George and Ji Ya’s trip to the small northern county town was destined to be futile.

By the time they returned, Harold had nearly completed his business here.

Butler Allen arrived leisurely in Pengcheng, just in time for this investment promotion reception.

“Your clothes are ready, sir.”

There wasn’t much to tour in Pengcheng; Harold’s lingering here indicated he saw investment potential. What better occasion to make an appearance than at an investment promotion reception?

“Prepare a set of clothes for Ji. George hasn’t been kind to his stepson; Ji probably doesn’t have clothes suitable for such occasions.”

Young people didn’t need to dress too well, and it was rare that Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t self-conscious.

However, Harold would feel embarrassed having him attend formal occasions by his side underdressed.

Butler Allen wasn’t surprised at all. As a qualified butler, he had to anticipate his master’s thoughts:

“His clothes are also ready, though some details might need adjustment after he tries them on.”

Standard sizes wouldn’t fit perfectly. Wealthy people’s preference for custom clothing wasn’t just about showing off. Even with the same height and weight, some people had broader shoulders, and others had different arm lengths. Standard sizes used average measurements, naturally requiring detail modifications.

Of course, only wealthy people with butlers would be so particular.

In 1980s China, men’s suits were generally loose, hanging baggy on their bodies with no proper fit. Moreover, ordinary suits differed from formal wear, and Allen believed Chinese people wouldn’t understand this.

Having lived in America for so many years, Ji Jiangyuan surely wasn’t like ordinary Chinese people. Allen assumed he would understand.

Harold finished reviewing the materials his subordinates had collected, muttering:

“George, that fool, finally did something right… but it’s not because he got smarter. Chinese officials hold considerable power; he still thinks he can suppress others in China?”

There were ways to suppress others indeed.

But why would Harold do that?

If opposing Chinese officials could make money, Harold wouldn’t hesitate.

But wanting to invest in Pengcheng while antagonizing its mayor? He wasn’t crazy!

Investing anywhere requires a thorough investigation.

Relationships need to be clearly understood first. Harold didn’t need to investigate himself; he just had to assign tasks to others, and someone would always provide the answers he needed.

Having Ji Jiangyuan by his side wasn’t just because he didn’t find him annoying; more important was Ji Jiangyuan’s identity.

Speaking of excellence, Ji Jiangyuan, a university student, hadn’t particularly impressed Harold—the world wasn’t short of excellent young people, and even the most talented had to serve capitalists. What was Tsinghua University’s world ranking? Harold’s assistants were all Harvard graduates.

There was rarely such a thing as an instant connection. Even love at first sight between men and women was mostly physical attraction or ulterior motives!

However, there was no need to say such harsh truths and hurt Ji Jiangyuan’s feelings.

Better let young people believe the world was beautiful.

Harold adjusted his clothes in the mirror when Ji Jiangyuan, completely unaware, knocked and entered:

“Sir, Butler Allen said you were looking for me?”

Harold pointed to the invitation on the table, “The municipal government is holding a reception. I hope you’ll join me. You know I don’t like those hired translators.”

This fell within Ji Jiangyuan’s scope of work.

The high salary of 100 dollars per day wasn’t easy to earn. He needed to be not just Harold’s companion; on formal occasions like this, Ji Jiangyuan also had to serve as a translator.

Ji Jiangyuan certainly wouldn’t refuse.

From Beijing to Pengcheng, Ji Jiangyuan hadn’t figured out Harold’s intentions. At the government’s investment reception, Harold would reveal his investment targets!

Moreover, Harold was indeed generous. These days, Ji Jiangyuan’s accommodations and meals were the same standard as Harold’s.

For the reception, Harold had even prepared formal wear for him.

Just touching the fabric, Ji Jiangyuan knew it was expensive. Even before he’d cut ties with his family, this level of clothing was beyond his budget.

Ji Jiangyuan frowned:

Harold was extremely generous with him—was it because millionaires didn’t care about small expenses?

If he hadn’t personally seen Harold flirting with female servers, Ji Jiangyuan would have suspected his sexual orientation!

…

With Xia Xiaolan’s guidance, Liu Yong wouldn’t be inappropriately dressed for such occasions.

Loose-fitting suits were unacceptable.

Since Liu Yong started doing business, Xia Xiaolan had early on cultivated his dressing habits. Being not particularly tall, wearing ill-fitting loose suits would look quite unflattering.

So while his clothes weren’t luxury brand custom-made, they were tailored by skilled craftsmen—always the same old tailor in Shangdu. The fabric quality improved over time, and with over ten suits made at once, Liu Yong had no shortage of formal wear.

Taking a taxi to the venue, Xia Xiaolan tried to help her uncle relax on the way:

“A buffet reception isn’t anything special. Food is laid out on long tables, servers walk around with drinks, and you take whatever you want to eat. Just avoid oily or soupy dishes that might stain your clothes. If you’re nervous, we can grab a drink right when we enter—whether you drink it or not doesn’t matter, at least you’ll know what to do with your hands…”

Liu Yong wondered: “Do they teach these things in university?”

Xia Xiaolan smiled: “I learned from books, and foreign TV shows too. Anyway, don’t be nervous. If we get a chance to talk with foreign merchants, I can translate for you! And there’s no need to fear Hong Kong merchants—you may not speak Cantonese, but you understand it fine.”

Hong Kong merchants doing business in mainland China would try their best to speak Mandarin, regardless of how well they could.

Foreign merchants weren’t intimidating either; English was the world’s common language, and Xia Xiaolan believed her level was sufficient for translation.

Liu Yong was convinced by Xia Xiaolan.

Though Xia Xiaolan looked beautiful tonight, her style was simple and fresh, like someone just dining at a restaurant, only with higher-class guests… Liu Yong indeed felt more relaxed—after all, he often dined with the mayor!

Entering the venue, Liu Yong’s eyes were dazzled.

He’d never seen so many foreigners in Pengcheng before—had they all gathered here?

Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong’s arrival didn’t cause much stir; they weren’t important figures.

Those subtle glances were mostly due to Xia Xiaolan’s beauty.

In a corner, Tang Yuanyue nudged Du Zhaohui:

“Zhaohui, look at that one—a new face!”

Du Zhaohui looked—oh, isn’t that Xia Xiaolan?

“Roses may be fragrant and beautiful, but they have thorns. Brother Tang, you should be careful.”

Who knew how well Xia Ziyu’s plastic surgery would turn out?

If she could achieve seventy percent of his cousin’s looks, he wouldn’t have needed to send her for surgery. Xia Xiaolan was truly eye-catching tonight. Du Zhaohui had seen her before—though never unfashionable, she usually maintained a plain style. Her delicate face suited both heavy and light makeup, and now in a cocktail dress, Du Zhaohui admitted he couldn’t look away—having a boyfriend wasn’t the issue; her strong personality was the real challenge!