When Xia Xiaolan returned to Ithaca, Hu Ying was the happiest.

Hu Ying had been in high spirits lately, maintaining her joy since learning about Wen Manni’s pregnancy.

The tiny life in Wen Manni’s womb was only 7 weeks old, but Hu Ying, the future grandmother, was already eagerly anticipating its arrival.

Wen Manni was considered a high-risk pregnancy due to her age.

She was supposed to be promoted to junior partner this year, but with a reduced workload due to pregnancy, that promotion seemed unlikely. Previously, Wen Manni wouldn’t have accepted this, but she had mentally prepared for such a situation before trying to conceive, having already made her choice.

“Manni is doing well, maintaining a good attitude. Klaus is even more worried than her, concerned she might become unhappy with sudden idleness, so he’s declined many flying trapeze invitations. The couple will earn much less this year, but it’s necessary. The child isn’t just Manni’s responsibility; both spouses should prepare for the new arrival!”

Hu Ying was both expressing her feelings and passing on her experience to Xia Xiaolan.

Having children?!

President Xia was bewildered.

Her relationship with Zhou Cheng was so pure they could just chat under blankets – children wouldn’t appear through parthenogenesis… After marriage, if having children became a priority, Xia Xiaolan certainly wouldn’t be noble enough to accept single parenting.

“You’re right, welcoming a baby isn’t just Connie’s responsibility, she needs Klaus’s care. I heard Connie’s morning sickness isn’t too severe, which might be what makes everyone happiest.”

Being of advanced maternal age plus severe symptoms, throwing up everything eaten – that would truly have taken half of Wen Manni’s life.

Hu Ying’s face brightened at this.

When Professor Wen returned and saw Xia Xiaolan’s home, he was quite pleased:

“Have you registered for classes?”

“I went to school with classmates right after returning from New York. I’ve selected my fall semester courses, including your class.”

Professor Wen nodded, appearing quite composed.

Hu Ying secretly told Xia Xiaolan, “See how his pinky twitched twice? That’s his sign of happiness, just ignore him.”

Hahaha!

Xia Xiaolan barely held back her laughter.

The next day, all Cornell Architecture students who interned at the three major firms reported to Professor McCarthy’s office.

After two months, Professor McCarthy hadn’t suddenly become gentle – he remained as stern as ever.

But these 20 students, having been baptized by the corporate workplace environment, had reduced fear of the “Great Demon King.” Standing before McCarthy, most wore smiles, making him quite uncomfortable.

“Your internships are over. Some of you performed excellently at the firms, while others were mediocre. Their overall abilities not only failed to show excellence but brought shame to Cornell’s Architecture School… Do you know who I’m talking about?”

Among the excellent performers was Xia Xiaolan.

Among the poor performers, Heidi couldn’t escape mention.

Heidi repeatedly targeted Daisy and Lyle, neglecting her internship to focus on scheming, without having extraordinary abilities. Foster & Associates gave her extremely low internship evaluations.

This was even before learning about Ning Xue and Jonathan’s relationship.

During the final week of the internship, Heidi accidentally discovered Jonathan and Ning Xue were together, causing her to emotionally collapse. She stopped attending her Foster internship altogether… leaving her final week’s attendance sheet completely blank.

Today, Heidi did appear in Professor McCarthy’s office, but completely intoxicated, as if pickled in alcohol.

This was extremely inappropriate – except for graduation day, no student had ever appeared drunk in McCarthy’s office.

McCarthy was disappointed to have such a student.

Young people were too fragile – it was just a normal breakup!

Getting knocked down by one relationship – how did she even get into Cornell?

“Hic—”

Heidi hiccupped, grinning foolishly: “Professor, are you talking about me? About performing terribly during the internship? Hehe, how could I perform terribly? I just don’t like these Chinese girls… they’re all Bitches!”

McCarthy’s nostrils flared.

“Do you know what you’re saying? Get out, leave my office immediately!”

A self-destructive, degraded student who refused to reform was even more unacceptable to McCarthy than to stupid students.

The two women she called “Bitches” showed no reaction.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to engage with such a drunk.

Ning Xue remained unmoved.

Jonathan whispered something to Ning Xue, who nodded slightly, and then he stepped forward to lead Heidi away. Heidi struggled violently, crying and making a scene, completely losing her dignity.

McCarthy couldn’t even remember poor students’ names, let alone care about student relationships, but Heidi’s post-breakup obsession refreshed his worldview:

“This is true stupidity! At your age, when memory and learning abilities are at their peak, to indulge yourself, numbing yourself with alcohol – whatever the sad reason, it’s too foolish!”

It was already harder for McCarthy to praise students than criticize them, and with Heidi ruining the mood, he hastily concluded his talk with Xia Xiaolan and others.

Everyone remained silent while Heidi continued making a scene downstairs, accusing Jonathan:

“…I thought we were getting back together, you were so caring in New York!”

“Anyone else would be fine, just not Ning!”

“Jonathan, you’re both traitors!”

Jonathan’s forehead veins bulged as he replied helplessly:

“Heidi, even after breaking up, I hoped you’d do well. How did you behave at Foster? I encouraged you to pull yourself together, but instead of valuing the internship opportunity, you kept targeting Daisy and others… Honestly, I don’t care what you think now, I’m very disappointed in you. Nobody betrayed you – you pushed us away first.”

Xia Xiaolan looked at Ning Xue.

While Ning Xue wouldn’t normally bother explaining to others, Xia Xiaolan, as a rival, held a different weight in her mind:

“Xia Xiaolan, is your relationship this troublesome?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Trust me, it’s even more troublesome.”

Though Zhou Cheng didn’t have an alcoholic ex-girlfriend, he had various persistent pursuers.

Without looking far, there was still a Jiang Yan receiving treatment in New York – someone willing to hurt herself to push Zhou Cheng away. A drunk, noisy ex-girlfriend was manageable; pursuers like Jiang Yan were the real challenge.

Ning Xue frowned.

Xia Xiaolan guessed the academic genius was weighing whether to end this troublesome relationship or force herself to adapt… This relationship seemed no different from playing house!

Perhaps Ning Xue was pressured by Heidi into getting together with Jonathan.

How pitiful!

These three words – Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure whether they better suited Heidi or Jonathan.