"What… what are you doing?" Lin Muyao sat up abruptly, pulling on her clothes to wrap herself tightly, glaring at Guo Jialiang with full alertness.
She had just felt him—he had actually kissed her back!
Guo Jialiang knelt by the bed, looking at her with deep affection and desire in his eyes.
"I… I couldn't help it. I like you. I really do. Seeing you hurt like this—it breaks my heart."
"You're heartbroken so you take advantage of me? Are you even human?" Lin Muyao grabbed a pillow and threw it at him!
Guo Jialiang caught the pillow and pulled it aside. "That's not it. I wasn't trying to take advantage of you. I just couldn't bear to see you hurting. Please believe me—I really like you. I just couldn't hold back…"
He seized Lin Muyao's hand, pulling her into his embrace, planting haphazard kisses along her face and neck.
"I like you… let me kiss you, okay? If I kiss you, it won't hurt anymore. Believe me. I swear—I'll make you feel good. When you feel good, it won't hurt anymore… be good…"
His words were tender and coaxing, every syllable dripping with charm as he gently wooed the woman in his arms.
Lin Muyao was about to lose it. She struggled, pushing against him. "Guo Jialiang, let me go! Let go of me! If you don't stop, I'm going to scream—I'll report you!"
"No, no, no." Guo Jialiang immediately let go, kneeling by the bed with his hands resting gently on either side of her waist.
"I know you like Luo Jialin. You look down on someone like me, clawing my way up from the gutter. But… have you ever thought—we're actually the same kind of people."
"When I saw all those scars covering your back, I knew it even more clearly—because I'm the same."
He pulled open his shirt, revealing the scars crisscrossing his body. "Ever since I was little, my dad believed in 'spare the rod, spoil the child.' I was beaten constantly to make me 'amount to something.'"
No wonder he was always scheming, currying favor wherever he could, always watching for opportunities like a hawk. His honeyed words, his calculating gaze—it all made sense now…
In that moment, as Lin Muyao's fingers brushed over the scars on his body, she suddenly felt a wave of empathy—for him, or maybe for her younger self, beaten and broken, she wasn't sure.
She reached out and gently traced the scars, a flicker of pain flashing through her heart.
Seeing the softness in her eyes, Guo Jialiang knew he'd gambled right. He turned his head slightly and cautiously pressed a kiss to her hand.
Lin Muyao only trembled slightly, but didn't pull away.
Her response emboldened him. He followed the line of her hand, trailing kisses up along her arm…
Almost an hour passed.
Lin Muyao gave in and resisted at the same time, half-pushing, half-accepting. Everything that shouldn't have happened, happened between them—except for that final step.
Her reason still held. She couldn't lose her virginity—not yet. That was her last bargaining chip for marrying Luo Jialin.
A man like Luo Jialin, so traditional, so upright—he would care. Lin Muyao couldn't afford to gamble on that.
Even so, Guo Jialiang was more than satisfied.
He knew—once was enough to open the door. There would be a next time, and a time after that. Eventually, she would be his.
And she—was his ticket to staying in Shen City.
…
Meanwhile, in a private dining room not far away, Shu Lanzhou and her group were enjoying a lively meal.
Shu Lanzhou raised her teacup.
"Senior Yi, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for you to get dragged into this again. I honestly don't know what's gotten into Du Yifan, always spouting nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
"No, no, it's fine. Really. Don't worry about it." Yi Ming lifted his cup to clink with hers, using the movement to mask the flicker of guilt in his eyes.
Truthfully, the first time he met Shu Lanzhou, he'd already felt a spark.
She was such a sweet-looking girl, capable and articulate. When she smiled, she was like a little sunflower—it was hard not to be drawn to her.
Twice now, Du Yifan had caused misunderstandings. This time, even Luo Jialin had confronted him directly, accusing him of liking Shu Lanzhou. Yi Ming couldn't help feeling flustered. Thankfully, Shu Lanzhou didn't seem to take it seriously.
Her openness made him feel both guilty and a little… disappointed. Shu Lanzhou… she probably hadn't even realized it. Or maybe… she really wasn't interested in him at all.
"Alright, alright—don't let irrelevant people ruin your mood. Let's eat." He Sixin urged everyone back to the meal.
Soon, the table was filled again with the sounds of eating and chatting.
This gathering marked the first 'meeting' between the special prize team and the first prize team—a chance to discuss their shared goals and plans.
Mu Side chatted extensively with Wu Cheng, covering both technical topics and practical issues about project implementation and next steps.
Halfway through the meal, He Xin still hadn't arrived. Mu Yaning stepped out to call him.
Meanwhile, Mu Side refilled Shu Lanzhou's empty juice glass. "What's going on between you and Yi Ming?"
Though he kept his voice low, Shu Lanzhou still tensed.
She thought she'd cleared things up earlier, assumed no one would bring it up again. She hadn't expected Mu Side to ask.
Her voice lowered a little.
"That time when we went out with Senior Wu and the others, Senior Yi helped carry my bag because it was too heavy. Du Yifan happened to see it and misunderstood…"
It really was just a misunderstanding. She and Yi Ming had barely interacted a few times.
Mu Side glanced at her, noting the complete absence of guile in her expression. He couldn't help but chuckle. Why was he even worried? Was he afraid she'd be snatched away?
He looked across the table at Yi Ming.
Yi Ming had deliberately chosen a seat far from Shu Lanzhou, perhaps to avoid further rumors.
That kind of guilty conscience only made Mu Side think more.
Someone's definitely got their eye on this little girl!
Luckily, she seemed completely oblivious.
"Ever think about dating?" Mu Side's gaze deepened, his expression distant and unreadable when he wasn't smiling.
Shu Lanzhou's heart gave a jolt. Wait—did he think she was looking for a boyfriend?
"No way!" she replied instantly.
"There's a saying online—'Men will only slow down the speed of my sword.' You know how it is. After I left Professor Han's team, I've made quite a few enemies."
"Until I've achieved something, until I've proven myself… I can't afford distractions. And besides…"
"I need them to see—not just that I'm capable, but that I'm better. I need them to know—I never relied on Professor Han, or any of them!"
She had never shared these thoughts with anyone. But in front of Mu Side, she didn't want to hide it. Even if he thought she was overreaching, she wanted him to know what she truly believed.
"Hmm." Mu Side felt both proud and uneasy, his emotions tangled and complex. "You've got this. I believe in you."
He raised a hand and patted her gently on the head. It was impossible to tell whether he truly believed her… or just wanted to comfort her.
Shu Lanzhou said nothing more.
She knew—few people would believe she could surpass Luo Jialin and the others. They were, after all, the top elites in the hottest fields.
But what she hadn't accomplished in her last life… this time, she was determined to try.
Not long after Mu Yaning returned, He Xin finally arrived. By then, the meal was nearly over.
"I ordered you a bowl of noodles—and your favorite dishes too!" He Sixin pushed the food toward him, then went to urge the waiter to bring the rest.
He Xin's face softened with gratitude, but his appetite was lacking.
"You all need to be prepared… the research funding might not be as much as we hoped. And as for the lab space and equipment…"