“Do you want to go see her?” another stiff voice spoke up in the car.

Ah, it was that eternally serious elderly lady.

Tina withdrew her gaze:

“See what? Ask her if she truly loved me, or if it was all an act?”

None of that seemed important anymore.

What had happened couldn’t be undone, and those who died couldn’t be brought back.

Her Mommy, Zhang Jiadong, and Old Ivan – none of them would return to life.

Tina added earnestly, “I just hope everyone stays alive, and no one else dies. Is that thought too childish?”

Of course, it was childish!

Some deaths were natural disasters or fate, while others were self-inflicted.

Cui Yiru, Zhang Jiadong, and Old Ivan – none of their deaths were undeserved.

But Grandmother Yu had given up on completely changing Tina’s mindset. Tina was Tina, a hothouse flower. She would never become another Xiaolan… Grandmother Yu could only accept Tina as she was. Even if she wasn’t close enough to the Xu family, a vibrant young woman was better than a cold corpse.

Before truly reaching the point of no return, people always believe their principles won’t change. But when faced with life and death, change becomes acceptable – staying alive trumps everything!

Grandmother Yu nodded reluctantly:

“It’s not childish. While I may not fully agree with your perspective, I choose to respect it. If you don’t want to confront that American old woman, what do you plan to do next?”

One couldn’t dwell in sorrow forever.

Whether studying, working, traveling, or even doing volunteer work without pay – helping African children – anything was better than wallowing in grief. Having something to do, something to occupy both time and mind, would reduce negative energy!

Grandmother Yu felt Tina was too idle, living too emptily, which made her vulnerable to the Wilsons’ deception.

If Tina had been like other Chinese international students, secretly working multiple jobs to complete her studies in America, she wouldn’t have had time for sorrow and would have recovered long ago!

“I can’t return to the club internship. I want to finish my studies at Columbia first, and I want to do something meaningful… It might take some time, but I’m willing to try.”

Tina had no immediate plans to go to China.

Truthfully, she still preferred the American environment – it was where she grew up and lived.

It wasn’t that after these events she would completely throw herself into the Xu family’s embrace, though she was grateful for what Grandmother Yu and Xu Zhongyi had done for her, rushing to America immediately.

Xu Zhongyi didn’t appear before her often, but he had certainly done much behind the scenes.

This matter didn’t end with Old Ivan’s suicide by gunshot, and Xu Zhongyi strongly disliked Harold as well.

Tina understood Grandmother Yu and Xu Zhongyi’s kindness toward her; she just needed time… No pressure, let things develop naturally.

This time, Grandmother Yu nodded in approval:

“Studying is good. Education is always proper business, and gaining more knowledge is never wrong. Now that you’ve decided what to do next, I should book my flight back to China-“

“Could you stay a while longer?”

Tina’s gaze wavered, “Even just for one semester. Weren’t you going to teach me those rules? I haven’t learned them yet-“

Tina left her sentence half-finished. Would this serious elderly lady stay in America long-term for her sake?

Probably not.

The old lady favored Xia Xiaolan and her mother the most.

Grandmother Yu studied her for a moment, making Tina increasingly anxious.

After a long while, as if making a major decision, the elderly lady very reluctantly agreed:

“Let’s be clear – only one semester.”

Tina was still in a daze – she had agreed?

…

Xia Xiaolan quickly learned of this development.

As did Liu Fen.

Did Grandmother Yu miss Xia Xiaolan?

Tina had misunderstood. Someone like Xia Xiaolan could thrive anywhere, with a life force as vigorous as weeds. The person Grandmother Yu couldn’t bear to leave was Liu Fen!

Grandmother Yu worried about Liu Fen being bullied, feared she might be disadvantaged in her marriage with Tang Hongen, and worried that Liu Fen’s slow reactions might lead to her being pushed around without even realizing it. Despite Liu Fen and Tang Hongen’s marriage being harmonious for over a year without major issues, Grandmother Yu still worried.

Grandmother Yu had no daughters and had waited many years for her son Xu Zhongyi, leaving her emotional life barren.

When she was nearly at her limit, Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan’s appearance filled that emotional void.

She had come to view Liu Fen as her daughter.

How would simple-minded Afen manage without her guidance?

This was likely Grandmother Yu’s thinking.

Like a mother sending her child to kindergarten for the first time, always worried about crying, eating properly, teacher supervision, or bullying by other children… Most of these concerns never materialize, and when they do, they’re minor – every child goes through such experiences.

Children find kindergarten novels and fun, hardly missing their parents – it’s the parents who can’t let go!

Liu Fen was in a similar situation now. With Grandmother Yu staying in America, she worried about the elderly lady’s health but didn’t feel abandoned, even sharing her joy with Xia Xiaolan:

“I heard Tina requested it herself. It seems Tina has finally grown dependent on the old lady! That’s wonderful – grandmother and granddaughter have developed a bond.”

Liu Fen was genuinely happy for Grandmother Yu.

She didn’t feel like anyone had stolen Grandmother Yu away; with Xu Zhongyi’s father and son, including Tina, returning, it just meant three more family members who respected the old lady.

Xia Xiaolan chuckled, “It’s not surprising. Tina accepting Grandmother Yu was inevitable. Grandmother Yu’s role isn’t just about love and protection; she can guide Tina’s life direction – that’s what Tina truly lacks!”

A vulnerable person like Tina needed someone to guide her actions.

This positive role model should have been Cui Yiru’s responsibility… but Cui Yiru had destroyed her image, naturally leaving Tina lost.

Mere indulgence only spoils children.

Although Grandmother Yu appeared stern and serious with Tina, every word and action had its reasoning, naturally earning Tina’s trust over time!

Coincidentally, with the Wilsons’ true nature exposed and Tina once again feeling lost, she naturally gravitated toward the reliable Grandmother Yu.

Grandmother Yu was truly dependable, and Xia Xiaolan admired the old lady’s wisdom.

Even after two lifetimes, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t reached the old lady’s level of insight. If Tina could truly receive Grandmother Yu’s guidance, she would benefit immensely for life.

This was good news. Since Xia Xiaolan had agreed to help Grandmother Yu find her relatives, after such a long journey, they had finally brought back all the lost members of the Xu family – truly back, not just physically present but emotionally distant!

“If you miss Grandmother Yu, you can fly over to see her anytime – treat it as another American vacation.”

Xia Xiaolan fully supported her mother in traveling more.

“I’ve already been to America twice…”

“That’s nothing! Besides America, you could go to France. Next time, I’ll take you to see a fashion show in Paris, how about that? What Ji Ya does hardly counts as a fashion show – it’s just copying others’ methods inappropriately. I’ll take you to see a real grand show!”