Three days later, Shu Lanzhou received a call from the police station. Officer Yan informed her that the investigation was complete and she only needed to come by and sign a few documents to close the case.
Not wanting to delay, Shu Lanzhou headed to the station that very afternoon. Just as she arrived, she spotted Mu Side getting out of a car.
"Senior?" she said, surprised.
Mu Side walked over, frowning slightly. "Something this serious, and you didn't tell me?"
"Officer Yan said it was just to sign some paperwork," Shu Lanzhou replied, not wanting to trouble anyone unnecessarily.
Knowing her temperament, Mu Side didn't press further, though his expression remained grim. "Let's go. I want to hear the investigation results too."
Officer Yan filled them in.
The five men who kidnapped Shu Lanzhou confessed. They were acting on someone's orders. The one who hired them was a man surnamed He, owner of a local entertainment club.
According to the thugs, Boss He had instructed them to kidnap Shu Lanzhou and "have their fun" with her for a night. Then he would show up as the hero to "rescue" her, hoping she'd be so grateful that she'd willingly agree to work at his club.
Investigation revealed that twenty years ago, this Boss He was once a rich second-generation heir. But after years of indulgence and idleness, he squandered his family's wealth and even served time for assault in his youth.
After getting out of prison, he toned things down and opened an entertainment club. He often lured naïve young women to work there under false pretenses.
He confessed that the reason he targeted Shu Lanzhou was because he happened to see her near a hospital a few days before the incident. He thought she looked sweet and innocent—just the kind of "loli-type" girl a few big-shot clients at his club liked.
That was when his twisted idea took root.
Shu Lanzhou couldn't accept this flimsy excuse. "I don't even know him. If he really wanted me to work for him, there are plenty of ways to approach me. Why resort to violence?"
"I don't believe that's the real reason."
Officer Yan shrugged. "We thought the same. So we investigated his recent activities, just as you suggested."
"Our findings show that aside from visits to the hospital and his club, he didn't go anywhere else. We also checked his communication devices…"
"There's no evidence that he was acting under someone else's orders."
Shu Lanzhou frowned. "I had a suspect in mind. Did you investigate them as well?"
"Are you sure there's no connection between this man and the people I suspect?"
Officer Yan shook his head. "The individuals you're referring to hold special status. We can't openly investigate their social connections."
"However, we covertly examined their communication devices. There's no record of any contact with Boss He—no calls, no messages, no meetings."
"With the current evidence, it seems they're total strangers. No link between them at all."
Shu Lanzhou was visibly disappointed—if she hadn't lived through everything in her previous life, she might've started to doubt herself and think she'd wronged Lin Muyao.
But now? She could only admit she had underestimated Lin Muyao. She never imagined she could cover her tracks so thoroughly.
Looks like this incident had reached a dead end.
Shu Lanzhou rubbed her face. "I want to know—what kind of punishment will those men receive for kidnapping me?"
"Once you sign the closure documents, we'll press formal charges. The court will determine their sentences based on the crimes."
Officer Yan reassured them, "Don't worry. The charges won't be light. Aside from the kidnapping, the entertainment club will also be investigated."
"What goes on inside that club is no small matter. We'll dig deep. This is far from over."
…
When Shu Lanzhou walked out of the station, she was in a heavy mood.
Where there's one Boss He, there'll always be another. The Lin family's roots in Shencheng ran too deep—far beyond her current reach. Revenge wasn't going to be easy.
"Feeling unwilling?" Mu Side asked, catching her by the arm.
Shu Lanzhou nodded. "You might not believe me, but I'm sure Lin Muyao is behind this. If it happened once, it'll happen again. I was lucky this time, but next time…"
"I believe you," Mu Side said, gripping her shoulders. "From now on, whatever you do—don't do it alone. I'll help you from here on out."
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "Thank you, senior. But I can't always rely on others. The more Lin Muyao tries to dim my light, the more I have to shine."
"I'm not just going to master acupuncture. I'm going to study hard in Professor Han's program too. I will get dual degrees."
Her petite frame and delicate features didn't diminish the powerful presence she suddenly exuded.
Mu Side smiled faintly. "Then go for it. If you ever need help, come to me—or your professor. I'm sure she'd be more than willing to teach you."
"I'll talk to her right after I get back to campus," Shu Lanzhou murmured, already planning her next move.
Back at the university, she stepped out of Mu Side's car, distracted and unaware of the curious stares from nearby students.
She didn't get far before someone blocked her path.
"Shu Lanzhou, was that your boyfriend who just dropped you off?" It was Guo Jialiang.
His face was full of mockery, practically spelling out "gold digger."
His words caused a ripple of gossip among the crowd.
"Did you see that car? So cool-looking!"
"Looked even more badass than Senior Luo's Maybach. Who could afford something like that?"
"She's really something, huh? Managed to hook a guy with a car like that?"
"She's not even that pretty. What do men see in her?"
"Shows what you know—she used to be Professor Han's only female disciple. Too bad she switched teams to Professor Mu."
"Wait—is she the one who caused a stir during the campus competition? I heard she totally clapped back at her old teammates. Was that real?"
…
Guo Jialiang had only wanted to smear her reputation and make everyone think she was just a pretty face looking for sugar daddies. He didn't expect the narrative to spin completely out of control.
His face darkened.
"No wonder your clothes and style are totally different now—guess being in a relationship changes things," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm, trying to steer the conversation back.
"We're not on the same team anymore, but we're still from the same school. Let me give you a kind reminder—if you care too much about material things, you'll lose focus on your studies."
"You just changed majors and you're in your senior year. At this rate, you might not even graduate."
Already in a bad mood, Shu Lanzhou snapped back without hesitation.
"Open your damn eyes—Senior Mu was just giving me a ride. He's not my boyfriend. I'm not dating anyone."
"My clothes? My roommate helped me pick them out. They're just normal student outfits. Not designer, not expensive."
"If I look different, it's because I've been eating and sleeping regularly. Gained a few pounds, that's all."
"If that's what you call 'being materialistic,' then I've got nothing to say. As for my degree and graduation—that's none of your business."
"Now move. You're in my way."
She shoved past him and headed straight for the academic building.
"Oh my god, she's so badass!"
"No wonder she rides in a Karlmann King!"
"What car?"
"That one just now—Karlmann King. Costs over ten million."
"Didn't know Senior Mu's family was that rich. Maybe richer than Senior Luo's?"
"Then why's he always so lowkey? Never seen him drive to school before."
"Yeah, this must've been the first time. That junior's so lucky. I'm jealous!"
…
As everyone's attention shifted to Mu Side's car, Guo Jialiang nearly ground his teeth to dust.
He had wanted to make Shu Lanzhou a target for ridicule—so how did she end up becoming the most envied girl on campus instead?!