Wang Qiqi stared at the computer screen for a long time, as if scrutinizing some momentous document, though the expression on her face was far from pleasant—it was a mixture of shock and outright displeasure. "I knew there was trouble when that certain someone didn't negotiate beforehand."

Although Wang Qiqi desperately wanted to persuade the person not to come, especially bringing their whole entourage, even though the landlord wouldn't mind two extra guests, the issue was the single bedroom. If Shi Man and Feng Xuanxiang arrived, where would they sleep? Staying in a hotel would be too expensive; honestly, they never considered the practicalities.

Wang Qiqi got up and headed to the supermarket to stock up on groceries. Regardless of her annoyance, the person was already at the airport, due to arrive in a few hours. Could she really not go pick them up? No matter how angry Wang Qiqi felt, the necessary tasks had to be completed. She picked up her phone and called Han Tao. "Tao, Manman and her husband are coming today. See about you today... Fine, I understand. I'll go to the supermarket right now to grab some things... No, no problem, I’ll manage the airport alone. You just come home after work..."

After hanging up, Wang Qiqi went downstairs, mounted her bicycle, left the complex, and immediately turned onto a narrow lane that distinctly resembled a village road. This was a wonderful spot she had only recently discovered. If she hadn't been aimlessly cycling around one day, she never would have found such a pleasant place. This discovery made Wang Qiqi realize that her previous boredom at home was entirely self-inflicted; there were so many places worth exploring nearby, yet she hadn't bothered to step out and truly look.

Wang Qiqi cycled for about half an hour until she reached an area clearly dedicated to vegetable cultivation. She propped up her bike and walked to the entrance of the garden plot. "Uncle Wang! Uncle Wang!"

The only response was the sharp barking of dogs. While Wang Qiqi had grown accustomed to the sound of dogs lately, the two hounds in the garden still filled her with considerable dread. These dogs were a breed of German Shepherd that Uncle Wang had somehow acquired from who knows where. The look in their eyes could be described with a single word: cold. Sometimes Wang Qiqi dared not move too far, always feeling those gazes tracking her every move.

Wang Dahai had just finished working in the field, loading vegetables onto his small truck, preparing to leave soon to make his deliveries. When he heard that familiar call, he found it quite strange. He walked to the garden gate and opened it. "Qiqi, you're early today. Are you here to buy vegetables?" The little girl from China had stumbled upon this place one day, and after chatting with the old man, she started coming every other day—sometimes just to talk, sometimes to buy produce, though usually around three in the afternoon. Why was she here so early in the morning?

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Yes, Uncle Wang. My friends are visiting today, so I planned to buy more vegetables." Shi Man and the others weren't just visiting to see the house and Han Tao’s workplace; Wang Qiqi could guess with her eyes closed that they were coming for a culinary upgrade. It looked like she had a mission lined up for the next few days, Wang Qiqi thought with a sly smile.

Wang Dahai hummed. "Friends staying for the whole summer, like you?" Wang Dahai knew Wang Qiqi was terribly frightened of the dogs he kept. After sternly ordering the dogs quiet, he led Wang Qiqi into the vegetable patch. "Tell me what you like."

Wang Qiqi nodded. She bought vegetables here because they were cheap, fresh, and she could have a conversation. Having been in the US for so long, Wang Qiqi realized she was practically forgetting how to speak. Apart from the couple of sentences exchanged when buying groceries or delivering meals to Han Tao, and then chatting with Han Tao when he returned home, Wang Qiqi rarely spoke beyond talking to herself. Thankfully, she had found Uncle Wang’s spot now. "My friend's boyfriend is going to stay in the States for graduate school; he’s studying over in Boston."

Wang Dahai gave an "oh." He had been in the US for many years. Although he often stayed put tending his crops, he had to go out frequently to deliver vegetables. Chatting with the owners of Chinese restaurants let him know that more and more students were coming from China to study in the US, which meant their business picked up. When their business improved, Wang Dahai was also happy because his vegetables could be sold. "A lot of people come to America and never go back, just like my son. Before he went abroad, he used to say he’d return after finishing his studies, but now he never brings it up. He even brought us two over here. Honestly, living here feels stifling; there's hardly anyone to talk to." At their age, learning English was truly like deciphering scripture. Luckily, just as they considered returning home, they discovered this empty plot where they could grow vegetables.

"There are more opportunities abroad; back home, too much depends on connections," Wang Qiqi sighed. If Feng Xuanxiang had managed well at his workplace, and promotions were based purely on merit, perhaps he wouldn't have considered studying abroad.

After chatting with Wang Dahai for a while, Wang Qiqi loaded up her bike with a vibrant bounty of fresh vegetables and headed back. Wang Dahai started his truck, preparing to deliver produce to the nearby Chinese restaurants.

Watching the pickup truck disappear into the distance, Wang Qiqi recalled Uncle Wang’s words and sighed. The elderly couple thought coming to the US would bring them idyllic family bliss, a chance to look after grandchildren, but they hadn't anticipated their daughter-in-law having her own ideas. In the end, it was just the two of them living together. Although they often said their son and daughter-in-law were busy with work and couldn't visit often—and they understood—Wang Qiqi could tell from their tone and the way they occasionally glanced toward the door that they deeply longed for their son and daughter-in-law’s visits, only fearing they might disrupt the younger generation’s careers. Still, this was their private affair; Wang Qiqi, an outsider, couldn't possibly comment.

After tidying the house slightly, Wang Qiqi walked to the subway station and transferred lines until she reached the airport. By the time she arrived, Shi Man and Feng Xuanxiang were just walking out of the terminal, dragging their luggage. "Manman! Manman!" She had made it just in time. Wang Qiqi had been genuinely worried that if she missed them, they might have taken a taxi or used information services to find her place, resulting in a complete miss.

Shi Man stepped out of the airport, looked around, and seeing no sign of Wang Qiqi, her face immediately fell. She thought, Did Qiqi actually take my words to heart and not come to meet me? That’s going too far! Just as disappointment began to set in, she heard Wang Qiqi call her name. A huge smile instantly bloomed on her face. "Qiqi! Qiqi!"

The two reunited in a warm embrace—a seemingly touching scene. However, anyone passing by who understood Chinese would realize this was far from a sentimental reunion.

"You're getting quite bold, showing up unannounced without even sending a preliminary message," Wang Qiqi said, hugging Shi Man while maintaining a teasing, yet decidedly critical, tone.

Shi Man stuck out her tongue. "I know, but if I had told you in advance, would you have agreed? Besides, this is a good chance for Feng Xuanxiang to get acquainted with the area. Then, during Chinese New Year, he can keep your man company." Shi Man internally praised her own thoughtfulness, having already planned out Feng Xuanxiang's New Year activities with Han Tao.

Wang Qiqi playfully thumped Shi Man hard on the back. "Should I thank you, then? But really, was it necessary to come this early? What if Han Tao isn't staying here during the winter break? Also, you've been assigned a task this trip." Wang Qiqi’s smile was so dazzling it momentarily blinded an elderly tourist passing by.

Shi Man’s reaction to Wang Qiqi’s exceptionally bright smile was to shudder internally. She knew that although Wang Qiqi smiled often, such a radiant display almost always signaled trouble—either Wang Qiqi had concocted some scheme against someone, or someone had seriously offended her. She mentally crucified the supposed culprit for future retribution, and currently, it seemed she was the one who had incurred Qiqi’s displeasure. "What task? I came for a vacation and to check on you guys. Didn't you say yourself that you get bored staying home alone all the time?" Hmph, that's just too much. I only came because the other person claimed to be bored!

Bored at home, perhaps, but the problem was, "Are you bringing your entire family over to help me cook or clean?" Wang Qiqi asked, her expression laced with disdain and judgment. "I think you just came here expecting the life of a young mistress. But never mind, you’re my friend, after all." Wang Qiqi glanced at the time; it was getting late, and she needed to start dinner. She couldn't continue bantering with her friend.

Wang Qiqi’s unusual reaction made Shi Man genuinely worried. If Wang Qiqi had just yelled at her, she would have accepted it, but that brilliant smile earlier couldn't possibly have been her imagination playing tricks. "Qiqi..."

"I told Han Tao you were coming. He’s not working overtime today and will be home early. He’s lost so much weight from all that overtime lately..." Wang Qiqi seemed oblivious to Shi Man’s internal turmoil and pulled her toward the subway station. "You don't have much luggage, so we won't take a taxi; it’s too expensive. We'll take the subway and then a bus." Hmph, you two can savor the experience of being crammed in public transport. Wang Qiqi knew that Shi Man had barely exercised since arriving in the US, whereas Wang Qiqi now cycled everywhere, documenting her explorations. While she hadn't mastered every corner of the area, she knew the general gist of things. The upside was increased stamina; the downside was tanner skin. Wang Qiqi could only laugh it off as a "healthy glow."

When Shi Man heard Wang Qiqi mention Han Tao’s weight loss, her tension eased. It seemed Qiqi wasn't actually angry, but rather worried about her husband's diet. "Okay, Qiqi! You're making a feast today, right? My appetite hasn't been great lately..." Shi Man linked her arm with Wang Qiqi's, chattering endlessly about how much weight she had lost recently—the overarching message being that Wang Qiqi needed to cook something delicious to host her.

Wang Qiqi kept nodding enthusiastically in agreement. Seeing Wang Qiqi cooperate so readily, Shi Man failed to notice the subtly strange expression playing on Wang Qiqi's face. Meanwhile, Feng Xuanxiang, standing beside them, noticed that Wang Qiqi's expression seemed off. He glanced at the self-satisfied Shi Man beside her and sighed internally. Oh well, let her be happy for now. I’ll beg for mercy later.