Thanks for Not Giving Up on Me

"The team came up with it together," Ding Yuejiao said as she opened two more documents.

"But we brainstormed three different ideas. We just thought this one had the most potential—problem is, we have no clue how to execute it."

So that's how it is!

Now Lan Zhou finally understood why Ding Yuejiao's team hadn't used this concept in the competition in her previous life.

She took the mouse, clicked a few times, and began typing.

Even after all these years, the details of her past life's innovation plan were still etched into her mind.

Before long, she had recreated the core strategy for the proposal from memory.

"Take a look," Lan Zhou said sincerely, "If we go with this plan, will your team have trouble implementing it?"

She genuinely wanted Ding Yuejiao to overshadow Luo Jialin—so she held nothing back.

The moment she saw the plan, Ding Yuejiao lit up like a lantern and nearly jumped up to hug her.

"Oh my god, Lan Zhou, you totally get me! Our senior said we were stuck on the planning part of the proposal because we don't have a team member with a background in cell biology."

"If we want to actually build a prototype, we'll need someone specialized in cell biology to provide us with professional data. But you know how it is—everyone's entering the competition, and no one's got time to help others."

She paused.

"Wait… Lan Zhou, are you not entering the competition?"

Lan Zhou smiled, "Even if I am, our projects won't clash. If you trust me, go ahead and use this plan."

"If you need technical data for the final presentation or report, just let me know—I promise I won't hold anything back."

Ding Yuejiao believed her. After four years as roommates, she might not know everything about Lan Zhou, but she trusted her character.

Lan Zhou was someone who never lied. If she made a promise, she'd keep it.

And when it came to those seniors of theirs, Lan Zhou had always given her all for them… such a shame it ended like this. Ding Yuejiao couldn't help suspecting that Lin Moyao might've been behind all the trouble. Lan Zhou was too kind-hearted—how could she ever beat a manipulative snake like her?

Ding Yuejiao's heart ached.

"Lan Zhou, if anyone bullies you again, you just tell me. I'll make sure they regret it!"

"And don't let the stuff on the forum get to you. I know you're not the kind of person who'd make things up. If you said she plagiarized, then she did—even if there's no proof, I believe you."

Lan Zhou didn't expect her to bring that up and let out a soft laugh.

"Thanks. But it's over now. Let's not talk about it anymore."

"Alright, alright," Ding Yuejiao nodded and turned to refine the plan based on Lan Zhou's edits. She also messaged her team to discuss the changes.

Meanwhile, Lan Zhou finally remembered the forum she'd been told about.

The moment she logged in, she saw how wild things had gotten online.

She followed the trail of posts until she found the original thread—it was an announcement that she had joined Professor Mu's team.

She recalled Professor Mu Side asking her earlier that day—so the original poster was probably him. She hit follow on his profile and kept reading.

Most of the replies were mocking her. They said she was insane for dropping out of a prestigious research team, leaving a hotshot major, and transferring into a field that no one cared about. They called her reckless, said she must have a screw loose.

A few rare voices praised her bravery, admiring her guts and calling her a "real one"—but those were few and far between.

Some were busy speculating about why she had left Professor Han's team.

The plagiarism accusations popped back up, but they didn't stir much interest. Everyone's attention quickly shifted to another thread linked to an official announcement.

It was a public notice from Professor Han, listing the newly selected members for a research project after a fresh round of assessments.

Lan Zhou's name, of course, was nowhere on it.

She let out a cold laugh. Han Weicheng is really going out of his way to clear Lin Moyao's name.

With this announcement, he was doing two things:

One, distancing the team from the plagiarism mess by implying Lan Zhou didn't make the cut.

Two, using her absence to elevate Lin Moyao—and squash any lingering doubt.

This way, the public wouldn't link Lan Zhou's departure to anything shady. The narrative now was: she failed the assessment, so she's out—end of story.

How convenient.

Lan Zhou's eyes narrowed. So you want to play it like this, Han Weicheng? Fine. But the day I find hard evidence that Lin Moyao cheated during her assessment... let's see how proud you are of that announcement then.

She was actually looking forward to it.

She scrolled further.

The top comment on the announcement post was from none other than Luo Jialin:

"Welcome to the family, little junior. Your arrival brings new life to our research team. Looking forward to working with you!"

Right beneath him was Guo Jialiang, as sycophantic as ever.

Lan Zhou glanced over and chuckled.

Once, she'd foolishly believed that Guo Jialiang's flattery and sweet words were reserved just for her.

It wasn't until the team turned their backs on her that she saw the poison hiding in his praises.

In prison, she used to lie awake at night, wondering how someone who once said the kindest things could turn around and curse her with such venom.

Back then, she couldn't make sense of it. But after coming back to life, she understood—

It was all about value.

To someone like Guo Jialiang, value was the only thing that mattered.

He was the kind who worshiped power and stepped on the weak.

Lan Zhou didn't linger on the page. Just a quick glance was enough to confirm that all five seniors were still there, flocking around Lin Moyao like loyal puppies.

Perfect, she thought. Let them cling to each other all they want.

She navigated back to Mu Side's post and shared it to her own profile, writing:

Yes, I've joined Professor Mu's team.

Switching majors in senior year is a risky move, but I'm deeply grateful that Professor Mu didn't turn me away. I won't let down his trust.

Thank you to Senior Mu Side and Senior He Sixin for your support and encouragement. With you both around, I'm more confident than ever about starting over.

To Lan Zhou, changing majors wasn't just about switching disciplines.

It was the first step in rewriting a tragic destiny.

But to others, she looked like a mutt kicked out of the house, now clinging to some backwater shelter—and even had the nerve to thank them for it.

To the peanut gallery, it was pathetic.

She wasn't rising from the ashes—she was just trying to save face.

The mockery poured in almost instantly.

"Guess we've got a new top student in the department. Clap clap clap."

"Thought she was hot stuff, but looks like she got booted. Serves her right."

"Compared to Lin Moyao? Please, not even close. She's a goddess—you're just bitter and ugly."

"You brainwashed Luo God for years. Finally he came to his senses. Good riddance!"

"Wahh~ Lin Moyao rescued Luo Senior from her spell. Who's gonna save my dear Mu Senior now? I can't watch him be bewitched!"

…

Lan Zhou's finger hovered over the screen.

Her gaze paused on one particular word: "bewitched."

In her past life, hadn't Luo Jialin and the others been exactly that—bewitched?

Even when the truth was right in front of them, they refused to believe it.

They called her the snake, the manipulator, the one out to hurt sweet little Lin Moyao.

But now?

Now she was no longer the scapegoat.

Let's see, she thought coldly, just how far your precious goddess will take you.

Let's see what unforgettable "lessons" she has in store for you all.