"What else could it be?" Lin Muyao sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "I just can't stand people who pretend to be innocent when they're actually full of schemes. Country bumpkins who think they can seduce people way out of their league, and when their little games get exposed, they play the victim and betray the team."
"She made her former mentors and the senior students who once protected her pay the price for her selfishness—one after another. And that wasn't enough."
"Now she even dreams of taking my place. Shu Lanzhou, have you even looked in a mirror to see if you're worthy?"
Lin Muyao was visibly seething, as if Shu Lanzhou had stolen something that rightfully belonged to her. Her eyes were nearly blazing with fury, as if she could set Shu Lanzhou on fire with just a glare.
For a brief moment, Shu Lanzhou thought Lin Muyao might've figured out her feelings for Mu Side. But on second thought, that was impossible—even she had only just realized those feelings herself.
The "person who didn't belong to her" that Lin Muyao mentioned probably referred to Luo Jialin.
But what did she mean by "taking her place"?
Shu Lanzhou's brows knitted slightly. A few pieces started falling into place.
She stepped forward, the corners of her eyes lifting in a faint, mocking curve. Her beautiful eyes glimmered with cold amusement.
"Aren't you just describing yourself?"
Her gaze grew icier, voice laced with subtle scorn. "Lin Muyao, are you mad because you lost the campus belle vote and need someone to take it out on? Or are you scared I'll tell Luo Jialin how you manipulated him into sleeping with you and then refused to take responsibility?"
"Oh wait, no—that's not it. What you're really afraid of is that he'll find out you not only slept with him but also climbed into Guo Jialiang's bed. That innocent act of yours? A complete lie, right?"
"You're spouting nonsense!" Lin Muyao's face drained of color. She couldn't believe Shu Lanzhou knew about those things.
Panicked, she glanced around. The hallway was empty. Her expression stiffened, then she whipped around and glared at Shu Lanzhou.
"Stop making things up!" she screamed, raising her hand to slap Shu Lanzhou. "Guo Jialiang and I are clean! If you keep lying, I'll rip your mouth off!"
But before her hand could land, it was caught mid-air by Mu Side, who had arrived just in time. He shoved Lin Muyao aside and pulled Shu Lanzhou behind him.
"Are you okay? Did she hit you?" he asked, brows furrowed with concern.
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "No, she didn't get the chance. You showed up just in time."
She looked up at him and gave a bright smile. "Don't worry, I wouldn't let her lay a finger on me."
Then she turned back around—and smack! She slapped Lin Muyao across the face.
"I didn't want to hit you," Shu Lanzhou said coldly, "but you're just too disgusting. You forced my hand."
"You know exactly how 'clean' you are. If you dare provoke me again, I'll let everyone know that you not only seduced Luo Jialin but also slept with Guo Jialiang. As for all those dirty tricks you've pulled on me, don't think I don't know they were you."
She gave Lin Muyao a fierce glare, then tugged Mu Side along and stormed off.
The girl was clearly fuming, her cheeks puffed, her eyes burning with indignation.
She walked so fast she didn't even realize she was still holding Mu Side's hand.
Mu Side glanced down at their intertwined fingers.
They had held hands before, but today felt different—because now, Shu Lanzhou probably already knew about his feelings. And yet, she didn't shy away. Could that mean…
Before he could finish that thought, a wave of students came rushing past, breaking his train of thought. Worried she might get jostled, he pulled her close.
"Careful. Slow down," he said, steering them toward the edge of the crowd.
More students were moving toward the bulletin board.
"I heard Professor Han has launched a new research project and is recruiting medical assistants. Do you think it's real?"
"Totally. Their last project was scrapped. Luo Jialin left to intern at Luo Group, Tian Hua stayed at the research institute, and only Fang Ruoshi returned to the team."
"What about Du Yifan and Lin Muyao? Weren't they part of Professor Han's group?"
"Don't even mention it. Du Yifan apparently convinced his family to invest in that scrapped project. Now that it's canceled, all that money's gone. His dad locked him up!"
"No way!"
"You didn't see the news? Du's father is ruthless. Any project that loses money ends terribly for the team."
"Well, he deserved it. I always thought he only got into Han's team because his family's rich. Looks like I was right."
"Whatever the case, now that their project's dead, it's our chance! Professor Han's new project might be open to us too!"
"Are you crazy? You want to join Professor Han's team now? Don't you remember what happened to Shu Lanzhou?"
"No pain, no gain. And come on, Han Weicheng's credentials are still top-tier. Even if I quit later, I'd have a prestigious entry on my résumé."
"Fair enough. Opportunities like this don't come often. A public recruitment? Count me in!"
"…"
Shu Lanzhou frowned slightly. What's Han Weicheng up to now?
"Gege, should we go take a look too?" she asked.
They headed toward the bulletin board, thoughts swirling in Shu Lanzhou's mind.
She recalled that in her previous life, the Du family had also invested in Han Weicheng's project. Progress was slow, and after half a year with no results, the Dus pulled their funding. Du Yifan had even gotten a brutal beating from his father and ended up moving into the research institute.
That time, he was badly hurt. This time, with the project fully canceled, the consequences must be worse. Being "locked up" was likely code for "getting beaten so badly he couldn't attend class."
Shu Lanzhou pursed her lips. She didn't feel the slightest bit sorry for him.
But what concerned her was Han Weicheng starting a new project now, and recruiting medical assistants publicly? He definitely had something up his sleeve.
The area around the bulletin board was packed tight.
Despite the scandal of a canceled project and student arrests, Han Weicheng's reputation remained untarnished.
As the leading professor in cellular medicine in domestic medical schools, he still attracted students like moths to a flame.
Shu Lanzhou's eyes darkened. Clearly, taking down Han Weicheng wouldn't be quick or easy.
His status, his reputation, the achievements he had built over the years—no one could oust him from the medical world without a devastating blow.
Unless…
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her chest.
"Gege, let's go," she said, turning to leave—but Mu Side stopped her.
"Wait. Look over there."
Following his gaze, she spotted Xiao Anning standing beside Han Weicheng.
When Xiao Anning noticed Shu Lanzhou looking, she gave a small, smug nod, her eyes glinting with triumph.
Shu Lanzhou's heart skipped—could Xiao Anning be involved in the new project?
"Xiang Hua and Director Long have long competed to become president of the National Hospital," Mu Side said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the project title.
"They have very different visions. Now that Director Long has withdrawn from the race and shifted his focus to traditional Chinese medicine research, it looks like Xiang Hua has the upper hand."
"But don't be fooled. Most of the senior staff in the hospital were personally mentored by Elder Long. If Xiang Hua slips up, his time as president will be short-lived."
"That's why he's desperate to achieve something to solidify his position," Mu Side continued, his voice sharpening.
"Collaborating with Han Weicheng at a time like this? He's clearly challenging us head-on. Shu Lanzhou… do you think our research can outshine Han Weicheng's?"