Xu Changle thought for a moment, “They should go. I heard from George that they also need to return to Beijing for a while.”

“Then what about Tina?”

“She’ll stay in Peng City with Mrs. Wilson.”

That made sense.

Tina couldn’t possibly go to Beijing.

Xia Xiaolan felt something was off: “Wait, Zhu Suizhou didn’t invite both Uncle Xu and you too, did he?”

Xu Changle gave her a look that said ‘You already know the answer’:

“What do you think?”

Damn!

This Zhu Suizhou was truly diplomatic and skilled at seizing every opportunity to climb the social ladder. No wonder her uncle said Zhu Suizhou was somewhat like her – he never missed a chance to expand his network. Having dealt with Xu Zhongyi before, he invited both father and son to the wedding. After all, Xu Zhongyi was a foreign merchant; there might be future business opportunities in the commercial district.

With Zhu Suizhou’s personality, he would probably chat and laugh naturally even if he met Old Tang at the wedding.

He wouldn’t mind Sheng Xuan’s previous “infatuation” with Old Tang at all. This man’s thick skin rivaled her own!

What was that modern saying? To get by in life, one must tolerate some green on their head.

Zhu Suizhou was truly open-minded about such things… jealousy only comes from love, and without love, nothing matters. His marriage to Sheng Xuan was a powerful alliance, and Zhu Suizhou would gain countless benefits from it.

“Then I’ll go with you tomorrow,” said Xia Xiaolan, glad to have familiar faces around.

Xu Changle nodded.

Xia Xiaolan glanced at the diamond ring on her finger. She most wanted to go with Zhou Cheng, but he wouldn’t be free on New Year’s Eve or the first day of the lunar year. He probably wouldn’t be able to return home from work until the second day.

Beijing was wrapped in silver and white.

It had snowed lightly a couple of days ago, and when Xia Xiaolan’s group returned to Beijing, they were met with clear skies.

Tang Hongen didn’t return to Shichahai either. After getting off the plane, he and Liu Fen were ready to leave – he needed to visit Elder Song.

While he wouldn’t attend Sheng Xuan’s wedding, visiting Elder Song was necessary.

Tang Hongen asked if Xia Xiaolan wanted to come along, but she repeatedly declined:

“I wouldn’t dare disturb the elder’s peace.”

Meeting Elder Song a couple more times wouldn’t grant her any special treatment.

Besides, “Eagle’s First Flight” hadn’t shown any results yet, so Xia Xiaolan felt somewhat uncomfortable appearing before the old man.

Tang Hongen didn’t force her.

Liu Fen had one particularly good quality – unlike Xia Xiaolan’s craftiness, she was fundamentally straightforward and single-minded in her actions. She certainly knew Elder Song was an extraordinary figure, but since Tang Hongen had no parents to look after, Elder Song was like Tang Hongen’s elder. During the New Year, Liu Fen naturally wanted to accompany Tang Hongen to pay respects to the old man!

As Tang Hongen and Liu Fen parted ways with the group, Xia Xiaolan waved her hand:

“Come on, let’s all head home!”

She handed You Li a red envelope, “During the New Year, you don’t need to stay with me. If anything comes up, I’ll page you. Just focus on accompanying your mother. During the New Year, remember to show appreciation to the hospital staff. Most people these days are quite genuine – if you’re generous and attentive to them, they’ll take better care of your mother.”

“Yes! President Xia, I understand!”

You Li’s eyes reddened, though she kept her voice cheerful – after all, one shouldn’t cry during the New Year, it would affect President Xia’s mood.

President Xia’s red envelope was quite generous, but more importantly, she taught You Li how to handle matters. How could she not be grateful?

In Peng City…

On the red sports car’s soft cushions, He Shiyuan put her clothes back on piece by piece.

“Yuan Han, is that yellow-faced wife of yours coming back to the country for New Year?”

Yuan Han felt drained by He Shiyuan – even a young man in good shape couldn’t withstand such wild frolicking. He yawned, “Of course not, they don’t celebrate Spring Festival in America.”

He Shiyuan poked him with her finger:

“Then when will you handle that matter I asked you about?”

Yuan Han looked somewhat troubled.

He Shiyuan gave him an ambiguous smile, “What’s wrong? Are you saying your status as the Zhou family’s son-in-law from Beijing and relative of Mayor Tang in Peng City was all just boasting? Yuan, you guaranteed you could help me get approval for that plot of land in Peng City. If you’re saying now that you can’t do it, don’t blame me for turning nasty.”

“Who said I can’t do it? I keep your matter in my heart. You’re returning to Hong Kong for the Spring Festival, and I need to make a trip to Beijing too. Don’t look at me like that – how can I help you if I don’t pay New Year respects to my father-in-law?”

Yuan Han’s assurance finally made He Shiyuan smile. She handed him an envelope: “It’s best if you can handle it. When I benefit, naturally you won’t miss out on the benefits either. I never shortchange those who help me – this is just a token of my sincerity. Since you’re going back to Beijing to pay respects to your father-in-law, you’ll need to buy some gifts. Though we have our relationship, business is business. You help me with this matter, I pay you – very fair, isn’t it?”

Yuan Han didn’t bother looking at the envelope and got out of the car after getting dressed. He figured the envelope contained He Shiyuan’s ‘service fee.’

Though they were involved with each other, Yuan Han wasn’t the type of man willing to spend money on women. Every penny he spent had to bring returns, and besides, his money was nothing compared to He Shiyuan’s. He’d rather not embarrass himself in front of her.

Yuan Han adjusted his collar:

“Just wait for news. This matter can only be handled after the New Year.”

After hearing this, He Shiyuan tucked the envelope into his pocket and kissed him on the cheek:

“That’s more like it! I’ll await your good news. There’s 50,000 Hong Kong dollars in the envelope. If you secure the land for me, I’ll pay you even more.”

He Shiyuan drove away. This place was quite desolate, a village slated for development. Most houses had already been demolished, and no one lived there. Due to the New Year, construction had temporarily stopped, and no workers were around.

Meeting here, they wouldn’t be discovered.

Yuan Han only took out the envelope after He Shiyuan left.

The envelope contained Hong Kong currency, and counting confirmed it was indeed 50,000.

This wasn’t a small sum.

Yuan Han didn’t want to be like his male colleague who kept accepting things while being with He Shiyuan. Those gifts were too conspicuous – once worn out in public, people would gossip.

The colleague didn’t care because he was single.

But Yuan Han cared very much – he had a family. While sneaking around behind the Zhou family’s back was exciting, he wasn’t fool enough to openly fool around with other women!

This was the first time He Shiyuan had given him money.

50,000 Hong Kong dollars was quite substantial.

But compared to the favor He Shiyuan was asking of him, it wasn’t much at all.

Yuan Han counted the money and smiled. This was just He Shiyuan’s down payment. He put the envelope back in his pocket and casually left the place.

After he left, Luo Yaozong, who had been lying in the grass, finally got up. He massaged his waist and spat forcefully:

“Bah, what shameless adulterers!”

Talk about a crow not seeing its blackness when landing on a pig – this good-for-nothing who had once brazenly flirted with Xia Xiaolan was now calling others adulterers.

Luo Yaozong didn’t feel guilty at all. He was still single, after all – what was wrong with being a bit forward with an attractive unmarried female colleague? Unlike Yuan Han and He Shiyuan, who were carrying on in broad daylight – how indecent!

“But then again, if they didn’t like finding thrills outdoors during the day, how could I have gotten these photos?”

Besides the explicit photos, he also captured the moment He Shiyuan gave Yuan Han money – the convertible sports car provided an unobstructed view, haha.

These two adulterers were engaging in a transaction of money and flesh.

And surprisingly, it was the woman paying the man, tsk tsk tsk.