Wang Qiqi returned home and immediately slipped into the newly purchased red coat. Although it might not have been the absolute perfect fit for her, the style was simple. "Mom, isn't this coat beautiful? Manman said it wasn't great, but I think it's fine." Wang Qiqi proudly twirled a few times in front of her parents' photograph. "Doesn't it fit perfectly? I actually think Manman is just jealous that I look better in it than she ever would."

After trying on the coat, Wang Qiqi genuinely felt it looked great. While it might not have been striking on the hanger, it looked exceptionally flattering when worn. Shi Man, caught up in the excitement, also insisted on trying it on, thinking a red outfit paired with her new red handbag for the Lunar New Year would definitely turn heads. To her dismay, the effect on her was nowhere near as good as it was on Wang Qiqi. In a fit of pique, she decided against buying it altogether, criticizing Wang Qiqi’s look as unflattering, the brand as mediocre, and the style too basic—in short, she nitpicked relentlessly. As she spoke animatedly, Wang Qiqi noticed the sales clerk’s smile had begun to look strained. Customers often found fault with fit or preference, but Shi Man was attacking the brand's design, which was bound to offend anyone. Thankfully, not many people were shopping at the mall at that moment, or else... Fortunately, Wang Qiqi ended up buying the coat, which significantly improved the clerk’s expression.

Thinking of Shi Man’s sullen face, Wang Qiqi couldn't help but smile. Such happy news certainly needed to be shared with her boyfriend. Habitually, Wang Qiqi opened her laptop to check her emails. As for Han Tao’s emails, Wang Qiqi knew he was someone who only reported good news, never the bad. His emails were only worth a quick glance; the real situation would only be clear when he returned and she could see if he had lost weight. After scanning her messages, Wang Qiqi composed and sent an email to Han Tao, then headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Since Wang Qiqi had come home, Luo Hongjuan no longer cooked; Wang Qiqi always took the helm. Regardless of the quality of the cooking, the satisfied smiles from her future mother-in-law were proof enough that Luo Hongjuan was quite pleased with Wang Qiqi as a daughter-in-law.

Not long after Wang Qiqi had washed the rice, Han Tao replied to her email—a fact that startled her. Considering the fourteen or fifteen time zone difference between his workplace and home, it must be one or two in the morning there. How could the boy still be awake?

The realization that Han Tao was still up at this hour spurred Wang Qiqi back to the computer, typing furiously: "Are you still not sleeping? Do you know what time it is? Are you trying to get sick? You must never be eating meals on time, and now you’re staying up late. Do you think you’re Superman or Ultraman?"

After sending that email, Wang Qiqi couldn't help but muse about the absence of a superior tool like QQ. If it existed, she would immediately suggest Uncle Ma develop a video chat feature. It would save a fortune for people living apart and allow them to instantly see how the other person was truly faring.

Han Tao replied: "Just finished my work and was about to head to bed. I saw your email just as I was leaving. P.S. There are plenty of cookies and bread in the breakroom, so don't worry about me going hungry. I’ll remember what you said, and you must look stunning in that red coat. Bring it with you to the capital; it will look beautiful when we walk in the snow."

Reading Han Tao’s message sparked an idea in Wang Qiqi: taking a photo of herself standing in the snow while wearing that bright red coat would undoubtedly be beautiful. At that moment, Wang Qiqi remembered she hadn't officially taken a proper photo of herself and Han Tao studying in the capital to show her parents. Thinking of this, Wang Qiqi replied: "We’ll take lots then, so I can show my parents. It’s late, go back to sleep."

Han Tao: "Mhm, I’m heading back now. You take care of yourself too, and don't accept every manuscript assignment."

After sending this final email, Han Tao closed his inbox, preparing to resume work. Recalling what Wang Qiqi had mentioned earlier, he stood up, went to the breakroom, and brought the bread and cookies his assistant had bought back to his desk to start eating.

As Han Tao passed JOHN, he suddenly reached out a hand. "Just finished emailing your little girlfriend." Although Han Tao hadn't been in America long, JOHN understood that only a word from his girlfriend could prompt the workaholic Han Tao to go get food at this hour. "By the way, how is the work progressing?"

Han Tao was used to such sudden raids and sat down at his desk without missing a beat. "It's going well; probably another two hours to wrap it up." Han Tao had always thought that working late nights with Daizi and Gong Junyu on programming back in the capital was intense enough, but since arriving here, he realized how easy his previous life had been. Daizi often raved about the "paradise" of foreign work environments—nine-to-five hours and weekends off. But in the short time Han Tao had been here, he saw that Daizi’s description was mostly false; he was working from five in the morning until nine at night! Of course, he genuinely loved the work. Even though his spoken English wasn't perfect and his technical skills weren't the absolute best, whenever he asked for advice, people would always point him in the right direction if they had time, leading Han Tao to learn a great deal. Conversely, his progress at work had been significant, and his performance had made everyone who had a prior understanding of his capabilities even more satisfied. After all, JOHN had hired him because they were drowning in work; they expected someone moderately capable, not the massive surprise they got.

JOHN, who had been happily munching on his bread, nearly choked when he heard Han Tao’s statement. He struggled to swallow the mouthful he had before asking urgently, "Mike, how long did you say you needed?" Surely not! JOHN and the others had assumed in their morning meeting that getting the project done before nine the next morning would be an achievement. They hadn't expected Han Tao to be this fast. This... this was unbelievable.

"Two hours." Han Tao held up two fingers. "Oh, and JOHN, can I take tomorrow off?" He’d been in America for a while and still hadn't managed to buy some things, plus he needed to pick up gifts and tidy up his lodging. His place was quite nice; although it was just one room rented from an elderly couple, the garden was wonderful. Han Tao remembered arriving at the house with JOHN, luggage in hand, and seeing the elderly couple sitting in the yard, sipping coffee and enjoying small biscuits while their dog chased balls around the garden. That scene immediately made Han Tao want to take a picture for Han Tao to see back home.

JOHN had no objection to Han Tao’s request. Since Mike arrived, they had been working nonstop, often staying up until two in the morning. Especially after the major crisis a few days prior, which Mike had ultimately resolved; otherwise, if the investors had arrived tomorrow to see the results of months of work in such a state, they might have reneged on their investment entirely. Honestly, the former JOHN would have shrugged off lost investment, figuring he could easily find another job with comparable pay based on his skill set. But JOHN couldn't bear the thought of leaving so many harmonious colleagues. It was at the most critical moment that Mike stepped up. While his abilities were sufficient for the job, it wasn't considered a difficult task, yet he performed so well, showing everyone a glimmer of hope. The fact that Mike might finish ahead of schedule made JOHN feel thrilled and relieved. "Go ahead. I'll talk to the BOSS. He's exploited you enough; you deserve two days off, easily. But I have plans tomorrow, so I can't accompany you out."

Han Tao was happy enough just to secure the leave. As for needing company, Han Tao subconsciously didn't really want it. Though it was his first time in the country and the city, thanks to everyone’s goodwill, his English was steadily improving. He had learned British English in school, but since arriving in the US, his English was shifting toward the American dialect as it improved. Thus, Han Tao felt no worry about going out alone. "I'll just wander around by myself."

Wang Qiqi was oblivious to the fact that her man’s supposed ‘rest’ was a lie, and that he was actually continuing to work late into the night. He had simply stopped replying to emails. When Wang Qiqi saw no more messages, she assumed Han Tao had truly gone to sleep, given it was past midnight. Even foreigners working overtime must respect basic human needs, right?

Wang Qiqi resentfully picked vegetables and washed them for dinner. Her mother-in-law would be home soon. While Wang Qiqi tried not to dwell on it, thinking this might be a rare overtime session, she couldn't shake the feeling that this late-night work was Han Tao's constant routine in America. Of course, this was just her intuition; she certainly couldn't go to her mother-in-law and say, "Your son is living a life where he wakes up with the chickens and goes to sleep when the ghosts howl," as that would certainly terrify the elder woman. After all, Luo Hongjuan had been constantly fretting lately: "Qiqi, I truly worry if Xiao Tao is getting a hot meal in America."

"Qiqi, your cooking has improved so much; the dishes are getting better every day. When you go to America next time, I’ll feel much more at ease." Hearing Luo Hongjuan say this, Wang Qiqi had only one thought: Am I a live-in nanny or a cook?

"Qiqi, did Xiao Tao buy any New Year goods in America? I wonder how he managed for his New Year’s Eve dinner." This was the mother-in-law’s most frequent refrain as the Lunar New Year approached. To be honest, Wang Qiqi was also quite curious. She figured the boy probably settled for a work meal, or maybe a slice of pizza or a hot dog. That boy wouldn't eat Chinese food out there; for one, it was expensive, and two, the flavor might not be authentic.

【Xiao Fu An Jia】Yun Ting Yu: A modern female writer reincarnates as a girl in an ancient farming family. She only seeks peace and well-being for her family, but fate refuses to grant her wish (To be continued...).