Tang Hong’en didn’t stay long in Hong Kong.
Liu Fen, however, could remain longer to accompany Tang Youru.
Since Tang Youru would next be transferred to America for treatment and Tang Hong’en couldn’t go, Liu Fen wanted to do something for him, like accompanying Tang Youru to America.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen were very close, and You Li had previously stayed in Hong Kong for several months, so having You Li take care of Tang Youru in Hong Kong was sufficient.
But America was farther away, and Liu Fen thought You Li shouldn’t go alone.
“Ah-Fen—”
“Don’t say it, this is what I want to do.”
Liu Fen cut off Tang Hong’en before he could speak, while Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to watch this couple’s display of affection.
“Mom, Uncle Tang, actually I could go too. Wasn’t I shortlisted for the AIA Rising Star Architect Award? While accompanying Aunt there, I might pick up an award while I’m at it!”
Pick up an award “while she’s at it”?
Tang Hong’en called Xia Xiaolan aside:
“I heard there were some issues with this award?”
Oh? Uncle Tang’s intelligence network was remarkably efficient.
Xia Xiaolan naturally denied it, “What did you hear? It’s just a small matter, I still believe in fair competition.”
Tang Hong’en sighed, “Outside, in the field of architecture, the family can’t help you… Don’t act rashly, winning would be great, but it’s fine if you don’t. You’re still young, and those who rely on underhanded methods won’t go far.”
Xia Xiaolan’s eyes warmed with emotion. Uncle Tang was worried she might not win the award because of Heidi’s interference and wanted to prepare her mentally.
He was also advising her from experience that some things weren’t worth fighting over immediately – she would have many opportunities, and if she did something rash in America, she might fall into someone’s trap.
That “someone” obviously meant Raymond Dawson.
“Don’t worry, I understand everything. About my land purchase in Hainan Island, the impact on you—”
It had been almost two months since Hainan Island was reorganized from a prefecture to a province and established as a provincial-level special economic zone.
Time had quietly moved into June, another summer had arrived, and the real estate boom in Hainan was already showing its effects. If Qihang’s “Haitian Garden” project in Haikou were to launch now, the price would exceed 1,200 yuan per square meter.
Consider that before April 13, commercial housing in Haikou could only sell for half that price – one can imagine the massive impact on Hainan’s real estate.
Of course, “Haitian Garden” hadn’t started sales yet, but residential land in Haikou had already risen from 40,000 yuan per mu to 90,000 yuan per mu.
The Haikou government still hadn’t loosened its land approval restrictions.
As far as Xia Xiaolan knew, Zhu Suizhou had separately registered ‘Yangfan Real Estate’ and bought land from others at prices higher than 90,000 yuan per mu, probably accumulating nearly a hundred mu of land by now – perhaps Xia Xiaolan was overthinking it, but she felt the name ‘Yangfan’ (Setting Sail) had special meaning, as if deliberately competing with ‘Qihang’ (Taking Flight).
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t afraid of Zhu Suizhou’s competition; she worried that his failed land purchase attempts might lead him to complain to the Song family, making others misunderstand that Tang Hong’en had leaked information to her in advance.
“I’ve said before, there’s nothing to this. Why are you still worried?”
Tang Hong’en feigned anger, appearing unwilling to discuss it further with Xia Xiaolan.
Second Song had indeed complained.
Second Song had been quite patient, waiting until Old Song finished his work before bringing it up, and did so under the guise of concern for young people, worried that Xia Xiaolan might make mistakes due to her youth. While appearing to dance with a sword like Xiang Zhuang, his real target was Liu Bang – he was subtly trying to discredit Tang Hong’en.
As a result, he got scolded by Old Song.
Old Song said Song Zhicheng spent his days doing nothing productive, only looking to catch others’ mistakes instead of focusing on achieving positive results in his work.
Old Song valued Tang Hong’en even more than his son. What kind of person was Tang Hong’en? How could he possibly abuse his power for his stepdaughter’s business? Impossible!
However much money Xia Xiaolan earned, it was through her abilities.
With the Fledgling Project backing her, Old Song’s impression of Xia Xiaolan couldn’t be bad.
On the contrary, Song Zhicheng’s sister-in-law Sheng Xuan had twice lent large sums to Zhu Suizhou irregularly, and the amounts were significant. While Old Song hadn’t said anything, his secretary had warned Song Zhicheng. After failing to successfully complain, Song Zhicheng went home and argued with his wife, with the couple blaming each other, creating quite a scene.
Tang Hong’en felt these matters didn’t need to be explained in detail to Xia Xiaolan. There wasn’t any major impact, and young people thinking too much would only lead to premature gray hair!
Before You Li and Xia Xiaolan departed for America, You Li received a call from Shao Guangrong.
Hearing about Tang Youru’s awakening, Shao Guangrong called specifically to congratulate You Li.
They chatted briefly like old friends, and Shao Guangrong didn’t linger on the call.
After two months of calm consideration, Shao Guangrong still wanted to donate the money from selling his shares.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Sister-in-law, I’m sure, and I won’t regret it.”
He had already decided to devote all his energy to work.
In the Shao family, having private wealth wouldn’t solve the issue of gaining a voice, and Shao Guangrong didn’t know how to spend this money anyway. Or rather, after his relationship with You Li reached a dead end, money became unimportant to him.
Since You Li wouldn’t accept the money for Tang Youru’s treatment, Shao Guangrong decided to donate it.
He found it quite ironic himself.
Previously, when Shan Yujun broke up with Kang Wei to teach in the Northwest, Shao Guangrong had difficulty understanding and strongly disapproved of her.
Now, after coming full circle, he was anonymously donating his money to the ‘Fledgling Taking Flight’ project…
“If you’re sure, then that’s fine. I’ll have the company handle it.”
As Xia Xiaolan was about to hang up, Shao Guangrong said “thank you” with double meaning.
He wasn’t thanking Xia Xiaolan for accepting the donation, but for helping You Li – for doing what he wanted to do, should have done, but couldn’t do.
Xia Xiaolan sighed: “It was what I should do. You and Little You both need to start new lives.”
If people aren’t meant to be together, it’s better to turn the page. Being persistent in love is a virtue, but pursuing the unattainable is truly torturous – just look at how Kang Wei’s personality has changed!
Xia Xiaolan held the receiver and asked You Li if she had anything else to say. You Li shook her head:
“Let’s leave it at that.”
This trip to America might last a year or two, and her contact with Shao Guangrong would naturally fade away.
…
Beijing.
Shao Guangrong listened to the dial tone, and though he knew the other end had hung up, he couldn’t bring himself to put down the receiver.
It felt like putting down the receiver would truly sever all ties between him and You Li.
In 1988, Shao Guangrong was 26 years old, and he had dated many girls.
In 1988, Shao Guangrong was 26 years old, and he thought he finally understood what love was, then he experienced heartbreak.
In 1988, Shao Guangrong was 26 years old, and as he went through his heartbreak, he understood one thing: not every story in this world can have a perfect ending.