Wang Qiqi and the others were certainly not short of money, and given that it was the major life event for the Song family’s only grandson, the choices Song Yao made were top-tier, not just for the sake of Song Wenbo and his wife, but also for the sake of the Song family’s grandmother in front of their relatives.

As Song Yao paid, she smiled sweetly, “My mother’s heart must be bleeding right now, another few thousand hua spent.” Although Wang Damei presented an image to outsiders that, as the family with money and a sole son’s wedding, it must be a grand affair where money was no object, Song Yao had vaguely overheard Wang Damei complaining fretfully to Song Wenbo on several nights about how much was spent that day and how much they were over budget for the wedding.

“There’s no choice, Wang Dagui said it himself, how could we buy cheaper stuff?” Wang Qiqi thought that even for Song Ziwen’s wedding, they had to give such gifts to the elders, and it couldn't be avoided for her own wedding. Fortunately, her own relatives were few; although Han Tao’s family had many relatives, some were no longer in contact. Otherwise, just thinking about preparing so many things would make her heart ache. But this was exactly what she wanted, to let her mother know what kind of person Wang Dagui really was: “If Wang Dagui had done it, the prices wouldn’t be lower, and the quality wouldn’t be this good.”

“That’s true.” Wang Qiqi echoed Song Yao’s words while looking with a headache at the many quilts the shop owner brought out. “How many taxis will we need if we take a cab?” Quilts took up so much space.

Song Yao suddenly remembered the delivery issue. After negotiating with the shop for a long time, they finally settled the delivery, naturally requiring a small fee. “Han Tao, you go back with the vehicle, I’ll take Qiqi to pick up some things.” Song Yao recalled that the candy at home wasn't high-grade, just mid-tier stuff, and there weren’t many fruits either. With so many relatives coming to help, they would consume almost everything to eat and drink in the house, like a swarm of locusts.

Wang Damei was quite satisfied when she saw the quilts Song Yao purchased, but this good mood darkened slightly when she heard Song Yao’s expense report. “Couldn’t you have bought cheaper ones?” Wang Damei thought about how little the relatives’ gift money was, and now they had to host the whole family, and on top of that, pay for such expensive quilts—it was practically a losing business.

Song Yao retorted without a hint of politeness, “Didn't Uncle just keep saying Song family’s only grandson, and then ‘our family isn't short of money,’ so high-end stuff shows face?” Where was the talk of frugality when you were saying that, Mother? “Mom, you should also consider how much trouble and money our family spent just because of a few words from Uncle.” After saying this, Song Yao walked away. As for what Wang Damei thought next, sorry, that wasn't her business anymore.

Wang Damei watched Song Yao’s departing back, unsure of what to say. She merely wanted the younger members of the family and Wang Dagui to maintain appearances, but she never expected all her careful planning to go to waste.

Wang Damei was displeased, and Wang Dagui was also unhappy. He had originally thought he could profit a bit from this situation. Nothing doing; after all that running around, apart from drinking some good wine and eating some fine food, he truly gained nothing. How could Wang Dagui feel balanced about that? He had expected that by suddenly pulling that stunt, he would be tasked with the purchasing. He had even scouted out a spot beforehand, choosing air-conditioning quilts that looked nice with pretty packaging but were very cheap. He hadn't anticipated that Song Yao and Wang Qiqi would snatch that task away from him.

Wang Qiqi was still lying in bed when the home alarm clock rang, followed by the house phone. Wang Qiqi felt she really shouldn't have come back; she wasn't the main character, yet she was exhausted as if it were her own wedding. Forcing her body up, she answered the phone, unsurprised to hear Wang Damei shouting from the other end, telling Wang Qiqi to get up.

“Whose call?” Han Tao’s drowsy voice came from behind Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi glared back at Han Tao lying behind her. In truth, she didn't need to wake up so early, but this guy insisted on not staying the night at the Song residence yesterday. Otherwise, would there be a wake-up call this early in the morning? “It’s my aunt’s call, telling us to get up early to pick up the bride.”

Han Tao yawned, and upon seeing the scratches on Wang Qiqi’s back, was suddenly overcome with impulse. However, as soon as he hugged Wang Qiqi, she pushed him away. “Enough, stop fooling around. They are waiting for us over there.” How could Wang Qiqi be happy? She had been running around yesterday buying a lot of things, and after a good dinner, she checked everything again to confirm it was all correct before going home. By the time she showered and hung her clothes to dry on the balcony, it was already midnight. But this certain someone was in a particularly high spirits; after a bout of fooling around, Wang Qiqi glanced at the luminous alarm clock on the bedside table as she drifted off to sleep. It looked like it was almost two o'clock, but it was only six now—meaning she had slept for only four hours. “I told you to stop messing around, now see what you do.”

Wang Qiqi’s complaint was met with Han Tao’s sheepish chuckle. “I’ll go over first, you sleep a bit longer.” Han Tao was quite content with getting four hours of sleep; when busy in the States, three or four hours a day was typical, and the sleep quality wasn't necessarily this good. But Qiqi was different; she needed a full seven hours every day, or she would surely throw a fit.

Of course, Wang Qiqi wanted to sleep, but since Han Tao had already left, how could she not go? “Let’s go together, I have to pick up the bride too.”

Song Yao looked at the two people who looked sleepy and clearly hadn't had enough rest. As someone who had been through it, how could she not understand? “I told you to go to sleep right after you got back yesterday, but you insisted on messing around.”

Wang Qiqi wasn’t a novice, and she understood the meaning behind Song Yao’s words, smiling lightly. “There’s no choice, sometimes men are stronger than you.” After saying this, Wang Qiqi started rummaging for coffee. Though it was instant, it would help wake her up a bit. “Sister, help me fill up some tea water.” For the health-conscious Wang Qiqi, morning wasn't the best time for tea, but if she didn't have some tea in the morning, Wang Qiqi estimated she would turn into an opium addict, constantly yawning.

“Got it. Are you okay to go? Otherwise, why not let Wang Rui go instead? I bet she’d agree.” Song Yao didn't really want Wang Rui to get too involved in her younger brother’s wedding, but seeing how exhausted Wang Qiqi looked, she couldn't really say much. It was rumored that Wang Qiqi had worked until nearly two in the morning the day before yesterday to finish a task, and now staying up late followed by working during the day without enough rest—how could she not lose weight? “I finally understand why you lost so much weight when you went to Beijing; it must be because you weren't eating well and didn't rest enough.”

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “No need, I can manage.”

Wang Qiqi had originally thought that the combination of coffee and tea water would get her through, but she didn't expect to be yawning constantly while picking up the bride and rushing to the bridal chamber. Although she was careful, dodging the cameraman's lens—she didn't want her ugliest state permanently recorded—she couldn't avoid the crowd. Her sister-in-law Yang Jing’s cousin kept staring at Wang Qiqi. “Excuse me.” Seeing the young girl staring at her continuously, Wang Qiqi knew her condition wasn't great, so she offered a greeting. Most importantly, she remembered this girl was one of the bridesmaids today, Yang Jing’s cousin. Honestly, how could she act so disrespectfully in front of the bride’s relatives? Wang Qiqi silently prayed her cousin wouldn't 'chop her up.'

“I know you. Aren't you my cousin-in-law’s cousin? The one who studies in Beijing and works as a translator in her spare time?” Dai Peina said excitedly. It wasn't often that someone earned her cousin’s praise, and Wang Qiqi was one of them. Though she studied finance, it was rumored she worked as a translator during her university work-study programs. What she envied even more was that Qiqi, still a sophomore, had already traveled abroad several times, visiting Europe even. The boyfriend she found was also capable; he was interning at a computer company in America while still in university. Initially, she thought such a capable man might be a bookworm or look a bit rough, as few people were perfect. But when her cousin pointed to the youngest usher, she was stunned. He was a handsome guy, witty in conversation, and eloquent—a true talented youth.

Especially when Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were together, the way they looked at each other created a barrier outsiders couldn’t penetrate. Although her cousin-in-law looked at her cousin the same way, Dai Peina felt the connection between Wang Qiqi and Han Tao was more intense. “The boyfriend is quite handsome too.”

Wang Qiqi was surprised the other person knew her, and the other person seemed to have a very good impression of her. “My sister-in-law, Yang Jing, told you?”

The other nodded. “Dai Peina, Yang Jing’s cousin.”

“Wang Qiqi, Song Ziwen’s cousin.” Wang Qiqi extended her hand for a shake, offering a simple self-introduction.

Although the two young women were meeting for the first time, with Wang Qiqi making an effort to be friendly and Dai Peina admiring Wang Qiqi greatly, they chatted more and more enthusiastically, showing no sign that this was their first encounter.

When Yang Jing prepared to leave her parents’ house, she realized her cousin wasn't around her. She found it strange and looked around, only to see her huddled together with Wang Qiqi. Although she was a bit surprised, recalling the times she had praised Wang Qiqi to her cousin and how her cousin always expressed admiration, knowing her cousin admired capable people, she wasn't too concerned.

As they went downstairs, Yang Jing quietly asked, “Had a good chat with Qiqi.”

Dai Peina nodded. “Very much so.”

While Song Ziwen was occupied talking to someone nearby, Yang Jing quickly advised, “Then make friends with Qiqi. You won't lose out by being friends with her.” Setting aside her own capabilities, her boyfriend’s capability, and the fortune left by Wang Qiqi’s deceased parents, plus the fact that one of Wang Qiqi’s best friends came from a rich family that ran a group corporation—getting along well with Qiqi would bring her cousin nothing but benefits. (To be continued.)