“Ning!”

Ning Xue was just telling the truth.

Jonathan asked with his eyes – is this true?

Ning Xue slowly nodded, “You can’t imagine how many practical opportunities she has in China.”

Jonathan lost his voice in shock:

“China allows undergraduates to do practical work?”

Was that country progressive or just crazy – did no one regulate this?

Ning Xue shook her head, “Normally, China wouldn’t let undergraduates do design work either.”

The normal path was completing 5 years of undergraduate studies, getting assigned work through the school, and spending the first few years at a company doing miscellaneous tasks before gaining enough seniority for independent design opportunities… The issue was that Xia Xiaolan wasn’t normal – she was a businesswoman before being a student. If others wouldn’t give her opportunities, she created them for herself!

This was something even Ning Xue could only envy.

If Xia Xiaolan’s skills were good enough for independent design, Ning Xue believed she wasn’t any worse.

She just didn’t have the chance to act so freely, unless she used her grandfather Ning Yanfan’s reputation – which her pride wouldn’t allow.

“Jonathan-“

Heidi was truly jealous now, and Jonathan and Ning Xue couldn’t continue their conversation.

Although they all wanted to hear what Professor McCarthy would say to Xia Xiaolan, they reluctantly packed up their books. After one glance from Professor McCarthy, none dared to linger.

Soon, only Xia Xiaolan’s group of four remained in the classroom.

McCarthy tapped the desk, “Your assignment doesn’t seem like an ordinary hypothesis.”

Richard, Lyle, and Daisy exchanged glances.

Lyle thought, of course, it wasn’t ordinary – through imagination, he had entered a world-class firm!

But Xia Xiaolan understood McCarthy’s meaning.

She knew exactly what this was – it was an assignment that, if done well, could become a real design proposal.

The main structural foundation was laid, with detailed data and calculations waiting to be filled in by others. Xia Xiaolan had abandoned the Sega Plaza-design from her previous life, opting for a hexagonal prismatic main building with a more technological feel. It would make an upscale electronic products mall, with the upper levels planned for offices and hotel clubs. The six faces would provide natural lighting, making it extremely high-end for both office space and hotel use.

In front of Professor McCarthy, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t boast without backing it up. The great demon king must have had a reason for keeping her behind:

“Professor, what do you mean?”

“I want to see a complete presentation of the work, from drawings to models to data support. You can consider this your final project.”

Was he a fish? This annoying exchange student was even using bait to hook him!

What’s more annoying was that McCarthy, being such a perfectionist, really couldn’t stand seeing only half.

Xia Xiaolan held back her laughter, trying hard to maintain a serious face: “You want to see our complete work – does this mean you approve of our design? Professor, I look forward to when you can pronounce my full name correctly. Chinese names are quite difficult to pronounce, but you can practice in private.”

Professor McCarthy gave a cold laugh without continuing the conversation. However, before leaving, he took Xia Xiaolan’s group’s assignment, except for the model – he wanted to examine the design carefully.

Daisy’s head was spinning:

“The professor wants to see us continue this?”

Xia Xiaolan shrugged, “This means we did well! Who knows, our design might catch a client’s eye. Daisy, this is our group’s chance to make a name for ourselves, and an opportunity for you all to start remarkable careers. If the design is used, with such credentials, getting into a good firm after graduation shouldn’t be difficult, right? A design like this should earn everyone some compensation… Unexpected income is always such a pleasant surprise!”

Daisy didn’t believe it at all.

Is someone using their design?

Don’t joke around!

Just passing Professor McCarthy’s inspection and successfully getting an A would be the greatest satisfaction – any unexpected income was secondary.

Though not wealthy, the three Americans weren’t as anxious about money as Chinese international students.

They all knew they could find jobs after graduating from Cornell; the only difference would be in the quality of the positions. As for tuition? Most people took out loans for college and paid them back slowly after working – no rush.

Oh? They don’t want money?

That would save her some expenses.

She had already promised Du Zhaohui not to charge design fees, and Xia Xiaolan had been prepared to pay out of pocket.

While President Xia was admiring these American friends who viewed money as worthless, Richard mysteriously grabbed onto the key point again: “Xia, why did you suddenly have us change the assignment to specifically be an electronic products commercial plaza?”

Among all the things that could be sold, why did Xia Xiaolan specifically designate electronic products? Was it just a random suggestion?

President Xia responded dryly: “Actually, it’s like this – someone commissioned me to design a commercial plaza, and I thought this commission could be combined with our assignment. Everyone gets an A from Professor McCarthy, and I complete the commission – isn’t that perfect?”

Everyone understood each word Xia said, but somehow couldn’t comprehend them together.

Lyle suddenly slapped his forehead:

“I get it!”

Xia Xiaolan happily looked at him, encouraging him to share his thoughts.

Lyle exclaimed excitedly: “This is another round of simulation, right? Our firm has entered the final bidding stage, and now we’re waiting to see if the client will choose our work!”

“…Lyle, whatever makes you happy.”

Xia Xiaolan was speechless.

Life was always as lonely as snow – nobody believed the truth!

Well, she might as well let these three imagine freely. If they say it’s a simulation, then let’s treat it as one.

…

Xia Xiaolan’s group achieved their first victory, earning an “A” medal from the demon king, which somewhat stunned those who had been betting at school.

“No way, did Professor McCarthy suddenly become kind?”

“Or maybe it’s mysterious Eastern magic – Eastern people know sorcery and made Professor McCarthy stupid!”

“…Why won’t you just admit that Xia can get an A+ from Professor McCarthy?”

Daniel defended Xia Xiaolan’s group, but was mocked by his classmates:

“Daniel, we know you want to date Xia, but you don’t have to go this far.”

Daniel wanted to punch someone – he had made a date request but was rejected! Why bring up this heartbreaking matter?

After some playful banter, Nancy suddenly approached:

“Daniel, remember the Wilson Hotel we visited last time? They’re going to have an in-depth cooperation with Cornell University, sponsoring several major activities at once – Hotel Management, College of Agriculture… and even the College of Architecture. Isn’t that strange?”

It wasn’t strange.

Large enterprises or notable alumni-sponsoring universities were common.

But sponsoring several major activities at once – what was Wilson Hotel planning?

The most relevant connection to Wilson Hotel should be the Hotel Management program. Daniel fell into deep thought: why include the College of Agriculture and even the College of Architecture?