There’s always a first time for everything.

Xia Xiaolan remained remarkably calm.

Richard’s trio was out of options. As the Chinese saying goes, they were “treating a dead horse as if it were alive.” Even if they didn’t believe Xia Xiaolan had any solutions, their current mental pressure was immense – with seven points of ability, they could only perform at three or four points. However, Professor McCarthy didn’t want seven points – he wanted eight points, nine points, or even perfect scores to be impressed!

“OK! You’re in!”

Richard extended his hand, chubby Lyle followed, and Daisy was the third. Xia Xiaolan placed her hand on top of Daisy’s:

“I think we should abandon our previous approach and start fresh. Any objections?”

Richard’s group had no other path, so they agreed to change direction.

Once they accepted Xia Xiaolan’s real participation, these three became willing to listen to her opinions.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to pretend – back in China, she was on the building construction side rather than making models… She wasn’t used to America yet, where previously she’d paid others to handle things, now she had to do everything herself.

At least Xia Xiaolan had finally found people to eat with at school.

Unlike Danny, Richard’s group wasn’t particular about food. They’d grab something quick at the school cafeteria and continue their discussions.

Whether working professionals or students in America, lunch was always simple, with dinner being much more substantial. Xia Xiaolan could handle the $3 hamburgers. Better restaurants in Ithaca cost $10-15 per person, while Cornell’s cafeteria offered student buffets for under $1 – cheap for dollar-earners, but converted to Chinese currency in 1986, a 3.5 yuan student buffet was unaffordable for 99% of Chinese university students!

Earning money in China to spend in America – was she spending dollars?

She was feeling excitement and heartache!

While carrying her tray, Xia Xiaolan again revealed her watch with its cracked face. While Danny’s group had been too polite to mention it, Daisy couldn’t help but stare several times.

Using broken things?

That was rare to see in America.

When appliances broke, people usually threw them away. Labor costs were so high that repair fees could buy new items – why struggle with broken things?

Daisy wasn’t the first person to notice her broken watch.

Xia Xiaolan had no special attachment to the watch; she just needed it to tell time but had been too busy to buy a new one:

“Daisy, it broke on my way to America, and I’ve been too busy!”

Everyone showed curiosity about the watch, and Xia Xiaolan couldn’t take it anymore.

She decided to buy a new watch anywhere she could!

Showing off wealth was pointless, but there was no need to pretend to be poor.

Rich students were everywhere; Xia Xiaolan’s wealth wasn’t anything special.

Leaving the cafeteria, they ran into Danny’s group.

“Hi, Xia! I’ve been wanting to invite you out. You just started school, and must still be adjusting to Cornell, right?”

Danny greeted her warmly.

Xia Xiaolan waved her “Structural Elements” textbook: “You’re right, still adjusting. I have to apologize – about going out, I’m afraid Professor McCarthy wouldn’t approve. I feel like I’m already losing hair!”

Danny looked sympathetic, “Good luck! If you need any help, just let me know!”

Hotel Management and Architecture were truly two different worlds.

They usually didn’t associate with these future “architects” – they were all so dull.

After Danny and the others left, Richard’s trio exchanged glances.

Daisy’s mouth went dry, “You know Daniel from Hotel Management? That’s insane, that’s Daniel… You know what, I’m starting to believe you might get an A from Professor McCarthy!”

Xia Xiaolan was dumbfounded.

When she sincerely said she could get an A, Daisy didn’t believe her at all.

But after exchanging a few words with Danny outside the restaurant, Daisy acted like she’d already conquered Professor McCarthy!

“Is Danny connected to Professor McCarthy?”

Daisy looked confused, “What? Never heard of any connection. That’s not the point – do you know how many girls want to date Daniel, and he just said he wanted to hang out with you – God, you even call him Danny! Xia, you’re a miracle worker!”

Danny was a campus celebrity at Cornell.

But without knowing Professor McCarthy, what use was that?

Xia Xiaolan watched the excited Daisy, completely unable to empathize.

He was handsome indeed, but Xia Xiaolan felt no attraction. She had too much to do, and what little enthusiasm she had for young men was completely spent on Zhou Cheng, leaving none for others.

Dating was too troublesome!

If her relationship with Zhou Cheng was stable enough, she wouldn’t waste energy interacting with other men.

Getting to know a new man meant spending time understanding each other, dating again, adjusting again… Just thinking about it made Xia Xiaolan tense and overwhelmed.

“Danny can’t help us pass Professor McCarthy’s inspection. Daisy, do you want to fail to get even a C? If not, could you wipe your drool, and let’s try a new approach!”

That day, Xia Xiaolan stayed at school until the evening before returning.

Hu Ying and Professor Wen had already eaten dinner and saved some for her, but she’d already eaten with Richard’s group.

“That’s fine, you must be busy just starting at Cornell, but next time call us if you’ll be late. Also, you need a car.”

Hu Ying spoke truthfully. Xia Xiaolan apologized, “There’s a place to apply for a driver’s license in town, right? I’ll get one as soon as possible.”

The agency responsible for motor vehicle and driver’s license testing in each US state was called the Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV.

Ithaca belonged to New York state, so Xia Xiaolan would need to follow New York regulations to get her license.

Fortunately, the DMV had offices everywhere, so she wouldn’t need to travel to New York City specifically for this. Thinking of New York City reminded her of what she needed to discuss with Wen Manni. “Won’t Connie be back anytime soon?”

Hu Ying thought Xia Xiaolan missed Wen Manni.

“That’s how lawyers are, always saying they’re busy. Sometimes she comes to Ithaca once a month, sometimes we don’t see her for months!”

No choice then. Xia Xiaolan could only dig out Wen Manni’s card and call her.

Wen Manni was surprised to receive the call:

“You need legal help so soon?”

“…Connie, I need a lawyer’s help with something, but I’m not in trouble. I want to find a family in San Francisco who came to America in 1966 and have been out of contact for 20 years. I’ll pay according to industry standards. I hope you can take this case, or recommend other reliable lawyers!”

Finding people?

Lawyers did have ways to find people – never underestimate American lawyers’ abilities.

Wen Manni thought for a moment: “Do you plan to sue them?”

“If it helps find them faster, I don’t mind using litigation to achieve my goal!”

Over the phone, Xia Xiaolan’s voice carried a hint of coldness. Whether alive or dead, she had to help Grandmother Yu find the Xu Zhongyi family of three.