Xia Xiaolan was unaware of her unfamiliar cousin Liang Yu’s worries thousands of miles away in their homeland.

She had her concerns.

The ball was approaching day by day.

As bait, she was quite nervous.

But when the day of the ball arrived, nothing happened like the airport incident where messages were passed to Grandmother Yu – no children bumped into her… Xu Zhongyi made no move at all.

If it weren’t for Grandmother Yu, Xia Xiaolan would have given up. Let whoever wanted to handle it do so. They hadn’t given her any hints, not worried that she might step on a landmine and blow herself up.

Fine then.

Xia Xiaolan was speechless – between Zhang Jiandong and Xu Zhongyi, one of them would crack first!

“Xu Zhongyi isn’t being very decent,” Pan Baohua commented.

As he said this, he was impatiently tugging at his bow tie.

The small accessory was choking him uncomfortably.

Xia Xiaolan agreed: “I know he has his difficulties, but it isn’t decent. Still, thinking that I’m doing this for Grandmother Yu, not for him, makes me feel much better.”

Xia Xiaolan attended the ball with Pan Baohua.

The ball was at Mrs. Wilson’s home, the house Xia Xiaolan had visited before. With its beautiful lawn and swimming pool in the back, it was perfect for hosting a ball.

Entry was quite formal – they only admitted people with invitations.

Mrs. Wilson was at the entrance and showed an exaggerated smile upon seeing Xia Xiaolan:

“Oh darling, I thought you didn’t like these occasions. You must have fun tonight!”

Mrs. Wilson probably hadn’t planned to give Xia Xiaolan an invitation initially, but now that she was here, Mrs. Wilson showed no sign of surprise, acting as if she had prepared an invitation but just hadn’t had the chance to deliver it.

“Madam, I will. Don’t let me keep you from greeting other distinguished guests.”

Mrs. Wilson didn’t ask about Pan Baohua, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t bother introducing him – Pan Baohua despised such occasions.

Once away from Mrs. Wilson, Pan Baohua commented:

“That woman’s smile is so fake, her facial muscles don’t even move.”

Third Brother was too straightforward.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know how to explain that Mrs. Wilson was trying very hard to smile, but cosmetic procedures had left her with reduced muscle control despite maintaining her youth.

Just like in the future entertainment industry, over-processed actors’ faces would become plastic-like when smiling, struggling with any expression.

“Third Brother, let’s quickly find Cui Yiru.”

Reaching the ballroom, the upper-class luxury didn’t attract Xia Xiaolan. Under the brilliant lights, she just wanted to find Cui Yiru quickly.

Finding Tina or Fern would work too.

The jewelry on the ladies’ necks and ears, the crystal chandelier overhead, the glass goblets on tables – everything sparkled and glittered, dazzling Xia Xiaolan’s eyes.

She couldn’t spot any of the three.

Pan Baohua was also searching.

When someone approached Xia Xiaolan, Pan Baohua blocked them.

“Third Brother, it’s fine. This is Mr. Harold.”

What?

The one who sent the invitation, dress, and high heels – that made him quite significant.

Pan Baohua’s intimidating presence made Harold stop in his tracks. He noticed Xia Xiaolan wearing a mercury-gray dress today, not the one he had sent, and naturally not his shoes either.

What a pity – he had personally chosen both the dress and shoes, thinking they would suit her perfectly.

“You’ve been doing some dangerous things lately.”

Harold got straight to the point.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t too surprised, “Nothing seems to escape your notice, Harold. What do you know?”

Harold gestured toward the dance floor.

Xia Xiaolan looked at Pan Baohua, who nodded:

“I’ll look around.”

Sigh, it was just dancing – Zhengzi wasn’t here, so who was he to object? Pan Baohua wasn’t inflexibly traditional. He was upright himself and trusted Xia Xiaolan’s character.

If Xia Xiaolan agrees to dance with Harold, she must have her reasons.

Harold held Xia Xiaolan as they entered the dance floor, his mouth still somewhat provocative:

“Is that your bodyguard? He seems more like someone monitoring you. Have you lost your freedom? Is it because of your boyfriend Zhou…”

Xia Xiaolan pretended to stumble and stepped on his foot:

“Sorry, can we discuss what matters?”

Such an insincere apology!

This was Harold’s first time openly getting this close to Xia Xiaolan.

He had wanted to dance with her since their meeting at the Shenzhen banquet but hadn’t had the chance.

Today, his wish came true.

Xia Xiaolan danced well. Harold had had more skilled dance partners, but dancing with them had never made his heart race like this.

No good – if he didn’t get to the point, Xia Xiaolan would get angry.

She was just like that – only pleasant when she needed something from him, immediately casting him aside when she didn’t… Terrifyingly practical, yet intoxicatingly attractive.

“Why are you getting close to Tina? Do you know her family background is complicated? The Zhang family in Los Angeles – I only recently learned old Ivan had such friends.”

Harold spoke while squinting his eyes.

Old Ivan being friends with the Zhang family was very unfavorable for Harold himself.

He had recently increased his security forces, fearing another shooting incident like last time.

Xia Xiaolan sighed, “I have my reasons. Many things in this world aren’t done according to our wishes but because they must be done. I heard Tina’s mother would be here tonight – is that true?”

“She’s already here, upstairs. I just met her earlier.”

Though it wasn’t a pleasant meeting.

During their conversation, she questioned why he was seducing young girls. Harold had been furious and hadn’t shown any respect to the councilwoman’s wife.

This was New York, not Los Angeles!

No matter how influential she was, she shouldn’t try to throw her weight around here.

Moreover, Harold couldn’t accept these accusations – when had he ever seduced Tina? He had zero interest in such an immature girl. His interest lay in Xia Xiaolan, who was dancing with him now!

“You’ve met her?”

Xia Xiaolan stopped dancing, “I want to meet this councilwoman’s wife. Could you introduce me?”

She had originally wanted to find Tina but hadn’t seen her.

Harold was somewhat disappointed they couldn’t finish the dance.

“Happy to help.”

It would be safer with him accompanying her – even if Xia Xiaolan hadn’t asked, Harold would have brazenly followed along.

Pan Baohua returned after circling the hall once and also pointed upstairs.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “Third Brother, I know. Come, let’s go meet Mrs. Zhang together.”

With Xia Xiaolan now appearing as Harold’s companion, the three-headed upstairs, where they unexpectedly encountered Fern coming down. In this sudden meeting, Fern glanced at Xia Xiaolan before suddenly throwing a punch at Harold:

“You bastard!”

Harold dodged to the side, nearly causing Fern to miss a step.

Pan Baohua protected Xia Xiaolan behind him and crossed his arms to watch the show: let them fight – he didn’t like either of them anyway.