What was Xia Xiao Lan’s background? How would Ji Jiang Yuan know?
When making friends with classmates, should one first investigate their family background? Xia Xiao Lan was willing to talk to him certainly not because he came from America… “From America” was just a label that made it easier for people to remember him. Gaining recognition at Hua Qing University was far more complex than that.
“Uncle, I don’t know,” Ji Jiang Yuan answered truthfully.
He only knew that Xia Xiao Lan had recognized his birth father Tang Hong En on the train. Their relationship grew closer with time, and Ji Jiang Yuan suspected his birth father now truly regarded Xia Xiao Lan as a niece – otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so angry this time. Meeting a mayor from one train ride – who knew what other powerful people Xia Xiao Lan might know?
Hearing that Ji Ya had gone to confront Xia Xiao Lan again today, Ji Jiang Yuan couldn’t even comment.
Even if Xia Xiao Lan had no powerful background, how could his mother just harass her like that? If someone wanted to stand up for Xia Xiao Lan and cause trouble for the Ji family, from an objective standpoint, Ji Jiang Yuan thought it would be justified.
Having grown up in America, unlike Ji Ya who went there as an adult with fixed views, Ji Jiang Yuan had received an American education from childhood. Initially, he too struggled with racial discrimination, but later earned respect through his excellence. People no longer insulted him for being Asian. This experience taught Ji Jiang Yuan about “respect” – and what shamed him was that Ji Ya’s actions showed no respect for Xia Xiao Lan!
The Ji family indulged Ji Ya because she was ill and needed care. But outside the family, no one should have to coddle her. Her illness wasn’t caused by others – poverty and famine still existed worldwide, and African children surviving on dirt deserved more global concern. Ji Ya lived without worries while others struggled to survive. If she was ill, she should seek treatment – why should outsiders bend to her every whim?
Ji Jiang Yuan had long recognized this issue but lacked the resolve to change it. If compliance could reduce Ji Ya’s episodes, he was willing to do so! But now, their indulgence had made her reckless and self-centered, showing no respect or consideration for how her actions troubled the Ji family.
Ji Lin cared deeply for him and often flew to America to visit due to work convenience. Ji Jiang Yuan couldn’t bear seeing his uncle so worried:
“I don’t know about Xia Xiao Lan’s other connections, but I know her boyfriend’s surname is Zhou. When we had military training in Ji Bei Province, her boyfriend was the chief instructor – a major and battalion commander, about two years older than me.”
A major at just over 20?
Ji Lin’s headache intensified!
A major in his early twenties must either be extremely capable himself or have a powerful family background. Worst case, both.
This showed why one shouldn’t underestimate anyone. Ji Ya had checked Xia Xiao Lan’s background, saw she was a student from the countryside and recklessly went to warn her – this Officer Zhou must have connections, or Ning Yan Fan wouldn’t have warned him.
“What’s his full name?”
“Zhou Cheng.”
Zhou Cheng?
Ji Lin quickly searched his mental records.
Among Beijing’s Zhou families, which one would prompt Ning Yan Fan’s warning? Today his junior colleague from the Architecture Department had mentioned someone named Guan from the Health Ministry who stood up for Xia Xiao Lan.
Guan was an uncommon surname.
Guan… Zhou… Could it be… the Zhou family?
At the hotel entrance, Ji Lin’s legs weakened. If not for Ji Jiang Yuan’s quick support, he would have fallen.
He told the front desk he was George’s friend with urgent business. Having the room number and a Foreign Ministry ID, he was allowed up.
After knocking repeatedly at George’s room with no response, the hotel staff informed him George had booked another room next door.
He knocked there and finally got a response. George opened the door in sleepwear, looking drowsy. The female hotel staff blushed deeply. This American guest had a long-term room but had booked another for a Chinese lady this afternoon, yet he wasn’t sleeping in his room but answering the door in sleepwear from next door… Goodness, Americans were so liberal!
Ji Lin’s face darkened. “Where’s Ji Ya?”
Couldn’t they mind their image? This wasn’t America where single women could freely change partners!
The summer’s anti-crime campaign had just ended – people like George and Ji Ya sharing a room without marriage could be charged with hooliganism.
“Brother, Jiang Yuan, why are you here? Please come in to talk. Ji Ya was exhausted today. She fell asleep after some wine, and I’ve been watching over her.”
George hurried to explain. He understood Chinese customs differed – though he and Ji Ya had already shared everything lovers do, they needed discretion in China.
Ji Lin and Ji Jiang Yuan entered. Ji Ya was indeed sleeping, properly dressed in sleepwear. Ji Lin’s expression slightly improved.
George had struggled too, coaxing Ji Ya to sleep like a child. She’d chosen wine over the milk and bread. The wine glass remained on the table, the bottle half empty. George showed no signs of drinking – Ji Ya must have consumed it all!
“Jiang Yuan, wake your mother.”
George protested: “She finally fell asleep with difficulty. Why wake her? If Brother is worried about Ji Ya and Jiang Yuan’s travel ban, we’ve found a solution. I’ll seek help from the U.S. Embassy tomorrow-“
“No! You can’t go!”
Ji Lin’s brows furrowed deeply: “You might travel to America successfully, but the entire Ji family will face troubles. George, you shouldn’t just follow Ji Ya’s lead. You went to Hua Qing again today – I think you’ve made an even bigger mistake!”
Tang Hong En alone was troublesome enough. If the Zhou family was who Ji Lin thought they were, as Old Ning said, the Ji family would truly face attacks from all sides.
In the hotel’s noise, Ji Ya was woken by her son, only to hear her brother Ji Lin say firmly:
“Ji Ya, apologize.”
Sit down and negotiate with Tang Hong En.
Apologize to the harassed student Xia Xiao Lan.
Meet these two conditions, and the Ji family’s crisis will be resolved!