“Getting caught in the gutter – I let my guard down!”

Xia Xiaolan’s mood was understandably sour after being inexplicably labeled as “the other woman.”

She had always maintained her integrity, but doing business inevitably meant interacting with men, and Zhou Cheng had trusted her. However, now that it had made the newspapers, she would be a poor girlfriend if she didn’t explain things to Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng still wasn’t at the academy!

With no other choice, Xia Xiaolan contacted Guan Huie to explain what had happened in Hong Kong.

“…Aunt Guan, that’s how things stand.”

Guan Huie felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She knew about Xia Xiaolan’s trip to Hong Kong – Xia Xiaolan had even asked if she wanted anything brought back. But in just a few days, it had already made Hong Kong’s newspapers. And not for anything good – such a reputation would trouble anyone.

If this had happened in mainland China, the Zhou family could have handled it easily.

But in Hong Kong, even the Zhou family’s influence couldn’t reach that far.

“Xiaolan, Auntie knows you’re usually sensible, but these situations are difficult for women to explain away. Take this Tang fellow – before you went to Hong Kong to design his renovation plans, did you know he had feelings for you?”

Guan Huie’s question caught Xia Xiaolan off guard.

“He had sent me flowers before, but I didn’t think much of it at the time…”

On the other end of the line, Guan Huie chose her words carefully: “If you knew about it, you should have kept your distance. Don’t be angry at what Auntie is saying, but some business opportunities are worth taking, while others can be declined. Don’t you agree?”

Did she agree?

Xia Xiaolan massaged her temples.

Had she handled this wrong?

But if she had to maintain strict boundaries with anyone who showed the slightest interest in her, her business opportunities would become severely limited.

She had personal reasons for coming to Hong Kong, and she was designing Tang Yueyue’s villa renovation because he said she owed him a favor.

Going further back, why did she owe Tang Yueyue a favor? Wasn’t it because of the Golden Sand Pool sales?

Ultimately, if she wanted to continue doing business, she couldn’t be an “insulator” as Guan Huie suggested.

“Aunt Guan, I just wanted to let you know so you and Uncle Zhou wouldn’t misunderstand. I’ll consider what you’ve said.”

Things had been harmonious before, but this phone call meant to clear her conscience seemed to have the opposite effect. After hanging up, Xia Xiaolan wondered if their previous harmony had been her imagination – had she and Guan Huie just been maintaining a peaceful facade for Zhou Cheng’s sake?

Surely it wasn’t that bad!

The phone call hadn’t solved Xia Xiaolan’s problems; instead, it had added new worries.

After hanging up, she decided to leave Hong Kong and told Gong Yang and Wang Houlin to pack their bags.

Wang Houlin was old enough to sense that Manager Xia was in a foul mood.

Gong Yang wasn’t some inexperienced youngster either and tactfully avoided mentioning the newspaper article.

Only Bai Zhenzhu, who was closer to Xia Xiaolan, spoke directly: “You’re going back to Pengcheng without seeing Wu Daonan?”

“I won’t see him. I’ll have someone deliver the Yin-Yang jade pendant to him. This visit was to thank him, not to ask for favors. As long as the gift arrives, my presence isn’t crucial.”

Her perfectionism had allowed others to trap her.

Bai Zhenzhu raised no further objections.

Before leaving Hong Kong, Xia Xiaolan still needed to buy some souvenirs for family and friends. She went shopping with Bai Zhenzhu, but shortly after leaving the hotel, four men subtly surrounded them.

“Miss Xia, our boss would like to meet with you. We hope you’ll come with us.”

Come with them?

Bai Zhenzhu sneered. Come with your mother!

She pushed Xia Xialan behind her and quickly kicked down two of the men.

This was happening less than 50 meters from the hotel entrance, in broad daylight – had Hong Kong’s security deteriorated this much?

Xia Xiaolan didn’t have her electric shock device; it couldn’t pass through customs.

She couldn’t run back either – getting too far from Bai Zhenzhu might let them grab her, which would only cause more trouble for Bai Zhenzhu.

“Help! I don’t know these people! Robbery!!!”

Pride meant nothing compared to personal safety.

Xia Xiaolan’s screams finally made passersby stop.

She was genuinely beautiful, and more importantly, these men weren’t wielding any weapons. Assuming it was safe, passersby were willing to play the hero – until a van stopped and more than a dozen men got out, sending the onlookers scattering like startled birds.

The hotel staff were too frightened to help, only calling the police for Xia Xiaolan.

Even Bai Zhenzhu struggled against so many opponents. Then suddenly, cars screeched to a halt, and Du Zhaohui jumped out: “F*ck your mother!”

Ah Hua’s skills matched Bai Zhenzhu’s, and his arrival helped turn the tide.

Du Zhaohui ran a few steps, then returned to his car to grab a steel pipe. Though physically unimpressive, his movements were fierce as he fought his way to Xia Xiaolan.

Du Zhaohui wasn’t an ordinary rich young master – what kind of Hong Kong wealthy person kept a steel pipe in their sports car? Was the passenger seat meant for storing steel pipes? Others used it to carry beautiful women!

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t amazed, just surprised.

Du Zhaohui’s appearance was too convenient – had he arranged these men himself?

Du Zhaohui had done plenty of brainless things before, so Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but suspect him.

However, this time she wrongly accused Du Zhaohui. The hotel staff had called the police, who arrived quickly. The attackers scattered, but Bai Zhenzhu and Ah Hua managed to grab two of them.

It turned out these men were sent by the He family.

But their “boss” wasn’t He Zhitong’s father, but rather He Zhitong’s younger brother.

“Trying to avenge his sister? The kid hasn’t even grown facial hair yet!”

Du Zhaohui sneered.

Xia Xiaolan was equally baffled.

This young Master He was only in his teens and probably didn’t even understand what had happened. He just knew that He Zhitong had announced the broken engagement in the newspaper, and tabloids had revealed the scandal… Given their approach, they probably wanted to meet Xia Xiaolan first before resorting to force.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t like entrusting her safety to others’ consciences, nor did she underestimate teenagers.

They might be immature, but people their age could be impulsive enough to kill.

In this situation, Du Zhaohui had acted righteously, so Xia Xiaolan forced herself to thank him.

“No big deal.”

Du Zhaohui stuffed his steel pipe back into the passenger seat, while the police turned a blind eye.

“Miss Xia, please don’t leave Hong Kong for the next few days. We may need you to come to the police station to assist with our investigation.”

He Zhitong’s brother had paid these men to do this job, and although it would likely end in a private settlement with Xia Xiaolan, the police still needed to follow proper procedures.

Xia Xiaolan bit her lip – what an unlucky year indeed!

“Young Master Du, may I ask why you happened to be here?”

Du Zhaohui remained composed, “Happened to be here? I came specifically to find you!”