“Manager Huo, what did you want to discuss?”

Huo Chenzhou took a sip of water, “Last time when Mayor Tang suggested we address each other as siblings and become closer, I didn’t catch his deeper meaning.”

Xia Xiaolan instantly understood – so Huo Chenzhou had learned about Tang Hong’en’s relationship with her mother.

“Life is full of uncertainties, nothing is guaranteed. I can only respect our elders’ wishes. Whatever the future holds, it won’t affect my business in Pengcheng.”

Though Xia Xiaolan spoke honestly, Huo Chenzhou was skeptical.

Would it not affect her business?

Without Tang Hong’en’s presence, Huo Chenzhou believed he wouldn’t be sitting here discussing business with Xia Xiaolan. Once Tang Hong’en was out of the picture, his connection with Xia Xiaolan would be severed… He acknowledged her intelligence, but Qihang Real Estate was only developing its first project. Given Xia Xiaolan’s actual financial status, Dongfeng Holdings wouldn’t normally choose such a partnership.

Huo Chenzhou composed himself: “You should be careful lately. Mayor Tang is highly sought after. He’s shown no signs of remarrying before, but now he’s chosen your mother. Forgive my directness, but your mother may face many challenges.”

Mother and daughter were one – whatever challenges Liu Fen faced would extend to Xia Xiaolan.

Huo Chenzhou disapproved of manipulating Tang Hong’en through marriage. Such tactics were unsophisticated and contradicted his grandfather’s teachings. But other Song family members, including his mother, saw things differently.

Xia Xiaolan quickly thought of the Song family:

“Thank you for the warning. Life is full of challenges. Even if we don’t provoke others, they might provoke us. All we can do is face whatever comes our way.”

Xia Xiaolan had come to terms with it.

Would her mother marrying an ordinary man be free of challenges?

Every woman’s marriage faced tests – the husband’s character, whether he was after their money, difficult in-laws, or challenging relatives. Looking at it this way, Tang Hong’en was a good match – no troublesome parents-in-law, distant relatives on Tang’s side, with only the Song family being an issue… Of those who could influence Tang Hong’en, wasn’t it mainly Elder Song? Huo Chenzhou probably didn’t even know that Tang Hong’en had already taken Liu Fen to meet Elder Song. Xia Xiaolan would bet her life that the elder Liu Fen met at Xiangshan was Elder Song!

Realizing this, Xia Xiaolan smiled: “We’re mentally prepared for such things. Manager Huo, did you have something else to discuss?”

Xia Xiaolan’s nonchalance left Huo Chenzhou speechless.

She was too young, limited by her background, inexperienced with major situations, and unaware that people would kill for even a little power.

Tang Hong’en represented far more than just a little power.

Huo Chenzhou dropped the topic and got to the point: “Dongfeng Holdings wants to acquire land for construction. I wonder if you’re interested.”

Xia Xiaolan sat up straight, “For residential buildings? No, Dongfeng Holdings could easily acquire residential land through proper channels. Why approach me? Are you planning commercial buildings?”

Commercial buildings, or more precisely, office buildings.

Xia Xiaolan clasped her hands, “Before the Jinsha Pool project opens for sale, Qihang can’t free up any funds.”

Huo Chenzhou looked at her and suddenly smiled:

“You’re truly clever, knowing I want to build commercial buildings rather than another hotel. If I’m seeking your cooperation, it’s not for your financial input. Firstly, considering Mayor Tang’s position, Dongfeng Holdings wants to develop in Pengcheng. He wants to keep me in check, and you’re his trusted restraint. His affection extends to you – he probably loves you more than his son from his previous marriage. Secondly, there’s your intelligence. I’ve studied your business ventures – while others have wins and losses, you’re different. You profit from both small and large ventures… If business success requires talent, you’re among the gifted few. If you join, it would validate my thinking that commercial buildings won’t lose money. After all, you never engage in losing ventures.”

Who could guarantee constant profits?

Even with her foreknowledge, Xia Xiaolan remained extremely cautious in her operations.

Take the tape recorder deal – if she had been greedy like Senior Wan, she would have lost money too.

Xia Xiaolan’s success came not only from knowing trends but also from choosing partners carefully. She wouldn’t cooperate with untrustworthy people. That’s why she dismissed Du Zhaohui’s grand promises as mere theater.

Could she trust Huo Chenzhou?

Dealing with the Song family seemed unavoidable. While she didn’t know other Song family members’ characters, if forced to choose, better the devil you know – she was somewhat familiar with Huo Chenzhou.

“If you’re not expecting money from me, how do you want to cooperate?”

“Of course, you’ll need to invest something – if you didn’t invest but just received money, you wouldn’t dare accept it. This isn’t the place for details, but I can promise you can design this building.”

Few architecture students were like Xia Xiaolan.

She could design renovation plans for five-star hotels as an undergraduate, and would likely be involved in the Jinsha Pool residential project. Huo Chenzhou decided to extend another favor by letting her design the building.

The more effort invested, the more committed one becomes – that’s human nature.

Xia Xiaolan could hardly refuse this offer.

Old Mao always hoped she would bring glory to their school. If Professor Mao were present, he’d probably accept on her behalf for such a practical opportunity.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “We should discuss this in detail, but let’s finish inspecting the hotel first.”

Just as she finished speaking, the Huajian representative approached:

“The swimming pool is filled.”

With the pool filled, water circulated through all three levels, from the hotel entrance pool to the rooftop, cascading down from the top edge, with a reservoir in mid-air.

Thanks to the pool’s interior color treatment, the filled pool gleamed azure blue.

It looked beautiful.

Nearly identical to the rendered design.

“Won’t people fall over the edge? There are no safety barriers.”

“The water flow pushes inward, pushing swimmers back from the edge. Safety is guaranteed.”

Xia Xiaolan explained quietly to Huo Chenzhou, while Du Zhaohui stood by the pool, looking dazed.

This was bad – that familiar heart-stirring feeling returned. Du Zhaohui secretly glanced up, wondering why he kept gravitating toward Xia Xiaolan despite her obvious dislike. If it was about connections with Mayor Tang, the Cheng Rong Group’s investment was already secured – what more connections did he need?

The rippling water reflected Du Zhaohui’s face, revealing his strange expression. He instinctively crouched to look closer but moved too quickly, plunging headfirst into the pool – everyone was stunned. Xia Xiaolan was horrified, watching Du Zhaohui thrash in the pool, thinking, “Is this some kind of scam?!”