Shu Lanzhou blinked in confusion as she looked at the striking figure in front of her.
When she'd met Ke Ling at the Ke family's house, she'd only thought of her as a graceful, elegant middle-aged woman. But now, the fierce aura of a mother hen protecting her chick radiated off her in waves.
Only... she wasn't even Ke Ling's chick, was she?
Still dazed, she heard Ke Ling speak up.
"If it weren't for the Mu family, none of you would've gotten this batch of machines. So how dare you claim they took advantage of you? And then have the audacity to demand thanks? Have you no shame?"
Ke Ling had been holding this back for nearly a month—and today, she finally let it out.
"Du Yifan, you're young, and I don't blame you for lacking tact. I owed the Ji family a favor and allowed myself to be used. Fine, I'll accept that. Consider it paid back now, so I won't hide the truth from you."
She cast a cold glance at Zhou Yan, then turned and strode toward Du Yifan.
"The Ke family does foreign trade. We've imported plenty of machinery from abroad, but never medical equipment. I don't have any suppliers in that sector."
"You approached me at the worst possible time—most overseas companies were on holiday. There was no way I could've found a supplier for you in such a short period."
"Let alone conduct background checks and sign contracts. The one month you gave me wasn't even close to enough. You forced my hand—used that little Ji girl to coerce me in broad daylight!"
"If it hadn't been for the Mu family bringing in suppliers, I might not have had a peaceful New Year. Not only did they provide the suppliers, but they also helped me run background checks. All I had to do was help get the machines shipped over."
"So really, you—Du Yifan—are the one who got the deal of a lifetime. Your entire team took advantage of the Mu family. If they hadn't needed the machines themselves, you all would've been left waiting!"
"And then you still have the nerve to force a young girl to say thank you? What, afraid the Mu family's not so easy to bully and that makes you look bad? Hah… Du Yifan, you've really disgraced the Du family!"
As a senior, Ke Ling didn't spare Du Yifan a shred of dignity.
Though it seemed like she was scolding Du Yifan, every word she spoke was also a slap to Zhou Yan's face.
It was bad enough that Du Yifan demanded a thank-you from Shu Lanzhou, but Zhou Yan—who was a complete outsider with no clue about the situation—still dared to boss Shu Lanzhou around. Wasn't that even more shameless?
Shu Lanzhou didn't know all the details behind the "background checks," but Ke Ling's words were music to her ears.
And Ke Ling was measured—she didn't mention anything about Shu Lanzhou's connection to Saiwen, which would've been a risky topic. Pinning it all on the Mu family? Perfectly suitable.
Shu Lanzhou raised her chin, casting Du Yifan a look full of disdain, then shook her head and sighed softly.
"Du Yifan, I know you have issues with me. But I've already left Professor Han's team—can't you just let me go? Why keep coming after me?"
"If you really want a thank-you that badly… then fine. Thank you!"
And not just you—thank your whole family while you're at it!
Just moments ago, she'd stood her ground, refusing to say thank you no matter what. But now? It rolled off her tongue as smooth as silk.
Except—who wanted that kind of thank you? Was it even a thank you at all?
It was a blatant, vicious slap across the face!
And it hurt. It burned straight to the bone! Shu Lanzhou was brutal! Du Yifan's fists clenched in fury, but he didn't dare say a single word in return.
It was one thing to argue with Shu Lanzhou—but Ke Ling had just stepped in. He couldn't not believe what she said.
Zhou Yan's face turned green, then white. She never expected Ke Ling to suddenly appear, let alone stand up for Shu Lanzhou.
That didn't make sense—the Ke and Mu families had little to do with each other. Unless… was the supplier really someone the Mu family brought in? Did they have overseas connections?
Then again, that would check out. The Mu family's eldest had lived abroad for over two decades!
Zhou Yan had seriously miscalculated this time. She turned to glance at Du Yifan—only to lock eyes with Shu Lanzhou's half-smiling gaze.
"Director Zhou, I've already said thank you. Can I pass now?"
She smiled sweetly, speaking the softest words with the sharpest knife, stabbing straight into the heart.
Zhou Yan nearly coughed up blood. But with Ke Ling still nearby, she could only force an awkward, polite smile and step aside.
"Oh you little rascal, it was just a misunderstanding! I never said you couldn't pass."
Shu Lanzhou beamed. Thinking about Zhou Yan's fate in her past life, she cheerfully added, "Thank you, Director Zhou. You really aren't like Du Yifan."
"…"
What kind of backhanded nonsense was that?! A whole director, being compared to some wet-behind-the-ears brat?
Who exactly are you insulting?!
As soon as they left, Zhou Yan shot Du Yifan a death glare. "I never should've helped you."
Utter humiliation—and right in front of Ke Ling too!
She was fuming. That little b*tch Shu Lanzhou better watch her back. Zhou Yan didn't believe for a second she wouldn't get her chance to strike back someday.
...
Ke Ling turned to glance at Shu Lanzhou. "Why provoke her like that? Even if she misunderstood you, she's still a research director. You'll be graduating soon…"
"There are plenty of research institutes in the country. I don't have to go into the Central Research Institute," Shu Lanzhou replied with a cold smile and shake of her head. "Besides, even if I didn't provoke her, would she have let me go?"
"Auntie Ke, she's close friends with Deputy Director Lin. Lin and Professor He are rivals. I'm Professor He's wife's student—our project groups are competitors by default."
"On top of that, Deputy Director Lin's daughter sees me as a thorn in her side. Zhou Yan didn't just 'accidentally' misunderstand me. Don't you think so?"
Ke Ling was surprised. This young woman looked so young, yet she had such clarity of thought. Not only did she understand the situation thoroughly, she acted with bold decisiveness.
And guts—serious guts. She offended both the Du and Zhou families like it was nothing, completely unafraid of the consequences.
"Shu Lanzhou!" Mu Side came walking over just then.
Ke Ling narrowed her eyes. Ah. That explains it. With the Mu family backing her, this girl probably had nothing to worry about.
"Did the equipment we wanted arrive?" Shu Lanzhou asked, eager to take a look.
In her past life, they had gotten equipment, yes—but not the top-tier kind. For one, the Du family's investment had been limited, and for another, Han Weicheng insisted that the newest models were unstable.
He thought second-best was good enough.
But Shu Lanzhou had worked with Saiwen before, and she knew international medical tech well. She knew how reliable that top-of-the-line equipment really was.
"Don't rush," Mu Side replied. "Deputy Director Lin's team had more equipment than us. They're unloading theirs first. Then it's our turn."
Shu Lanzhou blinked. "Then I'll wait over there."
They walked over to stand by He Xin, and had barely settled in when Lin Jiayi approached.
"He Xin, did you get a look at our equipment?" Lin Jiayi asked brightly, clearly very satisfied. "I don't think any private research institute in the country can top this batch. With Professor Han joining our team, I just can't wait to see the results!"
He Xin maintained his usual calm, warm demeanor. "Then I wish you all success in your research."
"Oh my, coming from you, that's a rare honor." Lin Jiayi's smile turned even sweeter. "It's not often I get to hear He Xin congratulate me."
Shu Lanzhou couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but something about Lin Jiayi's expression looked… predatory. Like a wolf that had locked onto its prey.
That shameless old woman… was she seriously trying to seduce He Xin?
Before she could look for He Xin's reaction, someone called out:
"Last truck's here! Where do we unload this batch?"
"Finally!" Lin Jiayi glanced over at them. "Professor He, shall we? I'd love to see what kind of new equipment your team brought."
The mockery in her eyes practically spilled out—it was clear she thought no one could outdo the equipment they'd just unloaded.