Song Yao had previously heard Wang Qiqi mention that she slept on a dìtái, similar to the sleeping platform favored by the Japanese. At the time, Song Yao wondered how that could possibly be comfortable, but now, seeing it in person, she had to admit it was quite nice, especially the feeling when lying on it. “The mattress is quite good; how much did it cost?”

“I don’t know; Nana bought it.” Wang Qiqi thought for a moment; she genuinely had no idea of the price. It had been in the room when they moved in. Still, it certainly wasn't cheap, feeling neither too soft nor too hard when you lay on it. “But this brand of mattress isn't cheap stuff.”

Song Yao pursed her lips. “With Zhu Lina’s background, why would she buy something inexpensive?” Song Yao settled onto the [Note: The original text uses asterisks here, which I will maintain to preserve the structure], watching Wang Qiqi sit on the edge of the platform, constantly typing data into the computer. “Translating something?” Her cousin hadn't done anything but attend classes or hang out with them yesterday and today; she must have accumulated quite a few assignments.

Wang Qiqi hummed in acknowledgment. “Sister, you rest first. I need to talk to you about something later.” Although Wang Qiqi desperately wanted to discuss things with Song Yao right away, the habitual need to check her email revealed three new messages waiting. She had no choice but to work first; these were her livelihood.

Song Yao simply watched Wang Qiqi relentlessly inputting data, occasionally furrowing her brow, pausing for long periods in thought, and sometimes even rising to consult the dictionary beside her. Seeing Wang Qiqi like this, Song Yao thought earning money was truly difficult.

“Qiqi, want me to pour you a cup of càfēi?” Song Yao didn't know when Wang Qiqi slept, but when she had come out of the bathroom earlier, she had seen Zhu Lina exiting the study with a cup of càfēi. Zhu Lina had been wondering why, even though it was past eight, so much coffee remained untouched. She knew these girls never drank day-old càfēi. Now she understood: there were two night owls in the house, and their need for caffeine was substantial.

Coffee? Wang Qiqi shook her head. “I’ll have tea.” Coffee wasn't very effective at keeping Wang Qiqi awake; tea worked better. “Use more tea leaves.” With so many assignments, Wang Qiqi regretted dragging Song Yao back today. She was now contemplating whether she should just chat with Song Yao first.

Song Yao walked in carrying two teacups, setting one by Wang Qiqi. “It’s getting late; don't drink too much tea. It’s not good for your heart, and it will keep you awake.” Song Yao had gone to the kitchen to mix a glass of milk with powdered milk. “Do you want some milk tonight?”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Yes. Actually, tea is affecting my alertness less and less; it’s just a habit now. Oh, right, Sister, the house…” Wang Qiqi brought up a matter she hadn't asked about previously.

“The current news hasn't mentioned demolition, but that’s still uncertain. And whether my place gets demolished is also up in the air. Many large houses with few residents nearby are protesting. After all, everyone is used to dividing up their homes to rent out, and now demolition only yields one or two units—how much rent can that generate? They are making a fuss.” Song Yao said happily. “And actually, the land where our place is located isn’t strictly slated for demolition.” Even if it were demolished later, getting another year of rent was a positive thing—tens of thousands of yuan.

Wang Qiqi felt that if the demolition were postponed, the greatest benefit would be that compensation would be calculated based on the house's area, resulting in the most favorable outcome. “If they demolish now, I think taking the money is better.” Although slightly less favorable, based on household registration, Wang Qiqi worried Song Yao and her family might only get a place under a hundred square meters. It would be better to take the money and buy a commercial apartment; at least selling it later would be easier.

Song Yao herself was wavering between taking the money or the property, feeling reluctant to give up either option. “Take the money?”

“Whether you take the money or the house, Sister, you must discuss it with your brother-in-law. Also, Sister, are you being a bit too domineering? You sometimes shout at your brother-in-law. Even though he shows no expression, he must have thoughts brewing inside.” Wang Qiqi thought that regardless of whether they had discussed the demolition, this was the perfect opportunity for her to advise Song Yao. “Especially that time you did it in front of distant relatives.” Although Gong Peixing sometimes didn't handle things perfectly, Song Yao’s tone of unquestionable accusation must have made Gong Peixing uncomfortable.

Song Yao knew Wang Qiqi hadn't sought her out for a late-night chat just about property. When she heard Wang Qiqi’s tentative questioning, her first thought was, “Did your brother-in-law complain to you?” Otherwise, why would Wang Qiqi bring this up? Qiqi only returned home a few times a year. Song Yao felt she hadn't criticized Gong Peixing in front of Wang Qiqi, so the most likely scenario was that someone had approached Wang Qiqi. “Hmph, if I criticize him, he still has the nerve to feel wronged? If he handled things well, if he were as capable as Han Tao, would I need to keep such a close eye on him?” She felt compelled to watch him; Song Yao felt she was exhausted. Look at Han Tao, then look at her younger brother-in-law. Although Song Yao often dismissed her brother-in-law as unreliable, her younger brother-in-law was developing his side business quite well. As for Gong Peixing... sigh.

Wang Qiqi was startled by Song Yao’s last sentence. In a marriage, especially for a man, hearing his wife say he is worse than someone else is infuriating. Perhaps the wife thinks it motivates the man to work harder for the family, but to the man, it means his wife doesn't value any of his effort or contribution. Then he looks at women outside, batting their innocent, dewy eyes and telling him how capable he is. Men prefer gentle, adoring women. Wang Qiqi thought if she were in that position, she wouldn't choose a fierce shrew either.

When Wang Qiqi delicately stated her perspective, Song Yao’s expression became distinctly uncomfortable. What did Qiqi mean by that? Did she think her relationship with Gong Peixing would sour over a few words? “My husband and I went through so much to be together; I thought he…” In Song Yao’s view, this marriage was hard-won, and Gong Peixing wouldn't give up so easily.

“No matter how hard it was to get together, it doesn't guarantee you won't divorce. I think, just based on your attitude, Sister, if your brother-in-law harbors resentment, and someone outside offers a little temptation, what do you think will happen?” Fortunately, Song Yao, who had resigned to be a homemaker, still went out often enough that she hadn't fully adopted the look of a middle-aged aunt. Otherwise, Wang Qiqi suspected Gong Peixing might already have been lured away by some outside flirtation. “Women should be gentler. Look at me—no matter how domineering I am privately with Han Tao, in front of everyone, even Manman and the others, I am very mindful to give Han Tao face. Sister, men value face. Remember your aunt’s attitude when you first got married?” Wang Qiqi was certain Gong Peixing still held lingering grievances. Even though he was respectful toward Song Wenbo and his wife, certain thoughts and feelings were etched into his core; that sense of inferiority wouldn't vanish just because their financial status improved or their worth changed.

Song Yao had heard Wang Qiqi bring this up many times, but she had never taken it seriously, always assuming Wang Qiqi was worrying needlessly. In Song Yao’s mind, her connection with Gong Peixing was incomparable to the relationships Wang Qiqi and Song Ziwen had with their respective partners. But Gong Peixing’s attitude today indicated that he did care. Song Yao fell silent, leaning against the wall, holding her glass, not taking a sip for a long time. Wang Qiqi knew Song Yao had finally absorbed her words this time. Although Wang Qiqi had spoken to her before, and she had agreed readily, Gong Peixing had concealed things so well that Song Yao either hadn't noticed or, with Taotao around, hadn't allowed herself to notice.

Wang Qiqi yawned, double-checked the two urgent documents Li Xiangdong had given her, and sent the email. Just as she prepared to resume work, she heard Song Yao’s voice from behind her. “Am I being too presumptuous? I really…” Then, “Actually, Qiqi, your brother-in-law is a good man. I chose him initially because I thought he had a good temper and that he would always tolerate me.”

Wang Qiqi had assumed Song Yao had already tucked herself into bed. She was surprised to find her elder sister was still awake. She glanced at the time on the computer—it was already past eleven. For Wang Qiqi, that was relatively early, but for Song Yao, it was definitely late. “Tolerance is one thing, but giving a man face is another. Sister, you can try to control your temper. Even if your brother-in-law is wrong, take the argument back to the bedroom. Persist for three months, and you’ll find he treats you much better.”

“Really?” Song Yao sounded half-convinced. “Forget it, forget it. I'll listen to you for now. Oh, Qiqi, what do you think about me buying a commercial shop in the capital? You plan to go abroad eventually, and I was thinking…” Song Yao hadn't been entirely certain about developing her business in the capital. If she moved, Gong Peixing would have to move too, meaning he’d have to resign, and their son would have to start over there. Back home, the proxy shopping business had started to pick up. Although it wasn't huge, the word-of-mouth was slowly building, and the profits Qiqi and the others provided were satisfying for Song Yao and Yang Jing. Song Yao thought that since Qiqi would eventually go abroad, what would happen to their connections in the capital? She thought she could maintain them and earn more profit than splitting it with others. However, she didn't know if Wang Qiqi and the others had considered handing the business over to someone else, which is why she was asking. If there was no such intention, she wouldn't buy the shop.

Wang Qiqi had genuinely never considered Song Yao’s idea. She pondered it. “Buy a shop. Even if we don't rent it out, we haven't discussed what will happen after we go abroad.” They still had two years before graduation, and Wang Qiqi and the others hadn't seriously debated the issue; they only mentioned it when it occurred to them. Besides, it was a three-person business, and Wang Qiqi couldn’t make the final decision alone; they needed to discuss it. (To be continued.)