“Miss, do you have a reservation?”
“No, I just need a room.”
“I’m sorry…”
Xia Xiaolan’s plan seemed good, but the Wilson Hotel was so successful that they didn’t have a single regular room available.
Well, they did have the presidential suite if Xia Xiaolan was willing to pay that price.
But why waste money like that? Xia Xiaolan’s money wasn’t falling from the sky – she had earned it herself, and spending it this way would hurt.
She didn’t even get the dramatic scene of running into Harold Wilson while checking into his hotel.
She had no choice but to quietly find another hotel.
By the time Xia Xiaolan finally lay down on the soft bed and drifted off to sleep, people were still discussing her.
The international students’ party lasted until midnight.
While most guests left in small groups, the organizers had to stay behind with volunteer students to clean up the party venue.
This was a borrowed house – they couldn’t return it in a mess.
Li Yong seemed tired, resting on the sofa with his eyes half-closed.
Many students wanted to build connections with him. His ability to organize such gatherings required patience in responding to everyone – that’s how one builds good relationships.
A pair of hands began massaging his temples.
It was Xiang Li, who had just returned from dropping someone off. She’d done more than just one trip:
“Did you drink a lot?”
Her cool fingers pressed with just the right pressure on Li Yong’s temples, drawing a soft “mmm” from him. After a few minutes of massage, Li Yong asked her to sit: “You’ve had a long day too, sit down and rest.”
Xiang Li pointed upstairs, but Li Yong shook his head, “Everyone has their tasks. I borrowed the house – can’t they help clean? As for you, you helped set up the venue and drove many people around. You’ve done more than enough.”
Having a car was indeed convenient.
Of course, Li Yong hadn’t gotten together with Xiang Li because of her car, but it did make life much easier.
After breaking up with Xu Jing, Xiang Li didn’t want to return the car, and Li Yong tacitly agreed.
The installment payment plan was his suggestion to Xiang Li – without taking such a stance, people would surely gossip.
Although Li Yong had ways to make money, he needed to maintain his image as the helpful “Senior Li,” which required significant spending. Unable to produce $3,000 at once, he had gradually paid $400 to Xu Jing, enough to silence the gossip.
As soon as Xiang Li returned, her informants told her that while she was away, Li Yong had talked to the beautiful Xia Xiaolan. Still brewing with jealousy, Li Yong brought up Xia Xiaolan first:
“I asked around – Xu Jing and Ma Hai tried to get investment from the newcomer Xia Xiaolan. Xu Jing already knew her. I thought Xia Xiaolan came here through the English competition and might not be well-off…”
Xiang Li sneered: “You misjudged. Men just don’t notice details. You saw her dressed simply, but her watch costs over $200 – how could she be poor?”
Xiang Li couldn’t afford a $200 watch herself.
In America, there were too many expenses.
Moreover, public-funded students like her and Li Yong wouldn’t buy $200 watches even if they could afford them – such extravagant spending would invite criticism.
“Are you sure? No wonder Xu Jing and Ma Hai approached her… What was that project you mentioned Xu Jing was working on? Do you think it has potential?”
Li Yong’s thoughts jumped quickly.
Xiang Li laughed, “How long has Xu Jing been studying in America? If others couldn’t figure it out, do you think he could?”
So there was no potential.
“Ah, I hope Xu Jing and Ma Hai will do something worthwhile. They spent so much money to study in America – they shouldn’t waste time!”
Li Yong’s comment was overheard by students coming downstairs after cleaning.
“Brother Yong, you’re too kind. If you hadn’t agreed to invite them, who would care about Xu Jing and Ma Hai? They came here to eat and drink but showed no gratitude!”
Li Yong waved his hand, “Don’t say that. I wanted to reassure Xiang Li. We’re all from China – many people go through confused periods abroad. If we can help, it’s a good deed.”
The students praised Li Yong’s righteousness and how he cared for others, saying Xiang Li was lucky to be with him.
Xiang Li smiled too.
Being with Li Yong did make Xiang Li feel happy. He praised her freely in public and private, often expressing his love.
He was also socially skilled and more capable than Xu Jing – what better kind of man could a woman find?
Plus, Li Yong could secure permanent residency, and Xiang Li had long decided to stay in America.
After everyone left, Li Yong and Xiang Li stayed behind.
If they returned to the house tomorrow, they could stay here tonight – they just needed to clean up any traces in the morning.
Lying on the bed, Xiang Li couldn’t help sighing:
“If only we could have a house like this someday.”
Li Yong absently stroked her smooth shoulder: “Do you know how much a house like this costs?”
Xiang Li murmured: “This is Manhattan – a house like this must cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Her dreams weren’t that big – something in the suburbs would do.
Suburban areas were more spacious, and prices could be half as much.
At the very least, they should have their apartment.
Li Yong did some calculations, and Xiang Li felt discouraged: “Even if we both find jobs in America, we still couldn’t afford it!”
“That’s not necessarily true. Life gets better over time, but right now I need some money, about $10,000. Do you think that Xia Xiaolan has it?”
Xiang Li sat up abruptly, “What do you mean? You want both her money and her person?”
Regardless of whether Xia Xiaolan had that much money, why would she just give it to Li Yong?
Li Yong leaned against the headboard, “Where is your mind going? I saw Xu Jing and Ma Hai trying to get her investment – that money would clearly be thrown away. Better to invest it in me.”
Xiang Li giggled and pinched his flesh:
“Then you need to come up with a ‘project.’ I’ll ask Xu Jing about her background and see if we can make a connection.”
…
From one student gathering, Xia Xiaolan had become multiple people’s potential investors.
When she returned to Ithaca, a surprise was waiting for her.
There was an unfamiliar car parked outside the Wen residence, and she heard Hu Ying’s laughter as she opened the door.
“Aunt Hu, do we have guests?”
Hu Ying stood up and walked over, “A surprise – your boyfriend came to see you. He’s quite an interesting person!”
Xia Xiaolan was stunned by this surprise.
Zhou Cheng came to see her?
How was that possible?
How did Zhou Cheng come abroad? They had talked just last Friday, and he hadn’t mentioned anything!
Xia Xiaolan ran toward the living room.