Shu Lanzhou looked at Ke Ling with confusion. If this isn't a New Year's red envelope, then what is it?
She hadn't gone to Ke's house to pay respects for the New Year; there was no reason for her to be getting a red envelope out of nowhere.
"This is your commission," Ke Ling explained with a smile.
"You know I'm in business. In our company, any employee who introduces a client that leads to a successful deal earns a commission."
"The supplier you introduced made me a ton of money. And it's not just this one deal—based on what Saiwen said, they're looking to work with me long-term to build partnerships with the domestic market."
"For me, this is a huge business opportunity! So tell me, shouldn't I give you a big red envelope for this?"
Shu Lanzhou understood Ke Ling's reasoning, but she still couldn't accept the money.
After all, in her previous life, Ke Ling had eventually connected with Saiwen herself—it just took a few extra months.
She remembered vividly: the equipment had arrived in the summer, three or four months later.
"Auntie Ke, you're being too polite. For me, it was just a small favor—and honestly, I had my own selfish reasons too. Taking this money would feel… wrong. I really can't accept it."
"You stubborn child," Ke Ling sighed, a bit annoyed.
Shu Lanzhou quickly grabbed her hand. "Auntie Ke, if you really want to thank me, could you do me a favor instead?"
"You've got a request for me?" Ke Ling paused, the envelope still in her hand. "What is it?"
These past few days, Shu Lanzhou had heard from Dong Anlan that Ke Beichen's startup hadn't secured funding yet. She wasn't sure if it was because he was too proud to ask Ke Ling, or because Ke Ling didn't intend to invest.
"Could you invest in Ke Beichen's company?" Shu Lanzhou gazed at her, eyes wide and earnest, looking adorably pitiful.
"Ke Beichen is working with us. We're counting on his nanobot project. His research is synchronized with ours—without funding, he won't be able to keep pace with our progress!"
Her lips pressed into a slight pout, making her look even more helpless.
Her innocent, pleading look made Ke Ling burst out laughing. "Oh, you little rascal—I thought it was something big! He's my nephew. Why would I need you to use a favor for that? You're funny!"
Ke Ling waved the red envelope lightly. "Alright, alright, if you won't take this, fine. We've got plenty of time ahead of us. I like you, kid—you're interesting."
She playfully pinched Shu Lanzhou's cheek and pulled out her phone. "Come on, add me on WeChat. If you ever need anything, just let me know."
Why does everyone love pinching my face? It's killing me!
Shu Lanzhou pouted but obediently pulled out her phone.
"Don't worry—Ke Beichen will get the funding soon. He's starting a company; of course I'll support him," Ke Ling promised.
With Ke Ling's reassurance, Shu Lanzhou felt overjoyed. She happily said goodbye, then got into the car with Mu Side to return to the Mu family.
Compared to Shu Lanzhou's happiness, Du Yifan was having a much worse time.
The moment he stepped into his house, his father's furious roar echoed from the living room:
"Get that idiot back here! Useless good-for-nothing! Can't even handle a tiny task, and had the nerve to drag the Ji family into this mess. Is he brain-dead?!"
Du Yifan froze at the door. Looks like I better get out of here—
Too late. His father looked up and immediately spotted him trying to slip away while taking off his shoes.
Du Yifan shuddered and forced a smile. "Dad—"
He barely got the word out before a vase from the coffee table came flying straight at him.
He ducked instinctively. The vase smashed into the door behind him, shattering into pieces that rained down his back.
Thankfully it was winter, and he was wearing layers. No injuries.
Du Yifan patted his chest, relieved.
But before he could finish catching his breath, his father stormed over and grabbed his ear.
"You idiot! You still dared come home?! Tell me—was it you who went to that Ji girl and made her pressure the Ke family for the lab's equipment?"
"I told you before! The Ji family's favor was to be saved for a critical moment! And you wasted it on some stupid little thing! Can't even handle such a simple task—and you used MY favor?! What use are you to me?!"
He let go of his ear and kicked Du Yifan hard in the butt.
Du Yifan yelped. "How is this a small thing?! Do you even know how important our research is? It could change the future of humanity!"
"And besides—I asked you before we pushed for the investment. You agreed! Why are you hitting me now?!"
"You still dare to argue with me?!" Du's father was livid. He had only agreed to invest in the research, not to call in favors just to get equipment.
If not for Han Weicheng's sake, he wouldn't have given a dime to this idiotic son.
"Get over here!" His father yanked off his belt and gave Du Yifan a sound beating.
When he was done, he demanded every detail, then called the Ji family to apologize, followed by another call to Ke Ling to make amends.
Neither side gave a satisfying response. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got—so he gave Du Yifan another round of beatings.
Used up a favor, offended the Ke family—what a disaster!
Du Yifan couldn't understand. I did nothing wrong! If the Mu family hadn't meddled, I could've gained an extra favor! Why's he beating me?!
That night, Du Yifan had to sleep facedown.
A few days later, the university officially reopened.
The research institute announced the launch of two research projects, including the list of principal investigators and team members.
One was led by He Xin, collaborating with both the traditional Chinese medicine hospital and the national hospital's TCM clinic.
The other was led by Lin Jiayi, collaborating with Professor Han Weicheng and a roster of prominent professors.
Just looking at the lists, it was clear: apart from He Xin, Mu Yaning, and Long Xingyue, few on He Xin's team were known in the medical community.
Meanwhile, Lin Jiayi's team boasted the vice president title herself, Han Weicheng, and a lineup of respected professors—all published frequently in top medical journals.
No matter how you looked at it, Lin Jiayi's project had the stronger talent and resources.
Han Weicheng had been in a great mood ever since the team announcement—until he returned to campus and saw last semester's student grades.
"You all must've taken your exams blindfolded!" Han Weicheng slammed the grade report onto Luo Jialin and the others, his chest heaving with rage, eyes practically spitting fire.
"These grades—this is what you bring me?! Wasn't embarrassing me with last semester's third place enough?! Do you want to stomp my face into the dirt this time to feel satisfied?!"
He slammed his hand against the desk so hard the teacup nearly fell off. Pointing furiously:
"Luo Jialin, you explain. What the hell happened?!"
Luo Jialin picked up the grade sheet, stunned.
He had always been the top student—first in the department from freshman year through graduate school. Now, with just one semester left before graduation, he had actually been overtaken?
Fourth? I'm ranked fourth? How is that possible?!
Everyone knew—Han Weicheng's students were always number one. There had never been an exception.