“It might be appropriate abroad, but it’s not appropriate here in China!”

Zhen Wenxiu opened her mouth but couldn’t find the right words to say. To invite an ex-husband to attend a wedding celebration was too provocative on Ji Ya’s part.

Zhen Wenxiu didn’t know what foreigners thought, but she knew Chinese men would likely find it intolerable. No matter how open-minded a man might be, others would still gossip.

Zhen Wenxiu’s eyelid kept twitching. She considered Ji Ya a true friend and was genuinely concerned for her:

“This isn’t appropriate! Even if Mayor Tang were made of clay, he’d still be furious. George and his family might not mind, but others will criticize Mayor Tang. How can he swallow this insult?”

“Wenxiu, you’re overthinking it. I can see he’s quite tolerant – he’s already sent word that he’ll attend tomorrow on time.”

What choice did he have but to tolerate it?

After all, Jiang Yuan would be at the wedding.

Tang Hongen was already in his forties and only had Jiang Yuan as his son. Though Ji Ya criticized Tang Hongen for disregarding his family’s welfare, she understood how much Tang Hongen valued Ji Jiang Yuan.

Otherwise, Tang Hongen wouldn’t have continued visiting the Ji family year after year after the divorce.

The letters Tang Hongen wrote and the money he sent weren’t for her but for his son – this was something Ji Ya only realized after Tang Hongen rejected her.

With Jiang Yuan at the wedding, Tang Hongen would have to suppress any anger he felt, because he wanted to completely win Jiang Yuan over.

With such concerns, he would have to endure any humiliation and frustration.

This was Ji Ya’s analysis of Tang Hongen’s psychology.

As for Ji Jiang Yuan, he probably wouldn’t be angry even knowing she had invited Tang Hongen. Having grown up in America, his thinking was likely similar to George’s, viewing such matters as ordinary.

Moreover, Jiang Yuan believed she was marrying George because reconciliation was hopeless. Despite his harsh words, his attitude toward her had softened.

Ji Ya couldn’t help but smile thinking about her arrangements.

Her smile sent chills down Zhen Wenxiu’s spine. She wanted to advise against it, but Ji Ya was very strong-willed and wouldn’t listen to Zhen Wenxiu’s counsel. Zhen Wenxiu was helpless – it was too late now. The invitation had been sent, and Tang Hongen had agreed to come. Ji Ya was very confident, while Zhen Wenxiu worried tomorrow’s wedding would turn into a battlefield.

If Tang Hongen could truly tolerate it, why had he become so angry with the Ji family last time?

Deeply worried, Zhen Wenxiu managed a smile and told Ji Ya to rest early so she could be a beautiful bride tomorrow.

Leaving Ji Ya’s room, she saw the resort staff working through the night on decorations. Ning Xue and Ji Jiang Yuan were huddled together talking about something, which gave Zhen Wenxiu some comfort.

This trip wasn’t for nothing.

Ji Ya was right – with Ji Jiang Yuan present tomorrow, what else could Mayor Tang do but swallow his pride?

As a dignified mayor, why should he quibble with his ex-wife? Once Ji Ya had vented her feelings, she could live happily with George. As a friend, Zhen Wenxiu was happy that Ji Ya could remarry such a wealthy American as George!

Thinking this way, Zhen Wenxiu forgot about her unpleasant encounter with Xia Xiaolan on the flight.

What did it matter if Xia Xiaolan was dating the Zhou family’s son? She had no right to attend certain occasions anyway.

…

After the plane landed, Xia Xiaolan was naturally very busy.

She handed Tailor Sun over to Chen Xiliang and finalized the advertising arrangements with him. Meeting the director last time had proved useful – they wouldn’t have trouble finding someone to shoot the advertisements.

“Let’s send clothes to Wang Mingming one more time, with Master Sun personally styling her this time. If she still looks down on Luna, we’ll give up on using her fame!”

After getting Sun Chunsheng and seeing his craftsmanship, Chen Xiliang wanted to treat him like a treasure. Such a skilled tailor had been selling tickets at a movie theater for years – Boss Chen beat his chest in regret, acting as if he’d lost several gold ingots.

“What luck you have – where did you find Master Sun?”

Master Sun was also easily convinced, agreeing to follow Xia Xiaolan to Yangcheng without even asking about the salary. Chen Xiliang vowed to keep Sun Chunsheng close – with such skills, finding work in Yangcheng wouldn’t be a problem.

No garment factory would refuse Sun Chunsheng, and the salary wouldn’t be low either.

Sun Chunsheng worked quickly with extremely precise cutting. Chen Xiliang couldn’t bear to see such talent working on a factory production line doing piece work… He deeply envied Xia Xiaolan for finding Sun Chunsheng.

Xia Xiaolan responded to Chen Xiliang’s ungrateful behavior of gaining an advantage while still complaining with a roll of her eyes.

She had also let go of the Luna matter long ago. This time she stayed in Yangcheng for two days when she had time, only arriving in Pengcheng on the evening of the 1st.

In the evening, she went to check on the progress of the Jinsha Pool construction site, just as Xiangmi Lake had been closed off. Ji Ya’s wedding would have exclusive use of Xiangmi Lake – quite extravagant indeed.

Hearing the activity next door, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t envious at all.

She wasn’t being sarcastic.

Marriage isn’t necessarily built on love, but Ji Ya’s behavior seemed like nothing more than acting out of spite. Using her good looks to carelessly waste her life would lead to regret sooner or later.

Xia Xiaolan kept a low profile at the construction site and when returning to the hotel.

Liu Fen was still awake.

The clothes Tailor Sun made for Liu Fen hung on the rack, pressed without a single wrinkle. Xia Xiaolan smiled, “Mom, you look so beautiful. Let me help you get ready tomorrow.”

Liu Fen felt somewhat regretful:

“We spent quite a bit of money just to attend someone else’s wedding – thinking about it, it seems like a waste.”

Xia Xiaolan handed her the earrings bought in Yangcheng: “That’s not quite right. This money wasn’t spent for Ji Ya – it was spent for Uncle Tang and yourself. The ancient saying goes ‘a woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her,’ but I think when a woman dresses up well, she feels refreshed just looking at herself!”

Isn’t earning money meant for spending?

No matter how lavish Ji Ya’s wedding was, she was spending a man’s money. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t envious.

She actually encouraged Liu Fen to spend money freely, because Liu Fen was spending money she earned herself – she could spend it confidently however she wished!

Liu Fen laughed at Xia Xiaolan’s reasoning.

She had a point – the money was indeed spent for Tang Hongen. If she hadn’t accompanied Tang Hongen to Ji Ya’s wedding, this expense wouldn’t have been necessary… Just as Xiaolan said, this was the confidence Liu Fen should have. She was spending money she earned herself, not asking Tang Hongen to pay, so she could hold her head high in her relationship with Tang Hongen.

“Your Uncle Tang said he’d pick us up tomorrow.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “We definitely won’t let Uncle Tang lose face, won’t let others pity him or gossip behind his back.”

Liu Fen nodded firmly.

For a man to remain single for over ten years after divorce, only to be bullied like this by his ex-wife – Liu Fen refused to believe there was no justice to speak of.

Liu Fen felt this more deeply than anyone. If you silently endure, there is no justice to speak of – who would pity you when you choose to endure? When someone makes you unhappy, you should boldly express your displeasure and strike back hard. After enough times, selfish people who like to bully others will eventually feel the pain!

She had thought she would be too nervous to sleep, but she fell asleep shortly after laying her head on the pillow.

Hearing the light, steady breathing beside her, Xia Xiaolan smiled: simple-minded people do find happiness more easily!