Xia Xiaolan wasn’t the type to nitpick about everything. Money that should be earned shouldn’t be given up, but money that shouldn’t be earned wasn’t worth thinking about. She never asked Zhou Cheng why he refused Harold’s check, nor did she wonder how many thousands of dollars it was worth. As Zhou Cheng said, that was Harold putting a price on his own life, which had nothing to do with them.
Zhou Cheng hadn’t rushed out to fight Hector specifically to save Harold, so refusing Harold’s check was perfectly fine. Xiaolan completely understood Zhou Cheng’s principles. Her Chengzi not only showed his masculinity but his actions in the venue were incredibly impressive, and besides, he wasn’t short of money!
Just considering those siheyuan courtyards Zhou Cheng had her managing, how much would they be worth in the future? Perhaps not as much as the Wilson family’s wealth… but what would Zhou Cheng need that much money for anyway?
“Zhou Cheng, today was too dangerous, in the future don’t—” Don’t what? Don’t be reckless. But he had done it to save her. Xia Xiaolan’s words trailed off midway as Zhou Cheng ruffled her hair. “You can’t even finish that sentence, can you? As a man, how could I watch you in danger? They can shoot at me, but shooting at you is not acceptable.”
It was all because of Harold’s involvement. He hadn’t properly taken care of the people he was laying off, pushing them to desperate measures.
The C·W Architectural Design Competition had originally been quite a niche, but now, connected to this shooting incident, it was bound to gain attention.
When Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng returned to Ithaca, Daisy was already waiting. During the crisis, Daisy had remained calm. When Xia Xiaolan had ducked down, dropping the championship trophy, Daisy had managed to pick it up despite stumbling during her escape, showing just how important the trophy was to her!
Xia Xiaolan was right – winning the C·W Architectural Design Competition championship had restored the confidence of Daisy, Richard, and Lyle.
Daisy still had acne scars.
Richard still had his freckles.
Lyle remained at his original weight.
But now the three of them could walk with their heads held high around the Cornell University campus.
What was there to fear? Not only had they won the championship, but they had also been on the award stage without getting hit by stray bullets like the unfortunate Professor Lipton – what incredible luck!
“Xia, look at it, completely intact!” Daisy proudly showed off the trophy she had rescued.
The Wilson Hotel was indeed wealthy, with adequate competition funding, and the trophy was of good quality, surviving without damage.
This was also Xia Xiaolan’s first architectural award. Although it was a newly established competition with limited reach, how could she not be happy about it?
In New York, after completing the police questioning and leaving the station, Xia Xiaolan immediately called home to share the good news. She naturally didn’t mention the shooter incident, but told Mao Kangshan that she had won the award using the Electronic Plaza design she had created for Du Zhaohui.
Old Mao was well-known for being petty. After saying “good” several times, he immediately asked if Ning Xue had participated.
Upon learning that Ning Xue had also competed but placed second, Mao Kangshan’s voice couldn’t hide his pride: “That architectural firm you mentioned, I think we can make it happen.”
Hah, as long as his disciple excelled in her profession, everything else would be permitted.
Chinese parents always had this attitude toward their children – as long as their academic performance was excellent, any request would be granted.
Xia Xiaolan knew Master Mao’s personality well, which was why she deliberately made him happy. As for whether Old Mao would boast about the competition results to Ning Yanfan, Xia Xiaolan would let her teacher do as he pleased, not concerning herself with it.
Now, seeing Daisy had retrieved the trophy, Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment, took out her camera from the car, and asked Zhou Cheng to take a photo.
The photo captured Xia Xiaolan holding the C·W Architectural Design Competition championship trophy, alongside Daisy, Richard, and Lyle. This picture should have been taken during the award ceremony but with Lyle’s drama followed by the shooter, who knew if anyone had managed to capture the moment?
Xia Xiaolan didn’t dare ask those reporters – they were still waiting to interview Zhou Cheng!
Zhou Cheng had barely taken two photos when a large crowd of students rushed over.
“Chinese Kung Fu!”
“Bruce Lee!”
“NO, he’s Zhou!”
“Zhou, hero!”
The entire area erupted with cheers of “Chinese Kung Fu” and “Hero.”
Zhou Cheng, who had never spent a day studying at Cornell University, suddenly became a campus celebrity. What had happened at the Wilson Hotel had already spread back to campus. While Zhou Cheng had intended to protect Xiaolan, the school believed that by stepping up in such a situation, he had also protected the safety of Cornell’s faculty and students present. The School of Architecture wanted to honor Zhou Cheng officially – which was naturally another sweet burden for Zhou Cheng. He couldn’t accept any honors, and they absolutely mustn’t notify the embassy – this appreciation itself was the greatest thanks!
With the camera in hand, students immediately requested photos with him.
Xia Xiaolan, his actual girlfriend, was pushed aside.
Some screamed for him to demonstrate Chinese kung fu.
Others tried to slip him notes asking him out.
And some tried to touch his chest muscles… which was not allowed! Regardless of gender, all hands off!
He hadn’t been taken down by the gunman, but now a group of students had Zhou Cheng retreating in disarray.
He ended up being forced into taking a large group photo.
Several male students lifted Zhou Cheng and tossed him into the air.
They didn’t spare Xia Xiaolan either, grabbing and tossing her up as well – such was the enthusiasm of American students. Campus celebrations could happen anytime, starting at a moment’s notice!
No teacher would accuse them of breaking rules.
Student management was already quite relaxed, especially since they weren’t doing anything wrong.
Finally escaping, Zhou Cheng, who hadn’t panicked facing a gun, found himself somewhat afraid of Cornell’s enthusiastic students. They weren’t like the soldiers under his command who followed orders precisely. He couldn’t hit or scold them – they were just very enthusiastic about him.
“I think I should avoid appearing on campus for the next few days,” Zhou Cheng said, still shaken. Xia Xiaolan, who was also dizzy from being tossed around, replied: “That’s not a bad decision. Several girls just told me I had good taste, and said if I ever planned to break up with you, I must give them your contact information. They said they wouldn’t mind living in China for you… Zhou Cheng, you’ve made a great contribution to Chinese-American friendship!”
What an adorable wife when she’s jealous.
Zhou Cheng knew Xiaolan was joking and teasing him. He couldn’t resist giving her a kiss: “Let them wait forever. We’ll never break up – they’ll only see you promoted from girlfriend to Mrs. Zhou!”
While Zhou Cheng dared not appear on campus anymore, Mr. Dick from the British Foster Architects firm arrived in Ithaca on Tuesday.
He found Xia Xiaolan through the School of Architecture and proposed to purchase the design rights for the “Electronic Plaza”: “Congratulations on winning the championship! Regardless of everything else, it was truly an unforgettable competition. Now, let’s discuss the design rights for the ‘Electronic Plaza’ – I’m very interested in it. Do you have any thoughts on the selling price?”