This very day, Song Ziwen felt, was destined to be one of the most memorable of his life. Though his parents hadn't been entirely pleased that Yang Jing had given birth to a daughter, fortunately, even if they harbored dissatisfaction, their demeanor toward Yang Jing and their granddaughter remained suitably affectionate. As for the petty, sour remarks from some relatives, Song Ziwen simply dismissed them as so much flatulence.

Song Ziwen had always told Yang Jing that raising a successful daughter was far better than dealing with a troublesome son. Look at Wang Qiqi, for instance. Furthermore, Song Ziwen reasoned that men like his brother-in-law—and himself, for that matter—often relied on the wife's family after marriage. If he cultivated a good relationship with his daughter and son-in-law down the line, wouldn't that be even better? It might turn out to be superior to having a son.

Song Ziwen had been frantically busy for days preparing for his daughter's hundred-day celebration. Even though the child was too young to remember, that didn't matter. He had even hired a photographer to document the entire event, intending to show the pictures to his daughter when she was older, though it had cost a significant sum. Privately, Wang Damei had often grumbled to Song Yao about spending so much money on a girl, but she only ever muttered a few times; in front of Song Ziwen and Yang Jing, she said nothing. This was a relief to Song Yao, as long as Song Ziwen was happy with his daughter. If the mother-in-law started criticizing, it would put Yang Jing in a terrible position.

Although Yang Jing's parents thought Song Ziwen’s extravagance for the daughter’s hundred-day banquet was a bit much, they were inwardly quite gratified. After the ultrasound confirmed they were expecting a girl, they had worried about how the in-laws would react. After all, Song Ziwen was the only male grandchild of their generation; surely the Song family would have expectations, yet now there was only a great-granddaughter. They recalled that when the news was delivered outside the delivery room, Song Ziwen's expression flickered for just a moment, but then he resumed his usual composure. They pretended not to have noticed that moment of awkwardness. Their son-in-law had perfectly executed his devotion to his granddaughter. Yang Jing often mentioned, albeit with a slight, tart edge to her voice, that this was because Song Ziwen wished to raise a daughter as excellent as Wang Qiqi. But to the elder Yang couple, regardless of the standards Song Ziwen set for his granddaughter, it mattered only that he loved the child.

Wang Qiqi was stunned upon entering the venue. She knew Song Ziwen had boastfully claimed his daughter’s hundred-day celebration would be a grand affair, but she hadn't anticipated this scale. The main color theme of the hall was pink, plastered everywhere with photos of Song Meiniou. Even more strikingly, the man had hosted the event in a buffet restaurant. While this setup felt a little unconventional to some, the ability to sit with favored company—or mingle between different groups—was a delight. Though some older guests seemed less than thrilled, the younger set was thoroughly satisfied, beaming with joy. The children were even happier, darting between the food stations and their parents or relatives. It was vibrant, almost chaotic, making Wang Qiqi feel as though she were in a marketplace.

"My heavens, this must have bankrupted him." Though, viewing it through the lens of later eras, Wang Qiqi found some elements a bit provincial, overall it was quite impressive. "I suspect Sister-in-law will be jealous; even the wedding wasn't decorated this lavishly." Usually, wedding banquets set the standard for extravagance, while occasions like a child’s full-month celebration were much more modest. But their great landowner, Song Ziwen, was clearly different.

Though his daughter was his own flesh and blood, as a woman, seeing such obvious differential treatment from her husband did not sit well with Wang Qiqi. "If you ever dare treat me this way in the future, I won't let you off easily. At the very least, my wedding cannot be less grand than our child's banquet." Why should her own lavishly earned money result in a less significant celebration than one thrown for their non-earning baby?

Han Tao was equally astonished upon arriving. He kept craning his neck, wondering if he should host a similar grand celebration for his own child someday. Before he could voice this thought to Wang Qiqi, she preemptively turned sharp. "Don't worry, our wedding will certainly be grand." Han Tao was too astute to make the blunder of suggesting Qiqi was jealous of a mere infant. Showing affection to the child is also showing affection to the child's mother. However, when a woman is upset, one must simply agree with her words; otherwise, the consequences are swift and unpleasant.

Wang Qiqi inwardly scoffed, Say what you need to say. Did he think she was deaf or blind, not noticing how his eyes hadn't stopped scanning the room since they entered? "I hope so."

Han Tao knew Wang Qiqi didn't believe him. He murmured softly, "Rest assured, in my heart, you definitely hold a higher status than the child. The same status as my mother." Some things were his bottom line; he wouldn't claim Qiqi’s status surpassed his own mother’s just to appease her—frankly, such a statement was repulsive even to himself.

Being on the same level as Luo Hongjuan, Wang Qiqi felt quite content. She didn't share the desire of many young women to be placed first above all else. For Wang Qiqi, if a man could disregard the woman who bore him (unless that mother was truly despicable), eventually he would abandon his girlfriend too. "I am deeply honored. Alright, you go look around; I'm tired and don't want to wander."

Hearing Wang Qiqi say she was tired, Han Tao immediately dismissed the idea of wandering. "The decorations are fine with one look. The main point is the abundance of the child's photos everywhere. I imagine your brother was brimming with happiness while sticking these pictures up." For Song Ziwen, having a daughter was both a spur and a pressure.

"You can tell by the smug look on his face," Wang Qiqi said, observing the man beaming more brightly than he had on his wedding day. "Do you think Sister-in-law will make him sleep in the living room or the spare room?"

Han Tao almost said Qiqi, what you're doing isn't right, but what escaped his lips was different. "I think at least a week."

"Wrong. I think at least two weeks. I'll be right there adding fuel to Song Ziwen's misery," Song Yao said. After navigating a throng of relatives, she spotted Wang Qiqi and Han Tao sitting quietly in a corner, observing the socializing crowd, and walked over. "Why are you two just sitting? Go grab some food. I’m telling you, today’s standard is set at 150 per person. You two need to eat your money’s worth!"

One hundred and fifty per head? Wang Qiqi gasped. At this time, a banquet costing a thousand per table was considered quite lavish; Song Ziwen’s wedding banquet was budgeted at 1,200 (including drinks). Now, for his daughter's birth celebration, the standard had escalated. "I doubt I can eat my way to the break-even point," she admitted. With buffets, one never truly gets their money's worth. "But Sister, treating Song Ziwen like this, be careful he doesn't retaliate."

"Tch," Song Yao scoffed, thinking What have I to fear? "He’s been a bit too cocky lately, clearly not trying to hide it. Didn't you notice the jealous looks from some of his colleagues?" Song Ziwen used to be meticulous about not attracting undue attention, so why was he being so ostentatious now? Wasn't he just inviting resentment? Song Yao worried that his recent lapse might ruin the goodwill he had slowly been building.

Gong Peixing and Han Tao approached, carrying a few plates, and refuted Song Yao’s comment. "Do you think that kid Song Ziwen is an idiot? I think he’s happy to be a father on one hand, and on the other, he’s putting on a show for his colleagues. Didn't you hear? Apparently, Song Ziwen's section chief is about to be transferred, and several people are eyeing that position. Do you think Song Ziwen’s life will be easy?" Gong Peixing had spoken to his brother-in-law when he heard about the grand banquet, urging him to be mindful of appearances. But after hearing Song Ziwen’s explanation, Gong Peixing stopped advising him. "Ziwen just wants his colleagues to know that he has outside ventures and doesn't care if he gets a promotion at the office. After all, becoming a leader demands too much sacrifice."

"Ziwen's superior is being promoted?" Wang Qiqi recalled that this leader hadn't been in the post for very long. "Is it a good promotion?" If he moves to a department with real authority, that’s one thing, but if he’s moved up without any actual power, it’s worse than no promotion at all.

"Exactly." Song Yao asked nervously, "If he’s unhappy in the new post, he should just resign. We don't lack money; he can just find a new business venture." Though Song Ziwen’s official unit was good, Song Yao felt he was suffocating there. It was just that the boy seemed to enjoy it. If it were Song Yao, she would have quit long ago to avoid such frustrations. "Going home won't work. While business is good, do you think Mom would agree to both of them stopping work simultaneously? Besides, Ziwen loves a bit of diversion; it’s better for him to stay employed." Gong Peixing understood his brother-in-law well. If it weren't for various coincidences separating Song Ziwen from his gambling friends and colleagues, he might have already turned into a hopeless gambler.

Song Yao quieted down after Gong Peixing's explanation. Although Song Ziwen had improved, if someone tempted him and he had free time, he might revert to gambling. "But Ziwen not getting promoted isn't ideal either. He has backing now, but what about later..."

"You're mistaken. A technically skilled person like Ziwen, wanting to stay in the unit until retirement, is actually more reassuring to people. Don't worry; once the new leadership is settled, he’ll have good days again."

"Right, Sister, don't worry. Song Ziwen is too slick to end up poorly off," Wang Qiqi declared happily, enjoying the buffet. She had to admit, an upgraded buffet was quite nice; the food was delicious, and the ingredients seemed much better—the shrimp, for instance, were noticeably fresher.

Song Yao was just feeling anxious. Seeing Wang Qiqi enjoying her meal so much, she too dove into the feast. Her younger brother had spent so much money today; no matter what, she needed to eat her share back. (To be continued)