The tip of her pen paused on the paper.
All the dates and key events lined up far too perfectly.
Liu Yi’an’s gaze turned cold.
Fu Yanchen’s father hadn’t taken her in because he wanted to care for her. He had wanted to use her parents’ identities to climb the ranks.
In her previous life, after she married into the Fu family, Fu Yanchen’s father had indeed risen steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming the deputy director of the national aerospace administration.
At the time, she had believed it was because of his own abilities. But now that she thought about it, he had probably used her status as the “orphan of national martyrs” to his advantage.
Liu Yi’an tightened her grip on the pen.
Since you want to use me, don’t blame me for turning the tables and using you instead.
She took out her phone and sent Zhou Yuping a text message: “Commander Zhou, could you help me look into Fu Yanchen’s father’s promotion records over the years?”
His reply came almost instantly: “Okay.”
Liu Yi’an put down her phone and began organizing the research materials on her desk.
She had only one week to produce a complete research report. Time was extremely tight.
But she knew exactly what she was doing.
In her previous life, she had spent three years researching this field. Every piece of data and every step of her derivations was engraved in her mind.
All she had to do now was write them down again.
However…
A cold glint flashed through Liu Yi’an’s eyes.
She could write two versions.
One genuine, and one fake.
In the fake version, she would deliberately leave several obvious flaws, waiting for someone to steal it.
The next morning, at the research institute.
The moment Liu Yi’an walked into the laboratory, she sensed that someone was watching her.
She pretended not to notice and began working as usual.
During the lunch break, she deliberately left a set of materials marked “First Draft” on her desk before going to the cafeteria.
When she returned, the materials were no longer in the same position.
The corners of Liu Yi’an’s lips curled into a cold smile.
They had taken the bait.
At the Fu residence.
Fu Yanchen was sitting in the study, with a photocopied set of materials in front of him.
He had paid a cleaner at the research institute to secretly photograph them.
He opened the first page, his brows drawing tighter and tighter.
Liu Yi’an’s research direction was completely different from Wei Qing’s.
She was using an entirely new material formulation, with rigorous derivations and detailed data.
Most importantly, her proposal was theoretically superior to Wei Qing’s.
Fu Yanchen’s face turned livid.
He had always thought Liu Yi’an had simply been lucky and had gotten into the research institute by relying on the prestige of her parents.
But now, it seemed that she really did have genuine ability.
“Yanchen.”
Wei Qing pushed open the door. Her eyes lit up when she saw the materials in his hands. “Is this Liu Yi’an’s research?”
Fu Yanchen said nothing and handed the materials to her.
Wei Qing took them and quickly flipped through several pages, her expression becoming increasingly grim.
“How could she possibly have gotten this far?”
“I’d like to know that too.” Fu Yanchen’s voice was cold.
Wei Qing bit her lip. “Yanchen, we can’t let her submit this research.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“Steal it.” A ruthless look flashed in Wei Qing’s eyes. “As long as we get her complete materials, we can submit them before she does.”
“Then everyone will think she plagiarized us.”
Fu Yanchen was silent for several seconds. “No.”
Wei Qing froze. “Why?”
“The fire last time already aroused suspicion. If we make another move this time, Zhou Yuping won’t let us off.” Fu Yanchen looked at her. “Did you forget what he said yesterday?”
Wei Qing’s face went pale.
She still remembered the oppressive presence she had felt when Zhou Yuping came to the Fu family’s residence the previous day.
“Then what do we do?” Her voice trembled. “Are we just going to sit here and watch her win?”
“No.” Fu Yanchen’s eyes darkened. “I’ll find a way.”
Liu Yi’an knew nothing about the conversation taking place at the Fu residence.
She was sitting in the laboratory, completely focused on writing her real research report.
The pile of draft papers on the desk grew higher and higher. The wound on her hand had split open again, with thin threads of blood seeping through.
“Researcher Liu, you need to rest.”
A nurse pushed open the door. Seeing the blood on her hand, she frowned. “Your wound hasn’t healed yet. You could get an infection if you keep doing this.”
“I’m fine.” Liu Yi’an put down her pen. “I’ll be finished soon.”
The nurse sighed. “Why are you putting yourself through this?”
Liu Yi’an didn’t answer.
Some things simply couldn’t be accomplished without giving it everything she had.
The nurse rebandaged her wound and reminded her before leaving, “Get some rest early tonight. Don’t stay up late.”
Liu Yi’an nodded.
After the nurse left, she picked up her pen again.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened, leaving Liu Yi’an alone in the laboratory.
The tip of her pen scratched softly across the paper as formulas and data unfolded line by line.
Suddenly, her hand stopped.
A figure flashed past the window.
Liu Yi’an pretended not to notice and continued writing.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the figure remain outside for several seconds before disappearing.
She put down her pen and walked to the window.
Outside was the small garden of the research institute, which was deserted at this hour.
But there were fresh footprints on the ground.
Liu Yi’an’s gaze turned cold.
Someone was watching her.
She took out her phone, photographed the footprints, and sent the picture to Zhou Yuping with a message: “Someone is watching me.”
A few minutes later, Zhou Yuping replied: “I’ll send someone over.”
Liu Yi’an put away her phone and returned to her desk.
She looked at the deliberately leaked fake materials on the desk, a cold smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Since you want them so badly, then take them.
When you discover they’re fake, that will be the moment I turn the tables on you.
Late that night, at the Fu residence.
Wei Qing tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
Her mind was filled with Liu Yi’an’s research materials.
The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became to accept it.
Why could Liu Yi’an produce such impressive research?
Why was it that
Some people had even started doubting her?
She sat up, draped a coat over her shoulders, and quietly slipped out of the room.
In the study, Fu Yanchen was still awake, going through the research materials.
“Yanchen.” Wei Qing pushed open the door.
Fu Yanchen looked up. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“I can’t sleep.” Wei Qing walked over to him. “Yanchen, can’t we really do anything anymore?”
Fu Yanchen frowned. “I already told you. No.”
“But…”
“No buts.” Fu Yanchen cut her off. “Wei Qing, if you cause any more trouble, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Wei Qing bit her lip, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Are you starting to doubt me?”
“I’m not.”
“You are.” Wei Qing cried even harder. “The way you look at me now is different from before.”
Fu Yanchen fell silent.
He had indeed begun to doubt her.
Was Wei Qing’s research ability really as impressive as she claimed?
Or had she been lying to him from the very beginning?
“Yanchen, say something.” Wei Qing grabbed his hand. “Do you also think I’m not as good as Liu Yi’an?”
Fu Yanchen pulled his hand away. “I never said that.”
“You do.” A resentful look flashed across Wei Qing’s eyes. “All of you think she’s better than me, but what do you people know?”
“She’s nothing but lucky. If it weren’t for her parents’ status, what would she even be?”
Fu Yanchen stared at her twisted expression, and an indescribable sense of disgust rose in his heart.
“Go out. I want to rest.”
Wei Qing froze. “Yanchen…”
“Get out.”
Wei Qing bit her lip before finally turning around and leaving.
The moment the door closed behind her, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.
If you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.
Liu Yi’an, just you wait.