“Has Senior Xu been drinking?”

Xia Xiaolan asked Ma Hai.

She could understand a heartbroken man acting a bit strange.

In their brief exchange, Xia Xiaolan had already imagined dozens of episodes worth of love triangle drama – Xu Jing’s ex-girlfriend was now Li Yong’s current girlfriend, Xiang Li… This wasn’t surprising. For international students in a foreign country, if they didn’t date locals, their dating pool within their circle was limited, making breakups and new relationships common.

The sad part was, hadn’t Xu Jing sold his house to study abroad for that girlfriend?

Yet he still couldn’t save the relationship!

However, such matters required willing participants on both sides – you couldn’t solely blame the woman. When relationships end, both parties contribute to it. Although Xu Jing had given up his stable job in China, he had gained knowledge abroad and wouldn’t find it difficult to get a similar job back home.

In the late 80s and throughout the 90s, overseas study experience was highly valued.

When Xia Xiaolan questioned if Xu Jing was talking nonsense, Ma Hai awkwardly replied, “He’s only had drinks and food, no alcohol…”

“Even without drinking, he’s confused by anger. If you want to discuss business with me, let’s talk when you’re clear-headed. Here’s my contact information in Ithaca, but it’s best to call between 8 PM and 10 PM!”

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t completely trusting of everyone.

Who knew if the seemingly honest Xu Jing, after spending time abroad, had become a smooth-talking con artist?

What if he knew she had money and was trying to scam her through an investment scheme?

Money was only truly yours when it stayed in your pocket. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t anxious about the $1 million-plus sitting safely in her account – it was unexpected income anyway. Speaking of which, she’d been abroad for a month, and Du Zhaohui hadn’t contacted her yet. Had he paid the money but wasn’t in a hurry for her help?

Xu Jing was indeed acting on impulse, but having said what he said, he had to continue:

“Miss Xia, I wasn’t talking nonsense… Never mind, I’m not thinking tonight. Just forget what I said.”

Though Xu Jing hadn’t been drinking, he swayed as he stood up.

As he decided to leave, Ma Hai left Xia Xiaolan behind, calling out as he chased after his friend.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t try to stop them.

If these two had something valuable but lacked investors, and if the investment return was promising, Xia Xiaolan would be willing to invest, since she did have ready cash.

But with so many researchers and entrepreneurs out there, who could secure investment while still unknown just by asking?

If they wanted money from Xia Xiaolan but couldn’t even show the sincerity to make multiple visits, even a good idea wouldn’t succeed!

Xia Xiaolan returned to the party, where many people approached her to talk.

The party was a mixed crowd – some came for free food and drinks, others for romance, though most were genuinely interested in learning during their study abroad. Xia Xiaolan had to judge for herself which category each person fell into before deciding on future interactions.

When a student suddenly felt unwell, Xiang Li, having a car and playing “hostess,” naturally showed concern and offered to drive them home.

Li Yong, seemingly freed from his girlfriend’s surveillance, moved more freely at the party.

He made his way through conversations until he reached Xia Xiaolan’s side:

“Junior Sister Xia, that’s just how Xiang Li is. If she said anything offensive, I apologize on her behalf.”

Xia Xiaolan was surprised, “Senior Sister Xiang Li didn’t say anything, Senior Li, you don’t need to apologize.”

Li Yong sighed, “After Xiang Li and I got together, some people said I stole Xu Jing’s girlfriend – that’s pure malicious gossip. I invited Xu Jing to the party because I didn’t want him stuck in the past, but it seems to have backfired.”

“…”

Xu Jing wasn’t drunk, but Senior Li must be – they’d just met, was it appropriate to discuss such matters?

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t a relationship expert, nor would she judge others’ romantic affairs, so why tell her all this?

“I’m sorry, did I speak out of turn? I didn’t mean anything by it. I just saw that you seemed to know Xu Jing, and if you’re friends, I hoped you could advise him. Also, since you’ve just arrived in America, you might not know about Xu Jing’s recent situation – after breaking up with Xiang Li, he’s become somewhat obsessive, dragging Ma Hai into some invention scheme, seeking investment from everyone in the international student circle.”

Li Yong left it at that, implying he was kindly warning Xia Xiaolan to avoid being scammed by Xu Jing and Ma Hai.

“Thank you for the warning, Senior Li, but I barely know Senior Xu.”

Were Xu Jing and Ma Hai scammers?

As someone with a sales background, Xia Xiaolan was more of a “con artist” herself – how could you sell products without a silver tongue? If they could scam money from her, she’d have to admit defeat.

Of course, losing money on an investment was different from being purely scammed.

Xia Xiaolan was skeptical of both Xu Jing and Ma Hai, but also questioned Li Yong’s words.

With his biased position, how could his words not be colored?

She certainly didn’t believe someone would show such concern for their girlfriend’s ex.

Suddenly finding the party tedious, she found Ning Xue talking to others: “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

Ning Xue pointed to the person she was talking with, “I’m staying with her, do you want to”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “I have somewhere to go. I’m leaving now.”

She had come with Ning Xue, and despite their competition, classmates should at least check on each other. Since Ning Xue had accommodation, Xia Xiaolan planned to find Wen Manni.

Although New York had subways, the night subway in 1986 wasn’t safe, with frequent robberies on platforms and in carriages.

Losing money was one thing, but risking her life wasn’t worth it.

Taking a taxi was better – expensive, yes, but Xia Xiaolan could afford it, and it was much safer!

Unfortunately, the night continued to be unpleasant. When Xia Xiaolan arrived at Wen Manni’s place and stepped out of the elevator, she found the apartment door slightly ajar.

A man’s voice spoke rationally:

“Connie, after this period of separation, do you think our marriage still has…”

This was awkward.

It seemed Wen Manni’s husband Klaus had suddenly returned home.

Separation?

Wen Manni had always said he was away on business.

Even without social graces, Xia Xiaolan knew she couldn’t interrupt at this moment, so she took the elevator back down.

Wen Manni’s home was in Queens, where hotels weren’t scarce.

For her safety, Xia Xiaolan decided to choose a better hotel. When she asked the taxi driver about the nearest hotel, he recommended the Wilson Hotel.

“Let’s go there then, thank you!”

This was the second time she’d heard of the Wilson Hotel.

She could certainly stay at a Wilson family hotel. Even if she ran into Harold, he was the hotel owner and she would be a guest – surely he wouldn’t just throw her out?