Decent? Not intimidated?

The same words could carry entirely different meanings when spoken by different people with different tones.

The line between dignified composure and arrogance sometimes came down to just tone of voice. Xia Xiaolan naturally had an advantage in her speech – even during arguments, her naturally pleasant and gentle voice made it hard for people to get angry with her.

But when Zhou Yi retold it, the meaning completely changed!

At least to Guan Hui’e’s ears, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t showing dignified composure – she was arrogant because she had something to rely on.

Through Zhou Yi’s description, Guan Hui’e had formed a concrete image in her mind: a pretty rural girl who had bewitched her son and possessed an arrogant personality.

This wouldn’t do – such a girl would only drag Zhou Cheng down, even just dating.

Guan Hui’e’s mood was sour all day.

What was that girl doing in Beijing? Wasn’t she from Yunan Province, still in school?

If she had come to Beijing and had any manners, she should have visited the Zhou family. Of course, whether the family would accept her was another matter – even if she came, they would only treat her coldly, not drive her away.

Instead of visiting the Zhou family, she had Zhou Cheng secretly taking leave from work – how inconsiderate! Even when Grandmother Zhou missed her grandson, she never disturbed his work by calling him home. Yet Zhou Cheng, for this rural girl, not only took leave to accompany her but didn’t even visit home.

Guan Hui’e was angry both at the rural girl’s cunning and her son Zhou Cheng’s foolishness. As for the “Tong Lili” that Zhou Yi mentioned, Guan Hui’e paid no attention. Many girls liked Zhou Cheng – with his promising future, Guan Hui’e could practically take her pick among girls from suitable families.

Not wanting to involve too many people, Guan Hui’e approached Kang Wei next.

“I heard someone came to Beijing. Call her out so I can see her.”

While Kang Wei might have panicked the first time, he was calm now. Mainly because Guan Hui’e already knew about Xia Xiaolan’s existence, so Kang Wei wasn’t betraying Zhou Cheng. Last night at the Beijing Hotel, everyone had witnessed how Zhou Cheng treated Xia Xiaolan, and Kang Wei knew this would eventually reach the Zhou family’s ears.

He hadn’t expected it so soon – most likely Zhou Yi again.

Kang Wei thought Zhou Yi had issues, not knowing inside from outside. Being friends with Tong Lili was fine, but just because Tong Lili liked Zhou Cheng, did that mean they had to deliver Zhou Cheng to the Tong family?

Kang Wei remained calm for another reason:

“Auntie Guan, you want to meet Brother Cheng’s girlfriend? She already took the morning train back to Commercial City.”

With both house designs completed, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t stay long in Beijing.

The clothing business in Commercial City needed her, and with Liu Yong staying in Beijing to oversee the house renovations, only two women and a child were left in Commercial City – Xia Xiaolan wasn’t at ease about that.

Guan Hui’e was caught off guard: “Left this morning?”

She had dinner with Zhou Cheng last night, yet took an early morning train – was she afraid of the Zhou family finding her?

Acting so arrogant, yet lacking courage.

Guan Hui’e found it both amusing and irritating, with a hint of contempt. She became more convinced that Zhou Cheng shouldn’t continue dating such a girl.

Kang Wei had prepared many explanations, expecting Guan Hui’e’s questions, but upon hearing Xia Xiaolan had returned to Commercial City, Guan Hui’e just waved her hand: “Then never mind seeing her.”

She didn’t even ask why Xia Xiaolan came to Beijing.

Nor why she returned to Commercial City.

Kang Wei pondered – the Zhou family seemed quite dismissive of their future daughter-in-law… but what could be done? Looking at Brother Cheng’s determination, he was going to marry her. With mother-in-law relations already so tense before she even joined the family, Kang Wei didn’t know who to light incense for.

For Xia Xiaolan?

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t one to suffer in silence.

Kang Wei now knew Xia Xiaolan had capabilities and wasn’t necessarily clinging to Zhou Cheng. If the Zhou family opposed, she might just dump Zhou Cheng.

After much thought, he decided to light incense for Brother Cheng – caught between two women, truly pitiful.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know that her quick return to Commercial City had earned her negative points in Zhou Cheng’s mother’s mind.

Of course, her previous score wasn’t high either – this was just another deduction.

Even if she knew, she wouldn’t have cared. Even Kang Wei could see something of Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s relationship dynamic – a woman with her capabilities had inner confidence. To marry up, one would need to bow down, temporarily bending for greater benefits… but Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to marry up. She didn’t want to suffer grievances; she wanted to stand tall on her own.

Fortunately, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t delayed her return to Commercial City.

It wasn’t because of business problems, but because her aunt Liu Fang had found Commercial City and had been making frequent visits recently.

Liu Fang was desperately searching for Xia Xiaolan’s whereabouts, making several fruitless trips to Qijing Village.

Later, when Liu Fen returned to handle matters with the fields, she left their contact number with Mrs. Chen. Liu Fang had missed her second sister, and hearing that her sister had visited the Chen family, the thick-skinned Liu Fang latched onto Mrs. Chen.

She practically haunted Mrs. Chen daily.

Coincidentally, when the village phone was installed, Mrs. Chen called Commercial City to ask Liu Fen’s opinion.

Li Fengmei thought Liu Fang was acting strange, suddenly maintaining such frequent contact with her maiden family, offering money, and wanting to introduce suitors to Xia Xiaolan – she must have other motives. Liu Fen wasn’t as shrewd as Li Fengmei, and Liu Fang was her dear sister. When they were young, Liu Fen would give her food to Liu Fang. With their small age gap, while not treating Liu Fang like a daughter, she certainly doted on her.

After Liu Fang married the Liang family with their excellent conditions, Liu Fen, who suffered from the Xia family, couldn’t help her much – but blood was thicker than water. Unlike Xia Dajun, Liu Fang had never severely hurt Liu Fen, so she couldn’t let go of her sister.

Knowing her soft heart, Liu Yong and Xia Xiaolan both humored her.

This time, with Liu Yong and Xia Xiaolan in Beijing and no one around to interfere, when Mrs. Chen called to ask what to do, Liu Fen still gave Liu Fang the contact information.

Liu Fang finally seized her chance and immediately berated Liu Fen.

She complained about visiting on the fifteenth day of the New Year with gifts, only to find no one home, becoming a laughingstock in the village.

She worried about her family being cheated while away, with no news sent back.

After rattling on at length, she finally made Liu Fen feel very guilty.

When Liu Fang asked her location, she gave the Commercial City address. By the time Li Fengmei found out, it was too late. Li Fengmei had no choice – even if her husband Liu Yong disliked Liu Fang, if she truly faced difficulties, how could a big brother not help? He had sworn at their parents’ graves to take care of his two sisters.

“Since it’s already said, if Liu Fang comes, don’t foolishly tell her about the business.”

Now that she knew where they lived, learning about “Blue Phoenix” was just a matter of time.

Of course, the high-and-mighty Mrs. Liang might look down on a private business, but Li Fengmei was thinking ahead, not wanting Liu Fang involved in the clothing store business – “Blue Phoenix” was no ordinary private enterprise anymore. In just two months of operation, it had made a name for itself in Commercial City!