"Shu Lanzhou, remember what you said today! You better not regret it. I'd really love to see if someone like you, switching majors in senior year, can even graduate smoothly!"
Fang Ruoshi shoved through the crowd and stormed off in a mess of frustration and humiliation.
Not far away, Tian Hua broke out in a cold sweat.
So it's really over—Shu Lanzhou couldn't be persuaded. She didn't give Fang Ruoshi even the slightest bit of face. She'd embarrassed him completely in front of everyone.
And to think, they used to have the closest relationship.
Now that even Fang Ruoshi had been humiliated by her like this, what chance did Tian Hua have? No way he'd go up against her now.
Thank God Fang got there first. If not, the one getting humiliated might've been him. Tian Hua patted his chest in relief, feeling like he'd just dodged a bullet.
Clearly, with someone like Shu Lanzhou, not only could he not provoke her, he had to start currying favor instead. If she ever lost it and made public the evidence of him borrowing money—what then?
That woman had completely changed. The sweet, obedient personality from before? Gone without a trace. Now she was downright terrifying.
He figured it must've been the blow of being removed from Professor Han's team that changed her.
But what Tian Hua didn't realize was that Shu Lanzhou's transformation had nothing to do with joining or leaving any team—it had everything to do with the endless exploitation and condescension she endured from them in the past.
Back in her dorm, Shu Lanzhou felt oddly refreshed. Just thinking about Fang Ruoshi's miserable face made her feel like a weight had been lifted off her chest.
Of course, it was nothing compared to what she suffered in her previous life.
He couldn't even handle a little public humiliation? What was he going to do in the future?
Thinking about the path ahead for Fang Ruoshi, her lips curled with disdain.
If Fang Ruoshi still had any shame or pride left in him right now, then someday soon, every last bit of it would be crushed under Lin Muyao's manipulation.
In her previous life, she never got the chance to ask if he regretted it. But in this life? She hoped she would.
The sadness that had been pressing on her since Mr. Mu's death finally eased a little—thanks to standing up for herself against Fang Ruoshi.
Shu Lanzhou had no intention of giving her bullies the satisfaction of watching her suffer. She had to work even harder than before.
She turned on her laptop, pulled out her books, and dove back into self-study.
What she didn't know was that the confrontation with Fang Ruoshi had been caught on video—and someone had already uploaded it to the school's forum. The clip was spreading like wildfire.
When Lin Muyao came across the video, Guo Jialiang was just bringing her a small cake.
"I heard from the seniors the innovation project idea came from you. You're amazing, little junior. This is your reward," he said with a grin.
The four-inch cake was covered in strawberry slices—sweet and tempting.
"Senior, are you trying to fatten me up?" Lin Muyao replied, voice soft and syrupy, dragging her words like honey, enough to melt bones.
Guo Jialiang's knees practically gave out, and he flopped into the seat beside her, his voice growing gentler:
"You're not fat at all. And so what if you were? Chubby is cute! Don't be like Shu Lanzhou, starving herself all the time to stay skinny. She looks like a ghost—so ugly!"
"Wait… She really starved herself just to stay thin?" Lin Muyao blinked, feigning a confused, innocent look. "But didn't she say she was skipping meals to save up for Fang senior's gift?"
Feigning disbelief, she handed her phone to Guo Jialiang.
The video showed everything—especially Shu Lanzhou's cold, emotionless eyes and the mocking curve of her lips. Guo Jialiang broke into a cold sweat.
"She—she's lost her mind! How could she talk to Ruoshi like that?!"
He flung the phone back at her and rushed off to Luo Jialin's office.
"Hey—!" Lin Muyao didn't expect such a reaction. She'd planned to stir the pot with the video.
Now that Fang Ruoshi had fanned the flames, she couldn't sit on the sidelines anymore. She had to "respond" with her own "gesture of kindness."
She tapped rapidly on her phone.
Soon after, the forum was flooded with posts smearing Shu Lanzhou—accusing her of scheming to join Professor Han's team by cozying up to the male seniors, even attempting to seduce the professor.
Fortunately, the noble Professor Han had resisted her advances. After seeing her true colors, he used the opportunity of a team reshuffle to kick her out!
Lin Muyao smiled smugly at the rising number of comments.
In this society, men always got the benefit of the doubt. Women? Not so much. With these rumors out there, she was certain Shu Lanzhou wouldn't dare show her face on campus again.
What's more, she'd frame the professor and seniors as righteous and impartial—pure professionals who refused to be swayed by beauty or manipulation.
With that, not only would her own position in the team solidify, but others would stop whispering about how she only got in because of her looks.
Her place in the team—and on campus—would only grow stronger with time.
But before she could celebrate for long, Han Weicheng burst in.
"Get everyone in here. Now."
Luo Jialin opened the door from his office, with Guo Jialiang trailing behind. Tian Hua, who had just returned, stood stiffly at attention in front of Professor Han.
Startled, Lin Muyao scrambled to her feet.
"You've seen what's online?" Luo Jialin handed over his tablet.
Han Weicheng snorted, voice laced with fury. "I told you all—if she wants to leave, let her! Don't go stirring things up. What, none of you have any brains? Had to go poke the hornet's nest?"
"Is Fang Ruoshi so hungry he can't eat or sleep that he had to seek her out and get humiliated? And then let it be filmed and posted online? He's embarrassed me to no end!"
"It's one thing to go after her—but why give her such a clear upper hand? You wanted a watch? Go buy one yourself! Accepting something a young girl starved herself to afford—where's his pride?"
"You're all going to fess up. What has Shu Lanzhou ever given each of you? I want everything listed and returned. You're going to pay her back. I don't want another scandal like this!"
Han Weicheng wasn't holding back—he even turned on Lin Muyao, jabbing his finger at her:
"And you—don't think you're off the hook. I don't take students with questionable character. I don't care how good your grades are. If you're lacking integrity, I'm not interested."
"Shu Lanzhou didn't lose out to you in research. I rejected her paper because of those slanderous rumors against you. I thought she had a character flaw and wanted to teach her a lesson."
"She chose to quit. As her advisor, I respected her decision and believe I fulfilled my responsibility as an educator."
"But if I find out you're no better—plotting, scheming behind the scenes—don't expect mercy. I'll kick you out myself!"
Lin Muyao's heart dropped. She's done for.
She'd just finished orchestrating an attack on Shu Lanzhou. If Professor Han found out… she'd be out of the team in no time.
Last time, she got lucky with the plagiarism incident—he didn't suspect her. But this time? It involved him and the other male seniors. Would he push for a thorough investigation?
She'd been careful, sure… but what if?
She hadn't even fully secured her place in the team yet. She couldn't afford to take that risk.
If she'd known it would blow up like this, she would've waited longer before striking against Shu Lanzhou!
Head lowered, Lin Muyao murmured quickly, "I understand, Professor. I would never do anything to break school rules or violate ethics."
"And where's Fang Ruoshi? Why isn't he here yet? Call him again!" Han Weicheng tugged at his collar, clearly agitated. Guo Jialiang rushed to bring him a chair.
Han Weicheng was fiercely protective of his reputation. He'd never tolerate even a whiff of scandal that could taint it.
The only reason he accepted Shu Lanzhou into his team to begin with was because she was from a rural background—humble, hardworking, top of her class. He figured she'd be obedient and never cause trouble.
More importantly...