Ye Xiaoqiong’s “chance encounter” with Zhou Yi was naturally arranged through Xia Xiaolan’s tip-off. Of course, this was done with Zhou Wenban’s approval, as Xia Xiaolan feared things might get out of hand.
With Zhou Wenban’s agreement, Xia Xiaolan proceeded without hesitation. With careful planning against unsuspecting targets, Ye Xiaoqiong and Zhou Yi took the same flight to America. Even with just one day together, Ye Xiaoqiong seemed to have already gained Zhou Yi’s trust.
Xia Xiaolan couldn’t bear to watch. If Zhou Yi knew she was grinning like an idiot at Yuan Han’s ex-wife… she’d probably be so mortified she’d want to explode on the spot.
Zhou Yi pushed her luggage and spotted Xia Xiaolan, “Joan, I see my pickup! She’s my brother’s girlfriend, studying at Cornell University in New York. Come, let’s go together. I want to treat you to a meal to thank you for your help!”
Going abroad really was different – she’d already met someone as sophisticated as Joan, who worked at a big Hong Kong company, used English at work, and frequently traveled to America and other countries! Even as someone from the compounds, Zhou Yi had never had such friends before. For some reason, Zhou Yi wanted to introduce Joan to Xia Xiaolan – perhaps to show off her impressive new friend, and also to let Joan know that her social circle included people like Xia Xiaolan, proving she wasn’t too shabby herself!
Ye Xiaoqiong didn’t even remove her sunglasses. She naturally wouldn’t greet Xia Xiaolan – that would implicate Xia Xiaolan in deceiving Zhou Yi when the truth came out. Ye Xiaoqiong had pretty much figured out Miss Zhou Yi’s temperament during their journey… hmph, likely quite petty.
“No need, there will be other chances. I’m waiting for a colleague to transfer from elsewhere. Contact me when you’re settled in!”
Ye Xiaoqiong waved goodbye, leaving Zhou Yi helpless. This was typical behavior of someone who acted tough only with those beneath them – not having figured out Ye Xiaoqiong’s background yet, and seeing that Ye Xiaoqiong appeared more impressive than herself, Zhou Yi couldn’t force the issue.
“Zhou Da… Sister Zhou Yi!”
Xia Xiaolan almost blurted out “Zhou Big Fool” – Buddha helped her, how could she speak such brutal truth?
“Xiaolan! Have you been waiting long?”
Zhou Yi pushed her luggage over, and when she looked back through the crowded international airport, Joan had disappeared.
“Sister Zhou Yi, what are you looking at?”
“Oh, let me tell you, I made a friend on the plane named Joan. She works at a big Hong Kong company. I wanted to introduce you two…”
Zhou Yi explained how Joan had helped her.
“Sister Zhou Yi, when in a foreign land, you should be more cautious with strangers. How can you trust someone so completely after just meeting them?”
Xia Xiaolan’s warning was purely perfunctory. Zhou Yi frowned:
“Joan doesn’t even know who I am, how could she scam me? Didn’t you see how she dressed? The money I brought to America probably couldn’t even buy her outfit. You’re being too paranoid.”
Damn, Zhou Big Fool lived up to her nickname.
Xia Xiaolan recalled their first meeting at the Beijing Hotel, when Zhou Yi hung out with Tong Lili, putting on airs but actually seeming quite natural compared to Tong Lili.
She’d gotten increasingly foolish since meeting Yuan Han…
Xia Xiaolan simply went along with it: “Right, everything you say is correct. You must be tired from the flight. Let me take you to where you’ll be staying to rest.”
With Xia Xiaolan agreeing so readily, Zhou Yi became somewhat uncertain.
She had always been somewhat intimidated by Xia Xiaolan. The academic star’s halo was dazzling, while she was just a poor student who needed language school in New York. If Xia Xiaolan abandoned her, she’d be completely alone in America!
“That’s not what I meant. I just thought Joan was quite accomplished, and accomplished people like you would have things to talk about.”
Zhou Yi quickly tried to smooth things over.
Xia Xiaolan responded with a simple “Mm” before asking:
“Did Uncle tell you about the language school?”
“Yes, I need to study there for two months…”
Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “The language school isn’t just two months – those with high proficiency can pass the test in two months. With the language school results, you can apply to community colleges and four-year universities. Anyway, I’ll take you for a level test tomorrow first.”
Zhou Yi was shocked, “There are different timeframes? How many months will I need to study?”
Zhou Wenban had told her she’d study at language school for two months, then do advanced studies for a year before returning – everything would take no more than a year and a half.
Now Xia Xiaolan was telling her that two months of language school was for those with high English proficiency.
Zhou Yi knew her level – not high!
Xia Xiaolan held back her laughter:
“I don’t know how many months you’ll need, but at your language school, students are placed in levels 101-112 based on the entrance test. Once you reach level 109 academic English, you can apply to universities.”
This made Zhou Yi anxious.
Levels 101-112?
She had no idea what level she might test into.
“If I don’t even qualify for level 1, do I have to go back to China?”
Returning to China right after arriving would be too embarrassing! Zhou Yi worried about staying too long in America while also fearing the shame of not even qualifying for language school.
“Don’t worry, 101 is the lowest level. They’ve already received the tuition, they won’t refuse your enrollment.”
This didn’t make Zhou Yi feel much better.
Though she had wanted to see the bustling New York, Zhou Yi was too scared to enjoy it now.
Xia Xiaolan took her to the apartment:
“I share this with others. You can stay here for tonight – you take my bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
The single bed was small, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to squeeze in with Zhou Yi.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi’s emotional intelligence kicked in, and she insisted on taking the couch.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t argue.
Xia Xiaolan had already informed Daisy about Zhou Yi’s arrival.
Zhou Yi wanted to build a good relationship with this friendly American, but her poor English limited them to communicate through gestures. Daisy was quite patient, teaching Zhou Yi several new words through gestures.
Zhou Yi had no issues with the food – she was the Zhou family’s young lady after all, and had eaten at Western restaurants in Beijing.
Having just one meal, she even found Daisy’s pasta and roasted meat delicious.
The next day was the school test, and Zhou Yi was too nervous to sleep that night.
After Xia Xiaolan and Daisy went to their rooms, she secretly turned on the table lamp by the couch and buried herself in the English textbooks she’d brought from home.
Xia Xiaolan heard her quietly reciting vocabulary and laughed internally.
This was typical of digging a latrine only when needing to use it.
She couldn’t be bothered with Zhou Yi – tomorrow she’d drop her off at the language school and be done with caring for her.
If Ye Xiaoqiong wanted to gain Zhou Yi’s trust and deal with her, she would surely appear again.
The next morning, Zhou Yi, with dark circles under her eyes, anxiously let Xia Xiaolan drive her to the language school. This school had dozens of branches across America, most located on university campuses. Zhou Yi will be attending the language center at the New York Institute of Technology.
On Broadway, bustle and chaos coexisted.
The reason for choosing this language school was simple: large institutions were trustworthy and had partnerships with many American universities, making it convenient for later university applications… and convenient for Zhou Yi to find under-the-table work in Chinatown when she ran out of money!