A new car would only cost two or three thousand dollars.

With $10,000, there were far too many options to choose from.

When Xia Xiaolan called Zhou Cheng a spendthrift, it was with sweet playful reproach.

Did being a strong woman mean she didn’t need others’ care?

If she truly had no emotional needs, why date at all? Wouldn’t it be better to stay single?

Hearing that Xia Xiaolan’s budget had increased and she planned to upgrade from a used car to a new one, Hu Ying and Professor Wen gained a clearer understanding of her financial situation.

“Has China’s income level gotten so high now?”

Hu Ying wondered.

But Professor Wen knew that wasn’t the case.

“Xiao Xia’s financial situation is particularly good.”

Professor Wen trusted Mao Kangshan’s judgment – if Xia Xiaolan had carelessly spent government money, Mao Kangshan would never have accepted such a student. Mao Kangshan wouldn’t tolerate any impropriety; the dollars Xia Xiaolan was spending must be legitimate income.

As long as it was legitimate income, Professor Wen wouldn’t concern himself with how she spent it.

However, he did remind his wife: “We should pay attention to who Xiao Xia befriends, make sure she doesn’t meet bad influences or develop harmful habits.”

Her financial situation wasn’t worrying.

With Professor Wen’s current income, they could easily support Xia Xiaolan’s room and board for a year.

Rather, having too much money was the concern.

Drug problems were serious in America, and Professor Wen worried Xia Xiaolan might develop bad habits like drug use, alcoholism, or gambling.

In China, after the early anti-drug campaigns post-liberation, opium had been eliminated and gambling dens had no room to exist. Professor Wen didn’t know the current situation back home, thinking it was still quite wholesome.

But in America, casinos operated legally right on the streets.

Drug dealers would knock on car windows.

Many students smoked marijuana – for some, coffee no longer worked, only marijuana could keep them energized.

Even prescription drugs circulated privately – how else could one maintain energy and get A’s in every course without taking drugs?

Hu Ying grew worried at Professor Wen’s words, “Surely not? Xiao Xia seems so well-behaved!”

In the half month living with them, Hu Ying hadn’t noticed any bad habits in Xia Xiaolan.

She was truly a worry-free girl, quickly adapting to life in Ithaca. The Wen household didn’t serve Chinese food every meal, but Xia Xiaolan never complained about being uncomfortable.

At Hu Ying’s age, couldn’t she tell what was genuine and what was an act?

After half a month’s rest, Professor Wen no longer needed a wheelchair.

“I just worry she might make bad friends. Being alone in a foreign country, showing her more care certainly won’t hurt.”

Hu Ying nodded.

“She’s going to New York City tomorrow to see Manni. I’ll ask Manni to talk with her more.”

…

Zhou Cheng had transferred $10,000 to Xia Xiaolan’s account.

Naturally, the transfer wasn’t in his name.

He wasn’t in Pengcheng anymore.

Nor in Yangcheng.

Because Jiang Yan had been transferred to a Beijing hospital for follow-up treatment.

The Jiang family of Jinling was in turmoil – those who had directly covered up Jiang Wu’s crimes were forced to step down.

The Jiang family had fallen from grace, and Jiang Yan’s parents were… difficult to describe. After transferring Jiang Yan to Beijing for treatment, it became more convenient for them to visit the Zhou family.

Guan Huie also sympathized with Jiang Yan – such a pretty young woman, with such horrific scars on her back, would affect her future relationships.

“Even so, they can’t force her on our Zhou Cheng, right?”

Guan Huie had some disagreements with Xia Xiaolan before, but people often prefer what’s far away. With Xia Xiaolan abroad and no longer in her sight, she felt somewhat unsettled.

She thought the Jiang family was too thick-skinned!

Jiang Yan herself was good, but the family’s conduct was truly disappointing. If the Jiang elders hadn’t indulged and covered things up, how could Jiang Wu have become so terrible?

Jiang Yan was a good bamboo shoot from bad bamboo, but no matter how good she was, they couldn’t force her on Zhou Cheng.

Compared to being in-laws with the Jiang family, Guan Huie would rather have someone like Xia Dajun as an in-law. Though Xia Dajun was foolish and selfish, at least he wasn’t very destructive. Besides, Xia Xiaolan had already cut ties with the Xia family.

“The Jiang family can’t accept losing seven parts, trying to grab back three. It doesn’t matter what they think – what matters is Zhou Cheng’s opinion. What did he say?”

Zhou Guobin also found the Jiang family annoying.

He worried Zhou Cheng might be confused, and that his youthful soft-heartedness might let the Jiang family manipulate his weaknesses.

Guan Huie clicked her tongue in amazement: “His opinion? Since Xiaolan went abroad, it’s like she took his soul with her. He wishes he had wings to fly abroad too. Whatever Jiang Yan’s parents say, he has just one answer!”

If domestic medical treatment couldn’t help, then seek treatment abroad.

Whatever money was needed, Zhou Cheng would help.

If Jiang Yan’s parents worried about her safety, then let her become the Zhou family’s daughter.

Anything else?

Zhou Cheng couldn’t offer anything else!

This time, Zhou Cheng’s attitude was completely unambiguous.

Zhou Guobin nodded, “He’s more mature than before. Young people need appropriate setbacks – jade must be cut to become a tool!”

Without setbacks, there would be no growth.

Without maturity, how could one have the responsibility a man should have?

No matter how great the debt of gratitude, one shouldn’t make endless demands. A mature man should have his own principles and bottom lines – best to establish them from the start, to prevent the other party’s appetite from growing!

Zhou Guobin was quite satisfied with Zhou Cheng’s performance this time.

As Jiang Yan’s parents kept visiting the Zhou house, news gradually spread.

Zhou Yi’s pregnancy was showing now. With her belly visible, she returned home to ask Jiang Hong if the news was true:

“Is Zhou Cheng going to marry that Jiang girl? What about Xia Xiaolan?”

Her tone clearly showed she just wanted to watch the drama unfold.

She was still holding a grudge against Xia Xiaolan refusing to help plead her case, especially after learning that the little Pekingese that Jiang Hong treasured was also from Xia Xiaolan. This made Zhou Yi even more unhappy.

How could Jiang Hong not understand her daughter whom she had raised?

She originally didn’t want to deal with Zhou Yi, but fearing her pig-headed daughter might spread rumors everywhere, Jiang Hong’s face instantly darkened:

“Who told you Zhou Cheng was marrying the Jiang girl? You’re always jumping to conclusions from rumors. Instead of wasting time on this, why not focus more on your work? Your father said if you don’t get an excellent rating in this year’s work evaluation, you’re not allowed to come back!”

Zhou Yi wasn’t convinced. “Others can talk about it, why can’t I?”

“You think I don’t know? You’re just gloating, holding a grudge against Xiaolan. How has she wronged you?”

Jiang Hong immediately exposed Zhou Yi’s intentions.

Zhou Yi’s face turned red: “…How has she wronged me? She stole you and Dad away. You used to hate her so much, now you’re speaking up for her!”

Was it Xia Xiaolan who stole them away?

Jiang Hong stroked the little dog in her arms. Had Xia Xiaolan stolen her and Zhou Wenbing? It was Zhou Yi herself who had abandoned her birth parents, yet when others showed them little care, Zhou Yi became unreasonable.

Jiang Hong couldn’t be bothered to argue with her confused daughter, though she was somewhat worried about Zhou Cheng’s situation.

With Xia Xiaolan abroad, would Zhou Cheng become confused?

It was hard to say – they hadn’t expected Zhou Yi’s brain could get so waterlogged either. It would be troublesome if that condition was contagious!