“Thanks!”

Jiang Yuan Ji laughed, “You’ve helped me complete my assignment. Why do you think I have two recommendation slots?”

It was both an appreciation and a test for Jiang Yuan Ji.

If he couldn’t find takers for two VIP slots, it would indicate his social circle was too narrow, lacking connections with wealthy individuals.

Jiang Yuan Ji urged Xia Xiaolan to complete the forms quickly. If she could submit the recommendation forms tomorrow, they could make Sunday’s opening ceremony.

“You’ll see that most high-level VIP members invited by the club are tycoons from Hong Kong and Macau, plus two Japanese businessmen, and some from Singapore.”

“How many high-level VIP members were invited?”

When Xia Xiaolan asked this, Jiang Yuan Ji went silent—a club secret.

She took the two envelopes containing recommendation forms back to her room and slept until dawn.

The next morning, just past eight, Liu Yong rushed to the hotel first.

He slapped a check on the table, “Xiaolan, I still want the VIP membership. Here’s 100,000 yuan.”

“But Aunt seemed to object…”

“Ha! A man doing business can’t just listen to his wife at home! I told her she was shortsighted. You said VIP status needs high-level VIP recommendations. If I miss this chance, where else will I find a high-level VIP to recommend me?”

The club directly invited high-Vs, who could recommend regular Vs, who in turn could recommend regular members.

A clear hierarchy.

The club’s approach was what Xiaolan called “hunger marketing.”

To maintain this standard, the recommendation system wouldn’t change anytime soon.

Paying an extra 50,000 yearly for VIP status—Liu Yong was curious how the club would make it worthwhile. The differences between VIP and regular membership might only become apparent after joining!

“Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

“What’s there to consider? Your aunt’s too hesitant. We make plenty of money—what’s the point if we don’t spend it? You can’t make big money without spending small money!”

As the uncle and niece talked, Chen Xiliang and Kang Wei arrived together.

They’d already discussed on the way and decided on regular membership, sparing Xia Xiaolan any awkwardness.

Chen Xiliang was following his wife’s advice. Zhang Xiao told him that spending more surely brought greater benefits, but considering relationships, they should let Liu Yong choose first. While grateful that Xia Xiaolan included him in opportunities, Chen Xiliang needed to show restraint, and not be too greedy.

Kang Wei was indifferent.

Developing ‘Junwei’, expanding sales markets, manufacturing and selling furniture—these consumed his thoughts now.

Sister-in-law Xiaolan wouldn’t harm him by having him join the golf club, so he’d join first. Regular membership was fine; with the Kang family connections, his current network sufficed.

The once chatty young man had become remarkably quiet—Kang Wei hadn’t recovered from his heartbreak.

With no objections, the membership forms were quickly completed, and Xia Xiaolan had them delivered to Jiang Yuan Ji.

Liu Yong and Chen Xiliang needed a smoke break, leaving Xia Xiaolan alone with Kang Wei. She sighed:

“Still can’t forget? I had people check on Senior Sister Dan. She’s enduring hardships teaching in the Northwest, but there’s no word of her giving up.”

Kang Wei bowed, “Thank you, Sister-in-law, I appreciate your concern. I won’t hide it—I really can’t move on. I don’t fear being busy now, I fear being idle… When busy, I don’t think about anything, but when there’s nothing to do, it’s terrible. You ask if I love Dan too much. Maybe partly, but I also can’t understand why my devotion felt worthless!”

He had been passionate about the relationship.

For so long, she remained detached, watching him fret and worry, foolishly entangling himself in love’s web.

If she didn’t love him, why waste his time?

Was a woman’s youth more precious than a man’s invested energy and passion?

Or after two years, did the refined and the common remain fundamentally incompatible?

Comrade Kang Wei had progressed from hurt to anger.

Xia Xiaolan pushed coffee toward him, “Not everything needs an answer. If you truly can’t forget Senior Sister Dan, perhaps you two still have a chance after life’s twists and turns.”

“Heh, even if she knelt begging, I wouldn’t look at her again. Sister-in-law, I’m not fighting with Dan anymore—I’m fighting with myself.”

Really?

The true resolution comes quietly.

Only paper tigers roar while trembling inside.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t bother exposing this.

“Fine, fine, whatever you say!”

Dan Yujun, kneeling to beg for reconciliation?

That’s more unlikely than the sun rising in the west.

Liu Yong and Chen Xiliang returned arm in arm. Xia Xiaolan asked Chen Xiliang, “How are the auction preparations going?”

“I’ve arranged the loan with Yangcheng’s bank. Just waiting on procedures here.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t inquire further. The four chatted over food and drinks—another way to build relationships.

In the afternoon, surprisingly, Tina delivered four membership cards to Xia Xiaolan.

Tina had indeed started working at the club, handling membership applications, assisting Jiang Yuan Ji with membership qualification reviews, establishing member files, and related work.

As Xia Xiaolan processed four cards at once, Tina hesitated while delivering them:

“I heard you’re filing a lawsuit in America?”

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “Yes, and I heard you’re willing to testify for me. Thank you in advance, sincerely!”

Tina wore professional attire but couldn’t hide her youth. Like a child trying to act mature, she nodded seriously:

“I’m just fulfilling my civic duty. Tomorrow at 10 AM is the club’s opening ceremony—don’t be late.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t press further. That day, she again slept at midnight. Luohu Tiancheng’s Saturday sales hit another record, with 79 units sold.

“Manager Xia, many people are asking about shops, and Hong Kong owners are inquiring about underground parking spaces.”

“Parking spaces are 20,000 each, shops aren’t for sale yet.”

Not one shop in Golden Sand Pool had been sold yet, and Xia Xiaolan wanted to hold onto Luohu Tiancheng’s as well.

Unexpectedly, people actively sought parking spaces at 20,000 each. If Qihang had set prices and marketed them, people would accuse Xia Xiaolan of being money-hungry.

The next day, Xia Xiaolan woke naturally and got ready quickly.

Having paid membership fees, wouldn’t it be foolish to miss the club’s opening ceremony?

Kang Wei and Chen Xiliang also attended, the latter bringing Zhang Xiao. As a movie actress, not just some starlet, Zhang Xiao carried herself with natural grace, linking arms with Chen Xiliang without causing embarrassment.

Liu Yong brought Li Fengmei.

Li Fengmei muttered, “I must see what difference there is between paying 50,000 and 100,000 a year to play golf…”

Isn’t it just playing ball?

Same clubs, same balls, same course—yet they created a hierarchy!