Han Tao watched Wang Qiqi standing by the door, inhaling deeply. "Are you ready?" He'd managed to calm her nerves during their drive here, but the moment they entered the apartment building, he could feel her breathing quicken again.

Wang Qiqi stared at the door just ahead. For a heartbeat she considered bolting. Even though this was technically a second chance in life, she was still just an ex-outsourcing clerk with basic customer service skills. Back then, all those English contracts came with templates - wasn't there always online translation for tricky words?

"I'm ready," she muttered, shutting her eyes tight. Better to fail having tried than to live with regret.

Han Tao took her hand in his. "Don't worry. I'm right here." Though he longed to add how he'd never be worthy of Qiqi, yet would work tirelessly to make her happier than Mrs. Wang had ever been - and surpass Mr. Wang at every turn.

The warmth of Han Tao's palm steadied her. She looked up. "I know you're with me. I'm not fighting this battle alone." Her parents would surely protect her from afar, along with... him. Even without those three little words ever spoken between them, they understood each other implicitly. "You be strong too."

Han Tao smoothed Qiqi's coat as he knocked on the door. Normally at least ten minutes passed before someone answered - but this time it opened instantly.

A young man peered through the doorway. He'd be handsome without those zits, she thought quickly. "Mr. Han, I was wondering if some beautiful distraction delayed you," he remarked with a smirk while appraising Wang Qiqi.

If this had been a month ago, Han Tao would've bristled at such bravado. Now? "Keep talking. Where's your mother?"

Li Zhe nodded toward the study. His mom never trusted his word about anything - it was maddening when they were too busy to supervise properly. Their only metric for tutor quality had always been test scores.

"I promise I'll do better this time," Li Zhe muttered, knowing well that previous teachers' complaints about his lack of focus rarely led to improved grades despite perfect homework completion.

Han Tao smirked at the boy's typical antics. "Exams aren't for me or your parents - they're for you."

Li Zhe sighed but stepped aside. His folks had just taken a call about their lunch meeting.

"Living room?" Han Tao asked, noting it was empty.

"The study," Li Zhe said, retreating to his room with an "I'll vouch for you" gesture. It annoyed him how old tutors always complained about his supposed laziness instead of actually helping - unlike this one who actually seemed to understand kids.

After depositing Qiqi at the door, Han Tao knocked again and entered once granted permission.

Wang Qiqi gasped at the space revealed - it looked like two rooms had been merged. The walls? Removed entirely?

Mrs. Li smiled indulgently at her surprise. "Does the library overwhelm you?" With their frequent international business trips, they'd collected books from every continent over time.

"Such a spacious study," Qiqi murmured diplomatically even as she inwardly approved of this wasteful renovation.

Han Tao introduced her to Mrs. Li with a smile noting her wistful gaze at the shelves.

"Mr. and Mrs. Li, this is my friend Wang Qiqi."

Wang Qiqi greeted them politely before being beckoned by Mr. Li who barely looked up from his desk. "Translate these documents - that's your interview," he barked, clearly uninterested in pleasantries.

Qiqi nodded, accepting the papers with a mental scoff at his arrogance. She settled into a chair, pulling out her pen. Let him underestimate her then.

The Li couple exchanged glances as Qiqi silently got to work. If her translation skills matched this focus...

Han Tao watched their approving expressions with relief. The first impression was good - now it all hinged on the test results.

"Xiao Han," Mrs. Li said, catching his lingering glance at Qiqi. "How do you predict Xiao Zhe will perform?"

"His potential is there," Han Tao replied carefully. Then added softly, "You should spend more time with him. I often find him alone."

Mrs. Li froze mid-thought. The last time they'd eaten as a family had been at some banquet... She set down her pen, suddenly overwhelmed by the realization.

"I know you're busy," Han Tao said quickly before she could respond. "I'll take my leave now."

"Thank you for your efforts with Xiao Zhe," Mrs. Li replied absently, staring blankly at her untouched documents as resolve built within her to finally talk to Mr. Li about their priorities.