“Thank you for your concern, Miss Tong. Sister Zhou Yi is doing very well in America. She’s smart and hardworking – she overcame the language barrier in just half a year and is now considering which university to apply to.”

In front of Tong Lili, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t criticize Zhou Yi.

She could only mention the positive aspects!

Of course, what she said was also true.

Surprise flashed in Tong Lili’s eyes. “Zhou Yi, is that capable?”

Could Zhou Yi overcome the language barrier?

Tong Lili was quite skeptical.

Xia Xiaolan nodded firmly, “I also think Sister Zhou Yi is impressive. Hard work pays off – she’s studying so diligently in America that she hasn’t had time to contact people back home. But when I have the chance, I’ll convey Miss Tong’s concern to her!”

She would pass it on – it could serve as another motivation for Zhou Yi.

Tong Lili knew she wouldn’t learn anything more.

She could only try to assert her presence before Zhou Yi since Zhou Yi chose not to live a good life.

Before Xia Xiaolan, Tong Lili held no advantage.

“Auntie Guan, I’ll leave that matter we discussed in your hands.”

Tong Lili rose gracefully and bid farewell to Guan Huie.

Guan Huie’s expression wasn’t very warm. “I’ll help if I can. Since we have guests, I won’t see you out.”

Tong Lili didn’t care about Guan Huie’s attitude and left with her bag.

Previously, when she had hoped for Zhou Cheng, she naturally cared about her image before the Zhou family. Now married, even if Zhou Cheng wasn’t with Xia Xiaolan, she couldn’t pine for him anymore. Tong Lili became indifferent before the Zhou family – wait, something still wasn’t right. How could Tong Lili, a junior seeking help, maintain such a lofty attitude?

“Auntie Guan, what’s going on with her? She seems to have ulterior motives.”

Guan Huie shook her head, “She’s not here as the Tong family’s daughter – isn’t she married now? Never mind, let’s not discuss her…”

Guan Huie didn’t want to elaborate.

Hmm, having to tolerate someone you dislike meant Guan Huie had compelling reasons.

Not here as the Tong family’s daughter meant she came representing her husband’s family… Tong Lili must have married into quite an influential family.

Since Guan Huie wouldn’t explain, Xia Xiaolan didn’t pursue it. These relationship dynamics were complicated, and she just wanted to focus on her business.

Holding the child, Jiang Hong sneered, “If Zhou Yi hadn’t degraded herself, how could others find opportunities to mock her? This Tong Lili is so thick-skinned, following me after running into me on the street. Seemingly asking for your help, sister-in-law, but look at her attitude – just wanting to step on Zhou Yi.”

Though this was what she and Zhou Wenbing had allowed, Tong Lili played her part too well.

People might think Tong Lili harbored resentment from failing to date Zhou Yi.

Jiang Hong still hadn’t forgiven her daughter, but a mother having issues with her daughter was entirely different from watching outsiders despise her daughter. The latter felt like they were stepping on Jiang Hong too.

Jiang Hong’s eyes reddened as she spoke:

“Xiaolan, you know the man Tong Lili married? I originally wanted your Auntie Guan to arrange for Zhou Yi to meet him.”

“…!”

Now both Xia Xiaolan and Guan Huie felt awkward.

Xia Xiaolan suddenly remembered visiting the Zhou residence once when Jiang Hong and Zhou Yi were there.

Back then, Jiang Hong still had her prickly demeanor, but that time she was unusually polite to Guan Huie. When Xia Xiaolan arrived, Jiang Hong stopped talking, leaving Xia Xiaolan unaware of their conversation.

She recalled Zhou Yi’s helpless expression then.

A few days later, meeting Zhou Yi at her grandparents’ home, Zhou Yi confided about having a boyfriend and asked for Xia Xiaolan’s help.

Wait, could it have been that time?

Jiang Hong’s visit was to ask Guan Huie’s help with matchmaking… but no, when Zhou Yi asked for help, she’d mentioned Tong Lili having a boyfriend. If it was her current husband, they were already dating – no matter how outstanding he was, they wouldn’t try to compete with Tong Lili for the same man, right?

Guan Huie could guess Xia Xiaolan’s thoughts:

“At that time, the Tong family was already in contact with the man’s family, but Tong Lili herself was unwilling… well, you know why. Your aunt-in-law wanted me to introduce him to Zhou Yi instead, but I found it too awkward and wanted to wait until the Tong family officially declined.”

Jiang Hong looked uncomfortable.

Apparently, both the Tong family and Jiang Hong had their eyes on Tong Lili’s current husband. The Tong family moved first, trying to match Tong Lili with him. But Tong Lili, still hopeful about Zhou Cheng then, was unwilling. Jiang Hong felt Tong Lili was wasting an opportunity and wanted Zhou Yi to take her place?

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t surprised – this sounded exactly like something Jiang Hong would do.

Arranging for Zhou Yi to marry a suitable, presentable man was Jiang Hong’s hope for her daughter.

Setting aside whether Jiang Hong’s attempt to snatch the Tong family’s prospect was ethical, she failed anyway, and Zhou Yi herself delivered the crushing blow that changed her character.

Before this arranged meeting could materialize, Zhou Yi panicked and hastily revealed Yuan Han’s existence.

Xia Xiaolan suddenly understood.

No wonder when she suggested finding Zhou Yi’s friends to motivate her, Zhou Wenbing and Jiang Hong approached Tong Lili first… so Zhou Yi once had the chance to meet Tong Lili’s current husband!

The man must truly be talented. Setting aside looks and height – factors unimportant to elders – both his family background and personal abilities must be impressive, or the once-proud Jiang Hong wouldn’t have approved.

If Zhou Yi had been willing, she could have competed with Tong Lili.

Even if unsuccessful, she could have been introduced to someone else – certainly better than Yuan Han’s circumstances.

Zhou Yi had the opportunity to avoid the Yuan Han pitfall.

Different choices led her and Tong Lili’s lives down different paths.

“Aunt, I wasn’t lying to Tong Lili earlier. Sister Zhou Yi truly shows signs of transformation in America. Given her current trajectory, I don’t think her future will be worse than Tong Lili’s.”

So there’s no need to mind Tong Lili’s words.

Everyone must take responsibility for their choices, even Zhou Yi.

With family support, Zhou Yi couldn’t completely ruin herself, but returning to the life she should have had, measuring up to Tong Lili… that depends on how Zhou Yi answers this second life choice.

Zhou Yi faces a dilemma many women encounter: after accidentally marrying a scoundrel, should she close her eyes and pretend to be happy, or bravely face the reality of her mistake?

Jiang Hong gently patted her granddaughter’s back. The child’s resemblance to Yuan Han brought her mixed feelings of love and disgust.

Could Zhou Yi’s life get back on track?

“We’ve already transferred Yuan to work in Pengcheng. What does that Ye Xiaoqiong plan to do? Even if she wants to rekindle things with Yuan Han, I would thank her!”