Mutual Schemes

Shu Lanzhou couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Since this person didn't get along with Luo Jialin, she'd make sure to get closer to him.

She threw the lunchbox into the trash and planned to search for more books on acupuncture.

Guo Jialiang noticed that she ignored him and frowned slightly.

"Did you hear me just now? You upset Senior Luo this morning. Don't make things worse."

Shu Lanzhou almost laughed in frustration. In her past life, she was always careful not to do anything they disapproved of, because she cared so much about their feelings and wanted to please them in everything.

But now, she only cared about her own feelings and would follow her own path.

"I'll leave the remaining materials to you, Senior Guo. I'm going upstairs to check something," Shu Lanzhou replied, barely acknowledging him, before walking upstairs.

Her indifferent attitude caught Guo Jialiang off guard.

They had known each other for years, but she had never looked at him like that before. Was she still angry about the apology he forced her to make this morning?

But wasn't she the one who cared most about Senior Luo's feelings? He had tried to warn her, but she hadn't appreciated it?

Guo Jialiang snorted coldly and turned to leave the library.

When Shu Lanzhou came downstairs after finding the books she wanted, she wasn't surprised to see the library empty.

Guo Jialiang was a selfish person. Due to his family background and abilities, he had to rely on flattering Luo Jialin to stay in the team.

In the beginning, she had been the most spoiled junior, and Luo Jialin had treated her specially. During those years, Guo Jialiang took advantage of her to speak well of him in front of Luo Jialin.

Even when an experiment failed and nearly ruined the research, it was thanks to her interceding with Luo Jialin and Professor Han that she was allowed to stay.

But later, she was framed by Lin Muyao, and things broke down between her and the team. The first to turn on her was him!

Shu Lanzhou sneered softly.

He couldn't even handle a cold shoulder and left just like that. How would he react when she returned all the metaphorical knives he had plunged into her?

She didn't let Guo Jialiang occupy her thoughts any longer. Turning, she left the library and headed back to her dorm, not noticing the cold, angry eyes watching her from behind.

Guo Jialiang had assumed that after he left without a word, Shu Lanzhou would urgently call him to apologize and beg him to come back to help her.

After all, there were plenty of materials in the library, and she couldn't possibly organize them all on her own.

But to his surprise, not only did Shu Lanzhou not call him, she left the library. This was completely unlike the Shu Lanzhou he had known.

Was this her true self? Had the obedient and well-behaved girl from before just been a disguise?

Guo Jialiang's face lit up with the expression of someone who had uncovered a great secret. He turned and walked toward the boys' dormitory.

"Shu Lanzhou, just wait. I'm going to expose your disguise and take revenge for Muyao!"

The idea of making her apologize to Muyao had come from Luo Jialin, which showed that the person Luo Jialin cared about most now was Lin Muyao. As long as he appeased Muyao, Luo Jialin would surely be happy.

At first, he had hoped that Shu Lanzhou would apologize to Luo Jialin so that their relationship could return to what it was before. At that point, he'd have two people helping him with flattery in front of Luo Jialin!

But since Shu Lanzhou had refused to listen, it was no longer his fault!

Back in her dorm, Shu Lanzhou threw her laptop into her bag and walked out, telling her roommates, "If anyone comes looking for me, just say I'm sick and went to the hospital."

And she really did go to the hospital.

The only traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Shencheng was also the Medical University's partner hospital.

Shu Lanzhou walked to the acupuncture department, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

She had checked the university's official website and knew that Professor Mu, who taught acupuncture, was leading a team at the hospital today for outpatient services.

Before she even reached the department, she ran into Professor Mu in the hallway.

She called out, "Professor Mu."

Professor Mu didn't hesitate to reply, "You're late. Go inside, change into your clothes, and follow me to the treatment room."

It was said that acupuncture teaching in the later stages relied heavily on hands-on practice. For local students doing internships, the professors would lead the team to see patients in the outpatient department while also teaching the interns.

Shu Lanzhou didn't try to explain. She simply followed the others into the changing room. Compared to Professor Han Weicheng's hands-on teaching, where dozens of students followed him, Professor Mu's setup seemed much smaller, with only three interns—one male and two female.

"Prepare the tools," Professor Mu said, putting on a mask and addressing the three of them.

Shu Lanzhou wasn't sure what to do, so she just followed He Sixin's lead and helped.

She knew her name because she had seen her intern badge when they were changing.

"This is your first time here, right? Which teacher recommended you?" He Sixin handed her a set of silver needles for sterilization.

"I didn't hear Professor Mu say there was a new intern coming today. What's your name?"

Shu Lanzhou glanced over at Professor Mu, seeing that he wasn't paying attention, and relaxed slightly. "Shu Lanzhou."

"Shu Lanzhou?" He Sixin looked at her face closely. "That name sounds familiar. Have we met before?"

Shu Lanzhou became a bit nervous. "Acupuncture is my second major. This is my first time here, and I came because I've heard of Professor Mu. We should have never met."

"Never met?" He Sixin frowned slightly. "I could have sworn…"

Before she could finish, Professor Mu interrupted.

"Don't talk so much. We don't have time for idle chatter." He picked up the sterilized silver needles and walked toward the treatment room.

"Come on, get in here quickly. The patients today have serious conditions, so the acupuncture will take a long time. You better all pay attention."

He Sixin stuck out her tongue behind his back and whispered to Shu Lanzhou as she pulled her arm.

"Don't worry, Professor Mu may seem strict, but out of all the professors from different colleges, she has the best temper."

"And you made the right choice with this major. It's rare for people to study it, and even fewer stay in the city to intern. Professor Mu is practically holding your hand and guiding you through."

"Once your internship is over, you'll basically be able to see patients on your own. After you graduate and start working, you'll have the same treatment as a full-fledged doctor."

"Compared to other majors, where doctors have to assist professors for a year or two, our work is much easier in terms of both salary and workload…"

A mocking "Hmph!" interrupted He Sixin's words.

It was another intern—she could tell it was a male, but he was wearing a mask, so she couldn't see his face clearly, nor did she know his name.

"If you really want to learn this profession, you don't need to be fed all this nonsense," the male intern said, glancing at Shu Lanzhou.

"Today, the school didn't mention any new interns. If you're lost, you can leave now. Professor Mu is understanding; she won't blame you."

"Mu Side, are you crazy?" He Sixin yanked him back.

Shu Lanzhou froze. So, this was Mu Side.

In that case, she definitely couldn't leave now!

She was about to speak when she heard Professor Mu's voice.

"Mu Side is right. If you're in the wrong place, you can leave now, and I won't hold it against you. But if you stay, and fail the assessment after class, don't blame me for punishing you!"