As the scenery grew increasingly familiar, Wang Qiqi’s gaze drifted to the pile of belongings set aside; she truly had no idea what they would do next. “With all this stuff, how did the three of us even manage to load it onto the car yesterday?”

Getting it loaded with three people yesterday was already a struggle, so having only two now was a real problem. “How about we ask a train attendant if they can find someone to help us move this?”

Wang Qiqi recalled that train stations usually had people who worked as porters or similar roles.

Han Tao hummed in agreement. “Sausage prepared by Manman’s family, cured meat and salted fish from my mom, and your aunt even packed preserved vegetables—all cured things. I’m genuinely worried…”

Eating too much of this stuff wasn’t exactly good for one’s health.

“The sausage and cured meat can be cooked with rice; it tastes amazing. The salted fish goes great with breakfast, and the preserved vegetables are the perfect accompaniment to congee when making soup…”

Wang Qiqi kept listing ways to use these provisions. “Putting that aside, I’m really hesitant about taking all this stuff off the train.”

“After all, it’s the elders’ loving effort; refusing it would be too much.”

Han Tao was also quite troubled. Getting these things out of the station was indeed an issue, but the food itself was quite delicious. His mother used to cure a lot of fish and meat in the winter; he still remembered the deep, comforting taste of his mother in that food. Last year, Han Tao hadn't gotten much of it and felt quite regretful. He had been thinking that since he couldn't go back during the summer vacation, he would miss out again. When Qiqi went back for tomb sweeping in April, the time was too tight, and Han Tao was busy, so only Wang Qiqi went alone and didn't bring back much—it was quickly devoured again. This time, at least, they could eat several proper meals.

“Especially that cured meat your mom makes.”

Wang Qiqi wasn't overly interested in the salted fish or cured meat; what she craved was the sausage. This was, after all, handmade, rumored to be exceptionally delicious—the kind they had tasted when visiting Shi Man’s house for New Year’s greetings.

The two managed to move everything off the train through sheer effort, then located a mover with the help of station staff, and with his assistance, finally got the luggage loaded onto a taxi.

“Finally, we can take a breath.”

As soon as Wang Qiqi settled into the taxi, she let out a long sigh. “I need a good rest, and then we still have to haul it upstairs.”

Wang Qiqi carefully calculated the costs involved for such a small amount of baggage. Originally, the two of them could have taken the bus and then the subway, but now they were taking a cab directly.

They shouldn't even look at the meter; the fare would surely make their hearts pound. Of course, this was minor money; what truly couldn’t be measured in currency was things like physical stamina or sentiment.

“It’s fine. I’ll go call Daizi later,” Han Tao comforted her.

He remembered that Daizi had no classes this morning. Normally, he would definitely be holed up at home, either playing computer games or catching up on sleep. Such excellent labor should absolutely not be wasted.

And even if Daizi had objections, they would be dismissed outright—unless he wanted to go without all this delicious food.

“Daizi has no class?” Wang Qiqi considered it. Daizi was already in his third year of university, and some courses were fewer. “Daizi has to intern next semester, right? Where is he planning to go?”

In reality, whether Daizi interned or not made little difference; the programming jobs he took at home now taught him more than staying somewhere cooped up to study. Still, all his classmates were interning, and if he was the only one staying home, it didn’t look quite right. It drew too much attention.

“To the same place Gong Junyu and the others are interning, I think,” Han Tao wasn't entirely certain. “Daizi didn't specify, but it seems his advisor also recommended a place. Daizi is having trouble making a decision.”

After all, given Daizi’s capability, he could jump right in upon arrival without needing the internship unit to assign staff to mentor him.

“Oh, Gong Junyu and the others are leaving in July; their visas are almost ready.”

Han Tao was happy for them, but a sense of loss mingled in his heart. They had lived under the same roof for over a year, and his professional skills had improved so rapidly, leading to such good opportunities later on—it was inseparable from the guidance they had given him. If those few hadn't been so meticulous in their instruction, even if he had encountered John, Han Tao wouldn't have seized the opportunity.

Leaving in July. Wang Qiqi recalled the scene when Daizi first brought Gong Junyu and the others out, it felt like just yesterday. Now everyone was scattering. “They’re leaving this year, and Daizi next year. All good things must come to an end.”

Wang Qiqi sighed. “But it’s fine. When we go out later, we can all gather again.”

Han Tao hummed in response. “The chance of them returning after going abroad won't be very high. Plus, after interning domestically for so long, they were quite envious when they heard about my internship experience in the States.”

Although Han Tao felt he might have described his experience too favorably, or perhaps the team he encountered was truly excellent, it also had a lot to do with the constant online communication he’d had with them previously, with John acting as the crucial link. Thus, their relationship was solid from the start. Would Gong Junyu and the others have had such good opportunities otherwise? Furthermore, xenophobia wasn't absent in the US; sometimes it was quite severe. It depended on whether they could persevere. Han Tao had confidence in Gong Junyu and the others; what Chinese people lacked was not patience. To an employer, a capable subordinate is a good subordinate. “Qiqi, have you thought about whether we will return to China in the future?”

“I don’t mind. Living in the US for a while, or living in China, both are fine.”

Wang Qiqi was indifferent, but living in the US wasn't necessarily better. Her parents were in China, and she couldn't take them away. Even if Wang Damei was willing, Wang Qiqi worried her parents would scold her in her sleep. “I think children should receive the standard education in China.”

Children abroad are capable and possess an independent spirit, but they are too independent. Perhaps when they grew old, they would truly rely only on each other, Han Tao and herself. However, the rote learning method in China was something Wang Qiqi disliked; the exam questions often gave her a terrible headache.

“Okay, we’ll live in both places later.”

Han Tao put his arm around Wang Qiqi’s shoulder, letting her lean against him.

The two were immersed in their little world and failed to notice the driver's strange look. The driver wondered about the background of these two young people; based on their conversation, going abroad sounded incredibly easy, and it seemed everyone around them was destined for overseas opportunities. Yet, looking at their clothes, they didn't appear to be from wealthy or official families. The driver kept glancing at Wang Qiqi and Han Tao through the rearview mirror the whole ride.

Wang Qiqi did notice the driver's oddity, but since it was daytime and he was following the correct route, she didn't dwell on it. However, a thought did cross her mind: perhaps the driver had been talking too much and his brain wasn't quite right?

When Dai Lijun followed Han Tao to Wang Qiqi's apartment building and saw the huge pile of luggage from a distance, his first reaction was to turn around and go home. “That… uh…”

Han Tao saw the kid turning away and immediately knew he was trying to bolt. Hmph, not so easily. “You can run, but you forfeit any chance of eating the good food.”

The only way to threaten this kid was with food; nothing else currently worked.

Good food? Dai Lijun’s heart stirred upon hearing Han Tao’s words, but the issue was that he felt he would have to exert significant physical effort. He weighed the pros and cons in his mind. He had considered not moving the stuff and just sneaking over when it was mealtime. Even if Han Tao and Shi Man chased him away, Qiqi certainly wouldn't; she was a kind-hearted girl and would never turn away a guest.

“Don’t believe me? You can try. If Qiqi sees all this luggage and refuses to move it, and you run away before even reaching the door, what do you think…” Han Tao whispered ominously behind Dai Lijun. “I can move it all up myself if you don’t. Besides, with all this delicious food, fewer people grabbing at it just makes me happier.”

Han Tao ignored the conflicted person and walked quickly toward the pile, adopting an air of competence, as if he could handle it alone.

Wang Qiqi waited for a long time only to see Han Tao’s lone figure. “Huh? Daizi isn't at the dorm?” She realized she shouldn't have bothered calling Daizi; she had done pointless work. If she hadn't gone to fetch him, perhaps she and Han Tao would have already moved most of the things.

Han Tao impatiently picked up two bags. “Someone…”

“Han Tao, you brat, you’re too fast! I asked you to wait a little…”

Dai Lijun agonized for a moment, and ultimately, gluttony won. Han Tao was the type who always followed through on his threats. Fine, he’d consider today a good mood and play the Good Samaritan. He could also sneak a peek at how much good food Qiqi and the others had brought back. If it wasn't good food, he wouldn't be able to back out of working now, but he could put in minimal effort. Dai Lijun thought his plan was brilliant, so he quickened his pace to catch up. Before he was even close, he heard Wang Qiqi asking why he wasn't there, and he knew Han Tao's response without listening.

“So much stuff! Qiqi, did you go robbing on this trip?”

Though he couldn’t see exactly what was in the sacks, from the faint outlines, Dai Lijun could see meat, cured meat. “This couldn't be that cured meat Han Tao’s mom made that you brought back last time, could it?”

That flavor was excellent, especially in the rice dish Qiqi made; Dai Lijun was still savoring that taste.

“Yep, and also the special handmade sausages from Manman’s mom—the flavor is absolutely top-notch. We’re having it cooked with rice tonight. I’ll call your Lu Qiaowei over too.”

From Daizi’s drooling expression, Wang Qiqi knew he was eager for the rice dish. In the end, it was always either him begging for the rice dish or Manman demanding it.

“Great, great, great!”

Dai Lijun agreed hastily. Any previous thoughts of putting in minimal effort were long forgotten. Tempted by the delicious food, and also not wanting Han Tao constantly nagging him about having energy for work but not for eating, he decided to work seriously.

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m. for reading.) 〖Book Net ∷ Fast Update ∷ No Pop-ups ∷ Pure Text ∷