A black armband on the left arm – did that mean a male elder in the family had passed away?
This wasn’t the right time to complain. Xia Xiao Lan swallowed her words, only offering Ji Jiangyuan condolences.
But Ji Jiangyuan brought it up himself:
“Ning Xue told me everything. My mother came to see you, right? I’m sorry for the trouble. My mother has a rather domineering personality.”
‘Domineering’ was a euphemism – she was extreme.
Ji Jiangyuan could guess what his mother had said to Xia Xiao Lan.
Though he might not know about Xia Xiao Lan’s connection to Tang Hongen, she misunderstood Xia Xiao Lan as his girlfriend. When he dated other girls against Ji Ya’s wishes, Ji Ya’s thoughts would become very extreme!
Just thinking about this made Ji Jiangyuan embarrassed to face Xia Xiao Lan.
He had called it “classmate friendship,” but look at the trouble he’d brought her. Ji Jiangyuan knew his mother’s fighting spirit better than anyone. Even if he swore to heaven he had no feelings for Xia Xiao Lan, Ji Ya wouldn’t believe it.
Ji Ya had her way of thinking, only believing her analysis, deaf to anyone else’s words. Obsessive, manic, and meticulous – Ji Jiangyuan now wished he could slap himself. Why did he have to bring chocolate from home? Why mention his birth father in front of his mother?
After Grandfather Ji’s death came the memorial service and funeral. The Ning and Ji families were old friends, so Ning Xue had to attend. Elder Ning Yanfan, losing an old friend, fell ill despite his previously good health.
After the memorial service, Ning Xue found a moment to tell Ji Jiangyuan.
Ning Xue only took two days’ leave, but Ji Jiangyuan didn’t appear at school for a full week. Now, facing Xia Xiao Lan, he felt utterly helpless.
Xia Xiao Lan offered condolences, and Ji Jiangyuan gave a bitter smile – she had no idea how formidable his mother was.
“If my mother knew you also knew Tang… never mind, don’t worry about these things. I’ll handle it myself. We’ll just have to keep our distance from now on. Please understand, classmate Xia.”
If Ji Ya learned that Xia Xiao Lan knew Tang Hongen, she’d blame Xia Xiao Lan for Tang Hongen finding Ji Jiangyuan.
Tang Hongen saw a fleeting image in the Tiananmen Parade that looked like his son and came to Huaqing University on a chance… Ji Ya wouldn’t believe that story.
Ji Jiangyuan had a headache. With his grandfather gone, perhaps he should return to America after this semester. Then he wouldn’t trouble others!
Xia Xiao Lan had been quite angry, but seeing Ji Jiangyuan like this, what could she say?
The distance was fine. Xia Xiao Lan appreciated Ji Jiangyuan’s open-minded views and enjoyed their friendship, especially given the Tang Hongen connection. But she didn’t like Ji Jiangyuan romantically or need to talk to him. Xia Xiao Lan knew it wasn’t right to be too harsh at this time, but as someone once bitten by a snake, rather than have Ji Jiangyuan come later to make peace, she’d better speak her harsh words now:
“I don’t like being taken advantage of. If someone tries to cause me trouble, I won’t stay quiet.”
Back then, hadn’t Zhu Fang thought he could handle Ding Aizhen?
Who finally dealt with Ding Aizhen? It was Kang Wei and Shao Guangrong’s timely appearance, and Xia Xiao Lan’s effort in digging up Zheng Laoshi, whom Ding Aizhen had bullied terribly, that delivered the fatal blow to Director Ding.
Yes, she was from rural Yunan with no background, but did that mean she deserved to be pushed around at others’ whims?
Xia Xiao Lan wouldn’t indulge anyone.
If someone thought they could step on her, as long as they didn’t kill her outright, they should be prepared for her counterattack.
Ji Jiangyuan had never felt Xia Xiao Lan’s strong personality so clearly before.
Xia Xiao Lan didn’t trust his assurances at all, asking directly: “How do you think your mother will deal with me? I heard from Ning Xue that your family has some influence on education. Will your mother… Ji Jiangyuan, let me tell you, I got into Huaqing University on my merit. I won’t allow anyone to interfere with my studies.”
Academic obstacles should only come from the difficulty of knowledge. If Xia Xiao Lan couldn’t master this major, it would be because she was slow or not working hard enough.
She could accept either outcome and would reflect on herself.
But if someone deliberately created obstacles on her educational path, Xia Xiao Lan would show no mercy.
This standard wasn’t limited to Ji Jiangyuan’s mother – even Zhou Cheng’s mother had no right to do such things. Whoever ruined someone’s future deserved retaliation. Xia Zhangzheng would understand this deeply!
If Ji Jiangyuan’s mother made a move, Xia Xiao Lan would show no one any face, not Ji Jiangyuan, not even Tang Hongen’s pleading would work.
On matters of principle, Xia Xiao Lan wouldn’t yield.
Ji Jiangyuan opened his mouth, wanting to say his mother wouldn’t do such things, but said nothing in the end.
No one could guarantee another’s actions. Ji Jiangyuan could only guarantee his behavior – what would Ji Ya do? Nobody but Ji Ya herself could be certain!
Grandfather Ji’s reputation?
Ji Ya never considered others.
Even when Grandfather Ji was alive, Ji Ya rarely considered the old man’s thoughts and feelings.
There was no reason to believe that after Grandfather Ji’s death, Ji Ya would suddenly transform from obsessive and selfish to mature and sensible overnight.
That might happen to others, but Ji Jiangyuan didn’t believe it would happen to his mother.
“…I’ll return to America soon.”
…
In Peng City, Tang Hongen hung up the phone.
His former father-in-law had already been buried when he learned of his death.
The Ji family certainly wouldn’t want to see him at the funeral, Tang Hongen thought self-mockingly. People had seen a foreign man beside Ji Ya at the funeral; attending Grandfather Ji’s funeral surely meant their relationship was confirmed. Whether Ji Ya remarried or not didn’t matter to Tang Hongen. He hoped someone could be by Ji Ya’s side to calm her mania.
If the Ji family allowed him to contact Jiangyuan, that would be best.
If not, he could only maintain secret contact, making up for his regrets was important, but knowing Ji Jiangyuan was doing well would give Tang Hongen more comfort.
“Director, Du Zhaohui is here again.”
Secretary Peng knocked on the door.
Du Zhaohui had come to Peng City with substantial capital.
Except for Tang Hongen’s hesitation, who wouldn’t welcome such an investor? The reform and opening-up of Peng City needed large amounts of foreign capital flowing in. Foreign investors were willing to come because of the special zone’s various preferential policies.
Regardless of what shady business the Chengrong Group might have underground, the Hong Kong dollars Du Zhaohui brought were real.
Tang Hongen couldn’t refuse either.
How could they pursue reform and opening up while refusing investment? Liu Tianquan still ran dance halls in Peng City, but before Du Zhaohui’s capital had even landed, the Chengrong Group’s record in Peng City was clean.
“Please show Mr. Du in.”