Xia Xiaolan had grown accustomed to Zhou Yi’s perpetual confusion.

But Zhou Yi herself didn’t want to remain confused anymore.

Living in a daze meant less suffering because people transferred their pressures to the clear-minded ones around them! However, this only works temporarily. Unless one stays confused for life, once clarity returns, all the previously ignored pressure and pain flood back at once – this was Zhou Yi’s situation.

She recovered in her hospital bed.

She cried with Jiang Hong.

She tried to understand everyone and everything around her.

She analyzed with suspicious eyes.

Once she started thinking, it wasn’t hard to distinguish who truly cared for her and who was just being polite.

Take Xia Xiaolan – did she have any obligation to help?

She could have completely ignored Zhou Yi!

The Zhou family all liked Xia Xiaolan. Those who once thought her unworthy of Zhou Cheng now couldn’t say the same. Xia Xiaolan didn’t need to be nice to Zhou Yi to please the Zhou family… Given this, shouldn’t her kindness be appreciated even more?

Zhou Yi felt grateful and ashamed:

“I don’t know what to say, but I know you’ve been helping. Thank you, truly thank you…”

“Sister Zhou Yi!”

Xia Xiaolan interrupted, “Yes, I asked Qi Wei to encourage and guide you, but it’s not much. If someone doesn’t want to improve, others’ help is futile. Qi Wei invested a lot of time and effort in you – I hope you won’t resent her for it.”

“I know, I know everything!”

Zhou Yi said anxiously.

“There are all kinds of friends. I won’t deny everyone around me just because Joan… I mean Ye Xiaoqiong betrayed me.”

Zhou Yi accepted that Qi Wei helped her because of Xia Xiaolan’s request.

This wasn’t a reason to resent Qi Wei.

Qi Wei had genuinely helped her.

Friends help each other – she shouldn’t rely so much on Qi Wei anymore. When she could help Qi Wei in return, they’d become true friends. Not that they weren’t real friends now, but Zhou Yi meant a solid, close relationship.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help smiling.

Wasn’t this moment what she’d been waiting for while helping Zhou Yi?

Awakening someone from their daze.

Reshaping a mess of self-destructive mud into form!

“Sister Zhou Yi, I remember first meeting you at the Beijing Hotel. Even though you were with Tong Lili’s group, I didn’t dislike you. I’m glad the old you is back!”

Back then, Zhou Yi knew propriety and manners. Even when questioning Xia Xiaolan’s relationship with Zhou Cheng, she hadn’t been malicious – a normal reaction.

Zhou Yi blushed at Xia Xiaolan’s words.

These two years felt like a dream; she didn’t know how she’d turned her smooth life into such a mess.

Now she was divorced, a single mother.

Could everything start anew?

She needed to improve herself first.

Only parents and close family would accept someone so flawed – even Zhou Yi disgusted herself.

How could she expect any good man to love her like this?

No, Zhou Yi didn’t want to touch anything related to “love” now – it seemed insubstantial and unreliable.

Zhou Yi didn’t repeatedly thank Xia Xiaolan – words were empty. She remembered this debt of gratitude, hoping to truly repay Xia Xiaolan someday.

The day after discharge, Zhou Yi headed back to America.

Xia Xiaolan and Jiang Hong saw her through customs.

They’d wanted to accompany her to Hong Kong airport, but Zhou Yi refused.

“Mom, Xiaolan, I’m not a child anymore. I came back from America alone, can’t I return the same way?”

That was true.

At least Zhou Yi’s English had improved dramatically since her first trip abroad.

Watching Zhou Yi pass through customs and disappear, Jiang Hong sighed:

“Xiaolan, this matter troubled you so much. Your aunt doesn’t know how to thank you…”

“Then tell me when you know?”

Xia Xiaolan winked, making Jiang Hong laugh – such a relaxed smile hadn’t appeared on her face in two years.

“You’re right, we’re family. We have plenty of time together ahead.”

As Xia Xiaolan was about to speak, someone called her name in an exaggerated, delighted tone:

“Xia Xiaolan? Why are you here – did you come to pick me up?!”

Ugh.

Du Zhaohui’s sleazy voice was distinctive; Xia Xiaolan knew it was him without turning around.

Du Zhaohui’s blooming joy made Jiang Hong uncomfortable.

She’d just said they were family with plenty of time ahead, but that seemed uncertain now – wasn’t this man trying to compete with Zhou Cheng?

Jiang Hong pondered.

Xia Xiaolan felt a headache coming on. “I’m here seeing someone off.”

Not here specifically for him?

Du Zhaohui’s disappointment lasted only a second before he brightened again. If not specifically for him, this coincidental meeting must be “fate” as the Chinese would say.

The fact of having fate with Xia Xiaolan made Du Zhaohui giddy.

They were already especially fated – among so many people at the dock that day, Xia Dajun had saved him. Though that idiot was foolish and had a poor relationship with Xia Xiaolan, it was because of that fool that he met her… Their fate was predetermined!

Seeing Du Zhaohui’s shining eyes, Jiang Hong quickly complained of dizziness from the wind.

“Xiaolan, shouldn’t we head back?”

Jiang Hong grabbed Xia Xiaolan’s arm. Xia Xiaolan nodded, “You’ve had difficult days. Let me take you back to the hotel to rest.”

Ah, they hadn’t even talked yet!

Du Zhaohui’s thick skin exceeded normal imagination. When Xia Xiaolan mentioned taking Jiang Hong to the hotel, he immediately tagged along.

Jiang Hong had to mention Zhou Cheng, identifying herself while reminding Du Zhaohui.

Du Zhaohui grinned, “All the more reason to escort you! I’ve met Mr. Zhou several times. We’re all friends, and since Mr. Zhou isn’t here, as his aunt, I must help look after you.”

He’d be happy if Zhou Cheng never showed up – he’d gladly look after his fiancée!

Xia Xiaolan felt the atmosphere was strange, with Jiang Hong seeming to reject Du Zhaohui… Wait, maybe she was overthinking – wasn’t Du Zhaohui rejected everywhere he went? This was perfectly normal!

After escorting Jiang Hong to the hotel, Du Zhaohui still wouldn’t leave. Ah Hua had to quietly remind him:

“Young Master, you have an appointment with Chairman Tang. If you don’t leave now…”

Sigh, being a loyal employee was hard – knowing the young master wanted to stay but having to remind him of his schedule.

Ah Hua felt melancholic.

But Ah Hua underestimated Du Zhaohui’s shamelessness.

Du Zhaohui stood up, adjusting his clothes, “Damn it, you should have reminded me earlier! I can’t be late for meeting Chairman Tang. He mentioned Du Zhaoqi pulling him to invest in Asia…”

Xia Xiaolan narrowed her eyes. “What did you say?”

Du Zhaohui looked confused. “I said I’m meeting Tang Yuanyue!”

“No, the part after that.”

“Can’t be late?”

“…!”