Wang Qiqi and Han Tao emerged from the station, each with a backpack and a rolling suitcase. They were just about to hail a taxi to go home first, clean up, and then head over to Wang Damei's place. Although the wedding wasn't until the day after tomorrow, the house would surely be buzzing with activity and busyness right now.

"Qiqi, Qiqi, over here!" Song Yao, holding Taotao, had been staring intently at the exit, constantly worried that Qiqi might slip past her unnoticed.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Song Yao to come pick her up during such a hectic time. They skillfully navigated the crowds pouring out of the station, moving quickly toward Song Yao. "Sis, why did you come all this way?" Wang Qiqi gave a very warm smile to a certain little dumpling who was clearly showing great interest in her. The moment she saw the little one smile back, Wang Qiqi's expression instantly shifted; she made a funny face.

Taotao hadn't anticipated that the pretty auntie would make such a startling expression. He immediately started an alarm, crying loudly, and pointed his little finger at Wang Qiqi, as if telling his mother, "It’s this auntie! She’s the reason I’m crying!"

Although Wang Qiqi retracted the funny face the instant the alarm went off—and Shi Man hadn't even seen it—the sudden switch from Taotao’s beaming smile to howling tears, coupled with his pointing finger, indicated clearly that Qiqi must have done something alarming to the child. "Honestly, you, who will be a mother yourself in a couple of years, pulling such a silly stunt," she looked like a child herself, hardly older than Taotao.

Wang Qiqi chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the top of her head. "Hey, didn't you always say Taotao was a kid who rarely cried? That’s why I wanted to test it out." Otherwise, why would she risk doing something like that right in front of the child’s mother?

"Even a child who smiles a lot will naturally be startled if a not-so-familiar person scares him," Song Yao replied dryly. All her boasting on the phone about how well-behaved and cheerful her son was had just become Qiqi's excuse to tease him. "I really didn't want to bring this little guy along, but the house is a complete mess right now, and there was no one to watch him, so I had to bring him."

Wang Qiqi had assumed Gong Peixing would drive them over, so she was surprised it was Song Yao. But then she wondered how Taotao had made the trip. There was no child safety seat, and he was old enough to crawl around. What if something happened while driving? Wang Qiqi thought Song Yao was quite daring. "You really brought our Taotao out like this?" She wondered if Wang Damei knew; if she did, Wang Qiqi figured Song Yao would be made to write a self-criticism letter—the whole thing was just too risky.

"Relax, your brother-in-law drove us. He dropped us at the station and then took a cab to work." Song Yao looked at the worried Wang Qiqi, thinking, Am I really that unreliable as a future mother? "Taotao is my son; when would I ever do something dangerous? Qiqi, your brain isn't working well today. Alright, let's go. There’s a pile of things waiting for you."

Wang Qiqi had intended to hold Taotao. The chubby little dumpling was genuinely adorable. Taotao now showed no signs of having been premature; he was so cute, especially since people said he was remarkably intelligent, much smarter than other babies his age. Previously, Wang Qiqi thought that was just a mother's proud bias, but now, just looking at Taotao’s bright, darting eyes, she knew the child was definitely sharp, certainly not slow. "How about smart Taotao lets Auntie hold you?" Wang Qiqi thought, surely Taotao would choose his doting, peerlessly beautiful Auntie for the sake of her charm.

Seeing Wang Qiqi extend her hand, Taotao turned and clung tightly to Song Yao, demonstrating with his actions that he did not want to be held by Wang Qiqi. "See? You just bullied my son, and now you know the consequences. Don't underestimate Taotao just because he's small; he's very smart."

Song Yao was beaming, proud of her son. Yes, son, you really showed your mother some respect! That's how you treat your aunt, she thought, or else she’ll really think we’re pushovers.

The actions and words of Song Yao and her son clearly displeased Wang Qiqi. "Hmph, you two can keep bullying me. We'll see how you drive later." Although Han Tao was planning to start learning soon, he didn't have his license yet. Of the three of them, only Song Yao could drive; if she didn't, who would?

"I'll hold him," Han Tao said, looking at the bright-eyed Taotao. He was already imagining whether he and Qiqi would have a smart, pretty, and cute child like this after they married. He had been hesitant to compete with Wang Qiqi for the child, but the current situation made it clear that he had to step in.

Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao would likely end up holding Taotao, but she was surprised by how eagerly proactive he was. Song Yao then shot Wang Qiqi a look that said, My son is amazing, coupled with a triumphant smile. Wang Qiqi genuinely wanted to land a punch. She didn't want to see their smug faces anymore, especially not when Taotao proactively snuggled into Han Tao's arms—that would completely destroy her pride. She was the actual aunt; Han Tao was, at best, just the uncle-in-law.

Luckily, Wang Qiqi had gotten into the car early and sat in the front, thus missing the sight of little Taotao deliberately throwing himself into Han Tao's embrace. Otherwise, she might have been furious.

Song Yao looked at her son, who was quietly settled in Han Tao's arms. "Study hard, son. Then, when you and Qiqi have children someday, you won't be so clumsy." Song Yao had noticed Han Tao staring intently at her son, occasionally glancing over at Wang Qiqi. She didn't need to guess that the poor kid was thinking about his future child with Qiqi. "Don't worry, your child with Qiqi will definitely be no worse than Taotao," Song Yao murmured to Han Tao.

Han Tao nodded without hesitation. "Mmm, I believe that." Han Tao thought that since he and Qiqi were both handsome and smart, their genes were excellent. Based on genetics, their future child stood no chance of being dull; he would be a sharp one. But then he snapped back to reality: the person speaking to him was Wang Qiqi’s cousin, Song Yao, who was holding her son. His previous comment was indeed rather bold. "Taotao is really great. If my future child is even half as good as Taotao, I’ll be happy."

Song Yao heard the words that sounded less than entirely sincere and tossed back, "Not exactly convincing, but since you and Qiqi have good genes, it’s normal for your future child to be smarter than Taotao." If someone else had claimed their child would be smarter and cuter than Taotao, Song Yao might not have been convinced, but if it were Qiqi’s child, she would be absolutely awestruck.

Wang Qiqi saw Han Tao reaching for the back door handle and waved her hand toward him. "Sit in the front!" Hmph, holding the child next to him was basically slapping her in the face. Wang Qiqi also felt that Taotao's smile when he looked at her was mocking her. "Taotao only relaxes when he sees his mom," she insisted.

"It’s fine, Taotao likes sitting in the back," Song Yao said, starting the car and slowly maneuvering out of the parking spot. "Oh, Qiqi, when we get back, don't ask my mother why the wedding was moved to the second."

Wang Qiqi made an "oh" sound. She had found it strange when she first heard Song Ziwen’s wedding was on the second instead of the first. The first seemed like a good date, so why tell all the relatives it was the first, only to change the official date to the second at the last minute? Good thing she hadn't tried that "switch the bride" routine, or the trouble would have been massive. But whenever Wang Qiqi asked Song Yao why the date changed, she would either mumble or change the subject.

"Ask Wang Dagui. He said some master calculated the days weren't right. He kept lobbying your aunt, saying they needed to carefully select a date for the wedding, and the result is..." Song Yao got angry just thinking about it. Because of one person's meddling, she had so much extra work. The banquet hall needed rescheduling, and all the printed invitations needed changes—thankfully, they hadn't been sent out, or they would have had no idea how to explain. "It’s a good thing the banquet hall still had space and the invitations hadn’t gone out, or I’d be swamped. Even like this, it’s busy enough, and the most miserable and annoyed person is Song Ziwen."

Wang Qiqi was dumbfounded. She had considered countless possibilities, but never this one. "No way! I didn't think my aunt was that type of person." That was too superstitious. Besides, the first of May this year was supposed to be a great date; hadn't many people chosen it for weddings?

"The master said the first was good, but the second was even better, claiming it was good for the couple, good for both sets of parents—blah, blah, blah, he talked for ages and actually convinced your aunt." Song Yao felt even more awkward explaining that because of this, "Wang Dagui constantly tells Song Ziwen that once they’re rich in the future, they shouldn’t forget their uncle. Song Ziwen gets a headache every time he sees him. Seriously, Song Yao found it ridiculous. Would Song Ziwen’s life really be miserable if they married on the first?"

What could Wang Qiqi say? Should she say Wang Damei was wrong? "Since the master said so, maybe just trust it. And the date is already changed; can you change it again even if you’re unhappy?"

"I just don't want to see the smug look on someone's face," Song Yao declared indignantly.

Wang Qiqi listened to Song Yao’s complaints the entire way, but all she could think was that Song Yao hadn't actually come to pick her up; she had come to vent her troubles. Sigh, this is exhausting.

Han Tao was having a great time playing with the chubby Taotao. Noticing Wang Qiqi’s drawn face, he prompted, "Taotao, say hello to Auntie." Han Tao gently held Taotao's chubby little hand and kept making a waving motion toward Wang Qiqi.

Seeing the little dumpling’s adorable expression, Wang Qiqi burst out laughing. His plump little body combined with his soft hands making such a cute gesture—Wang Qiqi thought he was the perfect human embodiment of a lucky cat. Looking at the cute little fortune bringer, her gloomy mood lifted somewhat, and she didn't feel quite so depressed. (To be continued)