Feelings often come suddenly—and for Shu Lanzhou, the speed of her heart's thundering rhythm startled even herself.
She all but fled into Mu Yanning's office, not daring to look back.
She wouldn't allow herself to entertain delusional hopes. Mu Side only ever saw her as a younger sister. How could she be so presumptuous as to fall for him?
It was utterly inappropriate. Who did she think she was, to harbor feelings for someone like Mu Side—a man born into brilliance and raised in excellence?
Behind her, watching her retreat in a panic, Mu Side seemed lost in thought.
Had the little girl picked up on something?
Maybe he'd leaned in a little too close just now.
Tsk...
Why hadn't he been able to hold back?
Afraid he'd scared her, Mu Side quickly followed her into the office to apologize.
But when he entered, he found Shu Lanzhou as calm as ever, listening attentively to Mu Yanning as she laid out her academic plan—no sign at all of having been frightened.
Mu Side sat quietly in a corner, waiting for them to finish.
"This semester, you'll skip ahead to third-year coursework. If you pass successfully, next semester we'll have you complete the remaining courses in the undergraduate acupuncture program," Mu Yanning explained as she outlined Shu Lanzhou's path.
"If your comprehension holds up, I'll arrange an internship at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in your final semester. That way, you'll have real clinical experience and turn theory into practice."
Mu Yanning was already mapping out her future.
"Of course, this is just my suggestion. If you have your own plans or concerns, I'm open to hearing them."
Shu Lanzhou looked down at the detailed schedule Mu Yanning had prepared.
"I'm willing to do it," she said sincerely. "But I did say I wanted to earn a dual degree. I may need to take a few days off for final exams in the Cell Biology program. I'd like to sit for those exams."
Mu Yanning frowned slightly. "You managed to get first in your class last semester because you'd studied senior-year content in advance. But going forward, your time and energy need to be devoted to acupuncture."
"From where I stand, and given the intensity of your upcoming coursework, I don't believe you'll have the capacity to juggle a second major. You need to decide which degree truly matters to you."
Shu Lanzhou's voice was firm: "I'm confident I can handle both. I've already completed postgraduate-level coursework in Cell Biology. Getting an undergraduate degree shouldn't be a problem."
"I promise it won't interfere with my acupuncture studies. Please let me take the exam."
"Postgraduate level?" Mu Yanning looked at her with fresh eyes. "Seems I've underestimated you."
She smiled. "Alright. When exam season approaches, I'll have Professor Chen prepare some Cell Biology review materials. Go over them in your spare time."
"Thank you, Teacher," Shu Lanzhou said, relieved.
She had been worried that Mu Yanning would disapprove of her clinging to both majors. After all, Mu Yanning's intentions were clear—she was seeking a final disciple, someone to wholly inherit her knowledge of acupuncture.
Shu Lanzhou had heard from Dong Anlan that while the Mu family could have many students, there would only ever be one final disciple—someone entrusted with the full legacy of the Mu family's medical and acupuncture arts.
Originally, that role had been intended for He Sixin. But after Shu Lanzhou appeared, He Sixin stepped aside, and now all of Mu Yanning's focus was on her.
If she gave up midway or had hidden motives, it would deeply hurt Mu Yanning.
To put it bluntly—it would be a betrayal. After all, Mu Yanning had given her the chance to choose.
Shu Lanzhou would never hurt her. She would never betray her.
"Go ahead. If you run into any academic issues, come find me." Mu Yanning handed her a stack of prepared study materials.
Shu Lanzhou packed them into her bag and headed out.
"Wait for me outside. I've got something to tell you," Mu Side called out.
Her heart skipped. She didn't dare meet his gaze and kept her eyes fixed on the floor. "Okay, but make it quick—I've got class soon."
She'd already found her excuse to slip away.
"I've checked your class schedule," Mu Side said, eyes bright with mischief. "Are you afraid of me?"
Her heart pounded even harder. She stammered, "Wh-who's afraid? That's nonsense! You're overthinking!"
She fled immediately after saying that.
Once she was gone, Mu Yanning looked up. "Why do you keep teasing her? If you really like her, then pursue her openly."
Mu Side shook his head. "It's not the right time yet."
He pulled a document from his bag.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be cutting back my time in the lab. Once you've recruited new members, I'll hand everything over. This is my internship form—please sign it when you get a chance."
"You still need that?" Mu Yanning pushed the form aside, frowning. "Are you sure about this? You're choosing to help your second uncle instead of me?"
Mu Side gave a helpless smile. "Come on, Aunt. That's not fair. If I didn't want to help you, I wouldn't have studied acupuncture in the first place."
"Then what are you saying?" she said, displeased. "Walking away now, at such a crucial moment, isn't that choosing not to help me?"
"To be honest," he replied, "you already have plenty of support—especially Shu Lanzhou. She's exactly what we need in a final disciple. But over on my second uncle's side…"
He frowned.
"Grandmother's been deeply troubled over what happened to him. Grandfather died with regrets. I can't let Grandma go through the same pain. I want to get to the bottom of it."
At the mention of Mu Rongxie, Mu Yanning's face darkened slightly.
"Not going to be easy. Be careful. Your second uncle… he's a stubborn one."
"Pfft." Mu Side chuckled. "Grandma always says you're the most stubborn one in the Mu family, but really—Dad, Big Aunt, you… none of you are exactly flexible."
"Watch it, brat—I'm your aunt!" Mu Yanning stood and shooed him out.
Laughing, Mu Side headed for the door. "Got it, got it. Still, can't I at least tell the truth?"
"…"
Mu Yanning let out a sigh, smiling wryly. But when the door closed, that smile slowly faded.
Stubbornness ran in the Mu family's blood. Once they set their minds on something, nothing could turn them back. They would stop at nothing until they reached their goals.
The events of more than twenty years ago… still weren't over.
Each of the Mu siblings still carried the weight of that past.
Out in the hallway, Shu Lanzhou stood awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or go. Her nerves were still in knots.
Finally, she crouched down and took out a book to read.
She had only flipped through a couple of pages when a shadow fell over her.
"No wonder I can't beat you in exams. So this is how hard you work?" Lin Muyao sneered from above.
"I really admire your nerves, Shu Lanzhou. Still got the calm to study at a time like this?"
Shu Lanzhou didn't understand what she meant, and frankly, didn't care enough to ask.
"You're blocking my light. Can you move?" she said flatly.
Lin Muyao rolled her eyes and snatched the book from her hands. "Drop the act."
"Sitting here reading in the hallway—trying to make sure the passing professors notice how hardworking you are? You really are a drama queen. I never realized you were this kind of person!"
Shu Lanzhou blinked. That hadn't even crossed her mind. Was that really how it looked?
"Fine, I won't read then." She took the book back and stuffed it into her bag. When she looked up, Lin Muyao was still standing there.
"Something else you need?"
Honestly, Shu Lanzhou found Lin Muyao more than just annoying—she was revolting.
Especially knowing that in her past life, Lin Muyao had inherited everything that rightfully belonged to her just because she was Han Weicheng's daughter.
The disgust surged straight to her head.
It took real self-control not to slap her right then and there.
But Shu Lanzhou didn't yet have the strength to destroy Lin Muyao, or to kick Han Weicheng out of the medical world.
Petty squabbles would only sap her energy and distract her from her goals. Ignoring Lin Muyao was the best strategy—for now.
Because one day, she would become strong enough to grind Lin Muyao into the mud, leaving her with no chance to ever rise again.
But Lin Muyao clearly couldn't read the room. Still full of disdain, she continued to sneer...