Lin Muyao glanced around at the group, noting that Guo Jialiang looked the most upset. She scoffed inwardly—pathetic coward.
"I didn't provoke her," Guo Jialiang muttered, both guilty and angry. "I'll go talk to her."
He stood up and stormed out.
Lin Muyao stared at the others in confusion. "Can someone please explain what just happened?"
Luo Jialin pulled her down to sit and briefly recounted how Han Weicheng had reported Mu Yaning to the school, which unexpectedly revealed issues with Shu Lanzhou's thesis.
Even Lin Muyao, who had always thought Shu Lanzhou was just lucky to be part of the team, had to admit—what Shu Lanzhou had been doing was intense work, the kind only a rare few could handle.
She swallowed hard, envy and resentment brewing in her chest. "So… she's actually that good, huh? Even better than Senior Guo?"
"You can't really say that," Tian Hua chuckled, trying to soften things up. "It's just that Shu Lanzhou exceeded our expectations. It's not like she's stronger than Jialiang—he's several years ahead of her and knows a lot more."
Lin Muyao smiled faintly. "So that's why he's upset? Over something like this? Honestly, I think he's overreacting. Having a capable teammate like her is a good thing."
"Don't you all want me to become just as awesome?" She blinked playfully and waved at them.
The somber mood lightened instantly thanks to her antics.
Du Yifan laughed and gave her a high-five. "True that. If even the quiet, unnoticeable Shu Lanzhou turned out to be this impressive, then surely the rest of us can't be that far behind."
"I mean, we shouldn't blow this out of proportion. If anything, it's on her for being so low-key about everything—never told us what she was doing. No wonder we overlooked her."
"But hey, it's not entirely our fault. If it weren't for our tough guidance, maybe she wouldn't have grown so much. Think about it—am I wrong?"
Everyone exchanged looks and, surprisingly, found themselves agreeing with Du Yifan's take.
Luo Jialin stood up. "Whatever the case, she's clearly more capable than we thought. From now on, no one should underestimate her."
"Exactly, exactly," Lin Muyao chimed in with a wink. "She came out of Professor Han's team, after all. Naturally, we can't look down on her."
"I actually ran into her when I got back. She told me we'd be rivals from now on. Honestly, she's so good it's kind of intimidating!"
"Jialin-ge, I want to be just as amazing as she is. Can you teach me, please?" she said, clinging to Luo Jialin's arm like a spoiled little sister.
Her voice was soft and sugary sweet, and she smelled faintly floral. Her entire demeanor radiated delicate charm. It was almost intoxicating.
"Alright, alright, I'll teach you," Luo Jialin said dotingly, smiling down at her. "Our little Muyao is part of the team now—no way we'll let her fall behind Shu Lanzhou."
The others chuckled and smiled at her too. The pressure Shu Lanzhou had left behind seemed to dissipate completely with Lin Muyao's presence.
But the moment she turned her back, Lin Muyao's expression darkened.
Shu Lanzhou had thoroughly embarrassed Guo Jialiang. He'd never be able to take that lying down. This was something she could definitely exploit.
She hadn't expected Shu Lanzhou to leave behind so many records in the team's files. That girl must've done more for them than she let on. As for Guo Jialiang, he was definitely someone worth digging into.
What a pity… the students who'd helped her smear Shu Lanzhou had been punished, and now with He Chengdong arrested, all her previous schemes had come to nothing.
She hadn't crushed Shu Lanzhou—on the contrary, the girl was starting to shine.
Even Professor Han had failed to stop her. If things kept going like this, how was Lin Muyao supposed to keep up?
Now that Luo Jialin and the others had begun recognizing Shu Lanzhou's talent, it would be difficult for her to maintain her place in the team without improving herself.
It looked like she'd need to start cozying up to Han Weicheng more often, boost her own academic skills.
Shu Lanzhou, you just wait—I won't lose to you!
Not far from campus, in a small restaurant, Wu Cheng raised his teacup and stood up alongside Ding Yuejiao.
"Junior, let's drink to you with tea instead of wine. Thank you for helping me land that internship—and thank you for supporting Yuejiao. Much appreciated!"
Ding Yuejiao smiled warmly. "He's right. We really owe you one. If not for your help, we'd probably still be fighting over our future plans!"
It was graduation season—the season of breakups. Wu Cheng's family wanted him back home working for a government agency. If his internship in Shanghai didn't pan out, he'd likely have to return in a year. And that would mean breaking up with Ding Yuejiao.
If that happened, she'd be too heartbroken to even focus on grad school.
Shu Lanzhou was genuinely glad she could help them out.
She also hoped she'd judged Wu Cheng right. He needed to be more reliable than Tian Hua—someone she could count on when things got tough.
"You don't need to thank me. I had selfish reasons too," Shu Lanzhou said with a small smile.
"Actually, Senior Wu, to be honest, Professor Mu has an open research project and is short on people. When the time comes, I'd love to have your help."
"No problem," Wu Cheng agreed without hesitation. "As long as I get some freedom in my research direction, all my free time is yours!"
Shu Lanzhou laughed. "Well then, maybe we can collaborate."
"That would be ideal," Wu Cheng replied with a polite smile, helping Ding Yuejiao back to her seat.
He was from the south—naturally gentle and attentive. The way he looked after Ding Yuejiao didn't feel like an act. After one meal, Shu Lanzhou's impression of him was pretty decent.
Maybe it was because she'd been burned by Luo Jialin and the others, but she no longer trusted people so easily.
Sometimes, you couldn't really know who someone was until things actually happened.
Otherwise, the persona they showed you might always be something carefully polished and rehearsed.
—
After the meal, they walked out of the restaurant and spotted someone from afar—Guo Jialiang.
He was sitting at a street food stall, eating a bowl of cold noodles.
It was the same stall that had once been Shu Lanzhou's favorite.
When he saw her, Guo Jialiang immediately stood up and strode over.
"What's he doing?" Dong Anlan and the others stepped in front of Shu Lanzhou, brows furrowed protectively.
Wu Cheng also stepped forward, placing himself between the girls and Guo Jialiang.
Seeing their reaction, Guo Jialiang's face darkened noticeably.
"Shu Lanzhou, can we talk?" he said, stopping in his tracks and glancing sideways at her.
Shu Lanzhou didn't move. Her eyelids lifted slightly.
"If it's about what happened in the auditorium, I have nothing to say. You can go ask Professor Han if you're that curious."
Guo Jialiang's expression stiffened. He was afraid she'd humiliate him again in public.
He lowered his voice, trying to sound calmer. "It's not about that. I just want to say a few words. Can you have them step aside?"
"And why should I listen to you?" Shu Lanzhou said coldly. Of all the five of them, the one she hated most was undoubtedly Guo Jialiang.
Looping her arm through Dong Anlan's, she said, "Let's go."
The group surrounded her and walked past Guo Jialiang.
He tried to block her path, but Wu Cheng stepped in front again.
It wasn't until the girls had walked far away that Wu Cheng stepped back. "What's the point?"
"What do you know?" Guo Jialiang glared at him, seething with frustration.
Wu Cheng smiled faintly. "I don't know anything. But anyone with eyes can see—back when Shu Lanzhou was still with you guys, she looked like she was starving. Forget going out to eat—she probably barely had time to sleep."
"There were a few times I saw her and honestly worried she'd just collapse right then and there."
"But look at her now. It's only been a little over a month, and she's already transformed. She looks alive. That—that is what a college student should look like. Don't you think?"