When the plaza would be completed… Ha! Currently, Du Zhaoqi’s plaza has just begun construction, demolishing the original residential houses and excavating the foundation.
Whether in Xia Xiaolan’s or Mao Kangshan’s design, an underground parking lot was essential – the only difference was how many basement levels were needed.
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t worried about the electronic plaza not being completed within the year. As a flagship project with adequate funding and manpower, and thorough preliminary preparations, they could truly achieve the pace of building one floor every two days. This was the famous “Pengcheng Speed” – first complete the main structure, get the electronics market running, then gradually build the auxiliary facilities.
Xia Xiaolan had emphasized to Du Zhaohui that this design wasn’t her work alone. Daisy, Richard, and Lyle had all contributed their efforts.
Ning Xue thought Xia Xiaolan could handle it alone without involving the other three… but Xia Xiaolan found this approach more efficient. She valued effectiveness over whether the award would be credited to her individually or to the team.
Perhaps this was why she and Ning Xue had countless opportunities to be friends yet always seemed to miss the mark. Their thinking was worlds apart – how could they truly enjoy each other’s company?
Now that they had submitted their design early as a team, they could relax comfortably.
Despite the pressure, their collaboration had been largely pleasant.
Following Xia Xiaolan’s dietary suggestions, Daisy’s acne had improved significantly. While the scars remained, new breakouts had decreased considerably. This was an unexpected delight for Daisy!
Just as Xia Xiaolan’s team had submitted their work and felt relieved, another Chinese student party was being planned in New York.
Reportedly, this party was being held to welcome just one female student.
Even Ning Xue was pulled from her reclusive state: “Must attend?”
Since when did Chinese students in New York have mandatory parties? If China still had an emperor, Xia Xiaolan would have suspected they were welcoming a princess.
“I don’t know who it is either!”
Did Ning Xue think she was well-informed? Don’t be ridiculous – Ning Xue had been buried in her design work, just as Xia Xiaolan had been perfecting their submission. Who knew what important figure had arrived in the New York student circle?
“So, are you going?”
Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment, “Might as well go. Senior Zhang and others are so enthusiastic, and we have time to see what they’re up to.”
Translated, this meant Xia Xiaolan had just finished her work and was bored enough to watch the show… Rather boring indeed, but Ning Xue shared similar thoughts.
The work had been submitted, but awards wouldn’t be announced until April 20th. With several days to go and after being so busy, the sudden relaxation left them feeling somewhat empty.
“You bought a car, right? Could I get a ride with you? I’ll pay half the gas money.”
Ning Xue clearly appreciated the American way of splitting costs – no one taking advantage of anyone, perfectly aligned with her preference for simple social interactions.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t stand on ceremony. If someone wanted to pay, why refuse? Did she have too much money?
Going to New York was fine – Xu Jing and Ma Hai had given her their new address, but she hadn’t visited since returning to Ithaca.
After taking her $60,000 investment, what progress had they made in these two weeks?
However, before Xia Xiaolan could attend the party, Jim, the detective who had been investigating Xu Zhongyi’s family of three in San Francisco, contacted her.
“The situation is complicated. I’ve returned from San Francisco and am now in Washington. Let’s meet in Ithaca to discuss details.”
Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but ask: “Have you found news about Xu Zhongyi’s family?”
“Yes!”
They had news.
Grandmother Yu had waited so many years, yet within two months of arriving in America, they had found information.
Things were going too smoothly!
“Bah, don’t be pessimistic. This just proves professional matters should be handled by professionals. The detective Wen Manni recommended is indeed capable.”
Xia Xiaolan tried to convince herself.
Still, she felt uneasy. If it was good news, Jim would have told her over the phone. Why be so mysterious?
Xia Xiaolan waited for Jim to arrive from Washington to Ithaca.
They met at the same store as before. Xia Xiaolan arrived first, while Jim came later carrying a large bag.
Xia Xiaolan pointed to the donuts on the table: “Ordered your favorite from last time, hope you’ll like them.”
The chocolate-glazed donut with thick maple syrup was Jim’s favorite, but this time he had to decline. At least before discussing business, he needed to maintain a professional demeanor.
“Thank you, you’re very thoughtful. However, the news I bring isn’t so pleasant.”
Jim pulled out a document from his bag.
It was a copy of a death certificate signed by the San Francisco Police Department in May 1967.
“…A young male body was discovered at the fire scene, physical features unidentifiable, approximately 30 years old, no family members claimed the body.”
Xia Xiaolan’s heart pounded, her voice dry: “You think this completely burned male body is Xu Zhongyi?”
Jim nodded, “Based on the postmark, I searched the entire area, asked residents, and got help from local detective friends before filtering out this cold case. The timing matches, the age fits, and this explains why the person you’re looking for never returned to China to get his family.”
He couldn’t return.
According to Xia Xiaolan’s information, Xu Zhongyi arrived in America in 1966 and sent that family letter afterward.
His family in China, due to various reasons, didn’t see the letter until 1968… They then waited 20 years for Xu Zhongyi to return home, not knowing he had died in a fire. How could he possibly return?
Xia Xiaolan gripped the copy: “Jim, I still don’t believe it. Both emotionally and rationally, this evidence isn’t enough. If the person who died in the fire was Xu Zhongyi, where are his wife and son? Chinese people believe in proper burial – his wife and child wouldn’t have left his body unclaimed!”
That was one point!
Additionally, if Xu Zhongyi died in a fire, was it a natural disaster or foul play? Xia Xiaolan waited for Jim to explain!
Jim resisted the tempting aroma of the donuts: “Hey, I understand your feelings, but according to my investigation, this male body was found in the house where Xu’s family of three was renting. People might have inquired about Xu before, but they had the wrong address – the postmark was half a block away from where Xu lived. After the fire, Xu’s wife and son disappeared. I suspect the family was targeted by local gangs because they carried significant valuables. The gang probably robbed them and then set the fire… After the fire, the landlord thought it was unlucky, renovated the house, and forbade neighbors from discussing the incident.”