Wang Qiqi poked her slightly protruding stomach again, leveling another wave of self-contempt. She shouldn't have listened to Song Yao; spending so much money only to eat so little—in the end, wasn't her own body taking the loss?

After Song Ziwen saw the last guest out, he noticed Wang Qiqi was still lingering. “Didn’t you say you were going back to rest? Why haven’t you left?” Wasn't Song Yao supposed to be hosting the Luo family for dinner tonight?

“Mmm, the plan was to host them for lunch tomorrow, but someone had a conflict and switched it to tonight.” Wang Qiqi patted her slightly rounded belly. “I heard you’re buying a new place? Found any complexes you like?”

“I have. What about it?” Song Ziwen wondered why Wang Qiqi was asking about property complexes. “You’re not planning to buy a place too, are you?”

“Yes, I plan to buy a new apartment. Where I live now is simply too awful; there are far too many gossiping neighbors nearby.” Wang Qiqi recounted what happened when she visited home yesterday. “If things keep going like this, how can I trust leaving my things at home? Don't wait until I get back only to find everything has been hauled off.”

Song Ziwen was surprised such a thing could happen. “Ah, then you definitely need to move. Don't worry, when the time comes, buy a place right next door to mine. I can supervise the renovations and help air out your place regularly.”

Wang Qiqi had been waiting for exactly that confirmation. She patted Song Ziwen’s shoulder. “The difficult mission is entrusted to you. Alright, I won’t say more; I need to conserve my energy for the battle tonight. Also, Brother, you need to perform well when you get back today; Sister-in-law’s expression wasn't great earlier.” Seeing that the man was sensible enough, Wang Qiqi felt it necessary to offer this hint.

Song Ziwen knew what kind of scene awaited him when he returned, but he wasn't worried at all. “Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a grand gift that your sister-in-law will love.” With this gift, Song Ziwen was sure his wife would calm down. “Relax, your brother knows what he’s doing. Am I the type of person who acts without a plan?”

Wang Qiqi looked at the man starting to preen again and really wanted to tell him that he was precisely the type of person who acts without a plan. “Fine, Brother. I’ll rest and pack at home tomorrow. Get some things ready, and let me know when you find a suitable place.”

“You trust my taste that much?” Song Ziwen suddenly remembered that Qiqi was scheduled to leave for the States at the end of the month or the beginning of the next. If he found a place then, would Qiqi rush back?

“I’m sure you’ll pick a complex with a good environment.” Wang Qiqi thought; this wasn't a rental property; the place she lived in absolutely required high standards. “Besides, if I don’t trust Brother’s taste, who should I trust but Sister-in-law’s?”

“That’s true; your sister-in-law’s taste is absolutely superb. How big of a place are you looking at, and which floor?” These were the general details that needed to be clarified.

“At least three bedrooms, the fourth or fifth floor would be fine, just not the top floor.” The top floor was too cold in winter and too hot in summer; it was simply uncomfortable.

“Got it.” Song Ziwen patted Wang Qiqi’s shoulder, then hugged Han Tao. “Brother, we haven’t properly caught up since you got back. If you’re free around New Year’s Day, come back for a meal—my treat, let’s all get together.” Song Ziwen knew Han Tao might not be in the country for the Spring Festival, and his own sister was expected to stay in the capital until just before the Minor New Year before heading home. “How about this: if not New Year’s Day, should I come find you in the capital?”

“Are you not doing business on New Year’s Day?” Wang Qiqi suddenly realized that if Song Yao also went to the capital, reunions for everyone would likely only happen around the Spring Festival, but foreigners didn't have holidays then. “Gathering together is going to get harder and harder.”

“It is. Maybe the next time we all meet will be at your wedding,” Song Ziwen admitted, feeling a pang of sadness. He had always thought it normal for Qiqi to develop her career elsewhere, but he hadn't expected his own sister to go to the capital now. Song Ziwen, who had never been separated from his sister for this long since childhood, felt quite unsettled.

“Actually, maybe Brother will end up going to the States by then, and we can reunite there,” Wang Qiqi figured. She didn't believe Yang Jing would want to stay in the country forever; with some money in hand, people always hoped to give their children better development opportunities.

Song Ziwen chuckled. Yang Jing often whispered in his ear about how great things were abroad. Regarding moving overseas, honestly, Song Ziwen wasn't keen. English had always been a complete headache for him since childhood. Sometimes, when he heard Wang Qiqi and Yang Jing chattering away in English, his reaction was that they were speaking gibberish—it felt harder to understand than Japanese.

Wang Qiqi, carrying three boxes of pastries, left the restaurant with Han Tao flanking her, hooking arms with Luo Hongjuan on the other side. Behind them, Wang Rui glared with venomous eyes. She thought that if it weren't for Wang Qiqi, the spot next to Han Tao and his mother should have been hers. The thought of having endless money and a promising man made her jealousy flare up.

“Your sister and your cousin really have a good relationship,” Cao Jiaming admitted, quite stunned by the day’s proceedings. Although his family was wealthy, they never splurged so lavishly on relatives’ wedding banquets or a baby’s full-month celebration. After observing for a long time, he noticed that although his girlfriend chatted enthusiastically with many relatives, their connections were actually quite superficial. In contrast, Wang Qiqi, after greeting a few relatives upon arrival, found a quiet corner to sit, yet quite a few people walked over to chat briefly. Meanwhile, Song Ziwen, the host, hadn't gone over to greet anyone. He had initially wondered if their relationship was poor, since he didn't mingle, but now he understood: it wasn't a poor relationship; it was too close—they were treated as family, so there was no need to treat them like guests.

“Of course, their relationship is great; they’re business partners,” Wang Dagui said with envy, wondering why such a golden opportunity never crossed his path. “Do you know that it was Qiqi who helped smooth over all the connections for Song Yao to go develop in the capital? She just has to sit back and collect the money.” Why was the treatment for relatives so disparate?

“Rich people naturally only associate with rich people,” Wang Rui retorted indignantly. She remembered how Qiqi had dismissed her when she talked about starting a business—this was too deceitful. “By the way, Dad, do you know what time Qiqi and the others’ flight is tomorrow?”

How would Wang Dagui know that? “I didn’t ask, but I think they’re taking the train back.”

“Taking the train?” Wang Rui pursed her lips. It wasn't like they had no money; why still take the train? She had initially assumed her brother-in-law was too busy to see them off because he was going to escort Wang Qiqi and her husband, but the fact that they were taking the train—did that mean the brother-in-law truly had pressing business elsewhere? “Dad, Brother-in-law just told me he has urgent business out of town tomorrow. How are we getting to the airport tomorrow?”

“Take a taxi,” Wang Dagui sighed. What else could they do? Gong Peixing said he was unavailable to drive them. Should he go tattle to his older sister? “Qiqi used to take the train back on her own after flying in before; Gong Peixing even picked you up.” Wang Dagui’s meaning was clear: Wang Rui shouldn't be too demanding. Compared to Qiqi, Gong Peixing at least picked his daughter up.

Wang Rui was quite dissatisfied with that consolation. In her view, this was Cao Jiaming’s first visit; compared to Han Tao, he was more of a guest. Furthermore, Cao Jiaming’s family background was far superior to Han Tao’s. “But taxis are expensive.”

“I’ll pay for it.” Wang Dagui had been staying and eating at his sister’s place during this period, and he’d landed a part-time job through his brother-in-law’s referral, so his income was decent. Although he desperately wanted to go gamble, someone was watching him constantly, which helped him save a little money; otherwise, he wouldn't be so generous. But after saving some cash, Wang Dagui started thinking about getting married. After years of sleeping in a cold bed, he found it unbearable. Of course, what Wang Dagui truly desired was to marry a woman with good means who could supplement his funds. The older woman a colleague mentioned recently—Wang Dagui felt he should seriously consider her. Although her appearance wasn't stunning, she was rich, which Wang Dagui decided after long contemplation was the best thing. With money, what kind of beautiful woman couldn't he have?

Hearing Wang Dagui say this, Wang Rui naturally had no objections. She could get to the airport easily, and she didn't have to pay for the ride. Wang Rui was pleased and didn't notice her father’s uncharacteristic lapse in composure.

After getting into the taxi, Luo Hongjuan finally sighed. “That banquet was well done, very lively. You should consider a buffet for your wedding too,” to avoid the hassle of toasting table by table. “Oh, and about what those relatives said tonight, just take it to heart, don't worry too much about it; we’re only being polite to them anyway.” Recently, perhaps due to the news spreading that Luo Hongjuan was moving to the capital to join her son, many friends and relatives had been calling her.

“Mom, I’m not planning to invite relatives. Why should I invite them?” Han Tao’s arrangement for his wedding was to keep the guest list small. “Inviting them is just asking for trouble. By the way, what’s the deal with Han Ximing and the others? Are they causing trouble again?”

Wang Qiqi knew the details from Song Yao, but she hadn't told Han Tao, as the man who was cuckolded was his cousin. As a man, Han Tao would likely be sensitive about such matters.

Luo Hongjuan glanced at Wang Qiqi, then at the driver. “We’ll talk when we get back.” The matter was indeed troublesome; honestly, she didn’t even know how to bring it up.

Seeing his mother’s troubled expression, Han Tao knew that Han Jun, that kid, must have caused another major problem. “Mom, have most of the things been packed? Take the important stuff with you when you leave, and leave the less important things behind. And have you entrusted the house to anyone to look after?”

“Old Mrs. Zhang downstairs; she comes over every couple of days to open the windows and air the place out.” However, Luo Hongjuan was a bit hesitant about this decision. After everything that had happened recently, she honestly wasn't sure if entrusting the house to her care was appropriate. (To be continued)