What do you mean by that?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but imagine some restricted scenes.

Through the small gap, she could see the neighboring balcony and couldn’t resist moving closer to look.

Under the soft light, tears streaked down Xiang Li’s face:

“Xu Jing, do we need to be this distant? Can’t I just say a few words and congratulate you? Yes, you and Ma Hai had a grand evening, while I’ve fallen to this state by my own doing. Of course, an ex-girlfriend like me isn’t worthy of speaking to you anymore!”

Xiang Li was quite talented – she even looked good while crying. She wasn’t purely weak either; her voice was full of complaints and grievances.

It was as if she and Xu Jing were still very close, just temporarily separated due to an argument.

This was, of course, the Xiang Li that Xu Jing knew well.

They had been classmates originally. Xu Jing was content with a modest life, while Xiang Li was outgoing and ambitious.

After graduation, Xu Jing stayed at the university as a teacher, while Xiang Li secured a government-funded overseas study opportunity… Xu Jing sighed. He didn’t regret not selling his house to go abroad, but rather realized how different he and Xiang Li were:

“We can talk, but I’m afraid you want more than just conversation. Xiang Li, Ma Hai and I are returning to China, and we probably won’t come back to America. I know you’re determined to stay in America. You’ll never get what you want from me, so why waste time?”

Xiang Li bit her lip:

“Is what Xia Xiaolan said true? You and Ma Hai received a million-dollar investment because of that thing, and Xia Xiaolan invested in you? Where did she get so much money… Even so, you could still stay in America to start your business!”

In the adjacent room, Song Minglan couldn’t help but lean forward.

This Xiang Li was truly thick-skinned.

Though some men fall for this act, thinking they’re charming when women act unreasonably.

If Xu Jing were bewitched by Xiang Li again, it would be terribly embarrassing for Xia Xiaolan, and Song Minglan would enjoy watching this drama unfold.

This was how Xiang Li and Xu Jing used to interact – Xiang Li being dominant while Xu Jing obediently following orders. Maybe due to their time apart, or perhaps because Xu Jing had changed and his mindset was different, he found Xiang Li’s aggressive behavior excessive.

From somewhere, Xu Jing found the courage and blurted out:

“Xiang Li, we’ve already broken up.”

“Whether I return to China or not is my business.”

“Where we got our investment from is Ma Hai’s and my business.”

“…Just stop meddling!”

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t expected Xu Jing to be so firm.

She had thought rejecting Xiang Li’s advances would be full of hesitation.

Xiang Li herself was stunned, “You- you-“

After saying these words, Xu Jing felt like he’d put down a heavy burden. Having just him and Xiang Li alone on the balcony felt strange, and he worried others might misunderstand, so he hurried to leave.

“Take care of yourself!”

Hastily dropping these words, Xu Jing went inside.

Ah, dealing with social occasions inside was much easier. Xiang Li had cried in front of him, tears still on her face – people would get the wrong idea if they saw.

You couldn’t blame Xu Jing for hardening his heart. He had no intention of getting back together with Xiang Li, so he couldn’t give her false hope.

An honest man could be stubborn too.

When he heard Xiang Li was hospitalized after getting hurt, he was quite concerned and hesitated about visiting, but then he heard about Xiang Li’s love triangle with an American man and Li Yong. Honest Xu felt like he’d been doused with ice water.

Why should he get involved?

Was Xiang Li the only woman in the world? Did he have to get tangled up in such complicated relationships?

Xu Jing knew he couldn’t handle it, so he simply stayed away!

When Xu Jing and Xiang Li went to the balcony one after another, countless eyes were secretly watching. Unexpectedly, Xu Jing came out first, and when Xiang Li emerged later, she appeared to have been crying.

Seeing everyone’s inquiring looks, Xu Jing felt completely uncomfortable.

He hadn’t done anything, but would people misunderstand?

Coincidentally seeing Xia Xiaolan and Song Minglan, Xu Jing couldn’t help but ask, “Junior Sister Xia, when can we leave?”

Song Minglan glared at him.

While Xu Jing wondered what he’d done to offend Miss Song, Xia Xiaolan gave him an appreciative look.

Xu Jing had no idea he’d just passed a dangerous test – if he had hesitated even slightly before Xiang Li, Xia Xiaolan would have told him to pack up and leave.

“It is getting late, let’s get Senior Brother Ma and go.”

Living in the same apartment building and with Xia Xiaolan driving, it was natural to come and go together.

Ma Hai was still reluctant when called away – he had been bragging with difficulty, and if they didn’t leave soon, he would have been exposed.

Han Jin came to see them off, “Xiaolan, won’t you stay a bit longer?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “Senior Brother Xu and Senior Brother Ma don’t have a car, I’ll give them a ride.”

Ma Hai called out dramatically, waving to everyone: “Mountains are high and waters are long, take care, everyone! Old Xu and I are heading back to serve our motherland!”

Someone shouted “If fortune comes, don’t forget us!” making everyone laugh.

Ma Hai was so excited his face turned red, “That’s easy to promise. If you all come to the Special Zone in the future, as long as Old Xu and I have food to eat, we’ll make sure you don’t leave empty-handed!”

Everyone took Ma Hai’s words as a joke.

A million-dollar investment sounded enviable at first, but thinking carefully, it was someone else’s money. Ma Hai and Xu Jing were still just employees, probably not getting many shares.

Moreover, it was a startup – there could be success or failure. Ma Hai and Xu Jing’s future was still uncertain!

Xiang Li’s face was the darkest.

Did Xia Xiaolan invest over a million?

She was even richer than what she and Li Yong had imagined!

Unfortunately, while Xu Jing and Ma Hai could get investment, she and Li Yong couldn’t get money from Xia Xiaolan.

They couldn’t do it before, and it was even more impossible now – that fool Xu Jing, was completely unromantic. With his personality, how could he run a factory? Returning to China to start a business would surely fail. He wouldn’t even take her advice to stay in America!

Xiang Li waited to see them fail, wanting to see both Xu Jing and Ma Hai’s business fail, and Xia Xiaolan lose all her invested money!

In the corner, Chen Qing, who had kept a low profile all evening, secretly watched Xia Xiaolan’s retreating figure.

A million-dollar investment.

It must have been from Xiaolan.

Xiaolan… had gone further than he thought, how could he be worthy of someone so excellent? At the University of International Business and Economics, professors had praised his talent, but in America, Chen Qing truly understood – what he had learned was nothing. Next to New York University’s Business School was America’s Wall Street, where wealth miracles happened daily.

Chen Qing secretly clenched his fists. He hadn’t touched the money his family gave him and lived frugally. He wondered if his small savings could serve as capital.

“Junior Sister Xia, Old Xu, and I should return to China quickly. I really can’t face them anymore. I bragged so much tonight, if they ask for more details, I’ll be exposed.”

On the way back, Ma Hai wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

Xia Xiaolan looked at him, “Senior Brother Ma, what are you nervous about? I think you handled it very well tonight. There will be many more occasions like this in the future. Senior Brother Xu isn’t as good at communication as you – in the future, one of you can manage technology and production, while the other handles business operations. It’s a perfect match.”

“I’m talking about the million-dollar investment-“

Xia Xiaolan laughed heartily, “You think I was just bragging for you two?”

What?

Not bragging?!

There was a million-dollar investment… Ma Hai pinched his thigh hard – it hurt! This wasn’t a dream!