Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan didn’t know the amount of Harold’s thank-you check.

Even if they knew it was over a million dollars, there was nothing to regret.

With the ability to make money, there was no need to worry about future finances.

Currently, their assets were far less than Harold Wilson’s, as he controlled the Wilson family’s wealth accumulated over many years.

But with China’s Reform and Opening Up opportunities, Xia Xiaolan didn’t think she’d always remain small-scale!

While Harold secretly waited for Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan to come begging for his help, the two had no intention, destined to disappointing him.

Xia Xiaolan had taken leave from school. With exam week approaching, there weren’t many classes, as most students were self-studying.

She just needed to return for exams on the 8th.

Here, she accompanied Zhou Cheng’s group on their daily visits to the American company, watching Elmer stall and Du Zhaoqi grow more anxious each day. Time passed quickly.

On May 3rd, Jiang Yan arrived in America.

The Jiang family kept their word – no one accompanied her, she came alone.

Who knows how she managed two large suitcases during layovers when she could barely lift her arm… She must have relied on airport services.

Xia Xiaolan felt it was pitiful but didn’t show her sympathy.

Because Jiang Yan didn’t want sympathy, appearing strong when she saw Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan at the airport, maintaining her usual attitude.

“Xia Xiaolan, thank you for contacting the doctor.”

“You’re welcome, it was nothing. You were injured pushing Zhou Cheng away, this is what I should do.”

The two women exchanged just these words, neither mentioning it again.

Zhou Cheng said he’d arranged accommodation for Jiang Yan and suggested she rest first, but she shook her head: “I’m not tired. When can I see Dr. Berman?”

She wouldn’t be at ease without meeting the doctor personally to confirm her condition was treatable.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help interjecting: “Famous doctors here in America have very full schedules. Knowing you’d arrive on the 3rd, we made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Berman for the 5th. Zhou Cheng is right – first, go to your accommodation, put down your luggage, rest for a day to adjust to the time difference, then you can see Dr. Berman on the 5th.”

One should be more modest abroad. They say people are worth less away from home – look at Director Deng, a high-ranking Foreign Trade Ministry official back home, yet here in America, he had to humble himself at the American company to buy the production line.

Klaus could help find Dr. Berman because he was somewhat famous in medical circles.

Could Klaus order Dr. Berman to drop everything and see Jiang Yan first thing on whatever day she arrived?

Even if Klaus made such a request, Dr. Berman wouldn’t listen, and would likely tell Klaus to get lost – he wouldn’t lack patients without Jiang Yan! Xia Xiaolan hoped Jiang Yan would quickly face reality – this wasn’t China, Chinese people had no special privileges in America!

When Zhou Cheng spoke, Jiang Yan disagreed.

When Xia Xiaolan spoke up, Jiang Yan had nothing to say.

The atmosphere in the car suddenly became awkward. Jiang Yan turned to look out the window as they drove from the airport toward downtown, where it grew increasingly prosperous.

This was Jiang Yan’s first time in America.

Her previous impressions came from materials, but seeing New York’s skyscrapers in person made her feel the difference.

Who knows what she was thinking, but after Xia Xiaolan’s words, she finally followed the arrangements obediently. After putting her luggage at the accommodation, when they offered to take her to eat, she went along.

Naturally, she ate whatever Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan were having.

However, to accommodate Jiang Yan’s first meal in America, Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng deliberately chose a Chinese restaurant… not the small shops in Chinatown, but an upscale establishment with a large glass display case showing a yellow dragon robe at the entrance, where even a few dim sum dishes weren’t cheap.

Four spring rolls for 5 dollars!

Each is just a single bite-size, and for three people they’d need several plates of dim sum plus some hot dishes.

Elegant and high-class, easily over 100 dollars for one meal – considered high-end dining even in New York!

As semi-hosts who arrived in New York first, Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng treating newly-arrived Jiang Yan to such a meal was entirely appropriate – even Director Deng, leading delegation visits abroad, hadn’t reached this standard of hospitality. Jiang Yan truly couldn’t find fault with it.

Jiang Yan only had this one expensive meal, realizing it was too costly, and voluntarily asked to follow local customs, copying whatever Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan normally did for meals.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t trying to show her authority; she deliberately did this to help Jiang Yan quickly adapt to American life.

Where to eat, where to take transportation, how much things cost – Jiang Yan needed to understand all this.

After all, Jiang Yan’s treatment in America would take about a year, and with no family to care for her – the nurse would only help at the hospital – she needed to adapt to daily life herself!

After this day of “teaching,” even before meeting Dr. Berman, Jiang Yan’s day had been quite full.

Finally, on the 3rd, Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng drove Jiang Yan to meet Dr. Berman.

Upon arrival, they had Jiang Yan fill out forms, followed by a series of examinations for Dr. Berman to accurately assess her condition.

“Initially, her physical condition looks very good, she should be able to handle consecutive surgeries. I’m willing to take this patient.”

“That’s wonderful, Dr. Berman, thank you!”

Xia Xiaolan had feared Dr. Berman might refuse after seeing the examination results, which would have made Jiang Yan’s injury more problematic – Dr. Berman was already a renowned specialist, and looking higher would only leave extremely expensive private clinics!

Zhou Cheng couldn’t help emphasizing, “Dr. Berman, she hopes to continue her career after your treatment. Please do your best to treat her.”

Hearing Dr. Berman would accept her, Jiang Yan also let out a long sigh of relief.

Who wants to be half-disabled? Being able to heal was better than anything!

“I can manage here alone. Don’t you and Xia Xiaolan have your matters to attend to? You should go ahead.”

Dr. Berman would perform Jiang Yan’s first surgery in a few days. She wasn’t so much concerned about Xia Xiaolan’s schedule as she knew Zhou Cheng was traveling with the delegation, and it wasn’t realistic for him to stay and wait for her surgery.

Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan were indeed busy.

The production line negotiations had dragged on for several days, and Deng Changxing had finally found someone to contact Du Chengrong.

Would Du Chengrong help?

Would Du Zhaoqi follow orders?

Soon, the deadlock would break – either the delegation would win, or Du Zhaoqi would.

Thinking of her final exam on the 8th, Xia Xiaolan also said to Zhou Cheng: “Win or lose, it’s time for a result!”