Han Tao stood at the grand entrance, looking anxiously at Wang Qiqi. "Does my attire look alright today?" After all, this was a formal introduction to her family. Since returning home yesterday, Han Tao hadn't slept a wink, eventually getting up to rifle through his wardrobe for clothes suitable for meeting the elders.

Wang Qiqi sighed, not as if she hadn't met Aunt Wang Damei before; why the need for such nervousness? "You look incredibly handsome today, utterly dashing. Relax, Aunt Damei already has a good impression of you, and my sister made sure to stay home today too. Don't worry." After speaking, Wang Qiqi paid no mind to the still-fretting man and knocked on Wang Damei’s door.

It wasn't that Wang Qiqi didn't want to soothe him; it was that this man had shown up at her door that morning, dragged her to his place, and pointed to **three different outfits, demanding she choose which one he should wear. After Wang Qiqi gestured through the options, she picked a more casual one, to which Han Tao immediately reacted, asking if it wasn't too informal. When Wang Qiqi then selected the suit, he countered that it was too formal and unsuitable for his age. This made Wang Qiqi so irritated she nearly kicked him down the stairs. The casual wear was deemed insufficiently formal, while the formal suit was considered too much. In the end, if Wang Qiqi hadn't forcefully made Han Tao wear the more relaxed outfit, he might still be at home agonizing over his travel attire. Naturally, the consequence of this decision was the man's incessant complaining from the moment they left the house until they finished purchasing gifts.

Han Tao hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to act so swiftly. He had wanted her to wait a moment, just long enough for him to calm his nerves. He knew he was terribly tense and understood that Wang Qiqi had shown remarkable restraint during their journey so far. "Um, excuse me, I haven't quite composed myself yet." Han Tao thought that he hadn't been this nervous even when meeting JOHN, his boss in America; how could he be this fraught meeting Wang Damei, whom he’d already met countless times?

Song Yao had woken up early today, procuring plenty of groceries from the market. Regardless, this was the day for Qiqi’s man, Han Tao, to make his first formal visit, and he had to be treated well. Besides, the lavish meal yesterday—who ultimately paid the bill? When Wang Damei learned Han Tao was back in town and planning to visit today, she was ecstatic. She called Song Wenbo early, urging him to rush home before noon. As for her future son-in-law, Gong Peixing, Wang Damei didn't forget him either. Regarding her future daughter-in-law, Yang Jing, Wang Damei knew she had to work; she’d only have an hour’s break at lunchtime. Since the six younger ones had already had their gathering yesterday, Wang Damei let that thought go.

Since Wang Qiqi had mentioned they would visit in the morning and stay for lunch, Wang Damei had the dishes prepped, waiting only for the main guests to arrive before starting the cooking. But she waited and waited inside, never hearing a knock. Growing anxious, she shouted down to Song Yao, who was strolling downstairs with Taotao in her arms, "Why don't you page Qiqi? Ask her where they are. Should I send you to pick them up?"

Song Yao looked at her mother’s flustered expression and could only shake her head. "Mom, don't bother. They probably went out to buy things. Besides, they were worn out from yesterday, running around all day." Song Yao awkwardly refrained from mentioning that perhaps the newly reunited couple had been up quite late after returning home, and then had to shop for gifts, implying they wouldn't arrive early.

If Song Yao hadn't brought it up, Wang Damei wouldn't have been so annoyed. "They come back and don't immediately see their elders? Even though we aren't Qiqi's parents, since they’re gone, as her aunt and uncle, we certainly must look after her. But look at them..." Dating that Han family boy—she hadn't known about it until it was already happening, and they were already together. Well, compared to Wang Rui's taste, this Han Tao fellow was acceptable, but Wang Damei still felt a vague sense of unease.

"Go look outside. Why haven't they arrived yet?" Wang Damei grew irritated watching her daughter stare blankly at the sky instead of answering her. Yesterday, those four youngsters had the nerve to go out for a meal first. Hmph. That boy shouldn't think he could get away with charming Song Yao and the others and expect smooth sailing with her. "And later, don't stick up for the Han boy. Don't let a single meal trick you into being agreeable." It wasn't as if they didn't have food at home, or couldn't afford a decent meal. Song Yao heard the threat implied in her mother's words and could only pout. Tch. I wonder who it was that kept nagging when Han Tao went to America, worrying about whether the capable young man would treat Qiqi well in the future. "Mom, if you greet Qiqi’s man like this, you’ll scare the poor boy off. You need to remember he isn't that poor kid anymore. Mom, talented men overseas are quite sought after, let alone brother-in-law here, who looks so respectable..." Song Yao recalled her first impression of Han Tao; though his face was the same, the feeling he exuded was completely transformed, like a rebirth. As Gong Peixing had said, this man now carried the aura of a superior, even more commanding than her own husband.

Wang Damei was mostly just grumbling and airing her grievances; she wouldn't dare actually criticize Han Tao for being disrespectful to his face. What if the boy truly got angry and broke up with Qiqi? Men who are wealthy and talented never lack for a wife, no matter their age, but Qiqi was different. "By the way, how is little Han treating Qiqi?"

"Very well," Song Yao replied, with a look of genuine curiosity. "Unlike my brother, who’s always hovering around Yang Jing, he rarely serves Qiqi food directly. But if he sees a dish Qiqi likes, he’ll deliberately turn the plate toward her. And when walking, he always positions himself to shield her, making sure she walks on the inside." It wasn't a high-profile declaration of love, but rather a steady, enduring affection, like an old married couple. It reminded her of her own relationship with Gong Peixing—but that was strange to Song Yao. She and Gong Peixing had been together for five or six years; the first two or three were fiery and passionate. Later, especially after marriage and having children, their dynamic settled into what it is now. While the scorching heat of passion is wonderful, for ordinary life, what people need is this steady, flowing affection. That fiery passion couldn't last forever; once all the emotion was burned away, the relationship would be gone.

"How is it compared to before?" Wang Damei was interested in whether Han Tao's treatment of Qiqi had changed since returning from abroad. She absolutely did not want his demeanor toward Qiqi to be different just because he had been overseas.

Song Yao hadn't really considered that. Previously, she only knew Han Tao existed and knew his family wasn't well-off. Plus, knowing about Wang Qiqi's immature past relationship with Gao Kai, she genuinely hadn't expected Qiqi to end up with Han Tao. After learning they were together, she hadn't met Han Tao that many times. But now that her mother was asking, she couldn't avoid answering clearly, as it implied a lack of concern for her sister. "It’s quite good. Compared to before, they seem even more like an old married couple. Mom, I need to go wait for them now. Mom, you must maintain quality control on this; you know you are our stabilizing force."

Wang Damei outwardly denied being that important when faced with Song Yao's obvious flattery, but inwardly, she was quite pleased.

Song Yao walked to the main door and was just about to open it when she heard Qiqi’s voice from outside. Song Yao instinctively paused her hand. Upon clearly hearing Qiqi’s words, she secretly smiled. She hadn't expected the person who was so diplomatic and smooth-tongued at yesterday's dinner table to also harbor such fear. How amusing. However, she understood this tension was Han Tao's respect for Qiqi's elders and the best indicator of Qiqi's importance in his heart. If he didn't care for Qiqi, why would he be so nervous? It was just like meeting the elders of a casual friend.

Song Yao was about to listen more, but Qiqi knocked on the door. After a short pause, Song Yao made some footsteps sound before slowly opening the door. "Qiqi, Han Tao, you’re here! Why so late? If you hadn't come soon, I would have thought you lacked the strength to make it, and I, as your older sister, would have had to come fetch you." Song Yao teased.

Wang Qiqi hadn't been nervous at all, but being teased like that by Song Yao the moment she arrived annoyed her. She held onto Song Yao’s arm and shook it repeatedly. "Sister, you’re too much! If I had known, I wouldn’t have treated you to delicious food yesterday. Hurry up and pay me back the cost of that meal!" Humph. Treating you all to dinner yesterday was partly done with the intention of having you put in a good word for him. How could you forget something so important the morning after? "Oh right, is Auntie angry?" Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered that Han Tao wasn't visiting the elders first after returning. Wang Damei, who valued face, might take out her frustration on Han Tao.

Song Yao nodded. "Yes, my mom hasn't been very happy since yesterday when she learned you planned to visit."

Han Tao jumped at Song Yao's words. His already anxious heart nearly made him want to turn back entirely, but they were already at the threshold, and he had promised to visit today.

Wang Qiqi stared at Song Yao for a long moment, then let out a soft laugh. "No matter how angry Auntie is, she won't do anything to Han Tao. I bet Auntie warned you not to be bought off by yesterday's dinner." Wang Damei values appearances so much; even when she was initially dissatisfied with Gong Peixing as a son-in-law, she hadn't given him a cold reception upon his visit—just aloofness. Now, if it were Han Tao, no matter her inner dissatisfaction, she wouldn't vent her anger on herself or Han Tao.

Hearing Wang Qiqi's deduction, Song Yao scoffed. "You're no fun. Qiqi, you’re such a child, so dull." Shouldn't a girl her age be nervous? Look at Han Tao beside her; even though he’s mature, look at his current expression—still visibly tense. "Come in. Mom is just a paper tiger; you know that." (To be continued)