What kind of party was this? Even charity galas had heart-moving speeches and auctions before asking guests to open their wallets. Paying at the door – was this a circus?

The doorman helpfully directed them: “Everyone arriving tonight needs to sign in. Miss Xia, Miss Ning, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help exchanging glances with Ning Xue – surely this was Ning Xue’s first time encountering such a situation too? Would Ning Xue storm off… Her expression indeed darkened as she bluntly asked the student at the door: “What’s this about? Do we need to buy tickets to enter?”

The sign-in book listed everyone’s names, and some tactless person had added amounts next to them. Was this to keep out poor students looking for free food and drinks?

The student at the door looked uncomfortable. Tonight’s drinks and food standards were too high, they had no choice: “Miss Ning, you misunderstand. This is all voluntary. If Americans can split bills, why can’t Chinese students? Everyone contributes according to their means. Look, some gave 500 dollars, others 5 or 10 – any amount shows goodwill!”

Ning Xue flipped through the sign-in book. Li Yong and Han Jin, the biggest contributors, had their names right at the top.

Xia Xiaolan also took a peek: “Senior Li is truly generous.”

He seemed quite wealthy, contributing 500 dollars alone. Yet when Xu Jing was desperately poor, why hadn’t Li Yong helped pay off Project Li’s car loan? Having money to entertain a new student in New York but none to help his girlfriend pay debts – wasn’t that nonsense?

Ning Xue finished reviewing the book and glanced at Xia Xiaolan, who understood the message – they wouldn’t be saving money on this meal.

The ice queen showed little expression as she dropped 5 dollars in the box and signed her name – even with a knife to her throat, she probably wouldn’t attend such a disgusting party again.

As Xia Xiaolan was about to follow suit, Xiang Li approached: “Junior Xia, you’re so hard to meet.”

Seeing the 5 dollars in Xia Xiaolan’s hand, she frowned slightly. The wealthy were truly stingy – wearing a 200-dollar watch but only contributing 5 dollars? Not to boast, but tonight’s party standards couldn’t be enjoyed for 5 dollars per person. Only the thick-skinned contributed 5 or 10 dollars – the real funding came from Li Yong and Han Jin.

Xiang Li didn’t care about Han Jin’s money, but Li Yong’s shouldn’t be wasted.

She stopped Xia Xiaolan’s hand, “Junior Xia, perhaps you didn’t bring much cash? Checks are fine too. Xu Jing and Ma Hai could repay their debts to other students thanks to your generous funding. Everyone knows how you helped them. After you sign in, I’ll introduce you to tonight’s guest of honor-“

Xiang Li’s subtext was that Xia Xiaolan was being inconsiderate. Generous to two notorious debtors but stingy with fellow students – being so wealthy yet only contributing 5 dollars to a party was too miserly.

Checks were as good as cash.

Xia Xiaolan was amazed at Xiang Li’s brazenness.

Think 5 dollars is too little? She could write a million-dollar check – would Xiang Li dare accept it? Using both provocation and enticement, suggesting that a larger contribution would earn an introduction to tonight’s honored guest, that prestigious “princess”?

She recalled never having to buy tickets to meet Elder Song or Grandfather Zhou.

What female student commanded such respect?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t be bothered anymore: “Senior Xiang, how much I invest in Seniors Xu and Ma is my choice. I have the right to decide where my money goes, and I found value in investing in them. For mere food and drinks, I don’t see much value. I suddenly remembered I have something else today, please excuse me-“

The monkey show wasn’t pretty, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to enter.

She knew that leaving now would spread stories of her “stinginess” throughout the student circle.

So what?

Did she need to rely on Xiang Li’s precious “princess” for sustenance?

Even in China, no one had put on such airs with her.

In America, they were all just students and foreigners in this land. Xia Xiaolan had no patience for such pretension here!

Let whoever wanted to attend this pathetic party do so – she wouldn’t play along.

Xiang Li hadn’t expected such a temperament from Xia Xiaolan. Looking delicate but having such a temper – truly spoiled by her family!

Xiang Li was both anxious and angry at Xia Xiaolan’s deviation from the script.

Worse, Xia Xiaolan’s voice wasn’t exactly quiet. The room wasn’t large, and with just soft violin music playing, how could those inside not hear?

“Xia Xiaolan?”

Song Minglan stood up from the sofa. She hadn’t misheard – it was indeed Xia Xiaolan’s voice.

The crowd around Song Minglan automatically parted, and her eyes met Xia Xiaolan’s.

This was Huo Chenzhou’s cousin, Elder Song’s granddaughter, and Sheng Xuan’s niece… Song family’s second branch daughter, Song Minglan? Unexpected to find her studying in New York – small world! No matter how you looked at it, none of these students could have better family connections than Song Minglan. Li Yong’s group’s warmly welcomed “princess” was Third Miss Song.

Did the Song family know about Song Minglan’s high profile in New York?

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Miss Song, what a coincidence.”

Not coincidental at all.

Song Minglan had anticipated Xia Xiaolan’s attendance.

But Xia Xiaolan’s flamboyance everywhere she went, causing a scene before even entering, truly surprised Song Minglan.

Song Minglan walked over.

“What’s going on?”

Xiang Li was confused – how did Miss Song know Xia Xiaolan? It seemed impossible to have any connection!

Han Jin hadn’t expected Third Miss Song to know Xia Xiaolan’s name either.

She hurried to follow.

“Senior Minglan!”

Too late – Song Minglan had already spotted the “Activity Fund” box.

“What is this?”

Song Minglan hadn’t contributed to this.

The sign-in book was real, but the “Activity Fund” box was specifically set up to trap Xia Xiaolan.

Xiang Li was extremely uncomfortable as Xia Xiaolan made an exaggerated expression of disgust, speaking dramatically:

“What else could it be? Poor students generously pooled funds to entertain Miss Song. Is this a student party or a small banquet? Alas, I didn’t bring enough cash or my checkbook – seems I can’t attend tonight’s party.”

How obvious could it be? Surely Song Minglan understood?

Song Minglan was furious.

If this news reached home, not only would her grandfather be unforgiving, but even her parents wouldn’t spare her!

No, it didn’t even need to reach home – in a few days, her father would visit America with the Ministry of Foreign Trade delegation, with New York as a necessary stop. How could Li Yong handle things so poorly, creating such a mess? Of all people to catch this, it had to be Xia Xiaolan… When Tang Hongen brought Xia Xiaolan and her mother to Xiangshan Villa, Song Minglan gave them the cold shoulder.

Now with a chance to embarrass her, would Xia Xiaolan let it pass?

Song Minglan contained her anger and turned to Xiang Li:

“What is this? A party for me burdening fellow students with expenses? I, Song Minglan, will cover all of tonight’s costs – my scholarship can handle it. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves tonight, and don’t stand on ceremony with me! Minglan thanks everyone for gracing this party with your presence!”