After Becoming the Scummy Alpha in a Substitute Romance - Chapter 29.1

When Shen Shuyi returned to the lab, she immediately noticed something was different.

The lab was as quiet as usual, but the atmosphere wasn’t the same. Normally, the silence carried a focused, energetic feeling. But today, the air felt heavy and suffocating.

Everyone looked tense. Many wore anxious expressions, and some even looked visibly stressed.

Seeing this, Shen Shuyi frowned slightly.

“Shuyi, you’re back. How are you feeling?”

Xiao Bai, who was sitting near the entrance, was the first to notice her. He stood up quickly and greeted her with concern.

“I’m fine,” Shen Shuyi replied calmly, her eyes scanning the room. “What happened in the lab?”

“Um… everyone’s just been worried about you,” Xiao Bai said, trying to sound casual, but his tone gave away that he was hiding something.

Shen Shuyi raised an eyebrow. Clearly, she didn’t believe that explanation.

Xiao Bai avoided eye contact, his eyes darting away uncomfortably.

Just then, Xiao Liu rushed over from behind her, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

“I just heard you were back, Professor Shen. I came right away. How are you feeling?”

“No major issues,” Shen Shuyi answered, still calm. Her eyes were steady and cold, like a still lake. She looked at Xiao Liu, waiting silently.

She knew he had something more to say.

And she was right. While Xiao Bai might hesitate out of concern, Xiao Liu was more straightforward—he handled all matters related to funding and investment.

After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Xiao Liu began, “Most of our lab’s funding comes from the Raven Group. They’ve been covering the majority of our project costs. I’m sure you already know that.”

Shen Shuyi gave a small nod.

It was true—the Raven Group had given them a lot of support.

Xiao Liu paused, then looked at her seriously and said, “But after what happened with Mr. Li yesterday, the Raven Group is now considering pulling their investment.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Bai’s expression darkened.

Others in the lab also froze for a moment. Even if they continued working, the atmosphere had clearly shifted. Everyone seemed distracted and uneasy.

But Shen Shuyi didn’t react much, even to news this serious.

“I expected that,” she said plainly.

Her calmness made Xiao Liu even more anxious.

He raised his voice, struggling to hold back his frustration. “Do you understand what this means? Ninety percent of our project funding comes from them! If they pull out, we won’t be able to keep things running the way we are now!”

He took a deep breath to calm down, then continued, “And that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is Raven Group’s reputation. If they pull out without saying anything, it will make other investors think something is wrong with our project. People will start avoiding us. We’ll be seen as a bad risk, a waste of money.”

“You remember how hard it was to find investors at the start. It’s only going to get harder now.”

“Professor Shen, as the lead of this project, you know better than anyone that we’re at a critical point. If we pause now, every single day we lose will set us back, and that’s a loss for everyone here.”

“Everyone on this team is among the best in the field. Are you really going to let the project fall apart and waste everyone’s hard work?”

“I’m just going to say it—what you did this time was too impulsive. Mr. Li finally showed up. Sure, maybe he drank a little too much and didn’t speak appropriately, but let’s be honest—we all know who the real decision-maker is here. Would it have hurt to just go along with him a bit?”

“And it’s not like he asked for a lot. All he wanted was to have Jian Ya removed. She’s just a newcomer, right? And for her, you went up against him? Was it worth it?”

“Even if she’s talented, the world’s full of talented people. She’s not the only one.”

Shen Shuyi had stood silently, arms crossed, listening to everything. But at those last words, she finally spoke.

Her voice was cold, but clear and firm.

“If everyone thinks like you, then truly talented people will never have a chance. They’ll stay buried forever.”

Xiao Liu frowned. “Professor Shen, there’s no need to be this stubborn. Whether someone’s talent gets buried or not—what does that have to do with us? We’re only responsible for making sure this project gets done. So, let me ask you this: without Jian Ya, can the project still continue?”

Shen Shuyi didn’t want to waste time arguing over something so pointless. “Is that all you came here to say? If you’re done, you can leave.”

Xiao Liu fell silent.

He had worked in this field for years, but this was the first time he had seen someone who was clearly in a difficult position and still held their ground so firmly.

Originally, he had come here hoping Shen Shuyi would apologize to Mr. Li, say a few kind words, and smooth things over. If she did, maybe Raven Group would move past the incident, and everything could continue as if nothing had happened.

They’d still have funding. The project could go on. It would be a win-win.

But now, watching Shen Shuyi’s unyielding attitude, he realized—there was no chance she would back down or apologize.

This situation was no longer negotiable.

Still, Shen Shuyi didn’t waver in her decision.

She turned, glancing briefly around the lab. She noticed the staff couldn’t focus at all.

Finally, she spoke. “I know many of you probably have questions or things you want to say. Go ahead. Speak freely.”

Some people quickly lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact.

But Li Lu, the most experienced programmer on the team and the one in charge of system architecture, stood up with a fake smile and walked over to her.

“Professor Shen, I have a question,” she said. “From what I understand, the reason we’re now facing the threat of losing Raven Group’s funding is because Mr. Li wanted Jian Ya removed, and you refused. Is that correct?”

Shen Shuyi looked at her and replied calmly, “Yes, that’s correct.”

A flash of annoyance passed through Li Lu’s expression. “Then I think Xiao Liu made some good points. No matter how talented Jian Ya is, we can’t let one person’s presence jeopardize the entire lab’s progress. Why not compromise a little? Dismiss her and have her apologize to Mr. Li. That way, we can get things back on track.”

Shen Shuyi’s eyes settled on Li Lu. Though she didn’t say a word, it felt like her gaze saw right through her.

Whatever performance Li Lu had planned—whatever false smile she had tried to wear—fell apart instantly under that gaze. She dropped the act and spoke more directly.

“Professor Shen, to be honest, it’s frustrating. Right now, our entire lab is in crisis because of someone who’s barely been here. All of our efforts are at risk. This could delay everyone’s work and waste all the time we’ve put into this project. It’s disheartening for all of us.”

“After all, she doesn’t have the experience the rest of us do.”

When she finished speaking and saw that Shen Shuyi’s expression hadn’t changed, a sense of unease crept into her heart.

A moment later, Shen Shuyi finally spoke.

“In my lab, what I value is skill, not seniority.”

Li Lu’s heart sank.

They were all considered top talents in the industry. It was because of people like her that this project had come so far. Yet Shen Shuyi was dismissing them so easily?

Li Lu clenched her fists without realizing it.

A wave of frustration surged in Li Lu’s chest. Alongside it came a sense of disappointment—she had always believed she was important to the lab, but now she was realizing just how replaceable she seemed in Shen Shuyi’s eyes.

She opened her mouth to speak but found that no words came out.

Shen Shuyi didn’t intend to waste any more time.

She now understood why the atmosphere in the lab had become so tense.

Looking around at the rest of the team, her voice was calm and steady, as clear and composed as still water. “You heard correctly. Our lab is indeed facing a difficult situation right now. And for quite some time, it may remain unresolved.”

“I’m not going to try and convince any of you to stay and endure this hardship with me. So I’ll say it clearly—whether you choose to stay or leave, I won’t stop you. As stated in our previous agreement, you can submit your resignation in writing, and once it’s processed, you’re free to go. As for compensation, I’ll personally make sure everyone is fairly paid for their work.”

The entire lab fell into a heavy silence. Even breathing seemed quieter, almost as if no one dared to make a sound.

Xiao Bai hadn’t expected Shen Shuyi to say something like this. Her emotions stirred, and she blurted out, “Shuyi, don’t be rash.”

But Shen Shuyi met her gaze and shook her head. “I’m not being rash. You’re all right. With the situation we’re in now, staying might end up being a waste of time. I can’t let my personal choices affect everyone here. Each of you should have the freedom to make your own decision.”

Xiao Bai clenched her fists tightly. After a long pause, she looked at Shen Shuyi and said firmly, “Fine. Let it be your call. But I’ll stay. I’ll stay with you, no matter what.”

Shen Shuyi gave her a small nod of acknowledgment.

Li Lu, on the other hand, was completely shocked to hear Shen Shuyi say something like that.

She was really going to let people resign freely?

Was she out of her mind? Did she not understand how crucial these people were to the project?

Or… did she actually understand all too well—and had simply given up?

Maybe she knew that without funding, the project was doomed, and this was her way of cutting her losses.

Li Lu’s thoughts spun quickly.

She hadn’t joined the project for any lofty dream. Let’s be honest—who still talked about “dreams” these days? Most people were just trying to survive.

She had joined because the project had potential.

But now, with funding pulled and the future uncertain, the entire thing looked like a sinking ship.

Why should she waste any more time here?

With her experience and skills, she could easily find opportunities elsewhere. People like her were in high demand.

She had to think about her own future. She had to choose what was best for herself.

Having made up her mind, her expression turned cold. Now that she had decided not to work under Shen Shuyi anymore, she didn’t feel the need to pretend or smile.

“Sorry, Professor Shen. I don’t think I can stay in the lab any longer. Still, I wish the lab the best moving forward.” Her tone was flat and emotionless as she handed in her resignation without hesitation.

“That’s fine,” Shen Shuyi replied calmly. “Just fill out the proper paperwork and bring it to me.”

“Alright.”

Li Lu’s resignation was like a signal. A few other team members started to waver as well, glancing at one another with uncertainty in their eyes. Doubt was spreading.

As the others hesitated, a few lab members who usually followed Li Lu were the first to make their decision.

They stood up almost at the same time and walked over to Shen Shuyi.

“Professor Shen, we’re sorry, but we don’t think we can stay either.”

With Li Lu taking the lead, saying those words didn’t seem so difficult anymore.

When it had just been Li Lu, Xiao Bai felt disappointed but could still accept it. Losing Li Lu alone wasn’t enough to cripple the lab.

In fact, based on what she had seen so far, Jian Ya’s capabilities were no less than Li Lu’s. If it truly came down to choosing between the two, she would actually lean toward Jian Ya.

And it wasn’t just about ability.

Unlike Li Lu, Jian Ya never acted arrogant toward her colleagues. Communicating with her was much easier, especially when it came to work.

But now, it wasn’t just Li Lu. More people were getting restless. If this feeling spread and resignation became a trend, it could shake the very foundation of the lab.

Yet no matter how anxious Xiao Bai felt, Shen Shuyi remained completely calm.

For every person who came forward to resign, she responded the same way—fairly and without hesitation. She accepted them all.

At first, it was just the few who followed Li Lu. But the truth was, many people were already uncertain. Seeing so many coworkers leave only made that uncertainty grow stronger.

Eventually, one by one, they also chose to prioritize their own futures.

I’m sorry, Professor Shen.

You’ve always treated us well, but we just don’t have the luxury of wasting our time on something that may never succeed.

A few more people stood up, scattered around the room.

Among them was a colleague who worked closely with Jiang Shuqi.

The moment she got up, Jiang Shuqi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Fang Lianmeng… you’re leaving too?” she called out, unable to hold back.

Caught off guard, Fang Lianmeng looked awkward—and slightly irritated.

She had hoped to blend in with the group and leave quietly. But now, with Jiang Shuqi calling her out, several people were turning to look.

She muttered under her breath, “What do you expect me to do, stay here and live on air?”

“You forgot why we came here in the first place?” Jiang Shuqi asked, her voice rising. “Didn’t you say you thought this project was meaningful? That’s why we came together.”

“I did think that—back then,” Fang Lianmeng replied. “But now? A project that can’t even move forward… what’s the point?”

Jiang Shuqi fell silent.

She pressed her lips together, then said stubbornly, “The project can still succeed. We have Professor Shen, we have Jian Ya, and there are still others who haven’t given up. We can make it work.”

Fang Lianmeng clearly didn’t want to keep arguing.

“If you want to stay, then stay. But let me give you some advice—leave while you still can. Professor Shen said she’ll compensate those who resign now. Wait too long, and that might not be the case.”

Jiang Shuqi felt a chill settle over her heart. She had thought they were like-minded partners. But now she realized they weren’t walking the same path after all.

Support After Becoming the Scummy Alpha in a Substitute Romance