When Du Zhaohui described Xia Xiaolan as a thorny rose, Tang Yuanyue laughed:

“I’m not afraid of getting pricked!”

It was normal for men and women to be friends, and except for those with peculiar tastes, Xia Xiaolan was exactly the type men would like!

Tang Yuanyue was very interested in Xia Xiaolan and asked Du Zhaohui about her background.

“She studies architecture in Beijing and has a boyfriend who’s a high-ranking official’s son. You’ve dealt with her before without knowing—her uncle’s company helped East Peak Holdings secure the Nanhai Hotel renovation, and that cursed ‘infinity pool’ was her design!”

In their indirect confrontation, Du Zhaohui had been embarrassed by Xia Xiaolan.

Since Tang Yuanyue wasn’t superstitious, Du Zhaohui wanted him to learn the hard way and told him everything.

Surprisingly, this only increased Tang Yuanyue’s interest.

“Zhaohui, a woman’s beauty is heaven’s gift; she has reason to be proud. If she has some talent too, then it’s even more natural if she has a difficult temperament. We’re not talking about marriage anyway, just friendship—you’re exaggerating.”

Tang Yuanyue didn’t care about her high official’s son’s boyfriend.

Since Meihua would mainly develop in Pengcheng, far from Beijing, he truly didn’t fear Beijing officials.

Pursuing women was about individual capability. Hong Kong had many wealthy people, and sometimes two rich heirs would pursue the same actress—did they compare assets and backgrounds? That would be too low-class.

Tang Yuanyue walked over with his wine glass.

Du Zhaohui darkly anticipated Tang Yuanyue’s embarrassed retreat.

Unexpectedly, whatever Tang Yuanyue said made Xia Xiaolan laugh heartily. Across the crowd, Du Zhaohui was almost dazzled by her smile… This wasn’t right—why would Tang Yuanyue receive such good treatment? Was he more handsome than Du Zhaohui?

Du Zhaohui touched his chin; except for not being very tall, he wasn’t ugly.

What was Xia Xiaolan’s taste? Her previous boyfriend, the official’s son, was quite handsome. Had she been dumped and was looking for a new target?

Then Tang Yuanyue would be the wrong choice.

Du Zhaohui couldn’t figure it out. After about ten minutes, Tang Yuanyue returned, beaming with satisfaction:

“Zhaohui, chatting with Miss Xia was delightful—nothing like the sharp personality you described.”

Her personality matched her looks perfectly, with a coquettish voice that made even the worldly Tang Yuanyue tingle all over.

Du Zhaohui refused to believe it.

Were they talking about the same person?

Du Zhaohui failed to consider how differently he and Tang Yuanyue had approached Xia Xiaolan. At their first meeting, Du Zhaohui had acted as Xia Dajun’s employer, arbitrarily trying to arrange for her to go to Hong Kong. Then he’d belittled her major, saying she should become a star in Hong Kong. Later, his reckless driving caused an accident—each encounter worse than the last. Why would Xia Xiaolan speak kindly to him?

Tang Yuanyue was different.

This was an investment reception. Liu Yong knew Tang Yuanyue as Meihua’s boss. Though Yuanhui’s project came from East Peak Holdings, Meihua was also a Nanhai Hotel shareholder, meaning Yuanhui was essentially working for Meihua too. The conflict between Meihua and East Peak Holdings had nothing to do with Xia Xiaolan. Tang Yuanyue used the hotel renovation as an entry point to discuss foreign master architects—an elegant, sophisticated topic perfect for the occasion. How could Xia Xiaolan coldly tell Tang Yuanyue to get lost?

Different timing, different conversationalists.

Cheng Rong Group had underworld connections, while Meihua was a clean Hong Kong investment company.

A single hair from Tang Yuanyue was worth more than Yuanhui’s total assets. When such a person initiated a conversation, Xia Xiaolan naturally responded politely.

Seeing Tang Yuanyue rejoin Du Zhaohui after leaving, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t surprised.

She clearly distinguished between Du Zhaohui and Tang Yuanyue.

When Tang Yuanyue approached her, she understood his intentions perfectly.

Liu Yong lowered his voice: “These Hong Kong people, they’re not sincere at all. Xiaolan, you must be careful of them.”

Liu Yong had previously disapproved of Xia Xiaolan dating Zhou Cheng, fearing his family’s high status and questioning his reliability. But after coming south, where Hong Kong tabloids and magazines frequently reached Pengcheng, seeing the scandals of Hong Kong’s wealth made Liu Yong appreciate Zhou Cheng.

Thanks to the contrast with others, Zhou Cheng now embodied his name’s meaning in Liu Yong’s mind—honest and reliable, his image couldn’t be better!

Hong Kong people were wealthy indeed.

But their money wasn’t self-made, and they spent it at others’ whims. Liu Yong feared Xia Xiaolan being deceived by wealthy Hong Kong men. Tang Yuanyue, who’d just approached them, probably wasn’t good either, hanging around with Young Master Du.

“Uncle, I understand completely. That Mr. Tang still wears his wedding ring—if not married, he’s at least engaged. I won’t be fooled.”

The business talk was fine.

Anything else was impossible!

Liu Yong inwardly spat—indeed not a good person, trying to deceive his niece. Fortunately, his Xiaolan was smart and not easily fooled.

Secretary Peng somehow appeared:

“Director Liu, the leaders want to see you upstairs.”

At today’s reception, the city leaders hadn’t appeared. From Secretary Peng’s words, were they having a small meeting upstairs?

Liu Yong was surprised by Secretary Peng’s “Director Liu.”

Though not highly educated, he was sensitive to social interactions. Perhaps it was his imagination, but of Mayor Tang’s two attendants, driver Xiao Wang had always been enthusiastic toward him, while this Secretary Peng had maintained distance.

He’d never used such familiar terms as “Director Liu,” usually calling him “Comrade Liu Yong”!

Liu Yong sensed something amiss, and Xia Xiaolan also noticed the oddity.

“Uncle, go with Secretary Peng. I’ll get some fresh air—it’s stuffy in here.”

Even without going outside, with her language skills, Xia Xiaolan could converse with foreign merchants. Liu Yong didn’t need to worry about her being bored.

He always listened to his niece; if Xiaolan told him to go, there must be a reason.

“Be careful then.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded.

Watching Secretary Peng lead Liu Yong away, the previously observing suitors immediately approached.

Xia Xiaolan offended none but stayed distant from all.

After collecting numerous business cards and waiting half an hour without Liu Yong’s return, she took some juice and went to the terrace for air. Inside was an extravagant reception; beyond the thick curtains was a quiet terrace, like two different worlds.

Xia Xiaolan thought the terrace was empty until she noticed a red glow flickering in the corner—someone smoking, their figure unclear except for being tall and imposing, making her somewhat uncomfortable.

Their gaze fell on her, seemingly reproaching her for disturbing their peace.

The terrace followed first-come-first-served rules. Xia Xiaolan apologized and was about to leave when she heard the person laugh:

“Hey, Miss Mafia, you don’t need to leave. I’m willing to share this terrace with you.”