“President Tang, long time no see!”

Since Tang Yuanyue had taken the initiative to greet her, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t pretend not to know him.

She didn’t want to deal with Tang Yuanyue. After the gossip in Hong Kong newspapers, Xia Xiaolan felt she should “avoid suspicion.”

Moreover, Tang Yuanyue had confessed to her.

Since she couldn’t give Tang Yuanyue a response, why continue associating with him?

Even business entanglements should be avoided if possible.

So what should she do now?

Should she cheerfully reunite with Tang Yuanyue as an old friend to escape Mrs. Wilson, or challenge the unfamiliar theater domain and accept Mrs. Wilson’s olive branch, thereby avoiding contact with Tang Yuanyue, the Hong Kong client?

After three seconds of hesitation, Xia Xiaolan decisively chose Mrs. Wilson.

Whatever the Wilsons’ intentions, at least Mrs. Wilson wouldn’t create gossip with her!

Tang Yuanyue watched her, concealing the greedy desire in his eyes.

From February to July, five months without seeing her, Xia Xiaolan was still beautiful.

No, she seemed even more beautiful – this Xia Xiaolan appeared more free-spirited. Though just an intern at GMP who could be ordered around, she somehow exuded an air of freedom.

“Xiaolan, why are you here?”

Having made her choice internally, Xia Xiaolan spoke easily: “Following my school’s arrangement, I’m interning at GMP. Meeting President Tang here is quite unexpected.”

“I’m surprised too. This resort project was originally my third brother’s responsibility, but… Anyway, I’m very happy to see you in America! Since you work at GMP, may I invite you to participate in the resort’s design proposal?”

Andrew looked at Tang Yuanyue, then at Mrs. Wilson.

Finally, his eyes settled on Xia Xiaolan.

—Intern, couldn’t your connections come separately?

—This is quite troublesome!

—Look at the other intern’s red eyes, how will colleagues get along in the future?

“Mr. Tang, we’re delighted you chose GMP, trusting GMP’s architects—”

Mrs. Wilson interrupted Andrew’s mediation, “I will only entrust the theater renovation to Xia. I came first, and this Mr. Tang seems a bit rude.”

“Madam, hello, may I ask who you are?”

“Cynthia Wilson, young man, I think you should—”

“Madam, I came to GMP yesterday. If it’s first come first serve, I should be the one making demands.”

Another Wilson!

Tang Yuanyue certainly couldn’t back down.

Kissinger was nearly fainting with joy.

Such sweet burdens – he’d welcome several more each day.

“President Tang, but I’ve already agreed to Mrs. Wilson…”

Xia Xiaolan spoke decisively.

Tang Yuanyue shot her an accusing look, while Kissinger interrupted the troublemaking Xia Xiaolan:

“There’s no conflict! Both Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Tang want you to participate in design proposals – you can do both!”

Matthew watched this farce.

He wouldn’t mind having such troubles – only children make choices, adults want it all!

“Mr. Kissinger, could you step outside for a moment?”

Contradicting the boss in front of others was taboo, but Xia Xiaolan couldn’t bear it anymore and needed to speak privately with Kissinger.

“OK, just a moment…”

Kissinger placated the clients and went next door with Xia Xiaolan.

“Land both clients, and I’ll calculate your project bonus at Hoffman’s standard! Give you project naming rights!”

As soon as they entered, Kissinger threw out the big bait.

Junior interns naturally had no naming rights, just as the Wilson Hotel project didn’t have Xia Xiaolan’s name.

“Sir, I’m very tempted! Your conditions are excellent! I’m grateful for your trust… but I don’t have much internship time left at GMP. I can only choose one between the theater renovation and the resort… Completing even one commission would be very difficult!”

Ugh…

Kissinger was stunned too.

Xia Xiaolan was different from other interns. Most interns wanted to stay at GMP, like that boy interning with Xia Xiaolan – Kissinger couldn’t even remember his name but knew he wanted to stay.

“What year are you in?”

Kissinger finally remembered this crucial question.

“Starting the fall semester, I’ll be a junior, sir. I’m not a regular student at Cornell, just an exchange student from China.”

Shit!

Juniors had to attend classes. Kissinger had hoped to keep Xia Xiaolan with GMP work, but she said she was an exchange student! Exchange students would return home soon.

“Why not complete your studies at Cornell? Isn’t staying in America good?”

Xia Xiaolan had some connections, which could help her quickly establish herself and rise to fame in New York’s architectural circles.

So, was Cornell’s architectural undergraduate program not good enough, or was GMP not good enough?

As Xia Xiaolan shook her head with a bitter smile, Kissinger felt like breaking down – at this moment, the partner would surely have much in common with Professor McCarthy!

“Then which commission do you want to accept?”

Such a painful choice – why force him to choose?

Xia Xiaolan had already thought it through:

“Mrs. Wilson’s theater renovation.”

The theater renovation was on Broadway – Xia Xiaolan was familiar with that area, having just sent Zhou Yi to the language school there yesterday.

The resort was in Indonesia.

Was she supposed to make a trip to Indonesia?

Even after her GMP internship ended, the distance from Ithaca to New York would still allow her to complete the theater renovation.

“OK, let’s go talk to our enthusiastic clients. If possible, that Mr. Tang might stay too.”

Tang Yuanyue’s tone wasn’t as firm as Mrs. Wilson’s.

Without Xia Xiaolan’s involvement, Mrs. Wilson would leave immediately.

Without Xia Xiaolan’s involvement… Kissinger hoped to keep Tang Yuanyue hanging.

Returning to the adjacent office, Kissinger first confirmed Mrs. Wilson’s side: “Madam, we’ve confirmed that Xia will handle your commission. We can discuss the details gradually – you can communicate any ideas with us anytime.”

Mrs. Wilson was very satisfied:

“Then we’ll discuss it next time.”

Between her and Tang Yuanyue, Kissinger had favored her, giving Mrs. Wilson face!

Tang Yuanyue frowned, “I think GMP doesn’t lack clients. Between local American clients and foreign clients like us who came seeking your reputation, Mr. Kissinger chose the former.”

“Mr. Tang! Please let me explain, I understand your joy at seeing an old friend, but your previous visit to GMP…”

Kissinger waved his hand behind his back, and Xia Xiaolan slowly left the office.

Matthew’s eyes shone brightly:

“How does it feel?”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t understand.

Matthew licked his lips: “I mean having two clients fighting over you – what’s that like? That’s treatment usually reserved for famous architects!”

Oh, that’s what he meant.

Xia Xiaolan felt slightly inflated for a moment but sobered up within three seconds.

What was there to feel? A wolf on the left, a tiger on the right – neither “client” came for her abilities, both had ulterior motives. Neither choice was right!