Old Ivan smiled:

“Young people, with more tolerance and less sharpness, you’ll find life easier. Whether you believe it or not, Cynthia and I simply care about Tina because she suddenly lost both parents. It’s good that she’s found a new family, but we won’t immediately stop worrying about her!”

Xia Xiaolan replied seriously, “That’s reasonable, but I wonder if Harold agrees? Now that Tina’s identity is resolved, I hope Mr. Ivan can also resolve his family differences soon.”

Unable to solve his own family’s mess, yet trying to be a life mentor and lecture her.

Rather than worry about Tina, he should consider whether Harold would spare them.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know what the Wilsons were planning.

She just despised pretentious people.

Unwilling to continue talking with Old Ivan, she brushed past him.

Old Ivan suddenly grabbed her:

“One more piece of advice – young people live better and longer by minding their own business! How old are you, how much have you seen? Victory and defeat can reverse in an instant… I’ve admired you since we met; you’re clever. Without benefits, why meddle in others’ affairs?”

Xia Xiaolan yanked away forcefully, and Old Ivan released her smoothly.

No one had heard Old Ivan’s words.

To the hotel staff, Mrs. Wilson was proud and difficult to serve.

But Mr. Ivan was a warm, polite American gentleman, meeting their expectations of foreign guests.

Old Ivan delivered these threats with a smile; even if Xia Xiaolan told others, no one would believe her.

She pulled away from Old Ivan, rubbing her wrist:

“Mr. Ivan, how are you so sure I’m not benefiting from this?”

Old Ivan watched her retreating figure, his gentleness gradually fading.

Cynthia had reason to dislike this girl.

Old Ivan wasn’t angry about her attitude.

Her arrogance might be an act, but her probing was genuine.

What Old Ivan despised was Xia Xiaolan’s sharp perceptiveness.

Their brief confrontation at the hotel entrance went unnoticed by others but was observed by Tang Yuanyue and Du Zhaohui, who were secretly following.

Du Zhaohui bristled: “What’s that old guy grabbing her for?”

White-haired and liver-spotted, yet such a lecherous old man!

Tang Yuanyue sighed:

“Zhaohui, can’t you focus on what’s important? He’s from the Wilson family – we saw him in the hotel restaurant last week, remember?”

Du Zhaohui scowled, “A Wilson family old fool, a loser in family competition, can’t even beat his brother at this age – truly useless.”

So Du Zhaohui had done his research.

Tang Yuanyue held back a laugh – those words hit too close to home, easily applicable to Du Zhaohui himself.

“If you lose the inheritance fight, your future self will be today’s Ivan Wilson, dependent on his brother Harold Wilson’s mood for survival. When Harold’s mood sours, he can drive his elder brother to bankruptcy!”

Du Zhaohui exploded, “You’re saying I’ll become this old deadbeat? Never! If I can’t get the Du family money, I’ll flip the table – no one gets anything, no one rides high over me-“

Yes, Du Zhaohui was indeed different from Old Ivan.

Old Ivan might be a thug masquerading as a gentleman; such people act with restraint, limiting their options.

But Du Zhaohui?

A thug was a thug, no disguise needed, his methods well-known.

If he couldn’t win the Du family fortune, would he let others benefit?

Rather than living at Du Zhaoji’s mercy, he’d prefer a quick death!

Tang Yuanyue had meant it as a joke, but its truth struck him silent.

If Du Zhaoji prevailed, would Du Zhaohui survive?

For Du Zhaohui, there was no draw – anything but victory was defeat.

Tang Yuanyue reflected that without this troublemaker Du Zhaohui, life would be quite dull.

Having overheard Du Zhaoji’s failed talk with Xia Xiaolan tonight, Tang Yuanyue made a decision: “Zhaohui, call Miss Xia – I want to talk with her again.”

Du Zhaohui checked his watch.

“Talk what at this hour? Don’t people need sleep? Ah, I’m tired, I need sleep!”

“…”

Tang Yuanyue had accepted Du Zhaohui’s peculiar nature.

This oddball was both wicked and awkward.

Why not be straightforwardly evil?

Caring about people made him deeply uncomfortable!

Du Zhaohui left Tang Yuanyue standing there, ran back to his room, closed the door, and beckoned to Ah Hua.

Ah Hua hesitated; Du Zhaohui cursed him:

“Fool, I have something to say. Look at that old man, fake and lecherous, friends with Zhang Jiandong – definitely no good person. A villain wandering around Pengcheng, I’m not even safe walking the streets… Think of a way to drive him out!”

How could an employer lie so blatantly?

Does money let one do anything?

Ah Hua wanted to say, “You’re perfectly safe, sir. Even if Old Ivan’s preferences were questionable, you’re hardly his type.”

Besides, Pengcheng had many villains, but Young Master never bothered with them.

Ah Hua knew exactly who Young Master was concerned about!

Instead of exposing his employer, Ah Hua carefully rephrased:

“Young Master, someone like him must have reasons for staying in China. If he doesn’t want to leave, it’s quite difficult to force him out.”

Foreigners were complicated, and Old Ivan wasn’t foolish – he wouldn’t easily fall for traps.

Even Yuan Han, who was inexperienced, had been thoroughly played by Ye Xiaoqiong, a woman.

Old Ivan wouldn’t fall for such simple tricks.

Du Zhaohui stroked his chin, “You have a point.”

After pacing the room twice, Du Zhaohui chuckled:

“Fool, you need to read more – even wrongdoing requires culture. Hong Kong movies have those surveillance devices – get a set, and install it in the old man’s room. Watch him closely; if he tries anything bad, we’ll have our chance.”

Ah Hua grimaced.

He was a bodyguard, wasn’t he?

Started as a bodyguard.

Then became a driver.

Then doubled as an assistant.

Now he had to be a spy too!

Du Zhaohui grew more excited, “Practice with Ivan. If it works, we’ll install them for the old man at home, and for that loser Ji too.”

Young Master was truly going mad.

Even planning to surveil Chairman Du.

If Chairman Du discovered this, wouldn’t Young Master face consequences?

Ah Hua quickly changed the subject, “Young Master, no need for devices at Chairman Du’s – I’ve learned that Chairman Du was persuaded by Fifth Madam to give her several million to practice business… This isn’t a good sign.”

Du Zhaohui was shocked, “The old man’s gone senile! No other woman in the family got such treatment, yet he agrees to let Xia Ziyu learn business?”

—Making an exception for Xia Ziyu!