So what if they were modifying the design?

Let Ning Yanfan do the modifications himself. If he didn’t want to do the work, he could be listed as the design consultant while Xia Xiaolan and Gong Yang did the actual work.

Ning Xue hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to say this.

It was also beyond Ning Yanfan’s expectations:

“You mean, Nanhai Hotel commissioned me for the design, and now Dongfeng’s people want to collaborate with you, with the prerequisite of modifying my design, and you’re asking me to modify it myself?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded:

“Dongfeng wants my uncle’s company involved. Your design isn’t the problem – the issue lies in the power struggle between the Hong Kong shareholders and Dongfeng Holdings. The Hong Kong shareholders, in their effort to suppress Dongfeng Holdings, are deliberately finding fault with your design… But they can’t deny you personally, can they? If they claimed that none of your designs could be used, it would cause an uproar in the industry. I’m not trying to flatter you – we genuinely need you to complete this project.”

A five-star hotel with over three hundred rooms!

The interior decoration, exterior design, and landscaping were all integrated. Before knowing it was Ning Yanfan’s design, Xia Xiaolan had considered attempting the modifications herself.

She had planned to seek external help then.

With connections to the Huaqing Architecture Department, she could certainly find outside assistance.

But no one would be more suitable than Ning Yanfan himself. He understood his design, and if changes were needed, Xia Xiaolan needed his guidance.

This was a win-win solution.

Ning Yanfan’s reputation would remain intact, and the design wouldn’t spiral out of control in Xia Xiaolan and Gong Yang’s hands!

“Professor Ning, do you agree? Though my uncle’s Yuanhui isn’t a big company, he’s always wanted to expand and build a good reputation. I’m sincerely requesting your participation in this project – we need your help!”

Xia Xiaolan spoke earnestly while Ning Yanfan remained silent.

Why her?

There were plenty of beautiful and intelligent girls, so why was she the one who could move the Zhou family and gain their recognition and support?

Why was she the one who could convince Teacher Yu, someone who usually stayed in her protective shell, to come to Beijing?

Because it could only be Xia Xiaolan. She wasn’t accepted because of some nonsense about kindness – people could often sense her ambition and drive her business mindset… Some of her actions might be driven by self-interest, and she didn’t hide this fact.

Unlike typical profit-seekers, she always tried to consider others’ interests, never just pursuing her profit without regard for others’ feelings and well-being – a win-win was probably what Xia Xiaolan sought.

Having cleared his thoughts, Ning Yanfan looked at Xia Xiaolan with complex emotions.

She was the same age as Ning Xue, yet she could achieve this. Given her background, it was remarkable – where had she learned such methods of handling matters?

“I have no reason to refuse you.”

After waiting a full minute or two, Xia Xiaolan finally heard the answer she wanted.

Her smile was genuinely bright: “Professor Ning, thank you. I look forward to working with you and learning from your guidance during the project.”

Xia Xiaolan thought this would silence Ning Xue’s mother’s accusations about social climbing.

The favor of a master architect was too much for ordinary people to bear, but Xia Xiaolan preferred this equal and mutually beneficial approach. She didn’t need to rely on the Ning family – paying Ning Yanfan a consultant fee and openly inviting him to participate in the project was better. Ning Yanfan could certainly refuse, but if he did, no one could attack her for modifying the Nanhai Hotel’s design herself afterward.

She had shown Ning Yanfan sufficient respect – what more did they want? Just because Ning Yanfan’s design came first, did that mean no one else could touch the Nanhai Hotel project?

Ning Yanfan’s agreement showed his wisdom – helping others is helping yourself! Xia Xiaolan immediately discussed with him:

“After we finalize the cooperation with Dongfeng Holdings, I’ll bring the plans to your studio. Would that be convenient?”

Xia Xiaolan could find a temporary office, but that would require Ning Yanfan to accommodate her and Gong Yang. Considering Ning Yanfan’s age, she decided to make the extra effort herself.

“Just come directly here. I have several workspaces; I can assign one for your use.”

Xia Xiaolan concluded the arrangements with Ning Yanfan in just a few exchanges.

“Then I won’t take up any more of your time.”

After Xia Xiaolan left, Ning Xue was still standing in the study.

Ning Yanfan sighed, “Xue, you’ve probably truly lost a friend, or rather someone who could have become your friend! Xia Xiaolan still has a long way to go to match you in architecture, but professional skills can be improved through continuous learning. Her strengths, however, might not be something you can easily learn.”

Xia Xiaolan’s way of thinking wasn’t something that came from practice.

It might be innate talent, or perhaps shaped by her unique experiences.

Considering things from others’ perspectives was Xia Xiaolan’s key to success. His granddaughter had always had things easy and possessed above-average intelligence – these advantages had made Ning Xue’s thinking rigid, preventing her from developing Xia Xiaolan’s strengths.

Ning Xue couldn’t refute her grandfather’s words.

When she first heard about Xia Xiaolan modifying the design, her immediate reaction was to feel offended and want to rush in to defend her grandfather’s authority.

What had Xia Xiaolan been thinking at the time?

“So, while I was looking down on Auntie Ji, I was unconsciously becoming like her…”

Ning Xue frowned deeply. The process of self-reflection was always confusing and uncertain – being a genius didn’t make her immune to mistakes.

The frightening thing was that without today’s events, she wouldn’t have realized anything wrong with her thinking. She must have unconsciously shown this attitude while interacting with Xia Xiaolan… How could Xia Xiaolan tolerate that?

…

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t just tolerating it – she felt fantastic.

Leaving the study, she encountered Zhen Wenxiu at the main door.

Zhen Wenxiu was waiting where Xia Xiaolan had parked her bicycle, wearing an unpleasant expression:

“I remember someone saying they wouldn’t come to the Ning house again.”

Xia Xiaolan shrugged, “You remember correctly. I said I wouldn’t come to the Ning house as Ning Xue’s classmate. This is probably Professor Ning’s studio, which is open for business. I’m now half a client, sorry to disappoint you!”

She was paying Ning Yanfan as a consultant – did she need to take attitude from his daughter-in-law?

Dream on!

Xia Xiaolan was someone who remembered kindness – what kindness had Zhen Wenxiu ever shown her?

If someone looked down on her, why would she try to curry favor?

Seeing Zhen Wenxiu’s face turn purple with anger, Xia Xiaolan pushed her bicycle and added one last comment before leaving:

“Oh, by the way, I’ll be frequently visiting Professor Ning during this period. If you don’t want to see me… then maybe you should come less often! Given your status and position, surely you have other places to stay besides Professor Ning’s studio?”

If you don’t want to see me, then come less often – don’t stand here complaining!

Xia Xiaolan didn’t think Ning Xue’s mother could make decisions for Professor Ning anymore, so during their collaboration period, Zhen Wenxiu would just have to visit less!

Xia Xiaolan rode her bicycle, pedaling with vigor, every pore in her body screaming “feels good” – this was what win-win meant: making people who disliked her uncomfortable while achieving her goals and making good money!

She had only tolerated Zhen Wenxiu because she cared about Ning Xue.

Now that being friends with Ning Xue didn’t matter anymore, who did Zhen Wenxiu think she was?!