Dong Anlan was in a foul mood.
"I really didn't expect them to be that kind of people. A bunch of grown men gossiping behind a girl's back—what are they, the village busybodies?"
"Keyboard warriors don't discriminate," He Sixin chimed in. "People with dirty minds see filth everywhere. I think they just can't stand seeing Zhouzhou doing better after leaving them!"
Shu Lanzhou pulled Dong Anlan closer. "Let me introduce you. This is my senior, He Sixin, and this is Senior Mu Side. They're both Professor Mu's students."
"Nice to meet you both. I'm Dong Anlan, Lanzhou's roommate and her close friend. Thank you for taking care of our Zhouzhou!" Dong Anlan gave a sincere bow of gratitude.
Her words made He Sixin laugh. "Oh my, the maiden family has arrived!"
"Senior!" Shu Lanzhou looked baffled. "What does this have to do with 'maiden family'?"
But… she'd grown up without family. If Dong Anlan and the others didn't mind, she'd honestly love to treat them as real sisters.
He Sixin burst into hearty laughter. "I'm just teasing. But seriously, your friend is my friend. If anything comes up, don't be shy. Your senior's got your back!"
Then she reached out and playfully pinched Dong Anlan's cheek. "What luck—I just pinched our school beauty!"
"..."
She really was an equal-opportunity pincher—no one was safe.
Mu Side glanced over. "You're Dong Anlan? School beauty?"
"That… that was just something the students made up. Please don't take it seriously, senior…" Dong Anlan flushed bright red under his calm, direct gaze.
Mu Side didn't show much emotion. "Our team's short-staffed lately. Interested in helping out for a few days?"
"Helping?" Dong Anlan blinked in confusion and turned to Shu Lanzhou.
The suggestion came out of nowhere. But since the team was newly formed and a campus competition was around the corner, there was a lot to do. Another pair of hands would definitely help.
"Yeah, Anlan, could you?" Shu Lanzhou blinked at her with hopeful eyes.
Dong Anlan hesitated. "But as far as I know, once a team has been registered for competition, you can't change the members. Even if I say yes, I won't be able to officially join you."
"Right," Mu Side nodded. "So, just help out."
That was… awfully shameless. Shu Lanzhou was taken aback.
She gave Mu Side a sidelong glance—was he just trying to wrangle free labor, or was it because this was Dong Anlan?
Even He Sixin had to swallow back a laugh. She couldn't tell what her cousin was really up to.
Still, regardless of what she did or didn't understand, if her cousin wanted to rope in the campus beauty, she'd gladly help out as his cousin.
"My cousin's not great with words, Anlan, please don't mind him. Here's the deal: our team is short on people, and recruiting outsiders is too much of a hassle—especially people we don't know or trust."
"You're Lanzhou's roommate, and your grades speak for themselves. We'd be comfortable having you on board, and don't worry, it wouldn't be unpaid labor. We'll offer you an assistant's stipend—three thousand yuan a month. Sound fair?"
Seeing Dong Anlan still wavering, He Sixin added, "Besides, you'd be doing Lanzhou a favor too. She's busier than us—learning a new major, prepping for the competition… With you around, she can lighten her load a bit."
That part was the truth.
When Dong Anlan looked at her again, Shu Lanzhou nodded earnestly. "Please?"
"Alright, I'll think about it." Dong Anlan didn't give a definite yes, but she wasn't rejecting it outright either.
Mu Side didn't push further. His tone stayed cool and even. "Mm. Let Lanzhou know once you've decided. And if you're coming, give us a heads-up."
He turned and left right after, the distant chill in his attitude strangely out of sync with his earlier invitation.
Everyone exchanged looks in quiet surprise.
"Haha… He's just like that," He Sixin chuckled awkwardly. "He's blunt and businesslike, but really not a bad guy. You'll warm up to him."
She gave a half-hearted laugh and turned to Lanzhou. "We'll head back to the lab for now. You and your roommate catch up—no rush!"
Then she jogged after Mu Side.
"Senior He is a fun one," Dong Anlan smiled, giving Shu Lanzhou's hand a squeeze. "You're lucky. You can tell a person's true nature from their eyes. I think they're genuinely good to you."
"Go on then, I'll head back to the dorm."
Shu Lanzhou nodded. "Think carefully about Luo Jialin. I know it's a bit harsh, but you've seen his attitude. Don't waste any more time on him."
"Got it." Dong Anlan waved her off.
Shu Lanzhou wanted to say more but didn't know where to start. In her past life, she'd seen how devastated Dong Anlan had been after Luo Jialin got married.
She knew Dong Anlan's feelings for him weren't something a few cruel words or accusations could just erase. It would take time—probably a lot of it.
…
Meanwhile, He Sixin caught up with Mu Side and tugged at his sleeve. "Hey, cousin, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to the school beauty? Planning to pursue her?"
"Eat more walnuts," Mu Side shot her a look that basically said, Are you mentally okay?
He Sixin gave him a playful slap. "What's that supposed to mean, huh? You calling me stupid? But seriously, the way you acted just now, anyone would get the wrong idea. Not just me—Lanzhou and Dong Anlan probably misunderstood too!"
"They're not as boring as you," Mu Side said, brushing her hand off his sleeve. "Remember Ke Beichen?"
He Sixin's eyes lit up. "Ohhh—he's into Dong Anlan?"
"I asked him to help out a while ago. He kept saying he was too busy," Mu Side said coolly, shooting her a sideways glance.
He Sixin burst out laughing. "Pfft… So your plan is to lure him out with a beauty? If Lanzhou finds out—"
"What did I do?" Mu Side looked utterly innocent.
He played the part a little too well.
He Sixin grinned from ear to ear. "You did nothing. You just happened to be a good guy for once. Honestly, our campus hunk is way more impressive than some department heartthrob. Luo Jialin's not even worthy of our campus queen!"
That afternoon, the lab furniture—desks, cabinets—finally arrived. Mu Side helped direct the movers. He Sixin and Shu Lanzhou grabbed mops and rags to clean and organize the space.
Soon, the lab equipment began arriving one after another.
And during the process of moving everything in, a little incident occurred.
Right outside the lab entrance, Han Weicheng was on his way upstairs when he ran into Mu Yaning, who had come to check on things.
"Professor Mu!" Han Weicheng paused mid-step toward the elevator.
"Why is the lab set up on the first floor? Should I talk to the principal about moving you upstairs?"
Mu Yaning looked like she'd just heard the joke of the century.
"This building was funded and donated by the Mu family. You think I need you to speak to the principal for me? Or are you under the illusion that now my father's passed, you can call the shots?"
Otherwise, why had he stayed away so long, only to now suddenly pop up and try to weasel in?
Han Weicheng's face flushed from red to pale.
"I was at the funeral. He was my mentor. I owe my success to his guidance—I'll never forget that!"
"It's just… maybe you misunderstood. I wanted to go inside and pay my respects…"
Mu Yaning hadn't seen him at the funeral at all. She'd thought he had the decency to stay away. Now it looked like someone had blocked him at the door.
Good. Saved the old lady from having to see him and get upset.
"Whoever did that was very considerate. I should really thank them sometime."
"..."