Liu Yi’an’s ominous premonition instantly came true. She hurried to the bulletin board and stared at the name at the very top, along with the research data listed beneath it. Her head began to buzz.
She suddenly turned around and glared at Wei Qing.
“So when you came to deliver dumplings that day, you were actually there to steal my research data?”
Wei Qing flinched and immediately hid behind Fu Yanchen.
“An’an, what… what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Fu Yanchen shielded her behind him and snapped furiously, “Liu Yi’an, have you lost your mind? My sister-in-law is one of the institute’s key talents. Why would she steal data from someone who was only assisting with the research?”
The argument quickly attracted the attention of everyone nearby.
They gathered around, and after hearing Fu Yanchen’s words, they began looking at Liu Yi’an strangely.
“I think she really has gone crazy. She’s even making up nonsense like this.”
“Exactly. Just because she’s Researcher Fu’s fiancée, she thinks she can steal her sister-in-law’s results.”
“Thank goodness Researcher Fu is reasonable. Otherwise, where would Wei Qing even go to seek justice?”
Amid everyone’s defense of her, Wei Qing deliberately spoke up in a gentle, considerate tone.
“Don’t say that about An’an. I’m sure she must have her reasons.”
“What reasons could she possibly have? I think she simply hasn’t changed at all,” Fu Yanchen sneered.
Those words immediately branded Liu Yi’an in everyone’s eyes.
The people around her looked at her with even greater hostility.
Liu Yi’an looked at Fu Yanchen and suddenly felt deeply sorry for the woman she had been in her previous life.
For ten years, she had given up her career and sacrificed herself, only to devote everything to a scumbag like him.
She said nothing more and turned toward the laboratory.
Because she had been pressed for time, many of the data sets in her research were not yet as complete as she would have liked. But now, if she could produce even more outstanding research results, she would be able to prove exactly who the real thief was.
“An’an.”
Wei Qing’s voice came from behind her.
Liu Yi’an turned around and watched as Wei Qing approached her with a hypocritical expression.
“Don’t be too upset about losing this time. There will always be other opportunities. But next time, please don’t accuse me of plagiarizing your work. No one is going to believe you.”
There was an unmistakable hint of provocation in her eyes.
Liu Yi’an looked at her with disgust.
“You’re so good at putting on an act. It’s a real waste of talent for you to be a thief.”
Wei Qing’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly continued.
“A thief? Do you really think I could have done all this on my own? If Yanchen hadn’t helped me switch out the materials you submitted, I wouldn’t have gotten first place so easily.”
“Come to think of it, I really should thank him properly.”
She tilted her head slightly, seemingly waiting for Liu Yi’an to break down.
Liu Yi’an let out a mocking laugh and calmly said, “I was wondering how I should expose what you did. I didn’t expect you to walk right into my trap yourself.”
She stepped aside, revealing the tape recorder behind her.
“You stole my research materials. Your actions are serious misconduct. I’m reporting this to the institute’s leadership immediately.”
Wei Qing’s expression changed drastically. She immediately lunged forward, trying to snatch the recorder.
Liu Yi’an hugged the recorder and dodged to the side. Just as she was about to rush outside, Wei Qing grabbed the alcohol lamp beside her and hurled it at her.
The bottle flew past Liu Yi’an’s ear and crashed toward the laboratory equipment ahead.
“BOOM!”
The bottle hit the floor, and the flames instantly surged upward.
A deafening explosion followed, and the blast of air sent Liu Yi’an flying.
She slammed hard into the wall. The tremendous impact made her internal organs ache as though they had been violently twisted together.