The moment Han Tao emerged from the customs gate, Gong Peixing was the only one standing aside, while his own wife and Song Yao were deep in lively conversation, laughing heartily, completely failing to notice him. Alas, even though he was standing right at the exit, he knew she was there to meet him, but why was she standing with her back to him? Han Tao was thoroughly annoyed that his wife, Wang Qiqi, hadn't noticed his arrival immediately. He carefully pushed his luggage cart behind Wang Qiqi and wrapped his arms around her.

Just as he leaned in to kiss her, Wang Qiqi delivered a sharp chop to him. "Ow, ow! Qiqi, you don't have to commit spousal murder, do you?" Han Tao cried out loudly. Although the cry was slightly exaggerated, Han Tao genuinely felt the sting.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected the groper to be Han Tao. She had been chatting animatedly with Song Yao and, feeling a bit tired, had turned to lean against the railing. She hadn't been leaning there long before someone pressed up behind her and grabbed her waist. How could this not anger Wang Qiqi?

In her panicked defensive reaction, her strike was naturally forceful, but she hadn't realized it was Han Tao. Alas... Still, Wang Qiqi didn't believe she was wrong. She spun around furiously, raising a fist at Han Tao.

"I say, you're back from overseas and already picking up bad foreign habits." Hmph, even if you missed me terribly, couldn't you have at least announced yourself first? Han Tao felt deeply wronged, but looking at Wang Qiqi’s face, he decided against pressing the issue now if he wanted to make it to bed tonight. After all, settling this score later would be far more advantageous—he could calculate some interest, for instance. With this thought, Han Tao plastered his face with an expression of profound guilt.

"Qiqi, I'm sorry, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to surprise you." A surprise? Wang Qiqi conceded it was intended as a surprise. But the problem was, she stared at Han Tao, her smile anything but genuine, for a long moment.

"Do you think that was more of a shock or a delight?" Wang Qiqi admitted to herself that she had been quite ruthless with Han Tao, hidden from Song Yao and the others. Han Tao felt a sudden, sharp pain in his lower back, but he had to endure it. He knew he couldn't cry out, or things would truly get grim. "Wife, I was wrong, I was wrong." Wang Qiqi also realized she might have gone too far, and a flicker of guilt surfaced.

After all, who meets someone at the airport by chatting away and ignoring the exit, especially while facing away from it? Furthermore, the more smug he was now, the more fiercely he would likely retaliate later. Thinking this, Wang Qiqi shivered slightly and immediately looped her arm through Han Tao’s. "Were you tired on the flight?

Did you enjoy the plane food? Go home and rest for a bit. Sister and I need to take care of some business first. Give me your ID card, and I’ll treat you to a wonderful dinner tonight." Song Yao had been eagerly watching to see how Wang Qiqi would discipline her husband, but she was stunned that in the blink of an eye, her younger sister had completely changed tactics, becoming overly attentive and solicitous toward her brother-in-law.

This made Song Yao realize her brother-in-law was quite the capable man. Gong Peixing was also momentarily dumbfounded. While the sisters weren't looking, he gave Han Tao a discreet thumbs-up, signaling his admiration. Gong Peixing thought to himself: no wonder this man stood out among the many suitors with seemingly better qualifications than him who pursued Wang Qiqi; he clearly had some hidden skills.

Though Gong Peixing felt envious of Han Tao, it was only a fleeting envy; he understood some things just couldn't be earned by wishing. Han Tao could only manage a wry smile. He couldn't explain to Gong Peixing that what they had just witnessed was only the facade; Qiqi had actually hit him, and quite hard, too—his back was probably bruised already. "By the way, why didn't my mom come?" Han Tao looked around, noticing his mother wasn't there, but he assumed it was because there wasn't enough space, so he didn't press the issue further.

"Mom heard you were coming back and hasn't been able to sleep soundly since the day before yesterday," Wang Qiqi reported. She explained that Luo Hongjuan had completely forgotten about the shop, spending her days counting down the days until Han Tao’s return, constantly muttering about how much weight her son might have lost. "Mom has changed the menu countless times!" That's the difference between a mother and a mother-in-law, Wang Qiqi thought jealously, certain that Luo Hongjuan wouldn't show her the same consideration if she had traveled back alone. Wang Qiqi’s words gave Han Tao pause.

He knew Qiqi was comparing their mothers’ attitudes toward him and her. "Qiqi..." He couldn't criticize his mother, nor could he dismiss Qiqi's feelings. "I will be very good to you," was all Han Tao could manage to say. Luo Hongjuan had rushed to the market early that morning to buy plenty of delicious ingredients, then stayed home to cook, intending to nourish her son properly.

While washing vegetables, she noticed the nice sunlight and suddenly remembered she hadn't taken her son's quilt out to air. Alas, that child Wang Qiqi never thought of such details—no, it wasn't just Wang Qiqi; none of these young people were accustomed to airing their bedding. After hanging the quilt out, Luo Hongjuan busied herself with cooking. Just as she was finishing up, she saw her son and the others arrive.

When Luo Hongjuan saw her son entering the house, she couldn't hold back her tears. If it weren't for the chicken soup she needed to keep simmering for him, she might have collapsed right there. "Taotao, you've lost so much weight." She wondered if her child always came back this thin after visiting America. Making money under the capitalists truly was hard work.

"Mom, I bought a free-range chicken for you to restore your strength. Qiqi has also gotten thin recently. I was busy too, so we can both use some nourishment." Even though he was an afterthought, Wang Qiqi felt pleased that her mother-in-law included her. She managed a polite expression.

"Thank you, Mom." At least it was better than some mothers-in-law who couldn't even manage a superficial gesture. Luo Hongjuan beckoned to Song Yao and the others standing nearby. "Since you’re here, come eat. We can discuss business after the meal." She turned to her son and noticed his exhaustion.

"Taotao, are you coming this afternoon?" Han Tao yawned and shook his head. "I won't go. I’ll just sleep at home. I’ll give my ID card to Qiqi, and that’s enough." For Han Tao, having his name on the shop deed was insignificant; he never imagined separating from Qiqi.

But he understood Qiqi's concerns and Luo Hongjuan's worries. "Then let's eat. And Taotao, sleep a little less this afternoon so you don't stay up all night," Luo Hongjuan cautioned before going in to serve the dishes. Han Tao thought to himself that he absolutely needed to sleep in the afternoon to build up enough energy to teach Qiqi a lesson, didn't he?

But in front of his mother, Han Tao was a very good son; he nodded in agreement with his mother’s advice. Luo Hongjuan didn't overthink it; she busied herself serving food to her son and daughter-in-law. "Song Yao, you all eat more. I’ll make something fresh tonight." Song Yao never declined a good meal and quickly and accurately dove in with her chopsticks.

"Auntie, your cooking is perfect. Can I come over for meals from now on?" Song Yao’s own cooking was merely edible. Before marriage, Wang Damei cooked; after marriage, she lived with her parents. Her culinary skills were definitely at the 'edible' level, certainly not 'delicious.' Song Yao had worried about the food situation for her family of three after moving to Beijing.

Adults could make do, but her stubborn boy would never humor her; if he said he wouldn't eat, he wouldn't eat. Song Yao couldn't have her son eating takeout or fast food every day—not because she lacked the means, but because restaurant food was often too oily and heavily seasoned, which would ruin a child’s stomach over time. Now, with Luo Hongjuan around, Song Yao no longer had to worry about this issue. Wang Qiqi’s mouth dropped wide open.

Heavens, she thought her older sister was calculating things too shrewdly. "Sis, you really live up to being a businesswoman—first making my mom earn money for you, and now making her cook for you..." Wang Qiqi was speechless. To be honest, she had never once considered asking Luo Hongjuan to run errands or cook, but her sister was being completely shameless. Wang Qiqi shot Song Yao a sharp look, signaling her to restrain herself.

Luo Hongjuan didn't read into it. "It's fine, I have to cook anyway. It’s livelier when there are more people eating." Luo Hongjuan had mostly been eating alone these past two years; only when Qiqi came home did they eat together. Otherwise, it was quite lonely.

Song Yao became momentarily smug and winked teasingly at Wang Qiqi. "Thank you, Auntie, you’re the best." Wang Qiqi just sighed and focused on her rice. Song Yao noticed Wang Qiqi was constantly taking pieces of braised pork and got agitated. "Qiqi, you are too mean!" She knew Auntie's braised pork was Song Yao’s absolute favorite, and Qiqi didn't even care much for meat.

Yet, she was still fighting her for it—wasn't that clearly bullying her? Wang Qiqi snatched the last piece of braised pork before Song Yao could reach it and gave her a triumphant smile. "Mom, your braised pork is amazing. It’s my favorite meat you make." Song Yao was initially annoyed, thinking her younger sister was deliberately showing her up by fighting her for the last piece of meat.

But when she looked closely at the piece of meat, her anger dissolved, and she began staring at Wang Qiqi with a sly smile. She certainly didn't believe that 'someone' would eat the large piece of fat attached to that meat. Watching Song Yao's expression shift instantly from anger to delight, Wang Qiqi found it very strange. The moment she bit into the large piece, she understood why Song Yao was looking at her that way.

Wang Qiqi deeply regretted fighting for the meat just to provoke someone; not only did it leave her stomach feeling oily, but she had also ended up eating the fatty piece she disliked most. Song Yao watched Wang Qiqi’s face contort in displeasure and felt a burst of inner happiness. Take that for snatching the meat from me! Han Tao noticed his wife’s expression was off.

Upon closer inspection, he understood. He picked up his chopsticks and swiftly took the half-eaten piece of meat from Wang Qiqi's mouth. What a silly girl—disliking fatty meat and still fighting for it, and then failing to pass the undesirable part to him even after biting into it. However, he knew she was behaving this way because her mother was present; otherwise, she would have already placed that piece into his bowl.