When Wang Qiqi awoke again, the sun was shining brightly outside. Daly Jun was already seated by the window, engrossed in a book. A glance at Shi Man revealed she was still sound asleep, though Qiqi noticed Shi Man’s eyes seemed a bit swollen.

“She cried,” Daly Jun murmured quietly. “Even without making a sound, the tears kept flowing.”

At this, Wang Qiqi shot him a sharp glare. “This is all your fault. If you don't want to explain the whole story, then just shut up. You knew they were living apart, so she was bound to be unsettled. Hmph, and don't forget about your own Weiwei.” Honestly, Wang Qiqi deeply wished to pull the same stunt on Lu Qiaowei someday, just to teach Daly Jun a lesson on how to behave.

Daly Jun pinched the bridge of his nose, glanced down at the sleeping Shi Man, and beckoned Wang Qiqi closer with a subtle hand gesture.

Wang Qiqi initially refused to budge, but seeing the pleading look in Daly Jun’s eyes, and thinking there might actually be good news, she approached cautiously. “I hope you aren’t giving me false information, or else…” Wang Qiqi shook her fist, signaling that Daly Jun wouldn't have an easy time if he was lying.

Daly Jun made an oath gesture. “Relax, why would I trick you?” Ah, Daly Jun felt tormented keeping this information to himself, and since Shi Man was asleep, she shouldn’t overhear what he was about to say.

Wang Qiqi scrutinized Daly Jun for a long moment, sensing he wasn't trying to deceive her, so she leaned in. Upon hearing the news Daly Jun shared, Wang Qiqi’s jaw dropped, and she stared at him in disbelief. “Did my ears deceive me, or is there something wrong with what you just said?” No way, this news was actually a huge surprise, but the sheer volume of it nearly overloaded Wang Qiqi’s brain.

Daly Jun shrugged. “You heard correctly, and I didn't misspeak. But I really don’t know the rest of the details. You know I was busy in the US. If my senior hadn't mentioned it casually, I wouldn't have dug around and found out.”

Wang Qiqi clicked her tongue repeatedly, scanning Daly Jun up and down. Only after seeing his expression of slight alarm did she finally speak slowly. “You clever thing, holding onto such major news until now. But the problem is, wasn’t this nearly settled when you went to the US? Why is someone still so busy that he has little time to contact Shi Man?” Wang Qiqi calculated the timeline again; there still seemed to be an issue.

Daly Jun pinched his nose again. “I was fine too, but didn't Manman just say they’ve been communicating less lately? I wasn't completely sure either.” Frankly, Daly Jun was quite surprised himself. If it were him, even if he were hiding something from Lu Qiaowei, he certainly wouldn't stop contacting her, leading to this general state of tension.

“You sensed it too, didn’t you? I have a feeling it might not be what we initially thought,” Wang Qiqi sighed deeply. “Let’s hope it’s good news. By the way, maybe you should accompany Manman when she goes over, and then head to our place afterwards.”

Daly Jun considered it and nodded. “That works. I can drop off what I need to give my senior while I’m there.”

When Shi Man was preparing to transfer flights to Boston with her luggage, she was surprised to see Daly Jun following her. “Weren’t you leaving with Qiqi and the others?” Although Daly Jun still held a part-time position, with no major surprises, he would essentially be working for that company full-time from now on. This trip was planned as a two-month full-time commitment.

“I changed my flight last minute; I need to deliver something to my senior,” Daly Jun said with a wide, cheerful grin, holding up a small package. “He’s quite anxious about some things.”

Shi Man stared at Daly Jun for a long moment. “You’re worried about me, aren't you?” Shi Man understood perfectly well that mailing the items would solve the problem; why did Daly Jun have to fly over personally? “I could have carried them for you.”

Daly Jun knew he couldn't hide it from Shi Man. “Yes, I’m worried. Actually, Qiqi wanted to come too, but…” After all, the house had been vacant for so long, and with him being away this time, they hadn't even found a place to live yet; Qiqi needed to help him look for an apartment.

Shi Man pursed her lips, then turned and walked away. She held this kindness close to her heart. Although she didn't particularly want to show her most vulnerable side to Daly Jun and the others—it felt too weak and dependent—having a friend nearby at a time like this would make things much better.

After Shi Man and the others left, Han Tao pushed his luggage toward the transfer area. “What did Daly Jun say on the plane?” It felt like he’d woken up and missed a lot of things. He found Wang Qiqi’s look toward Shi Man strange, particularly so.

Wang Qiqi had no intention of hiding anything from Han Tao. She hadn't mentioned it before because Shi Man was awake when he woke up. When Han Tao heard the news Wang Qiqi relayed, his jaw also dropped. “No way, did I hear that right?” Good heavens, Han Tao thought. He and Qiqi had hoped to settle the housing issue during this trip. Thanks to Feng Xuanxiang lately, their personal assets had increased considerably. Moreover, before leaving, they had converted all their ready cash into US dollars and sent it over, thinking they could finally settle down in the US this time. But unexpectedly, someone else had moved even faster. “Qiqi, we ended up behind Feng Xuanxiang this time.” Ah, ah, Han Tao felt suffocated, yet he was genuinely happy that his good friend was establishing himself in America.

Wang Qiqi snorted a few times at Han Tao’s expression of happiness for Feng Xuanxiang and Shi Man. “What are you getting so worked up about? Think about it—the house was secured in early May. Shouldn't he be less busy afterward? Why hasn’t he contacted Shi Man yet? Don’t let it turn out that the house is for someone else, and we got excited for nothing.” Wang Qiqi reasoned that even if the house needed furnishing, couldn't he wait for Shi Man to come over to choose furniture and appliances? That seemed like a homemaker’s task. In Wang Qiqi’s view, there was definitely something fishy going on.

Han Tao truly hadn't considered all those details. In his mind, Feng Xuanxiang wasn't that type of person. “If he had other intentions, he wouldn’t have told Daizi. Think about it—Daizi only stayed in the US for a few days last time. If Feng Xuanxiang intended to hide something, do you think someone at Daizi’s level could pry anything out of him?” It wasn’t meant as disrespect toward Daly Jun, but Feng Xuanxiang had worked in that establishment for so long; he couldn't have risen without some real skill, especially without connections. Daly Jun, while intelligent, dealt more with machinery than people.

Wang Qiqi hummed thoughtfully for a while; Han Tao’s point seemed quite valid. “Eh, whatever. We’ll get an answer in a few days anyway. But didn’t Manman tell him the flight arrival time? Ugh, that was poor planning. We should have sprung a surprise.” That way, he couldn't hide the full truth. Besides, Wang Qiqi wasn't entirely at ease with Daly Jun; he was a man, and if Shi Man encountered a situation she didn't want to face, Wang Qiqi doubted Daly Jun could comfort her properly. And she couldn't leave Han Tao alone; as soon as he arrived, he’d have to report to work immediately, and their home would surely be a mess. She’d have to tidy up and cook for her man.

“Why don’t you also change your ticket and go with Manman?” Han Tao suggested, knowing Wang Qiqi wouldn't relax otherwise.

Han Tao’s suggestion was very tempting to Wang Qiqi, but after thinking it over, she shook her head. “Better not. With Daly Jun there, I feel somewhat reassured.” If a real fight broke out, Daizi’s combat power was definitely higher than hers.

“There are some things he, as a man, can’t handle. Don't worry, I’ll take care of things at home. Besides, I have overtime for the next few days, and I’ll ask people to help Daizi find a place to stay,” Han Tao stated, knowing Wang Qiqi’s main worries were related to home management. “I’ll be eating and sleeping at the unit; you don’t need to worry about my meals.”

Wang Qiqi looked at Han Tao, who radiated an air of ‘don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine,’ but her mind immediately went to the child. I’m worried you’ll be working overtime day and night and won't even come home. “You are forbidden from sleeping at the unit! No matter how late, you must come back to sleep. Sleeping at home is much better than sleeping at the office.” Those madmen, when engrossed in work, genuinely wouldn't have time to sleep; wouldn't constantly holding meetings and conducting research lead to poor sleep quality? “I’ll call home every day. Don't you dare agree outwardly and disobey inwardly.” In the end, the desire to accompany Shi Man won out.

Han Tao pushed his resolve aside and accompanied Wang Qiqi to change her flight ticket. Then, they went together to meet up with Shi Man and the others. “Huh, Qiqi, your boarding gate isn't here.” Shi Man, who had just settled into her seat to wait for her flight, looked surprised to see Wang Qiqi and Han Tao approaching. Although her flight was earlier, there was no need for them to escort her to the gate.

Wang Qiqi waved the new ticket in her hand. “I thought I’d go check out the surprise Daizi was talking about.” Wang Qiqi winked teasingly at Daly Jun beside her.

Daly Jun hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to come along. He sighed internally. If he had known Qiqi was coming, why did he bother changing his ticket? They could have just let the two women go. But he had just changed his reservation; changing it again would make the airline think he was unstable.

Han Tao tugged at Daizi’s shirt. “Be alert once you get there, and pay close attention to whether Feng Xuanxiang shows anything unusual.” Han Tao noticed the flicker of regret on Daizi’s face for a moment and thought, Doesn’t this kid realize that if it’s just the two women going, who will be there to back them up?

Daly Jun gave an ‘oh’ sound. He actually wanted to say that even if that kid did anything to wrong Manman, he definitely wouldn't dare to act on it—otherwise, he’d face severe consequences. But Qiqi coming was also a good thing; in case it was indeed a massive surprise, she could serve as a witness. With that thought, Daly Jun beamed. “Why don’t you come with us too, Han Tao? You can fly back in a couple of days.” It was only a two-day delay.

Han Tao certainly wanted to see Feng Xuanxiang's supposed surprise, but recalling the contents of the email, he shook his head with regret. “I won’t go. I have too much work. You all come back soon.” (To be continued)