Old Master Zhou knew she was a steady person.

Previously, he had viewed Xia Xiaolan merely as his future granddaughter-in-law. Whether she was good at studies or capable of running her own business, she was certainly outstanding among her peers.

But there were many exceptional young women. If Xia Xiaolan wasn’t Zhou Cheng’s partner, what would her excellence matter to Old Master Zhou?

Whether Xia Xiaolan went to study in America, earned substantial money from her company, or Liu Fen married Tang Hongen… Old Master Zhou’s perspective wouldn’t have changed.

However, after Xia Xiaolan proposed this educational support program and received official approval, the old master began viewing her differently.

A young woman with such vision and compassion shouldn’t become an appendage to any man.

Even if that man was the old master’s grandson.

He had to separate her identity as “Zhou Cheng’s partner” when considering Xia Xiaolan, because even without Zhou Cheng, if she continued developing while staying true to her original aspirations, she would still positively impact society.

Even if Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng separated in the future, as an independent individual, she would still have Old Master Zhou’s favor!

Society needed more young people like this – those who dared to dream and act, with the ability to realize their ideas. How else would society progress?

Such vision far surpassed business acumen.

Even CEOs managing hundreds of millions or billions in enterprises, who only focused on profits without considering social responsibility, couldn’t compare to the newly-starting Xia Xiaolan in Old Master Zhou’s eyes.

What help could an old fellow like him offer?

She was so young – mistakes were inevitable. Who would bear responsibility if something went wrong?

Would it crush her…

Therefore, he needed to provide guidance, share his life experience, and hope she would proceed steadily, step by step.

If anything went wrong, he would have to put his reputation on the line to help this child!

Xia Xiaolan naturally didn’t know about Old Master Zhou’s change in attitude; she only sensed that he spoke to her more seriously. Hadn’t he been warm and kind before? Was it because she’d been abroad for a year without maintaining contact?

Yet that didn’t seem right either.

Xia Xiaolan pondered thoughtfully.

Until Grandmother Zhou pulled her into the room, saying, “Don’t be intimidated by the old man, he always keeps a stern face – look how he treats Wenbing and Guobin the same way!”

Xia Xiaolan was startled.

Yes, yes, that’s what felt strange.

The old master treated Zhou Wenbing and Zhou Guobin this way, being more lenient with his grandchildren.

But why elevate her to the same treatment as Zhou Wenbing and Zhou Guobin?

Xia Xiaolan felt somewhat bewildered.

This realization left her dazed until she left the elderly couple’s home, but she snapped back to reality upon reaching Zhou Cheng’s house.

Auntie Zeng took the items from her hands:

“Xiaolan, we have guests!”

Auntie Zeng gave her a meaningful look, gesturing toward the living room.

“Guests?”

What guests would visit today?

Everyone knew Xia Xiaolan was coming – she’d mentioned it earlier. Even Zhou Guobin said he’d return for dinner. Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong, knowing how busy Xia Xiaolan was, didn’t stand in the ceremony waiting for her formal greeting, simply saying they’d come together today.

But Auntie Zeng wouldn’t alert her about Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong.

Xia Xiaolan’s confusion cleared after a few more steps – three people sat in the living room.

Jiang Hong occupied a single sofa, with her Pekinese lying obediently at her feet.

She held a child less than a year old, wearing a red jacket that highlighted the baby’s fair skin, with eyes like black grapes – was this Zhou Yi’s daughter, Zhou Ke?

Zhou Yi’s daughter had grown well, inheriting the best features from both parents.

Zhou Yi gave birth while Xia Xiaolan was in America. Though she returned once for Xu Zhongyi’s matter, she hadn’t had time to visit Beijing. This was her first time seeing the child.

Yuan Han, that parasitic scoundrel, did have remarkable looks.

Except for facial structure, the child resembled Yuan Han more, hence her beauty.

With Jiang Hong present, Guan Huie was also there. The unexpected guest turned out to be Tong Lili.

Jiang Hong smiled at Xia Xiaolan, then lowered her head to play with the child, seemingly reluctant to speak.

Xia Xiaolan greeted her aunt-in-law and Guan Huie, feeling confused as Guan Huie pulled her to the sofa.

“Auntie Guan, I didn’t know we had guests today.”

“It’s fine, you attended social dances with me before – I can’t remember if I introduced you to Little Tong, but you young people should know each other, right?”

Of course, they knew each other.

Not from social dances, but from the Beijing Hotel.

Xia Xiaolan remembered Tong Lili distinctly from when she threw a tantrum demanding to be with Zhou Cheng.

She just didn’t understand why Tong Lili was at the Zhou residence now.

Wasn’t Tong Lili already married?

“Hello Miss Tong, long time no see!”

Looking carefully at Tong Lili, her flashy makeup was gone, her face clean and bare. She no longer wore leather jackets, appearing quite virtuous now. Marriage had truly transformed her image – she seemed like a completely different person from Xia Xiaolan’s memory.

Tong Lili appeared slightly uncomfortable seeing Xia Xiaolan.

However, she quickly suppressed her discomfort and greeted her:

“I heard you went to study in America – back so soon?”

Miss Tong, are we that close?

Xia Xiaolan maintained a socially appropriate smile: “Yes, just returned. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Xia Xiaolan observed Tong Lili, while Tong Lili discreetly studied Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t even 22 yet, younger than Tong Lili. With Tong Lili’s face still holding up, the chances of Xia Xiaolan suddenly becoming unattractive were slim, so her face still displeased Tong Lili.

How was she doing?

Her clothes revealed nothing – Xia Xiaolan’s family sold clothes, so she’d never lack clothing.

Her complexion was rosy, her skin glowing, showing she hadn’t suffered in America.

Tong Lili smiled thinly:

“I just happened to meet Auntie Jiang on the street today. I wanted to ask how Zhou Yi was doing in America. You know Zhou Yi and I were close – I couldn’t help but worry about her.”

More likely couldn’t help wanting to see Zhou Yi’s misfortune.

It was Xia Xiaolan’s idea to use Zhou Yi’s friends to motivate her… but Miss Tong seemed too invested in her role. Hadn’t she married some talented young man? Why was she still fixated on Zhou Yi?

These two used to be inseparable.

Who knew their friendship was so superficial? After truly falling out, the one most eager to see Zhou Yi’s downfall was her former best friend.

Jiang Hong tightened her grip on the child.

Guan Huie frowned, clearly also resenting Tong Lili’s question.

Yes, Zhou Yi had made herself into a joke, deserving mockery.

But they’d already sent her abroad – why keep dwelling on it?