That evening, Xia Xiaolan met Wen Manni’s husband Klaus.

Klaus was a surgeon.

Doctors, lawyers, and accountants were indispensable professions in America. Some even said these three professions represented the main pillars of American society – medical, legal, and commercial sectors. A significant portion of Americans’ lives was in the hands of these professionals, indicating their prestigious status.

Law school was expensive and difficult to get into, and medical school was equally challenging. It took years of dedication to progress from a medical student to Klaus’s level of expertise. Hard work alone wasn’t enough – without natural talent, it was incredibly challenging.

Although Wen Manni had previously used Klaus’s frequent business trips as an excuse to hide their separation, Professor Wen and Hu Ying didn’t suspect anything because her lie was mixed with truth. As a renowned surgeon, Klaus frequently travels – either attending medical conferences or performing surgeries in other cities.

That evening, Hu Ying prepared a lavish dinner to celebrate this rare family gathering.

Klaus raised his glass apologetically, “I’ve been too busy lately. I couldn’t accompany Connie when she visited you in Ithaca.”

Hu Ying understood completely. Not just Klaus, but even her daughter was extremely busy!

If Wen Manni was this busy, how could Hu Ying criticize Klaus?

In America, there was no expectation for daughters-in-law to serve their in-laws, let alone sons-in-law having to please their parents-in-law. Parents handled their affairs first, and only when they couldn’t manage would they trouble their children, rather than burdening their in-laws.

Of course, if their children’s partners were willing to be close to them and show respect, family relationships would be more intimate and harmonious.

Klaus was the quintessential American son-in-law, always exceptionally warm during their meetings, beyond the normal standard. Hu Ying and Professor Wen had grown accustomed to this.

Xia Xiaolan was the only unfamiliar face, planning to stay with the Wen family for a year. Klaus didn’t ignore her:

“Xia, welcome to America! Since Connie didn’t study architecture, and she ended up with a doctor like me, you’ve filled our family’s regret by bringing in someone who studies architecture!”

Klaus laughed at his own words. Previously, Wen Manni had been afraid to bring him home while they were dating because the Wen family had said that while their daughter didn’t have to study architecture, they wanted an architect as a son-in-law.

Yet Wen Manni had chosen him, a doctor, and Professor Wen had been unhappy for quite a while.

Eventually, with Wen Manni’s happiness as the priority, they blessed their marriage.

At this point, Klaus couldn’t help but look up at Wen Manni, and she happened to look back at him… Connie was still as beautiful as when she first attracted him. What had destroyed their love, making them resent and grow cold toward each other to the point of separation?

As they had discussed, perhaps they should try again. After so many years together, neither truly wanted to part ways.

A hint of tenderness appeared in Klaus’s eyes.

Xia Xiaolan noticed that even Hu Ying’s grip on her knife and fork seemed more relaxed.

Though Xia Xiaolan remained silent and Wen Manni concealed it well, could Professor Wen and Hu Ying truly be unaware that their daughter’s marriage was heading toward trouble?

Xia Xiaolan had a subtle feeling that Hu Ying and Professor Wen knew, which explained their sudden visit to New York.

This “surprise attack” had brought Wen Manni and Klaus back together.

Perhaps pretending to be in love in front of their parents could rekindle their past affection?

Xia Xiaolan suddenly felt impressed by Hu Ying and Professor Wen’s wisdom – this kind of subtle life experience was something she could learn from.

…

While Xia Xiaolan was being treated as a family member at the Wen family gathering, Xu Jing and Ma Hai had cashed their check and were taking out their IOUs, paying back their debts one by one.

They worked from nearest to farthest, regardless of the amount.

Fresh from Xia Xiaolan’s lesson about the severe consequences of breaching agreements, they requested receipts for every repayment.

Their reputation in the circle was so bad that many creditors had given up hope of ever seeing their money again.

Xu Jing and Ma Hai’s ability to repay truly surprised their creditors.

Some couldn’t help but ask questions.

They wondered if the two had struck it rich.

Xu Jing and Ma Hai maintained the same secretive attitude they’d used with Xiang Li regarding Xia Xiaolan’s investment in their project.

“Do you want the money or not? If not, we’ll pay others first, and then we might not have enough left for you.”

The creditor quickly grabbed the check: “Of course I want it! Who knows where you two found this money – if the police come asking, we’re not involved!”

Robberies in America were as rampant as the “highway bandits” in China before the crackdown. With such high crime rates, everyone preferred using checks over cash. This included international students, who would first open personal accounts upon arriving in America and receive checkbooks, using checks for everything from meals to accommodation.

They only carried small amounts of cash for subway fares and other transportation needs.

Of course, there were cases of checks bouncing… either due to frozen bank accounts or intentional fraud.

Some creditors expressed such doubts when Xu Jing and Ma Hai were repaying their debts.

Ma Hai wanted to lose his temper, but remembering they were the debtors, he swallowed his anger.

Regardless of how people treated them now, they were grateful for the previous financial support.

“You can cash the check at the bank first, then write us a receipt. Brother, we truly appreciate your support when we were struggling. Really, thank you so much!”

Ma Hai’s humble attitude made the other party feel embarrassed.

“You’re paying everyone back, so things must be better now?”

Adding up all the small amounts, it must have been several thousand dollars. Strange, where did these two get such a large sum of money?

Could it be that their project found a wealthy investor… but they’d need to know rich people for that to happen!

While Xu Jing and Ma Hai kept quiet, news of their door-to-door debt repayment reached Xiang Li and Li Yong. Li Yong was well-connected among international students, so any news would surely reach him.

At that moment, Xiang Li was complaining to Li Yong about how foolish Xia Xiaolan was, immediately telling Xu Jing and Ma Hai about her well-intentioned warning:

“I went to find her this morning, but no one was home. I waited until noon and had to return!”

Money couldn’t buy wisdom – she was truly a country bumpkin who had just arrived abroad. Who knew how her family had raised her, showing no awareness at all?

As Xiang Li complained, someone brought them the news.

Hearing about Xu Jing and Ma Hai paying off their debts, Li Yong frowned deeply:

“It seems your words had the opposite effect. Xia Xiaolan must have believed Xu Jing and Ma Hai and invested in them.”

“That can’t be right?”

Xiang Li didn’t want to admit her trip to Ithaca had been futile.

Li Yong hit the nail on the head: “Besides Xia Xiaolan, those two couldn’t have gotten money from anywhere else. Who knows how much she invested for them to clear all their debts… Xiang Li, this Junior Sister Xia might be wealthier than I estimated!”