At the “anti-violence” gathering, Han Jin took a different approach from Li Yong, choosing a modest venue. Though it lacked the grandeur of Senior Li’s parties, Han Jin had no venue fees to pay!

“My uncle provided it for free. He enjoys interacting with young students and supports our gatherings,” Han Jin explained to others.

This was Han Jin’s first time organizing an event, and even Chen Qing left his books to help. Song Minglan, who despised Han Jin’s ruthless methods, was reluctant to associate with her. However, after Han Jin’s repeated invitations and mention that Li Project would attend following her hospital discharge, Song Minglan decided to come. Despite contributing $1,000, she wanted to personally assess Li Project’s injuries.

Li Project appeared somewhat stripped of her usual glamour. Unable to admit to her infidelity toward Li Yong, she maintained her presence in social circles by insisting their breakup preceded the incident: “We had different values. I warned him several times about his thesis, but he spent too much energy on other things, trying to just get by with his paper. Who knew someone would report him? We broke up then, just didn’t announce it publicly!”

“I never thought Senior Li was that kind of person.”

“Yes, the thesis plagiarism was serious. Now that he’s being sued, can he even graduate?”

“He’s an abuser now, don’t sympathize with the wrong person. Hitting women is never acceptable!”

The female international students were the main audience for Li Project’s fabrications. While they might not have fully believed her, with Li Project looking pitiful, her hand in bandages, and Li Yong absent to defend himself, her version prevailed.

Naturally, while some listened to Li Project’s tales, others remained clear-headed: hitting women was inexcusable, but Li Project’s infidelity made them equally culpable.

“Do you believe they broke up?”

“Nonsense, if they had broken up, why would Li Yong get angry enough to hit her?”

The gossip’s thoughts wandered, “Come to think of it, she got together with Li Yong shortly after breaking up with Xu Jing. Why didn’t anyone suspect they were involved even then?”

Indeed, why hadn’t anyone suspected?

Because Li Yong was well-liked.

Who was Xu Jing? Just a newcomer to America with few connections, who remained silent despite the gossip. Who would defend him?

Only Han Jin knew the complete truth.

Watching Li Project desperately trying to clear her name, Han Jin found it laughable. The infidelity was certainly true – even though Han Jin had created the opportunity, she hadn’t forced Li Project to sleep with that American man from the bar.

Already materialistic, Li Project had courted her next partner before discarding Li Yong. Now she played the victim while pleading her case. If Han Jin hadn’t needed Li Project as a “prop,” she could have been completely ostracized from their social circle. People shouldn’t get too cocky when in power – when Li Project first arrived in New York, she flaunted her status as Li Yong’s girlfriend and “hostess” at their parties, even monitoring Han Jin’s conversations with Li Yong… Hah, as if she valued Li Yong, only Li Project thought herself so precious!

Looking back at Chen Qing quietly helping out, Han Jin’s smile carried genuine warmth. Men should be chosen based on one’s ability to handle them. The university professors praised Chen Qing’s talent, and Han Jin appreciated his honest nature. As her father would say, the Han family could cultivate their successful son-in-law.

“Sister Minglan.”

Han Jin approached docilely. Song Minglan was bored; Li Project’s self-justifying narrative had grown tiresome.

Playing games with these people held no challenge. While Xia Xiaolan was already helping delegations negotiate with American companies, these students were still engaged in petty power plays.

What was the point?

“How long is this gathering-” Before she could finish asking when she could leave, Song Minglan spotted Xia Xiaolan entering with two men. She paused, “You invited her too?”

Han Jin shook her head, “I wanted to invite her but couldn’t reach her. She seems to have left Ithaca recently.”

This was true – Han Jin had been trying to understand the relationship between Xia Xiaolan and Song Minglan.

Song Minglan settled back down, no longer in a hurry to leave.

While Li Project continued sharing her helplessness and grievances, Xia Xiaolan entered with Xu Jing and Ma Hai. Xia Xiaolan needed no introduction, but Xu Jing and Ma Hai looked particularly stylish today. Beyond their appearance, both men were elated about completing their electronic dictionary project. Their transformation from uncertainty to hope for the future had changed their entire demeanor!

When men gain confidence, what once appeared as awkwardness becomes composure.

Though Xu Jing and Ma Hai hadn’t interacted with so many people in a while, their composure came from newfound confidence!

Li Project’s tale of woe came to an abrupt halt.

Why was Xu Jing here?

Someone asked for her: “Old Xu, Ma Hai, you two have been missing for quite a while, always unavailable when invited. What’s going on?”

“Yes, yes, we haven’t heard anything from you!”

Ma Hai contained his pride, “We’ve been busy with graduation matters with Old Xu. Our apologies for losing touch with everyone.”

“Graduation” was a sensitive word. Most attendees hadn’t graduated yet; those who had either returned to China or worked in America, rarely appeared at such gatherings.

“Speaking of graduation, you two graduated successfully, right? What are your plans?”

“Xu Jing studied computer science, right? That’s a good major, shouldn’t be hard to find work in America!”

The speaker sounded envious. Whether he had been a slacker or dumped by his girlfriend didn’t matter – technical majors made it easier to establish oneself in America.

Li Project sat lost in thought.

Xu Jing’s transformation had earned him a warm welcome.

Perhaps partly motivated by gossip, someone stirred things up: “Xu Jing, do you know about Li Project’s situation? Many of us visited her in the hospital, but you never showed up?”

Ma Hai nearly spat out his drink.

What a poisonous question, clearly ill-intentioned.

Xu Jing finally met Li Project’s gaze.

Xia Xiaolan stepped back, not wanting to steal Xu and Ma’s spotlight, though they owed their transformation to her.

She came to test the extent of Xu Jing’s indecisiveness. If he hadn’t learned his lesson and still wanted involvement with Li Project… well, sorry, but she’d have to kick him out.

Xia Xiaolan despised such muddleheaded people. Zhou Yi was different – they couldn’t sever blood ties with Zhou Cheng.

But who was Xu Jing? They had no connection beyond money and work, simple as that!

If Xu Jing couldn’t perform, Xia Xiaolan would replace him.

Song Minglan approached with a drink, “Xia Xiaolan, you’re testing human nature? That’s the most fragile thing to test.”