Pan Yijun realized this was exactly right.

Previously, Sheng Xuan had called him aggressive, saying the loan given to Qihang exceeded the value of their mortgaged land.

She claimed he violated regulations.

She nearly outright accused him of accepting bribes.

Fortunately, Pan Yijun had been cautious and never received money from Qihang – Liu Yong had only treated him to meals. Liu Yong wasn’t Qihang’s owner, couldn’t they share a meal?

Now, Sheng Xuan was the anxious one.

Since Secretary Peng’s wedding candy delivery, Sheng Xuan struggled at work.

When people become anxious, they lose their rationality – decisions made in such states are wrong nine times out of ten.

Pan Yijun didn’t know if the clothing company Boss Ji could repay on time, but he wouldn’t stop it, letting Sheng Xuan process the paperwork:

“Director Xia is right, let’s just let Director Sheng have her way.”

From Director Xia’s tone, did she know this Ji person?

It would be amusing if Ji couldn’t repay the loan.

Xia Xiaolan and Ying Jinchuan left while Ji Ya was still waiting for a taxi outside the bank.

She had come alone to meet Sheng Xuan.

Her reasons for approaching Sheng Xuan weren’t hard to guess – the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Ji Ya had originally counted on the Song family, but unexpectedly Song Nanzhen held back, only Sheng Xuan had transferred to Pengcheng… After arriving in Pengcheng, Ji Ya had a good talk with George.

George advised her not to rush, suggesting she nurture the clothing brand slowly, using examples she couldn’t refute:

“No world-famous brand developed in just a year or two, this is a long-term business.”

Long-term business required steady progress, building reputation alongside promotion.

However, Ji Ya’s Elegance prioritized promotion before reputation and operations, leaving George with little confidence.

His words were nice but amounted to a polite refusal.

With Zhen Wenxiu previously refusing to help make connections, Ji Ya could only turn to Sheng Xuan.

Fortunately, convincing Sheng Xuan wasn’t difficult. After several bank visits, things progressed smoothly. Today they discussed loan operations, and Sheng Xuan said once materials passed review, Elegance’s loan would be approved.

Everything went smoothly, putting Ji Ya in a rare good mood – her first piece of good news since the fashion show.

Since Xia Xiaolan had stolen her spotlight at the fashion show, Ji Ya had encountered nothing but troubles!

Her joy was short-lived as she spotted Xia Xiaolan, her expression immediately souring.

Why was Xia Xiaolan here?

Was she here to sabotage her bank loan?

Xia Xiaolan noticed Ji Ya’s nervousness – how rare it was, Madam Ji showing anxiety.

Money truly was the source of courage.

Xia Xiaolan smiled at Ji Ya:

“What a coincidence!”

Ji Ya wanted to ignore her completely, but Xia Xiaolan’s smug smile was too provocative, making Ji Ya snap:

“Don’t be too pleased with yourself, you’ve just made some money riding on Tang Hongen’s connections… The higher you climb, the harder you’ll fall!”

Xia Xiaolan bowed mockingly:

“Likewise! Never mind who I rely on to make money – you have someone to rely on too, yet haven’t made much yourself.”

Xia Xiaolan wanted to spit at her.

She could proudly say every cent of her capital was self-earned – without her early accumulation, what would she use for loans?

The source of Ji Ya’s capital was obvious.

Ji Ya had some nerve to say such things.

“Don’t forget about Chang’an Street. Goodbye and good luck, Madam Ji.”

Leaving Ji Ya standing there with a livid face, Xia Xiaolan walked away without a care. Ying Jinchuan, who had been holding back, said, “Director Xia, you’re really in a playful mood. If you didn’t want her loan approved, there were many ways…”

“Manager Ying, have you heard the saying ‘there’s joy in sparring with others’?”

Ying Jinchuan was speechless.

He felt Xia Xiaolan’s attitude was like teasing cats and dogs – provoking them to bare their teeth and charge, then kicking them away.

Xia Xiaolan never tired of it, but did she ever consider if the dog got tired?

But regarding Ji Ya… from what Ying Jinchuan knew, this woman was truly detestable. She had previously controlled her son, and Tang Hongen had suffered much from the Ji family.

Shortly after arriving in Pengcheng, before evening dinner with Liu Yong, Tang Yuanyue came calling:

“Miss Xia, you previously said you owed me a favor – does that still stand?”

For Ge Jian’s Hong Kong advertisement and finding feng shui master Wu Daonan, Xia Xiaolan indeed owed Tang Yuanyue a favor. Wu Daonan’s house wasn’t given in vain – it not only had promotional value but also helped Xia Xiaolan avoid trouble.

This was no small favor.

Xia Xiaolan responded straightforwardly: “Chairman Tang, as long as I can help and it doesn’t violate laws or social morals, please feel free to ask!”

Tang Yuanyue found it amusing – Xia Xiaolan’s craftiness never changed, even repaying favors came with preconditions.

If he suggested she become his girlfriend to “repay herself,” since she had a boyfriend now, that would violate social morals.

Tang Yuanyue naturally wouldn’t do such a thing.

What he wanted Xia Xiaolan’s help with was somewhat challenging but not too difficult – the main issue was Xia Xiaolan’s tight schedule.

Tang Yuanyue said he was quite satisfied with Yuanhui’s office renovation. He had a property in Hong Kong whose decorative style he disliked, and hoped Xia Xiaolan could help design and execute a renovation plan.

How did this land on her?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t refuse – it violated neither laws nor social morals. Though framed as repaying a favor, it gave Xia Xiaolan an opportunity to practice:

“Chairman Tang, this is too… I can agree, but you know I have school. Two days isn’t enough time for Hong Kong, could you wait until my winter break?”

The property Tang Yuanyue mentioned couldn’t be a small apartment – Young Master Tang wasn’t one to live in small apartments.

Xia Xiaolan needed to inspect the site personally before providing a plan, meaning she’d have to visit Hong Kong!

Tang Yuanyue hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to come immediately, and reassured her with a smile:

“No worries, I’m not in a hurry. Schedule it according to your time. I often stay in Pengcheng now and don’t frequently use that house.”

Indeed, Tang Yuanyue wasn’t short on housing.

A wealthy young master surely owned multiple properties, and with the Tang family running hotels, they certainly weren’t worried about places to sleep.

Xia Xiaolan spoke earnestly, “When I visit Hong Kong, I must thank Master Wu in person.”

Tang Yuanyue laughed heartily, “Even the Governor wouldn’t refuse to meet Miss Xia – this is no problem, I’ll arrange it.”

Tang Yuanyue seemed to have never done anything bad, being very agreeable. Xia Xiaolan wondered if she was too cautious. In human relationships, expecting nothing in return was unrealistic – some wanted money, some connections, some beauty, and the purest simply wanted pleasant conversation without generational gaps.

Xia Xiaolan still couldn’t tell which type Tang Yuanyue was.

However, her agreement with Tang Yuanyue reached Du Zhaohui’s ears that evening.

Du Zhaohui angrily slammed the table:

“That damn Tang, he knows how to scheme!”