Outside the office, Ji Jiangyuan heard that Xia Xiaolan and others were discussing important matters.

He decided to tell the news to Xu Changle himself, as it wasn’t appropriate to disturb Xia Xiaolan at this moment. Both the AIA matter and the lawsuit held great significance for her.

The Architecture Department’s arrangement for Xia Xiaolan to publish in domestic core architectural journals indicated their intention for her early graduation, which made Ji Jiangyuan quite envious. Even setting aside her identity as a businesswoman, she was incredibly successful academically.

She embodied everything she studied, throwing herself completely into whatever she learned. Unlike Ning Xue who was naturally gifted, Ji Jiangyuan couldn’t quite categorize Xia Xiaolan’s type. Though her foundational professional knowledge might still not be as solid as Ning Xue’s, what did it matter? Despite her stumbling attempts along the way, she had caught up to and surpassed Ning Xue!

Indeed, even Ning Xue could no longer “advise” Xia Xiaolan about her studies anymore. Only someone more accomplished than Xia Xiaolan could encourage her to improve, and Ning Xue was no longer that person. Though Ning Xue might surpass her again in a few years, for now, Xia Xiaolan was undoubtedly the leading young architect in the country.

What about himself? Ji Jiangyuan strode across campus. He couldn’t continue working part-time at the golf course forever. He had been involved since the project’s land approval, witnessing and participating in pushing the club toward its successful opening. But this wasn’t the career he wanted – it was just accumulating experience and a choice forced by livelihood. He needed to carefully consider what he truly wanted to do in the future, especially since the third year was ending soon, and Xia Xiaolan was even graduating early!

On Friday afternoon, Ji Jiangyuan accompanied Xia Xiaolan to Pengcheng, without mentioning Tina’s matter. Mao Kangshan was already waiting early at the Luohu Tiancheng sales office.

“Did your department head say that?”

“Yes, the school is giving me leave from now on to focus on the museum project. The department intends to count the museum as my graduation design, arrange my exams, and after defending my thesis, I can graduate early.”

The museum project would take at least several months. But regardless, she could complete this “graduation design” by the end of the year. Now in the second semester of her third year, with the first semester of her fourth year approaching, she might shed her “student” status before the fourth year even began. While others took five years to earn their Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Huaqing, Xia Xiaolan would do it in just three!

Mao Kangshan saw nothing wrong with this. He wasn’t one to follow rules strictly, and early graduation merely proved his disciple’s excellence. If she wanted to continue studying, she could pursue further education later.

What concerned Mao Kangshan was whether the attention from AIA would overwhelm Xia Xiaolan. Though more mature than her peers, she was only 22! Suddenly being surrounded by representatives from AIA headquarters and journalists from both “Domus” and “A+U” magazines – could she maintain focus on her design with so many eyes watching? Most people would struggle to even draw under such pressure!

Though worried, Mao Kangshan kept these thoughts to himself. Xia Xiaolan, oblivious to his concerns, shared an idea she’d had for a while: “Teacher, I’m going to America for the court hearing in a few days. Would you like to come along? Bring Sister-in-law too. Instead of worrying here, come with me. You haven’t seen Professor Wen in many years, and I noticed he’s not as robust as you. It could be a reunion of old friends.”

Leaving Mao Kangshan in China would only lead to him constantly worrying about the lawsuit. Taking him and Madam Song to America would give the elderly couple a chance to relax. Comrade Mao couldn’t stay idle in China – he wanted to oversee the Luohu Tiancheng project and worried about the Qihang Firm. Better to take him to America while he still had the energy. In a few more years, age might make such trips impossible.

Xia Xiaolan had prepared herself for the lawsuit and wasn’t afraid, but used it as an excuse to persuade Mao Kangshan. After all, if she suggested taking them to America for tourism, they would surely refuse. The elderly couple was frugal and wouldn’t want to spend her money.

The combination of the lawsuit and reuniting with old friends tempted Mao Kangshan. Instead of outright refusing, he said he needed to think about it. Xia Xiaolan let him consider secretly arranging their international travel documents through contacts.

That week, Ge Jian and You Li were on a business trip to Qiong Island. Luohu Tiancheng had only two remaining units, with customers having paid deposits but not completed final payment procedures – essentially sold out. In Ge Jian’s absence, Ying Jinchuan reported the sales situation to Xia Xiaolan:

“After deducting various discounts, Luohu Tiancheng’s actual average price is 1,390 yuan per square meter. With an actual saleable residential area of 45,540 square meters, a total housing payment of 62.85 million, after paying off bank loans, land and construction costs, and taxes… Director Xia, Luohu Tiancheng’s profit margin is quite low, only about 15%.”

15% of the housing payment amounted to around 9.4 million. With more than double the units of Jinsha Pool but similar profits, Ying Jinchuan naturally found it insufficient. Current real estate companies wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than 40% profit.

More buildings, but not more money – why? High-rise construction costs were high. Though they didn’t invest heavily in landscaping like Jinsha Pool, building costs remained high due to Xia Xiaolan’s insistence on quality over everything. Despite high costs, she wouldn’t raise prices. If Jinsha Pool could sell for over 2,000 yuan per square meter, surely Luohu Tiancheng could command at least 1,800 yuan per square meter.

Ying Jinchuan had always known Xia Xiaolan was business-savvy. Initially, he couldn’t understand why she priced Luohu Tiancheng so low – was this really Xia Xiaolan? Too conscientious, too unlike her style. Luohu Tiancheng sacrificed half its potential profit!

Why would Xia Xiaolan give up this profit? Ying Jinchuan didn’t understand at first. When Xia Xiaolan sent Ge Jian and You Li to Qiong Island on business, he finally understood – though Luohu Tiancheng was Qihang’s second project in Pengcheng, it would also be their last in the short term. Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to build commercial housing in Pengcheng anymore, at least not during Tang Hongen’s term!

Most people wouldn’t think this far, but since Tang Hongen had introduced Ying Jinchuan to Qihang, he thought more deeply about it.

“Director Xia, are you worried about affecting Mayor Tang? When did you decide to relocate Qihang’s business… was it when Director Pan was isolated for investigation and Sheng Xuan asked Qihang to repay loans early?”

Ying Jinchuan studied Xia Xiaolan’s expression. She didn’t deny it – he had guessed correctly! This surprised him greatly.

What prompted Xia Xiaolan to make such a decision? With Tang Hongen in office in Pengcheng, doing business there would be as easy as picking up money for her. Yet she chose to relocate Qihang’s operations elsewhere – this was inconsistent with her profit-driven character!