Today, Shu Lanzhou was wearing the light purple long dress she had bought yesterday. Unlike before, she was also wearing light makeup.
She hadn't planned to put on makeup at all, but Dong Anlan had insisted. According to her, Shu Lanzhou looked too pale—just a bit of makeup would complement the dress perfectly.
Not wanting to dampen everyone's spirits, she had followed along with Ding Yuejiao and let Dong Anlan apply a touch of makeup.
From afar, she looked like a little fairy—truly stunning!
"Senior, you must be mistaken. Senior Shu always wears thick black-rimmed glasses, and she would never wear such a bright dress, let alone put on makeup. That cannot be her!"
Lin Muyao looked up briefly and dismissed the idea immediately. There was no way that beautiful girl could be Shu Lanzhou.
The guy who had spoken glanced at Luo Jialin. Seeing no response from him, he confidently walked toward the girl in the purple dress.
"Well, even if I am mistaken, there's no harm in getting to know such a gorgeous classmate. Can't believe I've never seen her before…"
As the guy dropped the student council flyers and made his way over, Luo Jialin's expression darkened.
"What's someone like him doing in the student council? Driven by lust at first sight? He's clearly not fit to serve. I say we vote him out in the next election."
Lin Muyao smiled slightly and said, "Not everyone is like you, Brother Jialin—only valuing integrity and substance. That senior is just a normal guy; it's not surprising he'd be drawn to someone so attractive."
Luo Jialin's innate sense of superiority was thoroughly satisfied by her words.
Exactly—he wasn't some common man who'd fall for just any pretty girl. Even the campus belle once confessed to him and he didn't feel a thing. So how could a moderately attractive girl like Shu Lanzhou ever move him?
Just then, the senior who had walked off returned.
"Luo Jialin, looks like even you can make a mistake. That girl? She is your junior—Shu Lanzhou!"
Lin Muyao frowned and shot a sharp look at the guy.
"Please don't say such things carelessly. If she is Shu Lanzhou, then say so—but what's this about her being 'his' Shu Lanzhou? If someone hears that, it'll lead to all kinds of misunderstandings. You're slandering Brother Jialin!"
Luo Jialin glanced at the guy coolly and said, "Rumors start with people like you. Disgusting."
The other student frowned. "Fine, maybe I spoke out of turn. But how is that slander? Shu Lanzhou used to be part of your team. What's so disgraceful about connecting the two of you?"
He clearly wasn't happy with Luo Jialin's tone.
Just then, Shu Lanzhou and Ding Yuejiao arrived.
Luo Jialin caught sight of the transformed Shu Lanzhou. While he was a little surprised, what he felt most… was disgust.
He knew it—she couldn't possibly stay away from him. He had thought maybe, just maybe, she'd last three days. But only one day had passed, and she was already crawling back to him.
And dressing up like this too. Sure, he admitted she looked better like this, but it wasn't as if she was some unparalleled beauty. Did she really expect him to fall head over heels?
Ridiculous. He, Luo Jialin, wasn't like those ignorant male students. He'd seen all kinds of beautiful women—why would he care about someone like her?
"What are you doing here? I'm telling you now, I've got official business today. I don't have time for your nonsense. If you want my forgiveness, go apologize to Ruoshi and prepare the stuff he asked for."
"Because of the past three years we spent together, I'll overlook your little tantrum from the past few days. If you have problems in the future, I'll still be willing to help. If you need help with studying, you can come to me."
In Luo Jialin's mind, this was the height of benevolence. According to the usual script, Shu Lanzhou should now be tearing up in gratitude, sincerely apologizing, and agreeing to everything he said.
But what actually happened was—
"Is he mentally ill or something?" Ding Yuejiao was utterly baffled.
If she hadn't read Shu Lanzhou's diary, just hearing Luo Jialin talk like this would've totally convinced her that Shu Lanzhou was deeply in love with him.
What a shame—she really should've dragged Dong Anlan along today. That girl deserved to see the delusional arrogance on Luo Jialin's face!
Shu Lanzhou found it laughable too. Luo Jialin had always acted this way in front of her—lofty, condescending, untouchable.
He genuinely believed he was sacred, above the reach of women like her.
The tragic part? In her past life, she believed it too.
She thought he was noble and aloof, someone living in a divine palace she could only look up to, never reach.
His words had carried the weight of holy decree—she hadn't even dared to defy them.
If it hadn't been for his fall from grace—dragged into the mud by Lin Muyao—she might never have seen his true, hypocritical face.
During those long days in prison, she often wondered: why hadn't she seen through Luo Jialin sooner?
Only moments before her death had she finally understood—he had preyed on her insecurity, manipulated her with well-crafted concern.
Of the five people involved in that past, Luo Jialin was perhaps the most terrifying—because he was the best at manipulating hearts.
A flicker of hatred passed through Shu Lanzhou's eyes as she echoed Ding Yuejiao: "Seems like the illness is serious."
"Senior Shu, how can you say that?" Lin Muyao stepped forward, clearly upset. "He was just showing concern for you! If you don't appreciate it, fine—but why insult him?"
She stood protectively in front of Luo Jialin, looking every bit like the Shu Lanzhou of the past.
No, not quite. Lin Muyao wasn't the same. She wasn't as foolish as the former Shu Lanzhou.
"Another sick one," Ding Yuejiao scoffed coldly.
Shu Lanzhou nodded calmly. "Didn't expect people to line up to be scolded."
"What did you mean by that, Shu Lanzhou?" Luo Jialin barked. He had never been humiliated like this before. "Did you not hear what I just said?"
Shu Lanzhou looked at him as if only just noticing him.
"Oh, were you talking to me, Senior Luo? My apologies—I'm not here to see you. I'm here on behalf of our competition team for the meeting."
She then turned to the student council member from earlier. "Senior Ji, could you please register me and give me a copy of the pamphlet?"
"Of course. You and your friend can come this way." Senior Ji glanced at Luo Jialin, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Luo Jialin was used to being fawned over. Even with his sharp tongue, girls always flocked to him.
But this—this was a first. Seeing him get roasted by two junior girls? Honestly… it was kind of satisfying.
Luo Jialin, oh Luo Jialin—never thought even you would have a day like this.
"Stop right there!" Luo Jialin exploded, choking on his own anger. He hadn't expected Shu Lanzhou to publicly humiliate him like this. His pride couldn't take it.
"If you're going to make a scene, at least do it with some self-awareness. With your skills, what business do you have entering the competition? Don't embarrass yourself—go home!"
Shu Lanzhou chuckled. "I'm not embarrassing you, am I? Why so anxious? Or are you worried I'll make a fool of myself, and you can't stand to watch? Since when does the student council have the right to bar contestants?"
She turned again to Senior Ji.
"We don't," he said quickly. "President Luo, you can't stop her from participating."
Luo Jialin's face darkened. "Stay out of it! This is between me and Lanzhou."
He reached out to grab Shu Lanzhou's arm. "Come with me—we need to talk."
"Not interested." Shu Lanzhou dodged his hand and took a step back.
She suddenly realized: they all liked to pull her aside for private chats. She never understood why before, but now she did.
It was because everything they said under the guise of "caring for her" couldn't stand up to daylight.
Shu Lanzhou looked at Luo Jialin with a mocking smile.
"Luo Jialin, you're wrong. This isn't just between you and me—this is a matter between our team and the student council."
"Or are you abusing your authority to block our participation?"