To say Xia Xiaolan was fierce wasn’t quite accurate.

The ones fighting were Bai Zhenzhu and the renovation workers – Xia Xiaolan hadn’t laid a finger on anyone.

But from start to finish, she remained completely calm, and though Bai Zhenzhu was tough, she clearly followed Xia Xiaolan’s lead… That was the boss style – which boss would dirty their own hands? It would only lower their status!

Ji Jiangyuan’s eyes hurt.

At the freshman welcome party, he had found Xia Xiaolan interesting and profound in conversation, but she had such a ruthless side. Though surprised, Ji Jiangyuan inexplicably wanted to laugh.

“Mr. Harold, since my friend doesn’t need help, we won’t trouble you. I apologize for delaying your important business!”

Harold glanced at Ji Jiangyuan:

“Ji, I’m not imagining things, am I? You don’t want me to meet her?”

Harold wasn’t some lustful stallion who would pounce on any beautiful woman.

All that talk about East-West aesthetic differences was nonsense. Whether White, Asian, or Black, every race had beautiful people – true beauty transcended racial aesthetic barriers… In Harold’s opinion, this Chinese mafia lady, somewhere between girl and woman, was quite alluring.

The allure wasn’t just her figure.

Nor was it crude speech.

It was the fire that radiated from her very being.

Ultimate sexiness wasn’t about exposing the body, but this subtle way of captivating others.

“No, I think your investigation in Pengcheng is more important than meeting a Chinese girl.”

Whether Harold accepted Ji Jiangyuan’s explanation was unknown, but his entourage wanted to nod frantically. Pursuing women could happen anytime, but investigating investment opportunities in Pengcheng was the real priority!

Ji Jiangyuan had convinced Harold.

The intense interest on his face suddenly disappeared.

“Let’s go. It seems the mafia lady can handle her troubles without needing a knight’s rescue.”

Although another group of villagers, young and old, had rushed out with farm tools, the mafia lady remained unfazed, presumably able to handle this trouble.

…

After beating the son, the elders came out. With dozens of renovation workers here, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t afraid.

To put it bluntly, didn’t they know what kind of person their son was?

Either back down and take their son home, or everyone could go to the police station.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s tough attitude, they couldn’t figure out this outsider’s background.

Someone who could mobilize a truck full of workers for a fight wasn’t someone ordinary village tyrants could mess with. These days, anyone who could run construction sites in Pengcheng couldn’t be ordinary. It was even harder for outsiders to command such influence – they must have connections and backing.

As they tried to say some face-saving words while retrieving their son, Xia Xiaolan smilingly interrupted:

“Among criminals, even in prison, murderers and arsonists look down on rapists. What kind of man harasses women? If he dares do it again, I’ll beat him every time I see him.”

Xia Xiaolan deeply despised such people.

Unable to overcome Xia Xiaolan’s imposing manner, and knowing they were in the wrong, the villagers who had rushed out with hoes and carrying poles slunk away.

The renovation workers cheered.

They had shown restraint in fighting. Xia Xiaolan didn’t cause trouble but wasn’t afraid of it either – this style of handling matters instantly won people’s hearts.

Liu Yong had promised half a day off, so he let the workers go and enjoy themselves.

Xia Xiaolan asked Liu Yong:

“Aunt and Taotao are still in the resort. These villagers lost face here – will they cause trouble for them?”

Liu Yong, formerly idle himself, understood these people’s mindset:

“Once they’ve backed down, it’s not easy to gather courage again. The resort management isn’t a pushover either – see how they didn’t dare act inside the park?”

The resort depended on tourists for money.

Many tourists were from Hong Kong and Macau. Xiangmihu was Pengcheng’s showcase window for tourism – anyone causing trouble in the resort would face consequences from both investors and the government. Li Fengmei and Liu Zitao were the safest inside.

Xia Xiaolan agreed.

“When they’re done playing, we should still have someone pick them up.”

Xia Xiaolan looked toward the street corner – somehow, she had a feeling of being watched earlier.

But looking at the corner again, there was no movement.

That hooligan had made her paranoid.

Seeing Yang Jie was also there, Xia Xiaolan specifically reminded him:

“…Don’t tell your big sister about today.”

“Got it, Sister Xiaolan!”

Yang Jie’s voice was loud, chest puffed out like a soldier being inspected by a commander.

Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment before suddenly understanding, breaking into laughter: “You don’t need to be like that, I’m not usually this kind of person.”

Yang Jie nodded vigorously but didn’t believe it in his heart—if not this kind of person, then what kind? Fine, fine, you’re the boss, whatever you say!

“You have half a day off, hurry back and rest!”

Xia Xiaolan was speechless, seeing disbelief written all over his face, making it impossible to continue the conversation.

Yang Jie had worked hard for several days, truly exhausting work since he had no skills and could only do manual labor. All the hard heavy work was done by laborers – while the masters laid tiles, laborers had to carry materials, haul tiles upstairs, mix cement… This wasn’t anyone bullying Yang Jie, it was just how construction sites worked. Why else hire laborers if not to share the burden of skilled workers?

Learning technical skills in any trade wasn’t easy. In renovation work, to get an experienced worker to teach Yang Jie, he first had to do the grunt work well. Only when a master worker took a liking to him would they share technical tips?

Xia Xiaolan’s sharp eyes noticed the broken blisters on Yang Jie’s hands.

Different from farming work, it was common to get blisters when you hadn’t mastered the right amount of force.

Now with half a day off, Xia Xiaolan urged him to go rest.

Yang Jie scratched his head, “Sister Xiaolan, I’ll work hard, thank you for giving me this opportunity!”

He ran off as if afraid Xia Xiaolan would eat him.

Xia Xiaolan pondered – something seemed off about his tone. Yang Jie seemed to really want long-term work at Yuanhui, rather than just working for two or three months to earn bride price money before returning home. If so, with Yang Jie’s high school education, she should mention it to her uncle, and observe Yang Jie for a few months to see if he could be useful.

For Yang Yonghong’s sake, Yang Jie was quite reliable.

Yuanhui needed people now. Li Dongliang and Ge Jian weren’t bad, but neither had a comprehensive management perspective.

If they couldn’t find talent, they’d have to cultivate it themselves.

When Xia Xiaolan returned home, Tang Hongen’s driver Xiao Wang was waiting and handed her an invitation:

“The leader said to check it out if you have time.”

This was the second invitation Xia Xiaolan had received recently.

“An investment promotion banquet?”

Xiao Wang nodded, “Hosted by the city government, lots of Hong Kong merchants and foreign investors will be there. It’s a good opportunity.”

Xia Xiaolan also thought it was a good opportunity, but she hesitated:

“Would it be appropriate for me to go?”