"These companies all belong to the Luo family," Shu Lanzhou said bluntly, not wanting to leave any hidden risks unaddressed. "It's very likely Luo Jialin will intern at one of them after graduation."
Zhang He gasped. "I had no idea the Luo family was that rich! They actually own so many companies!"
The Luo family had always been wealthy. In her past life, within just a few years, they had successively acquired several pharmaceutical companies once owned by the Mu family, catapulting them to the top to become the leading pharmaceutical group in Shen City.
Luo Jialin's status as the family heir soared along with it, basking in unprecedented glory.
Those were also Lin Muyao's most triumphant years. Even after Shu Lanzhou's death, Lin Muyao's lavish lifestyle remained unaffected.
Though Shu Lanzhou knew little about business, she understood that the Luo family's rise was closely tied to several major research breakthroughs at the Central Research Institute.
"Lanzhou, what are you thinking about?" Dong Anlan tugged on Shu Lanzhou's sleeve.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Shu Lanzhou smiled.
"Nothing much. I was just thinking — once Zhang He settles her internship, why don't we all get together to celebrate? I'll treat everyone. Plus, my thesis is about to be published in the campus journal!"
"Yes! We must celebrate!" Zhang He agreed enthusiastically. "Getting your paper published is a huge deal. Not only is it an honor, but you'll get paid too! Treating us to a meal is the least you can do!"
Shu Lanzhou laughed. "Of course, of course! Not just one meal — we can have as many as you want."
"Hehe, then I won't hold back! How about one meal for each paper you publish?" Zhang He teased, blinking mischievously.
Before she could finish, Dong Anlan grabbed her by the ear and dragged her away. "Enough already! Lanzhou's money doesn't grow on trees, you know!"
"Ouch, ouch, it hurts! Anlan, go easy..."
Soon, the dorm was filled with laughter and cheerful chaos.
Three days passed quickly, but Shu Lanzhou's paper still hadn't appeared in the campus journal.
Just when she thought maybe Director Zhou had only been joking, she received a call from the Political and Education Office.
Over the phone, they informed her that someone had reported her — accusing her of improper relationships and seducing professors to obtain academic resources. They even claimed there were photos as evidence!
With a cold expression, Shu Lanzhou went to the Political and Education Office, only to find Director Zhou from the Academic Affairs Office already waiting.
"Director Zhou?" she greeted in surprise.
"You're here. Come in, have a seat," he said, gesturing warmly.
"We've already evaluated your papers — they meet the standards and were scheduled for publication this month."
"But unexpectedly, someone reported you at this critical time. Here, take a look at these letters."
Director Zhou took a thick envelope from the Political Office Director and handed it to her.
"Strictly speaking, this isn't under my jurisdiction," he added, "but since I was involved in promising you the publication, I felt it was only fair to tell you directly."
"If you can't explain this matter clearly, I'm afraid we can't move forward with your publication. As you know, a student's character is just as important as academic excellence."
"Especially since a professor is involved, we have to treat this seriously."
"I understand," Shu Lanzhou nodded. "I'll cooperate fully with the investigation and do my best to clear things up as soon as possible."
She opened the envelope and pulled out the report and a stack of photos.
At the first glance, she froze.
"...This is Professor He?"
Though the backgrounds were intentionally blurred, she could still recognize the location — the entrance to the traditional Chinese medicine hospital. The photos showed her and Professor He standing face-to-face, clearly visible.
One photo after another followed, culminating in a shot of them walking into the hospital together, backs to the camera.
While she knew the context, anyone else looking at the photos would likely jump to conclusions.
"Take a look at the written report as well," Director Zhou advised her calmly.
Shu Lanzhou picked up the report.
The accusations were vile — alleging that she had been morally corrupt since childhood, surviving by selling her body because she was an orphan, sleeping with numerous men just to get into university.
It even claimed she had been "kept" by the village chief and, once at university, continued improper relationships with wealthy men.
Now, it said, she was having an affair with Professor He.
Was the person who wrote this brain-dead?
Shu Lanzhou almost laughed in anger.
"Director Zhou, if I can prove these accusations are slander, can I press charges against the accuser and request the school to punish them?"
"Of course," Director Zhou nodded.
"To be honest," he added, "I don't believe a word of this, but when someone files a complaint, we have no choice but to investigate. I hope you can understand."
"I understand." Shu Lanzhou's voice was calm.
"Please give me a few days."
"What are you planning to do?" Director Zhou frowned. "You mustn't break the law."
Amused, Shu Lanzhou chuckled. "Come on, Director Zhou, it's just a rumor — I'm not stupid enough to commit a crime over it. Relax, I just want to clear my name."
Leaving the Political Office, Shu Lanzhou felt ice seep into her bones.
She had thought that the nightmare of slander and humiliation was over in this life.
She had been wrong.
In her past life, it was Guo Jialiang who stirred up this scandal. Judging by the materials she'd just seen, it was almost certainly him again.
His motive was obvious: to block her paper from being published.
After the campus competition debacle, if her paper got published too, Guo Jialiang's reputation would be utterly destroyed — he'd be socially dead.
Clearly, he couldn't bear the blow, so he resorted to the dirtiest tricks.
Shu Lanzhou clenched her fists.
She had been too tolerant.
Too kind.
That's why they thought they could hurt her again and again!
Step by step, she walked back to the dorm, saying nothing to her friends about what had happened.
Two days later, He Xin came to the school.
That very afternoon, rumors exploded across campus.
"Did you hear? A professor from the Central Research Institute got caught sleeping with a student! He's here now, being investigated!"
"Seriously? Which student has that much skill to hook a professor?"
"Word is, it's Shu Lanzhou."
"Ohhh, her! Didn't she just win first place at the campus competition a while back?"
"Who knows if she really deserved it? Looks like she just slept her way there…"
"…"
"You all better shut up!" Zhang He shouted, her lips trembling with rage. "Shu Lanzhou would never do something like that! She's just studying quietly, minding her own business — and you all spread disgusting lies?!"
The gossipers quickly scattered.
But one person sneered, not willing to back down.
"Why's it slander? Where there's smoke, there's fire. If she were so innocent, why would Professor He be called in for questioning? Clearly, she did sleep with him!"
"Shut your damn mouth!" Zhang He charged forward and slapped her hard across the face.
The girl was stunned for a moment before lunging at Zhang He.
But Ding Yuejiao grabbed her collar in time. "You're coming with us to the Political Office. Let's see if the school will tolerate your disgusting lies!"
The girl's eyes reddened with fury.
"Fine, let's go! I'm not scared! Besides, it's not just me — everyone's saying it! Why are you only hitting me?"
"Because you were the one who said the words 'slept with' out loud," Shu Lanzhou said, walking over slowly...