Mu Yaning's sharp words cast a momentary hush over the auditorium.
Everyone present could almost hear the metaphorical slaps ringing against Han Weicheng's face.
Finally, Director Zhou from the Academic Affairs Office stepped forward and calmly took the microphone from Han Weicheng's hand.
"The cybersecurity officer has already completed the investigation and confirmed that the paper published by Student Shu was indeed written by her and had nothing to do with Professor Mu. I ask that Professor Han cease all further unfounded allegations."
"As for the data used in her paper—that is a separate matter. I believe it's only fair we hear from Student Shu herself."
Shu Lanzhou felt a rising frustration in her chest. Why did she have to stand here like a defendant in court, forced to justify herself just because Han Weicheng suspected her?
Was it simply because of his lofty title—Professor Han?
Because he had always been seen as an embodiment of fairness, a model scholar in both academia and teaching? Did that give him the privilege to question whomever he pleased?
To put students and colleagues on public trial?
Even the school had bent to his will, launching a formal investigation into Professor Mu!
The realization stung. But Shu Lanzhou knew—everyone here was still fooled by Han Weicheng's image.
Since no one had yet seen his true colors, she didn't mind being the one to rip the mask off.
Shu Lanzhou strode to the front of the stage with firm steps.
"Respected teachers and school leaders, please look at the screen displaying the experiments I participated in during my time in Professor Han's research team."
"Director Zhou, could you also bring up the papers I wrote during the same time period? The two charts can be compared side-by-side."
"I don't know if Professor Han ever truly read my papers, but as you'll see, I wrote a corresponding paper for every single experiment I was involved in."
"In two and a half years, 271 experiments—271 papers. I never missed one. It's true that I didn't complete any experiments independently."
"That was partly due to time constraints—but also because the projects were assigned to senior students preparing for exams and competitions. I couldn't take the spotlight from them."
"Do you remember saying this, Professor Han?"
Shu Lanzhou let out a bitter smile.
"It's what you told me when I applied to independently lead the 107th experiment. As a result, the lead operator was switched to Senior Fang."
"And not just that one—experiments 190, 201, and 207 as well. I submitted applications to conduct them independently. The forms should still be in the team's archives. If you don't believe me, check them."
Her smile was filled with quiet pain.
"But no matter how many times I applied, you never approved a single one."
"Eventually, I gave up applying and focused on assisting the senior students. Although I didn't lead the experiments, I independently recorded all the data."
"Not just the key points requested by the seniors—I recorded almost every set of data throughout the entire process. You can take a look."
She pulled up sets of data and matched them with the corresponding research papers.
"Professor Han, perhaps now you'll take a proper look at my work—and decide whether I was just there to pad my resume and collect awards, or if maybe, just maybe, I had some real substance to offer."
Shu Lanzhou gritted her teeth, eyes burning with tears of frustration.
"Originally, I would've been happy to go through them with you—maybe I'd even find a few overlooked gems," Mu Yaning added dryly, her voice laced with mockery. "But now that you've accused me, I need to recuse myself. I'm her advisor, after all. It wouldn't be appropriate."
But just as Mu Yaning finished speaking, another professor stood up.
"I'll do it. Won't take long—half an hour should be enough for me to read through one."
"Yes, yes, we're a large group. We can each pick one paper to review. It won't be hard to see whether she's faking it or writing with sincerity."
More voices chimed in.
One by one, teachers who usually kept a low profile but held real academic weight began volunteering to read.
With so many professors joining in, Han Weicheng had no way to stop it now.
Even though he was convinced that Shu Lanzhou's notebooks and research had no academic value—he couldn't shake an uneasy feeling creeping into his chest.
Especially when he looked up and met Mu Yaning's scornful gaze. His panic deepened.
Why did he feel nervous? Based on his knowledge of Shu Lanzhou, there was no way she could produce anything of real value. Compared to his other students, she lacked brilliance in every aspect.
Today, he would make an example of her—prove that currying favor with teachers and cutting corners was unacceptable. And Mu Yaning needed to be held accountable too.
He wouldn't allow her to destroy academic integrity just to upstage him.
Time ticked by. The tension in the auditorium grew.
As the professors buried themselves in papers, Shu Lanzhou didn't waste a moment. She pulled out her phone and looked up a paper recently published in the university's medical journal.
The author?
None other than her former senior—Guo Jialiang.
She noticed that one of the teachers was currently reviewing her own version of the experiment from that issue.
Shu Lanzhou walked over and handed her phone to the teacher.
"Professor, this is my senior's paper on the same experiment. Perhaps you can compare the two—to see how mine differs?"
Seeing her approach the teacher so openly, Han Weicheng couldn't help but snap:
"Stop interfering with the professors' judgment! This isn't something you can manipulate with pitiful looks and theatrics. Watch your behavior, Shu Lanzhou!"
"Are you mentally ill?" Mu Yaning fired back without hesitation. "Do you even know what she said to that teacher? And you jump in to reprimand her?"
"Have you even looked at yourself lately? Do you think you still have the right to criticize anyone?"
Han Weicheng's face turned a furious shade of red, then pale again.
He prided himself on being a distinguished scholar—never the type to hurl insults in public.
The Mu family used to be one of the top families in Shen City. Though they'd declined, he hadn't expected their next generation to produce such a vulgar woman.
Someone like her—where was the dignity of a professor? She was a disgrace to their institution.
He felt ashamed to be her colleague.
No matter what happened today, he was determined to defend the university's reputation—and purge people like her from the academic circle.
Han Weicheng straightened his back and raised his chin with authority.
"I won't stoop to pointless squabbles. Let the facts speak for themselves."
He marched toward Shu Lanzhou and stopped beside the teacher reading Guo Jialiang's paper.
"Professor Cheng, don't let this girl fool you. She's good at playing the victim and manipulating others. She used the same tactics to mislead several of my former students."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Professor Cheng—a notoriously blunt veteran—snapped his head up and cursed. "I'm honestly curious now. What exactly did this girl do to you that you're so hellbent on going after her?"
Han Weicheng was stunned. He'd spoken out of concern, and now he was getting scolded?
This old professor, hiding behind his age and seniority, didn't even give him any face!
Unbelievable!
He'd clearly underestimated Shu Lanzhou. Somehow, she had won these people over too.
Anger flashed in Han Weicheng's eyes, but he held it back and tried to reason with Professor Cheng.
"I'm not targeting her. I just can't tolerate dishonesty. You know me—I value merit above all and never condone opportunists."
"Is that so?" Professor Cheng sneered coldly, then tossed the phone back to Han Weicheng. "Then I'd say you must have a hell of a lot of sand in your eyes!"
"…"