"Long Xingyu almost became Grandpa's last disciple back then!" Mu Side fixed his gaze on Shu Lanzhou. "If it hadn't been for Second Uncle, she would have had free access to the attic by now!"
Shu Lanzhou didn't respond right away.
"So, the third miss of the Long family returned to China for those medical books in the Mu family attic? Was that Old Master Long's true condition back then?"
Shu Lanzhou couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart.
It was like… she had been just a backup plan from the very beginning.
"No!" Mu Side quickly denied her speculation. "At least Aunt never thought that was the condition. She wanted to take you as her disciple from the very start!"
Shu Lanzhou couldn't help but laugh at the eagerness on his face. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"I was afraid you might hear things you shouldn't and get upset over nothing." Mu Side's expression softened as he raised his hand to gently cup her face.
"I don't want you to be unhappy. My Shushu should always be happy, all the time."
Shu Lanzhou turned her face slightly, resting her cheek against his palm.
"Then tell me—since there was such a connection between the Mu and Long families, what really happened back then that made Second Uncle give up on the Long family's third miss?"
She had heard that Long family's third miss left Shen City years after the Mu family's incident, so their fallout couldn't have been because of the Mu family. Something else must've happened between them.
"You!" Mu Side pulled her into his arms. "I was just worried you'd overthink and get upset, and here you are, turning around and worrying about others!"
"Silly girl. Don't worry. No matter what it was, I'll find out. You just focus on your own path."
…
After becoming a disciple, the Mu family's attitude toward her didn't change.
They remained kind and caring as before. Shu Lanzhou slowly relaxed, no longer as tense as she had been. She began to accept the fact that she now had a home.
If there was any real difference, it was that her academic workload increased—significantly!
A week later, news came from the research institute: Ni Sheng's experiment had succeeded. The mid-stage research was officially completed, and the acupuncture intervention trial could begin ahead of schedule.
Mu Yaning packed up the research documents and brought Shu Lanzhou along to the institute.
Because it was the first formal intervention trial, things were handled with extra care and thoroughness. In addition to Mu Yaning, He Sixin and Mu Side also cleared their schedules and came to the research institute together.
Just as the group entered the institute building, they ran into Han Weicheng's team.
Word had spread that their experiment was also set to begin—today was their first entry into the lab.
Neither side showed any intention of giving way. The air was tense, until a figure squeezed out from behind Han Weicheng.
It was Ni Sheng—Group Leader Ni—there to greet them.
"Professor Mu, hello. I'm Ni Sheng. We met once at the project approval conference." Completely ignoring Han Weicheng and the others, Ni Sheng stepped in front and extended his hand to Mu Yaning.
Mu Yaning politely shook his hand.
Then they heard Ni Sheng say, "You've recruited an outstanding student, Professor Mu. The reason our experiment progressed so quickly this time is all thanks to your student, Shu Lanzhou!"
He turned to Shu Lanzhou. "Shu Lanzhou, I meant what I said. Until this project ends, my lab is always open for you to come and provide guidance!"
…
These words, spoken by a senior researcher to a fourth-year medical student, were a monumental compliment.
Just how brilliant was this girl, to warrant such praise?
Everyone present was stunned speechless!
It was Mu Yaning who finally broke the silence with a modest smile. "You flatter her, Group Leader Ni. Please don't overpraise Lanzhou. She's still young and has much to learn."
"She wouldn't dare claim to offer guidance. Your words are too generous!"
"Oh come now…" Ni Sheng turned his head. "She may be young, but her talent is real. Without her bold hypothesis, who knows how many dead ends I would've run into!"
"Professor Mu, the younger generation is indeed formidable. Your student is exceptional—she's bound to achieve great things."
As he spoke, he gestured for them to enter and even reached out to part Han Weicheng's group aside, leading Mu Yaning's team proudly into the conference room.
It wasn't until their backs disappeared that Han Weicheng's team finally came back to their senses.
"That Ni guy—how dare he?!" Lin Jiayi's face had gone purple with rage. "That's just ungrateful! How could he humiliate us like that in public?! Old Han…"
Han Weicheng's expression was complicated. "Enough. Let's get inside first before we say anything."
The two project teams had conference rooms right next to each other. Speak too loudly in the hallway, and the others would hear everything.
Lin Jiayi reluctantly fell silent, her face stiff. Once inside, she kicked over a chair.
"That Ni bastard! Two-faced snake! Did he really take that damn girl's advice and change the direction of his experiment?"
And the worst part—he actually succeeded!
How was that even possible?
Lin Jiayi stared at Han Weicheng in confusion.
"Didn't you say her ideas were all unrealistic? That there was no way they could work? That's why we didn't rush to start our own experiment!"
They could've begun their research five days ago, but they delayed it—until yesterday!
Today was supposed to be their first proper lab session.
They'd waited, hoping Ni Sheng would come over. But instead? Not only did he not come, he even sided with the enemy and publicly slapped them in the face.
Utterly infuriating!
Lin Jiayi glared at Han Weicheng with a voice full of blame.
"What are you yelling for? There are no shortcuts in medical research. If you don't do the work properly, even if you succeed through some clever trick, the final results won't hold up."
"Or do you think that little girl—barely grown—could outdo me? You think Shu Lanzhou has what it takes to step over me?!"
Han Weicheng roared and threw the documents in his hand onto the table.
"Enough. The others will be here soon. What do you look like, throwing a tantrum like this? I think Ni Sheng is just trying to stir up trouble!"
"Maybe you should consider—did you offend him somehow?"
Otherwise, despite offering such favorable terms, why would Ni Sheng still refuse to join them? Anyone with eyes could see that he had more potential than He Xin!
Lin Jiayi's anger faltered. She didn't dare lash out again—could it really be her fault that Ni Sheng wouldn't come?
What a short-sighted man. Sure, his past achievements didn't all go to his personal credit, but he still won the team achievement award because of them!
Not to mention the bonuses he's earned over the years. Coming from a humble background, with his current status and generous salary, what more did he want?
Greedy fool. Didn't he worry about bursting from it all?
Just wait. The moment she got the chance, he'd be the first one she took down!
…
Meanwhile, in the next room, Ni Sheng led Mu Yaning's team into the conference room. The door hadn't even closed before Lin Jiayi's shrill curses came echoing in.
Mu Yaning gave Ni Sheng a sidelong glance. "Group Leader Ni, you're not worried?"
"What's there to worry about?" Ni Sheng chuckled carelessly. "Right now, our research is the priority. I don't have the bandwidth to worry about anything else."
Mu Yaning dipped her head slightly and sat down.
"I heard, Group Leader Ni, that your recent experiment led to the discovery of a new formula for a special medicine? One that could be applied in pre-surgical clinical treatments for various diseases?"