Wen Manni parked the car in front of a small building.

With her professional instincts, Xia Xiaolan quickly analyzed: it was a typical American suburban house, appearing to be two stories with likely a basement.

Teacher Mao’s old friend was indeed living well in America.

The five-hour drive from New York to Ithaca couldn’t have passed in silence. During their conversation, Xia Xiaolan learned that Wen Manni was a lawyer working at a law firm in New York.

American law school tuition was expensive, and lawyers had to progress from associate to full attorney, then from junior partner to senior partner. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure which level Wen Manni was at… but regardless, the profession meant being incredibly busy. As they got out of the car, Xia Xiaolan thanked Wen Manni again:

“Connie, thank you so much for coming to pick me up. It must have taken up a lot of your time.”

Between the round trip and waiting at the airport, an entire day had been spent.

Wen Manni had softened from her earlier coldness at the airport, “Picking you up was convenient since I was planning to visit my parents anyway.”

As they talked, the door opened.

An older woman appeared:

“Hi, you must be Xiaolan? Come in, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Wen Manni introduced, “This is my mother.”

Xia Xiaolan hesitated.

She realized she had been addressing Wen Manni incorrectly earlier. Considering that Wen Manni’s father was Teacher Mao’s friend, by generational hierarchy, she should at most call Wen Manni “Elder Sister”… The multiple flights to America must have addled her mind.

“You can call me Aunt Hu, or just use my name Hu Ying. Things are different here in America compared to back home – you’ll get used to it gradually.”

Hu Ying was about the same age as Madam Song, but while Madam Song truly looked elderly, Hu Ying appeared much younger. Though dressed casually, she didn’t wear typical elderly clothing, and her hair showed signs of coloring – her whole demeanor seemed youthful!

Xia Xiaolan blushed slightly and corrected her form of address.

Professor Wen, Teacher Mao Kangshan’s old friend, hadn’t come to greet Xia Xiaolan at the door, evidently due to inconvenience.

He had recently recovered from a serious illness and was still weak, requiring a wheelchair for mobility, so he waited inside.

Professor Wen was a very gentle person, though looking somewhat frail from his recent illness. He had immigrated to America after studying there in his early years and now taught at Cornell University. Xia Xiaolan’s opportunity to become an exchange student at Cornell was largely thanks to Professor Wen’s help.

Professor Wen observed Xia Xiaolan. In his correspondence with Mao Kangshan, Mao had proudly boasted about Xia Xiaolan’s “talent” but hadn’t mentioned her beauty.

At Professor Wen’s age, he no longer judged people by appearance, but human nature being what it was, seeing someone attractive naturally created a favorable impression.

This wasn’t any sort of male-female attraction, purely the pleasant feeling of seeing someone good-looking.

Xia Xiaolan called him Uncle Wen, conveyed Mao Kangshan’s longing for his old friend, apologized for troubling the Wen family, and presented gifts from home – fine tea leaves and sliced ginseng… Professor Wen, not caring much for such formalities, got straight to the point:

“What about your portfolio? Did you bring your work portfolio?”

Thanks to Mao Kangshan’s reminder, Xia Xiaolan was prepared for this. Her suitcase was so heavy not because of clothes, but mainly because of these materials!

Xia Xiaolan quickly presented her portfolio.

Professor Wen examined it carefully and asked her many questions, his expression growing increasingly gentle.

“Dad, you’ll have plenty of time to examine students. Can we eat first? I just drove from New York to Ithaca!”

Wen Manni protested, and Hu Ying agreed. Professor Wen realized they were right and temporarily let Xia Xiaolan off the hook.

Xia Xiaolan had been sweating from all the questions – though Professor Wen was gentle, his inquiries were quite sharp.

After everyone washed their hands and sat at the dining table, Professor Wen asked his wife to open a bottle of wine to celebrate Xia Xiaolan’s arrival in America… While drinking wasn’t encouraged for students in China, wine with meals was common in America. Born in 1965, Xia Xiaolan was 21 in 1986, making her legally able to drink even under the Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984!

Wen Manni explained to Xia Xiaolan: “This is to prevent young people from developing alcohol dependency. Besides that, you can get married and obtain a driver’s license at 16. Do you know how to drive? You should apply for a license!”

Xia Xiaolan did have a license.

However, that was from China, obviously not valid in America.

Xia Xiaolan was planning to get one – living in America without a car was too inconvenient. She couldn’t always rely on Wen Manni for rides when she needed to go somewhere. Lawyers charge by the hour; why should anyone be her free chauffeur?

Regarding accommodation, Xia Xiaolan had two options: either stay in the university’s exchange student dormitory or rent her place.

She preferred the latter – renting would give her more freedom, and she wouldn’t have to worry about disturbing roommates. University housing wasn’t free either; it would cost money, just less than renting outside.

Hu Ying interrupted her thoughts:

“How could we let you rent a place alone in a foreign country? Since Manni moved to New York for work, there have been many empty rooms upstairs. You can choose whichever one you like!”

Professor Wen shared the same sentiment.

Xia Xiaolan had $1.27 million from Du Zhaohui in her account, plus several thousand dollars in cash, so she wasn’t short on rent money. However, faced with such sincere hospitality, and after considering the safety aspects of living alone, she ultimately agreed to stay with the Wen family.

Wen Manni, showing her warm heart beneath her cool exterior, added:

“Once you get your license, you can use our family car.”

Xia Xiaolan responded sincerely: “I’m already very grateful for the accommodation. If possible, I’d like to buy my car. I can sell it when I leave – I can handle the depreciation cost for a year.”

Wen Manni nodded: “You have a point.”

Letting Xia Xiaolan stay with them was out of concern for her safety – the Wen family had promised Mao Kangshan to look after her.

But Wen Manni, having grown up in America, respected Xia Xiaolan’s choices. If Xia Xiaolan wanted to buy a car, the Wen family would only offer advice on how to buy one, not forcefully prevent her from spending money – in America, it was inappropriate to ask about someone’s income, let alone dictate how they spent their money!

The meal ended on a pleasant note for everyone.

The Wen house had three empty rooms, and Xia Xiaolan chose a small guest room, avoiding Wen Manni’s former bedroom.

Professor Wen and Hu Ying lived downstairs, leaving the entire upstairs as essentially an independent space for Xia Xiaolan to enjoy.

The arrangement offered both intimacy and appropriate distance – Xia Xiaolan was very satisfied with her living situation.

Oh right, she took off her watch – that mysteriously cracked watch. During their journey, Wen Manni had glanced at it several times, seemingly doubtful about her financial situation, though she hadn’t said anything to hurt Xia Xiaolan’s pride.

“I need a new watch.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to dwell on that nightmare in Hong Kong.