At the door, Ke Beichen waved at the two of them.
"I'll keep an eye on things with my aunt. I'll let you know as soon as there's news. It's almost New Year's, so try not to stress too much."
Once the two had left, the smile on Ke Beichen's face faded. He turned back into the house.
Glancing upstairs toward Ke Ling's room, he stopped a servant who was clearing the teacups.
"What made my aunt so angry just now?"
"Don't even mention it!" The servant lowered her voice. "It was that Miss Ji from the Ji family. She went too far—leaning on the fact that the Ji family once helped the Fourth Miss, she insisted the Fourth Miss help them buy a batch of equipment!"
Ke Beichen froze—equipment again?
If he wasn't mistaken, the people who had come earlier were Du Yifan and Ji Chuyun. He hadn't expected Ji Chuyun to leverage the Ji family's favor to help Du Yifan. When did those two families get so close?
"Young Master, you'd better coax the Fourth Miss. She's really upset!" The servant pointed upstairs.
"It's been a while since I've seen her that angry. She must be really hurt inside."
Ke Beichen chuckled. "Got it, Aunt Zhao. I'll go cheer her up."
In the car, Shu Lanzhou and Mu Side sat one in front, one behind.
As soon as the door shut, Mu Side grabbed Shu Lanzhou's hand. "A new injury?"
"You were practicing acupuncture again after I left last night?" His brows knit together, gaze deep and serious. "Did my aunt give you more assignments?"
Shu Lanzhou quickly shook her head. "No, teacher didn't assign me anything these days. I just… wanted to practice. I… I really enjoy learning acupuncture."
"Is that really the reason?" Mu Side didn't buy it. "Even if you love it, you can't push yourself like this. Do you want to ruin your hands?"
Shu Lanzhou smiled and gently pulled her hand back. "It's fine. I used to do a lot of manual work—my hands aren't that delicate. And now I take good care of them for acupuncture. This little injury will be gone by tomorrow!"
Her nonchalant tone made Mu Side's chest tighten. "I don't care whether it's love or gratitude driving you—but from now on, you're not allowed to practice like this."
"Everything takes time. You can't rush it. Mu's acupuncture technique isn't something one person can carry alone. Don't push yourself so hard!"
Shu Lanzhou could tell what he was thinking. Like He Sixin, he believed Mu Yanning was forcing the inheritance of Mu's acupuncture onto the next generation.
For them, it was family duty. For her, it was reluctant obligation.
No one truly believed this ancient craft was indispensable.
How could a dying art compare to hot, popular fields?
The thought left Shu Lanzhou unsettled.
She fastened her seatbelt herself.
"I'm not pushing myself," she said softly. "I know you don't believe me, but it's okay. Time will prove it. Just wait—you'll see. I'm not doing this on a whim. I'm not doing this to repay anyone."
She fell silent the rest of the ride back to the hospital, clearly sulking.
Mu Side looked helpless. "Alright, alright, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn't have doubted you. Don't be mad. Come on, I'll take you out to eat."
"No thanks." Shu Lanzhou got out of the car herself. "I'll just eat at the hospital cafeteria. You go home—I don't need you looking after me."
Mu Side wasn't used to coaxing people. This was the first time a girl had thrown a tantrum at him.
Funny thing was—he didn't mind. He almost… found it cute.
Maybe because it was Shu Lanzhou doing it.
"Why the rush!" Mu Side caught up to her. "There's a medical symposium tomorrow. Come with me."
Shu Lanzhou paused mid-step. "You mean that private annual gathering of top medical professionals? Can I even go? Don't you need an invitation?"
"You've heard of it?" Mu Side was surprised again. "Don't worry—I'll get you an invite. Just tell me, are you coming or not?"
Shu Lanzhou suddenly remembered something. In her past life, something had gone wrong at this event. Master Long, a titan of medicine, had suffered a sudden acute stroke at the gathering.
The irony: despite being surrounded by dozens, even hundreds, of top medical minds, he hadn't made it.
Later, this incident became a textbook case in medical circles. Experts analyzed it from every angle. The consensus?
Master Long's stroke had progressed too rapidly. On-site emergency response had been top-tier. The real problem was the bumpy ambulance ride to the hospital…
In other words, no one at the scene had done anything wrong.
Shu Lanzhou remembered reading that report—felt nothing but sorrow and regret.
Master Long had been a rare genius, still shouldering critical responsibilities for the nation's medical advancement in his old age. His death was a profound loss for the entire field.
"What's on your mind?" Mu Side flicked her nose playfully. "You going or not?"
"I'm going!" Shu Lanzhou snapped out of it. "Is Teacher going too?"
Mu Side shook his head. "Probably not. She's never liked these events. Calls them a waste of time and resources for a bunch of stuffed shirts."
"Then convince her to come," Shu Lanzhou grabbed his sleeve urgently.
"I heard Master Long always shows up. I want Teacher to introduce me. Please, brother!"
Her bright, pleading eyes sparkled as she blinked up at him, her voice turning soft, almost coquettish.
Mu Side felt an inexplicable thump in his chest, like someone had gently knocked on his heart—leaving a ticklish warmth.
He reflexively rubbed his chest. "Alright. I'll try."
"Thanks, big bro!" Shu Lanzhou beamed, waving as she ran toward the cafeteria.
Mu Side hesitated, half wanting to follow her. But he stopped himself. He was afraid if he went after her… he wouldn't want to leave.
The little girl wasn't thinking about romance right now. He couldn't hold her back.
Shu Lanzhou grabbed a quick bite at the cafeteria, then rushed back to the dorm and pulled out her acupuncture needles.
After sterilizing them, she packed them carefully and started reviewing emergency acupuncture protocols for stroke patients.
In her past life, she didn't know if Mu Yanning had been present.
But this time—she wanted to try.
It was a life on the line, after all.
—
The next morning, He Sixin arrived at the dorm carrying a clothing bag.
"Time to get up, sleepyhead." He Sixin nudged Shu Lanzhou awake, then went to open the curtains.
Shu Lanzhou was still groggy from staying up late. "Sis? What brings you here?"
"Mu Side said you're going with him to the medical symposium. Mom sent me to bring you an outfit."
Shu Lanzhou instantly perked up, bolting upright. "Did Teacher agree to go?"
"She did." He Sixin smiled knowingly. "You should've seen it—Mu Side nagged her all night. It was hilarious."
"He totally shattered his cool-guy image, ha!"
Shu Lanzhou couldn't quite picture it. But imagining Mu Side pestering Mu Yanning like a child… a sudden, inexplicable shiver ran down her spine.
A cold chill.
What would dark, brooding Mu Side even look like whining?
She felt an odd curiosity.
Rubbing her face, she sat up. "Thanks, sis. By the way, what time's the event? I forgot to ask yesterday."
"Ten o'clock. You've got time for breakfast if you hurry." He Sixin pulled the clothes from the bag.
"I picked these up last minute. Should be your size—try them on."
The outfit was formal but understated. Shu Lanzhou was delighted. "Thank you, sis! I'll transfer you the money later."
"Sure." He Sixin waved it off casually.
Once they were both ready and downstairs, Mu Side was already leaning against the car, waiting.