The following days saw Wang Qiqi listening to Han Tao complain daily about how shameless his relatives were. "Poverty in a bustling city goes unnoticed, but wealth in the deep mountains attracts attention," he grumbled. Han Tao hadn't understood why his maternal relatives, who usually showed no warmth towards his family, suddenly became so amicable. It turned out they had gotten wind of something.

"No one stirs without a reason," Wang Qiqi found it entirely normal. "It was only a matter of time before the news of your family buying a house got out. Besides, the wealthier you become, the less they dare to step on you. You’ve gotten into a prestigious university now; your future achievements won't be lacking, and your mother has bought a house too. If they don't try to mend fences with you now, are they waiting until you're successful?"

Han Tao knew this well enough. "I just can’t stand the hypocrisy of my aunt’s family, going on about how much they cherished me when I was little. Pfft. If they truly cared, would my family be in this state?" Han Tao only vented to Wang Qiqi. "I’m just listening. We’ve already separated the households; whether they live well or poorly has nothing to do with us anymore. I told my mom that once we have some money at the end of the year, we’ll buy two more houses just to spite them."

The thought of his uncle and aunt looking displeased when they saw him always brought a secret chuckle to Han Tao. They used to flaunt how rich they were, but if they were truly wealthy, why hadn't they bought houses and were still living in the old place?

"If you have money, buy in the capital; there's no need to show off so much," Wang Qiqi found the unusually juvenile Han Tao quite amusing. "I only stepped in because of the house purchase with Song Yao. Honestly, I hadn't planned on buying another house back in our hometown. You know the chances of us returning are slim, so why bother upsetting them? Didn't you say before that how life turns out is a choice you make? Do you think we need to flaunt anything?"

Han Tao suddenly recalled Wang Qiqi’s previous analysis regarding the capital city property. "I was being foolish. Right, how could I forget? If our family has too many properties here, once we stabilize elsewhere, my mother will move over, and these local houses will become highly coveted." At that time, both Grandma's side and Grandpa's side would be eyeing them. Han Tao wouldn't relent, but the problem was that Luo Hongjuan might soften. In that case, it was better to keep two houses here and rent them out; the rent could serve as pocket money for his mother.

"When Juliana’s family's property development kicks off, we'll buy a place then. We can co-buy a top-floor unit so your mother can stay downstairs, and we’ll have our own space," Wang Qiqi laid out her thoughts. Although Luo Hongjuan was easygoing, there was a significant difference between a mother-in-law and an aunt.

Han Tao desperately wanted to tell Wang Qiqi that he would cover the cost of the property, but he understood it wasn't about money; it was about the assurance Wang Qiqi sought. To her, paying meant it was hers. "Deal. My mom can live downstairs, and we’ll take the upstairs. I'll even build you a huge study."

And so, their conversation shifted into planning their future home, with Wang Qiqi becoming the main orator, and Han Tao occasionally interjecting. If Shi Man had been present, she would certainly have scoffed that they were already dreaming in the clouds, building castles in the air.

"Don't worry, I will absolutely give you a good life, absolute happiness," Han Tao looked at Wang Qiqi, who was sitting across from him, passionately describing her ideal new home, and suddenly pulled her into an embrace.

Wang Qiqi was momentarily startled by the gesture but quickly recovered. She patted Han Tao's back. Poor child, he must have been scared senseless by Wang Dagui that day. "Don't mock a youth in his prime; they will all end up envying and resenting me for bagging such a golden catch like you." Wang Qiqi was very certain of this. "Perhaps someday someone will point at my nose and tell me to step down." The young women born in the nineties and naughties are formidable; they wouldn't hesitate to do something like that.

Hearing Wang Qiqi say that, Han Tao thought she was trying to comfort him. "Don't worry. No one will fancy me except you. Besides, I finally managed to catch such a rich woman; how can I not hold on tight? There are plenty of men who live off their wives."

Wang Qiqi heard Han Tao’s words and wriggled out of his embrace, pinching his nose playfully. "Don't talk like that. When you become successful later, girls will flock to you; your charm won't be any less than Gao Kai's. Though Gao Kai’s glory might only last this one year." This was the first time Wang Qiqi had said something so formally to Han Tao.

Han Tao was quite surprised to hear Wang Qiqi say that. "Isn't the Gao family doing well? Aren't they planning to open branch stores? With tea houses and new branches, it looks like the Gao family is taking a step towards expansion. Why does it seem to you like the Gao family is faltering? How many high-end restaurants lose money? It’s an industry with huge margins."

Branches? Wang Qiqi let out a cold laugh. "The Gao family only holds a small stake in the current restaurants; they are essentially working there. Moreover, he's pulled some strings internally, leading to some financial irregularities, and the major shareholders want to expand their own presence here. You can figure out the Gao family’s fate."

If Han Tao couldn't grasp it after all that, he would truly be an idiot. "Ah, so that's how it is. But the Gao family does have some foundation and connections; opening another restaurant is a piece of cake." Now that the intricate details were clear, starting another eatery would indeed be simple.

"It would be manageable if the Gao family patriarch didn't gamble, but if he gambled and lost a considerable sum, the problem becomes huge." Wang Qiqi was genuinely impressed that someone would gamble in Macau and lose millions. Perhaps that was one of the reasons the Gao family was utterly crushed in the previous life. "That’s why I fought so fiercely with my uncles. I'm worried that the money Li Cui borrowed has already been transferred to the Gao family's account. If they hadn't opened the restaurant, given the stock market's trajectory, recovering the money would have been easy. But once they open the restaurant, the Gao family will definitely need to use those funds, and who will end up taking the loss..."

"So you’re worried Wang Dagui will use the excuse of 'we’re all family' to force you to help pay off the debt."

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "Not 'help,' but demand. I predict he’ll act shamelessly, saying things like how much money I have and how I can afford to cover the debt." Alas, what a karmic mess. If Wang Qiqi hadn't insisted on not renting out the house, and if no one had helped find a suitable storefront, would the Gao family have opened the restaurant? But thinking further, if they hadn't opened the restaurant, given the gambler's mindset, seeing available money would immediately trigger a desire to win it all back, resulting in all the funds ending up with the He family in Macau, while their local assets remained untouched.

Han Tao was startled by Wang Qiqi's description, but it wasn't entirely impossible. "Might they do something irrational?" For instance, breaking in—especially since Wang Dagui knew about the properties under Qiqi’s name. Might he incite them...?

Wang Qiqi wasn't worried about that point. "It's not my debt; why should they break into my house? If they dare to trespass, I dare to sue; I'll sue them until they’re bankrupted." Even factoring in legal fees, she’d still lose money out of pocket, but that was her stance, ensuring they didn't always think she was bluffing. As for how they dealt with Wang Dagui afterward, that was their business.

"You're always talking about going to court; is doing this..." Han Tao noticed that Wang Qiqi’s current favorite recourse was threatening legal action. His own mother had once worried if, should he and Wang Qiqi ever argue, she would also resort to that line so readily.

"Some people must be threatened with this, and sometimes going to court serves as a deterrent. Do you think if they actually break into my house, they will listen to me reasoning with them? For them, demanding money is the real logic, but I am innocent. The only recourse is the court to make them compensate for losses. Once a few ringleaders are dealt with, will they still target me? Even if Wang Dagui fans the flames from behind, no one will listen." Wang Qiqi thought to herself, would she be well-regarded even if she offered to pay the money? She wanted a peaceful life too. "Oh, and don't mention the Gao family's situation to your mother. If even a shred of this leaks out, Wang Dagui and the others will just claim I'm jealous that their family is doing well." If they are intent on courting disaster, I’ll grant them their wish.

"Your family having few relatives is a heap of trouble, and my family having many relatives is also a heap of trouble. Alas, we are simply Monk Tang’s flesh," Han Tao concluded with a sigh.

In the days that followed, Wang Qiqi’s life settled down completely. Ten thousand yuan was transferred to Gong Peixing's card, and the lawyer's affidavit would be signed once the lawyer returned after the eighth day of the New Year. Wang Rui stopped harassing Wang Qiqi, and suddenly, the bone-chilling cold weather became bearable for her.

Song Yao was also in high spirits; she had acquired more assets under her name, and her in-laws’ blatant favoritism had left her husband disheartened. According to Song Yao, her in-laws undermining her in front of Gong Peixing was actually pushing their son further away. Song Yao certainly shared this good news with Wang Qiqi immediately. Of course, Song Yao didn't forget to share news about Wang Rui, especially mentioning how Gao Kai seemed quite close to a certain woman. Though it was only a phone call, Wang Qiqi could hear the excitement in Song Yao’s tone.

Wang Damei and Song Wenbo looked at the house and bought it, with the elders footing the bill. As for Song Ziwen, he only talked the talk; Wang Damei knew exactly how much money he actually had. According to Song Yao, it was good to have a son who managed to gain benefits while maintaining a good reputation.

Wang Dagui did not have a good New Year. Wang Rui was preoccupied with dating Gao Kai, wanting to shadow him twenty-four hours a day. As for Li Cui, she stopped criticizing her daughter’s behavior; whatever the daughter wanted, so be it. Moreover, Li Cui was busy handling her private matters. Wang Dagui's family remained relatively quiet.

【】Author: 【】 Just Love Eating Melon Seeds Synopsis: A corporate gold-collar worker transmigrates into a Hesheli Clan member, embarking on a brand new life.