“We’re back.” Shi Man had expected Lu Qiaowei to have returned and lifted her head anxiously toward the door, only to find Wang Qiqi and Han Tao returning, laden with bags, without making any move to help.

Dai Lijun almost stood up to help carry things; this was a perfect opportunity to escape Shi Man's brainwashing, but he didn't dare. Shi Man’s gaze was too terrifying, making him feel that if he dared to leave, she would unceremoniously reprimand him in front of the Han Tao couple. He could only hope someone would call him over to assist. As for Wang Qiqi, Dai Lijun had no expectations; she certainly knew about Shi Man's behavior today.

Han Tao hadn't missed his foolish friend’s pleading glance, but the problem was he didn't dare speak up. Both women were glaring at him with a look that warned him off. Han Tao could only pray internally for his brother’s good fortune. “These are so heavy, Qiqi, let’s hurry inside and put things away.” Brother, for the sake of my future happiness, for the sake of holding my wife close every night, you, as the elder brother, should bear a little more burden.

As soon as Han Tao finished speaking, he pulled Qiqi into the room and conveniently shut the door behind them. Dai Lijun was stunned. He hadn't expected even his own brother to abandon him. He truly wanted to look up to the heavens and shout: Why is fate so cruel to him? He considered himself a good kid too; why was his life so hard? Especially the things Shi Man was saying—he found them truly bizarre. “Manman, listen to me, I really have nothing going on with Jiang Xin. It was because Nana saw me before…” Dai Lijun miserably brought up the reason he had gone out with Jiang Xin before. Truthfully, he deeply regretted his momentary softness back then, and even more miserably, why he had inexplicably avoided Zhu Lina’s gaze when he saw her, making him look like a child of questionable morals in their eyes now. He felt so wronged by how things had turned out. He had acted that way precisely to prevent Zhu Lina from overthinking things, but alas… If time could reverse, Dai Lijun swore he wouldn't have dodged that day—no, he wouldn't have gone out with Jiang Xin at all.

Back inside, Han Tao dropped the bags on the floor and pressed his ear against the door, trying to catch what was happening in the living room. Hearing Dai Lijun’s words, he understood why Qiqi and Shi Man didn't want him to call for his friend's help. However, he thought, “Are you two making a mountain out of a molehill? Dai Zi wouldn't get together with Jiang Xin.” If he had wanted to, they would have been together long ago; how could they have waited until now? Not to mention during the summer break, Dai Zi even took Lu Qiaowei home to his place. At that time, Jiang Xin was single again. If Dai Zi had had any such intentions, would he really have brought Lu Qiaowei home? It seemed impossible just thinking about it.

Just as expected, all men think alike. Wang Qiqi snorted, “Dai Zi might not have that thought, but what about Jiang Xin? Do you think she doesn’t? I’m telling you, Dai Zi now is not the Dai Zi he used to be. He’s become quite a figure. Too many girls want to get to know him to achieve their goals of going abroad. As for what happens in the future, you can figure that out yourself.” Alright, Wang Qiqi admitted she might have exaggerated the situation slightly, but it wasn't impossible. Using Dai Zi as a route to go abroad and then establishing oneself—that was a normal occurrence. Gong Yiying, for example, seemed to have that plan. Thinking of her, Wang Qiqi wondered if she had achieved her goal after giving up so much.

Fine, Han Tao pinched the bridge of his nose and conceded. Ever since people at school found out he was going abroad, his romantic encounters had certainly increased. Even if Qiqi occasionally visited the campus, it couldn't stop ambitious girls from surrounding him. If he was like that, then Han Tao felt it was quite normal for Jiang Xin to act similarly toward Dai Zi. “Then he needs to be properly educated. But I think the problem lies with Jiang Xin. What good does it do to pin everything on Dai Zi?”

Wang Qiqi and the others certainly understood that logic. “I’ll talk to her, but it probably won't be effective,” Wang Qiqi sighed. Truthfully, if Jiang Xin didn't listen, they might have to let Zhu Lina step in. “Yesterday we discussed…” Wang Qiqi relayed what they had decided the day before, though she omitted the part about Cao Rui’s current girlfriend, lest Han Tao would immediately say this idea was now a huge loss.

Han Tao was speechless. The three of them actually came up with this idea. He pulled Wang Qiqi closer and whispered, “Don't mention this to anyone else, not even Dai Zi, understand?” Han Tao looked at Wang Qiqi with great seriousness.

Who didn't know that? Wang Qiqi scoffed, “Do you think we’re idiots? If you weren't my man, would I be telling you? Do you take me for a fool? Oh, and while you’re at it, talk to Dai Zi when you have time.” Wang Qiqi knew she was being a bit nagging, but she couldn't help it. “If Dai Zi wants to be with Jiang Xin, he should talk directly to Lu Qiaowei. If he wants to be with Lu Qiaowei, he needs to make things clear with Jiang Xin. Even though I know they had a good relationship before, can’t he take Lu Qiaowei out with him sometimes? I don’t believe after a few times she won’t understand the situation.” If Jiang Xin still pestered Dai Zi under these circumstances, Wang Qiqi felt she would have to go negotiate with Jiang Xin herself. Don't mistake Wang Qiqi’s declaration yesterday that she would confront Jiang Xin; honestly, she felt it would be best if Dai Zi handled the matter himself.

Wang Qiqi’s words put significant pressure on Han Tao. “These are Dai Zi’s private matters, aren't they? Besides, isn't it enough that Manman has talked to him? What business is it of mine to join in?” For such a small matter, everyone taking turns lecturing him—Han Tao thought even he would get annoyed. “Be careful of a backlash.”

Han Tao’s retort left Wang Qiqi unable to voice a counterargument. Everyone goes through a rebellious phase; if everyone opposes them, they might just resolve to do it anyway, thinking, What can you do about it? “Sigh, forget it, whatever, whatever. I won't worry about it anymore.” He wasn't her boyfriend; why was she worrying so much? Perhaps only when Dai Zi realized the situation was serious would he know what to do. Plus, he would eventually go to the US, where all sorts of temptations would arise. Could she constantly monitor him and solve his troublesome romantic entanglements? “Right, how about we let Dai Zi practice dealing with enthusiastic women who throw themselves at him?” With this thought, Wang Qiqi felt this was actually a good opportunity. She would talk with Shi Man and the others later that evening. People have to grow up; how can one grow without suffering a few losses?

Han Tao never expected his words to trigger such an idea in his wife. He was speechless. He suddenly felt that as a man, his perspective on certain matters genuinely differed from a woman's. He decided he should go make the bed and put on the sheets instead.

Wang Qiqi saw Han Tao about to toss the sheets onto the bed without even washing them. She shook her head and snatched the sheets from his hand. “I’ll rinse them in clean water. How can you put on brand new sheets without washing them?” Looking at how pristine the sheets appeared, Wang Qiqi could guarantee that under a microscope, they would be disgustingly filthy. How clean could the environment be in those bedding factories?

Wang Qiqi took the sheets to the living room and saw Shi Man still talking to Dai Lijun, while Dai Zi’s expression was starting to sour. “Manman, come help me.”

Shi Man was just about to say she was busy and that Han Tao should have been called if help was needed, but she noticed Wang Qiqi repeatedly making faces at her. She thought perhaps Qiqi had thought of a good way to persuade Dai Zi, so she stopped objecting and walked into the bathroom. “Qiqi, have you thought of some good lines to use?” She truly didn't know what else to say. That kid Dai Zi insisted there was nothing between him and Jiang Xin, but he wouldn't guarantee he wouldn't keep in close contact with her in the future. Sigh. “He’s even forgotten how Jiang Xin treated him back then. Look how clean everything is now.” Comparing the two, Shi Man naturally favored Lu Qiaowei.

Wang Qiqi watched Shi Man aggressively throw the brand-new sheets into the washing machine, thinking that if Jiang Xin were standing right there, Shi Man might lash out physically. Remembering what she had just said, Wang Qiqi wondered if it would only make Shi Man angrier, but some things couldn't remain unsaid. Hesitantly, Wang Qiqi relayed what she and Han Tao had discussed in the room.

“What? You said…” Shi Man started to raise her voice but stopped when Wang Qiqi gestured for her to speak softly. She grudgingly lowered her volume. “Do you really think if we let Dai Zi handle this himself, he can handle it well?”

“But did he listen to what you said?” Wang Qiqi added the laundry detergent, turned on the tap, and pressed the start button. “Haven’t you noticed Dai Zi’s expression isn't very good?”

Shi Man certainly knew that. “But the problem is…” She was truly worried that in the end, someone would end up with nothing.

“Don't worry,” Wang Qiqi said, having thought it through a bit. “Dai Zi taking Lu Qiaowei home during the summer break shows he accepts her. If he can't handle this well, or if Lu Qiaowei doesn't trust him, then they break up, so be it. Relationships always require some testing. Don't forget, Dai Zi and Lu Qiaowei will eventually be separated for two years. If they don’t even have this level of trust, do you think their relationship can survive when a vast ocean separates them?”

Shi Man shook her head. “No, it can’t.” Even though her relationship with Feng Xuanxiang was good now, she still had her worries, but her confidence in Feng Xuanxiang outweighed them. If Feng Xuanxiang had chosen another woman, how could it have ended up being her? But Dai Zi wasn't Feng Xuanxiang; he needed to be decisive when necessary, just like he was with the admirers at his workplace. “Qiqi, you’re right. We are interfering too much.”