No one witnessed Ji Ya’s apology scene inside; only she and George went in.

Zhen Wenxiu and Ji Ya’s sister-in-law waited outside. After about ten minutes, Ji Ya came out, her expression far from happy.

Aunt Ji stared at her. “What did George’s parents say?”

Ji Ya hesitated, “They said they can’t adjust to China’s climate and will return to America in a few days.”

It was an excuse – Pengcheng’s October weather was among the most comfortable of the year. Aunt Ji shot Ji Ya a fierce glare before turning to George: “Our whole family likes you very much and appreciates your tolerance and love for Ji Ya. Ji Ya acted too impulsively in this matter, and the Ji family owes you an apology.”

When one person makes a mistake, it brings shame to the entire family.

Aunt Ji’s apology seemed more sincere than Ji Ya’s. George had never harbored any ill feelings toward the Ji family.

Compared to the downtrodden Chinese people on the streets, the Ji family’s acceptance of Western culture and their conduct was already quite admirable. The Ji family had always been courteous to him. Ji Lin had just spoken with George, and both husband and wife had been very humble. George felt somewhat embarrassed:

“They just need time to understand. After Ji Ya and I register our marriage, we can hold another wedding ceremony when we return to America.”

Another ceremony in China?

Even if George was madly in love with Ji Ya, he wouldn’t have the courage for that.

If Ji Ya were to do this again, George would lose his mind on the spot!

Ji Ya stood in the room, looking out the window. The resort staff and wedding planners were cleaning up the venue together – many people were busy dismantling the flower arch, clearing food and drinks from tables, removing tables and chairs from the lawn, and taking down flowers and ribbons tied to trees. Watching all this, Ji Ya did feel some regret.

Of course, she wouldn’t blame herself.

It was Tang Heng’en and Liu Fen’s appearance that had provoked her. If Tang Heng’en hadn’t done this, she wouldn’t have ruined her wedding.

“Wenxiu, they ruined what could have been my happy wedding.”

Zhen Wenxiu listened with trepidation. “What are you planning? Please calm down!”

Whatever Ji Ya was planning, it definitely wasn’t anything good. Through this incident, Zhen Wenxiu realized just how willful Ji Ya could be – making decisions without consulting others, unable to control the consequences!

“I can’t do anything. My brother used to dote on me so much, but when my sister-in-law slapped me this time, he didn’t say a word. He’s afraid I’ll bring shame to the Ji family! That heartless Tang Heng’en, he’d even disregarded his son to help that countrywoman raise her daughter… I should congratulate him, help him even!”

Ji Ya realized she had lost her head in anger.

Why did she have to pour the wine herself?

Although Tang Heng’en had reached the position of Special Zone Mayor and few could interfere in his private affairs, there were still some who could.

Her wedding was ruined, but did Tang Heng’en think he could live happily ever after with that countrywoman?

To be the mayor’s wife, the road ahead would be treacherous!

…

The expensive wedding George had arranged at Xiangmihu Resort had become a joke.

“These Americans are bold, not only wanting to marry Mayor Tang’s ex-wife but also inviting Mayor Tang to attend the ceremony. This is simply provocative.”

Du Zhaohui and Tang Yuanyue had some minor conflicts over the Jinsha Pool land, but now with the Jinsha Pool project under construction and neither having acquired the land, their small disagreement had passed with time. Du Zhaohui was quite curious about how many setbacks Tang Yuanyue would face with Xia Xiaolan, and under Young Master Du’s initiative, they resumed their social interactions.

The events that occurred on the morning of the 2nd spread like wildfire by the afternoon.

As always, those who should know knew, and Du Zhaohui and Tang Yuanyue naturally were among them.

The two gathered together, partly to watch the spectacle, though not to mock Tang Heng’en but rather the American. As investors in the mainland, Hong Kong merchants and other foreign investors were quite antagonistic. Harold’s high-profile entrance and generous spending, acquiring over 2,000 mu of land at once, had made the Hong Kong merchants quite unhappy.

Pengcheng’s current environment couldn’t sustain two golf courses. Harold’s sudden appearance, taking so much land, significantly affected others’ interests.

There wasn’t much good land left near Xiangmihu either.

Hearing that Harold had already left Pengcheng but left such a fool to oversee the golf course project, Du Zhaohui couldn’t help but laugh.

In the end, Tang Yuanyue didn’t gain any advantage either. At the investment promotion banquet, Xia Xiaolan and Harold had hidden on the terrace whispering, and later when Harold bought over 2,000 mu of land, he’d left a small plot for Xia Xiaolan.

Du Zhaohui felt something was suspicious.

It might have been Harold’s “repayment” to Xia Xiaolan, deliberately leaving her that prime piece of land.

As for what kind of repayment, Du Zhaohui didn’t think of it as a sexual transaction. He thought it was a power transaction – Xia Xiaolan must have acted as a bridge, which was why Harold’s investment in Pengcheng had been approved so quickly!

Du Zhaohui had once tried to use Xia Xiaolan’s connections but was rejected, yet others had succeeded. How could Young Master Du possibly feel happy about that?

So seeing the Wilsons’ misfortune made Du Zhaohui happy.

Now, they probably wouldn’t have a harmonious relationship with Mayor Tang either.

While Du Zhaohui was gloating alone, Tang Yuanyue seemed lost in thought. “Zhaohui, I heard from people at the city government that when Mayor Tang went to the wedding, he brought not only his wife but also a young girl who resembled Madam Tang. The difference is that while his wife has a dignified and gentle temperament, the girl is bright and charming. She often visits the city government and is suspected to be Madam Tang’s daughter… Can you think of who that might be?”

Bright and charming?

That must be a subtle description, as government officials couldn’t gossip too freely.

A face immediately popped into Du Zhaohui’s mind:

“You mean Xia Xiaolan!”

Why was Xia Xiaolan involved in everything? Du Zhaohui was stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing: “So that’s it, that’s how it is!”

Tang Yuanyue smiled cryptically, “It seems Zhaohui has also figured out the connection. I thought since Zhaohui was close to Mayor Tang, you would understand Miss Xia well!”

There was a hint of mockery in Tang Yuanyue’s words, but Du Zhaohui couldn’t be bothered to care at this point.

Because he had just realized he had overlooked a crucial question: Why would the strictly principled Mayor Tang always treat Xia Xiaolan differently? Because of Kang Wei’s car accident, Du Zhaohui had seen Tang Heng’en, the Kang family, and Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend’s Zhou family as a united interest group, believing Xia Xiaolan was close to Tang Heng’en because she was dating the Zhou family’s son.

He had always known Xia Xiaolan’s parents were divorced but had never thought in that direction.

He had never considered that Xia Dajun, that failure, might have had a beautiful ex-wife!

Indeed, Xia Xiaolan looked nothing like Xia Dajun. After all, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t sprung from a rock – if she didn’t resemble her father, she must take after her mother.

So, Tang Heng’en’s preferential treatment of Xia Xiaolan, and even the meteoric rise of a small company like Yuanhui, wasn’t really because Tang Heng’en and the Zhou family shared interests… While Xia Xiaolan had connected with the Zhou family, her mother had connected with Mayor Tang. Mother and daughter were truly skilled schemers!

Du Zhaohui drew in a sharp breath, suddenly feeling that Xia Ziyu’s suggested method might be feasible.

After all, the Xia mother-daughter pair had pulled it off!