Chinese Language Quest
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      • L3 Act 1
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      • L4 Act 1
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      • L5 Act 1
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    • Level 6: Making Appointments >
      • L6 Act 1
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    • Level 7: Studying Chinese >
      • L7 Act 1
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    • Level 8: School Life >
      • L8 Act 1
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    • Level 9: Shopping >
      • L9 Act 1
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    • Level 10: Transportation >
      • L10 Act 1
      • L10 Act 2
      • L10 Act 3
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  • Book 2
    • Level 11: Weather >
      • L11 Act 1
      • L11 Act 2
      • L11 Boss Fights
      • L11 Projects
    • Level 12: Dining >
      • L12 Act 1
      • L12 Act 2
      • L12 Act 3
      • L12 Boss Fights
      • L12 Projects
    • Level 13: Asking Directions >
      • L13 Act 1
      • L13 Act 2
      • L13 Act 3
      • L13 Boss Fights
      • L13 Projects
    • Level 14: Birthday Party >
      • L14 Act 1
      • L14 Act 2
      • L14 Act 3
      • L14: Boss Fights
      • L14 Projects
    • Level 15: Seeing a Doctor >
      • L15 Act 1
      • L15 Act 2
      • L15 Act 3
      • L15 Act 4
      • L15 Boss Fights
      • L15 Projects
    • Level 16: Dating >
      • L16 Act 1
      • L16 Act 2
      • L16 Boss Fights
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    • Level 17: Renting an Apartment >
      • L17 Act 1
      • L17 Act 2
      • L17 Act 3
      • L17 Boss Fights
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    • Level 18: Sports >
      • L18 Act 1
      • L18 Act 2
      • L18 Act 3
      • L18 Boss Fights
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    • Level 19: Travel >
      • L19 Act 1
      • L19 Act 2
      • L19 Act 3
      • L19 Act 4
      • L19 Boss Fights
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    • Level 20: At the Airport >
      • L20 Act 1
      • L20 Act 2
      • L20 Boss Fights
      • L20 Projects
  • Book 3
    • Level 21: Starting School >
      • L21 Act 1
      • L21 Act 2
      • L21 Boss Fights
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    • Level 22: Dorm Life >
      • L22 Act 1
      • L22 Act 2
      • L22 Boss Fights
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    • Level 23: At the Restaurant >
      • L23 Act 1
      • L23 Act 2
      • L23 Act 3
      • L23 Boss Fights
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    • Level 24: Buying Things >
      • L24 Act 1
      • L24 Act 2
      • L24 Boss Fights
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    • Level 25: Choosing Classes >
      • L25 Act 1
      • L25 Act 2
      • L25 Act 3
      • L25 Boss Fights
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    • Level 26: Romance >
      • L26 Act 1
      • L26 Act 2
      • L26 Act 3
      • L26 Boss Fights
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    • Level 27: Computers and the Internet >
      • L27 Act 1
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      • L27 Boss Fights
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    • Level 28: Working >
      • L28 Act 1
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      • L28 Act 3
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    • Level 29: Education >
      • L29 Act 1
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      • L29 Act 3
      • L29 Boss Fights
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    • Level 30: Chinese Geography >
      • L30 Act 1
      • L30 Act 2
      • L30 Act 3
      • L30 Act 4
      • L30 Act 5
      • L30 Boss Fights
      • L30 Projects
  • Book 4
    • Level 31: Chinese Holidays >
      • L31 Act 1
      • L31 Act 2
      • L31 Act 3
      • L31 Act 4
      • L31 Boss Fights
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    • Level 32: Changes in China >
      • L32 Act 1
      • L32 Act 2
      • L32 Act 3
      • L32 Act 4
      • L32 Boss Fights
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    • Level 33: A Trip to Yunnan >
      • L33 Act 1
      • L33 Act 2
      • L33 Act 3
      • L33 Boss Fights
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    • Level 34: Lifestyle and Health >
      • L34 Act 1
      • L34 Act 2
      • L34 Act 3
      • L34 Boss Fights
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    • Level 35: Gender Equality >
      • L35 Act 1
      • L35 Act 2
      • L35 Act 3
      • L35 Boss Fights
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    • Level 36: Environmental Protection >
      • L36 Act 1
      • L36 Act 2
      • L36 Act 3
      • L36 Act 4
      • L36 Boss Fights
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    • Level 37: Wealth Management >
      • L37 Act 1
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      • L37 Act 3
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A​CT TWO: LOVE IN THE TIME OF STANFORD

 

​Chapter 5: "How Good You Are"

HOW TO TALK ABOUT PARENTS' ASPIRATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
望子成龙    (wàng zǐ chéng lóng) to hope that one's son will become a dragon; to hope that one's son will become successful
  • This expression is a 成语 (CHÉNG YǓ), a traditional Chinese four-character idiom. Each character in the 成语 has a specific meaning with a larger story behind it.
  • 望 = 希望 (to hope)
  • 子 = 儿子 (son)
  • 成 = 成为 (to become)
  • 龙 = dragon
  • Meaning in Chinese: “希望自己的子女能在学业和事业上有成就。”

​望女成凤
    (wàng nǚ chéng fèng) to hope that one's daughter will become a phoenix; to hope that one's daughter will become successful
  • The counterpart to “望子成龙”

一番大事业
    a great undertaking
  • 番    (fān) measure word for type or kind
  • 事业    (shì yè) career; undertaking
  • Ex: 很多家长望子成龙,望女成凤,都希望自己的孩子小时候好好学习,将来能做出一番大事业。
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: talk about parents' aspirations for their children, especially in terms of their success. 

WRITE: write a fortune for a young baby, predicting their success in the future.
Mastery
​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 望子成龙,望女成凤,一番大事业
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • ​很多家长望子成龙,望女成凤,都希望自己的孩子小时候好好学习,将来能做出一番大事业。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about parents’ aspirations for their children.
  • Talk about worldly success.
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 6: "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother"

HOW TO COMPARE CHINESE AND AMERICAN PARENTING STYLES
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
移民    (yí mín) immigrants; to immigrate
  • 玛丽会移民去日本 = Mary will immigrate to Japan
  • ​李哲的父母是墨西哥移民。= Li Zhe’s parents are Mexican immigrants

​做法
    (zuò fǎ) way of doing things; method
  • Note: “做法” is different from “办法”.
    • “办法” describes more of a specific solution to a problem, like “怎么办?” or “你有没有办法”?
    • “做法” describes a general personal approach or a preferred way of doing something, like “这是我喜欢的做法” (this is the way I like to do it) or “我不同意她的做法” (I don’t agree with her methods).
  • Ex: 没想到你跟嫂子的看法一样!你同意我嫂子的做法?Who knew you would have the same view as my sister-in-law! Does that mean you agree with my sister-in-law’s methods?

虎妈    (hǔ mā) "tiger mom"
  • a strict or demanding mother who pushes her child or children to high levels of achievement, especially by using methods regarded as typical of childrearing in China and other parts of East Asia; a tiger mother.

中国梦 (zhōng guó mèng) "Chinese Dream"
  • “中国梦”跟“美国梦”一样吗?

美国梦 (měi guó mèng) "American Dream"
  • 梦 = 梦想
  • 我来到美国寻求美国梦。

Definitions of the "American Dream":
​
1. “美国梦是指任何一个孩子都可以出人头地。”
2. “他把他的美国梦定义为:一幢房,一只狗,两杆来福枪,一条钓渔船。”
3. ”麦斯纳说,美国梦代表一个更美好的未来。“
4. ”关于美国梦,他写道,是让这片土地上每个人生活的更好,更富裕的梦想,让每一个人都有施展才能的机会,并取得相应成就。“
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: compare Chinese and American parenting styles. Which one is best for children, in your opinion?

READ AND REFLECT: read the following quotes about the "American Dream." Analyze each quote and then write a paragraph responding to the prompt:


这些人认为“美国梦”是什么?你同意吗?美国梦和中国梦有没有区别?
  1. “美国梦是指任何一个孩子都可以出人头地。”
  2. 他把他的美国梦定义为:“一幢房,一只狗,两杆来福枪,一条钓渔船。”
  3. “麦斯纳说,美国梦代表一个更美好的未来。”
  4. “关于美国梦,他写道,是让这片土地上每个人生活的更好,更富裕的梦想,让每一个人都有施展才能的机会,并取得相应成就。”

WRITE: write a short story based on the picture below, using the words in Chapter 6:
Picture
Mastery
DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 移民,做法,虎妈,中国梦,美国梦
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

GRAMMAR: complete the following exercises:
  • Rule (in English): Compare and contrast the words "办法" vs. "看法" vs. "做法." Give examples of the usage of each word.
  • TARGET: no grammar mistakes.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 李哲的父母是中国移民。
  • 没想到你跟嫂子的看法一样!你同意我嫂子的做法?
  • “中国梦”跟“美国梦”一样吗?
  • 我来到美国寻求美国梦。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about immigrants and immigrating to different places.
  • Explain the phenomenon of the "tiger mother."
  • Compare and contrast Chinese and American parenting styles.
  • Discuss the "American Dream." Compare with the "Chinese Dream."
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
 

Chapter 7: "National College Entrance Examination"

HOW TO COMPARE THE CHINESE AND AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
高考    (gāo kǎo) National College Entrance Examination [in China]
  • The GaoKao is the most important exam in a student’s life. Think of it as a monster-scale SAT exam, but with much higher stakes.
  • For almost all Chinese students, it is the only way for them to get into universities. There are no other components to college admissions (not high school grades, recommendations, essays, extracurriculars, etc.) Only the GaoKao score matters for admission.
  • Students are ranked based on their combined GaoKao scores. In a country where getting a degree is required to obtain a good job, the GaoKao is seen as a make-or-break opportunity.
  • The GaoKao is given once a year in June. Those who achieve poor scores and do not get into their dream school often spend another year studying for the exam again.
  • Many students have spent the last 2-3 years specifically cramming for this exam.
  • The exams last about nine hours over a period of two days, depending on the province. It tests a total of 4 subjects (three mandatory subjects and one elective), which are the following:
    • Chinese Language and Literature; Math, Foreign Language (usually English.); Science; Humanities​

留学    (liú xué) to study abroad
  • 留学生 = international student [student studying abroad]
  • 从香港来美国留学,拿到硕士学位以后找到工作。

清华    (qīng huá) Tsinghua University in Beijing
  • Along with 北京大学 (北大),清华 is one of the top two universities in China.
  • 北大和清华是中国两个最好的大学。
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
RESEARCH: go online to learn more about the GaoKao. Write a paragraph summarizing your findings; compare and contrast the GaoKao with other exams you are familiar with.

​SPEAK: compare the Chinese and American school systems. Which do you prefer, and why?

WRITE: write a story about the struggles of an Chinese student who wants to attend Tsinghua University in Beijing. 
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 高考,留学,清华大学
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 从中国来美国留学,毕业以后找到工作。
  • 北大和清华是中国两个最好的大学。
  • 如果高考考得不好,肯定不能上清华大学和北京大学。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about the Chinese college entrance examination.
  • Compare and contrast the Chinese and American school systems.
  • ​TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

Chapter 8: "Teenage Rebellion"

HOW TO CRITICIZE SUCCESS-FOCUSED PARENTS
Preview
Lesson
Practice
Mastery
Preview
结婚    (jié hūn) to get married; to marry
  • 结 = to get a marriage (verb),婚 = marriage (object)
  • 哥哥和嫂子结婚十年了,生活一直很美满。

墨西哥    (mò xī gē) Mexico
  • 李哲的父母是墨西哥移民,他和他哥哥都是在加州出生、长大的。    Li Zhe's parents are Mexican immigrants, he and his brother both were born and raised in California.

反对
    (fǎn duì) to oppose

  • A 反对 B …
  • ​我哥哥反对给孩子太大的压力。

​抱怨
    (bào yuàn) to complain
  • 她不喜欢学中文,所以打电话来一边哭,一边抱怨。    She doesn’t like studying Chinese. That’s why she called me. She cried and complained.
Lesson
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Click for the STORY QUEST
Picture
Click for the LEARNING SLIDES
Practice
SPEAK: discuss the drawbacks of success-focused parents, drawing from your own personal experience where applicable.

WRITE: write a story about a wedding gone... wrong.
Mastery
​​DICTATION: write the Chinese characters, English definition, and pinyin (including tones):
  • 结婚,墨西哥,反对,抱怨
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.

READING: read aloud the following sentences:
  • 哥哥和嫂子结婚十年了,生活一直很美满。
  • 她不喜欢学中文,所以打电话来一边哭,一边抱怨。
  • 我哥哥反对给孩子太大的压力。
  • TARGET: no more than 1 mistake, including tones.
​
​SPEAKING: perform the following conversation tasks:
  • Talk about marriage.
  • Criticize the narrow focus of success-focused parents. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.

 

 MINIBOSS #2: ACT 2 REVIEW

Picture
Pika, Pika! Can you beat me?
Mastery Challenge 1 (Vocabulary and Grammar):
  • ​Take the "Level 29 Miniboss #2: Vocab/Grammar Quiz."
    • There are two versions, one for Handwriting and one for Definition.
  • TARGET: see rubric.
​
​Mastery Challenge 2 (Speaking):
  • Perform the following conversation tasks:
    • Talk about parents’ aspirations for their children.
    • Talk about worldly success.
    • Compare and contrast Chinese and American parenting styles.
    • Compare and contrast the "American Dream" and the "Chinese Dream."
    • Compare and contrast the Chinese and American school systems.
    • Discuss the narrow focus of success-focused parents. 
  • TARGET: at least a 3 on ALL tasks.
​
BONUS CHALLENGES:
  • ​GODLIKE: Achieve a 100% score on all mastery challenges—zero mistakes!
  • ​GRAVITY: Play Level 29: Act 3 Gravity to 150,000 points or a #1 score.
© 2019 Hugo Xiong. hugo@chineselanguagequest.com
  • About
  • Book 1
    • Level 0: Introduction to Chinese >
      • L0 Act 1
      • L0 Act 2
      • L0 Act 3
      • L0 Boss Fights
      • L0 Projects
    • Level 1: Greetings >
      • L1 Act 1
      • L1 Act 2
      • L1 Boss Fights
      • L1 Projects
    • Level 2: Family >
      • L2 Act 1
      • L2 Act 2
      • L2 Act 3
      • L2 Boss Fights
      • L2 Projects
    • Level 3: Dates and Time >
      • L3 Act 1
      • L3 Act 2
      • L3 Act 3
      • L3 Act 4
      • L3 Boss Fights
      • L3 Projects
    • Level 4: Hobbies >
      • L4 Act 1
      • L4 Act 2
      • L4 Boss Fights
      • L4 Projects
    • Level 5: Visiting Friends >
      • L5 Act 1
      • L5 Act 2
      • L5 Act 3
      • L5 Boss Fights
      • L5 Projects
    • Level 6: Making Appointments >
      • L6 Act 1
      • L6 Act 2
      • L6 Act 3
      • L6 Boss Fights
      • L6 Projects
    • Level 7: Studying Chinese >
      • L7 Act 1
      • L7 Act 2
      • L7 Act 3
      • L7 Boss Fights
      • L7 Projects
    • Level 8: School Life >
      • L8 Act 1
      • L8 Act 2
      • L8 Act 3
      • L8 Boss Fights
      • L8 Projects
    • Level 9: Shopping >
      • L9 Act 1
      • L9 Act 2
      • L9 Act 3
      • L9 Act 4
      • L9 Boss Fights
      • L9 Projects
    • Level 10: Transportation >
      • L10 Act 1
      • L10 Act 2
      • L10 Act 3
      • L10 Boss Fights
      • L10 Projects
  • Book 2
    • Level 11: Weather >
      • L11 Act 1
      • L11 Act 2
      • L11 Boss Fights
      • L11 Projects
    • Level 12: Dining >
      • L12 Act 1
      • L12 Act 2
      • L12 Act 3
      • L12 Boss Fights
      • L12 Projects
    • Level 13: Asking Directions >
      • L13 Act 1
      • L13 Act 2
      • L13 Act 3
      • L13 Boss Fights
      • L13 Projects
    • Level 14: Birthday Party >
      • L14 Act 1
      • L14 Act 2
      • L14 Act 3
      • L14: Boss Fights
      • L14 Projects
    • Level 15: Seeing a Doctor >
      • L15 Act 1
      • L15 Act 2
      • L15 Act 3
      • L15 Act 4
      • L15 Boss Fights
      • L15 Projects
    • Level 16: Dating >
      • L16 Act 1
      • L16 Act 2
      • L16 Boss Fights
      • L16 Projects
    • Level 17: Renting an Apartment >
      • L17 Act 1
      • L17 Act 2
      • L17 Act 3
      • L17 Boss Fights
      • L17 Projects
    • Level 18: Sports >
      • L18 Act 1
      • L18 Act 2
      • L18 Act 3
      • L18 Boss Fights
      • L18 Projects
    • Level 19: Travel >
      • L19 Act 1
      • L19 Act 2
      • L19 Act 3
      • L19 Act 4
      • L19 Boss Fights
      • L19 Projects
    • Level 20: At the Airport >
      • L20 Act 1
      • L20 Act 2
      • L20 Boss Fights
      • L20 Projects
  • Book 3
    • Level 21: Starting School >
      • L21 Act 1
      • L21 Act 2
      • L21 Boss Fights
      • L21 Projects
    • Level 22: Dorm Life >
      • L22 Act 1
      • L22 Act 2
      • L22 Boss Fights
      • L22 Projects
    • Level 23: At the Restaurant >
      • L23 Act 1
      • L23 Act 2
      • L23 Act 3
      • L23 Boss Fights
      • L23 Projects
    • Level 24: Buying Things >
      • L24 Act 1
      • L24 Act 2
      • L24 Boss Fights
      • L24 Projects
    • Level 25: Choosing Classes >
      • L25 Act 1
      • L25 Act 2
      • L25 Act 3
      • L25 Boss Fights
      • L25 Projects
    • Level 26: Romance >
      • L26 Act 1
      • L26 Act 2
      • L26 Act 3
      • L26 Boss Fights
      • L26 Projects
    • Level 27: Computers and the Internet >
      • L27 Act 1
      • L27 Act 2
      • L27 Act 3
      • L27 Boss Fights
      • L27 Projects
    • Level 28: Working >
      • L28 Act 1
      • L28 Act 2
      • L28 Act 3
      • L28 Boss Fights
      • L28 Projects
    • Level 29: Education >
      • L29 Act 1
      • L29 Act 2
      • L29 Act 3
      • L29 Boss Fights
      • L29 Projects
    • Level 30: Chinese Geography >
      • L30 Act 1
      • L30 Act 2
      • L30 Act 3
      • L30 Act 4
      • L30 Act 5
      • L30 Boss Fights
      • L30 Projects
  • Book 4
    • Level 31: Chinese Holidays >
      • L31 Act 1
      • L31 Act 2
      • L31 Act 3
      • L31 Act 4
      • L31 Boss Fights
      • L31 Projects
    • Level 32: Changes in China >
      • L32 Act 1
      • L32 Act 2
      • L32 Act 3
      • L32 Act 4
      • L32 Boss Fights
      • L32 Projects
    • Level 33: A Trip to Yunnan >
      • L33 Act 1
      • L33 Act 2
      • L33 Act 3
      • L33 Boss Fights
      • L33 Projects
    • Level 34: Lifestyle and Health >
      • L34 Act 1
      • L34 Act 2
      • L34 Act 3
      • L34 Boss Fights
      • L34 Projects
    • Level 35: Gender Equality >
      • L35 Act 1
      • L35 Act 2
      • L35 Act 3
      • L35 Boss Fights
      • L35 Projects
    • Level 36: Environmental Protection >
      • L36 Act 1
      • L36 Act 2
      • L36 Act 3
      • L36 Act 4
      • L36 Boss Fights
      • L36 Projects
    • Level 37: Wealth Management >
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