"You're finally willing to talk?" Mu Side raised an eyebrow at her.
Shu Lanzhou pouted. "It's not like I ever said I wasn't willing. It's just... my dream used to be saving lives, helping more and more good people. But now…"
Her eyes lit up with a firmer kind of determination.
"Now I want to drive every rotten person out of the medical field—and tackle every difficult medical challenge I can. I want to become a researcher who actually contributes to the advancement of medicine."
Shu Lanzhou let out a soft sigh.
"Brother, do you know? When I was a kid, if I worked hard—worked enough—I could get a full meal. Sometimes, if someone was feeling generous, they'd give me old clothes."
"The people in that village were poor. Clothes were rare. Once I got a bit older, I could understand why they resented me so much. Their own lives were already hard enough."
"That's why I threw myself into my studies. I worked harder than anyone else to earn scholarships every year. Once I got into college, I finally started making money."
"Besides my own basic living expenses, I used every bit of it to pay back the villagers. I paid them double, triple what I owed. They might have hated me, never cared for me—but in the end, they did raise me."
"I wanted my money to make their lives a little better. But that's all I could give. Nothing more. Call it cold-hearted, call it ungrateful—but I've never felt a single emotional tie to that place. Not once in all these years have I ever had the urge to go back."
Mu Side didn't know what to say. He'd grown up without his parents around too, but he was never without love. He couldn't truly feel what she had gone through. That sense of helplessness gripped his heart again, and all he could do was hold her even tighter.
"Then don't go back. Ever. This place—this is your home now. Our home."
"Mhm." Shu Lanzhou turned sideways and leaned into his chest, clinging to his warmth.
"There was a time when I craved affection. I wanted people to care for me, to protect me like they did their own kids—even if I made mistakes, I wanted to know I'd still have food, and that no one would beat me half to death for it."
"So I worked extra hard, stayed quiet and obedient. In the end, they never showed me kindness—but at least I got to eat, at least I had clothes to wear."
"Then I joined Professor Han's research team. I thought maybe if I worked harder than everyone else, stayed more obedient, took on more tasks… I'd get treated better. Maybe I'd get more food. Maybe even nicer clothes…"
She gave a hollow laugh.
"But in the end, I was wrong. Completely wrong. Han Weicheng wasn't like those villagers. Obedience didn't earn his favor—it only made him exploit me even more."
"Him, and all those senior students too. They pushed me harder because I never pushed back. Brother, tell me… am I stupid?"
They say childhood trauma follows you like a shadow. It turned out Shu Shu wasn't born so obedient.
Her kitten-like gentleness wasn't her nature—it was her survival mechanism.
Mu Side's heart ached so deeply it felt like it was bleeding. Tears rolled down uncontrollably.
"It's over now. All of it. No one will ever make you be 'obedient' again. No one will ever hurt you again. With me, you can be as unreasonable as you like."
"Do whatever you want. Be wild. Be free. I just want you to live happily."
"Mhm." Shu Lanzhou was exhausted from crying. Nestled in Mu Side's arms, her lips curled into a soft smile. The past still brought her sorrow, but right now—right now, she felt genuinely happy.
She pressed closer, finding the perfect spot in his embrace and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Brother."
—
That night, Shu Lanzhou slept soundly and had a dream.
In it, she returned to her village and saw her mother—dressed in white, like an angel—watching her with the gentlest smile.
"My child," her mother said, "I'm so proud of you. You've finally found your home. From now on, live happily. Forget the past. Move forward. Mama loves you."
Just as Shu Lanzhou reached out, her mother's image began to blur.
"Wait! Mama, wait for me!" she cried out, trying to chase after her.
But just then, a warm hand took hers—it was Mu Side.
He looked at her with the deepest tenderness. "Your mother's entrusted you to me now. From here on out, it's my job to love you. Come with me—I'll make you happy."
He pulled her gently into his embrace—safe, gentle, unwavering.
Behind them, the village grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared altogether. The sun rose from the horizon, casting warm light all around her.
Bathed in that sunlight, Shu Lanzhou felt completely wrapped in warmth.
Then… she woke up from the heat.
Opening her eyes, she was met with Mu Side's gaze, full of affection.
"You're awake? What do you want for breakfast? I'll make it for you."
"…"
In that moment, Shu Lanzhou felt as if she had been reborn.
She had said goodbye to her past self, and her life—her entire life—was different now.
She became the princess of the day, pampered by Mu Side from morning till afternoon. Eventually, she couldn't help laughing:
"Brother Side, I'm not that fragile. I can drink water myself, you know."
Mu Side was just about to retort when Shu Lanzhou's phone rang—it was Nan Xi!
It was Friday. Shu Lanzhou didn't have classes and had spent the whole day at home with Mu Side, completely forgetting to check the news.
"Journalist Nan?" she asked, a bit nervous.
Nan Xi's cheerful voice came through:
"Good news! The paper's been getting even better response than I expected. Professionals are already contacting the author—looks like they want to reference the findings."
"With that kind of momentum, maybe you should convince your friend to submit the materials to that competition?"
Right! How could she have forgotten about that?
If Lin Muyao could compete—why couldn't Yi Ming?
"Thanks, Journalist Nan. I'll talk to my friend seriously. I'll treat you to a proper meal later!"
Nan Xi chuckled.
"No need to be so polite! You already helped me a ton with the Mu Corporation feature—and with all the free acupuncture treatments I get, I'm doing great!"
"At this point, we're friends, right? Just call if you ever need anything."
"Alright." Shu Lanzhou smiled warmly. She wasn't one for social niceties. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. You do the same—reach out if you ever need help."
"You bet. We're friends now! Let's take care of each other."
—
After hanging up, Shu Lanzhou beamed. "Let's go out for dinner tonight. My treat."
"Should we invite more people? I'll book a private room. What about Dexin Lou? You like their roast duck, right?" Mu Side had already pulled out his phone.
Dexin Lou? That was where Lin Muyao was having her celebration banquet.
Shu Lanzhou grinned. "Her party's there—won't it seem a little too deliberate if we show up?"
"What room is she in? We'll book the one next door." Mu Side didn't hesitate, already dialing.
Shu Lanzhou couldn't help but laugh. "You're serious? At this hour, you think a private room will still be available?"
"Don't worry. I'll get it. You just call the people. I'll book a big room—two tables." Mu Side looked perfectly serious, not joking in the slightest.
Well, if it made him happy, why not? Besides, Yi Ming's paper was doing well—they had a reason to celebrate. Who said only Lin Muyao was allowed to show off?
Shu Lanzhou began calling around. Though it was a bit last-minute, it was a Friday night—and once people heard it was to celebrate Yi Ming, no one turned her down.
When they all gathered, it was enough for two full tables.
Even Ke Beichen came along with Dong Anlan.
"Dong Anlan told me Shu Lanzhou's treating. I figured—well, I had to come!"
"Come in, of course you're eating!" Mu Side welcomed them into the private room.
Shu Lanzhou went out to meet Wu Cheng and the others.
Everyone had someone with them—except Yi Ming.
When Shu Lanzhou saw He Sixin beside Shen Mo, she was momentarily stunned.
"What are you staring at? Don't recognize me anymore?" He Sixin linked arms with her. "Come on, let's go in. Tell me, are you hosting tonight because you two are living together now?"