Even that scoundrel Du Zhaohui could feel superior when faced with his even more despicable half-brother.

No matter how many girlfriends he’d had, they were all consensual relationships!

Du Zhaoji’s actions made him appear principled by comparison—understand the code of brotherhood? Du Zhaoji was truly despicable!

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t understand his sense of superiority. Now that they had found Ye Xiaoqiong, there was no reason to stay in Hong Kong.

When she and Zhou Cheng were preparing to help Ye Xiaoqiong leave Hong Kong, Liu Tianquan sent people to invite Xia Xiaolan to “reminisce.” Xia Xiaolan just laughed:

“What could that fatty and I possibly have to reminisce about?”

What was there to discuss?

How does Fat Liu manipulate the contract to cheat her uncle?

Or perhaps how he had arranged for a hostess to seduce her uncle, determined to make Comrade Liu Yong make a mistake!

“We shouldn’t bother with people like him.”

Some people just couldn’t walk the straight path, always preferring to scheme and plot. Now, not just anyone could meet with Xia Xiaolan—Director Xia didn’t have that much free time!

Zhou Cheng was efficient—he found Ye Xiaoqiong as soon as they arrived in Hong Kong, and when she wanted to leave, he arranged to escort her back to Pengcheng.

Du Zhaohui became irritated just seeing Zhou Cheng.

Why couldn’t he just stay at his work unit instead of always trying to make his presence known?

“The unit’s management is too lax!” Du Zhaohui complained to Ah Hua, who wanted to cover his master’s mouth.

Why keep provoking Zhou Cheng? Ah Hua wasn’t confident he could protect the Young Master from Zhou Cheng—each time they met, Zhou Cheng seemed more intimidating.

A person’s fighting ability couldn’t improve dramatically in such a short time; it was more about his bearing that made Ah Hua wary.

Though Du Zhaohui wanted to play the third wheel, he could only watch as Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng returned to Pengcheng together.

He couldn’t leave now—having just received 5% of the group’s shares, he needed to make his first appearance at the group’s board meeting. Also, the ownership of Cheng Rong Plaza needed to be clarified—it was impossible to incorporate it into the Cheng Rong Group!

As for Xia Ziyu, Liu Keying, and the others, they needed to be dealt with appropriately. Once the Du family matters were sorted out, he could stay in Pengcheng indefinitely.

So what if they were engaged?

Zhou Cheng would have to return to his unit eventually.

He’d still have more chances to see Xia Xiaolan!

…

After passing through customs, Ye Xiaoqiong bid them farewell.

Xia Xiaolan had a car brought from the company but declined a driver. Just she and Zhou Cheng would return to the government staff quarters. Tang Hongen’s Spring Festival holiday had long ended, and he had returned to work in Pengcheng.

Zhou Cheng, after proposing, needed to visit his future father-in-law. Hearing that her uncle would also be there for dinner, Xia Xiaolan felt nervous for Zhou Cheng.

Though not his first visit as a prospective son-in-law, this time carried different significance.

They bought some gifts and put them in the car’s trunk. Though late for New Year visits, it wasn’t past the Lantern Festival yet, so the New Year season hadn’t officially ended.

As they approached the staff quarters, Zhou Cheng suddenly spoke:

“Is the Cheng Rong Plaza matter settled?”

Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment and nodded, “I’ve completed my task by helping with the funding. How Cheng Rong Plaza develops from now on depends on Du Zhaohui himself.”

Good, that meant Du Zhaohui no longer had an excuse to constantly hover around Xiaolan.

Zhou Cheng parked the car in the compound and turned off the engine before taking Xiaolan’s hand:

“Did I tell you last time that Third Brother Pan chose to return to his original unit?”

“You mentioned that Third Brother’s merits and faults balanced out, and he received a small promotion. What else happened that I don’t know about?”

Xia Xiaolan was curious—Zhou Cheng wouldn’t bring this up without reason.

“Third Brother voluntarily requested a transfer to the south. They’ve integrated a new unit here… Third Brother asked if I wanted to join him.”

A new unit?

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know much about Zhou Cheng’s work unit, but was this a new field? Zhou Cheng and Pan Baohua weren’t originally in this area. Though she didn’t understand the principles behind confidential unit transfers, they wouldn’t make arbitrary arrangements—Xia Xiaolan suddenly thought of Zhou Cheng and Pan Baohua’s experiences.

During Pan Baohua’s years away from the unit, he had been at sea.

Zhou Cheng, while attending advanced studies at the academy, had come south to tackle smugglers.

Were their transfers within the larger system following a pattern?

“Zhou Cheng, I don’t understand these things. What do you think? How do you feel about Third Brother going to the new unit?”

Though claiming not to understand, her grip on his hand tightened.

Xiaolan was still worried.

Staying in his current unit was mostly stable unless he volunteered for assignments.

A transfer south wasn’t for vacation—there would be regular missions.

“I want to go.”

To accommodate rapid deployment needs in the South China Sea region, China reorganized its confidential units in the area in 1980, establishing the new Qiongdao Longzhou unit.

Soon after, related units were established in the East and North Seas.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t understand these matters, but if she could respect Ye Xiaoqiong’s choices, how could she oppose Zhou Cheng’s?

Zhou Cheng telling her in advance showed his respect and desire to discuss it with her.

But this was undoubtedly Zhou Cheng’s wish.

“If you’ve made up your mind, I agree. You’ve supported my advanced studies, my exchange student program abroad, and my business ventures… I’ll support your decisions unconditionally too!”

Conditions at the newly integrated unit would certainly be harsh, and not as comfortable as near Beijing.

If Zhou Cheng didn’t mind, how could Xia Xiaolan be precious about it?

She gripped Zhou Cheng’s hand back.

“You’ve always been the one waiting for me. Now it’s my turn to wait for you. We’ll be married next year anyway, and wherever you’re transferred, I’m determined to be your family member.”

She hadn’t taken off the diamond ring even once!

Having agreed to the proposal, how could she not understand Zhou Cheng’s career aspirations?

If you don’t strive hard while young, you’ll regret it when older. Deciding to work hard later requires more sweat and might not even succeed.

They held hands in silence.

The quiet wasn’t from embarrassment or awkwardness.

Sometimes when they only had eyes for each other, their gazes communicated everything—words would have spoiled the mood.

After staring at each other for a while, their heads unconsciously drew closer. Although Xia Xiaolan had visited the unit before the New Year, less than a month ago, when young people are dating, how could they tire of being together?

That might happen to others, but these two had so little time together, that it would be abnormal if they didn’t want to kiss and embrace.

Just as their lips were about to meet, there was a sudden “bang bang bang” on the car window.

Xia Xiaolan looked to see Old Tang standing beside them with a dark face—he was the one knocking.

Even with Xia Xiaolan’s thick skin, her cheeks burned hot.

There was that tension and embarrassment of being caught!

“Uncle Tang…”

As the window lowered, removing the glass barrier, Old Tang glanced at the two:

“What are you doing in the compound? Since you’re here, hurry upstairs.”