When Lin Jiayi announced that Guo Jialiang would be her personal assistant, Lin Muyao abruptly turned her gaze toward him.
During their time in the team, she had heard bits and pieces about what kind of person Guo Jialiang was. Plus, after their interactions, she had always felt he wasn't someone destined for great achievements.
Compared to Luo Jialin, he was like heaven and earth.
But now, in the entire team, the first person to propose a viable research method was actually Guo Jialiang.
Was there something she didn't know?
Thinking carefully, anyone who could make it into Professor Han Weicheng's team couldn't be too bad. Even if Guo Jialiang had lagged behind Tian Hua and the others before, it didn't mean he would always be behind them after putting in effort.
Maybe… she had underestimated him.
Her eyes glimmered with a trace of intrigue, and she smiled faintly at Guo Jialiang.
Guo Jialiang's heart bloomed with joy in an instant.
—
That afternoon, Shu Lanzhou and Mu Side walked out of the lab together.
Shu Lanzhou stretched her stiff neck. "Based on the validation results, Senior Wu's research findings are effective—and they've significantly advanced our project."
"The verification experiment just now shows that both research groups have achieved preliminary success. Now we just need to publish the papers."
"Brother, do you think with these results, the professor will let us start phase two ahead of schedule?"
After the validation, several professors had already taken the data to push forward the next stage of research.
The intermediate and later advanced research would be led by senior researchers—interns like them weren't qualified to join those stages yet.
Mu Side reached over and gently massaged her neck. "If you can finish writing the paper quickly, maybe the professor will agree."
Shu Lanzhou turned and stared at him. "This experiment was done by the three of us together—including my sister. Are you really planning to let me be the sole author on the paper?"
Mu Side nodded. "It was your idea from the start. My sister and I were just helping you. She's preparing for her doctoral entrance exam, and I need to work on my thesis defense. It's best if you handle the paper alone. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to be listed as co-authors."
"Besides, the follow-up research will be overseen by the professor. You're the one primarily responsible for monitoring the experiments, and the actual acupuncture procedures have to be performed by you. There's not much else my sister and I can contribute."
Shu Lanzhou's eyes reddened slightly. "Are you guys… planning to leave the team?"
"Not for now." Mu Side rubbed her head. "Relax. We won't leave you alone. Don't cry."
"Who… who's crying!" Shu Lanzhou's cheeks flushed. She turned and strode toward the door. "I'm going back to work on the paper!"
"Hey—" Wu Cheng hurried after her.
He hadn't wanted to interrupt when he saw her talking with Mu Side earlier.
"Shu Lanzhou, wait up! Let's go over the data together again!" Yi Ming caught up, circling around Mu Side to stop Shu Lanzhou in her tracks.
Mu Side glanced between them, then followed them back into the project office.
Thanks to the success of the joint experiment, Wu Cheng's prewritten paper needed to be revised to integrate with Shu Lanzhou's data.
Their discussion ended up stretching late into the night. By the time they emerged, it was already 10 p.m.—they'd even had dinner delivered to the office.
But the good news was, by the time they left, both research papers had solid drafts, just waiting for final refinement.
As they walked out, Yi Ming reached for Shu Lanzhou's bag. "Shu Lanzhou, I'm heading back to campus. Want to come with me?"
Before Shu Lanzhou could reply, Mu Side had already grabbed her backpack.
"No need. She's going to the hospital lab tonight. I'm heading that way too—I'll take her."
Shu Lanzhou nodded happily. "That's right! Yi Ming, go ahead without me. I still need to confirm some data with the professor at the hospital."
Seeing her completely trusting expression toward Mu Side, Yi Ming's eyes darkened slightly. Shen Mo bumped him with his shoulder.
"Give it time," Shen Mo whispered. "That girl's clearly clueless. No need to rush."
Yi Ming forced a bitter smile. "Rushing won't help. What do I have to compete with Mu Side anyway?"
"Don't say that." Shen Mo lowered his voice further. "I heard Mu Side's going to take over the family business after graduation. He probably won't stay with the research team."
"Shu Lanzhou's an orphan. She doesn't fit into a family like the Mus. Actually, your chances are better."
Yi Ming's expression finally eased. He quickly grabbed his backpack and hurried after them. But as they turned the corner, they saw Shu Lanzhou and the others standing still.
"Shhh—" Shu Lanzhou turned back and made a silencing gesture.
The group froze. Then they heard faint, ambiguous sounds coming from the office next door—along with low, murmured voices.
"Jialin-ge… don't be mad at me, okay?" Even though the voice was muffled, Shu Lanzhou instantly recognized Lin Muyao.
"I know it's my fault. I was impulsive and embarrassed you. I'm sorry… You can punish me however you want… I… I'm all yours…"
Then came a loud thud, like someone being slammed onto a table—followed by noises that made their faces flush with embarrassment.
Shu Lanzhou was listening with rapt attention when Mu Side, face dark with displeasure, pulled her away.
He had originally paused because he'd heard strange sounds and thought there might be a thief. He hadn't expected to stumble across a pair of… well… certainly not burglars.
It was utterly indecent. How could pure, innocent Shu Lanzhou be allowed to hear such things? Mu Side lengthened his stride, dragging her into the elevator in just a few steps.
"What a shame…" Shu Lanzhou sighed regretfully. She'd been hoping to hear what other shocking things Lin Muyao might say to Luo Jialin—but no chance now!
The elevator doors closed, leaving Yi Ming and the others staring blankly after them.
"…Well, damn." They quickly left too. Eavesdropping wasn't exactly honorable—especially when it involved Luo Jialin and Lin Muyao.
No one felt like talking after that.
"…Didn't expect Luo Jialin to be so wild," Wu Cheng couldn't help remarking. For someone usually so polite and refined, it was shocking to see this side of him.
Ding Yuejiao pouted. "I didn't think Lin Muyao, who always acted so proud, could be so… submissive around him."
They all clicked their tongues in disbelief, their expressions equal parts amused and scandalized.
It wasn't something they planned to gossip about further. Once they stepped into the elevator, the topic was dropped.
Unbeknownst to them, from the stairwell nearby, a figure emerged—Guo Jialiang.
He'd always been one of the last interns to leave the research institute. Tonight was no different; he hadn't packed up to leave until after ten.
When he'd seen Mu Side's group coming down the hall, he'd avoided them, hiding by the stairs.
He never would've noticed anything wrong with the office… if it hadn't been for Shu Lanzhou's group stopping there.
Now, standing outside the project office, he could clearly hear the noises inside—the disgusting sounds leaking through the cracked door made his stomach churn.
Guo Jialiang's face darkened, veins popping in his clenched fists.
Just a few days ago, Lin Muyao had been lying in his bed. And now… she was fooling around with Luo Jialin?
He couldn't take the humiliation. With a vicious glare, he slammed his fist hard against the door.
Hearing the frantic shuffling inside, he smirked coldly and strode away.
Inside, Lin Muyao wasn't too flustered—but Luo Jialin panicked.
"What the hell are you doing? Hurry up and get dressed!" Luo Jialin was beside himself. He'd completely lost his mind tonight—how could he have done such a thing in the office?
If the institute found out, he'd never be able to show his face here again.
It was all this woman's fault—she was too good at seducing him. He'd been utterly bewitched, unable to resist.
Lin Muyao was still catching her breath, a little reluctant for it to end.
She'd finally managed to coax Luo Jialin out of his anger and into her arms. She'd wanted to enjoy their time together—but who'd have thought someone was still here this late…
She grumbled as she slowly buttoned up. "We're a proper couple. What are you so afraid of? It's not like we're doing anything shameful."