"Indeed, fairness from a mentor really matters. Just look at what Shu Lanzhou's been through—shows how awful it is when a mentor plays favorites!"
"Exactly! I heard there was this crazy situation—last semester's finals, some mentor's students ranked top of the class, while others tanked at the bottom. Isn't that bizarre?"
"Some mentors rely purely on reputation to attract students. The top scorers or those with connections get in, but once you're in, you're basically on your own. The teacher's just a figurehead. Doesn't the school care?"
"Well, what can you do? Fame equals privilege, I guess…"
"..."
Watching the online posts gain traction, Dong Anlan felt uneasy.
"Shu Lanzhou, you've completely crossed Han Weicheng this time," she said worriedly. "Not only did you offend him, but you've also messed with his power base. Aren't you afraid he'll—"
"I just want fairness for all mentors." Shu Lanzhou smiled faintly.
"Besides, haven't you noticed? Even if I didn't touch his cake, he'd still be hell-bent on making my life miserable."
"Since backing down hasn't worked, I'm done retreating. I originally just wanted to focus on my research quietly. But since they won't let me… then fine—I don't mind giving them a big gift."
Whether they could handle that gift… well, that remained to be seen.
And who knew how the school would react?
Shu Lanzhou wasn't entirely sure, but she wasn't too worried either. Word was, Professor Chen and Professor Mu were close friends. If things got ugly, Mu would never stand by and do nothing.
Besides, if the school took this seriously, all professors would benefit from fairer student selection in the future. That could only be a good thing.
Inside the academic office, Ke Beichen and Luo Jialin had been retaking their exams for over four hours—five papers, no less!
They'd already missed lunch.
Dong Anlan bought some snacks and drinks, waiting at the door to make sure Ke Beichen had something to eat once he finished.
Fortunately, not long after noon, the door finally opened.
Luo Jialin came out first.
He spotted Dong Anlan, and a flicker passed through his gaze, settling on the bag in her hand. He'd long known she liked him.
Even if she'd stood by Shu Lanzhou's side, surely she hadn't given up on him completely. Why else would she be standing here with food? A pleased smile crept onto Luo Jialin's face.
He no longer resented them, especially after realizing he'd misunderstood Shu Lanzhou. He even regretted pushing Dong Anlan away from her back then.
And now, when Dong Anlan smiled warmly at him and reached out her hand—he was certain she still liked him.
"Senior, you must be starving—here, eat something to tide you over!" Dong Anlan called brightly.
Just as Luo Jialin reached out, she brushed past him—offering the bag straight to Ke Beichen, who walked out behind him.
That half-raised hand—he suddenly wished he could chop it off!
Luo Jialin's face flushed red, then paled, then darkened. For a brief second, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole.
He, the campus academic god, the school heartthrob admired by all… was being completely ignored?
Dong Anlan, how dare she treat him like this?
Hadn't she said she liked him? How long had it even been, and she'd already switched her affections? How was that different from being fickle? A woman like her wasn't worthy of his reconsideration.
Fuming, Luo Jialin turned to glance back.
Behind him, the two were chatting quietly, faint smiles on their lips. Ke Beichen had already opened the bag, stuffing food into his mouth.
Whatever it was he was chewing on, he seemed to enjoy it immensely, his lowered lashes soft and gentle as he gazed at the girl in front of him.
That scene stabbed Luo Jialin straight in the chest. His normally mild gaze darkened with an inexplicable rage, flames licking inside him, nearly impossible to suppress.
It felt… almost like watching his girlfriend cheat right before his eyes!
"Don't bother looking, Luo Jialin." Shu Lanzhou's voice cut through, amused.
"Campus queen and king—they're a natural match. You can be envious all you want, but it's useless. It's been a whole semester, after everything that's happened… don't tell me you seriously think Anlan still likes you?"
Luo Jialin felt a tightness in his chest. If anyone else had said that, he could've argued back—but not Shu Lanzhou.
"I know you hate me," he said bitterly. "But for everything in the past, I have a clear conscience. I've always believed love should be steadfast, like academic pursuit—something you stick to no matter what."
"I've never envied anyone, because I've been waiting—for the one who truly understands me. You're not her. Dong Anlan's not her. Neither of you are worthy to say you liked me."
With that, he flung his arm and strode away.
Mu Side frowned. "You liked him?"
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "Do I look blind to you?"
Not counting the past life, of course. This time, she was wide awake.
Mu Side's face eased a little. "Then where the heck did that fossil come from?"
Good question.
Luo Jialin really was a fossil.
He'd always upheld some outdated, patriarchal ideals—believing women were naturally inferior to men, and that no woman could ever surpass his achievements.
In her past life, Lin Muyao had exploited this exact flaw to marry him, only to steal his accomplishments and betray him at the critical moment.
But Shu Lanzhou had no interest in sneaky tactics. This time, she'd tear Luo Jialin off his pedestal with her own hands.
"You probably don't know," Ke Beichen said, coming over. "The Luo men are all like that. Ignore him. C'mon, let's go eat!"
Dong Anlan looked awkward. Luo Jialin's loud words hadn't exactly been private—everyone had heard.
"Sorry," she said quietly. "I really was blind before. I thought he was a perfect gentleman—polite, accomplished, well-bred… who knew…"
Luo Jialin was the very definition of a hypocrite: petty, unable to accept failure, full of toxic pride. Any woman who liked him was doomed.
"Enough about him," Ke Beichen said breezily, taking her hand without hesitation.
"Everyone gets fooled sometimes. If it weren't for Shu Lanzhou, we'd all probably still think he's that gentleman you imagined."
Mu Side nodded. "True. Some people fake it so well they fool even themselves, let alone others."
"Exactly!" Shu Lanzhou agreed. "What's done is done—let's not dwell on it. More importantly—Beichen, how'd the test go?"
Ke Beichen's lips curved. "You really don't already know?"
"…"
Shu Lanzhou's eyes lit up. "No way—really?"
"Mm." Ke Beichen grinned, raising his hand. "Come on, I'm starving."
"What's going on?" Dong Anlan and Mu Side were both baffled.
"Are you two keeping secrets? We have no idea what you're talking about!" Dong Anlan clung to Shu Lanzhou's arm. "Tell us!"