Grandmother Yu finally went to see the house, sneaking over like a thief at dusk.

Xu Zhongyi’s money was well spent – the courtyard was beautifully arranged and decorated according to Grandmother Yu’s preferred style, blending classical elements with modern simplicity. Every facility had been thoughtfully considered.

“This is Gong Yang’s level of work?”

Gong Yang had improved!

Though Grandmother Yu didn’t say much after viewing it, Xia Xiaolan could tell the elderly lady was quite pleased. Her happiness wasn’t about Xu Zhongyi buying a house in Beijing, but rather the meaning behind it – getting the house ready before the New Year meant Xu Zhongyi planned to spend the holiday in Beijing.

Having been separated from his mother for many years, Xu Zhongyi felt extremely guilty and was now accommodating his mother in every way possible.

Xia Xiaolan understood Grandmother Yu’s psychology. During Xu Zhongyi’s disappearance, the elderly lady had become very dependent on her and her mother. After Xu Zhongyi’s return, she didn’t want to separate from them – but at the same time, she couldn’t let go of her son and grandchild.

When Xu Zhongyi couldn’t immediately leave his Hong Kong business and wanted to send Grandmother Yu to America, she refused.

Xu Zhongyi bought the house in the same hutong to be close to his mother, satisfying Grandmother Yu’s desire to maintain both relationships. Of course, the elderly lady would be happy about this.

It was just a few steps to Xia Xiaolan’s home, allowing Grandmother Yu to choose where she wanted to stay.

“Will Changle return home for Spring Festival?” Grandmother Yu suddenly asked after viewing the house.

“Of course, he will return – this is our first Spring Festival reuniting as a family.”

Xu Changle had accompanied Tina back to America to handle Zhang Jiadong and Cui Yiru’s affairs and inheritance matters and hadn’t returned yet.

Speaking of family reunion, Tina should naturally be included, yet Grandmother Yu hadn’t asked a single question about her.

Grandmother Yu didn’t care whether Tina would return for the Spring Festival or not.

Thinking about it, this made sense. Spring Festival is an extremely important holiday for Chinese people worldwide. But Tina grew up in America and had never lived in China. Unlike Xu Changle who had childhood memories and inevitably encountered Chinese culture during his upbringing… Tina felt nothing for Chinese culture, had no sense of belonging, and hadn’t developed any familial bonds with Grandmother Yu or Xu Zhongyi.

Why should she ask? She didn’t want others, especially Xu Zhongyi, to misunderstand that she cared about Tina.

Xu Zhongyi was helpless before the elderly lady.

Thinking of the news Changle had sent back, Xu Zhongyi’s eyes darkened. While Tina wasn’t close to the Xu family, she was very close to a couple in New York who had been intimate friends with Zhang Jiadong…

What a mess this all was!

Xia Xiaolan broke the awkward silence by asking her mother:

“What do you think of Uncle Xu’s house? Should we pick a time to renovate our house too?”

“Our house is fine as it is, no need to go through all that trouble,” Liu Fen said.

Liu Fen could now understand Grandmother Yu’s feelings – no matter how wealthy their children become, mothers always want to help them save money.

Liu Yong had mentioned that Xu Zhongyi spent several hundred thousand on renovating the house.

Not just Xia Xiaolan, but even Liu Fen herself could afford several hundred thousand with “Blue Phoenix” having opened so many branches. While they could afford it, spending that much on house renovations seemed wasteful when their current home was already quite nice… After all, they didn’t have a Hong Kong tycoon’s income level, so why try to match a tycoon’s living standards?

Liu Fen maintained a very sensible attitude.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t push the matter – she had only brought up the topic to rescue them from the awkward silence between Grandmother Yu and Xu Zhongyi.

“I’m going to visit the Zhou family tomorrow, then heading back to Pengcheng. Since Uncle Xu is here in Beijing to look after Grandmother Yu, would you like to come with me to Pengcheng?”

Liu Fen nodded.

She felt a bit embarrassed in front of her daughter, as Tang Hongen had urged her several times.

If Liu Fen didn’t go for a conjugal visit soon, Tang Hongen would have to leave his work again to come to Beijing.

It was year-end, and Tang Hongen had many work matters to conclude.

…

Grandmother Yu’s house viewing was low-key, avoiding detection by the neighbors.

Of course, this couldn’t be kept secret for long – people would notice eventually.

After returning to Beijing and finishing her pending work, Xia Xiaolan headed to the Zhou family carrying various packages.

Due to the gossip about her and Tang Yuanyue in Hong Kong before going abroad, Xia Xiaolan had a slight rift with Guan Huie. Additionally, since Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong had entrusted Zhou Yi’s care to her while in America, she had more frequent contact with her aunt-in-law Jiang Hong during her time abroad.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure how things had developed this way.

Initially, Guan Huie disliked her, then became extremely protective of her.

Jiang Hong, her aunt-in-law, had always disliked her.

Now she had an unresolved rift with Guan Huie but had grown closer to Jiang Hong… The situation was quite bizarre.

Though she had grown closer to Jiang Hong, she couldn’t visit her first. Xia Xiaolan went to see the Zhou elderly couple first. Grandmother Zhou called her “darling,” making Xia Xiaolan very shy.

The old master remained normal, just saying “Good to have you back” and asking about her time abroad before shifting the topic to the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” project:

“I hear this project has started pilot programs now. Your intentions are good, but you can’t do everything alone or control every aspect. So you must be cautious – conduct more pilot programs before expanding. Don’t let a good thing turn bad!”

The old master was speaking from life experience.

This had nothing to do with education level, but rather with one’s experiences. Without reaching Old Master Zhou’s position and experiencing what he had, one couldn’t offer such reminders.

1987 had arrived, and prices nationwide would rise this year.

1987 was a restless year, with social attitudes quietly changing. Everyone was seeking completeness and speed in everything they did, especially in the Special Economic Zones where changes happened daily and more people from around the country poured in!

While others sought speed, the old master hoped Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t rush, hoping she would slow down.

Young people tend to be impatient, but some things can’t be rushed, like the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” project.

Take it slow, no rush – only then could the project be perfected through pilot programs.

There was no need to fight for credit – whatever Xia Xiaolan contributed would naturally be seen by others.

“I’ll remember your teachings, thank you!”

Xia Xiaolan was deeply moved.

Since returning to Beijing just two days ago, she has encountered two matters related to the “Young Eagles Taking Flight” project. One was Yang Yonghong, whom she had temporarily persuaded. The other was Shan Yujun, who was determined to sign up for teaching support, even breaking up with her boyfriend over it… Xia Xiaolan wasn’t regretful, but when a project was initiated at the Ministry of Education level, extra caution was necessary. Pilot programs were correct – how else could they know the project’s pros and cons?

If her ideas changed the lives of the participating university students, Xia Xiaolan hoped it would be for the better, otherwise, her sin would be great!

After all, when she proposed this project, it wasn’t just out of pure altruism.

She hoped such dedication would bring protection to Qihang and allow it to develop better in the future.