That's the End of It

Shu Lanzhou choked on a mouthful of noodles and couldn't stop coughing.

"Idiot!" Mu Side tossed her a napkin, turned around, and ordered another bowl of noodles.

Shu Lanzhou finally stopped coughing. "How much was it? I'll transfer it to you."

"Tell me about your innovation proposal," Mu Side ignored her question and went straight to business.

Her eyes lit up. "So, you're saying the team agreed?"

"Check the group chat," Mu Side lifted his eyelids lazily, his gaze cold and indifferent.

"Time is tight. You've got ten days. If you don't finish writing the proposal in ten days, we can't proceed with anything else. Got it?"

Shu Lanzhou nodded eagerly. "Got it. I'll finish it on time. Then I'll be counting on you for the rest, Senior Mu."

She was thrilled and started eating faster, almost choking again.

Which earned her another "Idiot" from Mu Side.

This time he even added a few extra words: "I'm not going to fight you for it, no need to eat so fast!"

"Heh… I just want to get back and start writing as soon as possible." Shu Lanzhou put down her chopsticks. "Thanks for earlier, Senior. I'll send you the money for the noodles in a bit."

Although she wouldn't have followed Fang Ruoshi even if Mu Side hadn't shown up, it would've taken more effort. His timely appearance saved her a lot of trouble.

After speaking, she grabbed her bag and left.

Mu Side threw down his chopsticks in irritation. "No manners, this brat!"

But...

Thinking back to her attitude towards Fang Ruoshi just now, the corners of his lips twitched—interesting.

Outside the cafeteria, Shu Lanzhou finally pulled out her phone to check the group messages.

To her surprise, it was Professor Mu who had replied.

Just a few words: Feasible. Write it.

Mu Yanning held dual doctoral degrees and had been a professor for over a decade. She was respected in both cytology and acupuncture research.

It was said she even studied clinical medicine during her university years.

If she said the plan was feasible, then it definitely was.

Shu Lanzhou didn't have deep knowledge in acupuncture yet—her recent readings were only introductory—but that didn't stop her from writing this innovation proposal.

After all, the technical depth could be handled later by He Sixin and Mu Side. She wasn't worried at all.

Back in the cafeteria, Fang Ruoshi returned to the table, his face dark. Luo Jialin glanced behind him. "Where's Lanzhou?"

"She didn't come," Fang Ruoshi replied, still fuming. "Mu Side bought her a bowl of noodles. Pork rib wheat noodles. She looked very happy eating it."

Du Yifan clicked his tongue. "So a bowl of noodles won her over? Impressive. Does our whole table of dishes not compare to one bowl from Mu Side?"

"Didn't you notice?" Tian Hua adjusted his glasses.

"That girl has made up her mind to study acupuncture. She's completely given up on Professor Han and doesn't want to come back to our team."

Guo Jialiang still couldn't believe it.

"All that gossip online didn't affect her? Everyone in the medical school knows the difference between a hot and a cold specialty, and she insists on going against the grain? She must be crazy!!"

Even Luo Jialin hadn't expected Shu Lanzhou to be so serious this time.

After the initial anger faded, a strange discomfort rose in his chest.

"What's so great about that Mu guy anyway? Why'd she pair up with him? Is she doing this just to spite me?"

"Senior, why don't you try talking to her?" Fang Ruoshi looked up at him eagerly. "Lanzhou's always listened to you. If you talk to her, she'll definitely come back."

Luo Jialin wavered, just about to agree.

"Don't." Lin Muyao was silently furious. These idiots had driven Shu Lanzhou to this point and still dared to think they could win her back.

Even though she didn't think Shu Lanzhou would return, she didn't dare take that chance—this was Luo Jialin, after all.

The campus heartthrob. Idol of countless girls in the med school.

If he humbled himself to coax Shu Lanzhou back and she gave in out of soft-heartedness… Lin Muyao couldn't allow that to happen.

She tugged Luo Jialin's sleeve.

"Jialin, think about it. This whole thing is already public on the school forum. If you go and try to convince her, and Professor Han finds out, won't that make him lose face?"

"If she really wanted to come back, wouldn't that make his assessment look like a joke? People would say Professor Han mixes personal feelings with work."

Tian Hua looked at Lin Muyao and nodded.

"She really can't come back now. Since she's dead set on switching majors, we might as well let her go."

"Senior." Fang Ruoshi's tone was heavy. "Lanzhou's been with us for years. Can you really stand by and watch her fall?"

"You've all seen what people are saying online. She's been scolded so harshly, she must know she was wrong. If she can't graduate smoothly, if she can't find a job later, her whole future will be ruined."

"Do you all really want to see her life destroyed? Are you even human?"

"Enough!" Luo Jialin snapped. "What's done is done. We can't disregard Professor Han's reputation. She made her choice—she has to bear the consequences."

"If you're really worried about her, just check in with her privately. Tell her that if she ever runs into trouble, she can still come to us."

"If it's something we can help with, I'll do my best."

"Same here." Tian Hua nodded. "If she needs help, I'm willing."

The others all nodded in agreement too.

That show of "we'll always have her back" made Lin Muyao grind her teeth in frustration—she knew it! Shu Lanzhou's little retreat strategy was working.

With these five backing her, even if she graduated from some "unpopular" major, she wouldn't end up too badly.

Why should she get that?

Lin Muyao refused to let them help Shu Lanzhou. Their knowledge, family backgrounds, and future connections should all serve her, not Shu Lanzhou!

That afternoon, Shu Lanzhou sent the finished proposal to the group chat and went out for food.

Just as she left the dorm, she ran into Fang Ruoshi and Guo Jialiang coming her way.

They were both carrying bags of snacks, and walked up as soon as they saw her.

"Lanzhou, senior's tone was bad earlier, he wants to apologize." Fang Ruoshi started off with a self-reflection.

Shu Lanzhou instinctively took a half-step back—no one shows kindness for nothing.

Based on past experience, when Fang Ruoshi acted like this, it usually meant he wanted something from her.

Guo Jialiang smiled and shoved the snacks into her hands.

"These were all picked out by Senior Luo and Muyao together. He said, even though you left the team, you're still our junior."

"We've worked together for years. Our bond is deeper than just classmates. If you need anything in the future, don't hesitate to ask."

"Honestly, Senior Luo was really mad at you, but it was thanks to Lin Muyao that he calmed down. You've really misunderstood Lin Muyao—she's never had any ill intentions toward you."

"When did I say she had ill intentions toward me?" Shu Lanzhou looked at Guo Jialiang with a half-smile.

"I've never said that before, and going forward, I don't think we'll have much contact. With no conflicts of interest, she wouldn't have any reason to."

Guo Jialiang had a faint feeling she was implying something, but dismissed it. With her personality, it didn't seem likely she'd speak in riddles.

"In any case, let's call it even. Since you've chosen your new major, then study hard. I just hope you won't regret your decision."

Guo Jialiang looked down at her condescendingly.

In his mind, Shu Lanzhou had picked a dead-end path. She was worthless now.

If it weren't for Lin Muyao asking him to accompany Fang Ruoshi, he wouldn't have bothered to see her again.