Shu Lanzhou pulled Dong Anlan to her side.
"Anlan, yes, she is the campus belle, but she's far more than just a pretty face. Her academic record has consistently ranked in the top ten of our department."
"Since sophomore year, she's been publishing papers in medical journals, and by junior year, Shanghai Central Hospital had already secured her as an intern."
"Compared to most students in our major, she's clearly outstanding."
"You don't have to like her, but you have no right to insult her. And I don't know if it's because Luo Jialin's been pursued by too many people, but he's clearly lost himself. His confidence has turned into pure narcissism."
"Seriously? Do you really believe that every girl is destined to fall hopelessly in love with you?"
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Luo Jialin's face turned red, then white. His fists clenched tightly.
Shu Lanzhou. How dare she call him narcissistic—in public, no less!
Given their past, he absolutely refused to believe Shu Lanzhou never had feelings for him. In his mind, this was just her saving face. Obviously, she was trying to lure him in by playing hard to get. Did she really think this would make him look at her differently?
What a joke.
Suddenly, Luo Jialin let out a chuckle.
"I must've been in the lab too long—I didn't even know I was being chased after. Lanzhou, don't joke like that with me."
"You know me. I've always been focused on my academics and not interested in distractions. Dong Anlan once confessed to me, and I turned her down firmly."
"Because I only want to focus on my studies. I'm not interested in early relationships, and I didn't want to waste her time either."
"What happened today was clearly a misunderstanding. I was just worried Anlan might get too caught up again, so I spoke harshly—for her sake, really. I just wanted her to stay focused on her goals."
"Instead of spending energy on someone else. Lanzhou, we're schoolmates. Why would you misunderstand me like this? Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Actually… no. She really didn't.
Shu Lanzhou let out a cold, mocking laugh. "To be honest? I really don't know what kind of person you are."
She'd never realized before just how fake—and narcissistic—he could be.
"But I have no interest in finding out anymore. If you say it was a misunderstanding, then let's leave it at that. However…"
Her gaze turned sharp, icy, as she looked straight at Guo Jialiang.
"As for you—consider that slap on your face from earlier my answer. That way, you don't have to bother apologizing."
"But you better learn to keep that mouth of yours in check. Don't let me hear you slandering me again, or next time, it won't be just a slap. Ever heard of 'defamation of character'?"
"Lanzhou!" Tian Hua stepped forward.
"Jialiang was just worried about you. Don't take it to heart. We're all your seniors—we've always looked out for you. Why be so petty?"
The ever-smooth Tian Hua tried to play peacemaker, smiling fawningly at Shu Lanzhou.
He didn't actually want to get involved in all this, but unfortunately, Shu Lanzhou still had something on him…
Yet Shu Lanzhou didn't even spare him a glance. She simply grabbed Dong Anlan and turned to He Sixin.
"Let's go."
With Mu Side clearing the way, the group quickly exited the cafeteria.
Once the main cast had left, the crowd dispersed too.
But as this was campus gossip involving the "department heartthrob," not a single post popped up on the forums. No one dared to stir that pot—neither Luo Jialin nor Mu Side were people to be casually offended.
"Shu Lanzhou… she's really changed," Luo Jialin muttered darkly, his face clouded over. Then, a faint, cold smile tugged at his lips.
Guo Jialiang, still nursing the sting on his face, fumed. "What, we're just letting her get away with that? She acts so scandalous and we're not even allowed to comment?"
"I suggest you grow a brain," Luo Jialin shot him a scornful look. "You can say whatever you want about Shu Lanzhou, but slandering her personal life? That's crossing the line. Do you really not know what kind of person she is?"
"But just now… her behavior with Mu Side?" Honestly, Guo Jialiang had never seen that side of Shu Lanzhou before.
Back when she used to hang out with them, she never even bothered with her appearance. She'd come to the lab looking all mismatched and dusty, buried in her experiments and reports.
Smiling sweetly at someone like that? Impossible.
She must've dressed up just to seduce Mu Side. Why else would she change so much?
But damn… she did look good.
If she'd looked like that before, none of them seniors would've had the heart to make her do all the grunt work. They might've pampered her like a princess.
Pretty girls were always easier to like, after all.
Tian Hua sighed. "Women dress up for the ones they care about. Clearly, none of us ever caught her eye, so she never had the motivation."
There was no denying it—Shu Lanzhou cleaned up well. Even though she'd grown thinner and paler, her eyes were bright and her features somehow more refined.
Even Tian Hua, who was used to hanging out at bars and had dated plenty of girls, found himself glancing at her a few more times than usual.
"What do you mean, 'women dress up for the ones they care about'? Senior, who are you all talking about?" Lin Muyao walked over, tray in hand, placing her lunch on the table.
Luo Jialin frowned. "When did you get here?"
"Just now. I saw a big crowd over here but by the time I made it over, everyone was gone. Did something happen?" Her wide eyes blinked with curiosity.
Guo Jialiang quickly waved her off. "Nothing, nothing. Just gossip. Don't worry about it, little junior. Eat well and study hard."
"Yeah, yeah. Eat more, afternoon classes coming up," Tian Hua added, shoveling more meat into her bowl to distract her.
The last thing they needed was for her to keep asking questions.
Luo Jialin was clearly in a foul mood, and now he turned a sharp gaze on Lin Muyao. "Did you finish preparing those materials? We've got a group discussion this afternoon."
"All done, Jialin-ge! Don't worry. I've got it covered," Lin Muyao beamed, patting her chest in assurance.
Her smile was radiant, but for some reason, at that very moment, Shu Lanzhou's face flashed in Luo Jialin's mind.
They were completely different.
Shu Lanzhou had always felt… distant. But when she did smile—it was unforgettable.
As for Lin Muyao…
"Jialin-ge, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong? Why do you look so upset?" Lin Muyao tugged gently at his sleeve, voice soft and sweet, like she was about to cry.
She swayed slightly in a playful pout—an act few men could resist.
Looking into her doe-like eyes and her worried little face, Luo Jialin suddenly felt appeased.
Women, huh?
Girls like Lin Muyao were the type people naturally liked—sweet, obedient, soft-spoken, and lovely to look at.
Shu Lanzhou used to have some of that charm, but now? None of it was left. No wonder he couldn't stand her anymore.
Mu Side wasn't exactly a saint either. No way someone like Shu Lanzhou would end up thriving under his wing.
Luo Jialin was just waiting—waiting for the day Shu Lanzhou would come crawling back to him.
"I'm not upset," he said, reaching out to pat Lin Muyao's head. "Now eat."
Seeing his mood shift, Lin Muyao let out a quiet sigh of relief. She'd actually heard—and seen—more than she let on earlier.
She never expected Shu Lanzhou to not only humiliate Fang Ruoshi, but also go head-to-head with Luo Jialin in public. Was this some twisted form of revenge?
There's no way Shu Lanzhou didn't like Luo Jialin. He was the golden boy of their department—who wouldn't have a crush on him? Lin Muyao was convinced Shu Lanzhou was just playing hard to get.
And that Dong Anlan? Campus belle? Please. She wasn't even that pretty.
No way would Jialin-ge ever go for her.
So many girls were eyeing her Jialin-ge. How annoying.
Time to start clearing them out—one by one.
…
Outside the cafeteria, Shu Lanzhou and her group were walking.
"Anlan, you saw it all, right? Luo Jialin's not a good person. Maybe it's time to move on to someone else?"