Old Ivan didn’t answer his wife’s question.

“I need to think more about this, but this Xia is key to the bigger picture. Did you know it was her boyfriend who saved Harold in New York?”

Cynthia spoke dramatically:

“Poor Harold, nearly killed by that crazy former security chief. His leg was injured then, wasn’t it?”

That was Harold’s luck, but others’ misfortune.

Harold’s strong, domineering leadership had steadily increased the Wilson family’s assets, but it made everyone in the family unhappy.

Life would be easier under a mediocre family leader, but under a shrewd dictator, whether you worked hard or not, you couldn’t gain more power.

“Let’s wait and see. Keep in touch with this Xia. In a few days, George will return to America, and you’ll need to handle his assets. His money all came from the family – Wilson family money can’t go to other women.”

Cynthia had a headache too.

George was so foolish, not even signing a prenuptial agreement.

Fortunately, there was still time to remedy this!

…

Ms. Ji whom Xia Xiaolan disliked was coming to America to meet her in-laws.

It wasn’t surprising that George’s parents disliked Ji Yawei. She lived too recklessly, beyond mere “independence,” completely disregarding others’ feelings – truly selfish.

Only blood relatives had to accept Ji Yawei; others could choose whether they liked her or not.

By July 6th, Xia Xiaolan had returned to New York. Not only was Ji Yawei coming to America, but in China, Zhou Yi had completed her postpartum confinement and was sent abroad by Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong.

Zhou Yi gave birth on June 4th. Her confinement at her parents’ home hadn’t shortchanged her; she even had help caring for the baby. Being young, she quickly recovered her strength lost during childbirth.

With daily nourishing soups and care, she emerged from confinement with a healthy glow.

The Zhou family all knew why Zhou Yi was being sent abroad – for “reformation”!

When they heard Zhou Yi was going abroad, her two aunts sent money – 10,000 yuan each – worried she might starve overseas.

Zhou Wenbing refused it all:

“We’re not sending her abroad to enjoy herself. The money I earn with Jiang Hong is enough for her. She’s the younger generation – why should the whole family tighten their belts for her?”

The more Zhou Wenbing thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted Zhou Yi to experience hardship.

Abroad, without various conveniences and in an unfamiliar place, she might learn to behave properly.

If she wanted a better life, she should learn from excellent people – wasn’t Xia Xiaolan the perfect role model?

A country girl like Xia Xiaolan had reached her current position step by step – she was the best example for Zhou Yi!

Zhou Wenbing kept his word. Not only did he refuse his sisters’ money, but he also returned Zhou Cheng’s 30,000 yuan savings book. This time he was serious about Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi had only studied English for half a month – how good could her level be just from listening to tapes?

Fresh out of confinement, she heard the overseas procedures were almost complete and felt confused and panicked:

“Dad, isn’t this too fast? How will I manage abroad!”

Yuan Han was still away on business, and they were already sending her abroad.

Zhou Wenbing ignored her, “Everything’s arranged. You’ll attend language classes for two months when you reach America.”

Zhou Yi felt uncertain.

When Tong Lili and others heard Zhou Yi was going abroad, they invited her out to Old Mo’s restaurant after her confinement.

“Zhou Yi’s really something, quietly preparing to go torment the American people! We must toast her – just for her courage. She probably hasn’t even figured out the 26 English letters but dares to go abroad. Impressive, impressive!”

Tong Lili raised her glass.

She had thought this fool Zhou Yi would self-destruct, but unexpectedly, the Zhou family decisively decided to send her abroad, probably to straighten her out.

Tong Lili couldn’t bear to see Zhou Yi so comfortable. While claiming to give her a send-off, she kept planting negative ideas.

Zhou Yi’s foreign language skills were too poor.

How difficult it would be to contact home from abroad.

How they could act freely in Beijing, but would have to be subservient in America – what was the point!

Zhou Yi’s expression darkened as she listened.

Tong Lili added: “Your Yuan Han is so handsome, can you bear to leave him alone in China? With such long-distance separation, what if young girls pursue Yuan Han? You won’t even know or be able to stop it!”

Zhou Yi’s expression changed dramatically. Tong Lili’s words hit home – she had actively pursued Yuan Han initially.

Shao Guangrong, who hadn’t hung out with this group for a long time, was also present. Hearing Tong Lili’s increasingly inappropriate words, he slammed his glass on the floor:

“Tong Lili, what’s wrong with you today? If you were truly Zhou Yi’s friend, you should encourage her when she has better prospects. Why keep dampening her spirits? How much do you resent Zhou Yi’s success? This damn gathering is pointless!”

Zhou Yi was Zhou Cheng’s cousin – Shao Guangrong naturally sided with her.

Among all these people at the table, few had good intentions; they were all watching Zhou Yi’s misfortune.

Zhou Yi’s elopement and marriage beginning last year were well-known in their circle. The Zhou family had been quite indulgent with Zhou Yi. Everyone dining at Old Mo’s today had grown up with Zhou Yi, and privately mocking her was one thing – even Shao Guangrong laughed at her foolishness.

But shouldn’t there be limits?

The jokes should have ended by now. The Zhou family was sending Zhou Yi abroad to force her to improve herself, to escape the quagmire she had chosen.

Damn it, instead of encouraging her, they were trying to kick her deeper into the mud, afraid she might successfully climb out… Shao Guangrong couldn’t stand it anymore, hence the thrown glass.

“Little Shao—”

As soon as Zhou Yi spoke, Shao Guangrong stood up:

“Shut up, Zhou Yi. I used to call you ‘sister’ so many times, but you can’t even tell who truly cares about you. I was wrong to come today!”

Well, his attacks were indiscriminate, lashing out at everyone. Had Shao Guangrong been drinking gunpowder instead of alcohol?

Everyone reacted, criticizing Shao Guangrong. Tong Lili particularly cursed loudly:

“Shao Guangrong, you think you’re so great now? Fine, be great, but why hang out with us lazy good-for-nothings? What’s wrong with me advising Zhou Yi about her marriage? Do you look down on her husband because he lacks family background… Shao Guangrong, look at yourself! Everyone’s heard about you dating a female shop assistant recently – you aren’t picky.”

Tong Lili was thoroughly disgusted.

She had been set up on a blind date with Shao Guangrong before. Though she didn’t like him, his adamant refusal had left her embarrassed.

But Shao Guangrong rejected dating her and found a shop assistant instead. Tong Lili felt deeply humiliated, so she invited him today specifically to shame him!

Zhou Yi looked back and forth between them.

Had she been away from her friend circle for too long? How was there so much she didn’t know about?!