Xia Xiaolan’s ears were flushed red from the kissing, and only when she started showing signs of oxygen deprivation did Zhou Cheng release her.

It was just for a second or two before he gave her another fierce kiss, justifying it by saying he couldn’t bear to see her struggling to breathe, so he had to give her air – who taught Zhou Cheng such nonsense?

“Zhou Cheng, I’ve noticed you’ve changed a bit!”

He’d become more domineering, more self-assured.

Before, Zhou Cheng would never kiss her like this on campus – at most he’d steal a quick kiss when no one was around, worried that even holding hands might cause negative impressions.

Hot kissing in the teaching building? That would have been impossible!

“Xiaolan, this is America. You were right – Cornell is a good place.”

Zhou Cheng had been here for two days with the delegation attending exhibitions, experiencing the intense clash between two different cultures.

Being bold in expressing one’s thoughts suited Zhou Cheng’s state of mind, and he didn’t need to hide his passion.

It wouldn’t cause trouble for Xiaolan.

Instead, it could drive away some admirers – he’d be a fool not to kiss her!

Xia Xiaolan understood Zhou Cheng’s little scheme. Just as she had linked arms with him to “declare ownership,” Zhou Cheng kissing her in public was also stamping his mark.

Announcing she was taken!

Haha, Xia Xiaolan wanted to laugh: “Is someone feeling threatened?”

Zhou Cheng held her hand without speaking – men would never admit to such things, as that would show weakness and insecurity.

“You ungrateful one, aren’t you going to ask how much trouble I went through to come to America?”

Not listening, not listening – isn’t this what he should do?

Ever since Zhou Cheng disappeared for two months without a word, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to be as understanding as before.

If a woman doesn’t complain, men will get more and more excessive as time goes on.

Xia Xiaolan broke free from his embrace, “You came specially to America just to show off to me? Come on, I’ll indulge your little scheme. You’ve eaten at Huaqing cafeteria, now you should make an appearance at Cornell’s dining hall. I’m hungry!”

Food comes first above all else. Zhou Cheng’s long legs quickly caught up with her.

“Do you know someone called Song Minglan?”

“Yes, what about her?”

“You’re not that close, right? She took matters into her own hands and almost ruined my plans.”

Zhou Cheng hadn’t figured out why, but after hearing his explanation, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help laughing: “So that’s what she meant by doing a favor. Amazingly, she could hold back – looks like she knew early on that you’d be coming to America with the delegation. Thank heavens she didn’t tell me this news in advance, or your surprise would have been completely ruined.”

Xia Xiaolan briefly explained the party incident.

Zhou Cheng immediately grasped the key point, “She was afraid you’d report her.”

Third Miss Song was quite interesting – if Xiaolan hadn’t caught her, wouldn’t she have tacitly accepted others paying for her party?

But Zhou Cheng also understood what Song Minglan was afraid of. Leadership families greatly valued their reputation – no one could afford to lose face by using their family name to scam a meal… Song Minglan was quite unfortunate to be exposed by Xiaolan.

Thinking of Song Minglan’s presumptuous attempt to pay “hush money,” Zhou Cheng added:

“Song Minglan should thank you. If you hadn’t discovered it, this matter would have had endless consequences.”

A good reputation is hard to build, taking two or three generations of careful cultivation.

But destroying it is too easy.

Though those international students wanted to curry favor with Song Minglan, half of them probably had some background themselves – if this matter got back to China, it would truly tarnish Elder Song’s reputation.

As for Song Minglan herself, no matter how many years passed, when others thought of her, this would be the bad impression that remained.

“Then I really should ask her for hush money. Zhou Cheng, what are you eating? Is the steak set meal okay?”

Zhou Cheng told her to sit tight: “I’ll go order. We’ll have the same thing.”

Zhou Cheng easily handled the ordering himself, and Xia Xiaolan belatedly realized: “Oh, your English has improved a lot. No wonder you could find where I have classes.”

He knew her class schedule.

But finding where the classes were wasn’t easy.

Cornell University covered 3,000 acres – hadn’t Du Zhaohui wandered around for several days?

Thank heavens Zhou Cheng came – now people at school wouldn’t misunderstand that Du Zhaohui was her boyfriend anymore!

Zhou Cheng cleared his throat, “I have several things to tell you. First, about my English improvement – I recently passed my exams and graduated early from the academy. My education level is still below yours, but I’ll keep working hard.”

“Really?”

Xia Xiaolan was happy for Zhou Cheng.

But after this advanced study, what level was Zhou Cheng at now?

After middle school, could it be technical secondary school… Xia Xiaolan held back her laughter.

Zhou Cheng naturally understood her thoughts, “It’s equivalent to a college diploma. There will be more opportunities for advanced studies, and I can keep studying higher. I promise not to embarrass Comrade Xia Xiaolan!”

That was good – in a year and a half, Zhou Cheng had jumped up two levels.

Xia Xiaolan cut the steak into small pieces and fed Zhou Cheng a piece: “Studying hard deserves a reward!”

Zhou Cheng took the steak into his mouth.

Beef fed by his wife’s hand was especially tender.

After swallowing the beef, Zhou Cheng felt the atmosphere was too good to ruin.

“Second thing, after finishing my advanced studies at the academy, I returned to my original unit with a small promotion.”

Previously he was a Squad Leader, so a small promotion would be Deputy Battalion Commander.

Zhou Cheng very modestly called it a small promotion, but many people couldn’t achieve this “small” promotion in their entire lives.

Xia Xiaolan cut another piece of beef:

“Working hard deserves a reward too! Ah, open your mouth~”

He really could hold back.

Wanting to give her all the surprises at once, he waited until coming to America to tell her everything.

But Xia Xiaolan had to admit, that sharing joy face to face made the joy multiply. Zhou Cheng had progressed in both their studies and career, so naturally she was happy for him.

Another piece of loving beef.

If he mentioned Jiang Yan’s matter now, would Xiaolan stab him with the steak knife?

Zhou Cheng decided to adjust the order:

“Third thing, Uncle wanted me to pass you a message – your scholarship program has been approved by the Ministry of Education. Uncle is the liaison person from the Ministry’s side, and he said they’re preparing to recruit the first batch of volunteers from universities.”

This couldn’t be solved by just feeding beef.

Xia Xiaolan had to raise her coffee cup to toast with Zhou Cheng:

“Zhou Cheng, thank you for supporting me. Others might think my ideas are presumptuous, but I’m very glad you understand! Do you have anything else to say?”

“Last thing, I’m helping Jiang Yan look for doctors. She might need to come to America for treatment.”

Saying it would ruin the atmosphere.

Not saying it left no way out – how should Zhou Cheng choose?

*Screech* —

Xia Xiaolan accidentally applied too much force while cutting the steak, scraping against the plate with an unpleasant sound.

“Zhou Cheng, everything before was just paving the way for this last thing, right? You go ahead and speak, I promise not to interrupt!”