It was already noon when Xia Xiaolan drove back to Beijing.

Regardless of her mood, she maintained basic politeness, appearing cordial as she had lunch outside with Guan Huie and Kang Wei.

After putting down her chopsticks, Guan Huie finally acted somewhat like a mother:

“Xiaolan, don’t be hasty with Zhou Cheng. He’s a man, inexperienced in handling these matters, and matures later than you. Give him some time to figure things out himself.”

Zhou Cheng was an adult, well past the age of listening to his mother. Guan Huie felt bitter – if he wouldn’t listen to his mother, he should at least listen to his girlfriend.

Xia Xiaolan nodded:

“Auntie Guan, I understand.”

While Zhou Cheng remained confused, Xia Xiaolan had already decided to stay out of the Shi family’s affairs.

As for whether she and Zhou Cheng should break up, there was no need to discuss that now.

Guan Huie also felt her son was being muddle-headed this time, but what could she do? He was her son, and she still had to clean up after him.

But Xiaolan was someone else’s daughter – she only cared about the Shi family because she liked Zhou Cheng. If she wanted to step back now, Guan Huie couldn’t force her!

After giving Kang Wei a meaningful look, Guan Huie left.

Kang Wei had an important task.

“Sister-in-law, Brother Cheng just values loyalty too much. Let’s not talk about the Shi family – remember when I was wasting my life away? Wasn’t it Brother Cheng who reached out to help me? To be honest, I never expected it. A good money-making opportunity – others would have kept it to themselves, but he actively shared the profits with me. I was confused at the time, but Brother Cheng said money can be earned again, but you only have one brother.”

Being loyal doesn’t mean being foolish.

Zhou Cheng hadn’t just thrown money around – he only brought in Kang Wei because Kang Wei needed help while drifting aimlessly, and because they grew up together and he trusted Kang Wei’s character.

Kang Wei carefully watched Xia Xiaolan’s expression and continued:

“About the Shi family matter – in Brother Cheng’s mind, they’re just vulnerable people needing care! When he went back to the academy, Sister-in-law Wei wasn’t acting like this.”

Kang Wei was wracking his brains trying to defend Zhou Cheng.

Xia Xiaolan knew Kang Wei had a point.

This was also why she hadn’t immediately broken up with Zhou Cheng.

Besides their genuine feelings developed over time, this was a difference in thinking, not a flaw in Zhou Cheng’s character.

Zhou Cheng might make mistakes and be arrogantly masculine, but he wasn’t morally corrupt.

Kang Wei was right – Wei Juanhong had shown a different face to Zhou Cheng.

Even when Xia Xiaolan first met her, Wei Juanhong seemed very simple and honest. When did the change occur? It was when Guan Huie told her about the reason for Shi Kai’s sacrifice!

From that moment on, under various external influences, Wei Juanhong revealed another side.

Had Wei Juanhong hidden it too well before, or was the shock too great?

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to explore this.

However, these changes indeed happened after Zhou Cheng left – looking further back, Wei Juanhong’s unrestrained behavior was because Zhou Cheng had shown his hand too early.

The generous arrangements made for the Shi family let Wei Juanhong know Zhou Cheng’s capabilities and his disregard for money. As Shi Kai’s widow, Wei Juanhong could make endless demands from Zhou Cheng.

In summary, it was a case of ingratitude for kindness.

Xia Xiaolan shook her head:

“You don’t need to speak up for Zhou Cheng. I won’t interfere with the Shi family matters anymore – let him handle it himself.”

Good moral character was fine, but if Zhou Cheng couldn’t handle this well, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to spend decades ahead repeatedly arguing over similar issues.

A heated argument to vent emotions would have been better – seeing Xia Xiaolan so calm made Kang Wei nervous: Brother Cheng might be in trouble. Good grief, he didn’t even have a girlfriend himself, why did he have to get involved in this?

After they met two years ago, they were so close, but now their relationship wasn’t troubled by internal issues but by others’ affairs… Lost in thought, Kang Wei exchanged cars with Xia Xiaolan.

Kang Wei was usually forbidden from driving; the modified Jeep 212 remained at one of his properties under his name, close to his home.

After getting her Citroën back, Xia Xiaolan didn’t go straight home.

Instead, she visited the bank for a discussion with Manager Wu.

Returning home, she calculated the timing – her mother should be at Xidan doing accounts and making deposits. Xia Xiaolan drove to Xidan, where Liu Fen had indeed finished accounting and was about to make deposits.

Coincidentally, Chief Ma was also there, talking with Liu Fen.

“Uncle Ma, you’re here too.”

Xia Xiaolan got out of her car, and Chief Ma glanced at it:

“I heard Comrade Liu Fen is learning to drive – are you teaching her? You drive well, but with your classes, do you have enough spare time?”

Xia Xiaolan immediately became wary.

Since her mother had become increasingly successful, suitors had been appearing like flowers.

Everyone wanted to be her stepfather. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t pressured – she currently leaned towards Tang Hongen. It wasn’t about power, but because she knew Tang Hongen better.

As for Chief Ma, she had only inquired about him from Manager Wu.

She only knew his wife died a few years ago – why had he taken an interest in her mother?

He appeared proper, but one can never truly know another’s heart. Xia Xiaolan remained cautious while keeping a neutral expression:

“Uncle Ma, they say time is like water in a sponge – squeeze it and you’ll find some. I teach her in my spare time, and my mother practices gradually. We’re not rushing – she needs to develop her skills properly.”

Chief Ma dropped the topic, not pushing to offer help.

Liu Fen also felt Chief Ma was appearing too frequently.

After making her deposit, she got in the car, finally able to bid farewell to Chief Ma.

Though Chief Ma was kind-hearted, his stern features troubled Liu Fen. She actually had trauma regarding burly men, easily reminded of Xia Dajun.

However, Chief Ma was undeniably good – he had looked after her clothing store and helped catch Zhang Cui who was stalking her. Liu Fen couldn’t just dismiss his help now that she didn’t need it!

“I thought you’d return in the evening. Why didn’t you spend more time with Zhou Cheng?”

Young couples should meet regularly – Liu Fen supported Xia Xiaolan driving to see Zhou Cheng.

Liu Fen didn’t know that Xia Xiaolan had driven for 10 hours only to argue with Zhou Cheng, with no sweet moments at all.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t mention it to worry Liu Fen. Liu Fen liked Zhou Cheng and was always considerate of others. If she knew about the Shi family matter, she might even call Xia Xiaolan petty. With things unsettled, Xia Xiaolan just brushed it off.

After mother and daughter visited the shop under renovation at Gulou and returned home, Grandmother Yu was listening to the radio in her chair.

“What timing – Zhou Cheng just called, asking if you were home. Want to call him back?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head: “Never mind. Since I didn’t answer, he’ll ask Auntie Guan. Mom and I were checking the renovation. Auntie Guan returned early.”

If she and Zhou Cheng couldn’t reach an agreement, they should both cool off for a while!