“I do want Zhou Yi to learn well. Whether she does well or poorly doesn’t affect me much, but if she learns well, it’ll mean fewer troubles for me.”

Xia Xiaolan admitted frankly.

Qi Wei breathed a sigh of relief – she’d guessed correctly!

Zhou Yi severely lacked common sense. With such poor English skills, being able to study abroad in America as a self-funded student meant her family was truly extraordinary.

However, the influence of Zhou Yi’s family back home meant little to Qi Wei. She herself was determined to stay in America, having abandoned her iron rice bowl in China – showing her resolve to burn her bridges!

Zhou Yi’s social status in China didn’t matter to Qi Wei, but Xia Xiaolan, whom Zhou Yi knew, was impressive in America.

Qi Wei urgently needed to know such people:

“I see… I don’t think Zhou Yi is stupid, she just lacks perseverance in studying. She’s the type who only moves forward when pushed. While I can’t promise anything else, give me half a year, and I’ll get her English level to at least Level 108. What do you think?”

Half a year just for Level 108.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t impressed with this learning ability.

But thinking about Zhou Yi, she realized she couldn’t set expectations too high.

Qi Wei made this guarantee because she herself was only at Level 108, afraid Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t trust higher promises.

“Sounds good. What do you want – US dollars as payment?”

There’s no such thing as help without reason – Xia Xiaolan saw ambition in Qi Wei’s eyes.

Such openly displayed ambition wasn’t frightening; Qi Wei didn’t even try to hide it. It would be more concerning if someone approached Zhou Yi with hidden motives – Zhou Yi already had a Ye Xiaoqiong, and one more Qi Wei wouldn’t matter.

Qi Wei was quite frank – Xia Xiaolan liked girls with clear intentions and sharp minds.

She showed sincerity in the exchange – getting a poor student like Zhou Yi to pass the language requirement in half a year deserved appropriate compensation.

But unexpectedly, Qi Wei shook her head, “I don’t want money. If I want to earn money, I can do it myself… I want better job opportunities, not chopping vegetables in a Chinese restaurant kitchen. That work pays little and teaches nothing useful.”

Looking for work?

Xia Xiaolan pondered: “You’re on a student visa—”

“Miss Xia, you’re also on a student visa. You’re an exchange student at Cornell, yet you can intern at world-class architectural firms. I believe you must have capabilities far beyond ordinary international students.”

Qi Wei wasn’t easily fooled.

What were capabilities?

Capabilities weren’t just reflected in salary but also represented connections.

Qi Wei knew she could only meet language school classmates and Chinatown restaurant owners now – none of whom could help her advance.

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “Qi Wei, you’ve done your research. How about this – first tell me what industry you’re interested in, and I’ll see if I can help. Then we can discuss the rest. You’re in Level 108 now and can soon apply to universities. Have you thought about which universities to apply to?”

Level 109 could apply to community colleges.

But Xia Xiaolan felt Qi Wei’s ambitions were higher than community college.

“I want to study law. I know I can’t get into famous law schools, but America has so many law schools – there must be one suitable for me. So I want work related to this field!”

Law school?

That meant law firms.

Xia Xiaolan understood – this wasn’t just about experiencing a law firm, but probably also trying to get admission recommendation letters… This was Qi Wei’s plan, nothing to look down upon.

“Two months probation period. I need to see Zhou Yi pass the Level 106 test at school. Apart from cheating, use whatever methods to motivate her. As long as she passes the Level 106 test, I can fulfill your expectations.”

Two months to get Zhou Yi through Level 106?

Qi Wei felt this was harder than passing Level 111 herself.

But for opportunities like this, where effort and time could yield “returns,” missing someone like Xia Xiaolan meant Qi Wei might not find another chance.

Even chopping vegetables in a restaurant kitchen required time and effort, only to get meager wages after being exploited by the boss – truly a waste of life. At 24, Qi Wei didn’t want to waste time. She’d wanted to be a journalist in America but later found lawyers had better prospects than journalists. Since both involved working with words, she changed her goal to law school.

Law school was expensive.

And as a Chinese female student, could she blindly enter others’ circles?

She couldn’t just stubbornly study and wait to apply.

She needed more savings for tuition and needed to know some legal professionals.

After just a few seconds of consideration, Qi Wei nodded firmly:

“Alright, I’ll do as you say. Hope you’ll keep your word too!”

Xia Xiaolan extended her hand, “Classmate Qi Wei, when we know each other longer, you’ll learn that I always keep my promises. Keeping one’s word is a virtue, and helping compatriots in a foreign land is also virtuous.”

The Wen family had helped her too, hadn’t they?

And Wen Manni helped Grandmother Yu without compensation.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t mind helping international students in New York. Like Qi Wei, who didn’t take others’ help for granted and was willing to work to earn Xia Xiaolan’s help – she was happy to assist such people.

Qi Wei shook hands with Xia Xiaolan, her short stature, and slightly dark skin radiating warmth when she smiled.

…

“Xia, you seem in a good mood?”

Daniel noticed her mood immediately upon seeing Xia Xiaolan.

“Yes, quite good. I met another ambitious international student today. Seeing someone with such a clear mind who knows what they want makes me happy.”

She made Daniel laugh.

“Xia, then what do you want?”

Daniel thought Xia Xiaolan would say she wanted to become the best architect, but she replied without hesitation:

“I want money, lots of money, earned by my own hands.”

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t embarrassed, “It might sound mercenary, but money gives me security. With enough money, I can live the life I want… Maybe retire early at 40?”

Having struggled for 20 years in her previous life, Xia Xiaolan figured she should retire around 40 in this life.

The company could be handed over to others; with enough money, she could live exactly as she wanted.

Perhaps she’d truly pursue architectural excellence wholeheartedly?

Become a pure and simple architect.

Daniel didn’t mock her but rather agreed:

“I also want lots of money. I hope to own my hotel before 40. The hotel assets don’t have to be entirely mine, but I must manage it independently.”

Daniel hadn’t driven at all; now he and Matthew were both squeezed into Xia Xiaolan’s car.

Matthew was dozing in the back seat, but hearing these bigshots’ plans for 40, he couldn’t help thinking about his own 40… If his career progressed smoothly after graduation, at 40 he might become a firm partner.

Why were the gaps between people so large – others planned to own hotels or retire early, while he’d still be working for a firm?

Matthew suddenly sat up straight: “I almost forgot something. After the party last night, Tina’s brother pulled me aside and asked many strange questions.”