Harold wanted to tell Xia Xiaolan to stay away from Old Ivan and Cynthia, but considering Old Ivan’s helplessness and how Xia Xiaolan was clearly in a passive position, he held back.
As a wealthy person who often did as he pleased, Harold knew too well what money could accomplish. Poor people couldn’t approach the wealthy even if they wanted to – there was no intersection between their worlds, and they could hardly create opportunities for interaction.
The reverse, however, was different. Although Xia Xiaolan wasn’t poor, this was America, and here she was just a student… That’s why Harold could legitimately approach her by sponsoring the C·W Design Competition at Cornell’s School of Architecture. Similarly, Ivan and Cynthia Wilson could approach Xia Xiaolan through the GMP firm.
Harold worried about Xia Xiaolan being in such a passive position, but fortunately, she was very clever and excelled at turning passive situations into active ones, just like today when she presented the theater renovation proposal to Cynthia.
“Your proposal is very interesting, though I thought you’d continue to Washington. You’ll have to stay in New York now,” Harold finally found a natural topic of conversation.
Xia Xiaolan nodded, “I didn’t want to take Mrs. Wilson’s commission, but since she approached through the firm, I had no choice. My internship at GMP is ending soon, so this will be my last commission.”
She explained this to Harold, feeling that the Wilson family’s affairs were troublesome and preferring not to get involved. Between the Wilsons and Harold, she leaned more toward Harold, based on their longer acquaintance and more frequent interactions. Once her GMP internship ended and their employment relationship ceased, no one could force her to accept commissions she didn’t want!
Harold understood Xia Xiaolan’s meaning clearly. He knew how unique her thinking was. While Cynthia tried to do her a favor, Xia Xiaolan casually passed it to her classmate Matthew.
Thinking of this made Harold want to smile. As Matthew was trying his best to stay invisible, Harold suddenly encouraged him:
“Matthew Carlton? I remember you. Your team also won an award in the C·W competition. I don’t know this Tina well, only that she’s a freshman at Columbia University this year. If you want to win her commission, you need to understand the preferences of such privileged second-generation rich kids. Showing your capability is one thing, but winning young people’s favor is also important.”
What? Why would Mr. Wilson suddenly offer him guidance?
Matthew felt this happiness came too suddenly. First, Xia Xiaolan suddenly handed him a commission, and now Harold was giving him advice.
Believing that what this big shot said must be right, Matthew excitedly replied, “Sir, thank you for your encouragement. I know which direction to work toward now!”
“No, you don’t! Merely trying to please won’t win rich people’s favor. Your attitude during lunch was already overly enthusiastic,” Harold coldly criticized Matthew.
Matthew felt embarrassed but quickly adjusted his mindset. Harold wasn’t trying to humiliate him but genuinely teaching him how to handle matters. Though he didn’t understand why, such opportunities were rare – who could give better advice than Harold? After all, wasn’t Mr. Wilson himself from a wealthy family? He was just expressing the normal feelings of the rich second generation!
Xia Xiaolan gave Harold a strange look, as this wasn’t like his usual self. Was he encouraging Matthew to take Tina’s residential design commission? Why did it feel more like he was encouraging Matthew to get closer to Tina herself?
The Wilsons were truly strange!
Director Xia made this observation again, thinking that once she finished the theater renovation, she could return to Ithaca and continue her simple student life.
Thinking of Tina reminded her of the girl’s coquettish, likable face. Full of collagen, not particularly stunning but very approachable. As Chinese people would say, she had a “kind face,” as if they’d met somewhere before.
But where could she have seen her? If they had met, she certainly wouldn’t have forgotten. Xia Xiaolan pondered this, certain she hadn’t interacted with Tina before.
Harold escorted Xia Xiaolan and Matthew back to GMP, then actually went to Kissinger’s office. When he left, Xia Xiaolan was gathering her team members to assign work.
Through the translucent glass, Harold saw Xia Xiaolan sitting in the main seat, with Matthew and others listening attentively to her. Harold couldn’t help but smile: “She’s climbing fast.”
From starting as an intern doing odd jobs to having her desk, to now having a temporary office – Xia Xiaolan was indeed rising quickly at GMP. But GMP wouldn’t be able to keep her. Xia Xiaolan’s heart was set on returning to China. She only had a few months left in America… Thinking of this, Harold became somewhat unhappy again.
Mrs. Wilson approved Xia Xiaolan’s concept proposal without much delay, arriving at GMP the next day to sign the commission contract with Kissinger. Tina accompanied Mrs. Wilson to the firm. Matthew, remembering Harold’s “guidance,” maintained just the right balance of politeness and enthusiasm while receiving Tina. Tina didn’t mention her residential renovation project, and Matthew didn’t rush it either. They chatted about other things instead.
One was a wealthy second-generation girl, the other an intern hoping for a commission. Setting aside these identities and returning to basics, they did have things in common. Columbia University and Cornell both belonged to the American Ivy League, both top universities in the northeastern United States. A Columbia student wouldn’t look down on a Cornell senior.
“So, you and Xia both got to intern at GMP because you won the architecture design competition sponsored by Wilson Hotels?” Tina’s outfit today was more casual; without the lace dress, she looked less like a princess, making it easier for Matthew to chat with her.
“Yes, Wilson Hotels and the School of Architecture jointly held the first C·W Architecture Design Competition. Other winners went to Foster and P&W, while only Xia and I came to intern at GMP.”
Among this batch of interns at the three major firms, Xia Xiaolan was probably doing the best. He wasn’t doing badly either. There was also Ning Xue who had made some waves initially, but lately, there hadn’t been any news. As for Jonathan and Heidi, they barely made any splash at all. Excellence in school wasn’t enough when it came to big firms.
Thinking of this, Matthew couldn’t help feeling proud. Of course, if he could successfully win Tina’s commission, his two-month internship at GMP would end perfectly.
“Oh~ Then you’re both really capable, having such strong abilities just as interns at GMP.”
While Tina expressed amazement, she remained unimpressed inside. This Matthew Carlton wasn’t an important figure – the real key was Xia Xiaolan.
She looked up just as Mrs. Wilson, Xia Xiaolan, and the firm’s partner walked out of the office, obviously having finished signing the specific commission agreement. Tina stood up: “Aunt Cynthia, can I invite Xia to watch an opera together?”