Comrade Zhou Yi wasn’t entirely without merit.

At least she knew how to be flexible.

When she realized her mistakes and had been put in her place, she remembered it well and wouldn’t easily step forward again.

Though she might grumble internally, she wouldn’t verbally provoke Xia Xiaolan again. Her mother was the one who couldn’t help herself, making pointed remarks only to be put in her place again. Zhou Yi could see how things were going – if Old Master Zhou had accepted Xia Xiaolan, what could change between her and Zhou Cheng?

Unless Zhou Cheng didn’t want to be with Xia Xiaolan anymore – ha! Was that even possible? Looking at Zhou Cheng’s behavior, his eyes glued to Xia Xiaolan, that passion wouldn’t fade for years.

As for Xia Xiaolan not choosing Zhou Cheng… Zhou Yi hadn’t even considered this possibility.

Zhou Cheng was handsome, from a good family, personally excellent, and treasured Xia Xiaolan – why wouldn’t she choose her cousin?

Zhou Yi felt heavy-hearted.

It would have been best if good friends could become sisters-in-law, like how she got along well with Lili.

But Lili wasn’t capable enough; Zhou Cheng wouldn’t even look at her, being completely enchanted by Xia Xiaolan. Xia Xiaolan must be a “vixen,” not only bewitching Zhou Cheng but gradually infiltrating the Zhou family, winning over both grandfather and grandmother.

What could Zhou Yi do?

Zhou Yi felt wrong but couldn’t find anything to criticize. Except for their family background, Xia Xiaolan was truly “that perfect child next door,” excelling at everything, leaving Zhou Yi no flaws to exploit!

She had shown loyalty in helping Tong Lili, but now what? Could Tong Lili show some loyalty too and apologize to Xia Xiaolan, giving Zhou Yi a chance to repair her relationship with Xia Xiaolan?

That was impossible.

Zhou Yi knew Tong Lili too well.

This was truly a dead end – if Zhou Yi wanted to take back her previous words, she could only lower her pride.

What else could she do? This country girl Xia Xiaolan had relied on her efforts, step by step, breaking through every obstacle to be with Zhou Cheng… Zhou Yi could only quietly submit.

When Xia Xiaolan was leaving with Guan Hue’e, Zhou Yi hesitantly said, “Second Aunt, has Xiaolan bought her train tickets? I have a friend working at the railway bureau. If she hasn’t gotten tickets, I could ask my friend to help.”

Guan Hue’e gave Zhou Yi a surprised look, wondering what this niece was up to now.

Zhou Yi’s mother also thought her daughter had lost her mind.

Xia Xiaolan was the most clear-headed, vaguely guessing the truth.

Was Zhou Yi backing down?

Zhou Yi wasn’t stupid after all. Who said this young lady did nothing but please the Zhou family elders? Zhou Yi was quite sensitive to Old Master Zhou’s attitude changes; she wasn’t completely useless.

“Thank you for your concern, Sister. I’ve already bought my tickets, but if I need help in the future, I’ll ask for your assistance.”

Xia Xiaolan politely declined. Zhou Yi wasn’t sure if her olive branch had been accepted and wanted to say more, but her mother forcefully led her away.

“Zhou Yi is…”

“Auntie, even bad intentions have different levels. I think Grandfather inviting Zhou Yi today had his purpose.”

Different kinds of malice weren’t the same.

Like Xia Ziyu, who had wanted to destroy Xia Xiaolan – that was vicious.

What Zhou Yi had done was merely creating obstacles for her relationship with Zhou Cheng. It wasn’t physical harm, nor did she try to impact Xia Xiaolan’s life; at most, she wanted Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng to break up.

She truly didn’t care about Zhou Yi anymore; her concerns were different now. Why waste energy holding grudges against Zhou Yi? Old Master Zhou had helped resolve the Wang Guangping situation, and Xia Xiaolan was grateful and willing to compromise.

Why upset the elderly couple over small matters? The old master had helped her, and the old lady treated her like family.

No matter how much the elderly couple disliked Zhou Yi, she wasn’t an outsider – they would still consider her interests.

Zhou Yi was clever enough to understand the old master’s attitude and lowered her head first.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t mind maintaining surface peace. She could overlook Zhou Yi’s past misdeeds, but if she dared to repeat them, even the old master’s intervention wouldn’t help!

Guan Hue’e looked at her admiringly – her mindset was truly broad.

Sigh, this girl could easily let go of grudges with Zhou Yi. As an elder, she couldn’t be pettier than Xia Xiaolan.

“Make her show more sincerity, or her mind won’t remember the lesson.”

Guan Hue’e kindly advised, and Xia Xiaolan nodded.

Not holding grudges against Zhou Yi didn’t mean being close friends – she wasn’t that much of a saint!

Xia Xiaolan didn’t need Zhou Yi’s help with tickets because she had already bought plane tickets to Pengcheng. This time, Kang Wei was traveling with her, not because he knew Zhou Cheng was in Pengcheng, but for the year-end inventory of the building materials store.

On the plane together, Kang Wei had already heard about Xia Xiaolan’s competition prize from his mother Xie Yun. Kang Wei gave her a thumbs-up:

“Sister-in-law, you’re just amazing!”

Regardless of the competition, whenever his sister-in-law participated, she would take the meat while others had to be content with soup.

Only one thing worried Kang Wei for his Brother Cheng:

“Sister-in-law, are you going abroad as an exchange student? Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”

Long-distance relationships were hard enough domestically, let alone internationally. Being family was tough, but Zhou Cheng’s relationship was also challenging. Xia Xiaolan had more ambition than most men, and with an opportunity to study abroad right in front of her, how could she not go?

“I don’t know yet, but it won’t be longer than Zhou Cheng’s training at the Land Academy.”

If she went abroad as an exchange student, Xia Xiaolan’s only worry was what Kang Wei dared not say.

Her communication with Zhou Cheng!

If domestic long-distance was difficult, what about international?

The Land Academy wasn’t much more relaxed than Zhou Cheng’s work unit. Would they become like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, separated by an ocean? The shortest would be half a year, the longest… uncertain. Xia Xiaolan hadn’t found a perfect solution yet. How could Zhou Cheng accept it if she just announced her plans to go abroad?

Looking at the flight attendant pushing the beverage cart, Xia Xiaolan truly wished she could keep a bottle of Wuliangye and drink herself into oblivion!

…

With exam week over, Xia Ziyu was busy booking train tickets.

She really didn’t want to return to Yunan Province for the New Year, but her younger brother Xia Junbao was still at home, and Zhang Cui and Xia Changzheng had been separated from their son for half a year, missing him terribly.

Xia Changzheng was still drinking heavily, but Zhang Cui’s snack stall business was slowly improving.

In cold weather, unsold food didn’t spoil quickly. Their rented room finally didn’t smell sour anymore. After Xia Ziyu’s repeated emphasis, Xia Changzheng at least stopped creating a mess in the room and could help clean when not working at the stall.

Xia Changzheng felt his status had changed, being in-laws with a state cadre. Seeing his daughter return, he smiled:

“Got the train tickets? Ziyu, about what we discussed last time, getting your brother to study in Beijing – when can you ask your father-in-law to arrange it?”

Zhang Cui also stopped her work to look at Xia Ziyu.

Xia Ziyu put two train tickets on the table. “We’ll talk about it later. We don’t even have a house in Beijing – should your brother come and squeeze in here with you two?”

Besides, the Wang family was probably having difficulties. Xia Ziyu had been avoiding Wang Jianhua for several days, using exams and illness as excuses, not wanting to be the Wang family’s scapegoat anymore. Bringing up Xia Junbao’s schooling in Beijing now would be like walking into gunfire!