“Huh?”

“Why such a strong reaction to a joke, Director Hoffman?”

Before Design Director Dick could respond, Director Hoffman snorted: “GMP has always been progressive. As long as someone has the capability, whether they’re an intern or not, we let them showcase their talent! Director Dick, after the bidding ends, you’ll see whether an intern’s work is construction-worthy!”

“Hans Hoffman—”

Before Dick could finish, Hoffman had already turned away dismissively.

Xia Xiaolan struggled to suppress her laughter on the side.

These two were completely talking past each other.

Dick was referring to the “Electronic Plaza” project, but Hoffman assumed Dick was criticizing the Wilson Hotel bid, causing him to ignite like a powder keg.

When dealing with outsiders, Hoffman would naturally defend GMP’s people, even if it was a questioned intern. Dick was bound to be embarrassed!

While Hoffman went to submit the proposal, Xia Xiaolan and Master Carlton waited outside.

Master Carlton appeared doubtful: “Are the school rumors true? That Director Dick tried to purchase the design rights for ‘Electronic Plaza’ from your team, but you declined using the excuse that the copyright was already sold and the project was under construction?”

Xia Xiaolan smiled: “Would you believe me if I said it’s true? Well, Heidi certainly doesn’t.”

Master Carlton didn’t believe it either.

It wasn’t about Dick wanting to purchase the “Electronic Plaza” design rights – after all, the work had won the C·W Architectural Design Competition championship and was trending. Dick had shown his appreciation for “Electronic Plaza” during the awards ceremony, so attempting to purchase the design rights afterward wasn’t surprising.

What Master Carlton couldn’t believe was their reason for refusing Dick. He had initially assumed negotiations broke down over pricing. If they weren’t going to sell, there were numerous other excuses available – whether planning to sell to another firm or raise the price for Foster. Why use such an absurd excuse about “Electronic Plaza” already being under construction?

But if everyone thought this excuse was absurd, why would Xia Xiaolan use it? Even if they didn’t want to sell the design rights to Foster, there was no need to offend people with such an excuse! Unless – the seemingly absurd excuse was the truth!

Master Carlton fell silent.

He kept stealing glances at Xia Xiaolan, unable to help himself.

While Xia Xiaolan was certainly beautiful, that wasn’t why Master Carlton kept looking at her. For Matthew Carlton now, entering a major architectural firm was his primary goal.

Music students dream of performances.

Art students long for personal exhibitions.

Architecture students… mostly keep their heads down while working. Architecture isn’t as exhibitive as music or art. No matter how many architectural drawings one creates, without actual construction, it’s all theoretical.

For someone like Master Carlton who was about to graduate in architecture, knowing that Xia Xiaolan’s team’s “Electronic Plaza” was being constructed was enough to render him speechless with envy and admiration.

Master Carlton felt unsettled.

What was going on with China’s architectural industry? Why were they so eager to cultivate undergraduates that they would allow students’ work to be constructed?

Were there no qualification exams?

No need to accumulate years of experience?

—Hey, isn’t this going too far?!

Master Carlton’s eyes were full of protest.

Since the three interns couldn’t enter, and all bid proposals had been submitted, there was no concern about leaking information. Ning Xue slowly walked over to join them.

“It seems Foster’s situation is more severe – they haven’t utilized any interns at all.”

This wasn’t something Xia Xiaolan could control. She was already struggling at GMP, and with three firms competing for the same project, she couldn’t possibly help Daisy, Lyle, and Richard advance.

However, according to Daisy, she and Lyle were doing well at Foster, and advancement was just a matter of time: “It’s not even been a month yet, no need to rush. We’ll soon see who emerges at Foster’s.”

Ning Xue nodded.

Both were making small talk, as they still didn’t know the bidding results.

Seeing the three firm directors hadn’t emerged yet, would they announce the results on the spot?

Surely not.

The firms’ proposals would need to be reviewed first.

Xia Xiaolan checked her watch – Hoffman had been inside for half an hour.

Ning Xue suddenly asked: “Have you heard about Li Yong and Project Li’s situation?”

“Yes, I heard from Xu Jing and Ma Hai. Seems you’ve heard about it too. I only caught bits of it though, not sure if they’ve resolved things now.”

Ning Xue typically wasn’t one for gossip, yet even she knew about this. Given they were all doing internships at firms, if even Ning Xue knew, this must have become quite a significant issue.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s neutral reaction, Ning Xue suppressed a slight doubt.

Truthfully, Ning Xue had suspected Xia Xiaolan might be involved, given her typically forceful personality and tendency to retaliate strongly against anyone who crossed her, just like with Ji Ya – they were still at odds.

“It hasn’t been resolved. Li Yong has been formally charged. I heard that after Han Jin visited Project Li in the hospital, she called on New York’s Chinese international students to help Project Li through this crisis and oppose violence against female international students.”

This news was new to Xia Xiaolan.

She asked in surprise, “Help how? Through donations?”

Surely not, after what happened at the party, they wouldn’t dare ask for money again.

Ning Xue shook her head, “No, nobody needs to contribute money. Part of the medical expenses will be compensated by Li Yong and the rest Han Jin has loaned to Project Li. I’m asking if you want to participate in their anti-violence campaign.”

What anti-violence campaign?

They’ve been quiet too long and are just finding another excuse to gather.

These Chinese international students have certainly mastered the American way of throwing parties.

“Is Han Jin organizing this or Song Minglan?”

“Han Jin.”

Xia Xiaolan responded with an “Oh” and said: “Let me think about it.”

Li Yong and Project Li had fallen.

Xia Xiaolan had thought Song Minglan would naturally unite the New York international students.

It seems Miss Song had finally learned to keep a low profile and wasn’t willing to be the figurehead, instead pushing Han Jin forward.

It made sense – at the party, Han Jin had been eagerly trying to please Song Minglan. Having Han Jin as the new leader of the international student community was essentially the same as Song Minglan taking the position herself. Song Minglan had grown smarter, realizing that someone of her background should remain above it all – by not getting involved, she wouldn’t attract trouble. Those who love creating personas for themselves will eventually see those personas crumble, just like Li Yong who had just been charged!

Who knows what kind of persona Han Jin was trying to create now?

Visiting Project Li in the hospital, voluntarily lending her money – was she trying to follow “Senior Li’s” path?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but smile. While others’ reasons for studying abroad might vary, Han Jin was using it as an opportunity to build connections.

Could it be that Project Li and Li Yong’s downfall was also Han Jin’s doing?

She managed to please Song Minglan while achieving her own goals.

“Young ladies these days are ruthless enough,” Xia Xiaolan muttered.

Ning Xue gave her a strange look – who was she calling “young ladies” with such an air of seniority?

Acting as if she were so much older.

She had seen Xia Xiaolan’s enrollment documents – born in 1965, she was only 21 this year!