Beauty with a Kind Heart

Tian Hua let out a sarcastic laugh. "Didn't you all used to look down on Lanzhou? So what now—she just left Professor Han's research team and suddenly you're all willing to be friends again?"

"Lanzhou, don't let them fool you. Only we senior students truly care about you. We wanted you to join the top medical research team in the country, to have a bright future ahead!"

"Everything we did was for your own good. These people will only hold you back. Don't let them manipulate you into turning on your seniors—don't be so ungrateful!"

"You—" Dong Anlan was fuming, nearly lunging to slap him. This hypocrite! A scumbag who not only tricked people out of money but still dared to claim he had her best interests at heart. She had never seen someone so shameless.

Shu Lanzhou gently held Dong Anlan back. "Mm, I know. So, how about that money now, Senior Tian?"

"Pfft…" Zhang He and the others couldn't help bursting into laughter. Tian Hua had ranted all that, only for Lanzhou to completely ignore every word and cut straight to the point.

That's our girl!

In the end, Tian Hua paid her back. With Zhang He and the others glaring daggers at him, he didn't have the nerve to refuse. Besides, he could tell now—Shu Lanzhou had changed. She might actually expose everything on the school forum.

He was about to graduate with a master's degree. He couldn't afford a scandal like this.

Humiliated, Tian Hua slunk out of the boutique. The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became.

Shu Lanzhou had never been this difficult. How had she changed so much? She used to be so easy to handle, but now she humiliated him in public and actually forced him to repay the money.

The embarrassment was one thing—losing that amount of money practically cost him his life!

He had long blown through the money Lanzhou lent him. What he just gave back was a loan he'd begged off Du Yifan at the last minute.

And he had no idea how he was going to repay that.

Thinking back over everything that happened, he started to wonder—was Lanzhou only so hard on him because of what Hu Jiali had said?

Okay, he admitted it—those words were cruel. When Lanzhou joined Professor Han's team, she hadn't exactly been top-tier, which naturally led to some whispering about how she got in.

With so many people desperate to join the team, Lanzhou—being the only girl, and so obedient, always listening to the senior students—was bound to attract rumors.

If it weren't for the fact that Lanzhou always dressed poorly, kept her head down, and never paid attention to her looks, those nasty rumors probably would've gotten worse.

People who hung out with him often asked about Lanzhou, wondering what their "relationship" really was.

He had only made a few offhand comments to prove there was nothing inappropriate going on, just to satisfy their curiosity.

How could she not understand he was protecting her?

And that idiot Hu Jiali—pretty but brainless—just had to run her mouth and make Lanzhou lose all trust in him. Now he'd lost the money and face!

A woman like that was disposable, but Lanzhou… Lanzhou had to be won back. He'd just have to borrow more money.

Lanzhou had always been generous, not one to fuss about money. She cared about research, not wealth. If he could humble himself a little, butter her up, maybe give her a few specialized textbooks, she'd definitely let it go.

Worst case, he could turn to Luo Jialin. Lanzhou always listened to him—and she liked him. A few words from Jialin and she'd be eating out of his hand again.

That was the plan. He'd go to Luo Jialin.

Meanwhile, Shu Lanzhou had no idea Tian Hua was once again eyeing her wallet. At the moment, she was staring at her phone, looking at her balance, overwhelmed by emotion.

Two lifetimes.

It felt like a miracle—getting something back she thought was lost forever.

The joy was intoxicating.

"Thank you all for helping me get my money back. Let's celebrate tonight. Dinner's on me," she said, clutching their hands, her voice trembling.

Zhang He grinned. "Then we won't be shy about it! Let's celebrate you reclaiming your life!"

It sounded a bit dramatic—but it was the truth.

"Let's pick out some clothes. Grab a few outfits." Dong Anlan pulled her toward the racks.

Anlan had a good eye. Once Lanzhou changed out of her dull, worn-out clothes, it was like someone had flipped on a spotlight.

A soft lavender dress, her hair tied in a high ponytail…

Gone was the timid, gray figure. In her place stood a girl glowing with youth and spirit, her delicate features even more striking now that her complexion wasn't hidden behind grime and drabness.

"You need new shoes too," Dong Anlan said, picking out a pair of stylish flats. "You always wear white sneakers. I know heels would be hard at first, so try these instead."

"Once you get used to them, you can start experimenting with heels later."

She gestured for Lanzhou to try them on.

Once she did, everyone took a step back and admired the transformation. Ding Yuejiao clapped her hands. "It's true what they say—clothes do make the woman! Lanzhou, you're gorgeous!"

Dong Anlan nodded, pleased. "You look amazing. I'll help you pick out a professional outfit too—something to wear to your internship. It'll make you look more polished."

"No need to buy too many shoes. This pair goes with almost everything. But if you want a backup, we can grab another."

Dong Anlan had thought of every detail—shoes, clothes, even internship outfits. She'd clearly put real care into this.

It only made Shu Lanzhou even more determined to save her.

A girl this kind and thoughtful didn't deserve to suffer a tragic fate. She didn't deserve the horror that awaited her.

Forget Lin Muyao's fake sweetness. Dong Anlan was the real deal—a beautiful soul inside and out.

It had been a long time since Shu Lanzhou felt this happy. She'd made up with her roommates, gotten new clothes, had delicious food—and most importantly, reclaimed her stolen money.

That feeling of liberation coursing through her—it felt like being alive for the first time.

Truly alive.

Free from the toxic people of her past, she believed things could only get better from here.

The next day, Shu Lanzhou and Ding Yuejiao arrived at the South Auditorium to attend the opening ceremony of the National Innovation in Medicine Competition.

Yuejiao, representing their team, whispered that the proposal Lanzhou had helped write had been well received and recognized by the rest of the group.

Although Lanzhou wrote most of the follow-up work, she had asked Yuejiao not to reveal her role—she didn't want unnecessary attention or drama.

"Oh, and one of the seniors said he'll write the main report. If we need more data, I'll come find you. Once this is over, dinner's on me!"

Ding Yuejiao looped her arm through Lanzhou's, chatting happily as they walked toward the auditorium.

"Deal. If you guys win, you owe me a meal. If you don't, I'll pretend I had nothing to do with it," Lanzhou teased.

Yuejiao burst into laughter and pinched her waist lightly. "You don't get to decide that—I do!"

Not far away, Lin Muyao and Luo Jialin were speaking with a few members of the student council.

No one knew how Lin Muyao had managed to persuade Luo Jialin, but she had taken over as the team's official representative for the competition.

Luo Jialin was only there because of his position as student council president.

"Jialin, isn't that Shu Lanzhou from your original team? Wow, I didn't realize she could look that stunning when she dressed up," someone said, nudging him and motioning toward the auditorium entrance.