"Shu Lanzhou!" Yi Ming called out to her twice. "What are you thinking about? You look so happy."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Shu Lanzhou smiled and said, "Of course I'm happy that you're willing to help me, Senior Yi. Come on, let's head back to the research institute—I need to see Dr. Qin about something too."
"Wait a second, I ordered a little cake for you. Have some before we leave," Yi Ming said warmly, just as the dessert arrived. He gently pushed the small cake toward her.
Shu Lanzhou had always had a sweet tooth—perhaps a result of the bitterness of her childhood. Sweet things comforted her.
But at the moment, the dessert couldn't hold her attention. More than cake, what she wanted now was to hurry back to the institute and finalize the details of their small research project.
"I'll pass. Senior Yi, why don't you take it to go? You can eat it later this afternoon when you're hungry." She reached for the box, quickly packed up the cake, and shoved it into Yi Ming's arms.
Before he could respond, she grabbed her bag and strode out of the café.
The entire sequence was so swift and smooth, like a carefully choreographed routine. She didn't pause for even a second, as if afraid that sitting down to eat would delay her visit to the research institute.
But how much time would a few minutes really cost? It was obvious—she didn't want to spend even a few extra moments with him. Her mind and heart were already consumed by thoughts of the research project.
Yi Ming couldn't help but chuckle in frustration. This girl really doesn't know how to hide her thoughts. Even though she'd come to ask for his help, she didn't bother to curry favor or flatter him in the slightest.
But strangely enough, it was precisely this straightforwardness that made Yi Ming fall for her even more.
So pure. So honest. A girl who wears her heart on her sleeve.
The research proposal went through smoothly. If all went well, the first phase of the experiment could be completed in two months—just in time for summer break—at which point they could publish a new paper.
Shu Lanzhou shared her experimental ideas with Yi Ming.
The more he listened, the more something felt off.
"Wait... this research direction doesn't really match your field of study, does it?"
Back at the café, he'd been too excited to notice. But now, the mismatch struck him as odd.
Shu Lanzhou chuckled, "Have you forgotten I'm a double major? Right now, my main focus is acupuncture studies. That's why I'll be relying on you to take the lead on this project, Senior Yi."
"No problem at all!" Her smile was dazzling, and Yi Ming was instantly elated—his logic short-circuited, and he didn't question her intentions at all.
Shu Lanzhou quietly let out a sigh of relief—Yi Ming really was a simple and kind person. Enthusiastic, earnest... and easy to work with.
With that matter settled, Shu Lanzhou immediately went off to find Dr. Qin Dongming.
She hadn't just used him as an excuse—she genuinely had business with him.
It concerned Mu Yanning's upcoming lecture at Qin Dongming's hospital.
Dr. Qin had been the one to initiate the invitation. Although Mu Yanning had refused several times in the past, she'd finally agreed after Shu Lanzhou's thesis was published.
The timing had never worked out before, but now that Mu Yanning had a few free days, she'd asked Shu Lanzhou to coordinate the schedule with Dr. Qin.
After all, Shu Lanzhou wasn't just Mu Yanning's student anymore—she was also her assistant.
After picking up the finalized event timeline from Dr. Qin, Shu Lanzhou made her way back to campus.
As she stepped off the bus, she spotted a familiar figure—Ji Chuyun.
Even though she'd only met Ji Chuyun once since her rebirth—at the Ke family's residence—she'd encountered her several times in her past life.
Back then, Shu Lanzhou hadn't known who Ji Chuyun really was.
After all, the Ji Chuyun she remembered had been Fang Ruoshi's wife—a key figure who had "looked after" him with remarkable generosity.
Under Ji Chuyun's wing, Fang Ruoshi had ascended rapidly through the ranks, becoming the director of the research institute just a few years after completing his postgraduate studies.
But the higher his position rose, the more injured and worn down he became. It wasn't until Shu Lanzhou landed in prison that she learned the truth behind it all.
Now, seeing Ji Chuyun again, a plan stirred in her heart. She walked straight up to her with a calm smile. "Miss Ji, you're here to see Fang Ruoshi, right? I can take you to him."
"And you are?" Ji Chuyun eyed her warily. "How do you know me?"
Shu Lanzhou gave a soft smile. "We met once in front of the Ke family home. I was with Senior Mu visiting Mr. Ke, and you came out with Senior Du and the others."
"Oh! I remember now. You're that junior of Fang Ruoshi's... the one who's always clashing with Lin Muyao. Why would you kindly offer to show me the way? What are you planning?"
Shu Lanzhou pulled a wounded expression.
"So that's how Lin Muyao's been describing me? What a surprise. If I truly wanted to go against her, I wouldn't have left the research team. I would've stuck around and made things difficult."
"Besides, we don't know each other well. What could I possibly want from you?" She clicked her tongue lightly. "I was only offering out of respect for Senior Ke. Since you don't need my help, forget it."
Without another word, Shu Lanzhou turned on her heel and walked off toward the campus, so decisive that Ji Chuyun didn't even have time to react.
"Wait! Hold on, I'll come with you," Ji Chuyun called out, jogging to catch up. "You really don't see Lin Muyao as a rival?"
"Of course not." Shu Lanzhou's thoughts were clear—Lin Muyao isn't even qualified to be my opponent. In my past life, it was my own stupidity that made me see her as a threat.
Only after going to prison did she realize—everything Lin Muyao achieved was handed to her by Han Weicheng. Her true enemy had always been Han Weicheng.
Ji Chuyun looked thoughtful. "So, you're saying you don't hate her and you've never wanted to compete?"
"What is there to compete for?" Shu Lanzhou replied calmly. "Leaving Professor Han's team was my own decision. As long as she doesn't come for me, I have no reason to bother with her."
She glanced at Ji Chuyun. As the future heir to the Ji family, Ji Chuyun was different from the other privileged socialites in Shen City—there was a sharp, decisive edge to her.
In her previous life, during the few times they met, Ji Chuyun had been one of the harshest when it came to helping Lin Muyao bully her.
Lin Muyao's rise to the top of the medical field couldn't have happened without her support.
Back then, Shu Lanzhou couldn't understand why so many people seemed to hate her—why she always had to be the target of mockery, never good enough, never respected.
Even when she stood with the team at glittering academic events, people still looked at her with disdain and contempt.
That only made her more self-conscious, more broken. She threw herself into research, thinking that if she made a name for herself with her achievements, people would eventually change their opinion.
But in the end, everything she accomplished became a stepping stone for Lin Muyao.
From beginning to end, she had only ever been a tool for Han Weicheng to build up Lin Muyao—a disposable pawn.
And pawns weren't supposed to have a will of their own. They weren't allowed to step into the light, or to be liked by others.
So they had to be hidden—locked away in the shadows where no one could see.
In her past life, Lin Muyao had crafted her into someone who could never be exposed to the light. This time, Shu Lanzhou intended to let the world see Lin Muyao for who she really was. That's not too much to ask, is it?
"Is that really how you feel?" Ji Chuyun still seemed unsure.
Shu Lanzhou nodded, her expression steady. "Miss Ji, you're a smart person. Think about what I said. I have my own mentor now, my own research project."
"As long as I don't do anything foolish, follow Professor Mu's guidance, and graduate smoothly—whether or not I make a big name for myself, I'll still have a place at Mu Group's hospital. I'll stay in Shen City."
"In this situation, Lin Muyao's not in my way. She's not my competitor. So why would I bother fighting her—or hating her?"