Relying on others for sustenance always left one feeling insecure.

Xia Ziyu had lost interest in managing CR Investment – after all, any stock she bought turned a profit. She could temporarily shift her attention to figuring out how to secure her long-term meal ticket.

The desire to become pregnant again grew stronger.

Sometimes she couldn’t control the wild thoughts in her head, considering the idea of finding a surrogate father.

At this point, Xia Ziyu hadn’t thought of Wang Jianhua – her first thought was actually of the Du family members… Du Zhaohui was impossible, but what about Du Zhaoqi? If she became pregnant with Du Zhaoqi’s child, would he dare not help her?

She wanted to create opportunities, but Du Zhaoqi was more slippery than an eel. After returning to Hong Kong to take over Liu Tianquan’s business, outsiders rarely saw Du Zhaoqi.

Amid Xia Ziyu’s complicated emotions, the wedding day of Tang Yuanyue and He Zhitong arrived.

Who Du Chengrong would bring to the wedding banquet was of interest to everyone in the Du family.

Since Tang Jingyun’s death and Tang Yuanyue’s takeover of Yuhua, though he still called Du Chengrong “Uncle,” he was now effectively Du Chengrong’s equal. Du Chengrong couldn’t simply send a representative to the wedding – that would be offensive.

Xia Ziyu knew Xia Xiaolan would attend – how could she let Xia Xiaolan outshine her?

She had to attend the wedding too and with Du Chengrong.

When Du Chengrong went to see Liu Keying, Xia Ziyu neither accused nor complained.

When Du Chengrong neglected her, Xia Ziyu pretended not to notice.

If she couldn’t keep Du Chengrong overnight, she would create opportunities to see him at the company. Fortunately for Xia Ziyu, CR Investment wasn’t in another office building but within the Chengrong Group.

Same building, just floors below Du Chengrong’s office.

But she could easily see Du Chengrong.

She didn’t constantly pester him, using business as an excuse to seek him out, discussing CR Investment’s development and recent stock purchases, maintaining the demeanor of a little woman desperately seeking Du Chengrong’s guidance – this seemed to please him. The day before the wedding, Du Chengrong asked if she had found a makeup artist:

“Dress appropriately and elegantly, but don’t overshadow the newlyweds.”

Xia Ziyu naturally agreed.

Though she wanted to stun everyone, after Du Chengrong’s words, she quickly changed her mind.

Being able to attend was enough – her presence alone would create buzz. Keeping her attire low-key wouldn’t hurt.

Although Xia Ziyu had achieved her goal, she still couldn’t fathom Du Chengrong’s attitude.

July 22nd.

Tang Yuanyue and He Zhitong’s wedding.

Xia Xiaolan arrived in Hong Kong a day early.

She had no intention of overshadowing the bride. Invited as the owner of ‘Qihang Investment,’ she forewent a formal gown for a tailored, professional women’s suit.

Yu Li, who recently returned from Hainan Island, accompanied Xia Xiaolan.

Also present was Xia Xiaolan’s driver, Zheng Feng.

As for Du Zhaohui, though he wanted to enter with Xia Xiaolan, she immediately refused “Dog Du” when she recalled the tabloids’ “One Woman Serving Two Husbands” headlines.

Attend a wedding with another man?

Was she crazy?

It wasn’t acceptable with anyone – she could only go with Chengzi.

Her dear Chengzi – his career choice wasn’t his own, and Xia Xiaolan had to be understanding. Fortunately, she was open-minded and unbothered, believing she could handle anything herself, or she would surely have suffocated.

She was truly busy now, having established a stable relationship with Zhou Cheng, she didn’t want to cause trouble.

Thesis, museum follow-ups, Qihang Investment, and the Hainan land development – everything piled up at once. Even if Zhou Cheng had free time, she might not have time for romance… Thinking of this, Xia Xiaolan found herself somewhat admiring that old lecher Du Chengrong.

Human energy was limited, yet the old lecher managed to build his business empire while juggling several mistresses and casual affairs – impressive! She envied his seemingly boundless energy!

Xia Xiaolan stepped out of the car, hesitating briefly.

“Director Xia—”

Yu Li approached, but Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “It’s nothing, let’s go in.”

The dramatic encounter with Xia Ziyu at the entrance didn’t happen, but she saw Harold.

Of course – Tang Yuanyue was a high-level VIP member at the golf club, so it was natural for the club owner to offer congratulations. Harold wasn’t above maintaining social relationships.

However, this was their first meeting in three months since Tina’s incident.

Harold’s gaze showed no change, and Xia Xiaolan offered no particular response.

She feared further contact with Harold, not because of his “misdeeds,” but because he was like a mirror, reflecting her nature… Harold certainly wasn’t a good person, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t consider herself one either.

Rather than comparing her to Zhu Suizhou, she was more like Harold.

From an outsider’s perspective, Tina was just foolish and didn’t deserve death, but from Harold’s viewpoint, Tina and the Wilsons were in league together – their deaths weren’t worth mourning.

Thinking back, Xia Xiaolan realized she would have made the same choice in Harold’s position – indeed, she wasn’t a good person either! Putting herself in his shoes, Xia Xiaolan immediately glimpsed the “evil” in her nature.

To repay evil with kindness – how then to repay kindness?

When Xia Changzheng sent thugs to ambush her, she retaliated by crippling his hands. Xia Xiaolan admitted she was vindictive – she was only generous when people didn’t provoke her!

After the chance encounter with Harold at the entrance, Xia Xiaolan entered the hotel nonchalantly. Today, paparazzi swarmed the entrance – this century’s wedding deserved extensive coverage.

Before she could present her wedding gift, He Shi’en suddenly appeared:

“You dared to come! I heard… anyway, sending the gift without attending would have been best!”

“What did you hear? It’s too late for that now – I’m already here. I can’t just leave without drinking the wedding toast, can I?”

He Shi’en was still young, unlike those old hands. Though outspoken, he couldn’t hide his fondness for Xia Xiaolan.

Young people’s attraction to pretty older sisters was simple and direct. Xia Xiaolan could see He Shi’en meant no harm.

He Shi’en came to warn her – today’s wedding harbored ill intentions toward her.

He Shi’en started to speak, then thought better of it, his face reddening: “…Just follow me, don’t wander off. They won’t dare do anything to you!”

They?

He Zhitong and her friends?

Xia Xiaolan had met one called Lu Yunshi, whose family owned a newspaper. She wasn’t sure what these young ladies might do, but still thanked He Shi’en.

Encouraged by Xia Xiaolan’s trust in his words, He Shi’en stayed glued to her side.

Lu Yunshi watched in disbelief – how shameless to seduce such a young boy!

He Zhitong was busy being the bride today, so Lu Yunshi resolved to teach Xia Xiaolan a lesson, but He Shi’en followed her like a devoted puppy.

Her pre-arranged people hesitated, “Miss Lu, Young Master He is with her—”

Lu Yunshi sneered: “What Young Master? He’s just an ignorant brat. Ignore him, proceed as planned!”