Yuan Han’s divorce timeline perfectly coincided with when he started dating Zhou Yi – what family would accept that?

For a daughter who was healthy and normal, even if they kept her at home unmarried, they wouldn’t marry her to Yuan Han.

A Zhou family daughter especially had no shortage of marriage prospects.

Zhou Wengang was quite open-minded – he didn’t mind a son-in-law who lived off his wife, but at least it should be someone everyone liked and wouldn’t embarrass the Zhou family!

Xia Xiaolan was just joking with Zhou Cheng – she had no reason to compare herself to Yuan Han unless she was living too comfortably and looking for an argument.

Her biggest difference from Yuan Han was that Yuan Han wanted to cling to the Zhou family.

Xia Xiaolan only believed in herself.

She didn’t rely on the Zhou family for business, and if she broke up with Zhou Cheng, she would leave without hesitation, never clinging to the Zhou family’s power.

“When are you returning to the academy?”

“After I send Zhou Yi home and confine her, I’ll leave this afternoon. Don’t get involved in Zhou Yi’s matter anymore. When mother and daughter reconcile, your efforts won’t be appreciated. Focus on your affairs.”

Zhou Cheng carefully instructed her to stay safe.

Don’t go to isolated places alone, don’t stay out late, and if leaving Beijing, make sure Ge Jian accompanies her, even if it affects business somewhat.

“Jiang Wu hasn’t returned to Jinling. After our meeting at the reservoir, he’s disappeared.”

Zhou Cheng’s expression grew serious. Xia Xiaolan rubbed his furrowed brow: “Don’t frown, it makes you look old. Jiang Wu is unlikely to target me. He probably sees Third Brother Pan as his mortal enemy and will direct everything at him. You should warn Third Brother Pan to be careful.”

Why strangle Jiang Yan half to death for no reason?

And deliberately let Zhou Cheng see it.

Was this the behavior of a madman?

Or perhaps Jiang Wu suddenly appeared to help Jiang Yan gain Zhou Cheng’s trust.

These questions had been weighing on Xia Xiaolan’s mind.

But Zhou Cheng wasn’t foolish – whatever Xia Xiaolan could think of, he must have considered too. His stay in Beijing these past days wasn’t just to handle Zhou Yi’s troublesome situation, but likely also to work with Zhou Guobin on dealing with Jiang Wu.

This level of confrontation was indeed beyond Xia Xiaolan’s involvement.

She could offer advice on business matters, but the grudge between Jiang Wu and Pan Baohua possibly involved more than just the Zhou and Jiang families’ rivalry. Pan Baohua’s mysterious activities along the coast, and the initial protection of Pan Baohua… these confidential matters were certainly not for Xia Xiaolan to handle.

She could only manage her affairs.

When Zhou Cheng was especially busy, she could help share his burdens.

Xia Xiaolan sighed, “Go back to the academy with peace of mind. I’ll keep an eye on Zhou Yi’s situation and let you know of any developments.”

Zhou Cheng, not wanting the atmosphere to be too heavy, deliberately asked with a smile:

“Aunt is watching Zhou Yi, and she would rather lie in the hospital for a year than agree to Zhou Yi and Yuan Han’s relationship. Don’t worry about this – hasn’t construction started in Pengcheng? You’re already too busy with your affairs. Xiaolan, you don’t know how proud I am of you – proud of your intelligence and your vision. I’ve spoken with Uncle Gu, he’s very interested in what you proposed. When you have time, discuss it with him in detail – direct communication between you two is better than me acting as a messenger.”

His wife was doing all meaningful things, and while Zhou Cheng didn’t look down on his cousin, having Xiaolan manage Zhou Yi’s relationship matters would truly be a waste of her time.

Zhou Cheng would rather Xiaolan do more meaningful things.

Making money was just one path, and they didn’t lack food or clothing, but Xiaolan found joy in the process of making money – that’s what Zhou Cheng loved most.

Everyone has things they enjoy – was wanting to do business not allowed?

The country was implementing Reform and Opening Up to improve everyone’s economic status, and Zhou Cheng was proud that his wife was a pioneer in responding to national policies!

Xia Xiaolan also felt that discussing serious matters with Gu Zhengqing would be more meaningful.

Zhou Yi had both parents – even if Aunt Jiang Hong was unreliable, Uncle Zhou Wengang was there to handle things.

Zhou Cheng held her hand, “It’s almost noon, come on, let’s go eat.”

It didn’t matter if people were watching him – they would think he returned to Beijing just to handle family matters and date, making them lower their guard. He had completed his real business discreetly and now could focus on dating.

Xia Xiaolan checked the time: “I have afternoon classes. At this hour, to get back to school, you only have one choice – accompany me to Huaqing cafeteria.”

Zhou Cheng’s lips curved up.

They could eat anywhere, but his wife specifically wanted to take him to the school cafeteria – she wanted to make their relationship official.

Was Xiaolan not thoughtful?

When Zhou Cheng went looking for people, calling himself her ‘brother’, Xiaolan had probably been waiting for this day to openly show him around campus.

“All those junior and senior classmates who admire my wife must be crying now.”

Xia Xiaolan thought about it – perhaps she was too busy, but she hadn’t noticed any juniors or seniors approaching her.

That was best – it didn’t interfere with her real work.

How could a woman’s charm be measured by the number of pursuers?

This steel-straight woman thought none of it mattered – having Zhou Cheng was enough. Managing one relationship was already not easy, dealing with a bunch of boring pursuers… heh, with that time, she’d rather think about how to make more money!

At Huaqing University, the many senior classmates who admired Junior Sister Xia but didn’t dare approach would collectively faint in the bathroom if they knew her thoughts – Junior Sister Xia had never noticed that when she ate in the cafeteria, no matter how crowded, someone always made space for her. While others squatted to eat, whenever Junior Sister Xia carried her meal tray, a seat would mysteriously appear.

Junior Sister Xia had never noticed that every time she went to the library, senior classmates fought duels for the seats closest to her.

The Architecture Department seniors had a natural advantage – she was their department’s beauty, how could students from other departments dare to covet her?

Hah, what use was living close to Junior Sister Xia if you couldn’t answer her questions about architecture when asked!

Although there had long been rumors that Junior Sister Xia had a boyfriend, no one had ever seen him.

False, all false, surely just rumors Junior Sister Xia spread to focus on her studies!

Junior Sister Xia spent all of their freshman year winning scholarships – how could she have time to date?

The oblivious Miss Xia believed no one pursued her, unaware she was a rare resource on the Huaqing campus. Anyone who dared pursue her had to pass the seniors’ severe tests.

Rather than let someone successfully pursue Junior Sister Xia, they would unite against the enemy, crushing any attempts in their cradle.

This way, Junior Sister Xia still belonged to everyone and feeling like they all had an equal chance was satisfying enough.

—Wait, this person looks unfamiliar, why is he chatting and eating happily with Junior Sister Xia in the cafeteria?

Zhou Cheng felt countless substantial gazes from all directions in the cafeteria, seeming to pierce holes through his body, while his wife remained completely oblivious, never having noticed her admirers on campus.