Li Project’s eyes darkened.

Han Jin also looked bewildered.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t just a small business owner – she was close with Song Minglan, how could she be just that?

Still, the thought that Xia Xiaolan could produce millions made Han Jin deeply uncomfortable.

Was it just boasting?

Song Minglan gripped her cup, “Have you lost your mind?”

Flaunting wealth so openly!

She’d been so low-key before.

Xia Xiaolan spoke softly: “You’re overthinking. I only said Xu Jing and Ma Hai received a million-level investment. Did I say I was the investor?”

Not Xia Xiaolan’s investment?

Song Minglan felt confused.

Impossible! It must be Xia Xiaolan’s investment. She wouldn’t go to such trouble for someone else’s money.

It had to be Xia Xiaolan’s money. Others might not know, but Song Minglan knew Xia Xiaolan had such funds. The profits from Jinsha Pool alone exceeded a million – people had scrambled to buy properties at high prices when the development opened. Qihang quickly recovered their investment and repaid the bank loans, leaving her aunt Sheng Xuan caught in an awkward position!

Thinking of Sheng Xuan, Song Minglan instinctively stepped away from Xia Xiaolan.

She’d almost forgotten their enmity – why was she standing so close?

Song Minglan was closing the stable door after the horse had bolted. Others weren’t blind – at both the welcome party and this gathering, Song Minglan had initiated a conversation with Xia Xiaolan. People naturally assumed they were close.

This explained why the students readily believed Xia Xiaolan’s announcement about the million-level investment.

After all, Xia Xiaolan associated with Miss Song.

If Song Minglan knew this, she’d surely be furious enough to spit blood.

Unaware of Song Minglan’s complex emotions, Xia Xiaolan knew Li Project would take this bait – now she just needed to watch events unfold. Her gaze swept the room, landing on Chen Qing in the corner.

While others surrounded Xu and Ma, Chen Qing calmly wrote slogans in the corner.

Only his actions reminded people that tonight’s theme was “anti-violence.”

Chen Qing’s handwriting was indeed good – he’d even written Liu Fen’s divorce agreement before.

Remembering the past events in Qijing Village, Xia Xiaolan frowned:

“Song Minglan acknowledged Han Jin’s involvement. Han Jin’s methods are ruthless – does Chen Qing know?”

She wanted to warn Chen Qing but feared causing trouble.

Anyone could tell Chen Qing this, but it would be especially awkward coming from Xia Xiaolan.

Besides, Han Jin watched too carefully. Wherever Xia Xiaolan appeared, Han Jin refused to let others steal attention. She quickly approached Chen Qing: “Enough, enough, you’ve written plenty tonight.”

Han Jin intimately linked arms with Chen Qing, taking away all the completed slogans.

She clapped her hands, interrupting people’s questioning of Xu Jing and Ma Hai:

“Most people have arrived, let’s turn to tonight’s theme! Everyone knows what happened to the Senior Li Project. What began as a simple relationship issue that could have been resolved through calm discussion escalated to violence due to lost control! Men are naturally stronger than women. Brothers present here, your hands have many uses, but they must never become violent fists! Sisters, if you unfortunately face violence, we must say NO to abusers, bravely resist, and when necessary, use legal means to protect ourselves…”

Han Jin spoke well, clearly comfortable with public speaking.

She must have given many flag-raising speeches, definitely the model student type.

The crowd shifted attention from Xu Jing and Ma Hai to focus on Han Jin’s speech. Someone distributed slogans to everyone. At emotional moments, even Xia Xiaolan found herself joining in the chants.

Song Minglan was very surprised.

Xia Xiaolan whispered: “Her words are right. What if they encourage someone?”

Domestic violence was wrong.

Song Minglan silently held her slogan without comment.

How righteous Han Jin appeared now.

That fool Li Project still didn’t realize Han Jin had set her up and was now being used as a tool to win people’s hearts, squeezing out her last bit of value.

Maybe she knew but, being no better herself, was using Han Jin in return.

“How boring, I won’t come to these gatherings anymore. Xia Xiaolan, Han Jin said you haven’t been in Ithaca lately – where did you go?”

Xia Xiaolan gave her an odd look – were they that close?

“Where else? Busy with internship.”

Song Minglan was surprised, “You’re already interning?”

If she remembered correctly, Xia Xiaolan had just finished sophomore year – such a hurry as an exchange student.

Song Minglan felt slightly panicked.

She came to New York for prestige, but with Xia Xiaolan as contrast, wouldn’t she seem useless if she didn’t do something?

Xia Xiaolan was just Tang Hong’en’s stepdaughter.

She was the Song family’s daughter.

The last time when Xia Xiaolan advised the delegation during negotiations, Director Deng praised her repeatedly. Before returning to China, Song Zhicheng had made some bitter remarks to Song Minglan, making her uncomfortable.

Song Minglan wondered if she should take her New York studies more seriously.

New York University was a good school.

It had social butterflies like Han Jin and dedicated students like Chen Qing.

While Song Minglan’s thoughts churned, Xia Xiaolan remained oblivious.

She was watching Li Project.

Between her current miserable state as Han Jin’s prop and her ex-boyfriend seemingly ascending to life’s peak with million-level investment, Xia Xiaolan knew Li Project wouldn’t stay quiet.

Sure enough, after Han Jin’s slogans ended the gathering truly livened up.

Ma Hai was surrounded again, struggling to support the grand claims Xia Xiaolan had made about them.

Xu Jing, perhaps uncomfortable with the bustle, went to the balcony for air. With few people paying attention to Li Project now, she slowly drifted over.

Her hands were injured by Li Yong, but her feet were fine.

Song Minglan pointed next door:

“Don’t you want to hear what they say? Let’s go!”

The venue Han Jin borrowed had many rooms, most open but some locked. Eager to please Song Minglan, Han Jin had given her keys. Song Minglan secretly wanted to see Xia Xiaolan’s test of human nature fail, actively providing means to eavesdrop.

Of course, Song Minglan would listen too.

The next room adjoined the balcony. If they stayed quiet without lights, Xu Jing and Li Project wouldn’t notice eavesdroppers.

Wanting to see entertainment, perhaps?

Xia Xiaolan smirked in the darkness – Miss Song’s actions followed no pattern.

The room was noisy, but closing the balcony door brought quiet. Xu Jing’s voice came through clearly:

“…Li Project, don’t be like this.”