Luo Hongjuan finished washing the dishes and walked into the living room, seeing Wang Qiqi busy at the computer. "Emailing Taotao?" She calculated the time; her son should have arrived in the US and settled in by now.

Wang Qiqi sent the email and nodded, then handed Luo Hongjuan the dried longan and red date tea she had steeped earlier. "Mhm, he arrived. The trip was smooth. I told him to rest quickly, otherwise, once he gets busy, who knows how much downtime he’ll have." Wang Qiqi recalled how some fool had once told her that sleeping on the plane was quite nice and he planned to go straight to work; it infuriated her. Honestly, what a foolish person who doesn't know how to slack off! Capitalists are capitalists, they will squeeze you dry, so you must take every chance to rest when you can.

"Ugh, he isn't actually thinking of going to work, is he? What a silly boy." Luo Hongjuan thought. Her son had been on a plane for so long, and the seats were so cramped; even if he could sleep, it couldn't have been comfortable. How could he still be thinking about work? "Oh right, Qiqi, do you have time? Could you tell me a bit about the branding stuff? I just want to be able to get started smoothly when I go over." Although asking her daughter-in-law for advice felt a bit hard to bring up, Luo Hongjuan reasoned, should she forgo asking just to save face? Besides, embarrassing herself in front of family was surely better than embarrassing herself and missing out on business in front of clients later on.

Wang Qiqi heard Luo Hongjuan and nodded, indicating it was no problem. However, she still asked cautiously, "Mom, why are you suddenly thinking of going into business with Yao Yao jie? While running a purchasing agency might seem easy now, it's not entirely straightforward. Also, Mom, do you feel like I’ve been taking care of my sister's family too much?" This was something Wang Qiqi had pondered alone in bed after returning. After all, Old Mrs. Han had openly commented on how much she was supporting her maiden family. Wang Qiqi wondered if Luo Hongjuan had taken that to heart.

If anyone else had heard the daughter-in-law say that, few mothers-in-law would have been happy. But Luo Hongjuan wasn't displeased at all when Wang Qiqi asked. In her view, this was Qiqi treating her like a real mother; only mother and daughter would question each other so frankly. "How could I think that? I know my limits, Mom. I can certainly help out, but making all the decisions on my own? I don't have that capability. I also felt that if I stayed here, sooner or later something about the Han family affairs would blow up, and I wouldn't be able to escape. But if I go to the capital, I can avoid it. Plus, Qiqi, you'll be a senior in college next semester, and Song Yao mentioned she might not go to the capital until after the New Year. She worried she wouldn't be able to take over the business smoothly then, so she asked if I was willing to go. I thought about it and agreed. To be honest, after agreeing, I was quite worried—what if I mess up the business and can’t account for it?"

Since Luo Hongjuan had put it that way, Wang Qiqi voiced her own concerns. "If it were my business, I wouldn't care if it succeeded or failed. But this is Song Yao and her husband's business; they gave up everything here to start a new life in the capital. Although they made the decision, if it weren't for my connection, they wouldn't have considered going to the capital. No matter what, I must consider my sister and her husband. In the capital, many things need to be taken into account. Since you’ve made up your mind, Mom, I’m sure you’ll do well." Wang Qiqi knew Luo Hongjuan was resolute; once she made a decision, she would see it through. Moreover, how could you know she wasn't a capable salesperson if you didn't let her try? Most importantly, Luo Hongjuan was the best listener. While she might not always give the best advice, she offered a sense of security, which was quite useful in the purchasing agency business. After all, this business relied on repeat customers, and maintaining relationships with old clients depended on your skill. "Let's just tell Song Yao we want to become partners later."

In Wang Qiqi’s estimation, even though Han Tao was good at making money, given Luo Hongjuan's personality, she wouldn't be willing to take Han Tao's money. Therefore, the best solution was to let Luo Hongjuan earn her own money.

Luo Hongjuan hadn't considered the matter of shares at all and quickly waved her hand. "No need for all that trouble. A salary will be fine." Song Yao’s offered salary wasn't low, plus commission. Furthermore, Luo Hongjuan didn't have a strong need for money. People wanted to earn more for the sake of their descendants; when it came to herself, she didn't think that far ahead. Song Yao knew that even if she stopped working now and lived a retired life at home, she could certainly live comfortably. But that wasn't what Luo Hongjuan wanted, nor did she expect to become a shareholder just by helping out.

Wang Qiqi wouldn't have brought up shares out of the blue. Even if she hadn't discussed it with Song Yao, she knew Song Yao wasn't foolish. She understood that to maintain a good relationship, getting along well with Luo Hongjuan was absolutely crucial. Wang Qiqi found it hard to believe Song Yao hadn't considered this when bringing Luo Hongjuan on board. As for the shares, even if it wasn't mentioned now, Song Yao would bring it up later. "Mom, my sister will definitely give you shares. After Han Tao and I go abroad, we won't communicate with her as much, and you staying in the country will become the link between her and me." Even relatives need maintenance, especially a relationship like the one between herself and Song Yao, which was more heavily sustained by mutual interest and thus required more nurturing.

Luo Hongjuan wasn't a fool either; after a brief thought, she understood. If Song Yao truly intended to give her shares, Luo Hongjuan wouldn't refuse; she could just leave them to her grandchildren later.

Song Yao arrived at Qiqi’s house carrying some fruit, grinning widely while Luo Hongjuan was at work. She looked up at Wang Qiqi with an ingratiating expression, and Wang Qiqi knew she was there to gauge her reaction to a fait accompli. Wang Qiqi played along, maintaining a stern face while sitting on the sofa.

Song Yao had waited a few days to visit, assuming Qiqi had already smoothed things over with Luo Hongjuan. She hadn't expected her cousin to act this way. Song Yao regretted not bringing Taotao along so she could chat comfortably with Wang Qiqi. Although that little boy sometimes caused minor trouble, his presence would undoubtedly have made the atmosphere much more congenial in a situation like this. "Qiqi, I know it was wrong of me not to consult you before..."

Wang Qiqi really couldn't hold it in any longer. Moreover, Wang Qiqi worried that if she pushed someone too hard, they might reveal something she shouldn't know. Wang Qiqi estimated she would definitely suffer if that happened, so she burst out laughing. "Okay, I know you didn't mean it. I just felt my reaction wasn't adequate because you hadn't briefed me beforehand. It’s a good thing I already sorted out the issue of the son-in-law marrying into the family with Han Tao’s mother; otherwise..." Wang Qiqi felt a lingering fear thinking about the succession of problems. If they hadn't sat down to communicate, everyone bottling things up would eventually lead to an explosion, and the language and attitudes used then would become ugly. What a relief!

Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi raising a small fist towards her and felt a wave of relief herself. "I was reckless, I was truly reckless." She had mistakenly thought that by getting on Luo Hongjuan's good side, she could grow closer to Wang Qiqi, but she hadn't realized there were so many nuances involved. She had been completely thoughtless; Qiqi’s anger was entirely justified. "By the way, have you two ironed everything out now?"

Wang Qiqi hummed an affirmative, though with a bit of annoyance. "If I hadn't completely settled things with my mother-in-law, do you think you'd be sitting here comfortably? I would have stormed over to your place demanding an explanation long ago."

Song Yao could only offer a foolish smile. "I just thought Auntie is quite good at communicating with people. Even though I had a small selfish motive, you must know that if she weren't competent, I, as a businesswoman, would absolutely not have brought her on. Of course, if she does well, shares are guaranteed. When I go establish myself in the capital, I’ll leave everything here to Yang Jing; whether it succeeds or fails depends on her ability. As for me, I plan to make a name for myself in the capital. Once I have money, I’ll buy houses; you shouldn't just keep money on hand—people turn bad once they get rich." Song Yao thought she really should have listened to Qiqi and turned money into property; houses offer the greatest security for any contingency.

Wang Qiqi looked at Song Yao in surprise. "Why the sudden existential musing? Did your husband do something to wrong you?" But then she realized that couldn't be right; if Gong Peixing had done something, Song Yao wouldn't be sitting here calmly. In Wang Qiqi’s view, it would have been an absolute uproar.

"Your husband hasn't done anything to wrong me. I'm just preparing for possibilities," Song Yao said calmly. Wang Qiqi, watching the composed Song Yao, internally grumbled that in hypothetical situations, everyone’s mindset was excellent, but once something actually happened, even the strongest heart could be crushed by setbacks. "Auntie, after she comes over in March, Qiqi, you should take her to look at some storefronts. If you think a place is good, finalize it, and then start the renovation. I plan to have the shop up and running by summer vacation..." Song Yao explained her vision. "Then Auntie can hold down the fort in the capital, and by the time I arrive, the market should be open."

Wang Qiqi could only offer a wry smile. "What does opening a store have to do with me? So, I'm supposed to help find the location, then be responsible for the renovation, and maybe even help hire staff, plus offer some support when Han Tao's mother arrives?" That calculation was certainly precise. Perhaps without Luo Hongjuan, Wang Qiqi could have refused some of it, but now that Luo Hongjuan was involved, there was no way Wang Qiqi would refuse—she would handle it all the more diligently.

Song Yao managed an embarrassed smile at Wang Qiqi's accusation. "I'll pay you a salary, I'll pay you wages. You won't be working for free."

Hearing this, Wang Qiqi’s mouth twisted in annoyance. "What? You mean you weren't planning on paying me?!" Heavens, people really weren't wrong when they said capitalists were stingy, especially the smaller the business owner, the stingier they were.