“Zhou Cheng, I have to return to Beijing for my thesis defense. You alone in Hong Kong…”

Zhou Cheng had been quite busy lately.

Speaking of his mission, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t seen any other people – Zhou Cheng always acted alone.

It would be difficult for him to accompany her back to Beijing for the defense, so she just hoped he would take care of himself while alone in Hong Kong, prioritizing safety!

“Think more about me, and also about Uncle Zhou and Aunt Guan!”

Xia Xiaolan emphasized just this one thing.

Zhou Cheng agreed readily.

The two parted at Luohu Customs, with Xia Xiaolan heading north to Beijing for her graduation defense.

At the same time, another pair of former lovers was having trouble parting.

The privacy of the golf club provided a meeting place for Xia Ziyu and Wang Jianhua.

Xia Ziyu didn’t know how she had taken this step.

She had calculated the timing carefully, finally getting Du Chengrong back into bed during her ovulation period. She had always been very fertile – the last time she secretly stopped taking birth control pills, she got pregnant in the second month. That’s why she felt more anger than sadness about the previous miscarriage – if she lost one, she could just conceive another.

Du Chengrong wasn’t as inadequate as she had imagined.

Though not quite like before, their marital life was still manageable.

But she still hadn’t conceived.

On one side, Liu Keying’s belly was gradually growing larger; on the other, she had failed to conceive for two consecutive months… Xia Ziyu was anxious.

This anxiety left her no time to manage CR Investment affairs. Only when bad news came from Qihang Capital did she feel slightly relieved. Once the idea of “borrowing seed” was ignited, she couldn’t suppress it.

Maybe it wasn’t her problem – perhaps Du Chengrong’s age had affected his quality!

Who knew how Liu Keying had gotten pregnant when it wouldn’t work for Xia Ziyu?

She tentatively “reunited” with Wang Jianhua.

When Wang Jianhua learned she had changed her name in Hong Kong and become Du Chengrong’s mistress, he was shocked and angry, blurting out:

“Ziyu, how can you accept such humiliation? That man is older than your father – do you plan to live like this your whole life?!”

In Wang Jianhua’s heart, Xia Ziyu was still that woman who had struggled to get from the countryside to university and who had deeply loved him.

He didn’t hate Xia Ziyu for taking his introduction letter and running away, causing him trouble. If she hadn’t run, she would have been arrested. Wang Jianhua wasn’t stupid – when Xia Ziyu asked him for the introduction letter, he knew what was happening.

After all, Xia Ziyu had given herself to him purely, and they had been forced apart under those circumstances. Wang Jianhua still harbored genuine concern for her, and facing her current situation, he was truly worried.

Xia Ziyu didn’t argue with him, just sighed:

“We’ll take it one step at a time. Besides pressing on, what else can I do? Mr. Du has great influence in Hong Kong. If I saw you on the street, I wouldn’t dare speak to you. You think I’m suffering with him, but without him, I’d be truly helpless. Returning to the mainland is impossible – without Mr. Du’s protection, I’m still a fugitive. Do you know Xia Xiaolan now has a high-ranking stepfather? If I appear as ‘Xia Ziyu,’ I’ll certainly be arrested!”

Wang Jianhua was speechless.

He did pity Xia Ziyu, but his father Wang Guangping’s career setbacks had shown him the coldness of human nature.

First, he couldn’t give up everything he currently had, abandoning his position as the Zhang family’s son-in-law to accept Xia Ziyu again.

Second, there was the very practical issue that he lacked the power to protect Xia Ziyu – at least until Tang Hongen retired, until Zhou Guobin, Zhou Wenbing, and others retired, and until Zhou Cheng himself fell from grace, he didn’t have that confidence!

Seeing his difficulty, Xia Ziyu just smiled: “It’s fine. I’m already satisfied that we can meet occasionally like this. Please don’t let me affect your prospects.”

Wang Jianhua was doing quite well now, and if things continued this way, he might reach the same heights as in his previous life.

The plan to “borrow seed” gradually became clearer in Xia Ziyu’s mind.

Wang Jianhua was quite a good candidate. While Du Chengrong was alive, he could care for her child. After Du Chengrong died, if Wang Jianhua was doing well, he could still look after her and the child.

A rich daddy and a powerful father were both excellent backers!

As Xia Ziyu herself said, take it one step at a time. She hadn’t completely given up hope yet; she had to try again.

“Borrowing seed” was risky – if discovered, Du Chengrong would surely make her life worse than death. It was a last resort. For now, it was enough to keep Wang Jianhua on the hook.

Xia Ziyu harbored ulterior motives.

Wang Jianhua was quite inflated with pride.

How could he not be when another man’s wife still thought of him?

As a man, he needed women’s admiration to build confidence. His ex-girlfriend Xia Ziyu couldn’t forget him, and he had a mistress Liu Shan following him without status – how could he not feel proud?

…

Xia Xiaolan returned to Beijing for her thesis defense.

She brought along her five roommates from Room 307.

During the two-month summer break, they each had their achievements.

Su Jing, after being criticized by Gong Yang, gained a clearer understanding of herself. To pursue interior design, she had to set aside her Huaqing student pride and start from scratch. Gong Yang told her where to begin based on his experience, and Su Jing had benefited greatly from these two months.

Yang Yonghong spent her days at construction sites, her cheeks sunburned and peeling, her arms and neck two different colors, but she was happy. She could learn things and earn money – she had no complaints!

Yes, Yang Yonghong, who took three years of retaking exams to get into Huaqing and seemed the most “slow-witted” in Room 307, actually adapted the fastest. She had previous practical experience and knew what to do at construction sites. Her internship salary was genuine – her demonstrated value warranted that amount. Of course, Yang Yonghong’s parents were now livestock farmers, and the family could be self-sufficient, not needing her support. So Xia Xiaolan suggested Yang Yonghong keep her two months’ salary for herself, and do the same with her income in the coming years.

Whether man or woman, everyone should learn to save money.

Money accumulates bit by bit, little becomes much.

Young people of Xia Xiaolan’s age had several opportunities for wealth accumulation. Ordinary people didn’t have many investment channels, so they should follow social development. When work units distribute housing, live in it. When the nation implemented housing reform, pay a portion and convert the public housing into private property – but some people couldn’t even afford this portion.

For urban workers who didn’t go into business, this would be their first chance for wealth accumulation in the coming years!

Although Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t let her roommates fall behind – if Yang Yonghong couldn’t afford the private portion during housing reform, Xia Xiaolan would be willing to lend or even directly provide it… but given Yang Yonghong’s personality, she’d probably prefer to rely on herself. Xia Xiaolan’s suggestion was for her good.

Helping family was certain.

But one had to do well themselves first to be more generous in helping others.

Yang Yonghong thought about it and agreed with Xia Xiaolan’s suggestion:

“When my parents’ farming stops making money, I’ll take over my younger siblings’ expenses.”