Xia Xiaolan didn’t dwell on the matter and wanted to discuss something important with Xu Changle:

“I’ll be heading back to Beijing for New Year’s in a few days. When are you leaving?”

This Spring Festival would be Grandmother Yu’s first reunion with her children and grandchildren. Xu Zhongyi had already prepared a house for the whole family gathering. Xia Xiaolan couldn’t believe Xu Changle would miss it.

“I’ll leave with you.”

Xu Changle glanced at Tina.

Tina turned her head away – she had no interest in celebrating the Spring Festival.

However, while she didn’t want to celebrate it herself, she also didn’t want to see Xu Changle celebrating with others. If he was going to be warm and close with others, what did that make her?

When Tina came to Pengcheng and Xu Changle followed, she had been quite happy.

In this instant, half of that happiness dissipated.

“Brother, won’t you stay with me?”

Tina’s voice carried a hint of reproach.

Xu Changle hardened his heart, “If you’re willing, I’ll take you back to Beijing with me.”

There was no need for DNA tests anymore – Tina was undoubtedly the Xu family’s child. If Tina was willing to try accepting her relatives, Xu Changle would vouch for her before their grandmother. She was his only sister, and he would protect her from being hurt again.

Tina naturally refused and stormed off.

Xu Changle’s expression became dejected.

For a man who could act for years under Zhang Jiandong’s watchful eyes, how strong was his endurance?

While his endurance and stress tolerance were indeed strong, why was he helpless against Tina? Because she was his weakness.

Ji Jiangyuan made a gesture and followed after her.

Xu Changle managed a weak smile, “If there’s been anything happy these days, it’s meeting Ji Jiangyuan. He’s very easy to get along with.”

Ji Jiangyuan and Xu Changle had much in common – both had gone to America as children and received a so-called elite education there.

Xia Xiaolan nodded:

“Ji Jiangyuan is like a clear spring in the Ji family. He’s also my stepbrother. Though raised by his mother, he’s truly a good person.”

Xu Changle had met Ji Ya.

Hearing Xia Xiaolan mention her, he frowned deeply: “Do you have some conflict with this Ji Ya?”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t deny it and explained her relationship with Ji Ya, including their bet about kneeling on Chang’an Street.

Though young, Xu Changle’s furrowed brows could trap a fly:

“Her clothing brand is in trouble. George hopes I can lend Ji Ya 10 million yuan to tide her over or use that money to invest in the brand called Elegance.”

Oh, she had only thought about Mrs. Wilson or Ji Ya potentially scamming Tina’s money, almost forgetting about Xu Changle’s side.

Since Zhang Jiandong and Cui Yiru had connections with the Wilsons, it wasn’t surprising that George knew Xu Changle.

When George asked to borrow money, did Xu Changle agree or refuse?

At current official exchange rates, 10 million yuan was close to 3 million US dollars. Xu Changle could raise such an amount.

“Did you agree?”

Xu Changle shook his head, “Of course not. Unless I sell my properties in America, I can’t raise such a large sum of cash quickly.”

He had inherited Zhang Jiandong’s company.

How had Zhang Jiandong’s company grown?

By selling the Xu family’s antiques. Now his grandmother felt those antiques brought trouble and wanted to donate them. After discussion, they decided to build a private museum under the Xu family name to display those antiques… Why couldn’t they use Zhang Jiandong’s money to build this museum?

This was what Zhang Jiandong owed the Xu family.

Xu Changle had expected to inherit cash, but instead, Zhang Jiandong left him the company.

The company’s accounts didn’t have much money either, so whether lending to Ji Ya or investing in Elegance, neither option appealed to Xu Changle.

Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment, “Then can you prevent Tina from lending money to Ji Ya? I don’t have much against George and won’t damage your friendship, but I suspect Mrs. Wilson brought Tina to China because of her inherited assets.”

How Tina spent her money wasn’t originally Xia Xiaolan’s business.

However, over 20 million US dollars in cash would make quite a splash even if thrown in water. Letting Mrs. Wilson or Ji Ya succeed would be like aiding the enemy.

This thought brought Xia Xiaolan to the Nanhai Hotel today.

Xu Changle laughed, “Why do you think I’ve stayed at this hotel for so long? I originally didn’t want to manage this money. Tina is 19 this year; she should learn to manage her finances. But if I truly don’t manage it, a 19-year-old college student suddenly controlling such a large fortune, while I’m traveling between China and America unable to watch over her constantly… Let me put it this way: I’m not afraid of Tina spending all the money, I’m afraid of people taking advantage of her, afraid of her being deceived and hurt.”

Drug addiction and other bad influences weren’t the worst outcomes.

The worst would be losing her life!

Unexpectedly, this super-protective brother had such a clear mind.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to give Xu Changle a hundred likes:

“So you—”

“So I spent time convincing Tina to put all her inherited money in a trust. Until she’s capable of managing her money properly, she can only receive monthly living expenses from the trust fund.”

“What’s the time limit? What standards will you use to judge if Tina has financial management ability?”

“When she graduates from Columbia University. The lawyer will arrive tomorrow.”

Xia Xiaolan tried to hold back her laughter but couldn’t.

“Tina also inherited real estate and jewelry, right?”

“The real estate is also in trust. I let her keep the jewelry herself.”

Mrs. Wilson must be so disappointed.

“Did Mrs. Wilson agree?”

Impossible, right? Wouldn’t that make all her efforts worthless? She probably wanted to eat Xu Changle alive.

Xu Changle nodded, “Aunt Cynthia naturally agreed. I proposed it right in front of her and asked her to persuade Tina as an elder. Tina is my sister. If she has major expenses, I won’t ignore them. Her money is saved, and I’ll cover her daily expenses. I don’t think anyone has reason to object.”

Xia Xiaolan tried to imagine the scene – Mrs. Wilson being watched by Xu Changle, having to persuade Tina to agree to the trust arrangement on the spot… Mrs. Wilson’s smile must have been very “pleasant” indeed.

She had underestimated Xu Changle.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to marvel again – Xu Changle, who could act well enough to deceive Zhang Jiandong, might seem gentle, but he was truly dark and cunning!

Though Xia Xiaolan hadn’t personally seen how tenderly Mrs. Wilson treated Tina, she could guess – just like gold diggers deceiving rich kids, those who openly admit they’re after money can only get small amounts. The more sophisticated ones emphasize true love, claiming they’re not after money but feelings.

Nonsense.

They’re not after small money – they want big money.

Of course, true love exists… Those genuinely not after money don’t emphasize their disinterest in it. The relationship develops naturally, money is spent when needed, the feelings are real, and the relationship is more equal.

Mrs. Wilson was more like the sophisticated gold digger type.

She would emphasize not needing Tina’s money.

After all that talk, Tina believed it.

Xu Changle’s direct counter-move – that scene was too beautiful to imagine, haha!