“Could you explain yourself more clearly, what do you mean?”

Dan Yujun quite liked Kang Wei.

Kang Wei had even named his furniture factory “Junwei,” and Xia Xiaolan had always thought they were quite sweet together.

Kang Wei scratched his head. If he didn’t completely trust Xia Xiaolan, he would never share these thoughts.

Realizing your girlfriend doesn’t like you enough hurts a grown man’s pride!

“I wanted to bring her home, you know? We’ve been dating for quite a while, and I wanted to make it official with my family, so my mother and grandmother would stop worrying about my marriage prospects. But Xiao Dan refuses!”

Why would she refuse?

Xia Xiaolan thought of her situation.

Looking back now, since she planned to marry Zhou Cheng only after completing her studies, she shouldn’t have met his family so early.

Though the Zhou family genuinely cared for her, which Xia Xiaolan appreciated.

Considering the Zhou family’s presence made Xia Xiaolan feel constrained sometimes, like in this Hong Kong situation… If she hadn’t met Zhou Cheng’s family yet, she wouldn’t need to worry about how Guan Hui’e and others would view those inexplicable rumors.

Meeting too early gradually blurred boundaries.

She became too involved in Zhou’s family matters, and in turn, Guan Hui’e felt entitled to interfere in her life.

This was something Xia Xiaolan had just realized.

“Kang Wei, you and Senior Sister Dan can’t marry anytime soon, right?”

Kang Wei wasn’t as rushed as Zhou Cheng. When he started dating Dan Yujun, he understood he’d have to wait until she completed her studies.

Huaqing University didn’t allow students to marry while enrolled. How could he ask Dan Yujun to abandon her studies for him?

It seemed impossible.

It would be like Dan Yujun asking him to quit the business and return to Beijing to accompany her.

Whether from the man or woman, demanding sacrifice in the name of “love” was detestable—voluntary sacrifice was different, of course, but it was best if neither had to sacrifice, instead working together to plan their future.

“We can’t marry yet. I haven’t discussed this with Xiao Dan. I was thinking of proposing after she graduates.”

Kang Wei felt luckier than Brother Cheng in some ways.

Though he found love later, Xiao Dan was a year ahead of Sister-in-law Xiaolan. When Dan Yujun graduated, Xia Xiaolan would still have another year of study. Kang Wei thought he might marry first!

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but smile.

Xia Xiaolan resisted rolling her eyes. “You should discuss these plans with Senior Sister Dan, don’t just imagine things on your own!”

Kang Wei realized she was right. Perhaps he had misunderstood Xiao Dan; it would be best if they talked things through.

Though he wasn’t as handsome as Brother Cheng, he wasn’t ugly either. Why wouldn’t Xiao Dan like him?

If she didn’t like him, she wouldn’t have agreed to date him!

Kang Wei felt motivated again.

“Sister-in-law, will Brother Cheng get leave this Spring Festival?”

Kang Wei had touched a sore spot, and Xia Xiaolan couldn’t hold back her eye roll this time: “How would I know? I haven’t been able to contact him at all!”

Xia Xiaolan wondered if Zhou Cheng had even returned to the academy since his last visit to Pengcheng to handle Ke Yixiong.

She could never reach him when she called.

It wasn’t that Xia Xiaolan needed them to be constantly together, especially since she was busy herself.

But not even knowing Zhou Cheng’s whereabouts… Rationally, she knew Zhou Cheng must be handling important matters that required discretion, but emotionally, she felt frustrated.

For instance, regarding the rumors about Tang Yuanyue, Xia Xiaolan wanted to tell Zhou Cheng immediately.

Unable to contact him, she was forced to tell Guan Hui’e, leading to their disagreement in views, leaving Xia Xiaolan with nowhere to vent her frustrations!

Kang Wei worried for Zhou Cheng too.

That Tang fellow inviting Sister-in-law Xiaolan to Hong Kong, and that Du character constantly hovering around her, seemingly determined to steal her away. The emperor wasn’t worried, but his loyal eunuch was anxious to death!

Ah, no, no, no—he wasn’t a eunuch, he was the emperor’s loyal minister and general!

Kang Wei hesitated, “That Du fellow…”

“I wanted to discuss this with you. Du Zhaohui has approached me several times about doing business together. Would you mind? If you’re still upset about the past, I’ll turn him down!”

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t agreed yet, considering Kang Wei’s feelings.

By now, Kang Wei wasn’t just Zhou Cheng’s childhood friend but also Xia Xiaolan’s friend. She didn’t have many friends, and Kang Wei was among her closest.

“Sister-in-law, you mean about Du Zhaohui’s driver injuring me? He compensated me with a new car, and my second uncle said Du Zhaohui made some other compensation, so that matter’s settled.”

He had been angry at the time.

But thinking about it later, it was just an accident.

Du Zhaohui hadn’t personally hit him with the car; he was just used to being reckless and didn’t take others’ safety seriously. His driver had been speeding… Kang Wei and his friends had done similar things in their teens, fearlessly racing motorcycles everywhere. Some had broken legs, fortunately without hitting any pedestrians.

By their twenties, they’d stopped such behavior, showing how immature Du Zhaohui still was.

Kang Wei considered himself a mature man who couldn’t base decisions purely on personal preference. Reading between the lines, Sister-in-law Xiaolan bringing this up suggested she was somewhat inclined to agree.

To make his position clear, he added: “I won’t stoop to that immature person’s level. Is someone who wears perfume and hair mousse daily even a real man? I can’t like him, but that shouldn’t stop you from making money off him!”

Hong Kong money was worth taking, and Kang Wei didn’t think Xia Xiaolan would lose out cooperating with Du Zhaohui.

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “Look how you’re criticizing him, Young Master Du just calls it being fashionable.”

Though she said this, Xia Xiaolan also thought Du Zhaohui resembled a flamboyant peacock, compensating for his lack of height with excessive style—too exaggerated!

Her Cheng was better, clean, and refreshing, making her want to hold and embrace him.

The current problem was, with only days before her departure abroad, could she contact Zhou Cheng?

…

“Jiang Wu escaped again!”

Zhou Cheng’s fist slammed against the ship’s cabin.

They had finally lured Jiang Wu from the Golden Triangle to Pan Baohua’s territory, but that cowardly turtle Jiang Wu still used diversionary tactics to test the waters.

Without confirming Pan Baohua’s presence on the ship, Jiang Wu wouldn’t show himself.

A small boat approached rapidly, and Pan Baohua jumped onto the bow: “He can’t go far, this is the vast ocean! The Golden Triangle may be chaotic and lawless, but so is this place. We’ll chase him and drive him toward Chinese waters.”

Following Pan Baohua’s thinking, they could finish off Jiang Wu at sea.

Zhou Cheng wanted Pan Baohua to have a chance to return to the unit and didn’t want him to take risks… No secret stayed buried forever, and if Jiang Wu died at Pan Baohua’s hand, it would be improper, just like when Pan Baohua had previously crippled Jiang Wu. Though justified, it still violated unit discipline.

The best outcome would be handling Jiang Wu without violating unit discipline.

Zhou Cheng narrowed his eyes, “Right, drive him toward Chinese waters, preferably around Fujian Province.”

Zhou Cheng was tired of playing cat and mouse with Jiang Wu. It was already February, and his wife would be going abroad in a few days. He needed to deal with Jiang Wu quickly!