Wang Damei had originally planned to stop by Qiqi’s house for a while, but upon seeing the book in Qiqi’s hands, she abandoned the idea. The girl even brought reading material to a lunch gathering, suggesting she’d likely be studying at home too. For a group like theirs to drop by would surely interrupt her review session.

Wang Damei also worried about saying something inappropriate later. Regarding Li Cui’s common sense, Wang Damei felt that outside of matters concerning money, she possessed almost none. “Qiqi, come over for lunch on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Bring your books, and you can study in Yao Yao’s room then.”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Okay.” Even if you hadn't suggested it, I would have brought my books to your place to study alone, just to avoid the nagging from Li Cui and Wang Dagui. Wang Rui would definitely drag me out shopping too. After all, Song Wenbo likes children who study hard.

Wang Damei turned and glanced at Wang Dagui, who was holding a cooking pot, shaking her head internally. Since Qiqi was eating dinner alone that night, as her uncle, he should have at least suggested she join them for the meal. Yet, neither of them mentioned it, which truly irked Wang Damei. “Qiqi, why don’t you come to your aunt’s house for dinner tonight, and your cousin can drive you back afterwards.”

Wang Qiqi thanked Aunt Damei for the invitation again. “No need, Auntie. I still have schoolwork to review when I get back. I wish you, Uncle, Cousin Yao Yao, and Cousin a Happy New Year and all the best.”

Wang Qiqi also offered a preemptive New Year greeting to her uncle and the others before they parted ways. Li Cui actually wanted to ask Wang Qiqi to help carry some dishes, but when she saw Qiqi turn towards the wet market instead, she kept quiet. The small amount of groceries they bought had to last until the first day of the New Year. She was already feeling stressed; if Wang Qiqi joined them for the meal, the supplies likely wouldn't last until New Year’s Eve. Besides, what good produce could one even find at the market at this hour? It would probably just be leftovers.

If Wang Qiqi knew Li Cui’s thoughts, she would have burst out laughing. Li Cui worried about her freeloading off their food, while Qiqi was contemplating how nauseous she would feel if she had to share the reunion dinner with them. Qiqi was heading to the market to buy some fruit. She hadn't planned on making formal New Year visits; she intended to simply call her elders. But then Great Aunt Damei staged this little scene, meaning Qiqi felt obligated to bring them gifts too. The best gift would be fruit. Qiqi worried that she wouldn't find a good place to buy fruit on the second day, or worse, that the quality would be poor—nice on top, but rotten underneath. If it were for her uncle, Qiqi wouldn't be so meticulous, but this was for her aunt. She truly didn't trust any fruit stall that wasn't familiar to her regular spot.

Luo Hongjuan had assumed the Wang family would come over after lunch, but by one-thirty, she still hadn't heard any activity next door. She figured their meal must have ended long ago. Had they gone to Wang Dagui’s place instead?

As Luo Hongjuan looked out the window for the umpteenth time, she finally saw Wang Qiqi’s figure, carrying several boxes of fruit. Luo Hongjuan immediately called out to her son, who was studying in the room. “Xiao Tao, Qiqi brought some fruit; go down and help her carry it.”

Han Tao grunted, rubbing his eyes as he prepared to go out. Ever since hearing Wang Qiqi’s advice, although his expression showed nothing, the parents of the students he was tutoring seemed to be involved in construction. He had managed to ask a few questions. While the information wasn't entirely clear, the underlying sentiment suggested the housing market was viewed favorably. Of course, Han Tao couldn't rely on just one source. During his breaks, he visited several properties and spoke with real estate agents, sometimes overhearing conversations during transactions. This gave Han Tao a deeper understanding of housing, and he had already resolved to buy a place. The next hurdle was securing a scholarship; Han Tao knew his mother wouldn't agree to the purchase until he achieved that. Carefully, he organized his study materials, worried his mother, who occasionally came in to tidy his company files, might see them and become anxious.

By the time Han Tao finished putting things away and opened the door, Wang Qiqi was already standing there, reaching for her keys. Han Tao could only shake his head slightly. “You went to buy fruit?” He took the items from Wang Qiqi’s hands to help.

Wang Qiqi nodded, pulled out her key, and opened the door. “Yes. I’m going to Aunt Damei’s for lunch on the second day, so I bought some fruit for the visit.”

After Han Tao brought the fruit inside and set it down, he hesitated. “So they didn't invite you for New Year’s Eve dinner?” After all, they were elders; shouldn't they have extended an invitation? And Qiqi certainly wasn't short on money.

Wang Qiqi turned on the air conditioning and let out a cold laugh. “Why would they invite me? They’re probably secretly annoyed that I didn’t book the private room for the evening.” She paused. “My aunt did invite me, but it’s a bit far from my place, and I have to study. If I stayed at my aunt’s, I probably wouldn’t be happy anyway. What if Song Yao starts arguing with my aunt and the others at the dinner table over that man again? Whose side should I take? But the man Song Yao married really isn't any good; she certainly married the wrong person. It's a pity that after Song Yao divorced, she became the type to just let things slide, making her life progressively worse.” She continued, “Auntie is almost done preparing, right? Why don’t you bring the ingredients over here? I’ve turned on the air conditioning, and we can review our lessons together?”

Han Tao murmured in agreement. Everyone was currently tucked away preparing their reunion dinners, and no one was out and about yet. Soon, people would start heading out or returning for the feast. “Okay.”

Han Tao returned and helped Luo Hongjuan pack the vegetables needed for the evening into bags to carry over. As the two entered, they saw Wang Qiqi standing before the memorial portraits of Wang Dajun and his wife, murmuring something quietly. Luo Hongjuan jumped, finding the sight unsettling.

Han Tao whispered into Luo Hongjuan’s ear. “Qiqi reports her day to Uncle Wang and Auntie every day.”

Luo Hongjuan understood. So, the girl still acted as if her parents were alive, constantly updating them on her daily events as she used to. She wondered what Wang Dajun and his wife would think if they could see how capable and strong their daughter had become—they would surely be very proud. Han Tao took the vegetables to the kitchen and then returned to the living room to study.

“Mom, Dad, everyone seemed to enjoy lunch today. Aunt Damei even invited me to her house on the second day. Uncle and Uncle-in-law even shared a bottle of liquor. But when Uncle brought up the record of the three of you drinking two catties of baijiu last year, he started crying. Mom, Dad, I miss you both so much.” Wang Qiqi wiped away a tear. “Even though I’m not celebrating the New Year with Aunt Damei’s family, spending it with Aunt Luo and the others is quite nice too. I’ll bring you some food later to taste—some takeout and some of Aunt Luo’s cooking.”

After a lengthy conversation with her parents, Wang Qiqi returned to her seat, her eyes red. Han Tao excused himself to the bathroom and returned with a hot towel, offering it to her. “Use this on your eyes.”

Wang Qiqi accepted the towel and thanked him. “I was just telling my parents about the happy things at lunchtime. Too bad there wasn't a camera; it would have been a beautiful scene to film.” Thinking about being able to show her parents things about herself, Wang Qiqi decided she needed to check if there was a camera available. Even if the device would be obsolete in a few years, buying one was necessary. “Oh, Han Tao, are you free on the third day of the New Year?”

Han Tao nodded. “My family’s New Year is the same as any other day. We just pay New Year visits to Grandma’s and Maternal Grandfather’s house on the first day.” They never showed him a kind expression, let alone invited him and his mother to dinner for the holiday. But they were used to it. Han Tao resolved that once he graduated from university, he would leave this place, find work in Beijing or Shanghai, work hard for a few years, buy a house, and bring his mother to live there, completely ignoring everything back here.

“That’s good. Accompany me to buy a video camera that day.” Wang Qiqi didn't necessarily need Han Tao to shop with her; calling him along would allow him to listen to the salesperson explain how to use it. After all, once the device was home, someone would need to film. She would undoubtedly be the main subject, meaning Han Tao would be the cameraman.

A video camera? Han Tao knew what that was, but the issue was, “That thing is very expensive.”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “I know. I want to buy one to record all the happy and memorable moments, so I can show them to my parents.” For instance, the moment she entered the exam hall for the Gaokao, her high school graduation, and the moment she received her acceptance letter—these were the most significant events of her year.

Han Tao was momentarily speechless. He hadn't realized Wang Qiqi wanted to use such a method to share her joys and sorrows during the time her parents were no longer there. “Oh, you plan on having me film it?”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Yes. Do you have an objection?”

Han Tao shook his head. “No objection. You know, though, I might be clumsy, so don't blame me if I mess up.”

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “The clumsiest you are, the better. Then I can tell Mom that even the top student she sees has absolutely no clue about videography.”

Han Tao looked at the bright, flower-like smile on Wang Qiqi’s red-rimmed eyes and suppressed the urge to pat her head. He remembered seeing Shi Man ruffle Qiqi’s hair a few times before. Back then, Qiqi looked truly adorable, especially when her hair was a mess, and her eyes held a mixture of confusion and slight displeasure—expressions Han Tao found particularly endearing.

Wang Qiqi noticed Han Tao staring at her and waved her hand in front of him. “Did what I said stun you? Don't worry; in my parents’ eyes, you are still a top student, and I see you that way too.”

“Is that so?” Han Tao snapped back to attention. “Then I am truly honored.”