Just as Guan Hui’e had this thought, Jiang Yan’s eyes met hers.

Jiang Yan recognized her from before when she had visited the Zhou family during the fallout between Zhou Cheng and herself over the Pan Bohua incident.

Guan Hui’e disliked the Jiang family’s overprotectiveness and bullheadedness, but her impression of Jiang Yan herself wasn’t bad. Unlike her cousin, Jiang Yan was hardworking, with an open and cheerful personality. Guan Hui’e found it difficult to dislike such a girl.

However, Zhou Cheng had always been strong-willed. Because of Pan Bohua, Zhou Cheng could never be friends with anyone surnamed Jiang, and Guan Hui’e couldn’t force her son otherwise. While she truly disliked the Jiang family of Jinling, even if Jiang Yan was different from other Jiang family members, it didn’t matter – she couldn’t escape her identity as a Jiang!

Seeing Guan Hui’e, Jiang Yan was already striding over with her long legs.

“Aunt, are you here to see Zhou Cheng?”

She had only come out to buy some daily necessities when she spotted Guan Hui’e – an unexpected pleasure.

Of course, it would have been better if Xia Xiaolan wasn’t there. Jiang Yan wasn’t jealous of Xia Xiaolan, but after the incident when Xia Xiaolan deliberately spent a day walking arm-in-arm with Zhou Cheng in Shijiazhuang, Jiang Yan felt that while Xia Xiaolan was beautiful, she was too calculating.

As someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men, Jiang Yan naturally disliked delicate girls. Xia Xiaolan was exactly that type – showing one face to Jiang Yan and another to Zhou Cheng, full of twists and turns that troubled Jiang Yan greatly.

While Jiang Yan despised Xia Xiaolan, Guan Hui’e found Jiang Yan to be the troublesome one!

“You’re Jiang Yan, right? Long time no see. How come you’re at the academy too? Oh, this is Xiaolan, Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend. Have you met?”

Jiang Yan froze: “We met last time. I’m currently taking advanced studies in the Communications Department at the academy.”

Jiang Yan hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to be so well-liked by Zhou’s family, with Guan Hui’e introducing her so openly.

Xia Xiaolan smiled pleasantly: “Comrade Jiang Yan, we meet again.”

Since Guan Hui’e was being courteous, Xia Xiaolan had no reason to be cold. Guan Hui’e knew Jiang Yan… Xia Xiaolan wanted to pinch Zhou Cheng – that guy hadn’t explained everything to her! But Guan Hui’e’s direct attitude made her feel a bit better.

Jiang Yan didn’t linger on the topic and quickly changed the subject:

“Aunt, you’re here to see Zhou Cheng, right? I’ll help call him for you!”

Without waiting for Guan Hui’e’s response, she entered the academy.

Kang Wei continued playing the role of a quail on the sidelines – this scene was practically a battlefield, and he needed to minimize his presence.

Xia Xiaolan noticed his strange expression.

“You know Jiang Yan too?”

Kang Wei shook his head, “I’ve only heard of her, never met her in person, because of Third Brother Pan!”

Jiang Yan was truly beautiful, but her beauty was different from Xia Xiaolan’s charming allure. No one pursues friendship so eagerly, Kang Wei thought with his toes – Jiang Yan must like Zhou Cheng.

Unlike Tang Lili’s unrealistic fantasies, which Kang Wei looked down upon, Jiang Yan was a suitable match for Zhou Cheng, both in status and shared interests… If not for Third Brother Pan’s incident, might they have developed feelings and ended up together?

Zhou Cheng and Jiang Yan had known each other for a long time, so it wasn’t strange for Kang Wei to have such thoughts.

But two years ago in Anqing County, Zhou Cheng had actively pursued Xia Xiaolan after just one glance. That’s when Kang Wei knew that Brother Zhou only liked Xia Xiaolan’s type.

Jiang Yan wasn’t worth worrying about – if there had been something between them, why wait until Third Brother Pan was forced to leave the army?

Jiang Yan was quite persistent, following Zhou Cheng to study at the academy. Hmph, it was only possible because of the Jinling Jiang family’s influence. The Jiang family had caused Third Brother Pan to leave the army – Zhou Cheng would never forgive the Jiang family.

Xia Xiaolan’s voice carried a hint of jealousy, surprising Guan Hui’e:

“So you’ve met Jiang Yan before. Zhou Cheng indeed dislikes the Jiang family. He used to be comrades with Jiang Yan, but they haven’t kept in touch since.”

Was Jiang Yan’s presence at the academy a coincidence?

Guan Hui’e wasn’t particularly excited about someone liking her son.

Zhou Cheng now had a stable relationship, and Xia Xiaolan had earned the approval of the entire Zhou family through her own merits. Would Jiang Yan’s interference affect Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan’s relationship?

The ancient saying about establishing a family before establishing a career made sense – a stable partnership allows one to focus on career development!

Xia Xiaolan just smiled without speaking.

She came to see Zhou Cheng today not because of Jiang Yan, but because of the Stone family matter.

Stone Kai’s sacrifice had changed Zhou Cheng before, and Xia Xiaolan hoped to help him resolve his inner conflict.

Zhou Cheng had already come out.

He was naturally happy to see his mother, childhood friend, and girlfriend suddenly appear.

The matter of Jiang Yan was already forgotten in his mind.

“Mom, why did you come too?”

Guan Hui’e glared at him, “Am I not allowed to come?”

Of course, she was allowed.

If not for concerns about the bumpy journey, Guan Hui’e would have brought Grandmother Zhou along too.

Kang Wei coughed dryly, “Brother Zhou, let’s find a restaurant. Sister-in-law drove for several hours, and Aunt Guan must be starving too.”

Zhou Cheng punched his shoulder, “I think you’re the hungry one, what an excuse!”

Kang Wei cried out in mock pain. Zhou Cheng was very happy – this kid Kang Wei seemed completely recovered, much more solid compared to March!

Kang Wei complained to Guan Hui’e as they walked ahead, naturally leaving Zhou Cheng behind.

“This counts as a surprise? Come more often in the future!”

Xia Xiaolan pinched him, “The surprise was seeing Jiang Yan warmly greeting auntie as soon as I arrived at the academy.”

Zhou Cheng felt wronged by the pinch but didn’t dare dodge, fearing Guan Hui’e in front would notice.

He secretly kissed Xia Xiaolan, but Guan Hui’e turned around and caught them red-handed.

Her eyes hurt!

“Stop with the flirting for now. Xiaolan drove for several hours to get here because she has important business with you. Let’s eat first, then talk!”

The four of them found a random restaurant and had a quick meal. Kang Wei left first, leaving only Zhou Cheng in the room.

Guan Hui’e explained what had happened to the Stone family.

“…what do you think we should do?”

Zhou Cheng was happy that Mother Stone’s eyes had recovered well. As for Wei Juanhong’s awkwardness, Zhou Cheng thought it didn’t matter.

“You and Xiaolan have worked hard. If Sister Wei feels comfortable living in that courtyard house, then transfer the property to her name. The work situation is quite troublesome though – she doesn’t seem to have any technical skills, right?”

Xia Xiaolan instantly understood – men and women think quite differently.

Regarding the Stone family matter, she could get on the same wavelength as Guan Hui’e, but there was a generation gap with Zhou Cheng.

“Zhou Cheng, things aren’t that simple to resolve. I want to know if you can draw a bottom line for your kindness to the Stone family. Within that limit, we can help them become self-sufficient as much as possible.”

As soon as Xia Xiaolan finished speaking, Zhou Cheng seemed confused and glanced at his mother:

“Xiaolan, I’m not short of houses. When you said to buy houses if we had money, I followed your advice and bought quite a few. Transferring one to the Stone family – we still won’t lack places to live…”

Xia Xiaolan was angry enough to make her liver hurt.

Did she care about one house?!