Wang Qiqi looped her arm through Han Tao’s as they followed Song Yao inside. "Relax, my aunt is perfectly fine. The more flustered you seem, the more my aunt will think you're hiding something, that you can't take care of me for the rest of my life. Although, I hardly think I need someone to take care of my entire future."

For Wang Qiqi, too many things felt outside the scope of human control, especially concerning relationships, where she was perpetually pessimistic. Even when Han Tao treated her kindly, she felt an underlying insecurity, always believing it was best to rely on herself.

Wang Qiqi’s quiet musings caused Han Tao’s expression to darken slightly. Han Tao knew Qiqi liked him, or perhaps loved him, but there were parts of her interior he felt utterly unable to reach—for instance, her pervasive insecurity toward everyone, as if she expected to be abandoned at any moment. This left Han Tao feeling helpless. He had discussed it with Dai Lijun, who suggested it might stem from the car accident that took her parents when she was young. "Don't worry, I will never leave you. Even if fate strikes me down like your aunt and uncle one day, I will make absolutely sure you are provided for."

Wang Qiqi felt the grip of Han Tao’s hand tighten painfully. Hearing his words, she involuntarily looked up at him, noticing the seriousness in his gaze. Looking closer, she could detect a flicker of panic in his eyes. Qiqi knew that her occasional bouts of insecurity truly made this man uneasy.

Wang Qiqi patted Han Tao’s arm. "Don't worry. As long as you are true to me, I will never betray you. If you leave before me, I promise I’ll take your money and marry someone else, and spend every day mistreating your children..." Hearing Han Tao speak of providing for her even in death made her heart race; her mind instantly panicked. She genuinely didn't know how she would cope if Han Tao were suddenly taken from her too. "I don't need you to be spectacularly successful, or to leave me a massive inheritance. You just need to be well. Don't leave me like my parents did..."

Wang Qiqi was unaware of how tightly she was gripping Han Tao's arm as she spoke those words; even through his clothes, Han Tao could feel the sheer force of her grip. "Qiqi, Qiqi. Relax, just relax. I won't abandon you." Listening to what Wang Qiqi was saying, Han Tao’s own heart began to pound. He knew perfectly well that her aunt and uncle had simply gone for a walk that day and never returned—how could he have brought up such a topic? "Qiqi, I was speaking nonsense just now. I will take the utmost care of myself. I won't do anything dangerous. Have you forgotten? We plan to grow old together. When I retire, we’re going to travel the world, Qiqi. I’ll take you to every place you want to see."

Song Yao, who had been leading the way quite smoothly, was completely unprepared for the sudden emotional outburst from the young couple. She genuinely had no idea what had caused it. Meanwhile, Wang Damei, hearing Wang Qiqi’s sobs from the living room, came out to investigate. She saw her niece clinging to Han Tao, her face tear-streaked. "What is going on here?" Wang Damei shot a sharp glare at both Han Tao and Song Yao. She thought this was supposed to be a happy occasion; why was her niece crying? Was Song Yao frightening her, or had Han Tao said something to upset Qiqi? And it must have been something serious, otherwise Qiqi wouldn't be crying without reason.

Song Yao felt terribly wronged; she knew nothing and was being glared at by her own mother. "I don't know, I honestly don't know." Song Yao shook her head frantically, feeling utterly miserable. Ah, that dinner truly wasn't worth it. Song Ziwen was right; it wasn't easy to reap benefits from Qiqi.

Hearing Wang Damei’s words, Wang Qiqi realized her crying fit was being blamed on Song Yao. She struggled to control her tears. The weeping stopped, but her voice remained thick with emotion. "Auntie, I... I just... remembered my parents." If her parents were here, seeing her walk in holding Han Tao’s arm, telling them he was her boyfriend, they would surely be happy. They would think she had finally matured and found a good man to look after her.

Wang Damei remained skeptical even after Wang Qiqi’s explanation, scanning her niece’s face. "Really?" That reason seemed far too flimsy.

Wang Qiqi nodded hastily. "Auntie, this is my boyfriend, Han Tao. He just got back the night before last."

Wang Damei couldn't miss the protective tone in Qiqi’s voice regarding Han Tao. It was clearly her way of explaining that Han Tao hadn't come to pay respects yesterday because the long flight had left him exhausted. Sigh, girls grow up and start siding with outsiders. She instantly lost her temper. "If you were tired yesterday, you should have rested at home. Why insist on treating us? Fine, come in."

Hearing her aunt say that, Wang Qiqi stuck out her tongue. "Auntie, we just wanted to let Sister and the others meet him first yesterday, so they could tell Han Tao about your rules."

Song Yao burst out laughing at Wang Qiqi’s retort. Her little sister’s mouth was sharp; she had managed to save face for her man so quickly.

Wang Damei was internally fuming, though she couldn't get any angrier. Listen to what this impudent child was saying—she was covering for her, and Qiqi was taking it as a given! Fine. Don't involve me. I won't meddle. Does she think I have endless time for this nonsense?

Wang Qiqi released Han Tao’s arm and quickly looped hers around Wang Damei’s. "I was worried Han Tao would be nervous. Auntie, you have no idea! If I hadn't opened the door, Han Tao was about to bolt back home! He kept mumbling about his worries the whole way here, scared you wouldn't approve of him." Wang Qiqi flashed a charming smile. "See? Now that I’ve cried a little, isn't he less tense?"

"Really?" Wang Damei was surprised that Han Tao could be so nervous. In her mind, a young man who could live alone in America for so long must have seen his share of things. How could meeting her make him this anxious? "Alright, nervousness just means he cares about you. Don't bully him. Good men are hard to find. Look at your sister; no matter how much you test a man before marriage, you must respect him after the wedding."

This piece of advice from Wang Damei signaled to Wang Qiqi that the immediate danger alert had lowered slightly. She turned back and gave Han Tao an 'OK' gesture behind her—mission accomplished with the aunt.

Song Yao watched how Wang Qiqi had placated her mother in such a short time, letting out a long sigh. She looked at Han Tao. "Qiqi is Qiqi. Even though I'm the one who is actually my mother’s daughter, I must admit Qiqi is spot-on when it comes to figuring out Mom’s psychology." She added that regarding her own marriage and Song Ziwen’s, if Qiqi hadn't stepped in, things might not have wrapped up so quickly, or so smoothly.

Han Tao smiled but didn't elaborate. Qiqi had once told him that while Auntie valued appearances, she also desperately wanted her children to succeed—to marry better than the children of her friends. And some things were hard for children to say, but she, the niece who had lost her parents, found it easier to speak. Wang Damei felt a touch of guilt, mixed with pity, toward Wang Qiqi. Although Wang Qiqi disliked being pitied, if it helped solve problems, she didn't mind leveraging it.

Once Wang Damei settled onto the sofa in the living room, Han Tao placed the gifts on the coffee table. "Auntie, I apologize for the rushed visit; the gifts might be a bit meager."

Wang Qiqi sat beside him, wanting to grumble that the gifts weren't meager at all—they cost over two thousand silver dollars! For a potential son-in-law's first visit, the gifts covered most bases. While they weren't as grand as those for Song Yao and her brother, those had been presented at the gathering yesterday. This offering wasn't light, but that was just the way of it; Chinese tradition demanded constant, humble self-deprecation.

Wang Damei glanced at the gifts and calculated mentally. The offering was substantial enough. She wouldn't let the young man lose out; she had already arranged with Song Wenbo to give him a generous red envelope matching the value of the gifts. "It’s fine to bring so much for your first visit, but don't do it again in the future. Just treat Qiqi well. Even though she lost her parents, it doesn't mean she doesn't have a family..." After speaking a few kind words to Han Tao, Wang Damei said, "Han Tao, come upstairs with me for a talk."

Wang Qiqi was stunned that Wang Damei wanted to take Han Tao upstairs for a private conversation. Han Tao also looked visibly tense upon hearing the request, but he followed Wang Damei upstairs nonetheless, and Wang Qiqi naturally moved to follow.

"Qiqi, you stay downstairs and help your sister with the cooking," Wang Damei instructed as she saw Wang Qiqi moving to follow. As if! This was a talk between an elder and her future niece's husband; what need was there for Qiqi? Besides, that child protected Han Tao like a hawk.

Wang Qiqi had intended to use some playful banter to convince Wang Damei to let her tag along, but seeing her aunt’s stern expression, she could only obediently go with Song Yao to prepare the meal.

Song Yao chuckled as she watched Wang Qiqi sneak glances up the stairs from the kitchen doorway. "Relax. Mom is already satisfied with Han Tao. But there are certain things that must be discussed. Your brother-in-law went through the same process before marrying me." She admitted that Gong Peixing’s talk had been far more severe, bordering on discouraging her relationship with Gong Peixing and pushing him to leave her.

Wang Qiqi pouted, scoffing internally. Of course, I know Wang Damei is satisfied with Han Tao, but as his girlfriend, she was naturally worried, knowing Wang Damei’s conversational style could be quite sharp.

Wang Qiqi waited anxiously until Han Tao finally came down, appearing completely composed. She was about to rush over and question him about the contents of his private conversation with Wang Damei, but seeing Wang Damei following close behind, she abandoned the idea.