Han Weicheng flared up in anger, feeling that Shu Lanzhou was overestimating herself. How dare she talk back to him? He was just about to scold her further when, unfortunately for him, Mu Yaning and Professor Chen pushed open the door and walked out.
"What did he say to you?" Mu Yaning asked, glancing at Han Weicheng's retreating figure.
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "Nothing important. Just the usual—I'm not good enough in his eyes."
"That bastard! What kind of teacher talks to a student like that? I'm going to confront him right now!" Professor Chen rolled up his sleeves and made to charge forward.
Mu Yaning grabbed him by the collar. "Alright, and what will a confrontation solve? Instead of arguing, let's prove him wrong with results. Our Shu Lanzhou will succeed—and do it better than him!"
"Exactly, exactly! Shu Lanzhou, keep pushing forward. One day soon, you'll crush that Han guy under your heel!" Professor Chen patted her arm. "If there's anything you don't understand in your studies, come to me anytime!"
"If your teacher doesn't know it, I will. I can teach you too!"
Mu Yaning nudged him with her elbow. "Enough already. Don't snatch my student right in front of me!"
"Snatch? Who's snatching?" Professor Chen grumbled. "Anyway, where are you two headed?"
"We're making the rounds for departmental presentations before course selection ends. Trying to rope in a few more students for acupuncture electives," Mu Yaning said, waving a hand as she turned to leave.
Professor Chen sighed. "Still not many students signing up for acupuncture this year?"
"Don't stress too much. Ever since the incident with Mr. Long, people in the field have slowly started showing interest. There's far less resistance than before," she reassured him.
"It's just a matter of time before it gains wider recognition."
Mu Yaning nodded. "I'm not in a rush. After so many years, there's no need to be impatient. Some things take time. Besides, now that I have Shu Lanzhou, I'm even less anxious."
Though the lecture tours didn't lead to a dramatic boost, a modest number of new students did enroll.
Mu Yaning taught only a few classes, spending most of her time in the Traditional Chinese Medicine lab.
Shu Lanzhou returned to her structured routine—school, hospital, and occasional trips to the research institute to deliver materials.
Both her academic and research work were proceeding smoothly.
Since Han Weicheng's research project had launched, things had quieted down. At the very least, everyone maintained a surface level of civility within the institute. No further confrontations had occurred.
It seemed everyone was fueled by a quiet determination, each team racing to be the first to achieve results.
During this time, Wu Cheng and others graduated successfully and received official job offers from the institute, becoming full-time researchers.
Word had it that Tian Hua also secured a position, managing to stay on board.
Even Lin Muyao had stopped causing trouble, now diligently going to the lab every day. Though no one knew when she planned to publish her fourth paper.
One day, Shu Lanzhou was returning from the institute. She hadn't even reached her dorm when she was intercepted by Du Yifan.
He looked terrible—pale, scruffy, unshaven.
His detention period had long ended, so why did he look like this?
Had his father beaten him again?
Before she could puzzle it out, he stepped forward with red-rimmed eyes and grabbed her arm.
"Shu Lanzhou, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. I was blind before, I didn't see how amazing you are. Please, be the bigger person and forgive me, okay?"
"I swear I'll treat you right from now on—like a princess in the palm of my hand. I'll pamper you a thousand times over. I'll never boss you around again. You can order me around!"
"Let's start over, okay? I like you—really like you. I've never stopped liking you all these years. Please be my girlfriend. I swear I'll treat you better than anyone else!"
He must be out of his mind.
Shu Lanzhou stared at him in stunned disbelief. "Are you sick? I never agreed to be with you. What makes you think I'd agree now?"
"Is it because of Huang Tiantian?"
A flicker of malice flashed across Du Yifan's face.
"Don't mention that woman. She's trash. She tricked me. If you hadn't rejected me, I would've never dated her. You have no idea…"
"I only got with her to piss you off. I wanted to make you jealous, make you pay more attention to me. I fell for her trick because of you, Shu Lanzhou. You can't abandon me now!"
Not only was he delusional, he was deeply delusional.
"Do you hear yourself right now?" Shu Lanzhou let out a laugh, stunned by his audacity. "So now I'm responsible for your idiocy? Are you brain-damaged or just emotionally immature?"
"Did I force you to try and hurt me? Did I make you get entangled with Huang Tiantian? I never even agreed to date you! Why would you try to make me jealous? I don't like you—I never did!"
"So what's the point of all this? Du Yifan, stop making excuses for your stupidity. I'm not carrying your baggage."
"Besides, do you really think Huang Tiantian was that sweet, docile, soft-spoken little angel you liked? Ever wonder why she fit your tastes so perfectly?"
"Almost like she was tailor-made to deceive you?"
"Your Du family isn't exactly powerless—surely you could've looked into that, right?"
She flung those words at him and brushed past, heading toward the dorm.
"What do you mean?" Du Yifan chased after her, trying to grab her arm. "Shu Lanzhou, what are you saying? What's going on with Huang Tiantian?"
Before he could touch her, his wrist was seized.
Mu Side appeared and shoved him away. "She's not your keeper. Why are you interrogating her like she owes you something?"
"The Du family's supposed to be one of the elite in Shanghai, and you've read so many books. You really can't use your own brain?"
Mu Side looked at him with undisguised contempt. "Get lost. If I see you harassing her again, don't blame me for what happens next."
His gaze was sharp and ice-cold—like a blade slicing through Du Yifan, skin to soul.
Du Yifan felt a chill seep into every bone in his body. His pride, once his greatest asset, was now shattered and trampled underfoot.
He stood there in disgrace—no longer the arrogant, untouchable young master.
Only now did he realize Shu Lanzhou had truly changed. Her heart was harder than ever. No matter how much he apologized or pitied himself, she wouldn't even spare him a glance.
He had completely lost her—not even friendship remained.
But… if he uncovered the truth about Huang Tiantian, if he publicly cut ties with Han Weicheng's team… would she let him join their research group?
Wiping the corner of his eye, he said stubbornly, "What right do you have to stop me from seeing Shu Lanzhou? She's my junior. She used to care about me. I messed up, but I can fix it. Shu Lanzhou, wait for me."
"Once I find out the truth, I'll come back. From now on, I'll stand entirely by your side. I swear I'll never hurt you again."
"..."
From behind Mu Side, Shu Lanzhou poked her head out. "He does have the right to stop you—because he's my boyfriend."
She reached out and clasped Mu Side's hand. "You'd better not come see me again. I don't need you on my side. I never did."
"Let's go, big brother."
With that, she pulled Mu Side along, not even glancing back.
Why?
Why had things ended up like this?
Du Yifan crouched down in pain, heart in turmoil.
He had liked Shu Lanzhou first. He had fallen for her first.
So why… why did she choose to be with Mu Side?
Why wouldn't she love him?