Wang Damei stood at the doorway, holding Luo Hongjuan’s hand. “Don’t bother seeing us off, don’t bother. We’re heading back now. Oh, right, Hongjuan, we’re having a dinner party in a few days, you must come.” Wang Damei politely declined Luo Hongjuan’s offer to walk them downstairs, then turned to call Wang Qiqi down to accompany her.

Upon hearing Wang Damei’s words, Luo Hongjuan paused, intending to politely decline herself, but then she considered that although it was New Year’s Eve, the hallway wasn't completely deserted; some people would be coming down to set off firecrackers or leaving after finishing their New Year’s Eve dinner. If Wang Dagui intended to make trouble, it wouldn't be at this moment. She simply cautioned Wang Qiqi to be careful and then returned to her own apartment, as she still had things to chat about with Han Tao’s father.

Wang Damei led Wang Qiqi down the stairs. “Qiqi, I just spoke with Han Tao’s mother for quite a while. Although she can be a bit petty, she’s treated you quite well. You need to be better to her from now on. You don’t have a mother, and while you have your aunt and cousins to rely on, marriage ultimately depends on yourself. Especially you, Qiqi, I really worry that being too strong-willed will be too much for a man to handle. Remember to show a bit of weakness when appropriate; it will make a man feel like he’s the center of the universe, understand?” These words should really be spoken by a mother to her daughter, but now that Qiqi’s mother is gone, she, as her aunt, needed to take on more responsibility. As for the other niece, Wang Rui, Wang Damei felt she understood these things well; Wang Rui wouldn't suffer any loss when it came to social navigation, and Wang Damei didn’t think Wang Rui would pay much heed to the little advice she had to offer.

Wang Qiqi hadn't realized Wang Damei had discussed so much with Luo Hongjuan, all for her sake. “Auntie…” Wang Qiqi was surprised that the Wang Damei from her previous life, who had been so selfish, would actually consider her welfare. Wang Qiqi had never truly considered that if her marriage went poorly, Wang Damei would step up to support her. But she never expected that just as she was ready to give up, Wang Damei would act this way. The butterfly effect caused by her rebirth was truly becoming more and more significant.

Wang Damei looked at her niece, whose eyes were starting to redden. She reached out several times before finally resting her hand on Wang Qiqi’s head. “Qiqi has grown up; she’s a young woman now and can think for herself. Even though that Han family boy is promising, in your aunt’s eyes, Qiqi is the best. Han Tao still doesn’t deserve you, but Qiqi, you like him. Your aunt will absolutely support you. And in the future, if Han Tao ever bullies you, don’t just tolerate it. You must tell your aunt. If you feel embarrassed, tell your sister, and then no matter where you are, your brother-in-law and your cousin will come over to beat Han Tao up for you.”

Song Yao, standing nearby, rolled her eyes openly. “Biased, biased! Mom, you’re so biased! When I got married, you didn’t say any of this.” Song Yao complained, though really, she saw the atmosphere leaning towards the sad side. Normally, that might be quite touching, but it was New Year’s Eve; crying was out of place. Laughter was required. “Besides, Mom, don't worry. Qiqi won't let herself be taken advantage of, right?” If Wang Qiqi were the type to suffer a loss, the sun would have to rise from the west, not the east.

Wang Qiqi bit her lip, closing her eyes to keep the tears from falling. After a moment, she said, “Exactly. In this life, Wang Qiqi can endure anything except being wronged. And Auntie, don't worry, Han Tao is a good person. I will also treat Aunt Luo well, after all, she is Han Tao’s mother.”

Wang Damei stared at Wang Qiqi for a moment, then patted her shoulder. “Having a good relationship with your mother-in-law is also very beneficial for your marital relationship. A mother-in-law who speaks well of her daughter-in-law to her son will definitely make the young couple’s feelings much better, and she can even help you discipline your man. Of course, the most important thing is to have a son.” Wang Damei offered guidance based on the lessons learned from experience. “Especially when Han Tao becomes successful later, the family money will increase. When money increases, if he doesn’t have his own ideas, his mother will start fretting about how terrible it is not to have a grandson to inherit the family fortune.”

Wang Qiqi was taken aback—she had to have a son? Although both she and Han Tao met the criteria for having a second child, she questioned, “How can anyone guarantee a son? And aren’t daughters better than sons? Just look at Sister Yaoyao, right?” Wang Qiqi hooked her arm around Song Yao’s and acted cute. “Okay, it’s getting late. It’s cold outside, and Taotao needs to sleep too. Auntie, you should head back early. Give me a call when you get back.”

Wang Damei hummed in response. “Go on up first. Once you’re upstairs, stand at the window and let me see you.” Wang Damei recalled Luo Hongjuan’s hesitations that afternoon, and she remembered the news Song Ziwen had told her this morning—that Wang Dagui’s gaze toward Wang Qiqi had been quite unfriendly.

Wang Qiqi didn’t stand on ceremony with Wang Damei. After thanking everyone, she went upstairs. Wang Qiqi ran into her own apartment and straight into the kitchen, opening the window. “Auntie, I’m here. Take it easy on the road, you all.”

After Wang Damei and the others saw Wang Qiqi’s figure in the car, they finally started the engine and left. Wang Qiqi closed the kitchen window. Ten minutes earlier, the home had been filled with laughter and the cries of children, but now, aside from the sound of the Spring Festival Gala emanating from the television, it was frighteningly quiet.

Wang Qiqi cleared the melon seed shells and teacups from the coffee table, then filled a basin with water to start mopping. All the cleaning had to be finished before midnight because cleaning on the first day of the Lunar New Year was believed to result in working cleaning from the beginning to the end of the year. However, Wang Qiqi felt that being a housewife meant working from the beginning to the end of the year anyway; this tradition was merely going through the motions, deceiving oneself.

After cleaning the entire house, Wang Qiqi knelt before the memorial tablets of her parents and began to chat with them, recounting the situations of many people in the family. Naturally, she didn’t omit information about Wang Dagui and Wang Rui. It wasn't that Wang Qiqi enjoyed gossiping; it was just that she didn't want to dream in the future that her parents would accuse her of neglecting Wang Dagui's family. However, when she spoke of the miserable state Wang Dagui and Wang Rui were in now, the hint of schadenfreude in her voice could not be concealed. “Mom, Dad, rest assured down there. Your daughter is doing very well, and your son-in-law is great too; he’s gone to America for his internship. Don’t you think your daughter has good taste, snatching up such a high-quality man so early?” As Wang Qiqi spoke, the smile on her face grew brighter. Towards the end, she stood up, gesticulating animatedly as she talked about Han Tao.

Just as Wang Qiqi was excitedly sharing happy news, she heard the sound of the door opening. Turning, she saw that it was Luo Hongjuan. “Auntie, you’re here at this hour?” It was almost ten-thirty now; why would Aunt Luo come over? Wang Qiqi had assumed Luo Hongjuan would stay at her own place tonight, given it was New Year’s Eve; there was no reason for her to stay elsewhere.

“Just checking in. Oh, and Qiqi, be careful locking up the doors tonight, and get to sleep early. You need to wake up early tomorrow to burn incense, got it?” Luo Hongjuan had wanted to stay there, but since it was New Year’s Eve, it wasn't appropriate to stay at Qiqi’s house, so she came over to remind her. “Remember to call if anything happens.”

Wang Qiqi hummed in acknowledgment. After seeing Luo Hongjuan off, Wang Qiqi first took a bath, then started emailing Han Tao.

Wang Qiqi recounted how much they had eaten for lunch and how much they had eaten for dinner. Wang Qiqi admitted she was doing it intentionally; she was teasing Han Tao. Han Tao had written in his previous email that he was sick of steak and didn't even want to mention hamburgers, complaining that the main meal choices were so limited.

When Han Tao received Wang Qiqi’s email, he genuinely felt like spitting blood. Forgetting that he was alone in a foreign land without a lavish New Year’s Eve dinner was one thing, but she had to go and provoke him like this! Detailing the menu was one thing, but did she really need to praise the chef’s skills so highly?

Han Tao’s reply email simply read: The food was decent, but nothing special. I’ve been to several places these past couple of days. He went on to meticulously describe the scenery he encountered on his travels, deliberately adding a few lines about meeting beautiful women. Han Tao could vividly picture the look on Wang Qiqi’s face when she read this email.

Wang Qiqi waited for Han Tao’s reply for a long time and, growing anxious, wondered if the boy had been so annoyed that he was about to vomit blood. Wang Qiqi admitted she was being deliberately provocative, but wasn't it her duty and responsibility, as his girlfriend, to tell him all about the New Year’s Eve feast since he couldn't have one abroad? She also wanted to show him that she had been diligently taking care of his mother.

When a restless Wang Qiqi finally went to the kitchen, poured a small glass of red wine, and began watching the Spring Festival Gala alone while sipping it—though the Gala wasn't great, there wasn't much else good on TV since the local stations were all simulcasting CCTV’s production.

When the computer beeped, signaling an incoming email, Wang Qiqi jumped in excitement, nearly spilling her wine. After scrambling to open the message, Wang Qiqi was furious. Seeing the beautiful scenery was one thing, but even mentioning meeting beautiful women? Hmph, trying to anger her?

Wang Qiqi decided to string him along for a while. After about twenty minutes, once the glass of red wine was empty, Wang Qiqi picked up her computer again to reply: Beautiful women, how nice for you. I never expected someone to have such pleasant encounters after leaving me. Wang Qiqi offered Han Tao her hearty congratulations, then clicked send. Humph, you want to play games with me? Just wait.

After sending that email, Han Tao had been anxiously awaiting Wang Qiqi’s reply. He waited and waited, but nothing came. Just as Han Tao was growing anxious, Wang Qiqi’s email arrived. When he opened it, his face immediately turned pale. If Wang Qiqi had expressed her anger in her tone, Han Tao might have felt better. But it was Qiqi’s eerily calm demeanor that truly unnerved him.

Han Tao immediately started frantically explaining to Wang Qiqi, swearing his absolute loyalty and promising he would never betray her. He was practically ready to roll on the floor begging.