“Who does she think she is!”

“Just a country bumpkin with no class or manners!”

“The old master has lost his mind – why is he looking after her like this? Even if she’s going to be the Zhou family’s daughter-in-law, our family doesn’t need to kiss up to the Zhou family this way!”

Even through the phone, Zhen Wenxiu’s anger couldn’t be contained. The one who could join her in criticizing Xia Xiaolan was naturally Ji Ya.

The two met at a Western restaurant – quiet enough with few people around, providing a private environment for Zhen Wenxiu to vent her anger freely.

After Xia Xiaolan had thrown those words and left, Zhen Wenxiu was furious. When she went to ask the old master, Ning Yanfan said he wanted to cooperate with Xia Xiaolan and demanded that Zhen Wenxiu visit the studio less frequently!

Although Ning Xue hadn’t said anything to her, Zhen Wenxiu felt her daughter’s attitude had grown somewhat cold.

Zhen Wenxiu had never been so humiliated before.

Xia Xiaolan was truly detestable, showing her not an ounce of respect.

“Wenxiu, that’s just the kind of person she is. Getting angry with her only puts you at a disadvantage. She thinks she’s accomplished something great, but doesn’t realize how easily her achievements can be destroyed,” Ji Ya said, slowly stirring the thick soup in her bowl with a small silver spoon.

What ordinary people would have to save for a month by tightening their belts and going without food was merely daily spending money for Ji Ya.

Ji Ya hated Xia Xiaolan more than Zhen Wenxiu did. She had many ways to deal with Xia Xiaolan but had to be mindful of the Zhou family.

According to their previous “bet,” they were supposed to rely on their abilities. If Ji Ya used the Ji family’s resources to suppress Xia Xiaolan first, both the Zhou family and Tang Hongen would have an excuse.

“So you’re saying her uncle opened a renovation company in Pengcheng and wants to work on some project, so he came to seek cooperation with Uncle Ning?”

Ji Ya laughed coldly inside. Tang Hongen had always presented himself as a man of principle, but it turned out those so-called principles only applied to the Ji family. He wouldn’t compromise for the Ji family’s sake back then, but now he was opening doors wide for Xia Xiaolan!

Zhen Wenxiu gritted her teeth, “That’s exactly it. I don’t know why the old master would agree.”

Ji Ya knew it was probably because of Grandmother Yu.

To settle that troublesome old woman, the Ji family had paid a hefty sum of 80,000 yuan as hush money. She didn’t mention this to Zhen Wenxiu, instead turning to another topic:

“My studio has already found a location in Wangfujing and will open soon. Besides that, George said he wants to see what business opportunities there are to invest in China. He’s thinking about developing in the Special Zone. What do you think about me suggesting he open a renovation company?”

Zhen Wenxiu was stunned – why suddenly open a renovation company, and in the Special Zone no less?

She quickly realized that George’s company wouldn’t just be for making money.

“It sounds good, but won’t George cause trouble in the Special Zone…”

Zhen Wenxiu thought Ji Ya’s idea was dangerous. Who would send their current partner to their ex’s territory? Any man would mind this, and Tang Hongen wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

While Zhen Wenxiu dared to speak rudely to Xia Xiaolan, she wasn’t arrogant enough to look down on Tang Hongen. Coming from a humble background, Tang Hongen had become the mayor of Pengcheng at his age – a higher position than Ning Xue’s father. Whenever Zhen Wenxiu brought up how the Ji family was suppressed by Tang Hongen, her husband would pour cold water on the topic, saying Tang Hongen not only had support from senior leaders but was also capable himself. In the short time since arriving in Pengcheng, he had already gained firm control over his territory.

Ji Ya dismissed Zhen Wenxiu’s warning:

“Are you afraid of Tang Hongen? He’ll be more than happy to see George. George isn’t just investing his own money – he’s convinced his family too. If he can bring several million US dollars of investment to Pengcheng, Tang Hongen won’t be able to do anything to him, mayor or not.”

“Foreign exchange” was something all local governments cared about deeply, and Ji Ya knew this well. China’s foreign exchange reserves totaled only a few billion US dollars. Why was the official exchange rate between USD and CNY around 1:3, while the black market rate could reach 1:10?

It was because the country controlled foreign exchange so strictly. Private citizens couldn’t exchange for US dollars through official bank channels, and the black market exchange rate better reflected the dollar’s true value.

Zhen Wenxiu listened with trepidation.

Ji Ya hated Tang Hongen deeply – how could she let George kindly hand him “political achievements”? Several million US dollars in investment? Zhen Wenxiu felt Ji Ya had other plans.

But who would joke around with millions of US dollars?

George couldn’t produce that kind of money either. Being close to Ji Ya, Zhen Wenxiu knew more about George’s situation than others. George’s family were millionaires in America, but George himself didn’t directly manage family affairs. The situation in America was different from China – if a son was capable of taking over his father’s ideal business, otherwise when the father died, the company would likely be handed over to others to manage.

Or if there were several children, one would manage the company while the others lived off trust funds and company dividends.

George was one of those with a trust fund.

Zhen Wenxiu only half-understood these matters and couldn’t offer much good advice, only telling Ji Ya to be careful.

“Whatever you’re planning to do, don’t let anyone catch you making mistakes.”

Ji Ya nodded, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

When Ning Yanfan hadn’t helped her back then, Ji Ya had been very unhappy. She still associated with Zhen Wenxiu because she felt Zhen Wenxiu could be useful in the future.

If nothing else, Zhen Wenxiu should be able to help make trouble for Xia Xiaolan, right?

Unexpectedly, Zhen Wenxiu had been outmaneuvered by Xia Xiaolan first.

“Wenxiu, my studio will open next month, and you must come to support me. You have such good bearing – my designs look best when you wear them. It makes me happy.”

Ji Ya rarely praised others. Being self-centered by nature, when someone like her gave praise, Zhen Wenxiu was especially pleased:

“Of course! So quick – your shop is already renovated?”

“I hired a Hong Kong company for the design and renovation. If George invests in Pengcheng, we might as well just acquire an existing company to bring there.”

Ji Ya spoke casually, while Zhen Wenxiu was very envious.

Only the wealthy could talk this way. Although the Ning family wasn’t short of money, Zhen Wenxiu’s lifestyle was far behind Ji Ya’s.

Ji Ya earned in dollars and spent in yuan – just think of the exchange rate difference!

Ji Ya never lacked suitors either, with many wealthy foreigners willing to spend money on her. With Ning Xue’s father holding public office, even though the Ning family had money, Zhen Wenxiu didn’t dare to be as high-profile as Ji Ya.

Thinking about it this way, Ji Ya didn’t seem to have lost much by leaving Tang Hongen.

If she were still Tang Hongen’s wife, she couldn’t possibly enjoy the material life she had now.

The two lingered at the restaurant for two or three hours before parting. George came to pick up Ji Ya by car. Seeing Ji Ya lost in thought, George comforted her thoughtfully:

“Darling, are you still upset about Jiang Yuan? It’s been a month, and he hasn’t apologized to you. I think he probably knows he was wrong, but boys that age are very proud. He might need a way to save face…”

Ji Ya shook her head, “George, I’m not thinking about him. When he’s suffered enough, he’ll come back on his own. About what you mentioned before about investing in Pengcheng – have you made a decision yet?”