"Bah! I’m not buying that. If I’m too afraid to even go study, what could I possibly do in the future? Besides, my spoken English is pretty good, and I have no trouble listening, speaking, reading, or writing. I can interact with locals without any issues, so what do I have to be afraid of? The Empress Dowager has warned me numerous times that I must be self-sufficient. If I need you to escort me just to go to school, she’ll definitely mock me. This time, I must go on my own! Moreover, I have to achieve results that will make her proud. Humph, besides, I’ll be there for several years. Am I supposed to wait for you to pick me up and drop me off every single time? I’m not useless... At worst, I’ll just fly first class..."

What does riding first class have to do with a sense of security?

Still, he suppressed his laughter and said with a straight face, "What if you encounter bad people? It’s hard to say. It’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. If that happens, and you’re all alone, with no one to turn to, what will you do then?"

Yan Xixi’s eyes darted around for a moment, then she suddenly grew angry. "Bah, I’m not scared at all! So what if there are bad people? I’m a scammer myself, you know. If any bad people show up, I’ll just scam them and sell them off!"

Wan Donglin burst out laughing.

"You silly girl, I’ll go with you."

She pressed her lips together, saying nothing. But inwardly, she had already given the idea ten thousand ’likes.’ She was secretly hoping he would come with her; otherwise, she really would be a little scared. Human psychology is so strange: when you first think about going on a long trip, you don’t feel any fear at all. But as the day draws nearer and it’s actually time to leave, you immediately start to feel a bit frightened.

"As it happens, I also have some business to attend to in the United States. It’s on the way, anyway. We can coordinate, and it’ll be good to have company. Otherwise, a long flight is so dull, right?"

She was suspicious. Is he telling the truth? This is clearly an excuse, isn’t it?

"What business could you possibly have in Boston? I don’t believe you actually have a conference there."

He grinned. "I need to handle some property matters. Can’t I do that? It’s something I absolutely have to do in person. No one else can do it for me."

That part, at least, was true.

"We also have some investments in the United States, so it wouldn’t hurt to go check on them. Besides, I can take a stroll around Harvard while I’m there and revisit old stomping grounds. Yan Xixi, I’m not going just to escort you. I’m going for my own reasons, alright?"

Inwardly, she was blooming with joy, but she kept a stern face and said very seriously, "Wan Donglin, this is really just you happening to be going the same way. It’s not because I asked you to come. So don’t you dare blame me in the future if I end up relying on you for everything."

"TSK TSK TSK, why would I blame you? It’s clearly just a coincidence that we’re going the same way. Don’t worry, it’s settled then."

"HUMPH. Whether I decide to ’coincidentally’ travel with you or not, I still need to think it over. Traveling alone is actually simpler, and, well, more carefree..."

He almost burst out laughing. Just look at her, putting on that proud, cute act!

After a heavy downpour, the terrifying dust and smog were finally washed away. The sky, suddenly cleansed, revealed a blue that hadn’t been seen in a long time.

The car pulled up outside the dealership, and a valet came to park it.

Xu Xiaoya saw the repaired car and exclaimed happily, "Xixi, is the car all fixed up?"

"All fixed."

Yan Xixi handed her two sets of keys. "Here are the car keys and the keys to my place. Take them. After I leave, you can use the car however you like."

"What would I need it for? I can’t drive two cars at once."

"Then just keep it safe for me. I’ll use it when I get back."

"Of course! I’ll take excellent care of it, so it’ll be convenient for you whenever you come back for the holidays. By the way, Xixi, take this card..."