The wind on the rooftop was strong. Yi Ming had to flick his lighter several times before the cigarette finally lit.
He took a deep drag—only to choke violently, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
"Damn it…" Yi Ming crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe and tossed it into the bin. "Shu Lanzhou, in the end... I was still one step too late."
October had arrived. Autumn had set in. The evening air had turned cold.
Yi Ming knew—it was time for his burning passion for Shu Lanzhou to cool as well.
After retrieving the research documents from Yi Ming, Shu Lanzhou went straight to Nan Xi. As a journalist with media connections, Nan Xi could ensure the paper was published immediately.
Under the usual review protocols, it would take at least three days. But tomorrow was Friday. They couldn't afford to wait that long.
Nan Xi looked through the paper.
"My professor already spoke to me. These papers have passed Professor He's review and verification, and the final version has incorporated his suggested revisions."
"I'll publish them just like we discussed—one article a week in the serialized section. The corresponding experimental verification videos will be uploaded as well."
"In short, leave the publicity to me. I promise it'll be out first thing tomorrow morning. Before the end of the workday, everyone in the circle who needs to see it will see it."
With Nan Xi's reassurance, Shu Lanzhou finally felt at ease. That meant the award committee would also have time to see it.
It just so happened to coincide with Lin Muyao's submission for award evaluation. Unlike academic papers, these materials contained full experimental results and detailed verification procedures.
Compare the paired experiments side by side—and it would be clear which were real data, and which were mere theoretical assumptions dressed as results.
Shu Lanzhou imagined by the time Lin Muyao's celebration banquet began, Han Weicheng would've already gotten wind of it.
She could only imagine the look on their faces—it would be delightful.
Shu Lanzhou beamed at the thought.
Professor Han, my counterattack has begun. Are you ready?
"Why so happy?" On the way back, Shu Lanzhou practically bounced with every step, turning back every few paces to grin at Mu Side, her hands clasped behind her like a child.
She dashed back and clung to his arm. "So happy. I feel like I've finally taken a real step in the right direction with my life!"
And that step had not come easily—it had taken two lifetimes.
In her previous life, she'd respected and revered her mentor, never daring to question Han Weicheng's decisions. She worked tirelessly, always blaming herself when things went wrong.
In this life, she'd endured everything silently, all just to earn the strength and qualification to challenge him.
It wasn't that she was afraid to fight back—she was just too powerless. A medical student from an ordinary background, against a nationally renowned professor with countless accolades.
Even when she was mistreated in his research group, even when her contributions were dismissed, the outside world would only assume she wasn't good enough.
She had the knowledge. She had the talent. But who would believe her?
Any emotional response from her would only make people suspect she was unstable.
So she had to bide her time—to dismantle Han Weicheng's team one senior researcher at a time, piece by piece, until finally, it was his turn.
Shu Lanzhou exhaled deeply.
"Even now, I know I could completely sabotage Lin Muyao. Humiliate her, even. But that's not the result I really want."
"The one I've always meant to confront was Han Weicheng. From the very beginning, it was him. He was the one who looked down on me and enabled the others to mistreat me."
"Everything I'm doing now is to show him that I'm not the pathetic student he thought I was. That I can do this—betterthan him, even."
"Judging students by appearance or family background is wrong. I don't want more students like me to suffer what I did."
A flicker of sadness passed over Shu Lanzhou's previously bright face.
"Do you think I'm being delusional?"
"Not at all," Mu Side said solemnly. "You're brave, and incredibly patient. You know what you want and you're working for it. That's something to be proud of."
Shu Lanzhou smiled again. "Then I'll keep working even harder—toward my dream."
"What's your dream?" Mu Side gently squeezed her hand. "Will you tell me?"
She hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"It's okay if you don't want to say," Mu Side reassured her. "I'll walk this road with you. And when the day comes that you achieve your dream—I'll know then."
He lifted her hand and kissed her palm.
"Come on. Let's go home. You promised the rest of the afternoon was mine."
By the time they got home, it was nearly dusk. Mu Side set the cake down on the table. "I'll make dinner. You go shower and change."
"Let's cook together!" Shu Lanzhou carried the groceries into the kitchen.
Mu Side stiffened slightly, a mysterious smile flickering in his eyes. He reached out and took the vegetables from her arms.
"There's something more important we need to do together later. Let me handle the cooking."
He leaned in and whispered against her ear, "Go shower. Be good."
Shu Lanzhou couldn't explain it, but there was something very suggestive about his tone.
She'd thought about what might happen between them, living under the same roof. Last night, she'd been drunk and came with him half-conscious. Today, she'd been too preoccupied to dwell on it.
But now, the realization hit her—things between them were about to go further.
Her shoulders twitched, and she felt a sudden wave of panic.
"What's wrong?" Mu Side asked, sensing something off.
Shu Lanzhou's face went pale. She turned and bolted for the bedroom.
"N-nothing! I'm going to shower!"
Watching her flee, Mu Side only chuckled, assuming she was just shy.
Later that night, as he gently carried her into the bedroom and undid the buttons of her shirt, he saw it—a long, jagged scar stretching from her chest down to her abdomen.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I know it's ugly. I didn't want it to be like this. You're such a good person—I wanted to give you the best of me, but I…"
Her face was ashen, her body shaking slightly. She clutched the bedsheet in both fists as if struggling not to push him away.
She loved him. That was why she was willing to give herself to him completely. That was Mu Side's first thought.
She was afraid—because of the scar. That was his second.
She was torn between shame and hope—terrified of being rejected, but still yearning for his acceptance.
That was the third thing Mu Side realized in the span of mere seconds.
His heart ached. Words couldn't capture the rush of emotion that surged through him.
He leaned down and kissed the scar.
"It's not ugly. Nothing about you could ever be ugly. I just… it breaks my heart."
His hand cupped the scar gently.
"You are the best. I love all of you. Don't be afraid. I'll never hurt you—never."
He poured all his tenderness into those words. Interlacing their fingers, he kissed the scar again and again, slowly and carefully.
As time passed, Shu Lanzhou finally relaxed. It still hurt—but it was her choice.
Afterward, wrapped in each other's arms, Mu Side traced the scar lightly with his fingers.
"Can you tell me… what happened?"