Ding Yuejiao turned her phone around, revealing a headline trending on social media — The successor of a renowned traditional Chinese medicine family and esteemed TCM master, Mu Hai, has passed away at 3 PM this afternoon!
That name… sounded so familiar.
Shu Lanzhou tapped into the article and quickly found a photo of Mu Hai. "I know this man. He was Han Weicheng's mentor!"
In her previous life, she had seen a photo of them together in Han Weicheng's home.
"He wasn't just Han Weicheng's mentor," said Dong Anlan as she stepped out of the bathroom. "I was planning to tell you after I showered, but looks like you've already found out."
"Still, I want to let you know — Elder Mu was Professor Mu's father, and Mu Side's grandfather. His wife, Su Wan, used to be the vice principal of our university."
"She was also once Han Weicheng's mentor in the field of cytology. It's safe to say that Han Weicheng's accomplishments today are largely thanks to Professor Su and, by extension, the Mu family."
Shu Lanzhou inhaled sharply. "But isn't it common knowledge that Professor Mu and Professor Han are bitter rivals?"
"That came later," Dong Anlan said, frowning.
"I don't know all the details, just what I've heard in passing from the elders in my family."
"Apparently, Han Weicheng used to be very close with the Mu family. If not for a certain accident, he might have even become their son-in-law."
"Oh my god, are you saying the rift between him and Professor Mu was caused by a love gone wrong?" Zhang He looked nervously at Shu Lanzhou. "Lanzhou, why do I feel like this is turning into a thriller?"
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "It's definitely not what you think. I don't believe there was anything between Professor Mu and Han Weicheng."
She hadn't interacted much with Professor Mu, but from the little she knew, it was clear that someone like her would never be interested in someone like Han Weicheng.
It finally made sense why Mu Side and He Sixin had been absent from school these past few days — trouble had struck the Mu family. Even though Shu Lanzhou was a new member of the team, she still wanted to pay her respects to Elder Mu.
"Lan-jie, do you know where the funeral will be held? I'd like to go."
Upon hearing the news, Shu Lanzhou no longer had the appetite for dinner.
Dong Anlan nodded. "I do. I'm going tomorrow myself. You can come with me."
The Dong family was one of the prestigious families in Shencheng, much like the Mu family — both had deep roots and heritage. They were considered part of the same social circle.
Other well-known families like the Lin, Luo, and Ke clans, while prominent, were still a notch below the Dong and Mu families. Their children rarely mixed with one another.
Just like Dong Anlan wasn't exactly close with Mu Side or the others.
—
The next morning.
Shu Lanzhou dressed in black and tied her hair up in a simple bun before leaving with Dong Anlan to visit the Mu residence.
As they neared the destination, Shu Lanzhou got out to buy a bouquet of gardenias from a nearby flower shop.
"When we arrive, I might have to go over to the Dong family's side to mourn with them. Will you be okay on your own?" Dong Anlan glanced at her.
Shu Lanzhou nodded. "I'll be fine. I won't stay long — just want to take a quick look. If I get a chance to see Professor Mu or Mu Side, great. If not, that's okay too. Don't worry about me."
The Mu residence was large. Upon entering, the two parted ways.
Elder Mu was a public figure, and people from all walks of life had come to pay their respects. Both the courtyard and main hall were filled with mourners.
The main altar was set up in the front hall of the main courtyard, and people stood in a long queue, waiting for their turn.
Shu Lanzhou took a deep breath and walked to the back of the line, holding her bouquet.
"What are you doing here?" a stern voice rang out in front of her.
Shu Lanzhou looked up and saw Han Weicheng.
He was frowning, glaring at her coldly — clearly displeased with her presence.
"I'm here to pay my respects to Elder Mu," she said calmly, meeting his gaze.
In her past life, she never dared to look Han Weicheng in the eye. She always felt unworthy to be his student, ashamed of her achievements, afraid of seeing disappointment in his eyes.
But now…
As she stared into those same disapproving eyes, Shu Lanzhou didn't feel an ounce of shame. Instead, she felt liberated — as if she had finally broken free.
She no longer cared whether Han Weicheng approved of her or not. She wasn't his student anymore.
"What status do you have to be here? You're just embarrassing yourself. Get lost!" he snapped.
Suppressing the bitterness and resentment in her heart, Shu Lanzhou looked at him with calm detachment.
"This is the Mu family's home. Professor, I don't think you're in a position to say that. Besides, I'm currently Professor Mu's student. I don't see anything shameful in coming to mourn her father."
Han Weicheng clearly hadn't expected her to talk back — especially not in such an indifferent tone. Shocked, his displeasure deepened.
"I knew it. You're trouble. Always dressing in rags, pretending to be pitiful in front of your senior classmates so they'll protect and spoil you."
"And now you're targeting the Mu family. Do you really think you're clever enough to fool everyone?"
"Let me give you some advice, Shu Lanzhou — stop scheming and focus on your studies. Every scientific breakthrough in medicine is earned through hard work, not manipulation."
So… dressing poorly was now a crime?
Shu Lanzhou was speechless. Since when had she ever acted pitiful in front of her seniors? When had they ever "spoiled" her?
She took a deep breath and looked at him with unreadable expression.
"Then I wish you great success in your future research, Professor. And may my seniors go on to achieve even greater heights."
In her past life, if not for her, those seniors would've hit a bottleneck and never reached the peaks they eventually did.
She wasn't cunning, nor did she play politics. Once she entered the real world, Luo Jialin had been busy inheriting his family business, Fang Ruoshi did everything to stay in Shencheng, Tian Hua sold off his research papers to pay debts, Guo Jialiang sucked up to the powerful, and Du Yifan drank himself into rage.
Only she had stayed in the lab day after day, diligently running experiments, breaking through medical obstacles one by one — and none of that had ever registered with Han Weicheng.
Or maybe he just chose to ignore it out of bias.
What was this high-sounding lecture really about? Why pretend to be righteous?
Seeing that Shu Lanzhou had no intention of leaving and had even joined the queue, Han Weicheng's face darkened visibly. His eyes turned sharp and menacing.
"Shu Lanzhou, you really don't know your place. The Mu family is far beyond your reach."
"Do you truly think that by showing up to mourn today, they'll see you as one of their own? That you'll graduate smoothly and surpass my team?"
Shu Lanzhou narrowed her eyes. "Professor Han… could it be… that you're scared?"
Scared that someone who left your team might one day outshine everyone who stayed?
Before Han Weicheng could reply, a voice interrupted—
"Han Weicheng, you're not welcome here. My grandfather wouldn't want to see you either. Get lost!"
Mu Side had arrived.
Shu Lanzhou's eyes widened in astonishment, staring openly at Han Weicheng's stunned expression — See? The unwelcome one isn't me… it's you. Now leave.
Han Weicheng trembled with rage. "Since when do brats like you speak for the Mu family? I came to mourn my mentor — I don't need anyone's permission!"
"Heh…" Mu Side raised a hand. "Then I guess I'll have to ask someone to throw you out."
As he waved, two men in black suits began walking over.
Han Weicheng's face flushed with humiliation. Even in death, respect was due — true, he had betrayed the Mu family all those years ago, and had kept his distance since. But now that he was finally here to pay respects, being forcibly removed was beyond disgraceful.
And only someone like that damn brat Mu Side would dare to do such a thing.
Back then, this kid even dreamed of joining his team — what a joke.