The internship had concluded.

Yet, Xia Xiaolan and Matthew still had unfinished work.

Though their internship attendance sheets were complete, both needed to finish their ongoing projects.

On August 6th, they had to return to Cornell to select their fall semester courses.

For the two days prior, and even after Cornell’s semester began, Xia Xiaolan and Matthew would need to utilize their weekends in New York to complete their remaining work at GMP.

Matthew lacked the qualifications to accept commissions directly, and Tina’s commission would also need to proceed through the GMP office.

Before the party commenced, Matthew rushed over:

“Are we still a two-person team fighting side by side?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “I suppose so, at least for tonight. Once we exit the GMP office after the party, our partnership automatically dissolves.”

Matthew’s expression shifted, “Could we postpone the dissolution until tomorrow?”

“Why?!”

“Tina asked me to visit her residence tomorrow to sign the agreement. She wants you present too, Xia. I’m begging you just this once – I want to secure this commission.”

Beyond merely expressing his desire for the commission, Matthew had invested considerable effort into Tina’s project over recent days, producing numerous sketches.

This matter needed resolution before their return to Ithaca.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Fine, but remember that you owe me one.”

Neither Xia Xiaolan nor Matthew anticipated that so many company employees would remain for the evening party.

This included Hoffman, who had been stationed in Washington overseeing the Wilson Hotel project.

Hoffman had returned!

“I merely returned to New York to see my child. When Kissinger mentioned the party, I thought, why not attend!”

Such pride was typical.

Xia Xiaolan had encountered many similar individuals:

“I hope for future opportunities to learn from and collaborate with you.”

Hoffman stiffly nodded, “…I truly returned to see my child.”

Matthew, slightly intoxicated, laughed heartily: “Mr. Hoffman, Grey mentioned your son is on his graduation trip. Has he returned?”

Hoffman stared at him.

Matthew’s laughter gradually diminished, “So… has he returned?”

Xia Xiaolan nearly burst out laughing – Matthew had drunk too much. Why expose Hoffman’s excuse? Couldn’t a senior architect maintain his pride?

“Congratulations!” Grey approached with a wine glass.

“Thank you, Grey. When Matthew and I first arrived at GMP, we knew nothing. You provided excellent guidance!”

Grey smiled slightly, “Matthew truly knew nothing, but you possessed knowledge. I believe Mr. Kissinger’s message was clear – GMP’s doors remain perpetually open to you.”

Grey had initially felt some resentment.

However, after Xia Xiaolan produced the theater renovation design proposal, her displeasure dissipated.

Talented individuals need not rely on seniority, and if she possessed such talent, she wouldn’t have served as an assistant for so many years.

Yet ordinary people comprised the majority – should those without talent cease to exist?

Grey had adjusted her mindset; Xia Xiaolan and Matthew were merely passing through GMP, while she would persist with the firm!

GMP’s doors remained open – Kissinger had indeed said this, even calling her to his office to inquire about her plans.

Xia Xiaolan naturally repeated her standard response about returning to China after completing her exchange program.

Kissinger spoke more directly than Professor McCarthy, stating that returning to China would harm her professional development. He supported her remaining in America to complete her education, suggesting she naturally transition into GMP after graduating from Cornell’s architecture program:

“Xia, I understand you differ from typical Chinese students. While you may not lack funds, you genuinely love architecture. Your work enthusiasm isn’t fabricated… Why not stay? Become a true architect in New York! Cornell suits you, and GMP provides an excellent platform.”

No, she desperately needed money.

Xia Xiaolan’s choice would inevitably disappoint Kissinger.

While her passion for architecture had grown, it couldn’t compare to her desire for financial success.

In Peng City, Qihang had just spent 7 million yuan acquiring a 35-mu plot of land. This represented a standard land purchase, unlike the Golden Sand Pool’s bargain – no such deals remained available. With numerous watchful eyes, the first deal’s low price stemmed from its sewage pond status. The Peng City government had grown wiser and wouldn’t sell land so cheaply again.

The 35-mu land, over 20,000 square meters, exceeded the Golden Sand Pool by 12 mu. People awaited Qihang’s, or rather Xia Xiaolan’s, next move.

Would Qihang develop an even more luxurious property than Golden Sand Pool?

Regardless, Xia Xiaolan had no intention of remaining in America.

After the party, Matthew was completely intoxicated, and Xia Xiaolan consumed considerable alcohol.

The next day, she awoke at ten to her ringing phone:

“Xia, you promised to accompany me to Tina’s…”

His voice dripped with complaint.

Xia Xiaolan crawled out of bed, “Give me Tina’s address, and let’s meet in the Upper East Side in thirty minutes!”

Matthew lavished her with flattery, but Xia Xiaolan had no time to listen. She quickly showered, changed clothes, and departed. Tina’s home stood two streets away from the Wilsons’ residence. While the Wilsons owned a detached house, Tina’s residence occupied a four-bedroom apartment.

Why would a young woman need four bedrooms?

Tina shared this thought.

Meeting Xia Xiaolan, Matthew shared his insights from conversations with Tina:

“She wants to remove three walls, reorganize the layout, maintain one master bedroom, and convert the rest into open space…”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Very much a rich heir’s perspective.”

Having once been ordinary herself, Xia Xiaolan thoroughly understood common people’s viewpoint – maximizing room count within limited space. A 90-square-meter apartment would sell better as three bedrooms than two!

She capitalized on this insight in her residential development projects.

But this didn’t apply to wealthy individuals.

The wealthy owned multiple properties.

They needn’t maximize occupancy within one house, requiring fewer rooms but demanding spaciousness and expansive views. Tina’s desire to convert four bedrooms into one proved entirely normal.

Xia Xiaolan followed Matthew upstairs. The apartment management maintained strict standards, perhaps ten times superior to her rental location.

They ascended to the ninth floor, where each level contained just one unit!

Tina’s door stood open, her voice sweet and gentle:

“I simply want to renovate the apartment. Why not? Heaven’s sake, I’m eighteen now – don’t I have the right to decide how my sleeping quarters look… Didn’t Daddy and Mommy give me this apartment?”

A young man inside spoke with extreme gentleness:

“Of course, you can make decisions, but Tina, please avoid impulsive actions. Every piece of furniture, every decorative item in this apartment was personally selected by Mother for you. Saying you want to discard everything – I think Mother would feel heartbroken!”