Wang Qiqi flopped onto the seat as soon as she got in the car.

“Home is the best.

Let’s go eat a proper meal.” Although Wang Qiqi and Han Tao hadn't skimped on money during their trip, they hadn't splurged on the most expensive meals either.

But after being away for so long, Qiqi genuinely missed Chinese food.

Besides, she had just flown back from overseas to save everyone money today; surely this meal should be on someone else’s tab, right? “I’m sick of bread and steak every day; I could actually vomit.

I miss Chinese food so much,” Wang Qiqi pleaded softly.

Shi Man initially wanted to snap back at Wang Qiqi for complaining about eating Western food daily, thinking it was too much—a way to taunt the rest of them, considering how expensive fine Western cuisine was domestically.

But then she reconsidered; while Qiqi sometimes demanded beef, she was also quite disciplined with vegetables generally.

Someone like that traveling abroad eating nothing but these things might genuinely struggle to adapt.

Juliana thought to herself that regardless, this was their first gathering since the New Year, and with their ‘God of Wealth’ returning from abroad, they absolutely had to have a good meal.

“Don’t worry, Qiqi, I’ll treat everyone to something nice.” As soon as Juliana spoke, Wang Qiqi and Shi Man became ecstatic.

This was an invitation from the daughter of a billionaire to treat them well—how could they not be excited? Especially Wang Qiqi, who, after such a long flight accompanied by dreadful airplane food, had sky-high expectations for this meal.

She secretly hoped they were headed to some exclusive private kitchen; at the very least, a Michelin-starred restaurant.

While the taste might be debatable, the atmosphere alone couldn't be replicated in a small eatery.

Juliana watched the two excited women.

Even though they hadn't discussed the destination, she knew they assumed she’d take them to a grand restaurant.

For Juliana, while the atmosphere in those large venues was fine, it wasn't necessarily the best setting for catching up with close friends; a restaurant with excellent food where they could relax and chat freely was far superior.

Following Juliana’s directions, Shi Man noticed the route was heading toward Juliana’s own neighborhood, making her frown in confusion.

“Are we eating at her place?” Oh my god, the only one who can actually cook has just returned from abroad, and the cooking skills of everyone else hover around the ‘won’t starve’ level.

Doing this now would be unforgivable, especially since Qiqi had been on a long flight and needed proper nourishment! “Are you cooking for the four of us?” Juliana continued directing Feng Xuanxiang to stop the car in front of a restaurant.

“This place hasn't been open long.

I ate here alone during New Year's Day; the food was surprisingly good.” Shi Man pursed her lips and muttered under her breath, “I thought we’d finally eat something decent, but we end up back here.

Sigh, capitalists are capitalists; they’ll find any way to save money.” Wang Qiqi nodded in agreement beside her.

“Isn't there a saying? The richer you are, the stingier you get.

Chairman Juliana is the perfect case study.” Wang Qiqi put on a thoroughly put-upon expression, as if she'd been terribly wronged by someone.

Juliana wasn't falling for their performance.

She snorted coldly, “If you want to eat, get in.

If not, go home and eat instant noodles.” Hmph, she wouldn't let them think she was a pushover without a little pushback.

Wang Qiqi and Shi Man looked at Juliana putting on her Chairman face, and the two immediately hugged each other.

“NANA is too scary! We absolutely cannot work under her in the future,” Wang Qiqi whispered, trembling.

Shi Man reached out and covered Wang Qiqi’s mouth.

“Qiqi, settle down! Be careful not to offend NaNa; we won't get anything good to eat.

She could just blow and send us from the South Pole to the North Pole.” Wang Qiqi made an affirming noise, then quickly ran over to Juliana, throwing her arms around her.

“Sugar Mama, I beg to be kept! I can do anything—I can entertain guests, cook like a pro, and warm your bed.

My mouth isn't big, and my upkeep won't be expensive…” Shi Man was aghast at Wang Qiqi’s shamelessness.

“Qiqi, that’s too much! You snatched the spot right before me! You’re going too far!” Shi Man struggled to squeeze closer to Juliana, but Wang Qiqi wasn't letting up.

Han Tao and Feng Xuanxiang watched the two acting like children fighting over a piece of candy, finding it hilarious.

To outsiders, these people looked aloof and arrogant, but once you knew them, you realized the three women together were guaranteed to go slightly manic—especially Wang Qiqi and Shi Man, who were the chief instigators of the craziness.

However, as Juliana spent more time interning at the company, she had grown noticeably more serious.

Han Tao had once caught her discussing business matters, her expression as stern as Shi Man’s public face, though Juliana possessed a commanding presence, the aura of someone in authority.

Feng Xuanxiang looked at the three girls acting like lunatics, then glanced at the looks they were receiving from passersby, who probably thought they were mentally ill.

Feng Xuanxiang knew they often acted wildly at home, but this was happening in public! Just as he was about to say something, Han Tao held him back.

“Let them have their fun.

They haven't seen each other in days; they need to express their missing each other somehow.” They had to mind their behavior at the airport, but here, it didn't matter.

Han Tao and Feng Xuanxiang found a window seat and sat down.

Soon after they ordered, the three women returned, having miraculously transformed back into quiet, proper ladies.

“Did you order?” Wang Qiqi took the tea Han Tao handed her.

The earlier commotion had eased her fatigue, but she was certainly thirsty.

Seeing Han Tao offer Qiqi tea, Feng Xuanxiang mirrored the gesture, handing a cup to his girlfriend.

He received a look that acknowledged he was 'acceptable.' Feng Xuanxiang sometimes truly wondered why Han Tao, a science major, understood women so well.

Shi Man often spoke about Han Tao’s consideration, which made him intensely curious.

Han Tao’s thoughtfulness wasn't an act; he was acutely aware of small details, as if it were ingrained deep in his bones.

Could growing up in modest circumstances with only his mother have made him so observant? Feng Xuanxiang couldn’t figure it out.

Han Tao was oblivious to Feng Xuanxiang’s internal monologue.

After giving tea to Wang Qiqi, he casually poured a cup for Juliana as well.

To him, Qiqi was his focus, and Juliana was Qiqi’s friend; offering courtesy as a man was simply expected.

Juliana paused, murmured a quiet thanks, took the cup, and sipped slowly.

She knew Han Tao was just doing it reflexively; in his world, Qiqi was the center of his attention.

Love, for Juliana, remained a distant concept.

However, Han Tao held a very special place in her heart.

Juliana had never articulated her feelings for him.

Perhaps in childhood, she initially sought Han Tao out because his good grades meant he could tutor her.

Over time, she learned so much more about him.

Her gaze often followed his movements.

But before she could sort out whether her feelings for Han Tao were romantic or familial, she noticed the way he frequently looked at Wang Qiqi—a look that even someone inexperienced in love could recognize immediately.

She was too late.

Although Juliana was downcast for a few days, the pressures of the Gaokao entrance exams and preparing for her succession duties left her little time for introspection.

By the time she truly noticed Han Tao again, the sharp pain in her heart had faded, or perhaps she had tucked him into a deep corner of her mind.

She knew they would only ever be friends in this lifetime, but having someone like him as a friend was a wonderful feeling, wasn't it? No one present noticed Juliana's momentary lapse because the movements between her and Han Tao were so smooth, lacking any pause that might draw attention.

Meanwhile, Wang Qiqi was listening to Shi Man gloat about her overseas adventures.

Qiqi refused to be overshadowed and began recounting the gourmet delights they had enjoyed.

“But honestly, traveling to Hainan isn't as good as buying my own ticket to Thailand or Malaysia.” Shi Man knew a little English and French, and Feng Xuanxiang, aiming for overseas studies, surely had passable English.

In the winter, Hainan wasn't particularly cheap, either; that price point could easily fund a self-planned trip abroad.

“The important thing is there are way more people wearing bikinis there,” she added, though whether one encountered slender beauties or merely plump tourists depended entirely on luck.

Hearing Wang Qiqi say this, Feng Xuanxiang almost spat out his tea.

He hadn't expected Qiqi to be so direct, especially saying it right in front of Shi Man.

It struck him as incredibly odd.

If a boy had said it, he wouldn't have batted an eye, but the speaker...

Han Tao found his girlfriend’s erratic behavior completely normal; Wang Qiqi had made far bolder statements before.

Han Tao shifted his gaze slightly, but the corner of his eye caught Feng Xuanxiang turning bright red.

As for why he turned red, only he knew.

Shi Man noticed Feng Xuanxiang’s visible discomfort and reached inside his shirt, giving his skin a vicious pinch.

Her own mouth pouted dramatically, giving the distinct impression that he had done something to betray her.

Feng Xuanxiang could only silently lament to the heavens.

Why was he taking the heat when it was Qiqi who said something vaguely inappropriate? He felt he could truly empathize with Dou E’s plight back then, especially since his girlfriend wasn’t holding back her grip.

He couldn't shout for two reasons: first, if he cried out, his girlfriend would just pinch harder; and second, was it appropriate for a grown man to cry out in public? Wang Qiqi completely ignored the pleading, "I'm innocent, Qiqi, why are you framing me?" look Feng Xuanxiang shot her.

“Why isn't the food here yet? I’m starving.” If Juliana hadn't insisted on treating them to a good meal, she would have eaten something shortly after leaving the airport.

Han Tao noticed his girlfriend practically glued to the table like a starving ghost and flagged down a waiter to ask about the order—that’s what a qualified boyfriend should do.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!