After more than a year, Kang Wei and Shan Yujun’s relationship remained undefined. Shan Yujun stayed in the Great Northwest, while Kang Wei visited for a few days every month.

They hadn’t officially reconciled – even Xia Xiaolan couldn’t tell if they were lovers or friends.

However, seeing Kang Wei’s increasingly youthful attitude, Xia Xiaolan felt things were developing positively… That was enough; as friends, they only needed to see Kang Wei transform from depression to happiness.

They were both adults – their relationship decisions didn’t need outside interference!

At Bai Zhenzhu and Pan Bohua’s wedding, besides business partners, many of Pan Bohua’s former subordinates came. Though they’d left their classified positions for various careers – some thriving, others struggling – Pan Bohua treated them all equally, and they were all determined to make him drink.

Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei acted as Pan Bohua’s guardians, drinking much themselves to protect his sobriety. As Zhou Cheng said, Third Brother was getting on in years, finally married, and needed to stay clear-headed for his wedding night!

“Third Brother, are you alright?”

Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei supported him from both sides, handing Pan Bohua to Bai Zhenzhu.

Pan Bohua could barely stand, his eyes unfocused, nodding randomly.

Zhou Cheng gritted his teeth, “Sister Zhenzhu, take Third Brother away first. Kang Wei and I will handle the rest.”

Bai Zhenzhu had drunk quite a bit herself.

Three groups were trying to make Pan Bohua drink – her business partners, White Family Martial Arts School brothers, and Pan Bohua’s former subordinates… Facing such a formidable drinking army, even Bai Zhenzhu felt intimidated.

“You two drink less too.”

Bai Zhenzhu supported Pan Bohua as they walked, and he winked at her.

Ah, how could Third Brother be like this… Bai Zhenzhu almost broke character but, caring for her own man, quickly helped the “drunk” Pan Bohua escape.

The wedding was both lively and warm.

Ultimately, Xia Xiaolan was left caring for a drunk Zhou.

The drunk Zhou was quite proud, mumbling about his loyalty:

“I saw Third Brother pretending to be drunk to slip away… he is the groom after all…”

“Yes, yes, you’re the smartest and most loyal!”

Xia Xiaolan coaxed him like a child.

Drunk Zhou was entirely different from sober Zhou. While he’d grown increasingly mature and steady these two years, drunk Zhou was especially talkative, insisting on chatting with Xia Xiaolan despite slurred speech.

Xia Xiaolan could only humor this drunk.

Without his usual survival instinct, drunk Zhou even brought up Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan had attended the wedding with a young man.

“That’s… that’s someone new at work, technical track, different from us…”

Xia Xiaolan eyed Zhou Cheng suspiciously – was he drunk or pretending?

Was he saying that Jiang Yan’s new love interest was different from Zhou Cheng’s, that she’d completely moved on from her one-sided love, and Xia Xiaolan needn’t worry about her anymore?

Xia Xiaolan leaned down to examine Zhou Cheng closely.

Their faces were so close his eyelashes tickled her face. The drunk kissed her, melting her heart completely.

“Fine, I’ll accept your pretend drunkenness. You brought up Jiang Yan to reassure me. I’ve always been secure – I’ve doubted if we were suitable to live together, but I’ve never doubted your feelings for me. When you look at me, your eyes see only me… Don’t doubt my feelings either, because I only see you too.”

Xia Xiaolan chatted with the drunk.

After talking for a while with no response, she heard soft snoring.

He’d fallen asleep already?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help smiling and secretly kissed the drunk too.

…

In the summer of 1990, shortly after Bai Zhenzhu and Pan Bohua’s wedding, good news arrived from abroad.

Zhou Yi had finally been admitted to law school in America!

Since going to America in the summer of 1986, she’d spent four full years completing her transformation from good-for-nothing to academic achiever. Perhaps “achiever” was a stretch – a true achiever wouldn’t take four years. But Zhou Yi was no longer worthless. Law school was genuinely difficult; as a Chinese person getting admitted was no small feat – many Americans needed several attempts too.

For Zhou Yi, she finally had some face to return home.

She had done shameful things that embarrassed the entire Zhou family. Zhou Yi wished she could go back in time and knock some sense into her foolish self.

But she couldn’t avoid things forever – people must eventually stand on their own.

She’d spent four years starting over, grateful for every family member who hadn’t given up on her.

How many four-year periods does one get in life?

Wasting time, countless four-year periods would rush past like wind and fire wheels, gone in the blink of an eye, leaving only regret.

But when filled with fulfilling struggle, one needn’t fear time’s passing!

Zhou Yi had transformed completely.

If she suddenly appeared before Li Li Tong’s group now, they might not immediately recognize her.

Though she’d just been admitted to law school, she’d already worked as a legal assistant for over two years. A person’s bearing changes with their environment and life experiences – Zhou Yi now carried herself with capable efficiency.

Her hair was meticulously tied back in a ponytail. Though not wearing a business suit, her style leaned toward minimalist professionalism. Gray, white, and black were her eternal basic colors. Walking through the airport pulling her suitcase, she projected an unapproachable aura – if she’d been like this years ago, Yuan Han probably would have stayed far away. Such women were hard to deceive.

Jiang Hong and Zhou Wenban waited at the airport.

Direct flights between America and China exist now; no need to transfer through Hong Kong.

They brought Zhou Ke to meet her. At four years old, frequently instructed by Old Master Zhou, Zhou Ke had a composure unusual for her age… She was a leader at daycare, and other children behaved well in her presence.

As Old Master Zhou said, Zhou Ke was many times better than her mother Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi didn’t know her grandfather’s evaluation. Pulling her suitcase, thinking of seeing her parents and daughter soon, her steps were exceptionally light.

She brushed shoulders with another traveler.

“Sorry!”

The other person wore large sunglasses covering half of their face, also pulling a suitcase.

Zhou Yi froze – was that–

“Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi!”

Jiang Hong had spotted her, calling and waving.

In the moment Zhou Yi turned back, the traveler had disappeared into the crowd.

Had she seen it wrong?

Zhou Yi quickly came to her senses – what did it matter if it was that person? She’d already started a new life; what was the point of dwelling on past people and things?

She pulled her suitcase toward her family.

First hugging Jiang Hong, then Zhou Wenban, who naturally wasn’t used to Zhou Yi’s affection.

What bad habits had she picked up in America?

Zhou Wenban maintained a stern face… though not very intimidating.

Zhou Yi released her father, finally looking down at the little one.