Wang Qiqi watched Luo Hongjuan enter the room with a smile, even humming a tune, and she couldn't help but wonder if the old woman had given her another favorable reception today. Ever since Song Yao made her presence felt in the hospital room that day, whether it was Wang Qiqi visiting or Luo Hongjuan stopping by after work for a short visit with the old lady, the reception had been nothing but pleasant, filled with solicitous inquiries about life, work, or studies. This alone had been enough to surprise Wang Qiqi, but to find that Luo Hongjuan received the same treatment made them secretly chuckle; this old madam was clearly someone who feared the strong and preyed on the weak. From then on, Luo Hongjuan no longer treated Old Madam Han with the same excessive deference as before, and she certainly didn't bring up the topic of keeping vigil anymore.

Even when some tactless relatives mentioned it, Luo Hongjuan would calmly state that things would proceed as they did when the family split up. Moreover, the Ding Meina couple had only shown up on the very first day of the old lady's hospitalization, never reappearing since, whereas Wang Qiqi visited almost daily. The contrast spoke volumes. Luo Hongjuan felt an immediate warmth envelop her as she returned to the room.

Although this comfort had been purchased with money, hot food was already laid out on the dining table. "It truly feels good to have people at home," someone to talk to, someone cooking, someone to consult with when things arise. Wang Qiqi brought out her rice bowl. "Han Jun still hasn't come?" The old lady had aged considerably these past few days, yet her favorite grandson hadn't appeared once.

At first, the old lady would often confide in Wang Qiqi, complaining about how difficult Ding Meina was, keeping her own husband in check and preventing Han Jun from visiting. Wang Qiqi thought to herself that if he truly wished to visit, what excuse could prevent him from slipping away? Was Ding Meina really staking out the place to stop him? Luo Hongjuan nodded, taking her bowl to start eating.

"The old lady is being discharged tomorrow. Qiqi, is your train to the capital that night?" Luo Hongjuan suddenly remembered she hadn't prepared the luggage for Qiqi's trip to the capital yet, and some necessary items still needed buying. She had been completely flustered by that old woman. Thankfully, Luo Hongjuan had already requested the day off; she planned to take the old lady home from the hospital in the morning, and then head out to shop for things.

Wang Qiqi let out an "Mmm," confirming, "Train ticket for tomorrow night." In fact, Shi Man and Zhu Lina had already left two days prior, and tomorrow was the official registration day. Wang Qiqi could no longer delay, though she hadn't mentioned any of this to Luo Hongjuan, despite her assurances that it was fine for Wang Qiqi to go to school. Wang Qiqi simply didn't dare to leave her alone. Luo Hongjuan responded with an "Oh." "Will your brother be seeing you off tomorrow?" Luo Hongjuan knew Song Ziwen worked at the train station and could escort Wang Qiqi straight inside, saving her the trouble of crowding with the masses.

"My brother is driving me to the train. Tomorrow is going to be a minor rush hour anyway," Wang Qiqi mused, feeling that having a relative working at the station was truly convenient, at least for avoiding long waits in the departure hall and getting onto the train quickly. Song Ziwen sat in the driver's seat, watching Wang Qiqi hoist a large backpack, a rolling suitcase, and a red-and-white plastic bag. His eyes nearly popped out.

He wondered if his little sister was fleeing a disaster. He could help load the items onto the train here, but how on earth would she manage to haul everything out of the station once they reached the capital? After settling into the car, Wang Qiqi waved to Luo Hongjuan. "Mom, you head back now.

Call me if anything comes up, and take care of yourself." Luo Hongjuan nodded, waving back. "Call me as soon as you get to the capital." Wang Qiqi watched Luo Hongjuan's figure shrink in the distance. "Brother, later, can you take that red-and-white plastic bag back with you?" Looking at so much luggage made Wang Qiqi’s head spin. While the car’s destination was the capital, so there was no fear of missing the stop, the problem was precisely because it was the terminus, the sheer volume of disembarking passengers meant that she, with her slight frame, would struggle with all this stuff, especially the heavy laptop bag that felt like it was bending her in half.

Song Ziwen glanced at the mound of belongings, then pondered. "I'll see if anyone I know is on duty. If so, I’ll ask them to help carry it out past the station exit." Although he owed someone a favor, Song Ziwen would gladly use it if it was for Qiqi's sake. "Your mother-in-law is coming to the capital in March.

If she ever accidentally finds out you didn't deliver this package, you can imagine the consequences." Song Ziwen's logic was sound, especially since this collection of items had been specially procured by Luo Hongjuan from several different places. Wang Qiqi considered: if she couldn't leave it at home, then she would have to endure the hardship herself. The suitcase had wheels; she could probably balance the plastic bag on top and drag it slowly. "No need, Brother.

I can manage it myself." "You can?" When Song Ziwen loaded the luggage into the trunk, the sheer weight was immense, not to mention the backpack on Wang Qiqi's shoulder wasn't light either—the weight of at least one laptop. Wang Qiqi forced a grimace. "If I can't, I have to be able to." At that moment, Wang Qiqi desperately missed Han Tao, but alas, the man was busy serving the interests of the vile capitalists. Though Wang Qiqi had spoken with breezy confidence in front of Song Ziwen, acting as if she had everything under control, her heart sank when she disembarked the train looking like a refugee loaded with bags.

"Ugh, all this stuff. How am I supposed to get it into a taxi?" All along the journey, Wang Qiqi had hoped some Good Samaritan would appear, or at the very least, a paid porter. But when she finally managed to drag everything to the station entrance, seeing porters everywhere only filled her with a profound sense of melancholy—was her personal karma really that poor? Wang Qiqi strained to load the luggage into the taxi.

Once seated, she was already panting. "So tired, so hot." Despite how cold it must have been outside in the middle of winter, Wang Qiqi distinctly felt overheated. The driver noticed her fanning herself frantically in the back seat. "Are you a university student, young lady?

Your parents packed so much for you." Parents nowadays worry that their children studying away from home might suffer and tend to pack excessively. It was a pity that many children failed to appreciate their parents' thoughtfulness, viewing it instead as nagging. Wang Qiqi nodded. "Yes, quite a lot.

Someone helped carry it when we boarded, but here, it’s all up to me." Wang Qiqi pinched the bridge of her nose. Honestly, she didn't know how she would manage to carry all this upstairs later. Dropping it off at Daizi’s place would have been ideal—they ate there anyway—but Wang Qiqi patted her pocket and realized she had forgotten her key in her apartment in the capital. She wasn't sure if Daizi and the others were home.

Resignedly, Wang Qiqi decided she would check if Daizi was around first; if he was, that would be best. "Sir, wait for me a moment," Wang Qiqi instructed the driver, adding, "I’m just going to check if my friend is home." Although this felt slightly risky with all the luggage unattended, Wang Qiqi had to gamble. Of course, she had kept the laptop and other valuables in the backpack she carried off the train. Wang Qiqi got out of the car, frequently glancing back to ensure the taxi was still there.

Fortunately, Daizi was just walking out of the building corridor. He saw Wang Qiqi carrying only a computer bag. "Qiqi, you’re only back now?" Wasn't today the day for your school registration? "Oh right, is Han Tao's grandmother feeling much better?" Dai Lijun knew Wang Qiqi was delayed because of Han Tao's grandmother’s illness.

"She's discharged." Wang Qiqi grabbed Dai Lijun's hand and hurried back towards the car. "Hurry up and help move this stuff down, then I'll take my bags upstairs. There’s a lot of cured meat in here; have your person cook it." Dai Lijun stared at the massive, bulging plastic bag, then looked at Wang Qiqi's small frame, shaking his head helplessly. He truly couldn't fathom how this girl managed to haul such heavy things onto and off the train.

Humans, he thought, truly possess infinite potential. "You think Weiwei is your personal chef?" "Hmph. If I didn't bring stuff back, would your woman stop cooking?" Hmph, as if I'm some terrible person. Wang Qiqi waved her hand.

"Hurry up and get the stuff down; I still need to register at school." Dai Lijun glanced at Wang Qiqi, who was clearly acting as foreman from the side, and sighed. "Good thing you aren't my woman, otherwise, heaven knows what that would entail. Only your Han Tao can handle you." Wang Qiqi returned the slightly mocking tone without restraint. "If my boyfriend were you, I would die of anger—a guy who only eats and never works." Her own man, at least, helped with chores, cooked simple meals, and did housework, but Daizi was truly dense.

She wondered how his parents had raised him. "Someone who's studying abroad in the second half of the year needs mandatory special training," Wang Qiqi said with poorly concealed malice. Dai Lijun, who was about to complain further, felt a sudden jolt when he heard Wang Qiqi’s words. This girl was too good at inciting people.

He absolutely did not want to learn cooking; it seemed too troublesome. "Qiqi, you are the best! I always tell Han Tao how lucky he is to have found such a virtuous girlfriend..." In that moment, good words flowed out continuously; dignity mattered little. Dai Lijun understood one thing: women should never be offended.

Wang Qiqi watched Dai Lijun instantly become overly solicitous. Indeed, people only became diligent when sufficiently stimulated. The driver hadn't expected the young girl to come out so quickly, accompanied by a young man. The driver started murmuring to himself—could this be the girl's live-in boyfriend?

But then he heard the conversation between the girl and the young man and understood; they weren't lovers, but classmates or perhaps very good friends.