After Zhang Chengyou left, Luo Jialin looked at Han Weicheng with confusion written all over her face.
"Why are you so insistent on pulling Shu Lanzhou in? Can't we handle this on our own?"
"Shu Lanzhou won an award in a pharmacology competition back in her sophomore year of college. She's the most knowledgeable in pharmacology among all of us," Han Weicheng replied, his gaze sharpening slightly.
"Besides, many of our current products now include traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, while you and I are more skilled with chemical formulations. Having Shu Lanzhou on board will make our products far more convincing."
"Especially since she's currently riding a wave of popularity."
Han Weicheng paused for a moment. "There's no knot in the world that can't be untied. And as for us and her, there's no deep-seated hatred that can't be overcome."
"Yes, we were competitors before, and I get why you don't like her. But now, we need money. Having her on our side will make everything easier—what's wrong with that?"
"But..." Luo Jialin still couldn't accept it.
Han Weicheng cut her off.
"No buts. If you want the company to make more money, if you want to reclaim your position as CEO of the Luo Corporation as soon as possible, and make your family finally look at you with respect—then do as I say."
"This decision of yours better be right." Luo Jialin's expression turned cold as she flung her arm and stormed out of the lab.
All the disasters in her life, every humiliation, every lost favor, every spotlight stolen—had all been courtesy of Shu Lanzhou.
Han Weicheng had been just as hurt by Shu Lanzhou, and yet he still wanted to work with her. She couldn't understand how he could swallow his pride like that.
And did he ever stop to think—if Shu Lanzhou found out that Zhang Chengyou was working with them, would she still agree to a partnership?
Only after Luo Jialin left did Han Weicheng return to his chair and pick up the research reports for his latest products.
There were strict dosage limits and regulatory standards for chemical additives in cosmetics. Exceed those, and the products wouldn't pass inspection or make it to market.
But how could fast-acting cosmetic results be achieved without those additives?
Cosmetics made from traditional medicinal extracts did work well—but they were expensive, time-consuming to produce, and not as fast-acting as their chemical counterparts.
Han Weicheng needed more money to support his secret research. He didn't have time to wait. Neither the Luo Corporation nor Xiao Anning could provide him with further funding.
And Zhang Chengyou wouldn't hand over significant capital unless he saw real results.
Han Weicheng wanted success—but he needed far more money to get there. Medical beauty products loaded with chemical additives carried huge risks. He needed a scapegoat.
And Shu Lanzhou was the perfect candidate.
First, convincing Shu Lanzhou to join would force the Mu Group to stop going against Luo Jialin. Second, with Shu Lanzhou involved, the Mu Group could supply them with abundant herbal resources for research.
Han Weicheng had thought it all through. If he wanted to take on the Mu Group, he couldn't go at them directly. The gap in power between them was too wide.
If he stood up and challenged them head-on, he'd be crushed.
But if he dragged Shu Lanzhou down with him, entangled her with their company—forcing the Mu Group into a temporary truce with Luo Jialin—then he'd have time to make money.
And once he had enough, that would be the beginning of his revenge.
If his secret research succeeded, if he regained his reputation and public trust, then he'd never give Mu Medical a chance to breathe again.
At the same time, if something went wrong with their products, Shu Lanzhou would be the one taking the fall. He could keep his hands clean.
After all, Shu Lanzhou was far more famous than he was. If something went wrong, the public would go after her, not him.
Han Weicheng had meticulously planned every step of the way. Never once did it cross his mind that maybe—Shu Lanzhou wasn't his puppet anymore. That maybe this time, she wouldn't let him pull the strings.
At the Bar.
Luo Jialin was in a foul mood. He wanted success. He wanted wealth. He wanted the Luo family—and Shu Lanzhou—to finally look at him with respect. He'd even dreamed of one day acquiring the Mu Group.
But all of that, in his mind, had to be earned by his own merit, not by relying on Shu Lanzhou yet again.
He was sick of that scornful look in her eyes. Sick of Dong Anlan's lofty disdain, the way she acted like he wasn't even worth noticing.
He wasn't like Han Weicheng—spineless enough to lower his head, to beg for collaboration. He couldn't accept depending on Shu Lanzhou for anything.
He downed drink after drink, losing count somewhere along the way.
A little drunk now, his vision blurred, he saw three people stumbling out from the corner, holding each other up.
Closer. Closer. Why did they look so familiar?
"Hey… isn't that Luo Jialin?" Guo Jialiang called out, voice slurred. "What're you doing here drinking alone? Didn't even call us… you don't treat us like brothers anymore?"
He was drunk—otherwise he never would've said that.
Tian Hua quickly pulled him back and looked apologetically at Luo Jialin. "Sorry, he's had too much. Don't take it to heart."
"Take what to heart?" Luo Jialin chuckled. "Did he say anything wrong? Or are you saying, Tian Hua, that you've never treated me like a brother?"
"No… that's different," Fang Ruoshi mumbled, tongue heavy with drink. "You… you're not like us. You're… this."
He stuck out his thumb—then suddenly turned it downward.
"We… we're this. You… you can't be compared to us. We… we're no match for you."
"Yeah. No match at all," Guo Jialiang suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Luo Jialin by the collar. "You… you're the professor's… favorite. Always held on a pedestal."
"We… we were all just cannon fodder, stepping stones he found. We… we were disposable. But you… you were different. You had to be protected. Treated like treasure."
Tian Hua's eyes darkened. He quickly began dragging Guo Jialiang and Fang Ruoshi toward the bar's exit.
"You guys are drunk. I'm taking you home."
"No… not drunk!" Guo Jialiang grinned. "Who… who says I'm drunk? Luo Jialin, tell him—tell him I'm not drunk, right?"
"Yeah, tell him," Fang Ruoshi said, leaning on Guo's shoulder. "Tell us… tell us if we're right. Aren't you… the professor's precious little gem?"
"His precious gem?"
"No!" Luo Jialin's face darkened. He yanked Fang Ruoshi by the arm and dragged him out of the bar.
Tian Hua cursed silently and hurried to pull Guo Jialiang along after them.
The four of them ended up in the alley behind the bar. It was late at night, quiet, lit only by dim street lamps.
This alley was no stranger to them—it was the place they used to sneak off to for drinks, leaving Shu Lanzhou behind.
Luo Jialin was puzzled, too. Out of all the bars he could've gone to tonight—why this one?
He shoved Fang Ruoshi against the alley wall. "How exactly am I his favorite? Tell me."
Tian Hua stepped forward and pulled Luo Jialin away. "Why are you arguing with a drunk?"
"A drunk?" Luo Jialin let out a low laugh, stepping closer to Tian Hua. "You're not drunk, right? Then you tell me. Tell me—why am I the one being held up on a pedestal?"
"In your eyes, am I just some useless waste propped up by Han Weicheng? Without him, I'm nothing? I can't compare to any of you—is that it?"
"Tell me the truth. Haven't you all secretly looked down on me? Don't you resent me? Hate me? Just like Shu Lanzhou does?"
"You think I stole your glory. Took your spotlight. Especially you, Tian Hua."
"Every time bonuses were handed out, when I got the bigger share—didn't you just want to skin me alive? Huh?"