Wang Qiqi awoke again well past ten. She stretched with a yawn, rubbing her eyes, and then remembered something. "My brother is getting married during the May Day break. I wonder if we'll have time to go back. How about we treat them to a meal tonight?" If Han Tao hadn't returned, that would be one thing, but since he was back, not inviting them for dinner felt wrong.

Han Tao had no objection to Wang Qiqi's idea. "It's fine by me, but don't they have to work?"

"Tonight, then. I'll ask my sister later. By the way, did you bring the things I asked you to carry?" Wang Qiqi was worried that the checked luggage might arrive late, so she had specifically instructed Han Tao to bring a few items with him personally—these were gifts for his future sister-in-law.

Han Tao grunted an acknowledgment. "Yeah, I brought them. Say, are we heading back on the first of May?" Han Tao figured that no matter how busy he was, he had to return for the wedding banquet; this was his formal entry into Wang Qiqi's circle of relatives and friends.

Wang Qiqi wasn't sure either. "It’s a bit rushed. I’d rather not go, but it seems improper not to." Wang Damei only had one precious son, and initially, they had agreed not to attend Song Yao's wedding, yet they still ended up rushing back then.

When Song Yao received Wang Qiqi's call about dinner that evening, her first reaction was, "What's the occasion, Qiqi? You’re treating us?" It wasn't that Wang Qiqi was stingy, but Song Yao always felt a flutter of apprehension whenever Qiqi spoke with such solemnity about going out for a grand meal. She knew this girl would never suggest treating everyone unless something significant was happening.

"Are you coming or not?" Wang Qiqi had intended to tell Song Yao the reason for the treat, but hearing the doubt in Song Yao's voice—as if she hadn't fully woken up and couldn't believe Wang Qiqi was being so generous—angered her. Hmph, let her worry a bit, Wang Qiqi thought, and then she named a well-known Chinese restaurant. Wang Qiqi was certain that, given the address she provided, the chance of Song Yao declining was practically zero.

Song Yao was indeed hesitant. She really wanted to go, but she worried this girl might just want one last good meal before leaving, gathering them all, eating until full, and then handing the bill to Gong Peixing to settle. That scenario wasn't impossible, but she couldn't refuse. "I'll go." At worst, she’d just have her own husband bring less cash so her younger brother could foot the bill. After all, since that kid started dating, he’d become insufferably smug, carrying a lot of cash on him daily. Besides, with Yang Jing present, Song Ziwen wouldn't dare let someone else pay.

Wang Qiqi sensed that Song Yao's quick agreement meant there was some hidden agenda, but she could guarantee one thing: Song Yao absolutely did not know that Han Tao was back.

After Wang Qiqi and Han Tao got up, they decided against making food at home and planned to go out shopping and grab a bite to eat. Wang Qiqi watched Han Tao talking to his mother on the phone and thought she should probably notify Shi Man as well. They had only managed one gathering and one meal during the Spring Festival. She might as well arrange for everyone to meet up for lunch.

With that thought, Wang Qiqi picked up her phone and dialed Shi Man and Zhu Lina, ignoring Han Tao's mournful look. Initially, Shi Man and Zhu Lina weren't enthusiastic about the lunch proposal; after all, they weren't studying in different cities, so such a formal arrangement seemed unnecessary.

Wang Qiqi heard their reluctance. "Han Tao is back, and I thought since we haven't seen each other in ages, we should have a proper get-together. Forget it, then." It was better if they didn't come; she could just go shopping with him.

Just as Wang Qiqi was about to hang up, Shi Man and Zhu Lina quickly called out to stop her. They agreed to the lunch gathering, saying they could decide on the place later.

Han Tao was initially pleased hearing Wang Qiqi’s tone; at least during lunch, there would be fewer 'light bulbs,' and they could spend time shopping or strolling in the park. But when Wang Qiqi hung up and announced they had changed their minds, his cheer deflated. "It's fine, we'll just take our time strolling out." Han Tao looked at Wang Qiqi’s pitiful expression and didn't know what else to say. He knew if Shi Man and Zhu Lina found out he had returned early and even visited his hometown, they would definitely complain.

Seeing Han Tao agree, Wang Qiqi grinned and looped her arm through his as they headed downstairs, constantly murmuring sweet words to keep him happy. Truthfully, Han Tao was no longer angry, but since Wang Qiqi was rarely this flattering, he wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily.

Although Han Tao wished Wang Qiqi would keep acting like a sweet little woman praising him, he knew if he gave in too quickly, this treatment wouldn't happen again if she caught on. "Alright, I'm not angry anymore, but I feel like I’ve barely been back and we already have so little time alone," Han Tao said, looping his arm around her shoulder. "By the way, have you booked your train tickets yet?" Booking tickets back to Beijing now probably meant no sleeper berths were left.

Hearing Han Tao mention this, Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered this major issue. But her teacher had said there was nothing she could do. Zhu Lina had mentioned when she got the three sleeper tickets that many wealthy kids were traveling to Beijing for school now, and sleeper berths were in high demand, making tickets extremely tight. "Maybe we can just squeeze in?" If Han Tao had to take a hard seat overnight, that person would be asking for trouble. Moreover, the day they arrived in Beijing was the registration day; they couldn't have him show up looking completely drained. Even though sleeper bunks were small, squeezing together might just work.

Squeeze in? Han Tao's tone stiffened slightly. Honestly, if he had a choice, he'd rather take a hard seat. How could he hold his wife close and yet be unable to do anything, with the bed so small that he’d have to cling to her tightly? But if he disagreed, this girl Wang Qiqi would likely throw another tantrum. "Fine. But you need to try and sleep more soundly." Han Tao knew Wang Qiqi's sleeping habits well. If the covers got even slightly warm, she would kick them off. Since Han Tao naturally ran hot, he was certain that if he held her while sleeping, she would kick the covers away. Initially, Han Tao would wake up frequently to cover her again, but eventually, he developed the habit of pinning both her arms and legs down while sleeping so she couldn't kick the bedding off. Wang Qiqi complained quite a bit about this position, but on a train bunk, Han Tao felt the strain was significant.

Wang Qiqi snorted. "My sleeping posture has always been excellent! Haven't you noticed I never catch a cold from kicking the covers off?" That was absolute slander, ruining her reputation. "Speaking of which, Big Boss, start thinking about what we’re eating for lunch today. I’ve already figured out dinner." The man next to her was loaded; he earned US dollars, his accommodation was reimbursed, and he rarely spent money, working overtime almost constantly at his job. So, this time, no need to be polite; it was time to wield the butcher knife. However, Wang Qiqi's expression wasn't great. Li Xiangdong had told her to rest well before the New Year and hadn't given her any jobs since, save for one rush order a couple of days ago. This left Wang Qiqi feeling quite unsettled.

Han Tao initially thought Wang Qiqi was upset because of something he said. But when he looked down at her, he saw her expression was very serious, which struck him as strange. Had something happened to Qiqi? He and Wang Qiqi had discussed his mother’s comments that morning, and he had told Qiqi not to take them to heart—he was marrying a wife, not a cook or a maid. Wang Qiqi had also said she was just feeling slightly uncomfortable, and the matter should be dropped. Overall, Qiqi shouldn't have anything genuinely upsetting her.

Han Tao stopped walking, but Wang Qiqi habitually kept moving forward. When she noticed something was wrong, she saw Han Tao’s brow and eyes furrowed together. "Why aren't you coming?"

"What were you thinking about just now?" Han Tao insisted that any unhappiness Wang Qiqi experienced, big or small, had to be thoroughly investigated. "Did you have an argument with Li Xiangdong?" Han Tao suddenly recalled Wang Qiqi mentioning around the New Year that she was resting early this year, having no work to do, no money to earn, just staying bored at home watching Japanese dramas to improve her language skills. Connecting this to the stack of Japanese TV series he saw in the room earlier, Han Tao finally linked the two points. Last year, even in the middle of the first lunar month, Wang Qiqi certainly hadn't taken on many jobs, but she was definitely working, making it impossible for her to be this idle.

Wang Qiqi hadn't wanted to say anything, thinking she would discuss it with Li Xiangdong when she returned to Beijing, or if that failed, she would talk to the translation agency bosses she used to work with. After all, she was a freelancer; she took jobs from whoever offered the best price. Now that Han Tao was asking, Wang Qiqi relayed Li Xiangdong’s strange behavior from before the New Year until the present. "So I was thinking of going back to talk to Li Xiangdong."

Han Tao knew that if Wang Qiqi rejected Li Xiangdong's offer, he would definitely exert pressure on this disobedient contractor. But he hadn't expected Li Xiangdong to be so ruthless. Regarding Wang Qiqi’s intentions to negotiate, he asked, "Don't bother talking to him. Do you think talking will help? He'll just think you have no other options. Switch employers—let's see who breaks first. As for the personal shopping, if they want to cooperate, fine; if not, then don't." Han Tao mused that perhaps Li Qian wasn't that short-sighted. Besides, Beijing was huge; he knew wealthy parents of the students he used to tutor. At worst, he could swallow his pride and ask them. As long as the goods were genuine, who wouldn't want to purchase them? "We can't put all our hopes in one basket; that's too risky."

Wang Qiqi strongly agreed with this point. Since Han Tao had said it, she gave up the idea of going back to negotiate with Li Xiangdong. Furthermore, Han Tao was right: if she switched employers discreetly, how would Li Xiangdong know? Let's see who caves first.