Shu Lanzhou let out a cold laugh of disbelief. In both her past life and this one, Han Weicheng had always blindly taken Lin Muyao's side without ever caring for the truth!
Had it never crossed his mind to ask whether she was even willing to listen to him? Why should she obey him at all?
"Whether or not Lin Muyao plagiarized, I trust the school will investigate thoroughly. As for whether she insulted me online or has anything to do with what's been posted—I'm not aware," Shu Lanzhou said calmly, her face expressionless as she looked Han Weicheng straight in the eyes.
"Professor Han, asking me to explain this to the dean is really asking too much. If even I don't know the full story, how am I supposed to explain it?"
"I would much prefer that the school conduct a fair and impartial investigation. After all, a young woman's reputation is everything—whether it's about plagiarism or slander."
"I'm sure Lin Muyao herself wouldn't want this incident hanging over her forever, would she?"
"You—" Han Weicheng never expected Shu Lanzhou to be so resolute about pushing for an investigation. His face turned ashen with anger.
"So you're dead set on believing that Lin Muyao plagiarized your paper? Fine. If the investigation clears her name, you'll apologize to her in front of the entire school—students and staff!"
"Otherwise, don't even think about smearing her name!"
Shu Lanzhou shook her head. "I never said she plagiarized my paper. Just like I didn't post those accusations online."
"All I want is a chance to clarify the facts. But why is Professor Han doing everything he can to stop the investigation?"
"This could be solved easily. Bring the facts into the open, hold the troublemakers accountable, and the truth will speak for itself. Why is that so hard?"
As her words fell, everyone's eyes turned toward Professor Han.
"Han Weicheng, what—are you scared or something?" Mu Yaning asked coolly, glaring at him.
The head of the political affairs office quickly stepped in, worried the professors might start arguing outright.
"This has escalated far enough. The school should step in and get to the bottom of it—not just for the sake of these two students' reputations, but also to correct the toxic online atmosphere within the campus."
"Professor Han, I think we should let the school handle it from here. I promise, no student will be wronged. We'll give both parties a fair and just resolution."
Han Weicheng swept his eyes across the room and sighed lightly.
"Director Chen, it's not that I'm against an investigation. But Lin Muyao already developed depression because of the online rumors. This incident has only made her condition worse—she's mentally fragile right now."
"I'm afraid that if word of an investigation spreads, people who don't know the truth will jump to conclusions and assume she plagiarized. She might not be able to handle it. What if she... does something rash?"
"Believe me—I know my own student. With Lin Muyao's talent and academic ability, she'd never need to copy someone inferior to her. I've read both papers."
"Though the topics are the same, the methodology and approach are completely different. I stake my professorship on this—she did not plagiarize!"
Oh, how grand…
"Stake your professorship, huh?" Mu Yaning pulled the teary-eyed Shu Lanzhou behind her protectively.
"You still dare call yourself a professor? Just because Lin Muyao is your student, does that mean Shu Lanzhou never was?"
"You're worried Lin Muyao will be misunderstood and do something drastic—but did you ever think about how Shu Lanzhou was the one who left the research group under a cloud of suspicion?"
"If this isn't cleared up, she's the one who will be misunderstood. She's the one who might get hurt. Or do her feelings just not matter to you?"
"They were both your students. But in Professor Han's eyes, apparently only Lin Muyao's life has value. Shu Lanzhou's reputation, her well-being—are worth nothing to you?"
As Mu Yaning fired off question after question, everyone present flushed with indignation. Even Director Chen furrowed his brow.
"Enough! Both of you stop arguing. The school will take charge of this matter. We will uncover the truth and make it clear to everyone."
"As the head of the Political Affairs Office, I promise this investigation will be handled with fairness and integrity—there will be no bias!"
Han Weicheng's face turned from pale to flushed. Mu Yaning's words had clearly embarrassed him.
In his eyes, Shu Lanzhou had always been the strong, sensible type—nothing like the delicate Lin Muyao. Shu Lanzhou was just a rural girl who had clawed her way up from the bottom.
People like her, he believed, survived by groveling, lacking pride or dignity. They didn't get hurt easily, didn't fall ill from stress, didn't even know what heartbreak was.
To him, if there was ever conflict between Lin Muyao and Shu Lanzhou, it should be Shu Lanzhou who yielded. How could someone as low-born as her possibly dare to bully a young lady like Lin Muyao?
Though he'd never say it out loud—as a well-educated, high-ranking professor—this was how he truly saw her.
Han Weicheng had always believed Shu Lanzhou lacked real talent or substance. Because of her background, she'd never go far. She didn't have the vision or the ambition.
That was precisely why he had sided with Lin Muyao in this matter.
Brushing imaginary dust off his coat, he looked at Shu Lanzhou with disdain.
"Since you're so set on an investigation, then so be it. Let's see what you gain from all this trouble."
"I hope you won't regret today's choice. And I hope you understand—not everyone will protect your dignity or help you improve, like we once did."
"See to yourself, Shu Lanzhou."
See to yourself?
Shu Lanzhou's expression was ice cold. Her teeth clenched tightly against her lip, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.
She'd thought that after everything she'd endured in her past life, nothing could hurt her anymore. But she had clearly underestimated how much Han Weicheng could still wound her.
He had once been her mentor—someone she respected and admired. Now, all she felt was seething hatred.
Professor Mu was right—if they were both his students, why such blatant favoritism? Why?
Was it because of her poor background? Did he think her upbringing limited her ability, her perspective?
In her past life, she had yielded again and again. She had obeyed him, swallowed every grievance. And what had it gotten her?
Only now did she understand.
In Han Weicheng's heart, she had always been a disposable tool—never a real person. He had never valued her. Never respected her.
Why should she respect him?
Such a mentor wasn't worth having. Han Weicheng, this life—I will make you see what it means to be blind. I will make you understand what true ability looks like, what it means to truly regret.
I will make you eat every word you've said—bite by bitter bite.
You'll beg me to return.
And I will make it happen.
Shu Lanzhou took a deep breath. "I won't regret it. I only hope you never come to regret it either, Professor Han."
"But of course!" Han Weicheng raised his chin, full of arrogant pride.
"Director Chen, I hope the school will be mindful throughout the investigation. Once the facts are clear, I expect my student Lin Muyao's name to be cleared—and those who slandered her online to be severely punished!"
With that, he turned and strode off without a glance back.
Everyone left behind let out a long-held breath.
"Phew… That was my first time witnessing Professor Han's real attitude," someone muttered. "He's got some nerve. Let's see if he can back it up when the truth comes out."