Only Xia Xiaolan could instantly devise a plan that would both entertain Jiang Hong and leave Zhou Yi speechless.

Others might fear future blame and try to mediate between Jiang Hong’s couple and Zhou Yi, attempting to repair their relationship. But Xia Xiaolan acted entirely without regard for Zhou Yi, doing exactly as she pleased. While satisfyingly bold, Tang Hongen observed that she still lacked polish.

Of course, Xia Xiaolan was already more sophisticated than her peers, with her style amid her craftiness. Tang Hongen couldn’t expect her to become someone who handled matters completely flawlessly.

Knowing Tang Hongen was teasing, Xia Xiaolan remained unfazed: “Let her hate me. If she ever manages to cause me trouble, Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou would still thank me.”

By now, wasn’t she used to people hating her?

Not everyone could speak of revenge to her face – at minimum, they needed to amount to something and have real capability to cause her trouble. Xia Xiaolan felt that if Zhou Yi ever reached that point, Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong would have to thank her for providing the motivation.

Liu Fen, who rarely gossiped about others, couldn’t help but agree with Xia Xiaolan: “Cousin Zhou Yi is too foolish. She could have chosen any young man, but she had to get involved with the Yuan family.”

At the wedding banquet, when Liu Fen heard Yuan’s mother haggling with the restaurant staff over the bill, she felt like reliving a nightmare – Yuan’s mother reminded her of the fear of being controlled by Grandmother Xia.

Then there were Yuan Han’s two sisters, who busied themselves arranging Yuan Han and Zhou Yi’s wedding. They even helped hide the couple when Zhou Yi and Yuan Han eloped – how could such people be good?

Liu Fen felt Zhou Yi’s situation was worse than her past – she only had one bad mother-in-law, while Zhou Yi might have three.

Tang Hongen consoled her, “Don’t worry about others. With the Zhou family’s support, her life won’t become too terrible.”

Once her mind cleared, she still had the Zhou family as a backup.

She was also young enough.

If both Fen and Xiaolan could struggle out of their terrible situations and change their lives, there was no reason Zhou Yi couldn’t turn things around.

Tang Hongen wasn’t interested in other families’ daughters; he still admired his wife more: “When we get to Pengcheng, I’ll take the initiative to meet your older brother.”

His and Liu Fen’s actions were like executing first and reporting afterward.

With the marriage certificate already obtained, even if Liu Yong was unhappy, he couldn’t force them to divorce.

However, knowing that both Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan valued Liu Yong, Tang Hongen never took him lightly.

Upon arriving in Pengcheng, Xia Xiaolan headed straight to Jinsha Pool.

Jinsha Pool’s houses were completely sold out. With no more potential buyers viewing the properties, workers had resumed construction, creating a scene of bustling prosperity.

Ying Jinchuan saw her, “Director Xia, you’ve come at the right time. I have a meeting scheduled with Director Pan. Would you like to join?”

“About the loan repayment?”

Xia Xiaolan had thought this matter was long settled, surprised it was still being negotiated.

“Let’s go.”

Xia Xiaolan then asked Ge Jian, “Has anything happened in these two weeks?”

“Luo Yaozong’s condition has stabilized, he’s still in the hospital. The Luo family came to the construction site, but since Jinsha Pool’s houses were all sold, and you said we shouldn’t heed their threats, I didn’t show them any courtesy and drove them away.”

Ge Jian didn’t mention that the Luo family had spoken rudely, accusing Xia Xiaolan of being heartless.

Xia Xiaolan could guess – these people wouldn’t believe it until they saw the coffin. With Luo Yaozong recovering, the Luo family had grown greedier.

With all houses sold, why would she indulge them?

If they dared to cause trouble, she’d report them to the police station each time. Now Xia Xiaolan was truly uninhibited, showing no mercy to anyone!

“You did right. Don’t be polite with them.”

She followed Ying Jinchuan to the bank.

Logically, the bank should have been closed by now, but Director Pan was pursuing progress by working overtime.

Pan had returned to the credit department, serving as deputy under Sheng Xuan.

He didn’t feel inferior to Sheng Xuan at all; being her deputy allowed him to undermine her authority.

Ying Jinchuan clicked his tongue, “Old Pan knows how to seize opportunities.”

What opportunities?

From Ying Jinchuan’s words, Xia Xiaolan learned that Tang Hongen had sent Secretary Peng to deliver wedding candies to Sheng Xuan… Delivering candies was one thing, but Secretary Peng, known for being ruthlessly taciturn, had improvised, causing Sheng Xuan great embarrassment!

The bank was full of gossip, with all sorts of rumors.

Of course, they dared not discuss the leaders; the central figure of discussion was Sheng Xuan.

A woman, not young anymore, beautiful but unmarried, had already caused much confusion.

It turned out it wasn’t that Director Sheng wouldn’t marry; she just wouldn’t settle for ordinary men, wanting to be a leader’s wife.

To achieve this goal, she must have done something excessive to warrant a warning from the leader’s secretary delivering wedding candies.

Xia Xiaolan immediately understood why Sheng Xuan’s days had been difficult lately.

Old Tang was quite something, quietly doing all this without claiming credit… When her mother heard about this through other channels, wouldn’t she be deeply moved?

The king of schemes lived up to his title, never following the conventional path. Just when you became familiar with his old tactics, he immediately innovated!

Meeting with Pan Yijun at the bank, Director Pan pointed to the neighboring office:

“Director Sheng is working overtime too.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t believe it, “Director Pan, you’ve almost left her with no work to do, what overtime could she be doing?”

Pan Yijun was quite pleased, feigning modesty: “Director Sheng is from Beijing, with deep connections, she still has friends supporting her performance… These days, a clothing company boss from Beijing has been discussing loans with Director Sheng, they’re next door right now.”

Xia Xiaolan’s interest was piqued, “Have you seen who it is?”

“It’s a female boss, well-dressed and quite attractive. She walked into the bank with quite an air, I heard she’s seeking a loan of several million to expand her business.”

A female clothing company boss from Beijing?

Xia Xiaolan immediately thought of Ji Ya.

Last weekend, when she went to the airport to pick up Tang Hongen and her mother, she ran into Ji Ya and Ji Jiangyuan arriving in Pengcheng.

Could Ji Ya have stayed in Pengcheng for a loan instead of returning to Beijing?

Ji Ya certainly knew who to approach.

If anyone would approve a loan for her, Sheng Xuan was the most likely – Xia Xiaolan hadn’t expected Ji Ya to ever be short on money, thinking George was like an automatic ATM, giving Ji Ya however much she wanted.

George counted among the less intelligent wealthy Americans.

But he wasn’t completely foolish, probably realizing Ji Ya’s limited business talent and stopping investment in her clothing brand.

This was the correct business approach – if an investment couldn’t generate returns as expected, one should cut losses promptly.

The ATM had malfunctioned, but unfortunately, Ji Ya wouldn’t accept it, wanting to take out a loan herself.

A loan of several million?

Ji Ya’s ambitions were quite large.

Having heard this, Xia Xiaolan deliberately lingered in Pan Yijun’s office, and sure enough, the meeting next door concluded first.

When Sheng Xuan’s office door opened, the elegantly dressed woman walking out with her bag was indeed Ji Ya.

“Then we have an agreement.”

Ji Ya and Sheng Xuan clasped hands firmly, apparently having settled the loan matter.

Pan Yijun sneered, lowering his voice: “This Boss Ji’s collateral assets aren’t nearly enough for a loan of several million. Director Sheng is being too aggressive.”

Xia Xiaolan chuckled, “Isn’t that perfect? You can let Director Sheng taste her own medicine.”