Smart people know when to quit while they’re ahead.

Know when to push and when to withdraw without hesitation.

By the time Xu Changle and Old Ivan arrived, although Xia Xiaolan felt she’d have the upper hand if things escalated, it was too late. She withdrew without lingering, making a gesture to Xu Changle before leaving: You owe me big time for this one!

Xia Xiaolan left quickly, leaving behind a mess.

Tina, with reddened eyes, asked Mrs. Wilson:

“Aunt Cynthia, you disagreed with the DNA test to protect me, didn’t you?”

Mrs. Wilson nodded stiffly, “Of course. I see you as my child. You shouldn’t have to face these things. That’s why I’m angry at Fahn – he should be taking care of you, not pressuring you.”

Tina sniffled, “What if I want to do it myself? Like Xia Xiaolan said, regardless of whose daughter I am, I should know the truth. I don’t want to live my whole life in confusion.”

Xu Changle thought to himself that they did owe Xia Xiaolan a huge favor.

Mrs. Wilson’s veins bulged on the back of her hand, and the skin on her neck tightened. She truly wanted to kill Xia Xiaolan, and no one should stop her. She had to kill her – what exactly did she say to Tina in just half an hour to change her mind?

Old Ivan spoke up before Mrs. Wilson could explode:

“Sweetheart, everything will be done according to your wishes if that’s what you want. Though you’re not our child, we care about you and value your feelings. If you want to do the DNA test, then do it!”

Tina hugged Old Ivan, her voice choked with emotion:

“Uncle Ivan…”

“Hey, don’t cry. This is a happy thing.”

Old Ivan comforted her, patting her back.

Xu Changle felt relieved but then doubted himself – perhaps he had overthought things and misunderstood the Wilsons.

Were they truly without ill intentions?

It took nearly half an hour to comfort Tina.

By the time the Wilsons finally returned to their room, it was already 11 PM.

Usually, before 10 PM, Mrs. Wilson would have already applied expensive skincare products to her face, neck, and body, meticulously even between her toes. Tonight, returning late was one reason she hadn’t done her routine, but her unsettled state of mind was another, leaving not a trace of a smile on her face.

While applying body lotion, she couldn’t help but throw the bottle:

“Ivan, I want to kill her, I swear!”

Old Ivan knew exactly who “she” was.

“No, you can’t kill her.”

Old Ivan picked up the bottle for his wife. “What good would come from killing her in anger? She may be a small international student from a backward country in America, but we’re in China now. Things aren’t under our control here – it works in her favor. China isn’t like America; the social environment and everything else is different. I don’t think killing a mayor’s daughter in China is a good idea!”

Old Ivan didn’t want to discuss the differences between officials in the two countries. His wife had stayed in Pengcheng for a while and should understand the situation in China.

It was precisely because she understood that Cynthia was angry.

Cynthia was furious at Xia Xiaolan for meddling. Tina was just a young girl without the ability to judge right from wrong.

She and Ivan had shown care for Tina, and she had completely trusted and relied on them.

They had Tina in the palm of their hand, but after just half an hour of conversation with Xia Xiaolan, her mind was changed. Old Ivan was equally angry about this.

But at times like these, he especially couldn’t show it.

If he opposed the DNA test now, Tina would become suspicious, and Fahn would doubt them too.

Caring about Tina and not wanting her to get hurt were reasonable reasons to oppose the DNA test.

But what if Tina herself agreed?

If they continued to oppose it, they would appear to have ulterior motives.

“Let her take the test. You accompany her back to America and then back here.”

“Classes at Columbia have already started. Will she come back after returning to America?”

“You care about her, so just have her take a few months’ leave from school.”

This should have been resolved earlier, but Harold had repeatedly postponed his trip to China. Old Ivan felt he was deliberately playing games.

Cynthia suddenly realized something terrifying:

“If the DNA test shows she and Fahn are full siblings, it won’t affect our plans, but if she’s Zhang’s daughter-“

Old Ivan’s eyes flashed: “That would be a good result too!”

The couple discussed in low voices, and Cynthia’s anger gradually subsided.

Being angry now wasn’t the right time to contend with Xia Xiaolan.

If she and Ivan could reclaim their wealth and even gain more… what did one Xia Xiaolan matter? That small real estate company in Pengcheng would collapse with just a little pressure. Poor people were just poor people, unworthy of money.

Poor people get a little money and think they can challenge the rich!

No, Xia Xiaolan also had that clothing brand.

Cynthia frowned, “If I had known, I would have had George delay the divorce and let her take down Luna first.”

“But you disliked George’s wife and couldn’t wait for their divorce, so you didn’t help Elegance recover. What’s done is done, no use regretting it now.”

Old Ivan wasn’t regretful.

One Qihang and one Luna meant nothing to the vast Wilson family empire.

But he was no longer at the helm of the Wilson family.

Old Ivan pressed his lips together. Compared to the family’s enormous wealth, the conflict with Xia Xiaolan was just a minor disagreement, a few harsh words, not worth mentioning! When in Washington, he had been friendly to Xia Xiaolan because she was special to Harold, and he had hoped to coexist peacefully with Harold.

Now, it was Harold who refused to coexist peacefully, taking away the businesses under his and Cynthia’s names!

Only women would care about such petty disputes.

At his age, Old Ivan wouldn’t quarrel with a young girl.

There were more important things.

Knock knock knock.

Ji Jiangyuan had made coffee when there was another knock at the door.

Opening it, this time it was Tina.

“You’re still not sleeping? I thought all girls needed their beauty sleep.”

Tina wanted to roll her eyes. “You must have heard that from Xia Xiaolan, right? You stood on her side earlier, but I still consider you a friend. Knowing you’re working late tonight, I specially ordered room service for you!”

Tina brought Ji Jiangyuan some desserts.

Ji Jiangyuan didn’t particularly like sweets, but he had to appreciate the gesture.

“Tina, you know how to care for others, so why do you always oppose your big brother?”

If she could show concern for friends, there was no reason to be willful and domineering toward her brother. Ji Jiangyuan couldn’t understand.

Tina had no intention of explaining. “Let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you instead. Why did you return to the hotel with Xia Xiaolan? I feel like you two suddenly became very close. Are you two… you know what I mean?”

Such a young girl, still interested in these matters.

Unfortunately, he would have to disappoint Tina.

Ji Jiangyuan told her about his recent interactions with Tang Hongen, including tonight’s dinner with Tang’s family of three. Tina’s eyes lit up:

“I knew it would have a happy ending! Ji Jiangyuan, you did it, bravely taking the first step!”