Just as Wang Qiqi thought the house deal wouldn't materialize before she left for the capital, the call finally came: fifteen thousand, the price was set, though the other party wouldn't cover the taxes. Qiqi hadn't been entirely certain the seller would actually agree, but a casual remark from Gong Hong had stuck firmly in her mind.

Days had passed with no news on the house, and A University's acceptance letter had already arrived, making Han Tao feel the time was running out. He decided that if nothing else worked, he would buy a bare-bones unit and rush the renovations, aiming to finalize everything before he departed.

When Wang Qiqi knocked on the Han family door, she found Han Tao poring over the property purchase documents. "Stop studying it; they agreed to sell for fifteen thousand."

"Oh." Han Tao’s entire world was currently consumed by buying the house; he barely registered what Qiqi said, merely offering a habitual acknowledgment. Just as he was about to ask Qiqi which of the few properties she liked, Han Tao finally processed what Qiqi had actually told him.

Han Tao turned to Wang Qiqi in disbelief. "I didn't mishear you." He hadn't expected that just as he was about to give up, the other party would agree to sell. Could this be his lucky day?

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "You heard correctly. Get the money ready; we can transfer the title tomorrow." The seller's demand was full payment by the next day. When this term was presented, Qiqi felt a pang of regret for a fleeting moment. If she had held out just a little longer, perhaps even if they couldn't secure the deal at this price, they could have made the seller cover the taxes. She realized she was still too soft.

"Transfer the title tomorrow?" Han Tao looked at Wang Qiqi, surprised. "She’s in such a hurry; there isn't something wrong with the house, is there?" It made no sense—they were previously aloof, but now a sudden complete reversal, agreeing to sell with the sole condition of full payment tomorrow. This made Han Tao hesitate about whether to proceed with the purchase; after all, fifteen thousand wasn't trivial change.

Wang Qiqi thought that if she didn't know a little background, she would be just as suspicious. "I think it's because her son and daughter-in-law have already chosen their place and need to pay soon." She wanted a higher price, but the question was, would her son and daughter-in-law be willing to wait for her? And perhaps she wasn't financially flush either.

Han Tao was surprised that Wang Qiqi seemed to know the seller's private affairs. Recalling Qiqi’s earlier confidence that the house might still be attainable, he remarked, "You certainly know a lot."

Wang Qiqi waggled a finger. "I don't know that much, but Auntie Gong does. Gong Yi has been there a few times and got to know her. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known she was looking to sell." So, having good intelligence really mattered. "If we had held out a little longer, maybe this price could have been negotiated down further."

In Wang Qiqi's view, she had agreed too quickly, but Han Tao could try to negotiate the price down further. Now, the control was in their hands; at worst, they could just walk away from this specific house. But if the seller couldn't get the money, they would face breach of contract penalties or have to scramble across the city borrowing fifteen thousand. How could they possibly raise that much money within one day? Setting aside whether people would even lend it, could they truly gather the funds in such a short time?

Han Tao actually wanted to say he was already very satisfied with this price. Once the title transferred, they could immediately rent the place out. He had scoped out the neighborhood rentals these past few days and knew there was high demand; it was only a matter of price. Getting the house a day sooner meant they could start earning rent sooner. But seeing Wang Qiqi’s determined expression that he should negotiate, Han Tao looked troubled. "This..."

"There’s nothing embarrassing about it. You need to save every penny; we have the upper hand right now. At the very least, we can choose a bare-bones unit again." Wang Qiqi reflected that Han Tao was perhaps a bit too reserved. "Don't worry; tomorrow when you go with Auntie to inspect it, just bring it up casually." Wang Qiqi paused, then decided, "Never mind, I'll talk to Auntie tomorrow. Let Auntie haggle." Qiqi felt it was awkward for Han Tao, a man, to bargain, but Auntie Luo was different.

"You aren't coming tomorrow?" Han Tao was quite surprised that Wang Qiqi wouldn't accompany him to see the property. Qiqi usually kept to herself reading at home.

Wang Qiqi sighed. "I have to go to Auntie’s house tomorrow to share the good news about my university acceptance, and also let them know I’m leaving for the capital the day after." And she was leaving early that morning.

Han Tao had assumed Wang Qiqi's trip to the capital would be delayed by a few days, not that she’d be leaving right after getting her admission notice. "Is the house settled?"

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Almost settled. Oh, Zuliana said the place they picked has four rooms, so we can designate one as a study and bedroom. You can come stay over in the future."

Han Tao was surprised that Zuliana had reserved a room for him. However, he was a man, and although he was studying Computer Science, he planned to enrich himself by taking courses in other disciplines, especially with A University’s library—Han Tao had his eye on it for a long time. "We'll see when the time comes."

Wang Qiqi wouldn't press the issue; after all, it might seem improper for a man to visit frequently. "I won't keep you any longer; I'll head back now."

When Wang Qiqi returned home, she considered whether she should treat her uncles and aunts to a meal the next day to celebrate her university admission. But then she thought they wouldn't give her any gift money anyway, so she decided against hosting, saving herself from losing money. Although she had sponsored a few thousand yuan for Wang Rui's high school expenses last year, Wang Qiqi never expected Li Cui to pay that money back. Fine, no celebration dinner.

Since the next day was Thursday, Wang Qiqi didn't leave until after five o'clock to go to her aunt’s house. As she had already coordinated with her aunt the day before, the whole family was present, including Song Yao’s boyfriend, Gong Peixing. Wang Qiqi greeted everyone, making sure to pay close attention to Gong Peixing. Even though her aunt and uncle had softened their stance, allowing Gong Peixing to be present, Wang Qiqi noticed that Wang Damei and Song Wenbo looked at him with unconcealed disdain. Qiqi sighed internally. If you don't approve of Song Yao marrying him, you should just refuse outright and freeze them out completely. But this couple agreed to the marriage while looking at their future son-in-law so unceremoniously. What man would be happy about that? For now, since he intended to marry Song Yao, he had to endure it, but once his wife was secured, would he still be so constrained by them?

Wang Damei had been quite eager to welcome her niece for a visit, expecting Qiqi to bring good news. However, she hadn't anticipated Song Yao bringing Gong Peixing along. She felt awkward making a move to kick him out, so she resorted to cold treatment, hoping he would leave on his own. To her dismay, the man simply sat down, staring back defiantly. "Qiqi, in a moment, try your sister's cooking." Wang Damei had originally planned to cook herself, but seeing Gong Peixing, she changed her mind—the best way to punish Song Yao was to send her to the kitchen.

Song Yao was helping in the kitchen, but what could she do? She knew that if she spoke up, her mother's attitude toward Gong Peixing would only worsen. She could only occasionally glance toward the living room. As soon as Wang Qiqi entered, Song Yao immediately called her over, asking her to put in a good word.

Wang Qiqi really didn't want to wade into this mess, but she felt she couldn't stand by and do nothing. Qiqi was still figuring out how to approach Song Yao's situation when Wang Damei conveniently steered the conversation right to her. "I'm sure Sister Yao Yao is an excellent cook, but I’ve never tasted Brother-in-law’s cooking. I wonder if I have the honor today..."

Gong Peixing was already fidgety. To be honest, if it weren't for Song Yao’s pleading eyes, he would have stormed out. But remaining in the house, enduring the sidelong glances that flew his way intermittently, only he knew how that felt. He had assumed this awkward situation would continue until Song Yao finished cooking, but this tense moment ended surprisingly quickly. "Certainly, Uncle, Auntie, I'll go help in the kitchen."

Wang Damei had no choice but to agree; she couldn't exactly refuse her niece's request.

After Gong Peixing went into the kitchen, Wang Qiqi sat next to Wang Damei. "Auntie, you don't always have to treat Brother-in-law like this. The situation is that Sister is set to marry him. If you always give him a cold shoulder, what happens if Sister starts giving him the cold shoulder after they are married?"

Wang Damei's reaction to this hypothetical scenario was sharp. "He wouldn't dare. He shouldn't think marrying your sister gives him license to act recklessly." She huffed, recalling that he was once Song's subordinate. Thinking of this, Wang Damei shot a fierce glare at Song Wenbo. If it hadn't been for his connections, why would their daughter have gotten involved with him in the first place?

Song Wenbo could only rub his nose sheepishly. Ever since learning about his daughter and Gong Peixing’s relationship, his wife hadn't given him a kind look in a long time. Objectively, as a subordinate, Gong Peixing was a capable, ambitious employee, but as a son-in-law, he was truly lacking.

"Whether he dares or not, Sister is already his now. You wouldn't want Sister to be unhappy, would you? His family background isn't great, which has pros and cons. Didn't Uncle say he is very capable? Why not cultivate him? Once he makes something of himself, won't our sister be happy then?" Wang Qiqi reasoned, though she wasn't optimistic about the effect. Did Wang Damei and her husband not understand this logic? Yet, in their past lives, they hadn't stopped criticizing son-in-law Gong Peixing for his lack of success after Song Yao married him. Song Wenbo had even given a training opportunity that should have gone to his son-in-law to someone else. Once this issue erupted, Gong Peixing grew even more disillusioned with his in-laws, making divorce an inevitable outcome.