Laboratory.
Ji Mohan was analyzing data, so focused that he didn't even notice the message notification on his phone.
His fingers flew across the computer keyboard, occasionally pausing to jot something down with a pencil in his notebook, his expression one of absolute concentration.
Finally, the results were in. A smile spread across his face. "Jiaojiao, it's done."
Lu Jiaojiao glanced at the final data, a wave of relief washing over her. "Thank you, Mohan. Once this paper is published, I'll treat you to a meal."
She was currently a mid-level researcher. With the publication of this paper, she should be promoted to senior researcher by the end of the year... though she wasn't entirely sure.
After all, there were far too many people waiting in line for that senior researcher promotion.
She paused, about to speak further.
A colleague rushed in, his face beaming with excitement. "Mohan, the new substance you discovered in the Kasaar Desert—its properties have been confirmed. Once it's reported, it'll be a huge achievement for you, and your professional rank will definitely go up."
Ji Mohan scratched his head. "I just got lucky."
He didn't really care about these professional ranks. Whether he was in one position or another, he could still do the work he loved. To him, it made little difference.
A thought crossed Lu Jiaojiao's mind.
She pulled Ji Mohan to a corner and said softly, "Mohan, I know you don't care about these ratings. Otherwise, you wouldn't still just be a junior researcher after all this time."
Hearing this, Ji Mohan's expression darkened slightly.
The reason he was still a junior researcher wasn't just because he didn't care. There was another reason: over the years, Lu Jiaojiao had inserted herself into almost all of his research findings and papers.
Lu Jiaojiao would ask to have her name added.
He would soften and agree.
Then, Lu Jiaojiao would push her luck, demanding her name be listed first.
In their field, the first name was considered the primary researcher of the work; the names that followed were more like secondary credits.
Lu Jiaojiao had claimed the bulk of his accomplishments.
"Mohan..." Lu Jiaojiao began, pushing her glasses up. "Getting promoted to senior researcher this year is incredibly important to me. You know how my family values these things. If I can't measure up to my other siblings, I'll be cast aside by the family... Mohan, you wouldn't want to see me become the family's discarded child, would you?"
Ji Mohan pressed his lips together. "Jiaojiao, this isn't right... With the previous research, you contributed to some extent, so adding your name wasn't a big deal. But this time, you weren't even involved in the Kasaar Desert expedition..."
Lu Jiaojiao raised her hand and brushed aside her black bangs, revealing a particularly noticeable scar on her temple.
"Back then, when you fell into the water and almost drowned, I risked my life to save you," she said. "You grabbed onto me, causing me to hit a rock and leaving this scar on my face. My looks were already unremarkable in the family's eyes; with this scar, any chance of marrying well is completely gone. I have to be outstanding enough to stand out within the family. Mohan, saving you cost me so much. Now, all I'm asking is for you to transfer the credit for this new discovery to me. It's not an unreasonable request. Are you really unwilling to do even this?"
Ji Mohan's lips pressed into an even tighter line.
The debt of saving his life was a kindness he could never fully repay.
"Just this last time, Mohan. Only this once," Lu Jiaojiao softened her tone. "Once I become a senior researcher, I'll make time to help you with your projects. I won't let you lose out."
Ji Mohan lowered his gaze.
He didn't need Lu Jiaojiao's help.
His voice grew hoarse. "Fine, one last time. I'll explain to the professor that while I discovered the new substance, the critical verification and analysis of its properties were all done by you."
"Mohan, thank you so much!" Lu Jiaojiao's face blossomed into a bright smile. "I'll familiarize myself with the relevant materials as soon as possible. I won't make things difficult for you."
Ji Mohan shook his head and walked away.
He picked up his phone and only then noticed his second brother had sent him several messages and even called.
He called back. "Second brother, I have some time now. I can take the two elders to the airport."
"No need. I've already arranged for staff to handle it." Ji Yanting was used to his younger brother's occasional disappearances and didn't make a big deal of it.
He hung up and returned to the film set.
This big-budget production was a crime suspense film, and the crew was shooting in an old traditional courtyard house in Beijing.
Rong Ruoyao had acted in TV dramas as a child, but they were all small, average productions. This was her first time participating in such a major project.
Now, it was her turn to film.
She played the victim in this series. Right at the beginning, she is brutally beaten by her own older sister, crippled, and finally drowned in a water vat.
Rong Ruoyao thought the hardest part would be the scene where she kneels and begs for mercy.
She never expected that while the earlier parts went smoothly, they kept getting stuck at the drowning part.
She was being forced into the water vat again and again by Nan Nan, the actress playing the vicious older sister...
"Sorry, Director, my movements were a bit too rough."
"My apologies, Director, my emotions weren't quite there."
Over and over. Rong Ruoyao had lost count of how much water she had choked on.
Others might not notice, but she could clearly feel that Nan Nan was deliberately making things difficult for her.
She just couldn't understand—what had she ever done to offend Nan Nan?
"Sorry, Ruoyao." Nan Nan messed up again, her expression sincere. "Are you okay? Do you need to take a break?"
Rong Ruoyao coughed violently.
She saw the large crowd of crew members gathered around, and many other actors waiting. If she took a break now, who knew how many people would secretly complain about her being delicate.
She forced a smile. "It's fine. I can continue."
The director called for action again.
Nan Nan smiled slightly and forcefully pushed Rong Ruoyao's head into the water vat.
She was absolutely doing this on purpose.
Because Rong Ruoyao had been on a trending topic list with Yan Ting, and they seemed to be on good terms.
For so many years, Yan Ting had never had any romantic rumors or women around him. Yet, the Rong sisters—Rong Yu and Rong Ruoyao—had made him break that pattern.
Just this morning, she had even seen Rong Ruoyao chatting privately with Yan Ting.
If she wasn't going to mess with Rong Ruoyao, then who?
Nan Nan pressed down even harder, deliberately tugging at Rong Ruoyao's hair. Rong Ruoyao couldn't control herself and struggled violently.
"Cut! Stop!" The director's face was dark. "Rong Ruoyao, how many times have I told you? Even when struggling, it needs to have a sense of aesthetic, you need to pay attention to the visual harmony of the frame. Don't treat it lightly just because it's a minor role. Filming has just begun; the crew can replace you at any time. Stop the waterworks. Go rest for ten minutes. If you still can't do it, we'll find someone else!"
Rong Ruoyao fought hard to hold back her tears.
Head bowed, she walked to the rest area. Shen Lin immediately came over, draping a coat over her shoulders. "We rehearsed this scene many times last night. It shouldn't be a problem. What's going on?"
Tears streamed down Rong Ruoyao's face. "That Nan Nan is deliberately sabotaging me... I can't do this scene."
