"Let's eat first," Mu Yaining cut him off. "We'll talk once everyone's had a meal."
He Sixin quickly returned, pushing the dishes toward He Xin. "Dad, eat up—these are all your favorites."
"I can handle the funding issue," Mu Side spoke up. "Mu Corporation has several new investment allocations. I plan to pull some strings to secure it."
He Xin finished the noodles in a few bites. "Once funding is secured, there's still the matter of facilities and equipment. Lin Jiayi just signed a new project, working with Han Weicheng. They're planning to use the research institute's latest equipment."
Knew it'd be like this… Shu Lanzhou's brows furrowed. "I went into the lab today. The data problems in Storage Room 2 and 3 were because the hospital's equipment was outdated."
"I read in a journal recently that abroad, they're already using seventh-generation smart chambers for similar experiments. But the hospital's still stuck on generation three."
"In terms of timelines, the seventh-gen chambers don't just produce more accurate data—they can cut the experiment time by at least two full cycles."
"So you're saying," Wu Cheng looked over, "if their research direction overlaps with ours, they'll not only get results faster, but also publish sooner?"
Shu Lanzhou nodded. "Don't forget—they only lost to you in the competition because of scope, not because of topic. Fundamentally, we're working on the same direction."
"The real difference is that we've integrated acupuncture interventions, and combined that with acupuncture robotics."
"Then…" Wu Cheng turned to He Xin. "Our research equipment cannot be inferior to Luo Jialin's team's. Otherwise, we risk everything we've done going to waste."
With Han Weicheng's expertise, Luo Jialin's skills, and the research institute backing them, they'd be impossible to outcompete.
He Xin waved his hand. "Don't worry too much about that. The institute's already considered it. For this project, not just your team, but the entire research group under me will be involved."
"Even if Lin Jiayi's got Han Weicheng, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be ahead. But when it comes to facilities and equipment—Lin Jiayi won't back down."
As vice president of the institute, if she wanted to lead a project, who could really challenge her?
Mu Yaining slammed her hand on the table, furious. "She's leading a third-prize project and still dares compete with you for equipment? What's your director even doing—letting her run wild like this?"
"Don't get upset yet," He Xin patted her hand. "Tonight's meeting was exactly about this. It's not about letting her have her way; it's that the institute genuinely doesn't have enough equipment."
"The current machines were sponsored by Lin Jiayi. Now she wants to use those—naturally, she feels she has the right. And they are the newest devices the institute owns."
"Our research group is made of three smaller teams combined. We need more equipment than usual. It's understandable the director's hesitating."
Mu Yaining calmed down. "If you split the teams, research progress will stall. But combining them… yeah, space's tight at the institute."
"Brother," Shu Lanzhou tugged Mu Side's sleeve, "if I can find a way to buy the latest research equipment, would Mu Corporation's funds cover it?"
Mu Side's gaze flickered. "Funding isn't the problem."
Under the table, he gave Shu Lanzhou's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Uncle, negotiate with the director. We can let Lin Jiayi have the equipment—but the space has to go to us. Let her solve her own facility issues."
"No equipment—how do we run experiments?" He Xin frowned. "Unless you're planning to…"
Mu Side nodded. "Yeah. I'll find a way to get the equipment. But the research team must stay together."
"Is that even possible?" Mu Yaining was stunned. She knew Mu Corporation was rich, but not that rich. "Would Second Brother even agree?"
Mu Side reassured her. "I'll convince him. Trust me."
"If Mu Side says it's doable, then it's doable. Mom, don't worry," He Sixin chimed in, breaking the tension. "When has he ever gone back on his word? Right, Dad?"
That was true. Despite his young age, Mu Side had been handpicked by Mu Lao as the successor of Mu Corporation, raised under the strictest training.
Competence, strategy, cunning, depth—none of his peers could compare.
Everyone finally let out a breath of relief.
No one was happier than Wu Cheng. "Mu, I'll do everything I can to ensure the research's success. I won't let your investment go to waste!"
"Thank you." Mu Side clinked tea cups with him.
Shu Lanzhou turned to He Xin. "Professor He, even if Mu Senior says he can handle the equipment, you still need to fight for what the institute owes us. We can't let them think we're pushovers."
"I understand. We can't have Mu Side bearing all the burden. Don't worry—I'll do everything I can to keep what's ours."
With that settled, the meal wrapped up.
They all left the restaurant together. Wu Cheng and the others said their goodbyes—they had to return to school.
Since Shu Lanzhou had been staying at the hospital for Mu Yaining's convenience, she followed them back toward the hospital.
It was only then that she learned—the hospital was actually owned by the Mu family.
He Xin's family went straight home. Mu Yaining instructed Mu Side to drive Shu Lanzhou back.
Once they were alone, Shu Lanzhou finally turned to Mu Side.
"You promised to handle the equipment so quickly—weren't you worried I might not be able to secure a supplier?"
"You wouldn't have said it if you didn't already have a way," Mu Side smiled, walking casually down the street.
Shu Lanzhou smiled too. It felt good, being trusted like this.
"I saw an international medical equipment supplier listed on a foreign site before," she half-fibbed, "and got curious. Chatted with their rep a few times, became friends."
"So I really can get the equipment. The only problem is customs clearance. That's beyond me—I'll need your help for that part."
"Done. Send me the contact info—I'll take care of the rest." Mu Side didn't doubt her for a second, sealing the deal immediately.
Shu Lanzhou breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She'd worried he'd keep asking.
The website existed, yes—but the people weren't exactly easy to contact.
The contact details she had were thanks to her previous life—when the research institute partnered with Luo and Du Corporations to import similar equipment.
Back then, Luo's family had leveraged their research results to dominate the medical market, rising to become industry giants.
Du's family, however… hadn't fared so well.
During the equipment's delivery, a supplier rep had needed a translator—and Shu Lanzhou, the institute's best foreign language speaker, had stepped in.
That's how they'd exchanged numbers, emails, everything.
"Saevin doesn't speak Chinese. I can translate for you," she offered, pulling out her phone to send all the contacts to Mu Side.
"If you trust me, I can go with you."
"I'd love that," Mu Side agreed readily. "Let's go together."
By the time they reached the parking lot, the plan was set. Just as they were about to get in the car, they spotted a couple stumbling out of an alley—
The man's face streaked with fresh scratch marks.