Absolutely Not

Lin Muyao hooked her arm through Fang Ruoshi's and spoke sweetly,

"I'm sure senior sister still remembers all the good you guys did for her. She's just mad right now, that's all. Let bygones be bygones. Senior, tell me—how did she used to get along with you all? What was she most afraid of? What did she care about the most?"

"I've got it!" Fang Ruoshi shook off her hand and strode forward.

"Lanzhou cares most about Senior Luo—she always listens to him. The reason she's so upset this time is because he stood by your side instead of hers. If he just talks to her, she'll definitely come around like before. I'll go convince him."

Watching Fang Ruoshi walk away full of hope, Lin Muyao's expression stiffened. The whole thing felt like a cruel joke.

Clearly, everyone had originally agreed that Shu Lanzhou was in the wrong, that she was the one who had reason on her side. So why, the moment Shu Lanzhou turned her back on them, did everyone suddenly forget about all the mistakes she'd made?

That idiot Fang Ruoshi! She had just been trying to get him to recall whether Shu Lanzhou had any weaknesses they could use to control her—but instead, he was actually thinking about getting Luo Jialin to comfort her?

Luo Jialin was the golden boy—student council president, the department's campus heartthrob—why should he go comfort that country bumpkin?

If anyone should be comforted, it should be me!

Biting her lip, Lin Muyao quickly chased after Fang Ruoshi. She absolutely could not let Luo Jialin go talk to Shu Lanzhou. He was hers. From now on, he wasn't allowed to comfort any other woman.

Absolutely not.

By the time she caught up, Luo Jialin was already mid-outburst.

"She didn't accept it? So what? Why are you freaking out? It's not like this hasn't happened before. Don't you all know what she's like?"

"Don't be mad, Jialin-ge," Lin Muyao stepped up to him gently, smoothing a hand over his chest before handing him a cup of water.

"Senior Fang's just a little anxious, worried she'll grow distant from everyone now that she's in a new team. Honestly, this whole thing started with me. Maybe I should go apologize, take responsibility."

Clunk. Luo Jialin slammed the cup down on the table.

"You're not going anywhere. She's the one who made the mistake—and she admitted it. If she's still kicking up a fuss, it just means she never really owned up to it."

"I only tried to talk to her before because of the team withdrawal and those online comments. I didn't want her doing something foolish. But if she won't listen and doesn't appreciate our concern, then forget it."

By this point, everyone knew Shu Lanzhou wasn't coming back. What really bothered them was her complete indifference. That was the hardest part to swallow.

No one more so than Fang Ruoshi.

"Senior, you really won't try to smooth things over with her? She's still our junior. You've worked together for years—do you really want to end things on a sour note?"

"Am I the one who wanted things to end like this?" Luo Jialin shot him a sharp look.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You just want her back so she can help you prep for grad school."

"She's your junior, right? Then you tell me—how many things have you made her do over the years? Can't handle any of it on your own now?"

"Should I go beg Professor Han, plead with her to come back just so we can kick you out?"

Fang Ruoshi's face went pale, flushed, then pale again.

"That's not what I meant. I just thought… these tasks still need doing. She's always helped out before, so I didn't expect her to outright refuse this time!"

"Enough. She's not part of the team anymore. Don't even think about using her again." A flicker of coldness passed through Luo Jialin's eyes.

"But don't worry too much. That girl's never stayed mad at me for more than three days. Within three days, she'll come find me herself—apologize, even. When she does, I'll put in a good word for you."

Fang Ruoshi lit up. He knew it—Luo Jialin wouldn't really let Shu Lanzhou go.

Shu Lanzhou had always respected him, maybe even… liked him. She once admitted that the main reason she joined Professor Han's team was because of Luo Jialin. She never said she liked him outright, but it had always been obvious.

Luo Jialin had even told them, privately, that he only saw her as a younger sister—and warned them to keep boundaries.

With him stepping in, Fang Ruoshi didn't believe for a second that Shu Lanzhou would continue to resist.

That afternoon, Shu Lanzhou received a call from Mu Sidde.

"There's a meeting I need you to attend. Share the summary in the group chat afterward."

Before she could ask what meeting, the line disconnected.

She stared blankly at her screen, then just as she was about to check the school forum for any upcoming meetings, a forwarded message came in from Mu Sidde:

"Shenbei Medical University's 25th Innovative Medicine Competition Kickoff Meeting will be held on September 27th at the South Auditorium. All team representatives are required to attend."

So when He Sixin registered, they'd listed Mu Sidde's number—that's why the notification only went to him.

And now he wanted her to attend, representing their team?

A small, unexpected joy bloomed in Shu Lanzhou's heart.

Back when she was with Professor Han's team, she'd never been allowed to show her face at events like this. She was just the invisible workhorse behind the scenes—never acknowledged, never remembered.

But things were different now.

She was representing Professor Mu's research team. And for the first time, she would attend as a team representative. She couldn't afford to let them down.

Spurred by excitement, Shu Lanzhou turned and started rummaging through her clothes.

Her wardrobe was sparse—most of it in muted, dark tones.

Partly because she'd never had the time or money to shop. Partly because Luo Jialin had always said researchers should stay low-key and modest—no need to waste time on appearances.

He once told her: "It doesn't matter how nice you dress—if you're not pretty, it's pointless."

That line had haunted her. It had made her deeply self-conscious. She'd tried to hide herself in baggy, dull clothes, hoping no one would notice her at all.

But now things were different.

She didn't want to live in the shadows anymore. She wanted to dress up, to walk into that meeting with confidence—and prove to Luo Jialin that she wasn't ugly. He was ten times uglier than she ever was.

She opened her phone and checked her bank balance.

Less than 20,000 yuan total—including what she'd earned from part-time work, scholarships, and competition prizes over the years.

While on Professor Han's team, she'd worked as a medical assistant—earning 1,500 yuan a month, just enough to get by. Now that income was gone. Professor Mu had agreed to bring her on, but they hadn't talked salary yet—and she didn't have the nerve to ask.

She'd have to be frugal. Maybe things would improve next semester once she qualified for an official internship.

Bag in hand, she was just about to head out for some shopping when Ding Yuejiao walked in.

"I thought you didn't have classes right now. Where are you off to?"

"Shopping. I need a new outfit." Shu Lanzhou smiled. "Got time? Wanna come?"

Ding Yuejiao's eyes lit up. "You? Buying clothes? That's rare. We have to bring Anlan—she's got great taste. I bet she can help you pick something way better than your old stuff."

Before long, not only did Dong Anlan return—Zhang He came too.

The four of them headed straight for the fashion district.

Dong Anlan, a local girl from a well-off family, was stylish and knew all the best places. She quickly led them to a chic boutique.

"Nothing in this shop is ugly," she promised. "Go wild—pick anything. I'll help style it. You're gonna look amazing."

She held the door open, ushering them in.

Inside, there were plenty of customers. Not far ahead stood a couple—his arm wrapped around her waist, laughing as he picked out clothes for her.

"Don't worry about the price—if you like it, just buy it. I've got money!" said a familiar male voice.

Shu Lanzhou's gaze darkened.

Tian Hua.

She stepped forward, eyes locked on the man—determined.