Wang Qiqi left the station and took a cab home with Han Tao. Just as they got out of the taxi, several neighbors returning from grocery shopping saw them. "Qiqi, Han Tao, you came back together?"

After greeting the aunties and grandmothers a few times, Wang Qiqi replied, "Yes, we happened to catch the same train, so we shared a cab back."

"Oh, I see. Speaking of which, you've just started your break, and your uncle has visited several times already, worried something might have happened to you."

Wang Qiqi picked up her luggage, preparing to head upstairs; the downstairs area was really too cold, damp and chilling. "It wasn't easy to buy four sleeper tickets; we finally managed to use a connection to get yesterday's tickets." Wang Qiqi thought that since Wang Dagui cared so much, perhaps the Gao family situation was indeed urgent, but maybe he would be coming over soon to sort things out.

Upon returning home, Wang Qiqi found the house surprisingly clean. "Huh, who cleaned this?" Didn't Aunt Gong have trouble with her leg?

Luo Hongjuan walked in from outside. "Gong Hong's daughter and her husband came over yesterday to help clean. They said you must be exhausted from the journey, so they didn't want you to have to clean upon arrival." Luo Hong had intended to clean yesterday herself, but she hadn't expected Gong Hong's daughter and husband to arrive so early to help. "They even checked the air conditioner and everything; it’s all working."

Wang Qiqi murmured an acknowledgement; she hadn't expected Gong Hong to ask her daughter to help clean. "Are they not going back to their hometown for the New Year this year?" Wang Qiqi remembered that Gong Hong's daughter taught in their hometown; why would she be here just days before the Spring Festival? Wang Qiqi found the remote and switched on the air conditioner, finding it hard to adjust to the South after being used to the central heating in the North.

Luo Hongjuan hummed in agreement. "That couple bought a place in our neighborhood. They said housing prices are soaring, so they used the money they had on hand to secure a property. Even though it's a loan, it's better than not being able to afford a house later." Luo Hongjuan truly admired Gong Hong and her husband; being outsiders, they dared to take out a mortgage. This made Luo Hong wonder if she should also consider buying a small apartment, regardless of whether her son would end up with Qiqi or if they'd return to their hometown—having a place was always a good thing.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Gong Hong to be so decisive so quickly. However, given that Gong Hong managed so many of her properties, she must have gained some understanding of market trends. Coupled with the substantial income Wang Qiqi provided, her own work as a part-time cleaner, and her husband's stable job, buying a home was only a matter of time for them. "They have foresight. But when it comes to property, the more the better." Property, in the next decade or so, would be the biggest way to rapidly increase wealth, surpassing the stock market. "Aunt Luo, if you have the means, you should consider buying a house."

Luo Hongjuan responded, "I plan to buy a three-bedroom apartment once some money frees up from the stock market."

A three-bedroom apartment? Wang Qiqi felt it was unnecessary. "It would be better to buy two single rooms, renovate them slightly, and the rent collected would be higher." A three-bedroom unit would clearly have to be rented out to multiple tenants, and finding compatible tenants wasn't easy.

Hearing Wang Qiqi speak so confidently, Luo Hongjuan thought, I feel awkward telling you the real reason—I was hoping that big house could be renovated as a marital home when you and Han Tao get married. However, she reconsidered: their wedding was at least three years away, and by then, they might not even like the current apartments. Moreover, they would certainly come back. "You're right; perhaps I should look at smaller units."

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao exchanged a glance. They understood why Luo Hongjuan wanted a larger house. But having seen the different scenes in the capital city, even though they hadn't fully settled their post-graduation plans, they knew the likelihood of them returning home was slim.

"Mom, I’ve been thinking. After I graduate from university, I want to study abroad in the United States." Han Tao had initially looked forward to studying abroad, but he understood the family's financial situation—how much it would cost, and the uncertainty of securing a scholarship. But now it was different; with the way Wang Qiqi managed things, studying abroad wouldn't be difficult even if he didn't get a scholarship.

Study abroad? Luo Hongjuan was stunned. Ever since Han Tao started university in Beijing, she had considered his future prospects and had prepared for the possibility that he wouldn't return. But she hadn't expected him to want to go overseas. This... "Son, you're not planning on staying abroad, are you?" Luo Hongjuan looked at Wang Qiqi with a peculiar expression. Had Wang Qiqi planted this idea in her son's head? Although studying abroad indicated success, Luo Hongjuan didn't truly care about that. She worried about how difficult it would be to visit her son later; even if they established themselves and brought her over, Luo Hongjuan doubted she could adapt to a foreign land—the language barrier alone would be huge.

"Mom, I'm studying Computer Science, and the CS programs in the US are more advanced. I want to go abroad for a few years of advanced study, and then I can come back. I plan to start my own business then." Han Tao laid out his plans. "A friend of mine, Dai Lijun, introduced me to several seniors who studied computer science. They have similar plans. If possible, I plan to partner with them."

This was the first Wang Qiqi had heard of this matter. She blinked and looked at Han Tao. Good boy, such a major decision, and he didn't mention it to me or Dai Lijun. "You two get along well?" Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao was a steady person; she couldn't imagine him having the nerve for entrepreneurship. It seemed in her past life, Han Tao was just a high-level employee, never choosing to start his own venture, which suggested a lack of daring, even though he was successful later on. Why the huge change in this life?

Han Tao affirmed, "We've met a few times, and they've taught me a lot." He admitted the first meeting was quite unexpected; he ran into them while looking for an apartment with Dai Lijun. The conversation flowed well. In fact, Han Tao knew the first meeting wasn't a coincidence; the others probably wanted to see if they could connect with him.

"Are they really good people?" Luo Hongjuan was overwhelmed by the string of news from Han Tao. She realized that Wang Qiqi seemed unaware of her son's ambitions. "Going abroad to learn is good, but starting a business... I always feel uneasy about it."

Starting a company could be profitable, but not every venture succeeded. Luo Hongjuan thought it would be better for him to find a high-paying job and then have a cute grandson, so she could at least tell Old Han something comforting when she passed on.

"I support you," Wang Qiqi whispered into Han Tao's ear. She didn't know if Han Tao's business would succeed, but she felt that one should venture out while young; at worst, he could find another job after failing.

Han Tao knew Qiqi would support him. "Mom, let's go back first. We haven't rested well on the journey."

Hearing her son mention fatigue, Luo Hongjuan remembered that even though they had sleeper berths, it couldn't compare to sleeping comfortably at home. "Hurry up and rest. Qiqi, come over for dinner tonight. I'll prepare the dishes; you just need to heat them up and perhaps cook something simple." Although the boys said the school food was decent, Luo Hongjuan felt they both looked thin and was determined to help them build up their strength this winter break.

After seeing Han Tao off, Wang Qiqi reported her safe arrival to her parents and returned to her room. She turned on the air conditioner and slipped under the duvet that smelled of sunshine, yawning contentedly before falling asleep. Because she kept the bedroom door shut with the AC running, she didn't hear Wang Dagui and the others knocking.

Wang Dagui received the tip that Wang Qiqi and the Han boy were back. After telling Li Cuizhi, he rushed to his elder brother's house. To his surprise, after knocking for a long time, no one opened the door.

Was he avoiding him, or were they not home? Wang Dagui's eyes darted around, and he turned to knock on the opposite door. Luo Hongjuan had just heated up some food for Han Tao. The mother and son had just reported their safe return to Han Tao's father and settled down for their first reunion meal in half a year. When they heard the loud, almost violent knocking, both felt it was strange. Han Tao held Luo Hongjuan back and went to the door to ask, "Who is it?" Han Tao tried to look through the peephole, but it was dark outside—someone was clearly pressing against the viewer from the outside to block the view. Wang Dagui wasn't subtle; he thought, If I speak, won't they know who is outside?

Han Tao reluctantly opened the door before he could say anything, but someone immediately shoved it open heavily and charged inside. This robbery-like entrance infuriated Han Tao. "Who are you...?" Han Tao looked again and saw it was Wang Dagui. As Wang Dagui barged into the Han home, he opened the bathroom door and strode straight toward the bedroom. This arrogant behavior enraged Han Tao. "What are you doing? Do you think this is a public space or your own home?"

Luo Hongjuan shrieked and quickly grabbed his clothes. "What are you trying to do?"

"Looking for someone." Wang Dagui dragged Luo Hongjuan towards the bedroom.

Han Tao ran in front of Wang Dagui and landed two hard punches on his face. "If you're looking for someone, you come to my house to do it with this attitude?"

The commotion in the Han house attracted many neighbors. They gathered around, annoyed by Wang Dagui's overbearing manner. Ever since Wang Dagui's daughter got involved with a supposedly wealthy family, Wang Dagui and Li Cui had changed, adopting a condescending attitude toward everyone, which was already annoying enough. They hadn't expected him to pull a stunt like this today, but they were surprised Han Tao struck so fiercely, landing two blows instantly.

Wang Dagui was momentarily dazed by Han Tao’s two punches. By the time he recovered and tried to retaliate, Han Tao had already pushed him out of the Han family's doorway.

Realizing writing is such a painful chore, especially while watching NCIS. (To be continued.)