Beautiful?

Song Minglan had always been confident in her appearance. She took after her mother’s side – whether it was her mother or her cousin Sheng Xuan, the women from that prestigious family naturally inherited their outstanding looks. A woman’s beauty consisted of her face, figure, and bearing. While the first two might be heaven-sent gifts, bearing was something cultivated over time.

One’s environment and education greatly influenced their bearing. Growing up in affluent conditions, surrounded by distinguished figures – how could girls from such backgrounds be timid? With confidence came bearing. Simple as it sounded, it wasn’t easy to achieve. Especially among these overseas students, almost all were born in the 1960s – China’s most difficult period. Despite being officials’ children now, if you looked back over a decade, their family elders might have been undergoing reformation in farms and cattle sheds. What refined upbringing could there have been?

Song Minglan smiled to herself, thinking of Han Jin who always tried to get close to her – she wasn’t quite presentable. While she might pass among these students, she was too impulsive. Even with her family’s recent power, it was acquired too suddenly. Perhaps the Han family finally noticed this shortcoming and hastily sent her abroad for polish.

Nevertheless, though Han Jin fawned over her, Song Minglan wouldn’t embarrass her. Someone had leaked her identity, and the atmosphere at this student party felt strange. Song Minglan didn’t particularly like it, but following Han Jin’s flattery, she engaged in light conversation: “I’m hardly what you’d call beautiful. Now, I’ve seen truly beautiful people.”

Besides her cousin Sheng Xuan, Xia Xiaolan was another truly beautiful person who left a deep impression on Song Minglan. Thinking of her, Song Minglan glanced around. Since they were all studying in New York, if party organizer Li Yong was as capable as others claimed, wouldn’t Xia Xiaolan be here today?

Han Jin, unaware of Song Minglan’s thoughts, completely disbelieved there could be anyone more beautiful. Song Minglan’s family background cast to dazzle a halo. Under its light, Han Jin had completely forgotten about Xia Xiaolan. Others might be captivated by Xia Xiaolan’s appearance, but Han Jin knew she came from the same village as Chen Qing – what was there to be proud of?

“Senior Minglan, how could there be…” Han Jin chirped away.

Xiang Li stood in the corner, thoroughly disdainful. What a shallow girl – acting tough in front of her, but becoming docile as a kitten before Song Minglan, with all claws carefully tucked away.

Li Yong handed her a drink. “What’s wrong? Unhappy?”

Xiang Li gave him a coy glance. “I know what’s important. Let Han Jin perform all she wants. If we quietly handle our affairs well, Song Minglan will naturally understand who’s really looking after her in New York.”

The New York student circle was truly stirring up trouble this year. There was Han Jin, who loved attention and wanted to be the center of everything. There was Xia Xiaolan, beautiful and wealthy, seemingly gullible yet hard to approach. And now Song Minglan, whose status could only be guessed at – appeared approachable yet proud.

Any of these three female students could easily become the circle’s central figure. With all three joining at once, the student circle would need time to adjust to the upheaval.

But with even Han Jin deferring to Song Minglan, it seemed she would become the one to respect. Since Han Jin voluntarily stepped aside, both Li Yong and Xiang Li would have to support Song Minglan, who would naturally become the circle’s new center!

Thinking this, Xiang Li whispered: “That Xia Xiaolan is slippery – she invested in Xu Jing and Ma Hai’s project but ignored us. Two tigers can’t share one mountain. When she arrives, she’ll surely clash with Song Minglan. Perhaps we could use Song Minglan’s influence…”

“Shh.” Li Yong pressed his finger to Xiang Li’s lips. “Some things don’t need saying – we both understand. Let’s test the waters tonight. In China, money bows to power. Xia Xiaolan’s level might not comprehend Song Minglan’s status, but with our help stirring things up, we can give her a scare.”

Li Yong was also curious about Xia Xiaolan’s wealth. If the wealthy must bow to the powerful, why not start tonight?

This welcome party for Song Minglan was funded by everyone’s contributions. Tonight’s food wasn’t fast level, and the drinks weren’t cheap either. Li Yong himself contributed 500 dollars, Han Jin another 500, plus various amounts from other students – this party was unprecedentedly luxurious, at least in the Chinese student circle!

Having spent over 2,000 dollars total, Li Yong was eager to find a generous wealthy person – let’s see how much Xia Xiaolan would be willing to contribute tonight!

Soft music played in the room. Gradually, seeing how approachable Song Minglan was, others couldn’t resist following Han Jin’s example, finding topics to chat with her.

The overall atmosphere was harmonious – after all, everyone was trying to please Song Minglan, how could it not be?

Only now did Song Minglan realize how right Huo Chenzhou had been about letting her study abroad. Because Grandfather Song was strict with his children and grandchildren, Song Minglan hadn’t socialized much back home and hadn’t received such widespread adoration. Though she could see through their deliberate flattery, her mind remained clear while her body couldn’t help but enjoy it.

The food was right, the wine wasn’t bad. This Li Yong had put in the effort. His attentiveness surely had ulterior motives, but for a student to show such awareness indicated capability. Hadn’t Tang Hongen been just a regular student? If he hadn’t been noticed by her grandfather after working and made his secretary by chance, how could he have become Mayor Tang today… If Li Yong was seeking future development after returning home, Song Minglan might be able to help, seeing his performance.

However, was Xia Xiaolan not planning to come to this party?

Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue stood at the door, thinking they’d come to the wrong place.

“Is this it?”

“Yes, this is the place.”

Why was soft violin music coming through the door and windows? Last time, they’d played Elvis songs – much more fitting for a party atmosphere.

Xia Xiaolan felt uncomfortable. Ning Xue knocked, and a male student opened the door.

“Thought you weren’t coming! Senior Li’s been asking about you.”

Xia Xiaolan laughed dryly, “Really thanks for Senior Li’s concern.”

Li Yong was just that kind of meticulously attentive person, seeming to keep everyone in his thoughts. If not for Xu Jing and Ma Hai’s situation, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have grown wary of him so quickly.

Today’s party was interesting. Someone had the brilliant idea of putting a sign-in book at the door – everyone had to sign in when they arrived. Next to it was a box, like a church collection box, with “Activity Fund” written in red paper – this blatant way of asking for money was embarrassingly low-class!