Gu Wan looked at her youngest daughter.
Since childhood, she had never shown any particularly outstanding talent. Because of this, both she and her husband had deliberately eased up on her upbringing, wanting her to enjoy a happy and carefree childhood.
Compared to her older siblings, they placed almost no expectations on her. Yet, this child was so well-behaved—never causing them any worry, studying harder and more diligently than anyone else.
Her academic performance had always held up well against her brothers and sisters. But talent—talent was something that hard work alone couldn't always compensate for.
That difference became increasingly obvious once the children entered middle and high school, especially in their study of the Mu family's medical heritage and acupuncture techniques.
Whenever there was an assessment, Mu Yaning would consistently rank at the bottom.
Later, when it came time for college applications, she and her husband had tried to persuade Mu Yaning—if she didn't want to pursue medicine, she should just pick something she liked. She could always do what made her happy in the future.
But she still insisted on applying to medical school—and even chose Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Then, when misfortune struck the Mu family, the eldest son and his wife chose to go abroad to protect their unborn child. Mu Ya'an, heartbroken by love and suffering a car accident, also left with them.
The second son, impulsive as ever, was injured in a conflict with the Zhang family. Shortly after recovering, he broke off his engagement and insisted on transforming the Mu Group's business.
Only Mu Yaning stayed, resolutely guarding the Mu family's legacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She pleaded with her father to continue passing down the family techniques. Had it not been for her persistence back then, the Mu family wouldn't be where it is today.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't proud. And yet, in this moment, Gu Wan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"You all go out. I want to speak with Mu Yaning alone."
Mu Yaning's face was pale, and she could barely stand. Selfish? Her mother had just called her selfish. After all these years, she had practically given her whole life to this family.
She hadn't even dared have another child, afraid it would interfere with her work. Si Xin had been born to her elder brother, and once he went abroad, she had poured her entire heart into the Mu family's medicine.
To preserve the reputation of a century-old medical family, to restore respect for the Mu family's acupuncture techniques, she had worked tirelessly, day and night, in the lab.
And yet…
Mu Yaning let out a cold laugh and swayed unsteadily.
"Teacher." Shu Lanzhou rushed forward to support her.
Mu Yaning pushed Shu Lanzhou away. "Out. All of you, get out."
"Let's go." The old lady patted her second son and Mu Side on the hand.
Mu Side gave her a gentle hug. "Auntie's always been the most devoted. Don't break her heart. Speak gently—no harsh words, okay?"
"You always think you know best," the old lady sighed, giving Mu Side a mock glare. "You're like a little old man. Now off with you."
Mu Side took Shu Lanzhou's hand. "Come on, let them talk privately."
"Don't act on impulse," Mu Rongxie said, patting Mu Yaning on the shoulder. "Talk to Mom calmly. She didn't mean what she said. On this matter, I support her decision—not just for myself, but for Dad's reputation and for the whole Mu family. Think it over carefully."
Mu Yaning clenched her teeth, her fists trembling. Her eyes were bloodshot with unshed tears. She suddenly felt lost—what had she spent these decades fighting for?
"Come here. Sit with Mom," Gu Wan called, gesturing to her.
Mu Yaning stepped forward and knelt before her. "Mom, I didn't do all this for myself. I did it for the Mu family. I'm not selfish."
"Yes, yes, you're not selfish. It was wrong of me to say that," Gu Wan lifted her hands, gently cupping her daughter's face with heartache in her eyes.
"It was me, I was too anxious. I misspoke. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know you've worked harder than any of us all these years. You've suffered so much. I shouldn't have said those things."
The old lady looked deeply remorseful. "Sweet girl… I'm old now, maybe I won't have many years left. More than anyone, I want to see the Mu family thrive again. More than anyone, I want our acupuncture techniques to shine once more."
"But for that to happen, every step we take has to be steady and flawless—leaving no openings for criticism. In this, Shu Lanzhou has done a remarkable job."
"Think about it—isn't that true?"
Mu Yaning sniffled. "I'm not afraid of confronting the Zhang family. I just don't think it's necessary to blow things out of proportion. Mom, there are no geniuses left in Mu acupuncture today."
"The needlework Dad used on Elder Zhang—no matter how talented Shu Lanzhou is, there's no way she can fully master it in just a few years. This can't be rushed. Please, I'm begging you."
"You won't know unless you try," the old lady's expression darkened. "Besides, do you think we can just choose not to escalate this? Will the Zhang family simply back off?"
"The moment you seek a private settlement, we lose the moral high ground. That kind of concession opens a dangerous door. Don't you understand? What gives Mu family its confidence?"
"If you give the Zhang family a single coin, it's like slapping your father's face with it. Do you really think that's fair to him? Or to Mu acupuncture?"
"I…" Mu Yaning had already considered this. But if they didn't offer compensation, and the Zhang family continued to stir trouble, wouldn't it still harm the Mu family?
"They've always seemed reasonable," she argued. "And from what I've heard, the Zhangs have declined badly in recent years—they barely have a business left. The Mu Group, on the other hand, is thriving."
"If we just give them enough money, I believe they'll back off."
The old lady's expression turned bitter. "Foolish child. How much is enough? The Zhang family is a bottomless pit. Are we supposed to keep feeding them forever?"
"And if the media catches wind of this, everything we've built—the Mu family's reputation, the transparency of Shu Lanzhou and Mu Side's public efforts—will be ruined."
"At that point, everyone who trusted us will lose faith. That's when our name will truly be destroyed."
She sighed and patted Mu Yaning's hand. "Think it over carefully."
"I know what you're afraid of. But the more afraid we are, the less we can afford to retreat. We mustn't have any hidden deals. And remember—your father did nothing wrong back then."
"We shouldn't fear the Zhangs clinging to this issue. The Mu family's medicine and acupuncture are our foundation—our real strength. No matter what, you must hold onto that. Understand?"
"But I…" Mu Yaning thought about her own skill level, especially her mediocre achievements in acupuncture, and her confidence wavered.
That was why, back in school, she kept losing to Han Weicheng—she never had any faith in her abilities. It wasn't until Mu Side and Si Xin grew up that she finally started to feel a glimmer of confidence.
Later, when she accepted Shu Lanzhou as her student, with her extraordinary talent and photographic memory, and then He Xin's research breakthrough—only then did Mu Yaning begin to stand tall at the university.
She seemed strong on the outside, but who knew how deeply insecure she felt? She was the least gifted of the Mu family when it came to medicine. It was her refusal to accept that fact that pushed her to work harder than anyone else.
Gu Wan patted her hand gently. "You must remember the Mu family's values—no secrets, no bribery. We don't pay for peace. That's not how we operate."
"As for the Zhangs, you must do as I say. It's been over twenty years. This matter must come to an end. We can't let them slander us forever."