Long-distance relationships were difficult.

International relationships were even more challenging.

In matters of the heart, one party always gives a little more, and one party accommodates the other… Not only did Gavin meet Yu Li at the right time, but conversely, Yu Li also met Gavin at the right time.

She now could embrace this relationship, rather than passively waiting for the man to give everything. Unequal conditions between partners would cause a relationship to become unbalanced—

If she had been someone without self-respect, she could have held onto Shao Guangrong regardless of the Shao family’s attitude and could have gotten married even if it meant being thick-skinned.

But precisely because she had self-respect, it had been more painful.

Now Gavin was willing to maintain their international relationship and was looking for opportunities to gradually move his career to China. Yu Li had the ability to help, rather than watching helplessly as Gavin made all the sacrifices alone.

Her perspective and capabilities were completely different from a few years ago. She could give Gavin proper advice, even help him transition his career!

While Yu Li was successfully balancing work and love, on the other side, Shao Guangrong rapidly completed the entire process from blind date to marriage within a month, at a speed that left people astonished. Even Xia Xiaolan felt it was too rushed:

“We wanted Shao Guangrong to move on, but isn’t this too casual? Marriage is a major life decision, to settle it so casually… what if they discover they’re incompatible later…”

Zhou Cheng didn’t think this was cause for concern.

“Shao Guangrong is in his thirties now. He knows what he wants. A stable marriage isn’t just about love. What he needs now is stability, not passion. Don’t feel sorry for the woman either – she has her reasons for accepting such a quick marriage!”

Being able to marry someone you love is fortunate, but not everyone can have this fortune.

Well, Xia Xiaolan had nothing more to say.

Shao Guangrong’s marriage partner was indeed a woman whose conditions matched his in every aspect.

They might not have love before marriage, but they could cultivate it afterward.

Even if they couldn’t develop romantic love, they would develop familial affection after years together… If both parties had no objections, why was she worried?

Zhou Cheng was right – Shao Guangrong was in his thirties now, and he should indeed be responsible for his own choices.

Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng naturally attended the wedding banquet.

The bride was several years younger than Shao Guangrong, with an oval face and dignified features.

Mother Shao looked overjoyed – her daughter-in-law had been chosen entirely according to her standards. Perhaps there would be fewer mother-in-law conflicts in the future.

Xia Xiaolan also hoped for Shao Guangrong’s happiness. He wasn’t a bad person after all – he was Zhou Cheng’s childhood friend and had become Xia Xiaolan’s friend over the years.

Was Shao Guangrong happy?

At least he wore a smile on his face.

He had become more reserved now, never again losing control of his tongue while drunk – he wouldn’t even allow himself to get drunk in front of others anymore, making it difficult for outsiders to read his true feelings.

At Shao Guangrong’s wedding banquet, Xia Xiaolan was surprised to see Shan Yujun.

“Senior!”

“Xiaolan.”

Shan Yujun’s smile was still as gentle as ever. The northwestern winds had roughened her skin and darkened her complexion, but the gentleness in her core remained unchanged… It was this gentleness turned into determination that allowed her to stay rooted in the Northwest.

Kang Wei smiled so broadly that his eyes disappeared, “Taking advantage of Guangzi’s wedding, Little Shan took some leave, and I’m taking her home to meet the elders.”

As Kang Wei spoke, Shan Yujun looked at him with gentle attention, making his smile grow even more foolish.

Xia Xiaolan felt overwhelmed by their sweetness.

She secretly tugged at Zhou Cheng’s hand, and he understood her meaning.

“Different personalities lead to different outcomes in relationships. Kangzi has also chosen what he wants, and that’s good.”

Kang Wei didn’t want to work within the system anyway, he had always run his own business. Whether to marry, when to marry, and whom to marry – what did it matter? As long as he was happy!

Shao Guangrong was different. He carried the expectations of the Shao family and ultimately had to compromise… So despite both experiencing rocky relationships, Kang Wei could end up with the person he loved, while Shao Guangrong couldn’t.

Kang Wei could travel to the northwest, but Shao Guangrong couldn’t abandon everything to follow Yu Li abroad – that was the difference.

It wasn’t that Shao Guangrong didn’t love enough; there were many external forces and internal factors at play!

Xia Xiaolan didn’t ask how Kang Wei and Shan Yujun decided to start over, nor did she ask about their plans. Since Kang Wei was taking Shan Yujun home to meet his parents, they must have discussed these issues.

At 20, love came from impulse and passion; at 30, love had rationality and depth. Xia Xiaolan respected her friends’ choices!

…

1994.

It was Zhou Yi’s first year as an official lawyer at A&G Law Firm after graduating from law school… She had been working at this firm for several years, but always as an assistant.

A&G had very strict hiring requirements. If Zhou Yi hadn’t already become familiar with the place, she wouldn’t have had a chance to get in without graduating from Harvard or Yale.

Regardless, she had indeed transformed from a small assistant into Attorney Zhou.

Qi Wei was more impressive than Zhou Yi, having passed the bar earlier and joining A&G a year before her. She now worked in Los Angeles – with Hollywood there, the entertainment industry was thriving, making it fertile ground for lawyers…

Zhou Yi hadn’t expected that in her first year as an official lawyer, Ye Xiaoqiong would become her client.

She felt Ye Xiaoqiong must have been “monitoring” her.

As soon as she became an official lawyer, Ye Xiaoqiong showed up!

“Attorney Zhou, didn’t I say we would have opportunities to work together?”

Three or four years had passed since their last meeting at the Western restaurant in Beijing. Ye Xiaoqiong had become increasingly feminine and refined. Looking at her luxury brands and thinking about her income, Zhou Yi decided not to refer this big client elsewhere – why shouldn’t she earn Ye Xiaoqiong’s money? If she was too principled as a lawyer, she would starve to death!

Although she had decided to keep professional and personal matters separate in accepting Ye Xiaoqiong’s commission, Ye Xiaoqiong’s intention still surprised Zhou Yi.

“You want to sign a prenuptial agreement with your fiancé?”

“Yes, you can handle this kind of commission, right? Attorney Zhou, I trust you very much, you must protect my premarital assets well.”

Ye Xiaoqiong said very seriously.

Zhou Yi nodded solemnly, “Rest assured, I will secure the best protection for my client.”

Ye Xiaoqiong should sign a prenuptial agreement – with tens of millions of dollars in premarital assets, anyone who had encountered someone like Yuan Han would learn their lesson.

However, Ye Xiaoqiong’s fiancé’s wealth exceeded her own.

Zhou Yi suddenly became worried… If the prenup was proposed by the man’s side, wouldn’t that show too much wariness toward Ye Xiaoqiong?

Ye Xiaoqiong thought that Zhou Yi hadn’t changed much even after becoming a lawyer, so she explained:

“I love my fiancé, and he loves me. He has more money than I do. The prenuptial agreement was my request because I want this marriage to be purer. Marrying me shouldn’t require him to reduce his wealth to increase mine… Of course, if either party is unfaithful during the marriage, the unfaithful party will have to pay dearly in the divorce. I think this is very reasonable.”

This was truly learning from past mistakes.

I won’t covet yours, but I’ll also protect my own.

A woman can be crazy for love, but should never become a fool for it!

Ye Xiaoqiong was very frank – the prenuptial agreement not only protected their respective assets but also served as a constraint. Whoever was unfaithful to the marriage would pay dearly. This clause wasn’t just to restrict the husband; it had the same effect on her as well.