Xia Xiaolan’s visit to Yang Yonghong’s hometown had stirred up thoughts among the villagers.

Everyone knew education could lead to success.

But such a huge investment could also end up wasted.

Not everyone could be like Yang Yonghong, who through sheer determination retook exams to enter Huaqing University. She often said she wasn’t clever, but without above-average intelligence, even ten years of retaking exams wouldn’t get one near Huaqing University.

Rural educational resources were indeed inadequate.

Xia Xiaolan pondered this issue during her drive. Besides donating books, what else could she do?

She had no emotional attachment to Yang Yonghong’s hometown. In this era, besides Huaqing University, Anqing County First High School was the only school she truly cared about.

The teachers at Anqing County First High School had been so good to her; Xia Xiaolan could never forget that. Should she donate money directly, like Du Zhaohui, and set up a scholarship at Anqing County First High School? While scholarships would help some students directly, Xia Xiaolan felt this approach was too simplistic and wouldn’t have enough impact.

She didn’t have enough money yet, but perhaps after the Jinsha Pool project finished, she could start working on this.

No, she didn’t need to wait for the Jinsha Pool project’s profits. Once the Nanhai Hotel project passed inspection, she and her uncle would receive the final payment.

Several hundred thousand in profit wasn’t a small sum – she should try doing something good… consider it thanks to heaven for giving her this chance at rebirth!

With her thoughts settled and her mind lighter, Xia Xiaolan felt particularly relaxed when she saw Zhou Cheng.

“Comrade Zhou Cheng, I must criticize myself for breaking my promise to visit you before school started!”

Xia Xiaolan raised both hands in surrender – how could Zhou Cheng stay angry?

“Why do you seem so happy while apologizing? You stayed at Yang Yonghong’s place last night?”

Before leaving, Xia Xiaolan had called Zhou Cheng. He opposed her driving at night but agreed when she said Yang Yonghong would be with her.

Zhou Cheng completely approved of Xia Xiaolan staying in the Yang household.

He wouldn’t have felt comfortable with a beautiful single woman staying at a guesthouse at night, especially one driving her car.

Xia Xiaolan linked arms with Zhou Cheng, drawing cheers and applause from the basketball court.

Her behavior was bold and passionate – other students envied Zhou Cheng, while Jiang Yan stood quietly holding her basketball, watching.

Xia Xiaolan waved at the court, leaving Zhou Cheng at a loss for what to do with her.

“Yes, I stayed at Senior Yang’s home. Though their conditions weren’t good, her parents were very hospitable – they even made chicken soup for me this morning. I have an idea I want to discuss with you in your dorm… Right, don’t look at me like that, I’m just deliberately showing my presence. After all, you and Jiang Yan are friends again, and with this heroic woman eyeing my boyfriend, I need to make some gesture – otherwise, won’t Jiang Yan think I look down on her?”

Such directness from this straightforward woman.

Jealousy was jealousy, wariness was wariness.

Even Grandmother Yu understood this – even if Xia Xiaolan was as straight as a steel rod, she couldn’t be completely oblivious.

That wouldn’t be straightforward – it would be as dull as a roadside stone.

As Xia Xiaolan walked arm-in-arm with Zhou Cheng back to the dorm, various discussions erupted on the basketball court. Jiang Yan’s roommate snorted, “What’s wrong with Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend? She has no sense of propriety!”

Jiang Yan jumped and forcefully dunked the ball:

“Nothing we can do about it – Zhou Cheng chose her himself, he likes her. Stop speaking ill of his girlfriend. She’s brilliant academically, from Huaqing University’s Architecture Department. Huaqing University is very hard to get into.”

This job didn’t require high qualifications.

But those selected for advanced studies at the academy were all outstanding members of their units – they had enough knowledge to understand this.

Huaqing University was indeed difficult to enter – Jiang Yan’s roommate fell silent.

After being harshly scolded by Xia Xiaolan on the way to Pengcheng, and hearing Xia Xiaolan’s assertion that she was worthy of Zhou Cheng, Jiang Yan finally set aside her prejudices and had someone look into Xia Xiaolan’s background.

Well, her origins were humble – a rural girl from Yunan Province.

But while Xia Xiaolan’s appearance was delicate and somewhat flighty, she was truly remarkable. In just two years, she had not only moved her family to Beijing and gotten into Huaqing’s Architecture Department but also established her own business in Pengcheng… This wasn’t ordinary capability – Xia Xiaolan’s achievements would be considered outstanding anywhere.

No wonder she spoke with such confidence.

“So that’s why the Zhou family accepted you.”

Jiang Yan looked at the now-empty corridor, thinking about Xia Xiaolan’s situation.

Well, if she were truly inadequate, she wouldn’t be worthy of being Jiang Yan’s rival – nothing in life is perfect, and excellence has its advantages and constraints.

Xia Xiaolan’s strong personality might be uncomfortable, but perhaps she strived so hard because her poor family background made her refuse to let others say she was marrying above her station.

But one’s energy is limited – with Xia Xiaolan juggling both studies and business, how much time could she spend with Zhou Cheng?

Moreover, Jiang Yan learned that Xia Xiaolan won some National College English Competition first prize, whose winners would be sent abroad as “exchange students” by the Ministry of Education.

How could Xia Xiaolan refuse such an opportunity to study abroad?

Probably next year, Xia Xiaolan will be going overseas.

Jiang Yan felt she could wait a little longer.

Brother Pan advised her to step back for broader horizons, but why should she?

She had known Zhou Cheng first.

If not for the conflict between her cousin Jiang Wu and Brother Pan, she and Zhou Cheng wouldn’t have lost contact for so long, and he wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Xia Xiaolan – if you want something, you have to fight for it yourself. Jiang Yan wasn’t in a hurry; time would show Zhou Cheng her worth!

Sabotage Xia Xiaolan?

That wasn’t something Jiang Yan would do – her pride wouldn’t stoop so low.

Xia Xiaolan might be clever and beautiful, but Jiang Yan considered herself no less so.

Did Zhou Cheng need Xia Xiaolan to earn so much money?

Xia Xiaolan had gone astray without realizing it, and Jiang Yan certainly wouldn’t kindly point this out to her rival.

…

“You’re really happy today – what’s going on?”

Zhou Cheng was highly attuned to Xia Xiaolan’s emotions, whether happy or angry.

Visiting him at the academy would make her happy, but this was different.

The dorm was empty. Xia Xiaolan cleared her throat softly. When Zhou Cheng leaned in, she pushed him into a chair and kissed him passionately.

Zhou Cheng was momentarily stunned but quickly took control.

Only an abnormal man would refuse such unexpected pleasure.

Xia Xiaolan held Zhou Cheng’s neck, both of them breathless after the kiss. With the dorm door half-open, Zhou Cheng feared someone might walk in and helped straighten Xia Xiaolan’s clothes: “Now can you tell me?”

Unable to contain her pride, Xia Xiaolan explained how she’d raised the Jinsha Pool land price from 3 million to 15 million.

She wasn’t showing off – this business was truly her first major move since her rebirth, successfully leveraging nothing into something through her abilities. She wanted to share this joy with her loved one, her eyes sparkling as she sought praise.

Zhou Cheng was genuinely shocked, “Kang Wei only delivered a few hundred thousand to you, right? Now you’re telling me you have a piece of land worth 15 million?”