"That's right. Once he's done calibrating, we can run some tests," He Sixin nodded.
"His friend studies intelligent robotics. After you brought it up last time, Muside mentioned it to him, and we didn't expect the prototype to be delivered so quickly!"
At that moment, Muside looked up.
"If our project proves successful and acupuncture techniques can be applied in surgical procedures—especially with the help of this device—it would mark a major advancement in integrating traditional Chinese and Western medical practices."
A spark lit up in Shu Lanzhou's eyes.
"Then let's waste no time verifying it. With the advancement of modern medicine, deep collaboration between Chinese and Western methods is bound to be the future."
——
Over the next few days, the three of them, plus two others who came to help, were practically living in the lab.
Experimental results showed that acupuncture techniques could indeed be replicated by machines. In fact, for intricate and delicate acupoints, machine scanning and application were even more precise than manual methods.
Data analysis further revealed that in many surgeries, the integration of acupuncture significantly reduced pain and eased certain surgical requirements.
This was especially true for patients allergic to certain pre-operative medications—acupuncture offered a compelling alternative.
By Friday evening, the project proposal and nanobot testing data were complete, and He Sixin had finally finished editing her final draft of the project paper.
"Mission accomplished!" She hit the final keystroke with satisfaction, stretching out both arms—only to knock over a water cup on the desk.
"Ah! Nooo!"
Shu Lanzhou reached out to save it, but it was too late—they both watched helplessly as the entire glass of water spilled across He Sixin's laptop.
"My paper!" He Sixin lunged for the mouse, trying to back it up.
But Ke Beichen was faster—he grabbed the mouse.
"Don't move. Before the screen goes black, send a backup, quick—"
"Use Lanzhou's laptop! Email it to her!" He Sixin leapt aside.
Ke Beichen shook his head.
"Not enough time. I see your laptops are paired via Bluetooth. I'll just beam it directly!"
He'd barely completed the transfer when He Sixin's screen went dark.
...
Silence swept the room.
Shu Lanzhou glanced back at her own laptop.
"It worked. The file's here."
Thankfully, He Sixin had previously connected their laptops via Bluetooth to share study materials. That small precaution saved the day.
Ke Beichen leaned in.
"Open it up. Let's check if it saved properly."
"Okay." Shu Lanzhou sat down and was just about to click on the file when Ke Beichen suddenly tutted.
"Junior, hold up—your laptop's definitely infected with screen-snooping software." He pressed her hand away from the mouse.
Everyone froze and stared at him.
Ke Beichen blinked, confused.
"What? Why're you all staring? It's not like I'm wrong—this kind of spyware is obvious. Anyone with a bit of tech knowledge could spot it."
...
Classic humblebrag. As if they were all clueless tech-illiterates!
Dong Anlan swallowed hard.
"Wait—so you're saying someone's been watching Lanzhou's laptop? Who'd stoop that low? Lanzhou?"
"Can we trace what files were accessed?" Shu Lanzhou's voice was calm, but her mind had already raced ahead.
So that's how Lin Muyao was able to plagiarize her paper without leaving any evidence—it was the spyware!
She'd suspected as much before, which was why she'd been wanting a tech expert to check her laptop. She just hadn't gotten around to it—until He Sixin's water mishap accidentally flushed one out.
Ke Beichen gestured for her to stand.
"Let me take over. But we shouldn't open the proposal file on your laptop again—at least not until I've scrubbed it clean."
"Of course. Thank you, senior. I had no idea you were such a tech whiz on top of being academically brilliant—no wonder you're Muside's friend!" Shu Lanzhou beamed, her expression unexpectedly bright.
Ke Beichen chuckled.
"Are you praising me or him? That felt so backhanded."
"I'm being sincere! Dinner's on me tonight—order whatever you like." Shu Lanzhou smiled again, more openly this time.
From across the room, Muside caught sight of her smile and suddenly had the urge to cover Ke Beichen's eyes. Even knowing that Beichen had someone he liked, Muside still didn't want him to see her smiling like that.
And for some reason, his hands itched. A girl that sweet when she smiled… really made you want to ruffle her hair!
Oblivious, Shu Lanzhou remained focused on her laptop, grateful for Ke Beichen's help.
"Lanzhou." Dong Anlan pulled her aside as Ke Beichen got to work on the computer.
"Do you think that plagiarism incident was really because of that spyware? Has Lin Muyao messed with your laptop before?"
Shu Lanzhou shook her head.
"My laptop's often left in the lab. I'm not sure if she's touched it, but I've had my suspicions for a while."
"So that's why you asked if we knew any tech-savvy people." Dong Anlan furrowed her brow.
"What are you planning to do now?"
Shu Lanzhou smiled slyly.
"Remember when I said I wanted to give Lin Muyao a taste of her own medicine?"
"Of course!" Dong Anlan's eyes lit up.
"He'er's been dying to vent—if she finds out you've got a plan, she'll be thrilled!"
Shu Lanzhou leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"Problem is, we're still short one key piece of evidence. So I need to trouble Senior Ke a little more."
"Wait a minute." Dong Anlan's face paled slightly.
"You're not asking me to go talk to him, are you?"
Shu Lanzhou gave her a spontaneous hug.
"Anlan, you saw it too—we've barely spoken in the past week. But you? You two seem to get along great."
Truthfully, Shu Lanzhou had her own little motive. She'd noticed the way Ke Beichen treated Dong Anlan—he obviously liked her.
Though she didn't know him well, his reputation in both past and present lives was solid. He didn't go into medicine after graduation, so their paths never crossed again, but she'd seen his name in finance magazines, and even on several charity foundations.
Plus, he was Muside's friend. No matter how you looked at it, he was way more reliable than Luo Jialin.
If helping her with this would make Dong Anlan take her eyes off Luo Jialin… all the better for everyone involved.
Dong Anlan's cheeks turned red.
"I wouldn't say we're close or anything… but if you beg me, I might just say yes."
"Please, Anlan!" Shu Lanzhou didn't hesitate for a second.
Dong Anlan flinched.
"Whoa, okay! You're usually so aloof—what's with this sweet-talking all of a sudden?"
She rubbed her arms dramatically, shivering.
"And here I thought you were the cool, quiet type. That cute, soft-voiced act of yours—it's dangerous! I kinda wanna pinch you!"
Too. Damn. Cute.
Shu Lanzhou blinked innocently.
"So… do I have your yes?"
Dong Anlan tapped her lightly on the forehead, her lips curving into a smile.
"Alright. What do you need me to do?"
Shu Lanzhou whipped out her phone.
"Remember those school forum accounts we screenshotted last time? Here's what I'm thinking—"
While the two of them plotted, Ke Beichen finished his work on the other side of the room.