Heartthrob, Your Image is Crumbling!

Chapter 479: Sister-in-Law in America

It would take a total of twenty hours for the airplane taking off from Shanghai to reach Manhattan in America.Because Su Qing's decision to study abroad was so sudden, Zhou Yuwen found himself completely in the dark, despite having the financial means. He simply had no prior experience in this area.

Fortunately, because Zhu Hong always wanted to secure some campus food delivery resources from Zhou Yuwen during this period, she had been frequently inviting him out to play golf.

Knowing that both Zhu Hong and Lu Wanting had experience studying abroad, Zhou Yuwen brought the matter up with Zhu Hong during one of their games.

Zhu Hong told him that since she had been studying overseas since high school, she actually did not know much about the rules for applying to universities abroad.

"However, if you want me to give you a recommendation for a few good colleges, I have plenty of suggestions," Zhu Hong said with a smile.

Zhou Yuwen felt slightly disappointed upon hearing this. He replied that he naturally knew which schools in America were prestigious, but being prestigious did not necessarily mean they were suitable for his little girlfriend.

Zhu Hong chuckled, noting that it was rare to see President Zhou care so deeply about a girl.

"I think we should focus more of our energy on work, President Zhou. You are already brimming with charm, but if you were to take things to the next level in business, I believe even more girls would be willing to follow you."

Zhu Hong was a mature woman full of charm herself, and her every glance and smile carried a hint of suggestion.

Even while wearing a sporty golf outfit, she fully displayed the curves of her voluptuous figure.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yuwen had no interest in her advances.

Regardless of what the future held for him and Su Qing, they were inseparable in this world. With Su Qing leaving her hometown to travel across the ocean as just one person, it was honestly impossible for him not to worry.

Just as Zhou Yuwen was completely at his wits' end over this matter.

Lu Wanting, who had remained silent on the golf course earlier, approached him during the halftime break.

Unlike Zhu Hong, who was there to play, Lu Wanting's role was that of an assistant, so she dressed in a much more youthful and vibrant manner.

She wore a pale yellow sleeveless shirt paired with a white pleated skirt, and her beautiful legs were wrapped in white socks that sat just below the knee.

She could tell that Zhou Yuwen had been somewhat unhappy lately. After a moment of thought, she told him, "If Su Qing is going to study abroad, I think Banard College in New York would be quite suitable for her."

Lu Wanting's sudden suggestion left Zhou Yuwen slightly puzzled. However, remembering that she was from Nanyang and had experience studying abroad in America, he curiously asked what kind of school it was.

During the time Zhou Yuwen's parents visited Jinling, Lu Wanting's inner feelings had been seen through by Peng Xiaoyong.

Even though this was not something to be ashamed of.

Lu Wanting still felt quite ashamed, constantly feeling like she had fallen for someone who did not like her back.

Because of this, she had not been in contact with Zhou Yuwen up until now.

It was only now, seeing Zhou Yuwen's distress, that she could not help but step forward to offer her insight.

Banard College, true to its name, was a private women's liberal arts college located in Manhattan, New York. Since its founding, the college had only admitted female students. It served as a sister school to Columbia University, with the two institutions sharing educational resources. Upon graduation, students would receive diplomas from both Banard College and Columbia University.

Lu Wanting felt that it was actually a bit late for Su Qing to apply to study abroad now.

There were only two options left: either wait until March of next year, giving them more time to prepare and a chance to get into a better college.

Or, if she wanted to leave right away, Banard College was an excellent choice. First of all, its admissions process was not as strict as those of the more famous universities, and secondly, the educational environment at the school was quite decent.

Most importantly, one of Lu Wanting's uncles served as the chairman of the board at Banard College.

If Zhou Yuwen needed it, Lu Wanting could help.

Zhou Yuwen was delighted to hear this. He told Lu Wanting that no matter how much money it required, she should just go ahead and handle it.

"Sister-in-law, you've really done me a huge favor."

Lately, Lu Wanting had been busy running around behind Zhu Hong, making Zhou Yuwen almost forget that this sister-in-law was a wealthy daughter from Nanyang. Coming here to work as a management trainee was just a temporary stint. It seemed he needed to slightly adjust his attitude towards her.

Meeting Zhou Yuwen's earnest gaze, Lu Wanting felt rather shy. When a girl faced the person she liked, she would be unable to control herself and instinctively press her legs together. And wearing a pleated skirt at such a moment made the sight incredibly captivating.

Lu Wanting replied, "It's really nothing. We're all friends, after all."

With Lu Wanting's help, Zhou Yuwen quickly finished Su Qing's enrollment procedures. Since Lu Wanting had spent two years in New York, she knew quite a few friends there.

Therefore, Zhou Yuwen wanted to entrust her with purchasing some real estate in New York. However, Lu Wanting suggested that if Su Qing was going over to study, it would be best for her to find a host family for the first year, or at least the first six months.

Lu Wanting explained that studying abroad wasn't as simple as he imagined. With Su Qing traveling across the ocean as just one person to an unfamiliar place, it was impossible for her to completely avoid communication with others, and she needed to adapt to the environment there as quickly as possible.

Therefore, a host family was the most suitable option.

It was the fastest way for someone to familiarize themselves with the current environment and adapt to the culture. Moreover, she shouldn't think that host families were only chosen by those struggling financially; typically, even the children of wealthy domestic families would choose to stay with a host family for a while when they went overseas.

"When I first went to New York, I stayed with a host family for half a year too, though Xiaoyong stayed in the school dormitory," Lu Wanting said with a smile.

Hearing Lu Wanting say this, Zhou Yuwen thought about Su Qing being all alone and helpless in a foreign country and truly felt a bit uneasy. He then looked at Lu Wanting standing before him; her smile was highly infectious, giving off the aura of a caring older sister.

Zhou Yuwen smiled and said, "Sister Wanting, we'll be completely in the dark once we go abroad. You have a certain amount of experience overseas. If you could help arrange everything for Su Qing, I think I would feel very relieved."

"Uh,"

Lu Wanting hadn't expected Zhou Yuwen to want her to accompany Su Qing abroad. Before she could decline, he continued.

Zhou Yuwen declared that he wouldn't let her work for nothing; he would pay her a substantial reward.

"It's not a matter of money..." Hearing this, Lu Wanting couldn't help but laugh.

To be honest, although she was the daughter of a wealthy Nanyang businessman, the environment in Nanyang wasn't much better than domestically. Lu Wanting's father had three wives, and she was actually born to a concubine.

Even though she was deeply doted upon by her father, it was obvious that she needed to pave her own path for the future.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the country to struggle as just one person.

Zhou Yuwen offered her a salary she simply couldn't refuse.

However, Lu Wanting pointed out that while that sounded great, she still had her job here to consider.

It was obvious her heart stirred at the offer, but she was still caught in hesitation.

So Zhou Yuwen proposed, "How about this, Sister Wanting? Treat it as revisiting an old haunt. Go to New York for another trip and catch up with your old classmates. I'll cover all your expenses this time. If you feel it's suitable, or rather, if you want to continue and finish your studies, I'll pay your tuition fees and living expenses. If you'd rather not, you can come back anytime after helping Su Qing settle her initial study abroad arrangements."

Lu Wanting hadn't even spoken yet.

Zhou Yuwen had already guessed her concerns. He added, "I'll put in a good word for you with Sister Zhu."

Lu Wanting was a reserve cadre for Meituan, making it difficult for her to just resign lightly. Fortunately, Zhou Yuwen and Zhu Hong had a good relationship. After much persuasion, he managed to get Zhu Hong to grant Lu Wanting a special one-month leave.

She was allowed to go abroad with pay, and was even assigned a project, beautifully disguised as a trip to survey the market in New York.

As a mere corporate rookie, suddenly receiving such a massive perk naturally made Lu Wanting incredibly happy. She even started contacting her classmates abroad, telling them she would be able to see them soon.

However, upon learning that Lu Wanting was leaving, Peng Xiaoyong felt deeply saddened.

Even though he knew the person Lu Wanting liked was his younger cousin.

But Lu Wanting had made it very clear that day, stating she knew a relationship between her and Zhou Yuwen was impossible.

"I'm so sorry," Lu Wanting had said apologetically to Peng Xiaoyong. And on that day, Peng Xiaoyong had very magnanimously replied that it was alright, acknowledging that Zhou Yuwen was indeed excellent.

"But I won't give up."

Basking in the glow of the setting sun that day.

Peng Xiaoyong confessed his feelings to Lu Wanting at the subway entrance. He hoped she could give him a chance, or at the very least, allow him to pursue her openly and honestly.

Lu Wanting had been very confused at the time. To be honest, she didn't have feelings for Peng Xiaoyong.

But seeing Peng Xiaoyong's earnest demeanor.

The first thought that surprisingly crossed Lu Wanting's mind was that he was Zhou Yuwen's older cousin.

Everyone could see Zhou Yuwen's potential.

If she couldn't reach Zhou Yuwen.

Choosing someone close to him was indeed not a bad alternative.

After agonizing over it for a long while, Lu Wanting finally declared, "I'm sorry, Xiaoyong. You are a good person, but I cannot go against the choice in my heart."

"It's okay, Wanting. I'll give you time, but could you also give me a little time?"

Since Peng Xiaoyong put it like that, what else could Lu Wanting say?

She could only respond by nodding.

So, from then on, Peng Xiaoyong pursued Lu Wanting with even greater effort.

And at this point, Lu Wanting's resolve had actually loosened a little. After all, choosing Peng Xiaoyong meant she could at least be Zhou Yuwen's sister-in-law.

Unfortunately, before anything could start between them, Lu Wanting was already leaving for America.

That evening, Peng Xiaoyong helped Lu Wanting pack her clothes.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lu Wanting said, "I'm sorry, Xiaoyong, making you busy running around for so long..."

"It's fine, Wanting. Didn't you say you're only going for a month?" Peng Xiaoyong replied, pushing up his glasses.

"Mhm... probably."

Lu Wanting didn't really know what to say.

Upon receiving Lu Wanting's affirmative reply, Peng Xiaoyong smiled and told her that he would wait for her.

"I have a few friends in New York too. If you need anything, you can give me a phone call," Peng Xiaoyong offered.

"Mhm, got it."

Lu Wanting gave a soft smile.

She was leaving a few days earlier than Zhou Yuwen and the others because she needed to help arrange Su Qing's host family. Additionally, per Zhou Yuwen's instructions, while they didn't need to live in the real estate immediately, they could buy it first, so he wanted Lu Wanting to keep an eye out for potential properties.

On the day of her departure, Peng Xiaoyong saw Lu Wanting off at the airport.

The two of them didn't say much.

But just before Lu Wanting went inside, Peng Xiaoyong asked her, "You will come back, right?"

Lu Wanting thought for a moment and finally gave a nodding response, "I will!"

With that, the two parted ways.

Regarding the host family arrangement, Zhou Yuwen still found it somewhat unreliable. Since he had already delegated the tasks around him, and he genuinely didn't want to bother with the troubles concerning Jiang Xinyi and the others, he thought it over and decided to just book a plane ticket to accompany Su Qing and take a tour of America!

Thus, on this day, Su Qing found herself staring at a smiling Zhou Yuwen right in front of her on the airplane.

She simply couldn't believe her eyes.

Immediately after, her expression seemed to freeze suddenly as tears began to well up in her eyes.

She threw herself into Zhou Yuwen's arms, unable to stop herself from sobbing.

She wanted to cry, but she didn't dare do so loudly, only able to murmur softly against him.

Zhou Yuwen patted her back gently, telling her to stop crying and asking what there was to cry about.

Su Qing whispered something unintelligible.

It wasn't until Zhou Yuwen leaned his ear in closer that he heard her say in a small voice, "I thought you really didn't want me anymore."

Zhou Yuwen chuckled, assuring her that was impossible.

The twenty-hour journey was exhausting. At first, they didn't speak much. After Su Qing finished crying, her eyes were completely red, truly giving off a fragile, pitiful charm.

Perhaps out of shyness, or maybe to remain reserved, Su Qing didn't cling to Zhou Yuwen anymore after crying. Instead, she just stared quietly at the clouds outside the window.

When night fell, Su Qing, wrapped tightly in a blanket, subconsciously leaned closer to Zhou Yuwen.

The two ended up falling asleep huddled together.

Zhou Yuwen drifted into a dream with his arms wrapped around Su Qing.

Over the twenty-hour flight, transitioning from initial silence to gentle murmurs, they talked a lot. They watched the layers of clouds outside the window and saw the sun rise above the horizon together.

The cloud cover in the sky was as calm as a pristine lake.

And when the golden sun emerged from the depths of that lake, it dyed a vast expanse of clouds crimson.

Zhou Yuwen murmured soft whispers into Su Qing's ear.

Su Qing giggled, playfully smacking Zhou Yuwen.

It felt as though they had returned to the honeymoon phase of their relationship.

Su Qing lifted her head, softly closing her eyes as she waited for Zhou Yuwen to kiss her.

Zhou Yuwen was certainly not oblivious to romance.

The two shared a deep kiss as the sun continued to rise.

As Zhou Yuwen's hand began to move beneath the blanket, Su Qing couldn't suppress a soft gasp, her body turning limp.

Shortly after, the two of them slipped into the lavatory together.

By the time they disembarked from the airplane, their hands were tightly linked, and the gloom that had clouded Su Qing's face was completely gone.

Much like the clear azure sky above the airport.

Su Qing had once again transformed into that radiant young girl.

She walked happily in front while Zhou Yuwen trailed behind, pushing their luggage. They looked exactly like a young couple out on a vacation.

"Su Qing!"

Before they had even exited the airport, they spotted Lu Wanting standing there, holding up a sign to welcome them.