Her purchase of Jinsha Pool had angered not just the Luo family, but Harold himself.

Harold wasn’t angry about losing a small piece of land but rather felt deceived.

Well, men’s strange pride – she must have offended Harold quite badly. Though business was business and Xia Xiaolan didn’t feel she’d done anything wrong, if Harold was still holding onto this grudge, she didn’t want to implicate Ji Jiangyuan… Real life wasn’t like novels where teenage financial prodigies were commonplace, where every stock purchase meant endless profits and quick accumulation of wealth.

Unless one was a reincarnated person like herself.

And not someone useless in their previous life.

Otherwise, the opportunity Ji Jiangyuan had now was something not just Huaqing undergraduates but even world-class university students wouldn’t refuse.

How often could one find the chance to follow a project with over a hundred million dollars in total investment from the very beginning?

Just learning about financial operations would be an invaluable experience for Ji Jiangyuan.

As Xia Xiaolan spoke, Ji Jiangyuan knew she was speaking the truth. As the plane landed, his earring slowly subsided.

“Don’t worry, if there’s a conflict between the two projects, I know how to choose. I have basic professional ethics.”

They smiled at each other after he spoke.

As long as Ji Ya wasn’t mentioned, they had no conflicts. Even before knowing he was Tang Hong’en’s son, Xia Xiaolan and Ji Jiangyuan had found common ground. They should have become good friends, but Ji Ya’s obsession had led to the current situation. Xia Xiaolan could only call it fate’s tricks.

Speak of the devil – after deplaning, Xia Xiaolan unexpectedly encountered Harold at Yangcheng Airport.

Surrounded by people, apparently waiting for a flight.

George’s face was beaming like a flower, while Harold, impeccably dressed in a suit, remained the center of attention, still barely acknowledging George.

Xia Xiaolan was somewhat surprised, and Harold seemed slightly taken aback too.

As she hesitated, Harold couldn’t help but approach first:

“Xia Xiaolan, I’m returning to America. Your rejection of my goodwill disappointed me. I think we might never meet again, but I still want to tell you that you left a deep impression on me.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know why she’d left such an impression on Harold.

The scene of her dealing with Luo Yaozong had exceeded Harold’s imagination – that was the beginning of everything!

But a wealthy man like Harold had seen all types of women. Interest in Xia Xiaolan didn’t mean he would lose his dignity and bow before her… It hadn’t reached that point. When Xia Xiaolan didn’t respond, Harold withdrew his friendly attitude.

Still, Harold felt annoyed. He was used to rejecting others, not being rejected himself.

Since they met at the airport, he took the initiative to approach.

His words weren’t showing weakness, but rather carrying a hint of condescension. Even if Xia Xiaolan expressed regret now, Harold had lost interest.

Harold carefully observed Xia Xiaolan’s expression. She seemed unsurprised as if struggling with something. Finally, with a complex expression, she waved to Harold:

“Mr. Wilson, goodbye. I hope China has left you with a good impression.”

Harold laughed coldly inside, she must be feeling some regret, but he had no intention of giving her another chance.

“Xia Xiaolan, your company is just starting. You’d better pray to God that your project makes a fortune.”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head honestly, “Mr. Wilson, Chinese people don’t believe in God. We only believe in ourselves.”

Harold looked at her for a moment, saw she truly had nothing more to say, snorted softly, and turned away. Seven or eight assistants gathered around – it had the air of a billionaire.

George followed along, while Harold’s butler Old Allen was directing luggage management. Leaving a country with dozens of suitcases – Xia Xiaolan envied such wealth.

After Harold’s group boarded the plane, before George returned, Ji Jiangyuan asked curiously:

“I saw you seemed to have something to say to Harold. He was waiting for you to yield. Why didn’t you say it?”

With Harold’s protection, George surely wouldn’t dare cause trouble.

Xia Xiaolan rolled her eyes, “You’re overthinking. Why should I yield to Harold? Business competition has no right or wrong. I wanted to tell Harold not to speak so absolutely. He thinks by not coming back to China, I can’t irritate him anymore. I’m going to America as an exchange student next year, we might meet again. Won’t that be awkward for him!”

Ji Jiangyuan was speechless.

Would Harold be irritated if they met in America?

He might consider it fate.

Ah, Xia Xiaolan’s personality didn’t match her appearance at all. If Harold had shown interest in other Chinese girls, many would have thrown themselves at him, but Xia Xiaolan remained unmoved.

Not responding was one thing, but couldn’t she be more tactful? She had rejected Harold so bluntly.

Harold probably hadn’t experienced such setbacks before – his fondness for Xia Xiaolan had turned to dislike.

Ji Jiangyuan worried for Xia Xiaolan but didn’t realize that although he had been very popular with girls in America, those were just young campus crushes… Being in transition from youth to maturity himself, Ji Jiangyuan couldn’t fully understand what a mature man was thinking.

He wasn’t Harold, so how could he understand Harold’s thoughts?

Different ages, different backgrounds, different emotional experiences – young Ji was thinking too simply.

Seeing George return, Xia Xiaolan silently moved three meters away from Ji Jiangyuan.

George’s sudden rise to power matched the days when Xia Xiaolan successfully obtained the land and drove up Jinsha Pool’s price – truly riding high. The middle-aged George exuded intense confidence and vigor, looking at Ji Jiangyuan very warmly:

“Since Uncle Harold has given you this opportunity, you must cherish it. I’ll try my best to help you… After all, we’ll be family soon.”

Not just Xia Xiaolan, but even Ji Jiangyuan himself was stunned.

“What?”

George laughed heartily: “Right, I forgot you didn’t know yet. Your mother and I have decided to register our marriage.”

Fighting was another way to deepen relationships.

After Ji Ya’s outburst of anger, George had been very angry too.

No man could handle the double blow of career setbacks and relationship discord.

But now everything has changed!

A sudden career opportunity had appeared, and after their cold war, he and Ji Ya had analyzed their feelings for each other. Both believed they should move to the next stage and enter marriage.

So George looked at Ji Jiangyuan warmly – this was his stepson after all.

Not just his stepson, but they would work together on the same project in Pengcheng. If Ji Jiangyuan helped him, he would gain more benefits. This project in China was his springboard back to the power center of the Wilson family!