Xia Xiaolan took a day off at home, which coincidentally left Tang Yuanyue empty-handed again.

Poor President Tang.

He had booked an early flight to America.

Upon reaching Ithaca, he rushed straight to Cornell University… Ha, Xia Xiaolan was interning at GMP, not even at school.

After finally figuring out Xia Xiaolan’s whereabouts, he confidently arrived at the GMP office in New York with what he thought was an irrefutable reason, only to find that Xia Xiaolan had gone to Washington on a business trip!

This was a case of star-crossed timing. Tang Yuanyue’s good temperament allowed him to neither get angry nor give up.

Business trips weren’t permanent postings in Washington – she would have to return to New York eventually.

Following her to Washington would be too obvious.

Besides, what would be the point of following her?

GMP staff had mentioned that Xia Xiaolan was working on the Wilson Hotel project, and Tang Yuanyue certainly wasn’t going to walk into Harold Wilson’s territory just to get shot down!

“Harold Wilson and the Wilson Hotel in Queens, New York – this man kept too low a profile before.”

Hotels weren’t the Wilson family’s primary business, at least not before Harold launched the Washington project.

Tang Yuanyue’s family’s Yuhua Group had operations everywhere, including hotels, resorts, and office buildings – some self-operated, others leased out.

Five-star chain hotels in America were something Tang Yuanyue needed to pay attention to, but when Harold appeared at the Pengcheng investment promotion conference, Tang Yuanyue didn’t recognize him at all because their business domains were quite different.

Now, was the Wilson family investing in the hotel industry?

He didn’t need to compete with Harold, but Harold had gone and hired Xia Xiaolan to participate in designing the new Washington hotel.

“The real target isn’t the wine!”

There had been hints of it back in Pengcheng – how could Tang Yuanyue not recognize the look in a man’s eyes when he was interested in a woman?

But this did give President Tang an idea.

His most productive interactions with Xia Xiaolan had always been work-related.

She would set aside any personal feelings when it came to work… Truthfully, among all the women Tang Yuanyue knew, few could keep their emotions from affecting their judgment. He admired Xia Xiaolan precisely for these qualities that set her apart from ordinary women.

Tang Yuanyue’s extended stay in America began with just himself, but he later called over several assistants:

“Don’t we have a resort project in Indonesia?”

The assistants exchanged glances, unsure why Tang Yuanyue was asking about this.

“President Tang, the Indonesian resort is Third Young Master’s responsibility…”

“If I volunteer to help, Zerui won’t refuse.”

That was true.

The Tang brothers’ relationship was far more harmonious than the Du family’s.

Tang Zerui greatly respected his elder brother Tang Yuanyue. When Tang Yuanyue’s broken engagement with He Zhitong had drawn their father’s criticism, Tang Zerui fully supported his brother.

Born into a Hong Kong tycoon family, Tang Zerui had a free-spirited and romantic personality. If Tang Yuanyue asked, he would be more than happy to hand over his projects.

“You’re right, President Tang.”

One phone call from Tang Yuanyue secured the resort project from his brother, and Tang Zerui personally delivered the materials to New York.

Tang Yuanyue flipped through them:

“Has the contract been signed? If not, you wouldn’t mind changing to a different firm?”

Though unclear why his brother was neglecting American-Chinese affairs to handle his work, Tang Zerui was overjoyed: “Not at all, change it however you like!”

Tang Yuanyue’s group then descended upon GMP as clients.

For GMP, this was truly business falling from the sky. Clients from Hong Kong weren’t short on money, and despite the project being in Indonesia, they had sought out GMP’s New York office. Partner Kissinger warmly received Tang Yuanyue’s group, though Tang Yuanyue had hoped to find Xia Xiaolan at the firm, only to discover she had taken the day off.

Without Xia Xiaolan present, Tang Yuanyue wasn’t about to waste his charms on the blind – naturally, no deal was struck.

The GMP staff didn’t find this strange at all.

Closing a deal on a first visit? Dream on!

The Hong Kong clients coming directly to GMP already showed great sincerity – New York had more than just GMP for architectural firms.

This client needed to be secured.

After Tang Yuanyue left, Kissinger’s gaze swept across the office:

“Xia isn’t in today?”

“She took the day off!”

“Oh, when she comes in tomorrow, have her come to my office.”

Xia was Chinese, right?

She should share a common language with the Hong Kong clients?

Their cultural heritage came from the same roots, and just last year or the year before, an agreement had set Hong Kong’s return date. Such major news made international headlines, and partners like Kissinger followed international news closely, as international situations affected the firm… After all, GMP wouldn’t build in war-torn areas – you needed to be alive to spend the money you earned. If several people died in the line of duty, the compensation would make Kissinger spit blood.

Early the next morning, when Xia Xiaolan arrived at the firm, she heard about Kissinger’s summons.

In his office, Kissinger told her about a Hong Kong client she would be receiving.

Xia Xiaolan naturally wouldn’t refuse:

“Sir, what’s the specific situation?”

“Hong Kong clients, Indonesian resort development. I spoke with them yesterday, they seem to only want GMP for the design proposal. GMP’s principle is to provide comprehensive services to clients. If you can convince them to change their minds, that would be best. At a minimum, we need to secure the design proposal commission!”

What comprehensive services?

Wasn’t it just about making money from everything – from architectural design to construction to interior decoration?

Kissinger, seemingly worried Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t try hard enough, added:

“If you can secure the client’s commission, I’ll not only let you participate in the design proposal but also calculate your project bonus using formal architect credentials.”

For the Wilson Hotel project, Hoffman and all team members received bonuses.

Hoffman himself got the highest share, Grey, as an assistant got the least, while Xia Xiaolan and Matthew, as interns, naturally received intern wages, uniquely without additional rewards.

Xia Xiaolan would stay at GMP for at most 20 more days. She wasn’t sure if she could secure the resort commission, but this would likely be her last project at GMP.

“I’ll do my best, sir!”

Xia Xiaolan quietly waited for the Hong Kong clients to arrive.

If the Hong Kong clients didn’t come today, she would proactively call them in the afternoon. Only fools would just wait – while you’re waiting for clients to come, they might get snatched up by other wolves halfway… This applies to any business – when opportunity knocks, you must actively seize it!

Matthew sneakily approached:

“Xia, take me along too. I heard everything – clients from Hong Kong, and Mr. Kissinger asked you to receive them.”

“That wouldn’t be right, it would be beneath you to assist me?”

Matthew pleaded pitifully: “Not at all, I’d be happy to!”

Matthew had no choice. During this GMP internship, the distinction between him and Xia Xiaolan became clear.

It was Xia Xiaolan who went to Washington on business trips, while Hoffman barely remembered Matthew. After the Wilson Hotel project was won, Matthew became just another intern under Grey’s supervision.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan get another opportunity, Matthew naturally had to try to get close!