“It’s 50,000 yuan. That’s the domestic rate – architects’ pay is too low here. Looking at those foreign firms… well, there’s nothing to be done. You’ll have to make do, given the current environment.”

Mao Kangshan was stunned for quite a while.

“How much did you say?”

“50,000 yuan. After hiring some assistants and paying their salaries and bonuses, you won’t have much left.”

Though that’s what she said, assistants like Wang Houlin could be hired for just 1,000 yuan.

Even hiring five would only cost 5,000 yuan – Mao Kangshan would still have at least 40,000 left.

Isn’t this what Ning Yanfan did? How else could he afford such a large studio? He managed both career and profit, unlike the struggling Old Mao.

Finally coming to his senses about the 50,000 yuan fee, Mao Kangshan frowned, disagreeing with Xia Xiaolan:

“What assistants? You’re my assistant. Let me tell you, your fundamentals aren’t solid. You’ll embarrass yourself at Cornell University. Before you go abroad, do this Dongfeng Holdings design well – it’s perfect practice for your basics!”

Mao Kangshan was not letting Xia Xiaolan off easy.

Just when she was feeling pleased about outmaneuvering her teacher, now it was her turn to complain.

“Teacher, I have final exams in a month…”

Mao Kangshan wouldn’t fall for this.

“Exams test your accumulated knowledge, not last-minute cramming.”

Cramming for exams?

Knowledge gained through last-minute revision is short-term memory, forgotten after exams.

Only thoroughly understood concepts are truly mastered. If Xia Xiaolan performed poorly due to insufficient revision time, it proved she hadn’t been focusing on her studies.

Under Mao Kangshan’s piercing gaze, Xia Xialan dared not make excuses:

“I’ll draw. I’ll do all the drawings myself this time!”

That’s better. Mao Kangshan’s expression softened. Though Xia Xiaolan was rushing back to Beijing, he didn’t mention Mao Guosheng’s situation at all.

After Xia Xiaolan left, Wang Houlin limped over:

“Old Mao, I see Brother Guosheng wants to go to Hong Kong. Should I talk to Director Xia?”

Wang Houlin had come to terms with it – there might be other chances to go to Hong Kong later.

He worked at Qihang not just for the high salary. Due to Mao Kangshan’s interest in Jinsha Pool, Wang Houlin had received much guidance. He was very grateful for Mao Kangshan’s generous teaching.

Though somewhat reluctant, he was generally willing to give the Hong Kong opportunity to Mao Guosheng.

He had carefully considered this before approaching Mao Kangshan, but unexpectedly received no appreciation: “What do you want to tell Xiaolan? She’s taking you because you work at Qihang. Do you think she can’t take someone else? I want to go to the moon – think the American government would agree?”

Mao Kangshan knew his son Mao Guosheng regretted his decision and wanted to go to Hong Kong and work at Qihang.

But the world didn’t revolve around Mao Guosheng, nor Mao Kangshan himself.

Qihang was Xia Xiaolan’s company – not only did Mao Guosheng need to understand this, but Wang Houlin too!

Thoroughly chastised, Wang Houlin understood Mao Kangshan’s meaning. Feeling ashamed and guilty, he dared not mention giving up the opportunity to anyone else.

This opportunity was given by Xia Xiaolan because she valued him. If he didn’t want to go, Qihang could easily hire other architects!

Wang Houlin could only silently apologize to Mao Guosheng.

Learning of this, Mao Guosheng breathed heavily through his nose.

In Hangcheng, Zheng Shuqin also heard about it and shrilly asked Mao Guosheng over the phone: “Your father protects outsiders, afraid you might take advantage of someone. Is he planning to rely on others in his old age? Mao Guosheng, I’m telling you, I won’t exchange the house anymore – there’s not enough room for everyone!”

Zheng Shuqin had been willing to exchange houses back to please her in-laws.

But seeing Mao Kangshan favoring outsiders, she was furious.

Her implication was if Mao Kangshan favored Xia Xiaolan, let Xia Xiaolan take care of him in his old age!

Besides, his parents were living in Pengcheng now – returning the large third-floor apartment would leave it empty.

When Mao Guosheng tried to argue, Zheng Shuqin ignored him and slammed down the phone… The problem was that Mao Guosheng had told Zheng Shuqin too early. Going to Hong Kong in ’85 was certainly worth bragging about. It was just an idea for Mao Guosheng, but Zheng Shuqin had treated it as certain and couldn’t help telling friends and relatives.

People had asked her to bring things from Hong Kong, and she had readily agreed, even noting them down.

Now saying they couldn’t go, she couldn’t save face!

After his wife hung up, Mao Guosheng felt even worse.

Yes, what was his father thinking, really not caring about his own son’s welfare?

If he planned to rely on Xia Xiaolan in old age, she was still an outsider. She might value his father’s help now, but in a few years, finding him useless, wouldn’t she cast him aside?

Take the Jinsha Pool project – Wang Houlin earned 600 yuan monthly, but what about his father’s salary?

Wasn’t this just exploiting people?

Mao Guosheng suppressed his anger, waiting for his parents to see Xia Xiaolan’s shrewd true nature. Then he’d have something to say!

This truly was judging a noble person with a petty mind.

It wasn’t that Xia Xiaolan didn’t offer a salary – Old Mao simply refused it.

But with Mao Kangshan and Mother Song living in Pengcheng, how could Xia Xiaolan let them spend money?

They were still renting – Xia Xiaolan insisted on paying the rent.

She delivered daily necessities when she could, and when she wasn’t in Pengcheng, Ge Jian handled everything, from clothes and shoes to eggs, milk, meat, rice, flour, and oil – never letting Mother Song worry about anything.

Of course, even knowing Mao Guosheng’s thoughts, Xia Xiaolan would just laugh them off.

From her first visit to the Mao home, discovering Mao Kangshan and Mother Song living on the top floor while Mao Guosheng and Zheng Shuqin had taken the better third-floor apartment, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t held much hope for the couple.

If they could change, that would be best.

If not, Teacher Mao and his wife wouldn’t need to rely on Mao Guosheng and his wife in their old age.

Did Xia Xiaolan need to announce with a loudspeaker that she had given Teacher Mao and Teacher’s Wife Song a house?

Doing more or less depended on having a clear conscience, and not gaining approval from Mao Guosheng or others!

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t care less about Mao Guosheng’s situation.

However, at the Beijing airport, she encountered Ji Ya again.

Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t there, only Ji Ya and George.

Unusually, George and Ji Ya were arguing – at the airport of all places?

George waved his arms, looking very angry:

“That’s not a small amount – 5 million yuan, over a million US dollars. This isn’t a rational business loan… God, what were you thinking?”

Ji Ya looked even worse.

If there weren’t so few flights from Yangcheng to Beijing, she wouldn’t keep running into Xia Xiaolan.

Letting Xia Xiaolan witness her argument with George was humiliating. She straightened her back, face cold:

“This is my business, and the loan was my decision. I hope you can respect that. Whether profit or loss, you won’t need to bear this money!”

Xia Xiaolan swears she tried her hardest to hold back, but in that moment, she couldn’t help breaking into a smile.

– Profit would be one thing, but if it was a loss… 5 million yuan – how would Ji Ya repay that?