“Nothing serious. The doctor said his underlying health is good. When I left the county hospital, he was conscious and demanding to be discharged, but the doctors wanted to observe him for two more days… Xiaolan, what exactly did you tell him?”
The eldest daughter-in-law hadn’t given up trying to find out.
After some thought, Xia Xiaolan only asked her to relay a message:
“Please tell Grandfather Chen that I’ll try my best to fulfill my promise to him. Tell him to focus on recovery and take good care of himself!”
The eldest daughter-in-law called out “Hello?” several times, but Xia Xiaolan had already hung up.
International calls were so expensive that the eldest daughter-in-law couldn’t bring herself to call back, leaving her burning curiosity unsatisfied.
What was this all about? It was so mysterious!
After hanging up, Xia Xiaolan felt troubled.
Pan Baohua noticed and asked, “What happened? Who upset you?”
Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “It’s not about the Zhang family, it’s something else.”
She would have preferred if Chen Wangda’s request for help was just about money. That wasn’t what Chen Wangda meant. The lost money was a huge sum, but Chen Wangda found it even more unacceptable that Chen Qing had grown crooked as a person.
A crooked tree could be pruned, but what could she do about Chen Qing – cut off his hands or feet?
Xia Xiaolan briefly explained Chen Qing’s situation:
“Third Brother, do you think someone like this can be straightened out?”
Pan Baohua had just been thinking about how Faen had “accepted a thief as his father,” and now here was Chen Qing who had deceived his whole family… He looked at Xia Xiaolan strangely, wondering why she kept encountering such people.
“If a crooked-necked tree can be straightened, why not a person? Give him to me for a few months of training, and I guarantee he’ll behave properly.”
Xia Xiaolan’s face fell. “That won’t work. Chen Qing is a student at New York University, he can’t spend months with you. He wasn’t always like this – he used to be very honest and sensible. He changed after coming to America.”
Chen Qing hadn’t changed much while studying in Beijing. Xia Xiaolan had never heard of him aggressively demanding money from home. At the University of International Business and Economics, he received grants and scholarships and even ran errands for professors during holidays – a model student through and through.
Xia Xiaolan was puzzled, but Pan Baohua wasn’t surprised. He pointed at the high-rises lining the street:
“What’s so strange? He’s just another one corrupted by American sugar-coated bullets. He thinks coming to America means he can stay here, but staying requires money! Making money from money requires capital. Without capital, what can he do? Scam his family… He probably thinks he’ll pay it back once he makes money.”
Xia Xiaolan largely agreed with Pan Baohua’s analysis.
Chen Qing had lost his composure, desperately wanting to make money, believing he could succeed.
Was money that easy to make?
Wall Street was where the big players made money while small investors gave their money to those players!
Small fry like Chen Qing were destined to be fleeced when they blindly ventured into Wall Street.
“He’s too impatient. He doesn’t need to be in such a hurry.”
Pan Baohua glanced at her:
“You don’t know why he’s in such a hurry?”
Xia Xiaolan was completely confused.
“Because you’re standing there like a model of excellence. He came from the same place as you – how could he not be anxious? I’m not saying it’s your fault this Chen kid grew crooked, I’m just suggesting a possibility.”
Pan Baohua had seen many people like this.
Xia Xiaolan was stunned: “Because of me?”
Was it her fault?
Because she went to Beijing for university, Chen Qing also had to study in Beijing.
Because she came to America as an exchange student, Chen Qing also had to study in America.
So because she had her own business, Chen Qing couldn’t bear to fall behind, and despite still being in university with only half-learned knowledge, he dared to venture into Wall Street… If this was really the reason, Xia Xiaolan felt no touch – only disgust.
Yes, Chen Qing had confessed to her before, but that was ancient history!
No one is required to love only one person their whole life. Chen Qing’s confession was in the past, and now he had Han Jin as his girlfriend. For better or worse, that was Chen Qing’s own choice.
“If he’s trying to catch up to me, then he’s lost his way in his haste. If it’s for other reasons…”
Then Xia Xiaolan would despise Chen Qing even more.
This was typical of someone who ate from his bowl while eyeing the pot. As the “pot” being eyed, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t happy at all.
Pan Baohua didn’t take the matter too seriously.
He thought that although Xiaolan was capable, some of her thoughts were too girlish – why think so delicately? Dealing with men should be rough and direct: beat him once, if he doesn’t listen, beat him twice until Chen Qing becomes completely obedient. If only America wasn’t so far away – in rural villages, they’d handle such cases by hanging the kid up for a beating, using belts, whips, or even clubs. Without a severe beating, how would he learn his lesson?
Xia Xiaolan decided to let Chen Qing cool off first and focus on clarifying Zhang Jiandong’s situation before dealing with him.
She was still waiting for Tina’s invitation, and Tina didn’t disappoint, quickly sending two invitations.
To Xia Xiaolan’s surprise, Harold also had invitations sent over.
“What does this person want…”
Their last meeting had been at Mrs. Wilson’s home.
Harold didn’t get along with his older brother and sister-in-law, so why was he getting so close recently?
Pan Baohua clicked his tongue.
No wonder Zhou Cheng was so worried – he had to be, or others would set their sights on his girlfriend. Who could blame them when Xiaolan was so outstanding?
Jiang Yan had no chance. If Zhou Cheng had any interest in Jiang Yan, he’d better be prepared to be kicked aside by Xia Xiaolan.
Pan Baohua still remembered “persuading” Ke Yixiong, the gang leader from Yangcheng, to back off.
That punk had caused trouble for quite a while before finally being arrested last year.
This foreigner was different from a gang leader. Pan Baohua scratched his head – even if he wanted to help Zhou Cheng, he couldn’t step in to discourage Harold.
“Sister-in-law, whose invitation should we accept?”
Xia Xiaolan chose without hesitation, “Of course Tina’s. As Tina’s friend, it’s natural for me to meet her mother. I hope Tina will introduce me to Cui Yiru.”
Xia Xiaolan tossed Harold’s invitation aside.
Harold had sent not just an invitation but also a large box with a bow. Xia Xiaolan opened it in front of Pan Baohua to find an evening gown and a pair of high heels inside.
These gifts were too suggestive – Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t accept them even if they killed her.
…
After losing over ten thousand dollars, Chen Qing was so distraught he almost got hit by a car.
Though saved by Xia Xiaolan, she was completely disappointed in him and threw coffee in his face.
He wandered the streets like a lost soul.
New York University Business School was just ahead, but Chen Qing didn’t dare go back.
It was Han Jin who found him in his ghost-like state.
“Chen Qing, what happened to you?”
The stains on his clothes made Han Jin uncomfortable. She completely replaced Li Yong’s position and became an influential figure in New York’s international student circle. Thanks to her extensive connections, she was thriving in New York, earning praise even from the Han family.
Because of this, when Han Jin’s father exchanged dollars for Chen Qing, he even sent Han Jin extra money.
What was this money for?
It was Han Jin’s social networking fund!
The Han family wanted Han Jin to spend the money on building connections, but Han Jin thought Chen Qing’s investment ventures had potential.
If 5,000 dollars could become 6,000, 8,000, or even 10,000 dollars, wouldn’t that be better?
Who would complain about having more money?
This was both profitable and strengthened her relationship with Chen Qing. Han Jin had always thought she was doing the right thing. But seeing Chen Qing so soul-lost now, Han Jin’s heart went numb: Chen Qing had gone out today to— it couldn’t be?!