Looking at Zhou Yi swinging her arms as she entered the exam room, Qi Wei desperately consoled herself that she shouldn’t quarrel with this carefree fool.

Even if Zhou Yi was a “princess,” she was still a foolish one.

However difficult it was to look after a foolish princess, could it be harder than studying abroad? It was easier to coax her by going along with her ways.

Besides, these two months hadn’t been completely fruitless for Qi Wei. While helping Zhou Yi review basics, Qi Wei strengthened her foundation too.

Then she passed level 109.

Then level 110.

Now she only needed to pass level 111, and her language school scores would be sufficient to apply for university.

Ah!

Just endure a bit longer. Even if Zhou Yi passed level 106 this time, her role as the princess’s study companion would continue. From Xia Xiaolan’s intention, she wanted Zhou Yi to pass the level 109 test at language school, reaching the level needed to apply for community college!

Inside, Zhou Yi was taking the test, calm and relaxed.

Qi Wei, waiting outside, was more nervous than the test-taker herself.

How could Zhou Yi not be relaxed? From being unable to understand test questions to now having memorized so many words, from passing level 101 to level 105, the poor student had built up confidence.

After submitting her test, Zhou Yi was at ease. Seeing Qi Wei pacing back and forth, she felt warmth in her heart:

“I think I passed.”

“Really? Don’t lie to me!”

Zhou Yi tossed her hair, “Why would I lie? You’ll know when the results are posted. Come on, let’s have that feast today. You don’t need to treat – I must treat you to thank you for all your help these past months!”

Qi Wei felt somewhat gratified.

Though quite foolish, she wasn’t completely without conscience – she knew who had helped her.

However, the person who truly helped Zhou Yi was Xia Xiaolan, doing good deeds without seeking recognition.

Qi Wei, with her high emotional intelligence, suggested, “Why don’t you invite Xia? When she came last time, I saw she cared about you too.”

Zhou Yi thought about it and nodded:

“Sure, I haven’t spent much money these two months, so I can repay what I owe her too.”

Since working at the Chinese restaurant, having wages withheld by the boss was normal, but solving the food problem saved a lot of money. With free meals on one side and some income from work on the other, Zhou Yi hadn’t used much of the 1,000 dollars borrowed from Xia Xiaolan. She could gather her wages and repay the debt early.

The IOU was due October 25th, and being able to clear the debt before then made Zhou Yi somewhat proud.

Perhaps from learning from good people, without Tong Lili and that group’s influence, Zhou Yi had become a bit more sensible. Having experienced hunger herself, washing dishes until her back ached, she finally understood how hard it was to earn dollars. She only told her family about working at the restaurant, not about eating leftovers… Whether for face or true maturity, she’d learned to share good news but keep hardships to herself.

Before repaying Xia Xiaolan, Zhou Yi hadn’t bought any new clothes or eaten at restaurants.

The feast was specifically to thank Qi Wei.

She agreed to invite Xia Xiaolan too.

If she had a tail, it would be wagging now.

—Using money she earned herself to treat Xia Xiaolan to dinner, surely Xia Xiaolan would see her in a new light?

—Moreover, at this rate, she might soon pass the level 109 test!

Xia Xiaolan had slept for two hours in her apartment bed when the phone ring woke her.

It was Zhou Yi inviting her to dinner.

“You took the level 106 test today?”

Below level 107 was truly without difficulty.

Of course, that was by Xia Xiaolan’s standards. For Zhou Yi’s level, well, anything above 101 was challenging.

Let’s not discuss whether she could pass level 106 yet. In such a short time, Zhou Yi passing level 105 had already surprised Xia Xiaolan… Whether Qi Wei could become a lawyer later was unknown, but looking at how she’d dragged Zhou Yi along, Qi Wei would make a good language training teacher!

If Xia Xiaolan had to teach, she might not even have the patience.

Spending days with Zhou Yi, Xia Xiaolan felt it might affect her intelligence.

“Alright, where are we eating? I’m in New York now, I can drive over.”

Zhou Yi knew nothing about Xia Xiaolan’s trip back to China.

Though somewhat surprised that Xia Xiaolan was in New York, it was more convenient than having her make a special trip for dinner. No need to schedule another time. Zhou Yi chose a nearby restaurant – she’d asked classmates, and it cost about 10 dollars per person, which she could afford.

Hearing Zhou Yi’s confidence about passing level 106, Xia Xiaolan realized she needed to consider fulfilling her agreement with Qi Wei.

It had been a while since she’d contacted Wen Manni, and Xia Xiaolan had brought many specialties from China – weren’t they meant to be distributed?

Learning that Wen Manni was in her office and since it wasn’t yet dinner time, she drove to deliver them.

Wen Manni was three months pregnant.

Her morning sickness was still severe.

Xia Xiaolan brought her some preserved plums, joking:

“Connie, though you grew up in America, maybe your constitution is still more Chinese!”

Preserved plums contain citric acid, malic acid, and pectin, which can help some pregnant women with severe morning sickness. Xia Xiaolan had specifically brought these from China for Wen Manni.

Wen Manni didn’t stand on ceremony, opening the jar and eating two pieces.

“Better than those from Chinatown.”

Hu Ying had thought of this solution before Xia Xiaolan, bought preserved plums from Chinatown, but Hu Ying said those plums didn’t taste right, though Wen Manni couldn’t tell the difference.

After tasting what Xia Xiaolan brought from China, whether psychologically or not, these preserved plums did taste more authentic… It was a strange feeling. Wen Manni had grown up in America, naturalized at birth, with no sense of belonging to China.

However after Xia Xiaolan moved into the Wen household, various influences affected Wen Manni. Eating the preserved plums Xia Xiaolan brought from China, her morning sickness seemed to improve.

The vague thoughts in Wen Manni’s mind gradually became clear, and she said firmly to Xia Xiaolan:

“After Baby is born, I want to visit China, taking Klaus and my parents – our whole family… going back.”

Though born an American citizen, with her black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin, she thought now that if she never visited China in this lifetime, there might be regrets!

Xia Xiaolan naturally welcomed this with both hands.

When Xia Xiaolan mentioned finding law firm internships for Qi Wei, hearing that Qi Wei had passed the language requirement but hadn’t passed the law school exam, Wen Manni pondered:

“For a law firm to hire her, unless it’s as a janitor, which she doesn’t want. How about this – I’ll try to arrange through the language school to hire her as my assistant. You know my work capacity has decreased since pregnancy, I do need an additional assistant.”

Wen Manni could naturally find law firm interns to be assistants.

Choosing Qi Wei not only meant more complicated procedures, but Qi Wei also lacked experience – Wen Manni would have to train her.

But why would Wen Manni agree?

Xia Xiaolan knew it was to help her. Moved and sighing, she said:

“Connie, I feel you’ve changed so much. You have more human warmth now!”