“Aunt Ji made a mistake. She won’t get Ji Jiangyuan to submit; she’ll only push him further away.”

The child support bill incident had happened a month ago, and Ning Xue had been observing Ji Jiangyuan.

Ji Jiangyuan had no intention of submitting. A wealthy student raised in America was now trying to adapt to life as an ordinary Chinese student. Ning Xue hadn’t seen him become dejected – apart from spending less time on the basketball court, he showed no signs of backing down.

Willing to give up material comforts and dare to resist the extremely controlling Ji Ya, Ning Xue gained more respect for Ji Jiangyuan.

Zhen Wenxiu didn’t want to hear this. How could Ning Xue have such dangerous thoughts – how could children be right when rebelling against their parents?

Ning Xue had never been particularly close with Zhen Wenxiu, lacking mother-daughter time together. Zhen Wenxiu especially feared Ning Xue following Ji Jiangyuan’s example.

“Xue, Mother won’t argue with you, but you should know everything I do is for your benefit. How long have you known Xia Xiaolan compared to Aunt Ji? Aunt Ji brings you gifts every time she returns from abroad, and when you visited America last summer, she hosted you… Her parenting methods might be intense, but we can’t completely reject her because of this. Don’t you think Mother is right?”

Ning Xue didn’t know how to respond.

Her disapproval of Ji Ya wasn’t just about the “child support bill” for Ji Jiangyuan, but also about the previous conflict with Xia Xiaolan – just because Xia Xiaolan lacked background, Ji Ya disrespected her and refused to apologize!

Were manners and proper upbringing only meant for certain people?

Ning Xue didn’t want to argue with Zhen Wenxiu. She stood up, “I’ll check Grandfather’s study.”

Zhen Wenxiu softened her expression, “Mother is just reminding you, not forcing you. Go listen and see if Xia Xiaolan has come to your grandfather with some difficulty.”

Ning Xue nodded and left.

Zhen Wenxiu’s face immediately darkened.

Xia Xiaolan was so thick-skinned – even after being spoken to so clearly last time, she still came to the Ning residence. She shouldn’t have underestimated Xia Xiaolan. A girl from the countryside wouldn’t have gotten involved with the Zhou family without thick skin and great ambition.

Dating and marriage were different matters – there were still four years of university ahead. If the Zhou family saw through Xia Xiaolan’s true nature and opposed the marriage, what would she have to be proud of then?

This thought sparked something in Zhen Wenxiu’s mind.

Xia Xiaolan’s shameless visit to their home must have an ulterior motive. She took a plate of fruit from the kitchen and quietly walked toward the study.

…

Xia Xiaolan waited a while in the study before Ning Yanfan entered.

“I thought you wouldn’t come back here. Did Ning Xue’s mother say something? Don’t mind her words – she doesn’t understand you and wants to emphasize her role as Ning Xue’s mother in her way.”

Only fools would prejudge without experiencing things themselves. Wanting Xue to study abroad didn’t require currying favor with Ji Ya. His granddaughter would naturally thrive anywhere in the world on her merit.

Xia Xiaolan just smiled, not echoing Ning Yanfan’s criticism of his daughter-in-law.

“I came to thank you for wanting to teach me before. I deeply respect you, both as a person and for your achievements in architecture. My uncle has opened a small renovation company, and recently received a project – the Shenzhen Nanhai Hotel renovation. Do you remember it?”

Getting the Nanhai Hotel project meant it couldn’t be such a small company as Xia Xiaolan claimed.

Being in Shenzhen, it might be connected to Tang Hongen. Ning Yanfan hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan and Tang Hongen to be so close… Perhaps they weren’t initially, but after the Ji Ya incident, both opposing Ji Ya naturally made them allies.

Ji Ya was truly… Ning Yanfan was speechless at her foolishness.

“I remember. Nanhai Hotel was my design from two years ago. Continue.”

Ning Yanfan had guessed what Xia Xiaolan would say but didn’t interrupt.

Xia Xiaolan took a deep breath:

“One of the hotel’s investors, Dongfang Holdings, approached my uncle about cooperation. It was unexpected good fortune for him. Since I was in Shenzhen, I went along to meet Manager Huo from Dongfang Holdings. They promised to give part of the project to my uncle’s company, but required him to… modify your interior design plans.”

Xia Xiaolan spoke nervously, but Ning Yanfan wasn’t angry:

“The Manager Huo you mentioned must be Huo Chenzhou. A week ago, he consulted me, and I told him since I’d already been paid for the hotel design, they were free to handle it as they wished.”

Since retiring, Ning Yanfan had his studio.

Including the Nanhai Hotel, he wasn’t working for an organization but for himself.

No architect likes their work being modified randomly. Ten years ago, if faced with this situation, Ning Yanfan would have demanded design integrity, arguing that the main building and interior decoration should be unified – changing either would destroy his design.

Now it was different. He worked freely, and while his design fees weren’t quite international standards, they far exceeded his previous salary… Once others paid and he provided the design, the transaction was complete – he had no right to control what they did with the plans.

Dongfang Holdings notifying him before making changes showed considerable professionalism.

Xia Xiaolan smiled bitterly:

“Dongfang Holdings wants me and my uncle’s company’s designers to modify your original plans together. I naturally didn’t dare agree on the spot and said I needed to return to Beijing to consult you.”

Ning Yanfan’s expression softened further. “Yu Shimei mentioned you’re a conscientious child. It’s fine, you can modify-“

“Grandfather!”

Ning Xue couldn’t listen anymore.

She looked at Xia Xiaolan with hostility: “Xia Xiaolan, I watched the Nanhai Hotel plans take shape. I don’t believe they need any modification. Coming to ask my grandfather’s opinion isn’t showing respect – you’ve put him on such a high pedestal, how could he refuse you?”

Ning Yanfan took work very seriously. Having Xia Xiaolan modify the Nanhai Hotel plans – how would others question her grandfather when this got out? Had Ning Yanfan’s abilities declined so much that a first-year Huaqing Architecture student needed to modify his plans?!

Dongfang Holdings and Xia Xiaolan were simply ganging up to bully him.

Ning Yanfan’s indifferent expression turned slightly angry.

“You misunderstand… Classmate Ning Xue, I have no intention of disrespecting Teacher Ning. Could you let me finish?”

So Ning Xue wasn’t always cold and aloof.

She also had things she cared about – her grandfather Ning Yanfan’s reputation and authority.

Before Xia Xiaolan could finish, Zhen Wenxiu appeared at the door with a plate of fruit:

“I hear arguing. Xue, come out and don’t disturb your grandfather’s conversation with Student Xia.”

A slight smile played on Zhen Wenxiu’s lips. Xia Xiaolan had stepped on her daughter’s sore spot – she needn’t worry about Ning Xue being deceived by Xia Xiaolan anymore.