Ji Ya glared fiercely at Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t interfere, simply boarding the plane with her luggage.

With two new stores about to open, Liu Fen stayed behind in Yangcheng to select merchandise rather than traveling with Xia Xiaolan.

George felt hurt by Ji Ya’s tone.

They were married – how could Ji Ya’s debt not concern him?

Five million yuan wasn’t a small sum. Just because he disagreed with further investment in Elegance, Ji Ya borrowed five million yuan from the bank without consulting him.

Whether in China or America, hiding debt from one’s spouse severely damages the marital relationship.

This was different from Ji Ya’s emotional instability. George could tolerate her emotional issues and was glad she was now willing to seek treatment, but borrowing five million without a word showed zero respect for him as a husband. George was furious:

“OK, it’s best if you want to handle it yourself!”

He felt terrible.

From pursuing Ji Ya, coming to China for her, holding the wedding, to investing in Elegance – George had spent over a million dollars.

What could he say now?

If Ji Ya truly couldn’t repay the bank loan, he would end up paying it.

They hadn’t signed a prenuptial agreement… Shit! Talk of Ji Ya handling it herself was empty words.

George was truly angry and felt he should contact a lawyer to come to China.

Ji Ya was equally unhappy.

Was this shouting man the same George who had worshiped her, come to China for her, and willingly opposed Tang Hong’en for her?

Ji Ya hadn’t realized their marriage was unequal from the start.

Even an ordinary man who long worshipped a goddess might turn on her after winning her – and George was no ordinary man, but a golden bachelor in America.

She felt George had changed.

George likewise felt she had lost her former alluring qualities.

They parted in discord.

On the plane, Ji Ya didn’t want Xia Xiaolan to see her distress and immediately put on sunglasses.

Xia Xiaolan had no intention of starting a conversation.

She was wondering how Ji Ya would spend the five million loan.

In late ’85, five million could fund many businesses – even a clothing factory would be possible. Used for retail clothing, with proper management, it could generate enormous profits.

But for a clothing brand, it depended on Ji Ya’s plans.

Expand stores? Or spend big on advertising?

Xia Xiaolan thought Ji Ya had borrowed too early. If it were her, she would have waited for Elegance to develop steadily for a year or two before considering loans… but why should Xia Xiaolan warn Ji Ya? It would be perfect if Ji Ya lost everything.

…

1986 arrived.

On New Year’s Day, Blue Phoenix’s fourth and fifth branches opened simultaneously.

Surprisingly, these stores didn’t sell women’s clothing – one sold children’s wear, the other men’s clothing.

Setting aside men’s wear, there wasn’t another store this size specializing in children’s clothing in Beijing – Blue Phoenix was again ahead of competitors, and this decision by the Xia mother-daughter duo caught Ji Ya off guard.

She had opened Elegance next to Blue Phoenix to squeeze their business.

Elegance sold women’s wear, but now Blue Phoenix sold children’s and men’s clothing – what was there to squeeze?

More importantly, Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen’s wild ideas were unpredictable. Abandoning their familiar women’s wear territory to venture into men’s and children’s clothing… who knew what their next store would sell? Maybe shoes or socks!

Ji Ya knew it wasn’t Liu Fen.

The main troublemaker was Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan’s thoughts were like clouds, constantly changing – no one could predict her next move!

Unable to pressure Blue Phoenix, Ji Ya had to abandon that plan and focus on Luna instead. She needed to concentrate on developing Elegance and expanding to compete with Luna.

Having quarreled with George, fought with her friend Zhen Wenxiu, and grown distant from her son, Ji Ya felt she was fighting alone – success or death, she couldn’t bear failure!

With Blue Phoenix’s new stores opening, You Li, who had been in training, was about to start work.

She had been frequently going out, lying to her family about dating Shao Guangrong… Now that she needed to work regular hours, she couldn’t hide it anymore and had to claim Shao Guangrong had arranged a job for her.

“I don’t want to go. Let’s forget it – earning just a few dozen yuan a month is so tiring!”

You Li appeared very reluctant.

Her stepfather, initially angry, suddenly smiled as if remembering something: “You have some skill – this official’s son is taking you seriously.”

As a man, You Li’s stepfather understood such thoughts.

If Shao Guangrong just wanted to play around, he wouldn’t care about You Li’s employment.

Rather, seriously considering a future with You Li meant planning for her – his family wouldn’t accept someone without a proper job.

He looked You Li up and down. The girl was already 17, and grown quite attractive – no wonder she could enchant men.

Though You Li said she didn’t want to go, her stepfather insisted:

“Go work with peace of mind. I’ll take good care of your mother. When can you talk to him about transferring me to his factory? Oh, and your salary must come home!”

Transfer jobs?

You Li hadn’t seen Shao Guangrong in ages – what transfer?

She could only repeatedly promise to mention it to him at a suitable time.

Of course, she would hand over her salary, just to appease this man.

At Blue Phoenix, besides base salary, bonuses were substantial… she would secretly save this money and escape with her mother when the time was right.

At night, holding her mother’s hand, You Li whispered: “Please endure a bit longer.”

Fearing her mother might inadvertently reveal something, she hadn’t shared the entire plan.

Her mother was happy about You Li’s job.

“Work hard, don’t disappoint the boss who hired you.”

With a steady job, she could earn money.

After working for two years, she’d be of marriageable age and could properly leave this home – then this useless invalid could die in peace.

In the dark room, You Li was filled with joy and hope for the future, not noticing her mother’s silent tears.

With such responsibilities, You Li naturally worked hardest.

When new stores opened, experienced staff from old stores were transferred to train newcomers, creating vacancies.

You Li could have worked in women’s wear at the established old store.

Instead, she told Xia Xiaolan she wanted to go to the new store.

Xia Xiaolan looked at the girl, “You want the new store’s pioneer bonus, right? Little You, are you having some difficulties?”

Xia Xiaolan had known You Li for some time.

Smart, obedient, and extremely dedicated to learning, she naturally progressed faster than others.

Relationships develop through interaction. Previously, You Li was just Shao Guangrong’s temporary date – Xia Xiaolan hadn’t cared about her story.

Now seeing You Li’s potential as an assistant worth cultivating, Xia Xiaolan wanted to meddle a bit.