Mu Side pointed to a spot under the camellia tree: "Do you see that?"
It turned out there was a sign hanging there, listing the flower's variety and attributes.
"…."
Shu Lianzhu's face flushed slightly as she muttered with some embarrassment, "I didn't see it!"
"Normal," Mu Side took her by the hand and led her to a nearby bench. "People usually focus on the bright flowers above, but often overlook the details."
"Just like those who overlooked you."
Mu Side winked at her. "I'm different from the rest. I always notice the essence of things first."
"Well…" Shu Lianzhu couldn't meet his eyes and shifted her gaze to the side. "What's my essence?"
Mu Side gently patted her head. "A clever, kind-hearted girl, who sometimes can be a little silly, but very lovable and easy to care for."
It felt like he was right in everything he said!
Shu Lianzhu blinked and said, "I'll try not to be silly from now on!"
"Doesn't matter!" Mu Side chuckled and playfully pinched her cheek. "Even when you're silly, you're still quite cute. Besides, now that you have us, we'll take good care of you. When it comes to principles, we won't let you make any more silly mistakes!"
The feeling was strange. Shu Lianzhu thought of Mu Yaning and He Sixin, and she suddenly felt like she had gained more elders looking out for her. Elders who truly cared for her!
She felt a little happy, so much so that she became a bit bolder. "Senior, can I call you 'brother' from now on?"
"You want to call me 'brother'?" Mu Side squinted at her.
Shu Lianzhu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head like a frightened little quail. "Forget it, it was just a casual question!"
How could she call Mu Side "brother"? She was just a country girl, dreaming of climbing up to the prestigious Mu family of Shen City. She had completely overestimated herself by even thinking of such a thing!
Seeing her dejected expression, Mu Side couldn't bear it.
"'Brother' is fine," he said, smiling warmly. "Let's take it as us getting a little closer. It's not like I'm your real brother, and what's the harm in a title?"
He rubbed her head once more. "Don't overthink it. First, eat your cake."
He opened the bag he had brought with him, and inside was a four-inch small cake.
He Sixin had said she'd buy a cake for her after the meal, but didn't get the chance. Mu Side had remembered this detail.
So, that's why he had rushed off to the mall earlier — to get the cake for her!
Shu Lianzhu's heart warmed, feeling the sweetness not just from the cake, but from the thoughtfulness itself. It was such a lovely feeling to be remembered and cared for!
"Thank you, Brother!" she said, accepting the cake, her voice sweet as she added the "brother" again.
Her voice was soft and sweet, and when she called him "brother," it felt like she was pulling at his heartstrings.
Mu Side's heart fluttered uncontrollably.
This was too much!
He had to control himself!
But looking at the little girl with her head down, eating the cake without a care in the world, he knew she wasn't aware of the effect she was having on him. All he could do was bear it.
Shu Lianzhu didn't want to eat the whole cake herself, so she broke off half and offered it to Mu Side.
After enjoying the flowers and eating the cake, Shu Lianzhu's mood lifted significantly!
The unpleasant feelings from Guo Jialiang didn't seem as important anymore. After all, she had new friends now, and there were more important things to focus on.
Someone who only wanted to harm and use her wasn't worth her attention!
On the way back to the school, it was already getting dark. Mu Side stayed with her until she reached the dorm building before leaving.
Shu Lianzhu waved at him. "Brother, go back now. I'll go up myself. Thank you for today, I'm really happy!"
"Mm!" Mu Side smiled and raised the corner of his mouth. "You've been lazy all afternoon, so remember to catch up on your studies tonight. If you fail the test tomorrow, don't come crying to me!"
"I'll definitely pass. No crying!" Shu Lianzhu pouted and ran back to the dorm.
As soon as she entered, she was surrounded by her three roommates.
"Shu Lianzhu, you're finally back! The school has released an announcement. Now everyone knows that you were slandered! Remember that girl who insulted you before? She was specifically named and criticized, and she's been given a demerit!"
Zhang He said excitedly, sharing the school's decision with her.
"I heard that Guo Jialiang is going to be expelled, but I'm not sure if it's true!" Ding Yuejiao frowned. "Do you think Professor Han will try to speak on his behalf?"
Shu Lianzhu shook her head. "From what I know about Professor Han, he's probably not going to care about Guo Jialiang."
Han Weicheng was a man who valued his reputation above all else. On the surface, he couldn't tolerate any nonsense, but deep down, he was unwilling to tarnish his perfect image. Once someone like Guo Jialiang brought shame to him, he'd probably want nothing more than to distance himself immediately. Not only that, he'd probably ask the political education department to expel Guo Jialiang.
After all, the paper incident had already made Han Weicheng realize that Guo Jialiang wasn't up to par. And now, with this slander incident, it was clear that Guo's character wasn't up to snuff either.
As long as Guo Jialiang stayed in the school, people would keep saying, "That person was once a student of Professor Han, look at how they turned out…"
The longer this persisted, the more likely it was to affect Han Weicheng's reputation.
Han Weicheng wouldn't allow such a hidden danger to stay near him.
"I heard from Senior Ke that the political education office is still investigating Guo Jialiang, and they haven't figured out who sent the message to the students yet. If they had, the results would have been out already!"
Dong Anlan looked at Shu Lianzhu. "Shu Lianzhu, if you want, I can talk to Senior Ke for you. He has a few friends in communications. Maybe they can help track it down?"
"No need!" Shu Lianzhu shook her head. "I know who it was, but even if they investigate, it's unlikely they'll find anything. They'll just end up finding a scapegoat."
"Wasn't it Guo Jialiang?" Zhang He and Ding Yuejiao looked confused.
Shu Lianzhu shook her head. "It wasn't him. He wouldn't have thought of this method."
This was definitely Lin Muyao's style. It was her usual way of doing things.
Before anyone could ask more questions, Shu Lianzhu quickly took out the little pastries she'd bought on the way back.
"Thank you all for today. These are from the way back. Try them, see if they're any good!"
"Oh, we're all roommates, no need to be so polite!" Zhang He gave her a playful wink and snatched the bag of pastries from her hand!
…
The next day was the first exam for the Acupuncture and Moxibustion major. The night before, Shu Lianzhu stayed up until midnight, catching up on the study time she had missed earlier in the afternoon.
At just past seven in the morning, Dong Anlan woke her up. "Your alarm has gone off twice already. Hurry up, or you'll be late for the exam!"
"Thanks!" Shu Lianzhu rubbed her face, smiling as she got up.
Her alarm had actually been set three times, but only two had gone off!
Today was her first acupuncture exam, and she was taking it with a bunch of freshmen. She couldn't afford to mess it up. She couldn't lose face for Mu Yaning!
As she stepped out of the dormitory, the snow began to fall!
This was the first snow since her rebirth. Shu Lianzhu looked up, letting the cold snowflakes fall on her face.
It felt chilly, but she didn't feel cold!
In her previous life, she had hated snow because it meant the cold, slippery roads, and the snow would always delay her trips to the lab.
Sometimes, when she walked too fast, she would slip and fall, soaking her clothes and looking terribly awkward. Occasionally, when she was seen by Luo Jialin and the others, they would mock her for being clumsy, saying she couldn't even walk properly!
"Shu Lianzhu!" A deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She lowered her head and saw Han Weicheng standing in front of her!