The affair concerning Han Ximing's family was but a slightly larger ripple in the waves, leaving only a brief mark on Wang Qiqi and her circle before it smoothed over and drifted away. Since Han Tao was due to leave in a few days, Wang Qiqi spent this time making delicious things for him to eat. “Tao Tao, come taste this.”

“Tao Tao, have some refreshments while you work.”

“Han Tao, what do you want for lunch today? And Tao Tao, what do you want for New Year's Eve dinner?”

Hearing Wang Qiqi or Luo Hongjuan speak, Han Tao felt the urge to bang his head and pretend to sleep. “Mom, Qiqi, you really don’t need to go out of your way to prepare my favorites. I’m only gone for a little over a month. Besides, didn’t I spend last year’s New Year alone in the States, and it was fine?” Han Tao felt genuinely overwhelmed by the attention; it had been nice at first, but the frequency of the inquiries now made him feel like he couldn’t handle such solicitude. “Mom, just be normal, be normal. Oh, right, are we going to Qiqi’s aunt’s house for the Little New Year’s Eve dinner?”

Wang Qiqi put the chair back in place. With the Lunar New Year approaching, there was so much to do: cleaning the house, purchasing festive goods, and especially since Han Tao would be home for the holiday, Luo Hongjuan was overjoyed and had prepared quite a lot. Although having a man in the house could help with some chores, he was actually quite busy, constantly sending emails and occasionally calling Daizi to discuss issues. His evenings were mostly spent working, as were his afternoons. His sleep time was only between five or six in the morning and eleven or twelve noon. In such a busy state, Wang Qiqi felt embarrassed to ask him for more help. “We’ll spend the Little New Year’s Eve at my aunt’s, but dinner will be at a restaurant—it seems she’s booked two tables. My rich patron friend is treating. On New Year’s Eve noon, I’ll treat, at the usual spot.” Wang Qiqi found planning New Year’s Eve dinner the easiest part. People who hadn't returned home from Beijing had already reserved private rooms, and that particular restaurant would hold a private room for them too, since ordering expensive dishes and using the restaurant's liquor selection usually meant they were a valued client. “We can pack a few of the main dishes to bring back then.” Last year, Wang Qiqi had gone over on New Year’s Eve evening to pick up some pre-ordered food.

Han Tao thought about it, then shook his head. “No need. Let’s just have hot pot. We can prepare everything, and everyone can eat together warmly. Or we could go to my place.” Han Tao knew Qiqi actually liked hot pot, but she worried that after eating it, the smell would linger in the house, and unlike in the north, where opening a window would quickly restore the temperature, this place had the air conditioning running.

Wang Qiqi had been about to argue that the Han family home was too cold, but after a moment of consideration, she agreed. She recalled that after someone had loudly declared his intention to marry into her family in front of his mother recently, Luo Hongjuan hadn't said anything immediately, appearing to agree with a calm expression. However, after observing her a few times afterward, Wang Qiqi noticed Luo Hongjuan looked at her strangely.

Wang Qiqi wondered if Luo Hongjuan assumed that Han Tao’s suggestion of marrying into her family was something she had proposed. This saddened Wang Qiqi. Whether Han Tao married in or not was truly unimportant to her, but she couldn't just say to Luo Hongjuan, "Sorry, that was your son’s idea; I never wanted that or even suggested he do it." Yet, Wang Qiqi also couldn't say to Han Tao, "Your mom has been looking at me weirdly lately; perhaps you should talk to her."

Originally, where they ate New Year’s Eve dinner didn't matter, but after the recent big incident, having it at the Han family home might reassure Luo Hongjuan. “We can bring over the space heater then, but Han Tao, I think your place really needs renovating. Even if Auntie says no, she’ll still be living here for a few more years, right?” Even if she moved out later, it would be after she retired.

Han Tao stopped typing, pushed up his glasses, and sighed. “You think I don’t want to? But my mom always says making money isn't easy, and if the house is renovated, people will think we’re wealthy.” This situation also frustrated Han Tao. “Even getting an air conditioner—my mom is too reluctant to use it.” Han Tao thought that even though his mother knew he and Qiqi had a fair amount of money now, she still hated spending it, insisting they needed to save because they still owed the bank so much. What could he do?

Wang Qiqi fell silent. Her future mother-in-law was the absolute epitome of frugality. “Oh, right, Wang Rui will be there that day too. Don’t get entangled with her.” Wang Qiqi switched to cautioning Han Tao. Although the man now had a boyfriend, Wang Qiqi suspected Wang Rui might not be settled yet; her current fixation on becoming rich was too deep, forcing Wang Qiqi to be vigilant. “And they might exchange barbed words then.”

“Wang Rui, you know what I think of that girl. She’s too calculating; she’ll suffer a big loss. Few men would marry her. Having some calculation is normal, but she's always looking for a rich man. Do rich men really want to marry her? Don't forget Gao Kai from back then.” Han Tao felt that if Wang Rui looked for a decent man earnestly, she wouldn't be unsuccessful, but the problem was her impatience.

Wang Qiqi understood Wang Rui’s mentality. “I won’t try to persuade her. If her life turns out well, that’s her fate. If she runs into a second Gao Kai, I’ll celebrate. But if she really meets another Gao Kai, I think she’ll collapse.” Although making Wang Rui collapse seemed difficult. “Of course, I hope she lives a good life. Anyway, we won't interact much in the future.” As life got better after her rebirth, and Wang Rui’s life became increasingly tragic, Wang Qiqi’s hatred for her slowly diminished. One shouldn't dwell on past unhappiness; thinking about it too much only upsets oneself. “In short, stay away from her; I don't trust her.”

Han Tao looked at Wang Qiqi, who was anxiously pulling at him and giving him one instruction after another, and smiled. He pulled Wang Qiqi close and gave her a deep kiss. Despite sleeping in the same bed recently, their encounters had been few. “I’m almost done with my work; should we take a nap?”

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected that in broad daylight, after having just gotten out of bed, the man would want to go back. “Okay.” Wang Qiqi didn't stand on ceremony. It was just the two of them at home, and it was still a long time before her mother-in-law got off work.

Wang Qiqi hooked her arm through Han Tao’s. Carrying only a small basket of fruit, they ambled into Wang Damei’s house. As expected, they saw Wang Rui and Wang Dagui. Thinking it was Little New Year’s Eve, Wang Qiqi decided there was no need to be stern with them and offered them a smile instead.

To Wang Qiqi, this was merely a polite gesture, but Wang Rui interpreted it differently. She thought she really needed to find a rich boyfriend; otherwise, how could she command everyone's attention? Didn't her usually doting aunt ask her a few kind questions, and didn't even the usually cold Wang Qiqi offer her a smile? What did this mean? It meant that only with wealth would they treat her as an equal. “Qiqi, you’re here. Oh, is the person beside you Brother-in-law? Didn’t you say Brother-in-law was going to the States?” Wang Rui wondered if Wang Qiqi had exaggerated and the US side had canceled Han Tao’s trip, and she couldn't imagine how Qiqi would cover up the lie.

Song Ziwen happened to enter, supporting Yang Jing. Seeing Han Tao, he winked conspiratorially. The three men had had a very pleasant talk last time, provided one overlooked the failure to pull Han Tao into the "gentlemen's side" of the conversation; that gathering had otherwise been quite good. “Qiqi, Han Tao, you’ve arrived. Oh, on the second day of the New Year, Yang Jing and I are going back to my in-laws’ place. My brother-in-law is free, and my sister is going shopping over there, so they can drive you. That way, it’s convenient for family to drive you to the airport on the third.” Song Ziwen was actually quite displeased that Han Tao was leaving right after the New Year. Leaving early for the US last year was one thing, but this year he was staying in the country for the holiday, so he should at least leave a couple of days later.

Wang Qiqi had originally planned to see Han Tao off at the airport, but Han Tao insisted against it, saying he didn’t want Qiqi to have to take the train back alone during the New Year holiday. She hadn't expected the Song Yao couple to coincidentally be leaving on the second day of the New Year. Wang Qiqi knew Song Yao had likely arranged this intentionally. “Alright, I’ll treat my sister to dinner and accommodation then.” Wang Qiqi was now wondering if she should invite Luo Hongjuan. Honestly, Han Tao had traveled abroad several times, but Luo Hongjuan had never seen him off at the airport once, not even when Han Tao went to register at Beijing University—Luo Hongjuan hadn’t seen him off at the train station or met him upon his return.

Wang Rui was surprised to hear Han Tao was still going to the US. She looked at Wang Dagui, who nodded at her. “Brother-in-law, if you’re going to the US, could you bring some things back for me?” Wang Rui hoped Brother-in-law could mail things directly from the US to her school; then she could show off to her classmates, perhaps letting them know she also had relatives abroad.

Han Tao was surprised by how quickly Wang Rui had changed her attitude from one of scorn to asking him to bring things. He turned to look at Wang Qiqi, signaling to her whether she agreed.

Wang Qiqi certainly wouldn't object to Wang Rui’s request. “No problem. I’ll help my sister and the others bring things back. I’ll charge ten points handling fee on top of the US local price multiplied by the exchange rate.” Wang Qiqi gave Wang Rui a sidelong glance. It wasn't that Wang Qiqi was unwilling to send things; it was just that if this person was given an inch of kindness, she would definitely take a mile. She couldn’t let her develop a taste for endless demands.

Wang Rui was annoyed that Wang Qiqi immediately brought up money, making her a little angry. Hmph, it was just a trip to the US, but she managed to hold back. “Oh, you charge a handling fee to bring things back? Qiqi, isn't that a bit much?” Wang Rui thought, how could she not let go of such a small amount of money? “When Uncle and Aunt were still here…”

“They are gone. Besides, how much does a round-trip ticket to the US cost Han Tao? How can we not make some profit? Furthermore, adding ten points is still cheaper than buying domestically. It’s up to you whether you want it or not. But I take payment first, then delivery.” Wang Qiqi completely ignored the scornful tone. She insisted on taking the small money; what could Wang Rui do? In any case, if you want things brought back through her, that's the rule.