“Wonderful, I hope I’ll have a chance to visit Los Angeles!” Xia Xiaolan agreed immediately.

Farne didn’t say anything more. He was truly a mild-mannered person – even when speaking those words to Xia Xiaolan, his tone remained perfectly neutral. However, to say he was a gentleman without boundaries who showed kindness to everyone wouldn’t be entirely accurate. He hadn’t been swayed by Xia Xiaolan’s beauty; what mattered most to him was his sister Tina’s feelings. He was willing to expend effort weaving a protective net around Tina, even personally screening her friends.

Farne had his standards for who could be friends with Tina. Xia Xiaolan had barely passed the mark. Matthew still fell short.

Throughout the journey, Xia Xiaolan had been holding back, wanting to directly ask Farne if his father’s surname was Zhang and if his mother’s surname was Cui. But there was no way to ask without it seeming strange. If only she could have ridden in the same car as Tina to the party – Tina was more simple-minded than Farne, and during an enthusiastic conversation, Xia Xiaolan could have asked directly without issue.

Farne was different. Though he appeared gentle, he had experience as a volunteer abroad and now worked on Wall Street… As far as Xia Xiaolan knew, the naive and innocent couldn’t survive on Wall Street.

During the drive, Xia Xiaolan was very careful in her conversation with Farne, suppressing her investigative urges and sticking to safe topics like his work.

“It’s just some financial investment work. You know, Wall Street jobs are all boringly similar, not like you designers whose work is full of creativity.”

This man truly revealed nothing.

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “From a mundane perspective, work is a means to earn money. From a more elevated view, work is a channel for self-actualization. In essence, there’s no difference between financial investment and architecture.”

Farne silently shook his head. Why would Tina want to be friends with such a Chinese girl? Sharp and capable, and not even trying to hide it. She was a completely different type from Tina.

Farne lost interest in the conversation, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t push it. They rode in silence until they reached the party venue.

When Tina got out of Matthew’s car, both Xia Xiaolan and Farne simultaneously broke into smiles.

“Hi, let’s go in!”

Though Tina had chosen Matthew as her date, she naturally took her brother Farne’s arm. The party’s music was deafening. As the siblings walked in, a young girl rushed out and pulled Tina inside, naturally including Farne as well.

Matthew extended his arm, “I guess you’ll have to settle for me.”

Just as he finished speaking, an excited voice called out:

“Xia?!”

It was Daniel!

Matthew wanted to curse. Daniel had been a prominent figure at Cornell.

Matthew watched helplessly as Daniel strode over on his long legs. “May I borrow Xia for a moment?”

Matthew rolled his eyes – Xia Xiaolan wasn’t his to lend out, of course, she could be borrowed.

Daniel led Xia Xiaolan deeper into the party:

“Did you come with the Zhang siblings? I saw them go in earlier. I know you’re curious about them, but whatever the reason, I advise you not to pursue this further.”

Daniel’s expression was serious.

Xia Xiaolan lowered her voice: “Why?”

Daniel led her to a less crowded area. “I just found out today that this family is not to be trifled with in Los Angeles. When I inquired about them, my friend warned me to stay away. I’m giving you the same warning – keep your distance, for your safety!”

Xia Xiaolan’s heart pounded. Had she accidentally stumbled upon the right people?

“Why? I remember you saying their family does import-export business in Los Angeles… is it the kind of import-export business I’m thinking of?”

Daniel covered her mouth, “Xia, you shouldn’t get involved with such people. Look, America is a society of law and order, but people still disappear without explanation. You’re close to the Wilson family – hopefully, that will help protect you, at least the Wilsons have good relations with this family!”

Damn, that closeness!

Everyone thought she was close to the Wilson family, but only Xia Xiaolan herself knew how false that intimacy was.

And who was familiar with the Zhang family?

Not Harold, but Cynthia.

Cynthia and old Ivan didn’t seem particularly close to Harold either.

“I understand, thank you, Daniel! I have no ill intentions toward them, I’m just curious. I’ll take your advice and keep my distance from the siblings.”

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s for the best. If you want to make friends, there are many interesting people at this party – I can introduce you.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded with a smile.

The party was truly lively, with Tina and Farne being the center of attention.

Sweet and lovely Tina, gentle and courteous Farne – yet they made Daniel so wary.

But if Tina and Farne were truly untouchable forbidden figures, people would surely have noticed when she appeared beside them.

Avoiding them now would only leave traces.

She should pretend she hadn’t heard Daniel’s words, stop probing into the siblings’ background, neither actively approaching nor obviously avoiding them, just treating them as ordinary friends… while waiting for news from Jim.

Thinking of Jim, Xia Xiaolan’s heart sank.

Jim had said he would let her know once he reached Los Angeles.

He should have arrived yesterday, so why was there still no word tonight?

After Daniel’s warning, though Xia Xiaolan showed no outward change, she had lost all enthusiasm for the party. She finally endured until it ended, while Tina had enjoyed herself immensely:

“Did I neglect you tonight?”

“No, I happened to meet a classmate from Cornell.”

Xia Xiaolan pointed to Daniel.

Tina wiped sweat from her forehead, “I’ll have Farne drive you back since you didn’t drive.”

“I can take Xia home. Hello, Miss Tina, I’m Xia’s schoolmate – you can call me Daniel.”

Daniel smiled, showing no signs of unease.

Tina’s eyes lingered on Daniel, then she winked at Xia Xiaolan as if asking if this was the type Xia Xiaolan liked.

“Don’t get any ideas, Daniel and I are just friends.”

“Xia, if you’d give me a chance, I could…”

Daniel joked, showing his close relationship with Xia Xiaolan.

Matthew had disappeared somewhere. After Daniel and Xia Xiaolan left, Farne slowly walked over:

“Tina, do you like her that much?”

Tina thought for a moment, then shook her head: “No, I just admire her, I’m very curious about her.”

“She’s very curious about us too.”

Farne stated this fact.

Tina covered her mouth and laughed, “Brother, my schoolmates are all very curious about you. Do you know how many people ask me about you? Daddy won’t let me have a boyfriend, but he’s never forbidden you from having a girlfriend. Why don’t you find yourself a girlfriend!”