“You—”

You yellow monkey, you inferior Chinese person!

Mrs. Dawson wanted to curse.

But Xia Xiaolan had read her correctly – this humiliating scene was like a nightmare she never wanted to experience again. Even with endless curses in her heart, she dared not voice them.

Wanting to curse but not daring to – this was the most painful thing for someone like Mrs. Dawson. Xia Xiaolan smiled softly.

Then all the students were laughing, seeing Xia Xiaolan as a fighter.

One must first help oneself before help comes from others.

If Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue hadn’t taken such a firm stance, refusing to let Mrs. Dawson off easily, other students wouldn’t have come to support the two Chinese students.

Mrs. Dawson had insulted Chinese students – if Chinese students themselves didn’t resist, why would others stand up for them? Not resisting meant weakness, accepting Mrs. Dawson’s discrimination!

Xia Xiaolan’s speech made students laugh and applaud.

Her words were well-spoken, logical, and well-reasoned, and even while having the upper hand, she remained rational.

Mrs. Dawson might not listen, such people don’t have sudden epiphanies after one setback, but the students understood, so they gave their applause to Xia Xiaolan.

The applause continued.

The well-dressed Mrs. Dawson covered her face with her handbag and slunk away through the crowd.

Matthew muttered, “She hasn’t apologized to me yet.”

Of course, he was just joking. Mrs. Dawson had already lost all face today, and Matthew felt quite satisfied – his facial injury was just for show anyway, it had stopped hurting long ago.

In the crowd, Nancy’s face reddened with excitement as she tugged on Daniel’s sleeve:

“Isn’t she amazing? So cool! God, even I, a girl, am falling for her!”

Daniel clapped vigorously.

So hot!

So cool!

Such a Chinese girl was indeed worthy of being his desired dating partner.

*Ahem* Though he hadn’t managed to date her yet, at least it proved his excellent taste!

The Academic Affairs Office staff tried to control the students, but how could they manage? These students celebrated victory in a crude but traditional way – they grabbed Xia Xiaolan and carried her out of the office, and down the stairs.

On the flat lawn, they tossed her high into the air.

Zhou Cheng had received this treatment before, now it was Xia Xiaolan’s turn.

Zhou Cheng was the knight who saved the princess.

When the knight wasn’t present, the princess could wield the sword to protect herself!

“Xia!”

“Xia…”

Ning Xue disliked such commotion but caught up in the crowd, she too was tossed into the air!

“Ning!”

“You’re both amazing!”

Most of the glory went to Xia Xiaolan – in dealing with Mrs. Dawson, Xia Xiaolan had indeed shown more assertiveness. When Xia Xiaolan wasn’t at school, Ning Xue also troubled Mrs. Dawson but didn’t gain the upper hand.

Ning Xue was clever and proud, but not down-to-earth – she had a firm attitude but lacked tactful problem-solving skills.

As soon as Xia Xiaolan returned to school and encountered Mrs. Dawson, she quickly turned the situation around.

Ning Xue was tossed in the air.

If this was a “competition,” she had undoubtedly lost again.

Winning once could be luck.

But winning twice?

“Is this why Grandfather told me to learn from Xia Xiaolan…”

Perhaps being worldly and shrewd wasn’t wrong – sometimes, being too dignified could lead to being bullied, while being worldly-wise could protect oneself.

Xia Xiaolan was tossed up and down, dizzy from the motion, screaming and laughing.

Ning Xue also showed a smile.

…

Xia Xiaolan didn’t even know how she landed.

If not for Daisy supporting her, she definitely couldn’t have stood steady.

After adjusting her clothes, she walked toward Eric. If some students didn’t have classes, they would never have dispersed. Of course, another reason was that Xia Xiaolan decided to hold a party, inviting today’s “supporters,” which made them temporarily release her.

“Lawyer Eric, our meeting was rushed, but the coordination was excellent!”

Eric extended his hand, “Let me introduce myself again – I’m Connie’s friend. Connie said there was a case needing my assistance, but she didn’t mention how interesting you are. You’re a natural warrior.”

Xia Xiaolan blushed at the praise.

She certainly had moments of fear – when she was truly in her early twenties, she didn’t have her current courage.

Later she gradually understood: the world is so messed up, if she didn’t want to be bullied, she couldn’t be cowardly!

“You’re too kind. I know it’s not the right time, but since you scared Mrs. Dawson so effectively, you must be an excellent lawyer in the field! Connie didn’t tell me how much I should pay you in legal fees?”

What’s embarrassing about discussing money? Taking advantage of someone’s free work would be shameful.

Eric laughed heartily: “How do you think I should charge?”

It shouldn’t be cheaper than Wen Manni.

Even a casual lawyer consultation starts at 100 dollars per hour.

Eric had resolved the matter both well and quickly. Xia Xiaolan was about to write a number on her checkbook when Eric refused: “I was just joking with you. I often represent poor people who can’t afford much. I really like your approach – this is simply legal aid.”

Xia Xiaolan still hesitated, worried that not paying would mean Wen Manni would owe Eric a big favor.

Eric seemed to see through her thoughts, “If I accept your payment, today’s victory becomes a battle between rich people, not a story of poor students defeating a wealthy socialite. I think you wouldn’t want to see that development either, right?”

Eric handed his business card to Xia Xiaolan:

“If similar incidents happen again, I’m happy to help you all – not just you, but other Chinese students, or African American students.”

The card was simple, just a phone number, and under Eric Bloom’s name was a small line: Fighting for Equal Rights.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t insist on payment anymore.

She decided to ask Connie – appreciation was necessary, but not necessarily in the form of payment.

Eric didn’t stay long at Cornell. What would a lawyer over 40 do lingering on a university campus? He came quietly and left quietly, only being prominent when threatening Mrs. Dawson.

“Lawyer Eric refused payment, looks like your scholarship can be saved.”

Xia Xiaolan shrugged at Ning Xue.

She didn’t need to ask Ning Xue to share the cost of thanking Eric.

Ning Xue nodded, “We’ve driven away the annoying Mrs. Dawson, but this isn’t over, is it?”

Xia Xiaolan agreed with this view.

“Of course, we’ve driven away Mrs. Dawson, and Mr. Dawson… but I think Mr. Dawson won’t dare to openly trouble us anymore if he has any sense.”

Xia Xiaolan felt Monde Dawson was too clever for his good.

The arrogant Mrs. Dawson was merely a soldier pushed to the front by Monde to charge into battle, while Monde was the general commanding from behind the scenes.

The soldier acted like a clown, while the general remained steadily hidden.

—This matter wasn’t truly over yet!