Indeed, it was all very awkward.

Even Monde Dawson graduated from Cornell Architecture School. Denying Cornell Architecture School would mean denying many association members, including Monde.

Professor McCarthy was known for his outspokenness.

But he wasn’t without wisdom.

Having learned from his previous encounter with Monde, this time in protesting to AIA, Professor McCarthy rallied other professors from the Architecture School.

He could have written letters or newspaper articles criticizing AIA alone, but that would have been seen as merely his action.

Beyond earning himself a label as eccentric and radical, it wouldn’t have achieved much positive effect.

Professor McCarthy must have paid some price to gather so many professors’ signatures.

With numbers came strength – this protest letter became more than just Professor McCarthy’s stance.

This second wave became particularly powerful, forcing AIA to take notice.

“The third wave was Huaqing University.”

“The fourth wave was the Chinese Architecture Association.”

“Our influence internationally may not exceed Cornell Architecture School’s, but with the previous groundwork, these four waves combined created tremendous pressure, making AIA feel the unprecedented strain.”

“AIA now isn’t sure whether to maintain their original judgment or leave themselves room to maneuver.”

AIA had to consider what capabilities a young person who could garner such widespread support must possess.

Wronging such a talented young person – never mind their conscience – if they couldn’t completely suppress Xia Xiaolan, wouldn’t the slap to AIA’s face grow harder with her future achievements in architecture?

And it wouldn’t be just once, but likely repeated slaps.

Xia Xiaolan was indifferent:

“I won’t accept AIA’s hints at settlement. If they want to correct this error, they must do it my way. I’m not short on time, and the lawsuit won’t be decided in a day or two. Let AIA consider it themselves!”

In China, today was Thursday, March 19th.

Tomorrow was ‘Luohu Tiancheng’s’ launch day. While the game with AIA was important, business was equally crucial. Without money, how could she fight the lawsuit? Could she rely on free legal aid?

The Zhou family initially didn’t know about Xia Xiaolan’s lawsuit in America.

Wen Manni heard the news, and Qi Wei, Wen Manni’s assistant, naturally knew too.

After Zhou Yi decided to study law, she learned everything from Qi Wei, and couldn’t help telling her mother about Xia Xiaolan’s lawsuit. Jiang Hong then told Guan Hui’e – that’s how the news spread.

“Filing a lawsuit in America?”

Guan Hui’e was concerned, “Old Zhou, I heard an American female architect stole Xiaolan’s work, claiming it as her own.”

Why hadn’t Xiaolan told the Zhou family?

Did she think they couldn’t help or had their relationship grown distant after her year abroad? Though the children’s relationship seemed fine – Zhou Cheng had proposed to Xiaolan, and she’d accepted… yet she hadn’t mentioned such a major event to the Zhou family.

Guan Hui’e wouldn’t have been happy if Xia Xiaolan had been throwing the Zhou family’s name around everywhere.

But never mentioning them at all didn’t feel right either.

Zhou Guobin didn’t overthink it, “It’s an architectural circle matter. She probably thinks we can’t help. I doubt even her own family knows – this child is very independent and strong-minded. But since you mentioned it, I’ll ask around. Best if the embassy can step in, or at least help find her a good lawyer!”

Zhou Guobin was practical.

Showing concern through words was one thing, but providing help within proper bounds was more substantial care.

Xia Xiaolan might not need the embassy’s help finding a lawyer, but it was what the Zhou family should do.

Guan Hui’e’s feelings were complicated. She still felt Xia Xiaolan had grown distant because of that scandal in Hong Kong – now thinking back, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t wrong, but as Zhou Cheng’s mother, was she wrong to have questions about such matters?

“Yes, quickly ask around, and see if we can help.”

Zhou Guobin had guessed correctly. In America, even though the defendant had received a court summons, Liu Fen still didn’t know about Xia Xiaolan’s lawsuit.

This matter had nothing to do with power. Regardless of whose daughter-in-law or daughter Xia Xiaolan was, it couldn’t help her win the lawsuit or force AIA to retract their statement. Professional matters ultimately needed to be resolved within professional circles and fought with professional expertise.

Chinese officials couldn’t control American associations!

Xia Xiaolan preferred this pure approach to resolution. Cornell Architecture School, Huaqing University’s Architecture Department, and the Chinese Architecture Association all supported her based on her merit.

If you weren’t excellent enough, why would others keep you in mind?

Only when you’ve given your absolute best will others willingly help when you face difficulties.

If she hadn’t proven herself excellent before, without those previous works to show, how could others trust her – they might think the young person really took shortcuts, really was a “thief.”

March 20th, Luohu Tiancheng’s grand opening.

Qihang even invited district leaders for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Honestly, this land Qihang bought was quite remote. They’d built one building, set up a sales office, and decorated some show units – could they sell like this?

Last time when Qihang sold Jinsha Chi, they heavily promoted “feng shui,” with the government turning a blind eye.

After all, most buyers were from Hong Kong – while mainland China didn’t allow such feudal superstitions, Hong Kong people particularly believed in them.

This time, Qihang’s new development wasn’t advertising feng shui – would it sell as well as Jinsha Chi?

Firecrackers went off, ribbons were cut, and lion dancers created a lively atmosphere.

Oh, quite a crowd had gathered.

The district leader quietly asked Ge Jian, “Manager Ge, are these arranged crowds?”

“How could they be? We never falsify our performance. They all came by company bus through customs, some even inquired yesterday. To be frank, though Luohu Tiancheng hasn’t officially opened, thanks to Director Xia’s many friends, many units have been pre-ordered.”

Pouring gold sand into sewage pools was something they’d never admit to.

And they absolutely wouldn’t arrange hired crowds… well, at least Director Xia said it wasn’t needed now – whether it would be needed later could be decided later.

If the property sold well, they wouldn’t need hired crowds at all.

Ge Jian was very confident about Luohu Tiancheng’s sales.

He had grown skilled at socializing with district leaders and other important guests – who could tell he used to be just a bodyguard?

No wonder the district leader suspected Qihang had arranged crowds – there were so many people, queuing in long lines, they couldn’t even all fit into the sales office at once.

Were all these people here to buy houses?

Old Duan was also squeezed into the crowd.

He might not have had Chen Xiliang’s luck in early acquaintance with the wealth-dispersing child under Guanyin, but he could follow in the child’s footsteps to pick up money.

Hadn’t Jinsha Chi’s value increased?

– Luohu Tiancheng’s opening price was even lower than Jinsha Chi’s. Old Duan was certain he could profit from buying and reselling two units!