Ning Xue truly couldn’t understand.

She had always thought Ji Ya was perfect – free-spirited and capable, living well in America, truly accomplished.

But when it came to certain matters, Ji Ya became incomprehensibly difficult… Ning Xue really couldn’t understand.

Ji Jiangyuan hadn’t come to school for two days.

Ji Ya was still at the school gate, blocking Xia Xiaolan – this wasn’t her first time using such methods. Ning Xue couldn’t even defend Ji Ya’s actions; this was handled terribly! Sending Xia Xiaolan abroad with Ji Jiangyuan? Xia Xiaolan herself wasn’t willing, and the matter had become a hot topic among Huaqing’s students, inevitably reaching the school administration.

Was Aunt Ji trying to cut off Ji Jiangyuan’s path back to school?

What couldn’t mother and son discuss properly that it had to come to this?

After going upstairs, Ning Xue saw George helping Ji Ya leave the office. The Department Head was still trying to persuade them of something, while Ji Ya remained silent. Ning Xue stepped forward:

“Aunt Ji, Uncle George, hello Department Head.”

The Department Head walked away sighing, hands behind his back, not even wanting to deal with the department’s star student. After a few steps, he couldn’t help but say: “Student Ning Xue, please try to reason with your Aunt Ji.”

Since the Ning family and Ji family had closer relations, he hoped Ji Ya might listen to Ning Xue somewhat. The Department Head had completely given up.

He needed to hurry back to his office and call Senior Ji.

Ning Xue didn’t know how to persuade her either.

“Uncle George, what’s this really about?”

Ning Xue had met George in America, and he had attended Grandfather Ji’s memorial service and funeral as Ji Ya’s boyfriend. Ning Xue knew George, and feeling that Ji Ya was being emotional, she thought it better to ask him.

However, George’s mood seemed poor as well. He barely remembered that Ji Ya liked Ning Xue, so he forced himself to explain:

“She rejected our proposal – who would reject an offer to study abroad? Ning Xue, would you like to study abroad? Go to America with Jiangyuan!”

Ning Xue’s heart flickered at this invitation, but she immediately realized George was just making a comparison.

Ning Xue felt somewhat disgusted.

If Xia Xiaolan refused, why would she agree?

Ning Xue had her pride, and she even felt Xia Xiaolan was right to refuse. If someone said the same to her, Ning Xue’s attitude would be worse – what’s so great about studying abroad? Even if she couldn’t get a public scholarship, the Ning family could afford to send her abroad!

Ning Xue didn’t need this kind of charitable “generosity.”

“Uncle George, I wouldn’t agree either.”

After saying this, she fell silent along with Ji Ya. Standing on the upper floor, they could see below – Xia Xiaolan was surrounded by her roommates, walking toward the school gate with that middle-aged woman.

Ji Ya’s nails had dug into her palms, breaking the skin – this was how she controlled herself.

She couldn’t tolerate losing control in public.

Ning Xue’s concern was what Ji Ya needed. Ning Xue and Jiangyuan were the perfect match; if not for ensuring a smooth departure, Ji Ya wouldn’t have even considered Xia Xiaolan.

She wanted to use Xia Xiaolan, and when Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t be used obediently, Ji Ya was upset!

“Xue’er, Auntie thought some things didn’t need repeated emphasis – you understand in your heart. You and Jiangyuan are most suitable… Auntie will help Jiangyuan through this crisis.”

Most suitable?

Ji Jiangyuan wouldn’t even speak much with her.

Ji Ya was currently emotional, and Ning Xue wisely didn’t contradict her.

“Aunt Ji, you might not know, but Xia Xiaolan has a boyfriend. When we went to Ji Bei Province for military training, her boyfriend was our Chief Instructor. Though he doesn’t look more than two years older than us, he’s already a high-ranking official.”

Ji Jiangyuan had initially been provocative but later stopped confronting Instructor Zhou. Ning Xue guessed something must have happened when Ji Jiangyuan and Xiong Baiyan sneaked into the dense forest, and Zhou Cheng helped resolve it. Afterward, he didn’t seek revenge on these troublemakers or report their unauthorized departure to the school, merely punishing the three with 20 laps around the field.

This showed that Instructor Zhou’s abilities and character had won over Ji Jiangyuan.

Instructor Zhou must be an exceptional person, perhaps with some background. Ning Xue was reminding Ji Ya not to think she could easily manipulate Xia Xiaolan just because she was a student from the countryside – notably, someone had seen Xia Xiaolan arrive on registration day in a car with ministerial plates.

Ning Xue’s reminder was well-intentioned. Ji Ya tried to recall what Guan Hui’e had said earlier.

She held Ning Xue’s hand, “I want to see your grandfather. Is the old man available?”

…

During the meal, Guan Hui’e had worn a smile, but once they turned the corner and got in the car, her face darkened.

The Ji family was too arrogant.

She had caught them in the act today – Ji Ya bullying Xia Xiaolan while acting like the victim herself. Who did she think she was fooling?

Guan Hui’e wasn’t a man; she wouldn’t show mercy just because Ji Ya was a woman.

Guan Hui’e wouldn’t fall for Ji Ya’s act!

Back home, Guan Hui’e was still angry, and Zhou Guobin was working overtime. She waited until 10 PM to see him.

“Old Zhou, I went to Huaqing today.”

Zhou Guobin handed his clothes to Mrs. Zeng to hang up, “Oh? Did you find out what happened with Xiaolan?”

“There was no need to ask – I arrived just in time to see it. That Ji woman brought a foreigner, and they stopped her at the school gate, publicly saying they wanted to send her abroad to study with the Ji family’s son… What do they take my son for?”

Guan Hui’e was still angry talking about it.

How could there be such presumptuous people in the world?

If she hadn’t heard Xia Xiaolan’s firm refusal herself, if she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, she might have wondered if there was something inappropriate between Xia Xiaolan and the Ji family’s son – why else would they offer to send her abroad to study?

But the reality was that ridiculous – Ji Ya acted unilaterally and refused to apologize.

Guan Hui’e described what happened in the school office, patting her chest:

“I held myself back repeatedly from slapping her right there – we can’t stoop to the level of people with mental problems, right? But we can’t let this matter go either. Without giving the Ji family a warning, Ji Ya will surely try again.”

The Ji family isn’t much.

Zhou Guobin smiled, “I’ve coincidentally heard some news these past few days. Though it’s not good to gossip, it happens to be related to Ji Ya. You know Tang Hongen, right? The one who now holds a position in the Special Zone – he’s the Ji family’s former son-in-law.”

Guan Hui’e didn’t understand. She had heard of Tang Hongen from Old Man Zhou, who said he was very capable.

“What do you mean? Would the Ji family’s former son-in-law protect Ji Ya? Aren’t they divorced?”

Zhou Guobin shook his head, “No, Tang Hongen isn’t protecting the Ji family – he’s causing them trouble. I couldn’t understand when I first heard the news. Old Ji has just been buried, and Tang Hongen doesn’t fear criticism for his actions. Now I understand – these two matters are one. Xiaolan is caught in the crossfire between Tang Hongen and the Ji family!”