“Why are you asking about Zhou Cheng?”

Song Zhicheng worried – it would be terribly immature if, just because Liu Fen married Tang Hongen leaving Sheng Xuan without prospects, Song Minglan would try to steal Zhou Cheng… Song Zhicheng wasn’t morally obsessed, he just feared Grandfather’s anger.

No one could remain unmoved by Grandfather’s wrath. Even if his anger only harmed his health, it would still be a huge loss for the entire Song family.

The Song family couldn’t do without Old Song – all the children and grandchildren knew this and sincerely hoped Grandfather would live to be a hundred!

While Song Zhicheng was on guard, Song Minglan couldn’t help but laugh through her tears:

“Father, it’s not like there aren’t any other men in the world!”

Yes, Zhou Cheng had a good family background, was hardworking, clearly had a bright future, and was handsome enough to make hearts race!

But so what?

Was she, Song Minglan, only worthy of Xia Xiaolan’s leftovers?

Taking him for fun wasn’t impossible – it could hurt Xia Xiaolan, which would make Song Minglan feel better.

However, if Song Zhicheng feared Old Song, didn’t Song Minglan fear him too?

Whatever the Song family was like internally, they maintained Old Song’s image externally.

Besides, Xia Xiaolan still had leverage over Song Minglan, and she couldn’t bear the reputation of stealing someone’s boyfriend… If Xia Xiaolan were just an ordinary country girl, Song Minglan might have done it – outsiders wouldn’t know. But now Xia Xiaolan was Tang Hongen’s stepdaughter, and she wouldn’t let such an offense pass quietly. If things got ugly, it would be troublesome for Song Minglan.

Forget it – Zhou Cheng wasn’t the only excellent, well-rounded man in the world.

Though she claimed disinterest, her eyes kept drifting toward Zhou Cheng.

Song Zhicheng grew worried, “Minglan, don’t do anything rash.”

“Dad, where are your thoughts going? I’m thinking of something else. Let me ask you for a small favor – give Zhou Cheng, this inspection group’s security staff member, some time off. He’s come to America, surely to see his girlfriend.”

Song Zhicheng was puzzled – what scheme was this?

What did Zhou Cheng meeting his girlfriend have to do with Minglan? Song Zhicheng didn’t understand. Song Minglan had only arrived in New York a week before him, yet she was eager to do favors. When had she become so close to Tang Hongen’s stepdaughter?

Song Zhicheng feared nothing except Song Minglan being muddle-headed, possibly plotting something to stand up for Sheng Xuan.

“If you won’t tell me why, I won’t help. What business is it of yours whether others meet or not!”

To put it bluntly, what was Sheng Xuan?

Just his wife’s cousin.

She was a sister-in-law when useful, but without her value, she was just an outsider relative of the Song family.

The Song family didn’t lack such relatives. If Song Zhicheng wanted, crowds would actively gather around him. Affecting Minglan for Sheng Xuan’s sake, and thereby affecting Song Zhicheng himself, was certainly not worth it.

As Song Zhicheng showed disapproval, Song Minglan grabbed his arm and coaxed: “Dad, help me, just this once. I promise I’m not doing anything bad!”

She couldn’t mention the party incident – being fooled by two students right after arriving in New York was too embarrassing.

Though Song Zhicheng wouldn’t indulge her wheedling, he still agreed.

Song Zhicheng wasn’t the delegation leader, but he could speak with the leading cadre from the Ministry of Foreign Trade. He was confident he could handle this small matter.

“Doing good deeds anonymously doesn’t make you a hero, it makes you a fool.”

That’s all he told Song Minglan.

Soon, the bus brought everyone to the booked hotel. Due to budget constraints, the accommodations for the delegation executives weren’t great – a point worth learning for future official overseas trips. Food and lodging were secondary; save where possible. The country’s foreign exchange reserves were low, and traveling abroad meant spending dollars – saving was necessary.

Upon arrival, Zhou Cheng helped carry luggage with the other team members.

As soon as the plane landed, Zhou Cheng’s heart had already run toward Ithaca.

While Zhou Cheng was carrying luggage, Song Minglan, instead of entering the hotel with Song Zhicheng, deliberately approached Zhou Cheng:

“You’re Zhou Cheng, right? Hello, I’m Song Minglan. I just happened to see Xiaolan the day before yesterday. Does she know you’re coming to America?”

When young women tried to make conversation, Zhou Cheng always kept his distance.

If he had to acknowledge everyone, when would he have time for actual work? In a 24-hour day, after eating and sleeping, all remaining time would be spent dealing with female attention… It had been like this since Zhou Cheng was in middle school, with senior girls from other schools coming especially to see him.

However, when Song Minglan said she knew Xiaolan, Zhou Cheng immediately became polite:

“Hello, Comrade Song. You know Xiaolan?”

Song Minglan nodded and smiled, “Of course, I know her. Xiaolan’s mother married Mayor Tang Hongen, and Mayor Tang has excellent relations with our family. Xiaolan and I aren’t outsiders. When my father mentioned you’d be coming to America with the delegation, I guessed you were coming to see Xiaolan. Meeting in person is better than knowing by reputation – I’ve heard about you long ago!”

A member of the Song family.

And supposedly this close to Xiaolan?

Pure nonsense.

Did she think he didn’t know how the Song family had reacted to Liu Fen marrying Mayor Tang?

Zhou Cheng maintained phone contact with Xiaolan every two or three days, yet his wife had never mentioned Song Minglan’s name.

Everything in Song Minglan’s words was technically true but artistically processed… Zhou Cheng didn’t believe a single word.

He didn’t know why Song Minglan wanted to talk to him, but being cautious couldn’t hurt.

“Thank you for your concern about Xiaolan and me, Miss Song.”

He nodded politely to Song Minglan and walked ahead with the luggage.

Song Minglan was a bit stunned.

What kind of person was this? Just a handsome face, but a clam?

Zhou Cheng had long legs and strode quickly with the luggage. Song Minglan barely managed to catch up.

“Hey, I haven’t told Xiaolan about your coming to America. I just asked my father – you’re not allowed to move freely here, the discipline is very strict. But don’t worry, I’ve already asked my father to help, to speak with the team leader about allowing you—”

Zhou Cheng finally stopped, but his face showed no sign of the joy Song Minglan had expected. Instead, he seemed exasperated.

This Song Minglan was truly overly enthusiastic.

Did he need her help?

He had already arranged with Team Leader Fang to slip away and return quietly – no one would know where he’d gone.

Now with Song Minglan having Song Zhicheng “request leave” from the team leader, leaving aside whether the Ministry of Foreign Trade’s leader would grant it, this immediately disrupted his plans. How could he quietly leave the group now?

The entire delegation would know he came to America to see his girlfriend.

Seeing Zhou Cheng’s expression change, Song Minglan sensed something was wrong and left her sentence unfinished.

Zhou Cheng suppressed his anger and spoke calmly but seriously:

“Miss Song, I greatly appreciate your kind help, but I don’t need it. You and Mr. Song pretending not to know me would be the greatest help to Xiaolan and me. Mr. Song hasn’t spoken up yet, right? I’ll go see him myself!”