Xu Changle had complex feelings about Zhang Jiangdong’s will.

Zhang Jiangdong had modified his will twice, with the most recent change made before he left America.

He left substantial cash, stocks, and bonds to Tina, real estate and trust funds to Cui Yiru, and two companies to Xu Changle.

Perhaps Zhang Jiangdong wasn’t entirely confident about his trip to China—normal people don’t modify their will before departing.

The lawyer read the will in Tina’s hospital room. About to inherit 24 million US dollars, Tina showed no joy. Instead, when the lawyer emphasized that due to Cui Yiru’s death, her inheritance would be split between the siblings, Tina broke down crying again, whispering:

“Mommy…”

“Miss Tina, please accept my condolences.”

The lawyer consoled her.

“At least Mr. Zhang left valuable inheritances for you siblings.”

Losing family was certainly sad.

But with these assets, as long as the siblings didn’t make grave mistakes, they would live comfortably—and luxuriously—for life.

“Could you give us some time, please?”

Xu Changle’s words made the lawyer leave the room.

Ah, going from rich kids to wealth holders at the cost of losing both parents—these young siblings indeed needed time to accept this!

Tina had been protesting through a hunger strike for many days, surviving only on nutrient solutions.

With needles still in her arms, the once vibrant young girl’s cheeks had thinned, her complexion terrible.

“Tina, I know you’re suffering—I am too! But you should accept reality. The dead won’t come back. Mom wouldn’t want to see you harming your body like this. We won’t force you to return to Shangdu. You can choose the life you want. Do you want to live forever in grief, ignoring everything around you, abandoning your brother and your studies?”

The siblings were very close.

Tina knew that if she didn’t yield, her brother would.

“You mean it? That person also…”

“That person” referred to Xu Zhongyi—Tina didn’t know how to address him, so simply used “that person.”

Xu Changle wanted to correct her but held back:

“Yes, he agrees too. Tina, we don’t intend to force you to do anything. We just want you to live happily and freely. You can choose the life you like.”

Now Tina felt lost.

She had been refusing to accept reality and couldn’t face Xu Zhongyi, mentally prepared for a long battle. Who knew Xu Changle and Xu Zhongyi would agree so easily… Tina felt somewhat at a loss.

But she knew to seize this opportunity, immediately brightening:

“I want to return to America!”

She didn’t want to stay in Hong Kong, watched by bodyguards 24 hours a day.

Xu Changle nodded, “All right, but wait a few days until I handle things here. We’ll return to America together.”

Tina reluctantly agreed.

When Xu Changle mentioned the seized building in Shangdu, Tina showed no interest, making him sigh. Zhang Jiangdong’s final will modification must have been carefully considered. Xu Changle had only wanted to take the cash to build a museum, but Zhang Jiangdong left all cash and stocks to Tina while giving him the companies—seeing Tina’s childishness, she could not handle companies!

While accompanying Tina, Xu Changle’s thoughts wandered.

He wondered if Xia Xiaolan would accept the Erqi Square Mall investment.

Whether she accepted or not, Xia Xiaolan surely had her reasons. Xu Changle hoped she would accept—it was their expression of gratitude.

Looking at the temperamental Tina, Xu Changle reflected that while both were young women, Xia Xiaolan was too mature and Tina too childish.

Had he protected Tina too much?

…

If Xia Xiaolan knew Xu Changle’s thoughts, she would strongly agree.

Miss Xia never felt she had it worse—without those experiences, she wouldn’t have developed her current abilities.

When girls are raised pampered and cute, it shows their parents’ capability—shielding them from all hardships. How could greenhouse flowers not be delicate and lovely? They’ve never seen the world’s ugliness.

But if Xia Xiaolan had a daughter, she definitely wouldn’t spoil her.

No matter how powerful or wealthy parents are, they can’t prevent disasters. In sudden events, leaving behind naive children—forget preserving family wealth, they might accidentally lose their lives!

Ability isn’t gender-related. While not every child needs to be exceptional, they should at least have the ability to distinguish right from wrong and survive independently, right?

Tina lacked this.

But she was Xu Changle’s sister, Xu Zhongyi’s daughter—whether they continued spoiling her wasn’t Xia Xiaolan’s concern.

Zhou Cheng originally planned to accompany Xia Xiaolan until she cleared customs. Before Zhu Suizhou appeared, several plainclothes officers arrived in Pengcheng. Uniform or not, their bearing clearly showed they were from the unit.

These people spoke with Zhou Cheng downstairs. From the window, Xia Xiaolan saw Zhou Cheng’s expression turn very serious.

Xia Xiaolan had a bad feeling.

However, when Zhou Cheng came upstairs, he wore a relaxed expression:

“Wife, I can’t accompany you through customs tomorrow. There’s an urgent mission. Since I’m already in Pengcheng, superiors decided to end my leave two days early and send me.”

Zhou Cheng spoke casually as if the unit had just asked him to go shopping for groceries.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t so easily fooled. Suddenly finding Zhou Cheng while on leave—this couldn’t be a simple, easy mission.

Zhou Cheng didn’t want her to worry.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t show a sour face, forcing a smile instead: “It’s fine, you’ve accompanied me for so many days already. I can’t be too greedy. When do you leave?”

Zhou Cheng pointed downstairs, “Leaving now, they’re waiting in the car.”

He grinned, leaning forward, “Wife, could you give me a kiss?”

This was in the city government staff quarters. Tang Hongen had gone to work, the nanny was still here—any intimate moments had to be secretive, making them extra exciting.

Before leaving, Zhou Cheng could finally openly ask for a kiss.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t hesitate, giving him a proper kiss. Both breathless, Xia Xiaolan spoke lightly but her eyes were very serious:

“Be careful on your mission. When rushing forward, think of Uncle Zhou and Aunt Guan… and think of me!”

Zhou Cheng nodded, “You’re my life. Just thinking that you’re waiting for me, I won’t act recklessly. I can’t let you marry someone else, right? The thought of you becoming someone else’s wife would drive me crazy!”

This was his profession.

Time together was always brief, partings always sudden.

You could plead for leave time, but once the unit needed you, no reason could justify disobeying orders!

Meeting your partner?

Even if your wife was in the hospital giving birth, when it’s time to go, you must go!

Zhou Cheng wouldn’t let Xia Xiaolan come downstairs to see him off. She could only watch from the window as Zhou Cheng waved to her before ducking into a jeep.

Xia Xiaolan’s observation was correct—once in the car, Zhou Cheng’s relaxed expression instantly vanished:

“Tell me everything carefully. Explain every detail about Comrade Pan Baohua’s disappearance!”