Song Minglan wasn’t a fool. Now that Xia Xiaolan had caught her weak point, she needed to resolve this deadlock.

Returning everyone’s money and covering the party expenses herself – though she didn’t know the total yet, Song Minglan believed she could afford it. Her family had given her money for studying abroad, and she did have a scholarship. Having completed her undergraduate studies in China, Song Minglan found it easier to get scholarships for her master’s at New York University than undergraduates did.

Third Miss Song was indeed remarkable – with just a few words, she’d turned the situation around. Xia Xiaolan had to give her credit for that.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Li Yong rushed over:

“Miss Song, this is a misunderstanding. I didn’t know you were acquainted with Junior Xia.”

What was wrong with Han Jin?

Hadn’t she said Xia Xiaolan’s family ran a small business?

And that she came from a rural village in Southern Henan, with no background except a well-connected boyfriend?

Not a word Han Jin said could be trusted – how could an ordinary person know Song Minglan?

Song Minglan didn’t want to deal with Li Yong, but his reputation among the students was too good to ignore:

“Senior Li, please just call me Minglan. There’s no ‘Miss Song’ here, only a Song Minglan who’s deeply touched by everyone’s thoughtfulness. If you truly welcome me, don’t let me feel burdened. I must cover tonight’s expenses – we’ll return everyone’s money according to the amounts in the sign-in book.”

As for how she knew Xia Xiaolan, Song Minglan didn’t mention it. These people like Li Yong weren’t worthy of such explanations.

Though Song Minglan disliked Xia Xiaolan and her mother, especially Liu Fen who had wasted her cousin Sheng Xuan’s genuine feelings for years, Xia Xiaolan had at least visited the Song family home and met her grandfather personally. What were these students in comparison?

With the intelligence failure, Li Yong tried to salvage the situation:

“Since Minglan insists, we really can’t let everyone pool funds for the party. Let’s all thank Minglan.”

Li Yong led the applause, and the whole room erupted in enthusiastic clapping.

Strange – how did they end up saving on dinner again?

Xia Xiaolan was indeed quick-witted. Earlier, Ning Xue had been planning to leave if Xia Xiaolan refused to pay. Just as Song Minglan felt others weren’t worthy of explanation, Ning Xue shared similar thoughts – at least Xia Xiaolan was a worthy rival. What were these students sipping wine and listening to violin music?

None even studied architecture – what was there to discuss?

Now Xia Xiaolan couldn’t leave, as Song Minglan had earnestly invited her to sit down, acting as if the party couldn’t continue without her… No way to leave with the ‘princess’ being so enthusiastic.

Ning Xue had no idea who this princess was. Though her father was a state official, she’d spent more time with her grandfather Ning Yanfan and paid no attention to such matters.

Xia Xiaolan was warmly led inside by Song Minglan.

Li Yong looked at Han Jin, who bit her lip and followed.

“Senior Minglan, how do you know Xiaolan?”

Song Minglan sat with Xia Xiaolan – she wouldn’t let her leave until she witnessed the party was on her “tab.” When Han Jin asked, Song Minglan didn’t answer but instead asked how Han Jin knew Xia Xiaolan.

Han Jin smiled, “My boyfriend is from the same hometown as Xiaolan. Their village is impressive – produced two university students at once. Of course, my boyfriend wasn’t as accomplished as Xiaolan, who got into Huaqing University.”

Did Third Miss Song not know Xia Xiaolan’s background?

Or was Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend truly from a distinguished family, perhaps even connected to the Songs?

Han Jin’s thoughts were in chaos.

While explaining, she didn’t forget to remind Song Minglan.

Song Minglan knew ten times more about Xia Xiaolan’s background and current situation than Han Jin – she didn’t need Han Jin’s chatter.

Xia Xiaolan felt like she was watching a monkey show – seeing Third Miss Song afraid she’d tattle, paying for the party, and insisting on keeping her as a witness. Watching Han Jin’s changing attitude, from “Miss Xia” to “Classmate Xiaolan,” now directly to “Xiaolan,” as if they were close?

Were they?

If not for Chen Qing, would Han Jin even know who she was?

Unfortunately, she’d grown distant from Chen Qing too:

“Classmate Han Jin knows me so well, I’m embarrassed that I don’t know as much about you.”

Why was Han Jin buzzing around like a headless fly, trying to connect with everyone?

Flattering both Song Minglan and Xia Xiaolan?

Song Minglan’s warmth toward Xia Xiaolan was fake – she immediately marked Han Jin, who seemed to please both sides, with an X and labeled her a “bootlicker.”

Song Minglan dismissed Han Jin and spoke only to Xia Xiaolan.

Han Jin awkwardly slunk away to get water.

Others tactfully dispersed, seeing Miss Song had something to discuss with Xia Xiaolan.

Alone on the sofa, Song Minglan released Xia Xiaolan’s hand and whispered: “Xia Xiaolan, what’s your game, coming to cause trouble?”

Xia Xiaolan suppressed a laugh, speaking seriously: “Third Miss, let’s be honest – could I have planned this? Do you think I’m so familiar with these people just because I arrived in New York first? If you want to blame someone, blame those who tried to sell tickets to see you – what’s it got to do with me?”

Xia Xiaolan made sense.

Song Minglan was also furious with Li Yong, Han Jin, and the others’ incompetence.

But now, she needed to silence Xia Xiaolan – only she could spread this back to the Song family.

“I’ll deal with those who made me a joke, but I have one request for you – stay out of it, let me handle this myself!”

Xia Xiaolan finally couldn’t help laughing, “Third Miss, if I remember correctly, you pulled me in here, insisting I stay. Your situation is amusing, but you think I’d tattle to the Song family? You’re mistaken – I’m not part of the Song family.”

Disturb Elder Song over such a trivial matter?

Song Minglan’s behavior wasn’t Xia Xiaolan’s concern. The Songs weren’t easy to deal with, and she had no interest in disciplining their daughter.

Song Minglan sighed in relief:

“If you keep your word, I, Song Minglan, will owe you one. Don’t worry, I’ll have a chance to repay this favor soon!”

Did Xia Xiaolan know Zhou Cheng was also in the delegation?

The Song and Zhou families weren’t close, and Song Minglan didn’t know Zhou Cheng.

But when investigating Xia Xiaolan, she’d learned about her relationship with Zhou Cheng. In this Ministry of Foreign Trade delegation, Song Minglan’s father Song Zhicheng was one of the state enterprise leaders.

He’d told Song Minglan that Zhou Cheng was on the delegation’s security team.

Wouldn’t Zhou Cheng want to see Xia Xiaolan in America? The delegation had strict rules, but if Xia Xiaolan kept quiet, Song Minglan was ready to repay this “favor” immediately – using this to secure her silence!

Xia Xiaolan was surprised by Song Minglan’s confidence – what kind of favor did she plan to give?

Wasn’t this an unexpected windfall? And it seemed she’d saved on dinner too – hadn’t Song Minglan said she’d treat all the students?