Wang Qiqi glanced at Song Yao, who was looking to Gong Peixing for an answer, and sighed inwardly. What a foolish older sister. Did she still think her current brother-in-law was the same little technician he used to be? Now, her brother-in-law was practically a low-key wealthy man. It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to talk to Song Yao; otherwise, even the deepest love would erode. It was easy for a man to divorce and find a second spring, but it wasn't easy for a woman, especially one looking for a good man, to do the same.

"Brother-in-law wouldn't look down on you, right, Brother-in-law," Wang Qiqi smoothly smoothed things over. "Alright, let's hurry up and look at the apartments. I'm meeting Nana tonight, and we can sit down then to properly discuss prices and such." This was merely an excuse; the dinner was also meant to welcome Song Yao and her group.

"Right, right, focusing on business is more important." Gong Peixing’s heart lurched when he caught his sister-in-law’s playful glance. Had she seen through something? He knew that his sister-in-law’s level of danger awareness was no less than his mother-in-law’s, and sometimes, even more so.

Song Yao thought that he wouldn't even answer such a simple question. It seemed his temper had flared up now that he had money. Hmph, what was truly infuriating was that he was currently losing his temper with her. She needed to have a serious talk with him tonight. He had been strange lately. Hmph, he shouldn't assume having money gave him license to harbor improper thoughts.

Wang Qiqi observed the two of them and sighed again. Alas, although the couple hadn't divorced like in her past life due to parental favoritism and financial strain, there seemed to be cracks appearing now that they had money. However, they should be minor issues. Otherwise, Wang Qiqi genuinely didn't know how to resolve things. "Sister, let's sleep together tonight; I have something important to ask you." Wang Qiqi clung to Song Yao’s arm and spoke sweetly. Song Yao's expression hadn't been good just now; Wang Qiqi couldn't afford to delay. If they went home tonight, given Song Yao’s temper, she might blow the whole thing out of proportion, and then things would become unmanageable. If the truth were dug into, Wang Qiqi would be the sinner. If she hadn't spoken like that earlier, would Song Yao and Gong Peixing even have this conflict?

"Something to ask? Is it urgent?" Song Yao thought that if she didn't clear things up with Gong Peixing today, she might forget about it tomorrow. Song Yao believed her memory hadn't been great since giving birth to Tao Tao, so some matters absolutely needed to be dealt with on the same day.

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Something very important."

Song Yao stared at Wang Qiqi for a long moment, considered it, and then conceded. Fine, settling scores with a man could wait. "Okay, but what about Yang Jing?" It felt wrong to just push Yang Jing aside like that.

"I'll talk to Yang Jing," Wang Qiqi thought. Having a sister-in-law really complicated things. Especially one who studied economics; Wang Qiqi felt that even the most easygoing person would approach many issues from a financial perspective.

The group of six circled the complex repeatedly. With the help of staff from the construction site, Wang Qiqi and the others even donned hard hats and climbed up for an on-site inspection. "Oh, these apartments don't face south?" Song Yao exclaimed in surprise. "Doesn't that mean they won't get any sun in the winter?" She worried about how they would dry clothes or how cold the rooms would be without sunlight in winter.

"Sister, are you being silly again? Northern regions have central heating in the winter," Song Ziwen had already rushed into a unit upon entering, pulling Yang Jing along to check every room. After comparing a few, he decided this apartment wasn't suitable for him. When he came out and heard his sister's reason for disliking the place—that it lacked sun—he burst out laughing. In the North, whether you got sun or not was genuinely insignificant.

Right, the North had heating. Qiqi had spent two winters up North, and returning to her hometown, she found it incredibly uncomfortable. Back home, one air conditioner was usually enough, but now look at her—she wished the AC could run 24 hours a day, and even then, she’d sometimes turn on a space heater. She was only home for about a month during winter break, yet she could easily burn through the electricity bill of an average family of three for several months. "I... I just didn't react in time." Damn it, her little brother was no longer cute; he dared to talk back. When she was little, whatever she said, her brother would just go along with it. Look at him now, such a troublemaker.

Song Ziwen pouted. His sister hadn't just failed to react in time; it was obvious she had been looking at too many houses in their hometown and was applying their hometown's perspective here. "The apartment is nice. Although it's a bit small, the price is cheap, and it should be easy to rent out, right?" If he were living in it, he’d want something bigger, but for renting, smaller units were often easier to lease.

Wang Qiqi nodded. "There are several layouts; let's look carefully."

Although Yang Jing was hesitant about buying property, she couldn't argue with Song Ziwen’s eagerness. Seeing his joyous face, she inquired about the area and knew he was hooked. Fine, this money was Song Ziwen's own earnings; why should she interject? Besides, what Song Ziwen said made sense: buy a few apartments in the capital now, and then a few in Shencheng later. Once they had children, whether they studied abroad or developed their careers in a major domestic city, they wouldn't have to worry.

Just last night, Yang Jing had learned more about Wang Qiqi from Song Ziwen, such as her financial situation and the properties she currently owned. Initially, Yang Jing felt that Wang Qiqi's current success was largely due to things inherited from her parents. But watching her and her husband discussing the property development today, realizing they understood so much about buying just one apartment, she wondered if they were even more diligent in other areas. Yang Jing had considered herself quite capable, and while Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were clearly accomplished, she hadn't thought the gap was huge. But this trip to the capital had taught Yang Jing a great deal.

In the time that followed, Yang Jing stopped being quiet like she was at the beginning. Instead, she began analyzing the pros and cons of each unit with Song Ziwen, meticulously taking notes. Wang Qiqi almost offered that she had already compiled notes on these layouts. Just as she stepped forward, Han Tao pulled her back, shaking his head. "Your sister-in-law wasn't keen on buying property here at first. Now she seems to have come around; don't disturb her."

Right, if they wanted to do it this way, she wouldn't interfere. "Have you decided?" Wang Qiqi and Han Tao had differing opinions on whether to buy a commercial unit or an apartment in this complex. Han Tao thought commercial units were too expensive and hard to rent out; buying an apartment was safer and offered them a place to stay later. Wang Qiqi’s idea was to buy just one apartment but secure two commercial units to maximize profits. With the surrounding communities, the resident population was guaranteed, and once foot traffic increased, who would worry about renting out commercial space? In short, neither would yield to the other, and they had been deadlocked until now.

Han Tao stared at Wang Qiqi for a long time, noticing she was staring right back, showing no sign of backing down. They both knew they were just waiting for the other to give in first. However, to Song Yao, Gong Peixing, Song Ziwen, and his wife, this mutual gaze looked utterly affectionate. "Heavens, I know you two are a young couple and want to display affection anytime, anywhere, but this is a bit much, isn't it? Consider us old married folks with your brother-in-law here." Song Yao broke the silence first. Hmph, when she and Gong Peixing were dating, they weren't this sickeningly sweet. These two, however, turned on the mushiness whenever they felt like it.

"Exactly," Song Ziwen chimed in, thoroughly provoked by their stare. He rubbed his arms. "I'm getting goosebumps. Qiqi, please stop showing off in front of us. We're all couples here; no one is a lonely singleton."

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao hadn't expected their intense staring contest to be interpreted as a saccharine display. They both laughed simultaneously. "Fine, I'll listen to you." Since Han Tao was the first to laugh, he conceded defeat and extended a hand very solemnly.

Han Tao's words left the other four people utterly confused. What was going on? Wasn't it an affectionate gaze? The meaning in his words sounded completely different. "Qiqi, what’s this..." Song Yao stepped forward, asking with confusion.

"We just have different ideas on how to maximize the profit from the money we have," Wang Qiqi didn't want to hide it. She briefly explained the differences in her and Han Tao's perspectives. "But thank you, brother and sister, for supporting me. I really couldn't have held out." Honestly, Wang Qiqi felt she couldn't have lasted much longer; someone's eyes were too distracting, almost sucking her in. It was a huge relief that this came out.

Song Yao and Song Ziwen were speechless, not expecting this young couple to resolve a disagreement using such a childish method. "I only have one comment on how you operate: it’s basically the same way two three-year-olds fight over toys." Except the other party used physical force, while they used their respective mental fortitude; the essence was the same—too immature.

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao would never accept Song Ziwen’s evaluation. They both shot him a glare, and the two who had been fiercely battling moments ago instantly linked arms. "That’s just our form of intimacy."

"Outsiders wouldn't understand," Wang Qiqi added with a haughty sniff. "I know you're envious, Brother, but some things you just can't be jealous of."

Envious? Jealous? Song Ziwen’s mouth dropped wide open. "I would be jealous of you two?" Hmph, he wasn't a bachelor. Fine, no point arguing with children. "Alright, we've seen enough of the apartments; we need to discuss things now." Although he didn't know the discounted price offered to him, Song Ziwen still needed to make a plan so he could quickly select the properties he wanted.

Song Yao also pulled Gong Peixing into an empty room to discuss matters. However, their discussion lasted quite a while. When they emerged, Gong Peixing’s expression was not good. Wang Qiqi pinched her nose. Surely, during their private discussion, her older sister hadn't been rude to her brother-in-law again? (To be continued.)