Han Tao finished breakfast, picked up his laptop bag, and gave Wang Qiqi a deep kiss at the door. "Love you."

"I love you too." Wang Qiqi kissed him twice on the face before pushing him out. Although she was making a detour to pick him up, she felt bad making the other person wait at the intersection.

Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered she should prepare something to thank the person who drove Han Tao. Had Han Tao thanked them before? But now that she was here, not preparing a thank-you gift felt wrong. However, she didn't know what the other person liked, and gifts should be things they enjoy, plus she didn't know if there were any taboos. "By the way, what does the colleague who drives you every day like? I plan to buy a small gift to thank them."

A gift the other person liked? Han Tao wondered why his wife suddenly brought this up, and he looked at Wang Qiqi suspiciously.

"They give you rides, you should show some appreciation... right?" Wang Qiqi thought her husband was hopelessly dense; he didn't even grasp basic social courtesies. If they didn't foster good relations, how could the person keep driving him regularly over time?

Han Tao thought: Would the driver stop bringing him? After all, they often debated computer-related opinions on the road, sometimes pulling over mid-drive just to argue a point. But he remembered yesterday, after Qiqi took away his lunchbox, the driver had looked on with envy, saying how happy Han Tao was. Thinking of this, "How about, Qiqi, you cook a little extra food today, and I'll give him some to thank him?"

Han Tao’s suggestion stunned Wang Qiqi. Ah, no way. Cooking extra food? "Am I going to become a house cook?" It wasn't that she hated cooking, but cooking was terrible for her skin. If it were just for two people, or a slightly larger batch occasionally, Wang Qiqi could accept it.

"No need," Han Tao shook his head rapidly. Seeing it was getting late, he kissed Wang Qiqi. "Why do it frequently? Even the best food gets tiresome if eaten too often. Besides, they are foreigners; they might find it novel once or twice, but they'll grow tired of it if they eat it constantly."

That's a relief, Wang Qiqi nodded. "Let's go, it's getting late. I need to start cleaning up and then head to the supermarket." Yesterday was all about scouting the area, so things were disorganized, and she was utterly exhausted. Today would be different: morning chores and grocery shopping, lunch, an afternoon nap, then cooking dinner, and finally working in the evening. Wang Qiqi felt she had everything mapped out perfectly. Thinking about it, she truly fit the mold of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

After several days like this, Wang Qiqi realized her routine consisted only of going to Han Tao's workplace, the supermarket, or staying home to do housework and translate for money. It was nothing like the grand expectations she'd held for this trip back in China. "Aaaah, I'm really going to become a drab housewife!" she cried out, her voice echoing. Her life was reduced to a strict three-point itinerary; even dog walkers at least got to wander around the neighborhood.

Wang Qiqi knew she couldn't continue like this, or she’d really go mad. "But why hasn't Manman suggested we go sightseeing yet?"

Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered something. They hadn't talked much lately, either because the other person was busy or because Wang Qiqi herself had been preoccupied. Realizing this, Wang Qiqi messaged Shi Man: "Manman, when are we going out? If this keeps up, I'm going to lose it."

After sending the message, Wang Qiqi got up from her computer to start preparing dinner.

Shi Man, upon reading Wang Qiqi's message, felt equally frustrated. "If you're going crazy, so am I." Shi Man looked around the empty apartment and muttered. Qiqi over there was working like a pack mule as Han Tao's logistical support, and she wasn't much better off in Boston. At least she didn't have the crushing burden of delivering dinner every night. Occasionally, when Feng Xuanxiang wasn't swamped, she could go out with him. But compared to Qiqi, her situation was only marginally better.

Shi Man had also assumed that once everything was settled, she and Feng Xuanxiang could finally go out and have fun. Instead, Feng Xuanxiang had told her yesterday that he'd discovered numerous opportunities. Although he could manage things by monitoring the stock market, he felt it was better to watch them closely. He hadn't explicitly said it, but his meaning was perfectly clear.

Shi Man had assumed Wang Qiqi, busy taking care of Han Tao, had almost given up on the idea of traveling for fun, so she hadn't felt comfortable bringing it up. But to her surprise, Wang Qiqi’s desire to travel hadn't vanished. If she went out alone, Feng Xuanxiang wouldn't agree, but if she brought Wang Qiqi along, Shi Man felt much more confident about getting approval.

With this in mind, Shi Man replied to Wang Qiqi: "I’m gloomy too. Feng Xuanxiang is busy building things up for both our families; he has neither the time nor the inclination to wander. Since you say you're going crazy, how about we team up, just the two of us pretty girls, and go sightseeing?"

Shi Man thought Wang Qiqi was still at the computer and expected a quick reply. She was sure Qiqi would agree. Since it would just be two girls traveling, some of their previous planning would need adjustments—like hitchhiking. Although Shi Man was tempted, she knew Feng Xuanxiang and Han Tao would never agree to two girls doing something that reckless; if they ran into trouble, it would be a situation where no one could hear their cries for help.

While researching, Shi Man kept checking the chat interface, but after waiting a long time, there was no reply from Wang Qiqi. "Oh no, maybe the girl doesn't agree?" That made no sense; anyone would jump at such good news. When she clicked on the chat window, Wang Qiqi’s avatar was dark. "Don't tell me she’s gone to steam and deliver dinner..." Shi Man knew Qiqi’s recent range of activity. "Forget it, I’ll talk to her later." When Feng Xuanxiang finished his work and returned home, he found Shi Man staring blankly at the computer, smiling faintly. He wondered if she had gone crazy from being cooped up alone. He walked over, wrapped his arms around her, and glanced at the screen, his expression darkening as he read the chat log. "What are you smiling about?"

Shi Man knew Feng Xuanxiang must have seen the chat history; this wasn't something she could hide. "I was planning to go sightseeing with Qiqi. You’re busy, and Han Tao is busy, so it’s just Qiqi and me cooped up here with nothing to do. Qiqi said she’s going crazy, and I’m close to it too. When our families ask where we traveled in the US, are we supposed to tell them we just stayed within this tiny radius?"

Feng Xuanxiang felt a pang of guilt hearing Shi Man say that. He knew she was bored being stuck at home, but as a man, he felt immense pressure—tuition, living expenses—it all weighed on him. Could he really ask Shi Man to support him financially? Moreover, Shi Man's parents hadn't fully accepted him yet; they were only conceding because Manman was set on him, fearing that being too forceful would make Shi Man defy their wishes. "Wait until I get through this busy period..." Shi Man wasn't unhappy that Feng Xuanxiang might eventually accompany her, but if Qiqi could endure her situation, surely she could too. She gently covered Feng Xuanxiang's mouth. "It’s fine. It's okay if Qiqi and I go out. You stay back there and work hard to earn money; my travel funds depend on you."

Feng Xuanxiang felt a twinge of emotion for having such an understanding wife. The old Shi Man used to be a bit willful, but perhaps after spending so much time with Wang Qiqi and Juliana, she’d stopped throwing tantrums. While she appeared more sensible now, Feng Xuanxiang found that feeling slightly irritating. Then again, considering Han Tao and Wang Qiqi's dynamic, he thought his wife, despite appearing cool and perhaps hard to get along with, was much better than the perpetually smiling, yet actually dominant, woman Qiqi was. "Don't worry, I will cover the money. It’s fine if you go out, but you must be careful and stick close to Qiqi." Although Shi Man had been abroad before, the trip was short, confined to a single city with only a few places visited. If they were planning a cross-country tour this time, there were far too many things to be cautious about.

Listening to Feng Xuanxiang's endless warnings, Shi Man felt her head starting to ache. She turned around and kissed him passionately.

The beauty's initiative was clear to Feng Xuanxiang; he knew she was doing it partly to stop his nagging. But at that moment, the most important thing was to savor the feeling of having his beauty in his arms, not to dwell on tedious matters. However, some things, if not said now, would certainly resurface in a few days.

When Wang Qiqi returned home after delivering dinner, she found the chat tool had disconnected. Logging in again and seeing Shi Man's latest message, she leaned back on the sofa, sipping the juice she had made. "So Feng Xuanxiang is busy too and can't go out. I figured that little girl wouldn't suggest traveling if he couldn't."

Although the traveling party had shrunk from three to two, Wang Qiqi was satisfied with almost everything, except perhaps the loss of a bodyguard. For instance, she wouldn't have to worry about being annoyed by a couple showing excessive affection, nor would she need to consider whether Feng Xuanxiang would be unhappy if she and Shi Man went shopping or traveling together.

In the following days, Wang Qiqi and Shi Man frequently discussed their trip plans online. They decided to skip some locations and focus only on a few key, interesting cities. It wasn't that they didn't want to see more or were trying to save money; it was just that since the men were busy earning, Qiqi and Shi Man, acting as the home base, felt they shouldn't be away from their posts for too long—especially Shi Man, as this separation would last until next year unless Feng Xuanxiang returned home during a holiday, which seemed unlikely.

【To be continued】