The old master was impressive!
Though it wasn’t easy for Zhou Ke, the old master was measured in his methods and wasn’t abusive. He even had Grandmother Zhou make small gloves for Zhou Ke to wear while digging. The child’s hands would only feel sore but wouldn’t develop blisters or breaks in the skin.
If Zhou Yi had been trained like this from childhood, she definitely wouldn’t have grown up to be selfish and despicable. She disregarded everything for what she considered love simply because she had never experienced hardship. Her family always cushioned her falls, and she never considered how they felt.
Had Zhou Yi been raised by Old Master Zhou, she wouldn’t have fallen for Yuan Han. The old master was too practical – any granddaughter he trained wouldn’t have been attracted to a smooth-talking showpiece.
Unfortunately, when Zhou Cheng and Zhou Yi were young, Old Master Zhou hadn’t yet retired and was still working. He couldn’t spare several days to “teach” Zhou Ke as he was doing now.
When Xia Xiaolan told Jiang Hong what she had witnessed, Jiang Hong was stunned. Truthfully, Jiang Hong had always felt her in-laws favored boys over girls, valuing Zhou Cheng more than Zhou Yi. This had been a source of her grievances for many years.
But now, despite having less energy than before, the old master was spending time teaching Zhou Ke. Jiang Hong felt more shocked than pleased. She needed time to process this realization.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t disturb her thoughts. After leaving Jiang Hong’s home, she sincerely reflected: “I truly hope Grandfather and Grandmother live to be a hundred. Having elders in the family is more precious than any treasure. I’m not saying they should raise our future children, but having them guide the family gives me such peace of mind!”
Barring unexpected circumstances, her wealth would continue to grow. Zhou Cheng’s position would also keep rising. How should they educate their children? The hardships that she and Zhou Cheng had experienced wouldn’t be faced by the next generation. Raising a spoiled, useless child wasn’t the worst outcome – what was truly frightening was when such a person went on to harm others.
Zhou Cheng shared these concerns. Having a son would be one thing – boys were typically tough and could handle strict training. But if Xiaolan had a daughter, how could he bear to be strict with her?
This couple hadn’t even put having children on their agenda, yet they were already worried about education, debating on their way home whether they should adopt a “strict father, gentle mother” or “strict mother, gentle father” approach.
It was like those jokes about couples arguing over how to spend 5 million yuan they hadn’t even won yet – shouldn’t they wait until they had the money before arguing?
Back at the Zhou residence, Xie Yun was talking with Guan Hue in the living room. Seeing Xia Xiaolan return, Xie Yun said apologetically, “Xiaolan, auntie has something to ask you.”
“You want to ask about Kang Wei in the Northwest?”
Xie Yun nodded. Before the New Year, Kang Wei had received a call and left for the Northwest. It had been over half a month, and he showed no signs of returning home. Through phone calls, Xie Yun only knew that “Little Dan” had been rescued.
Xie Yun was so worried. Little Dan, Little Dan – she knew there was such a person. But whether Little Dan was tall or short, round or flat, Xie Yun knew nothing. They had already broken up, but now with this unclear situation, how could Xie Yun not be anxious?
Xia Xiaolan couldn’t explain either, she could only relate what had happened in the Northwest: “…Auntie Xie, I don’t know what Senior Dan and Kang Wei discussed. Neither of them has any intention of telling others.”
In Xia Xiaolan’s opinion, if Kang Wei hadn’t forgotten his feelings after two years of separation, it would have been fine for him to stay in the Northwest for a few months. Whether they would continue together or part ways forever, they needed time to understand their hearts.
This applied not just to Kang Wei, but also to Dan Yujun. After all, relationships were always about choices made by both parties.
“Kang Wei has experienced a lot these past few years. He’s become very responsible and can manage his own life now,” Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan shared the same view.
After a long silence, Xie Yun finally accepted this reality: “Fine, I won’t interfere too much. Little Kang is an adult now. As long as he’s happy, let him be.”
Soon, the first month of the lunar year ended. Kang Wei still hadn’t returned from the Northwest.
Gu Zhengqing had returned. When Xia Xiaolan brought up establishing the “Young Eagle Scholarship,” Gu Zhengqing said it would be difficult for the department to approve the funding. Xia Xiaolan understood – it wasn’t about having too little, but about fair distribution. If the department approves the funding, which region should get priority?
It was different if Xia Xiaolan handled it herself – it was her money, she could spend it however she wanted.
Du Zhaohui had done the same in earlier years, donating money to several universities as he pleased.
Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help everyone, so she made her own choice: “Let’s select the regions where the Young Eagle Plan is being piloted. The scholarships will just be issued under the department’s name. What do you think, Uncle?”
The Young Eagle Plan pilot regions were already impoverished areas, saving Xia Xiaolan the trouble of additional screening.
Gu Zhengqing thought it was feasible but needed to consult the department’s opinion.
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t in a hurry. They could take it slow – she was only 24 this year, with a long life ahead. There was no need to rush anything!
When Zhou Cheng’s holiday ended, Xia Xiaolan returned to Qiong Island.
By April, land prices on Qiong Island had skyrocketed. In Ye City, prices reached 260,000 yuan per mu. More and more capital began flowing into Qiong Island, with investors jointly petitioning the Ye City government to release more land!
Meng Guanchao sold his land to Xia Xiaolan before April 13th, at 260,000 yuan per mu.
Compared to when Meng Guanchao bought it in ’87, the price had increased by over 200,000 yuan per mu. Back then, Meng Guanchao and his friends had pooled together 6 million yuan to buy land, with his investment being nearly 2 million.
Now that 2 million had become 12 million, earning him 10 million. Meng Guanchao’s hands trembled as he signed the documents.
“Does Mr. Meng regret it?”
Meng Guanchao collapsed into his chair, “I’m afraid I’ll regret it, that’s why I sold the land to Director Xia. I’m leaving Qiong Island tomorrow!”
This man didn’t have prophetic foresight, but he was very cautious.
He wasn’t greedy either. When Qiong Island’s land prices had just reached 260,000 per mu, Meng Guanchao, despite his friends’ opposition, firmly decided to sell.
His friends didn’t want to sell, so Meng Guanchao sold only his share.
After selling, he feared he might be tempted to re-enter the market, so he decided to leave Qiong Island altogether.
Xia Xiaolan admired this man and shook his hand after signing: “Speculating in land is like playing the stock market – money on paper is virtual, only when you cash out is it real. Mr. Meng, I believe we’ll have opportunities to cooperate in the future.”
Meng Guanchao forced himself to set aside his reluctance: “I’ve earned 10 million! With this money, I can do any business. I won’t compete with influential figures like Director Xia on Qiong Island anymore! Director Xia, please don’t forget what you said today – I look forward to working with you.”
Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t forget.
Seeing his decisiveness, Meng Guanchao might go even further than Zhu Suizhou!
While his business might not reach Zhu Suizhou’s peak glory, Meng Guanchao was more stable.
After Meng Guanchao sold his land and left Qiong Island, prices rose again in May. The friends who had come to Qiong Island with him secretly laughed at his foolishness, nicknaming him ‘Meng the Coward.’ Not only did they not leave Qiong Island, but they even began following Zhu Suizhou’s example by taking bank loans to continue speculating on land.
Xia Xiaolan had already planned Qihang Real Estate’s second project on Qiong Island. Instead of residential buildings, she would build an office building!
During the peak of Qiong Island’s real estate boom, there were over 20,000 real estate companies. Most were shell companies for land speculation, but even shell companies needed office space. Xia Xiaolan decided to build an office building to meet her peers’ demands.