Xia Xiaolan took two VIP membership slots from Ji Jiangyuan.

These two VIP membership slots came with two additional regular membership slots.

The Senior VIP membership threshold was too high for her consideration right now. Even if she qualified, she’d still find the annual 500,000 yuan fee too expensive. She didn’t care about joining the golf club herself; these slots were for people around her.

Her uncle should get one, right?

Whether it was 50,000 or 100,000 yuan annually, the fee wasn’t a burden for Uncle Liu Yong anymore.

Her uncle couldn’t just keep doing renovation projects for Qihang forever. If he could meet more people at the club, just one business deal would cover many years of membership fees – quite cost-effective.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to give one slot to Chen Xiliang.

Once Luna bought Elegance’s assets, Luna’s scale would double instantly. Why shouldn’t Chen Xiliang join the golf club?

Senior VIP membership required personal assets of 100 million yuan.

Old Chen held 55% of Luna’s shares, surely worth tens of millions.

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t forgotten about Kang Wei for another slot.

As a friend, seeing Kang Wei so consumed by work made her uncomfortable. After Shan Yujun broke up with him and left for the Northwest to teach, Kang Wei’s furniture brand was still called “Junwei.” The brand name wouldn’t change easily, so focusing on business development wouldn’t help him forget Shan Yujun.

Kang Wei’s furniture brand was doing quite well, having found its path.

Focusing on my career was good, but it wouldn’t hurt to meet some new friends.

Staying within his existing social circle wouldn’t magically produce a new relationship.

Even setting romance aside, would help his business.

Then there was Bai Zhenzhu… never mind, that would be troublesome. Remembering how Bai Zhenzhu once kicked out Du Zhaohui’s tooth, Xia Xiaolan abandoned the idea of inviting her to join. If Comrade Zhenzhu started fighting at the club, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t handle the consequences.

Wait a minute.

This golf club was making money too easily. She hadn’t even joined yet but was already thinking about bringing others in.

Usually, Xia Xiaolan was a shrewd businessperson, waiting for customers to take the bait.

Suddenly finding herself eager to jump into another shrewd businessperson’s “trap” felt damn uncomfortable!

…

Liu Fen wasn’t in Pengcheng anymore.

Business in Beijing hadn’t been personally managed for a long time; she needed to return to check the accounts, especially during the peak spring fashion sales period – she had to pay attention to everything.

With Liu Fen in Beijing, Xia Xiaolan planned to visit home after landing. Knowing Ji Jiangyuan returned with her, Liu Fen wanted to bring him along.

“I’d like to, but I promised my uncle I’d visit his home. Please tell Aunt Liu I’ll come next time!”

Ji Jiangyuan took a taxi right after landing.

When Xia Xiaolan arrived home, Liu Fen waited at the door, looking slightly disappointed not to see Ji Jiangyuan.

But cooking for her daughter always made her happy, so she still smiled:

“I thought you’d be arriving soon. Are you going to school tonight? Oh, there was a call from Pengcheng while you were flying. Now that you’re home, you should return their call.”

“Alright! Don’t keep looking – Ji Jiangyuan went to his uncle’s place. He promised to come next time.”

The call was from the company.

However, it wasn’t about company matters – there was news from America. Eric was willing to take Xia Xiaolan’s lawsuit case, but he needed to discuss details with her.

Xia Xiaolan immediately called Eric back. This time, it didn’t go to voicemail; clearly, Eric had been waiting for her call.

“Sorry, I went to Connecticut and just got back.”

“Attorney Eric, no problem, this is a good time to discuss this. I haven’t hired other lawyers. Given our previous cooperation, I trust you more.”

“Please tell me about the case again.”

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t provided many details in her voicemail, so she now explained everything from start to finish.

Eric found the case interesting.

He enjoyed cases where the underdog wins. He joked on the phone:

“I’ll take this case, but it’s not legal aid this time – it’s a paid service. For this case, I’ll need to gather evidence in America and possibly travel to China. It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive. Without payment, I’d starve. A starving lawyer obviously can’t fight for civil rights.”

“Of course! I’m willing to pay!”

Eric didn’t think Xia Xiaolan was making too much of this time-consuming lawsuit.

Reputation was crucial for anyone. How could Xia Xiaolan continue as an architect with her professional reputation questioned?

The problem was they couldn’t directly sue Mondo Dawson. He was cunning, only making suggestive comments that led to misunderstandings, never openly claiming Xia Xiaolan stole Lisa’s work. Eric regretted: “If the defendant were a Pritzker Prize winner, I’d even work for free while starving.”

A Chinese architecture student suing a Pritzker Prize winner – how sensational would that be?

Xia Xiaolan knew Eric liked high-profile cases:

“Though we can’t sue Mondo Dawson, this case will still attract attention. The American AIA is involved, and China’s Architectural Society agrees to seek answers for me. Eric, I’m not fighting alone. This could affect architectural circles in both America and China. I’m just the front-line fighter. The issue started with me, but I can’t predict how far it will spread!”

Looking to make waves?

Eric loved it.

“From our first meeting, I knew you were my favorite type of client. For our second collaboration, the goal isn’t settlement. In this case, you’ll only achieve your purpose if the court rules against them.”

Last time, Mrs. Dawson apologized.

This time, even Lisa’s apology wouldn’t suffice. A simple “sorry” couldn’t compensate for Xia Xiaolan’s losses – they needed a court judgment.

Eric organized his thoughts:

“Now, let’s calculate our chances of winning. First, the GMP New York office is willing to stand with you because this involves the AIA award they nominated you for. AIA’s disqualification implies GMP was fraudulent. GMP didn’t immediately shift everything onto you, claiming the firm knew nothing and you deceived them… Honestly, capitalists suddenly having a conscience surprises me! Xia, you must be an exceptionally talented architect for GMP New York to take your side – that must be the reason.”

Really?

Kissinger was just a profit-driven partner. For the firm’s profits, he almost forced her, an intern, to simultaneously serve Mrs. Wilson and Tang Yuanyue.

But Eric had a point. Kissinger could have handled it more easily. When AIA revoked the qualification, he could have simply claimed “oversight” and said GMP was also deceived by Xia Xiaolan – Kissinger would’ve just been called careless.

Kissinger chose the harder path, not pushing her out alone as a scapegoat. Xia Xiaolan was grateful for that!

“Second, with GMP backing you, you mentioned three people worked on the theater renovation design – besides Lisa, there was intern Matthew Carlton… Will he support you and testify?”