Tian Hua had always been a rational man. He never cared much for the so-called glory and honor—only money that landed in his hands was real and reliable.
So whether it was Han Weicheng's favor or those prestigious awards, he could easily do without them. But why—why, when a team wins a competition, does Luo Jialin always end up with a bigger share of the prize?
Why?
He was jealous, he was angry—but what could he do? After all, Luo Jialin was the young master of the Luo family in Shen City.
Even if the jealousy drove him mad, he still had to swallow it.
But now… even though he could tell something was off with Luo Jialin, he just didn't want to endure it anymore!
Tian Hua let out a soft laugh and raised a hand to press against Luo Jialin's shoulder. "So what if I did say it? You think I'm wrong?"
"We're a team. When have those victories not been the result of everyone's effort? But why does Han Weicheng treat you like you're special?"
"Just because the Luo family has power and wealth? Because you can get him funding and connections? Is that why he shelters you, pampers you, praises you?"
"So the rest of us don't count? Just tools to be discarded after use? And when it gets critical, we're just sacrifices, the ones to be thrown under the bus?"
"Why, Luo Jialin? In what way are we worse than you? Were we born without privilege, and that's somehow our original sin? Do we deserve to be sacrificed, to be your stepping stones?"
With every sentence, Tian Hua shoved his hand harder against Luo Jialin's shoulder, each word matched by a push—until Jialin's back hit the wall.
He had never felt so free. He was fed up. He had tolerated enough. He used to fear Luo Jialin, fear the Luo family, fear Han Weicheng.
But now, after they'd all lost to Shu Lanzhou—maybe they weren't so terrifying after all!
"No—it's not true! You're wrong, we never sacrificed anyone. We never used you. Tian Hua, don't forget, the reason you stayed in the institute—"
"I stayed in the institute because of my own ability." Tian Hua cut him off sharply, voice filled with rage.
"We didn't use you as stepping stones? Then what do you call Shu Lanzhou? Don't tell me someone as smart as you can't see Han Weicheng was deliberately stepping on her to boost Lin Muyao?"
"No sacrifices? Then why did Du Yifan end up in prison?"
"You could argue Guo Jialiang brought it on himself for provoking Shu Lanzhou—but what about Du Yifan? He didn't go looking for trouble with her, did he?"
"Can you honestly say his imprisonment had nothing to do with you? You said you'd protect the Du family—but I bet you were too busy chasing money with Han Weicheng to even remember."
Tian Hua's voice turned even colder.
"I used to think you were smart. But now? You're just a fool. Han Weicheng values you for one thing—your Luo family's connections and resources. You really think he cares about you?"
"He's a professor cozying up to businessmen like your family—what do you think he's trying to do? You'd better ask yourself that question."
"Or better yet—ask yourself this: if one day trouble comes knocking again, do you think he wouldn't throw you under the bus just like he did us?"
"Heh… Honestly, I'm kind of looking forward to that day."
When Tian Hua finished, he grabbed Fang Ruoshi and Guo Jialiang—both sobered by the shock—and dragged them away.
Just as the three were about to leave the alley, Guo Jialiang suddenly turned back.
"I think Tian Hua's right. Your family has everything—why let yourselves be used? That man is selfish to the core. He doesn't deserve to be anyone's teacher."
"Think it over."
Then he turned and ran back to catch up, slinging an arm around Tian Hua. "Let's go to my place. Drinks are on me!"
"Drink my ass. Get in the damn car." Tian Hua scolded and shoved him inside.
When the car finally pulled away, Tian Hua looked back. The alley light cast a long, drawn-out shadow.
That person—his back slowly hunched—finally collapsed into himself, curling up on the cold ground.
Tian Hua sighed and turned to flag down a cab.
In the alley, Luo Jialin sat hugging his knees. The night wind was biting, making him tremble uncontrollably.
He couldn't even tell whether it was his body that was cold—or his heart.
Tian Hua's words had shattered something in him—made him realize a harsh truth: Han Weicheng's insistence on bringing Shu Lanzhou into the fold…
It wasn't because of her pharmacological skills, nor the supply of herbs from the Mu family. He'd just been looking for a scapegoat.
Just like Du Yifan—someone pre-picked to take the fall!
Those cosmetic products they'd developed probably had major issues. Han Weicheng was in a rush for quick profits, so much so that he never considered the consequences.
Maybe he even planned it this way: make a fortune first, and when it all came crashing down, Shu Lanzhou would take the fall!
What a twisted, vile, selfish mind!
Luo Jialin had never thought of himself as a noble person. But someone like Han Weicheng—always plotting, calculating every step, never caring about anyone's life or death—he couldn't be that kind of person.
The thought made him sick to his stomach.
He staggered toward a trash bin, braced himself on it—and vomited until the world spun.
That man… he used to be a mentor he respected.
…
Back at the Mu family estate, Shu Lanzhou and Mu Side had just returned. Long Xingyu was walking in the courtyard with Elder Mu, the two of them chatting with light smiles.
When they saw the two approach, Long Xingyu waved.
"Back already? You've been hard to catch lately," she teased with a playful grin.
Shu Lanzhou's cheeks flushed slightly, embarrassed. "I've been tied up with thesis writing, lectures, and research—it's been hard to find a break."
"If you need help, just say so. I've been bored out of my mind lately," Long Xingyu replied lazily.
"Oh, right—my brother asked me to let you know: when you get the chance, stop by the National Hospital. The acupuncture department wants to set up a special consultation clinic, and you and your teacher will be on the expert roster."
Shu Lanzhou quickly waved her hands. "I'm not qualified enough for that."
"If you're not qualified, then who is?" Long Xingyu said firmly. "There's a shortage of good acupuncturists these days—especially those who've mastered Mu family medical techniques and needlework. You're the perfect candidate."
"My brother also told me to thank you—if it weren't for you, the investigation into the hospital's herb procurement wouldn't have gone so smoothly. He wants you and Side to visit the Long family sometime. He'll cook for you himself."
That kind of sincerity left Shu Lanzhou a bit flustered.
"I wonder—how did it all turn out in the end?" she asked. It had been months, and she hadn't had time to follow up.
Mu Side responded, "Xiao Anning took responsibility and was fired. The vice president had six months' pay docked. The purchasing department was restructured to select qualified vendors."
"They signed a bunch of contracts with us recently—not the entire supply, but about as much as Mu Pharmaceuticals can handle."
That surprised Shu Lanzhou. "So Xiang Hua's letting it go?"
"After Xiao Anning was fired, he seemed like a different person. Stopped butting heads with my brother and focused on running the hospital and treating patients," Long Xingyu replied with a faint smile.
"My brother said it's a good thing. Xiang Hua's always had solid medical skills. If his heart's in the right place, he could be a great hospital director. Otherwise, my father wouldn't have favored him back then."
Shu Lanzhou sighed, eyes thoughtful.
"If he was willing to fire Xiao Anning, then he's not completely blind. But I doubt the herb procurement was the only thing Xiao Anning was meddling with."
"Could it be there were… other things he was hiding from Xiang Hua, and they all got uncovered this time?"