to discover after the fallout that the entire "discovery" had been stolen.
The patent couldn't go through, and now the whole project was getting axed. Meanwhile, He Xin's team was basking in glory. Even Long Xingyue was walking around the hospital like she owned the place, practically glowing with happiness.
Forget dethroning Long Xingyue—at this rate, Xiao Anning had to kiss up to Xiang Hua just to avoid being sidelined himself.
If Elder Xiang ever lost his temper again, Xiao Anning might be kicked out of the team altogether.
He was miserable but didn't dare vent his frustration on Shu Lanzhou. After all, the girl had the Mu family and He Xin behind her—and now even Elder Long had taken a liking to her.
He couldn't understand how she'd gotten so "lucky." She'd broken away from Han Weicheng and picked a seemingly niche research area, yet was thriving beyond reason.
What Xiao Anning failed to realize was that it wasn't luck at all.
Shu Lanzhou had recently published a paper in this so-called "niche" field, and it had sparked considerable discussion within the academic community.
The field she'd entered, once dismissed as too obscure, was beginning to command attention.
Her rise had nothing to do with luck. Every step had been earned—steadily, diligently, resolutely.
Before they reached Mu Yanning's office, they were intercepted at the front of the faculty building by none other than Mu Side.
Apparently, after their earlier phone call, Mu Side had felt uneasy and had come to personally escort her.
His eyes narrowed when he saw Xiao Anning.
"If this is about joining the research team," he said coldly, "then there's no need to speak with Professor Mu. She's already stated clearly that Professor He has full authority over team composition. If you want in, talk to him directly."
If it were that easy to get in through He Xin, Xiao Anning wouldn't be here.
He Xin's research project was gaining momentum, and no one could predict how high it might soar.
Although Xiang Hua didn't fully believe in the direction of the study, he was wary—worried that Long Xingyue's success might challenge his own authority.
So he had to plant someone in the team. Someone to monitor the progress closely.
And if the project produced results that exceeded expectations, he'd be ready to act accordingly.
"I still think it's best to speak with Professor Mu in person," Xiao Anning replied with a polite smile. "While it's a joint research effort, each of the three projects operates independently. Elder Xiang believes that the support Director Long offers doesn't conflict with what we can contribute."
"Guo Hospital is prepared to increase its investment in this project—both financially and in terms of manpower. Of course, I had hoped to speak with you about—"
He didn't even get to finish before Mu Side cut him off.
Mu Side's tone was far colder than Shu Lanzhou's had been.
"No need. As the representative of the main investor in this project, I can say with full confidence—we're capable of handling all funding and staffing ourselves."
"And as an investor, I also have the right to reject your involvement. Xiao Anning, you've come barking up the wrong tree. Kindly leave."
With that, he took Shu Lanzhou's hand and walked off without giving Xiao Anning another glance—leaving no room for discussion.
"You…" Xiao Anning trembled with rage, his lips twitching.
That damn Mu Side had dared to pull rank on him!
So what if he had money? So what if he was born into the Mu family? Did that make him untouchable?
Xiao Anning stood frozen at the entrance of the faculty building for a full five minutes before finally turning to leave, his face dark as a thundercloud.
No one knew what went through his mind during those five minutes.
But when he left, there was ice in his eyes.
Just you wait. One day, he would make the Mu family vanish from Shen City. Not only would their "legacy" be forgotten—he would make sure it was erased from the medical world entirely.
A cold, twisted smile curled his lips as he changed direction—heading for Han Weicheng's private laboratory on campus.
—
Inside the faculty building, Shu Lanzhou turned to Mu Side in confusion. "Brother, what did you mean earlier? Is Elder Xiang trying to interfere in our research?"
"He wants Xiao Anning to join the team as a 'data collection assistant'—to monitor us." Mu Side's expression turned cold.
Shu Lanzhou's face fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't know he was trying to meet the professor for that. If I had known, I wouldn't have led him here."
Mu Side flicked her forehead lightly. "Silly girl. Even if you hadn't brought him, he would've found his way eventually. This has nothing to do with you. Let's go—your professor is waiting."
But a trace of unease lingered in Shu Lanzhou's heart.
She remembered clearly that in her previous life, Han Weicheng's research also involved collaboration with Guo Hospital. They had sent several personnel to assist, including one "data collector."
After Lin Jiayi falsely accused her of stealing research data, that same data collector had testified against her in the police investigation.
She had never known their identity back then.
But now, thinking back… Could it have been Xiao Anning?
"What are you thinking about?" Mu Side snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, his tone laced with concern. "You look like the sky is falling."
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "Nothing. Just thinking that I won't be able to help much with the research for a while. I really need to focus on my studies this semester."
"Still trying to skip studying? Dream on." Mu Side chuckled. "With your grades last term, you're going to have to cover two semesters' worth of content this time. But since you call me 'brother,' if anything confuses you, come find me anytime."
Shu Lanzhou pouted. "Hmph! I said I'm going to study, when did I ever say I wouldn't? Don't twist my words. If the professor hears that and scolds me, I'll hold you responsible!"
"Oh?" Mu Side leaned in suddenly, his warm breath brushing against her ear, making her shiver. "And how exactly are you going to hold me responsible?"
Her shoulders twitched.
She felt like a wild deer had suddenly taken up residence in her chest—and it wasn't behaving. It was crashing around with reckless abandon.
Oh no…
His voice—low and teasing—sent a tingle down her spine.
She hated to admit it, but…
She was falling for him. Completely, shamefully, helplessly.