"Lin Muyao is right. Professor He is tied up with projects, and the Dean is busy managing the entire institute. Checking project experiments like this should be left to me."
The man, addressed as Director by Lin Muyao, tugged at his sleeve and cast a smug, insincere smile at Yi Ming and Shu Lanzhou.
"Step aside, both of you."
He didn't believe two interns would actually dare oppose someone of his standing. Truth be told, he'd once appreciated these students and had even considered recruiting them for his own team.
But who told them to be so blind? Insisting on staying with He Xin's team.
He Xin was nothing more than a man riding his wife's coattails—a man with no real achievements to his name. What exactly did these students see in him?
A bunch of brainless fools. Let's see how he'd put them in their place today!
Yi Ming swallowed hard, feeling an inexplicable sense of guilt. He had no idea that there was even such a thing as "project inspection" in the institute.
"Then…" Yi Ming started, glancing at Shu Lanzhou, who remained silent. Just as he was about to step aside—
Shu Lanzhou took a step forward, blocking the way.
"I've read the institute's management regulations, and I don't recall any rule granting a Director the authority to inspect another team's experimental project."
"Moreover, when we submitted our application, we clearly outlined our experiment type, goals, and research direction."
"If you really want to inspect, Director, you should be reviewing our submission documents and the compliance of our lab approval—not barging into our lab."
"After all, as researchers, we all know that entering a lab requires a change into proper protective clothing and signing a confidentiality agreement."
"Given that our lab has already suffered a theft once, for security reasons, I simply cannot let you enter."
"What's more, I've heard that you're currently collaborating with Professor Han. And since the previous theft incident involved members of Han's team…"
She looked at the Director with a polite yet firm expression.
"Sorry, Director. If you truly believe our research is non-compliant or abusing public resources, you're welcome to report it to the Dean."
"But for the safety of our research data, I cannot let you in."
Her words stopped just short of outright accusing them of coming to steal data. The Director was livid, and even Yi Ming was stunned.
Oh my god, he thought. Junior Shu is fierce. She's not afraid of anyone!
Inspired by her boldness, Yi Ming straightened up and stood firmly by her side, the two of them blocking the lab entrance completely.
The Director looked like he was about to burst. His slightly plump body trembled with rage as he bellowed, "Unbelievable! A few interns daring to challenge me?! You've no idea who you're dealing with!"
"Move. I must go in today!"
Shu Lanzhou's expression dropped.
"Don't say I didn't warn you. We've just reached a key milestone in our research. If your intrusion disrupts our process…"
"If it affects the outcome of our research, could you bear that responsibility? Especially when our project involves triple-party interests—including the National Medical Institute…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but her "just being helpful" tone made the Director freeze mid-step.
Seizing the moment, she turned to Lin Muyao.
"It's understandable that the Director is too busy to keep up with every project, but Lin Muyao—you should know better."
"Your team's previous research was cancelled because of the theft incident. At such a sensitive time, you should be distancing yourself from us, not cozying up."
She tilted her head innocently. "Unless… your experiment is so urgent you have to use our lab?"
"But as far as I know, when your project was approved, the Du family invested a significant amount. You were given several new labs, complete with brand-new equipment."
"They're not far—just next door, in the neighboring building. I heard it was even your suggestion to rent the place."
"So if it's really that urgent, why not go use one of those labs?"
"Why instead are you trying to snatch our lab space? Unless… when your project was shut down, the Du family didn't just pull funding—they took the equipment too?"
"I haven't heard any such news. So if that's not the case, Lin Muyao, are you doing this on purpose? Trying to get the Director to sabotage our project so you can benefit on both ends?"
Shu Lanzhou fired off her points like a machine gun, not giving anyone the chance to interject. She wrapped up with a completely innocent expression.
If not for the tense atmosphere, Yi Ming would've applauded.
Who said Junior Shu was easy to bully? That mouth of hers is lethal—sharp, precise, and totally unflinching. She completely silenced the troublemakers!
Lin Muyao was fuming. She took several deep breaths, trying—and failing—to cut in. By the time Shu Lanzhou finished, she didn't even know how to respond.
All she could manage was a confused, "What do you mean by 'benefit on both ends'? Shu Lanzhou, what are you talking about?"
Shu Lanzhou smiled sweetly.
"I mean you're using the Director to sabotage our project. That way, your mother becomes the only researcher in the institute still cooperating with Professor Han."
"When the research succeeds, all the credit and recognition goes to your mother. And if luck's on your side, once the Dean retires, your mother could become the next head of the institute."
So that's the plan?
The Director's face turned red. He swung his arm in fury.
"Shu Lanzhou, don't try to sow discord between me and Vice Dean Lin. I'm just doing my job—I'm no one's pawn!"
"What happened today was a misjudgment on my part. I'll submit a formal inspection request to the Dean before entering your lab. For now, I won't disturb you further!"
With a cold snort, he cast a long, meaningful glare at Lin Muyao.
"Lin Muyao, since there are plenty of labs in the next building, go through proper channels and submit a usage request to your advisor. No need to covet someone else's lab."
Almost got played by this girl!
If he had barged into Yi Ming's lab, no matter what experiment they were running, He Xin could have accused him of sabotaging crucial research. Given that He Xin's project had just succeeded while Han Weicheng's was already shut down, Lin Muyao's minor achievements were nothing in comparison.
And He Xin had the influential Mu family backing him. The Lin family wouldn't go out of their way to protect a mere Director.
He'd been so blinded by anger and pride that he let Lin Muyao manipulate him. Now he realized that Lin Jiayi's attempt to win him over probably wasn't out of kindness either.
Still fuming, the Director stormed off. No matter how loudly Lin Muyao called after him, he didn't look back.
Lin Muyao hadn't expected that all her efforts to persuade the Director to intimidate Yi Ming would be dismantled by a few pointed words from Shu Lanzhou.
She glared at Shu Lanzhou with pure resentment. "I never expected you to be so sharp-tongued, Senior. You've been pretending all along. Yi Ming, don't let her fool you."
"Once she takes credit for all your hard work, you'll be the one left with nothing. Isn't that a loss?"
She scoffed coldly. "Don't get too smug just because you've won for now. Once our professor's new project starts, there'll be no place for you."
"And you've seen my recently published papers, haven't you? Even if you stay on the team, you'll never match that—especially now that you've chosen such an unpopular field."
"I'd love to see how you plan to surpass me with something as obscure as acupuncture."