Bai Ge and the others arrived at Wang Qiqi's place with several bags, only to find Shi Man opening the door. The room inside was unnervingly quiet. “Still translating?” No way, it had been over an hour. How was Qiqi still working? Could this assignment be particularly tricky, or perhaps just voluminous?

Shi Man had been waiting and waiting, thinking the group wouldn't show up at all, never expecting them to be this slow.

“We went to borrow books for Qiqi.” After setting the groceries down in the kitchen, Bai Ge pulled out the books from her own backpack along with Qiqi’s library card. “We won’t come in.”

Bai Ge knew well that once Wang Qiqi entered a state of translation, she would ignore everything happening outside until she naturally reached a pause. If they disturbed her now, Wang Qiqi might very well throw a fit.

Shi Man looked at the visibly timid Bai Ge and could only sigh. “Is there any need to be that scared?”

Although Shi Man wore an expression of disdain toward Bai Ge and the others, she herself tiptoed as she entered Wang Qiqi's room with the books, terrified of disturbing her.

Seeing Shi Man’s cautious movement from the living room, Bai Ge nudged Duan Xiaomin and the others, signaling them to look at Shi Man.

When Shi Man crept back out of Wang Qiqi’s room, she was greeted by the judgmental stares of the four girls. As for Zhang Yan, she was nestled on the sofa, engrossed in her own book—an English original. The title? Sorry, it was completely covered, so no one knew. Shi Man and the others couldn't understand the content, but they suspected Wang Qiqi could. However, since Qiqi wasn't saying, they didn't ask; even if they did, they figured Wang Qiqi would just say it was a secret.

Shi Man’s reaction to the scornful looks was, “Qiqi has a tough case, and it’s extremely urgent.” Then, she turned and closed the door shut.

The others chatted animatedly about what was happening in class—who got together with whom, which couple might be breaking up because a third party had intervened. Shi Man remained silent, yet she listened with keen interest, her ears perked up.

Shi Man loved listening to this gossip while Bai Ge and the others cooked. Even though they weren't her classmates, Shi Man felt it added to the excitement. Every time she encountered Wang Qiqi’s classmates, she felt a connection, letting her imagination wander. Of course, Bai Ge’s group didn't know that Shi Man, while diligently helping in the kitchen, secretly relished the gossip. At first, they felt it was slightly immoral to discuss others’ affairs, but they also knew Shi Man and her circle were tight-lipped—people who only took information in, never letting it out. So, after getting used to it, they stopped holding back when gossiping with Shi Man. Furthermore, since Duan Xiaomin joined the department student union, she knew more people outside their immediate circle, bringing a wider source of gossip and more to share. Even if some of what she mentioned wasn't exactly a secret, for Shi Man, who had few sources of gossip, Duan Xiaomin was the best possible pipeline.

Zhang Yan, curled up on the sofa reading a finance text, smiled faintly listening to the girls’ chattering. Was this what Qiqi called ‘atmosphere’?

When Han Tao entered, he noticed the lively bustle in the kitchen—all female voices, but none belonging to Wang Qiqi. “Where’s Qiqi?” Han Tao found it odd. Shi Man had made the call, yet he hadn't seen Qiqi upon arrival.

Shi Man and the others hadn't stopped their discussion, assuming it was Zhu Lina returning. Discovering it was Han Tao instead, they exchanged bewildered glances. Very few men enjoyed listening to gossip. “Hey, Han Tao, Xiaomin needs to talk to you about something today,” Bai Ge said without a shred of loyalty, immediately pushing Duan Xiaomin forward. Besides, the main reason for the visit today was indeed for Duan Xiaomin to ask for advice.

Duan Xiaomin hadn't been prepared to be thrust into the spotlight like that. She shot Bai Ge a few sharp glares, cursing her internally for the betrayal. “Uh, Han Tao, I actually have something I need to ask you.”

While Han Tao really wanted to know what was up with Qiqi, seeing Shi Man in the kitchen, using the opportunity to help while listening to gossip, suggested Wang Qiqi was fine—likely scrambling to finish a draft. Recalling what Li Zhe had mentioned earlier about his family getting a new client with a heavy workload, mostly rush jobs, Han Tao surmised that person must have given Qiqi the order, and she was probably busy racing the deadline.

Knowing Wang Qiqi’s situation, Han Tao eased his urgency. “Are you running into trouble with a student?” Han Tao knew that anything Duan Xiaomin would consult him on, apart from this, was rare.

“Someone approached me, hoping I’d take on a new tutoring job…” Duan Xiaomin quickly explained the details of the new student.

Han Tao understood why she was so apprehensive. “Actually, high school and middle school are quite similar, but high school leads to university, and many parents have specific demands…” Han Tao recounted his own feelings when he first took on a high school tutoring job, sharing his hard-earned experience. “For this one, just treat it as a trial run. From the way you sound, the parents’ requirements aren’t too high, right?”

Duan Xiaomin nodded. “Yeah, maybe they’re trying the last resort, or I wouldn’t dare take this assignment.” What tempted Duan Xiaomin was precisely this point: she felt she couldn't spend her entire life tutoring elementary or middle schoolers. That was too unchallenging and wouldn't bode well for her future development.

“Then give it a shot.” Han Tao paused. “How about I come by during your first lesson just to check things out?” Han Tao knew that no matter how much he explained, one wouldn't grasp how easy or difficult something was until they experienced it firsthand. Perhaps in their eyes, teaching a high schooler, even a freshman, was harder than teaching a ninth grader. But in Han Tao’s view, the pressure of teaching a ninth grader was actually greater.

Duan Xiaomin hadn't expected such a fantastic perk. She had only hoped Han Tao might offer a few pointers, not that he would offer to accompany her to the student’s house. “Really?”

Han Tao confirmed with a soft "mm." “Just let me know in advance when the lesson is. I need to check if it conflicts with my schedule.” Li Zhe was in his final year of high school, and Li Xiangdong had mentioned wanting a few extra tutoring sessions for him.

Duan Xiaomin murmured an acknowledgment and didn't press further. She knew Han Tao spent most of his time at home, researching computers with Dai Lijun and the others. This used to make Duan Xiaomin and the others puzzled; Han Tao and Wang Qiqi never seemed like a couple in a typical romance. Why didn't Wang Qiqi ever object? They often sat together—one reading, one tinkering with the computer, occasionally exchanging a few words. Compared to couples like Han Meina and Zhang Han, or even the demonstrative but affectionate Deng Zhi and Gong Yiying, Han Tao and Wang Qiqi showed almost no signs of being a boyfriend and girlfriend. “You should take Qiqi out more often?”

Duan Xiaomin knew Wang Qiqi often roamed around on weekends, photographing old architecture, but Han Tao accompanied her infrequently; often, Qiqi went out alone. This situation seemed wrong.

Han Tao smiled. He wanted to stroll the streets and alleys with Qiqi, but the problem was his frequent obligations meant he couldn't always accompany her. Moreover, he felt Wang Qiqi was freer when alone. Sometimes she would take photos and then strike up enthusiastic conversations with the elderly folks sunning themselves in corners, discussing the history of the buildings, especially tales of famous people having once lived there. Han Tao genuinely wasn't interested in this. How could one house host several famous people in succession, often in different locations? Did one person have multiple residences in the capital they occupied simultaneously? Later, Wang Qiqi noticed Han Tao’s lack of enthusiasm and told him he didn't need to accompany her constantly. She added that dating didn't require constant companionship, as it made both parties uncomfortable. Han Tao was left speechless by Wang Qiqi’s perspective, only able to conclude that she was incredibly independent. Someone else might not like a woman who wasn't overtly dependent or 'small and delicate,' but having weathered so much turmoil at home, Han Tao admired and was rather fond of girls like Wang Qiqi.

Seeing Han Tao's smile, Duan Xiaomin felt a strange stirring in her heart, but she suppressed that nascent liking. She knew some things were beyond her reach, and some people were not meant for her. “I envy you guys.”

“You will too,” Han Tao replied, then picked up the books he’d brought and began to read.

Zhang Yan watched the departing Han Tao, then glanced at the Han Tao currently sitting on the sofa reading.