Han Tao quickly wrapped up the work in his hands, checked the time—it was just past seven. After saying goodbye to his colleagues, he prepared to head home. Everyone knew his wife was visiting, so no one tried to stop him. "Going home for some good food, huh? Is it that time when QiQi is bringing you dinner again?" Although Wang QiQi had an English name, since Han Tao habitually called her QiQi, and the foreigners heard it often enough, they all started calling her QiQi too.

Han Tao knew they were thinking about QiQi’s Chinese food again. Even though QiQi’s cooking hadn't been altered at all, which the foreigners didn't initially prefer, after eating it several times, they had grown quite fond of her skills. However, Han Tao didn't want to add to QiQi's burden, and besides, the foreigners knew their limits, so they only sampled it occasionally. "She probably will bring food. I'll ask QiQi to make a few extra dishes in a couple of days."

When the foreigners heard that their kitchen queen, QiQi, would be returning to the scene, they laughed heartily. Han Tao thought to himself, who says foreigners don't appreciate a bribe? He’d seen his wife use this tactic so effectively. Thanks to his wife, Han Tao’s relationships at work were quite good. Even though he wasn't a permanent employee, his popularity in the office was definitely high. Sometimes Han Tao wondered if the boss agreeing to make him a full-time employee had something to do with his wife’s fantastic cooking.

Han Tao walked to the parking lot and retrieved his newly purchased bicycle. Although it took a while to cycle home, he felt that given his current level of busyness, he truly had no time for exercise. Therefore, he felt it was necessary to fully utilize his commute time for physical activity. Although the building had a gym area, Han Tao simply didn't have the time to go work out. In that case, cycling to and from work was the best form of exercise.

Dai Lijun munched on a piece of bread, his eyes constantly drifting toward the dining table. He’d glance at the lavish spread of dishes, take a bite of bread, and then a sip of yogurt, which only made him feel more miserable. It was already tough enough that he wasn’t allowed to eat the dishes; now he even had to eat yogurt. Originally, Wang QiQi intended for him to drink milk, but Dai Lijun insisted on yogurt instead of milk. "Sigh, QiQi, I know I was wrong." Dai Lijun checked himself.

Wang QiQi knew why Dai Lijun was reflecting. "Is knowing you're wrong enough? I think you’re incorrigible. Bread and yogurt it is for your dinner." Wanting delicious food wasn't so easy.

Dai Lijun knew that if he kept talking, he might actually end up with no dinner at all. But it didn't matter; he had received a message from Han Tao saying he was about to finish work and would be home in about half an hour, which made Dai Lijun feel much better. He secretly praised his good brother for being so reliable, completely forgetting the sharp barbs someone had aimed at him just a few hours earlier.

Dai Lijun smiled smugly, a truly happy smile. Wang QiQi glanced at the message Han Tao sent, wondering why he was laughing so much the next day. Actually, QiQi knew she wouldn't really let the simpleton eat only bread for dinner. The reason she made him eat this and drink yogurt was so he wouldn't have much room left for the good food at dinner. "There's more bread. Want another piece?" Seizing the moment while the guy was in a good mood, Wang QiQi seized the opportunity.

Dai Lijun just grunted "Oh," and then started chatting with his girlfriend who had just come online. Because of this, he forgot some things and only noticed his stomach rumbling slightly. He certainly had no complaints about the snacks QiQi brought. In no time, two pieces of bread and a bottle of yogurt were down his gullet.

Wang QiQi watched Dai Lijun engrossed in conversation with his girlfriend, and the smile on her face grew brighter and brighter. She thought, Eat up, Dai Lijun, eat as much as you want. You'll be crying in a moment.

When Dai Lijun finished talking with his girlfriend, he finally noticed the two empty bread bags by his side, and his formerly grumbling stomach felt somewhat full. If he didn't understand the situation now, he'd truly be a fool. "Ahhh, QiQi, you're too much! This is taking advantage of me!" Outrageous, absolutely outrageous. She knew how much he longed for the dishes on the table and yet she dug a pit for him. Absolutely despicable. The in-laws were ganging up on him.

Wang QiQi calmly continued translating her documents. The man's reaction was entirely within her expectations. Only after his cries subsided did she pluck at her ear. "I asked you if you wanted more bread just now, and you said yes. Otherwise, why would I have given it to you? You ate the bread and now you're blaming me. It's so hard to be a good person." Wang QiQi said with an air of grievance. "You should know, I only bought a few loaves, and I was planning to eat them for breakfast tomorrow..."

Breakfast of bread? Dai Lijun absolutely didn't believe that. He knew QiQi rarely ate Western-style breakfasts. Han Tao had told him that when they were in the States last year, QiQi often got up early to make him congee, unless she stayed up too late and couldn't get up in the morning, in which case she'd let Han Tao eat bread.

Han Tao saw the light turn on in the dark apartment and felt a warmth in his heart. That feeling was wonderful. But before he could shake off the cozy scene, he heard Dai Lijun's piercing shriek, which startled him. He didn't even lock his bike before rushing upstairs. When he got upstairs, he found only two people inside and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"Hey, simpleton, what's with the tantrum?" Han Tao tossed his laptop bag onto the sofa and stood in front of Dai Lijun, asking in a sharp tone.

Dai Lijun hadn't expected Han Tao to return so quickly. "Brother, you’re finally back! Give me the key to my room. I’m not staying here anymore. Honestly, they keep bullying me." Dai Lijun quickly recounted the troubles he'd had since arriving in the US, organizing the events for Han Tao.

Han Tao had no patience to listen to his rambling, especially since Dai Lijun had already told him most of this during their chat. "Do you need to keep repeating yourself? You’re being too long-winded. Are you eighty years old?"

Wang QiQi's reaction was to burst into laughter, laughing so hard she could barely stand. "Someone's getting old lately. Just now, when he was talking to Weiwei, I asked if he wanted bread, and he said yes, so I gave it to him. Who knew he’d treat me so fiercely afterward?" Seeing her pillar of support was back, Wang QiQi immediately started complaining.

"Isn't bread pretty good? Especially with yogurt. Did you buy the bread from that shop we used to frequent?" Han Tao wasn't overly fond of pastries, mainly because during late-night overtime, he often ate things like bread and cake, which left him feeling tired of them. However, there was one shop whose pastries were excellent, and QiQi occasionally bought some home.

Wang QiQi hummed in agreement and returned to the kitchen to serve the meal. "Simpleton, are you still eating?"

Dai Lijun had waited and endured for so long just for QiQi’s cooking. "I'm eating, why wouldn't I? But I don't want any rice." Hmph, he’d already had enough staple food, so he’d just eat the dishes.

Wang QiQi "Oh-ed" and served two bowls of rice. "Hurry up and eat. Simpleton, wash up early when you get back and go to bed. Things will get busy starting tomorrow." Wang QiQi reminded him carefully. "Oh, and what time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

Han Tao suddenly remembered something he hadn't told Wang QiQi. "Lately, I've been cycling to and from work as a way to get exercise."

Wang QiQi was stunned. Dai Lijun froze. "Ah? Then how am I supposed to get to work tomorrow?" He couldn't expect him to run to work, could he? Wouldn't that run him ragged?

"Tomorrow, simpleton, you can take my bike to work. I'll buy another one tomorrow." Wang QiQi arranged. "Though it’s a bit wasteful."

"It seems like there’s a community exchange fair tomorrow. Go check if they have any second-hand bicycles," Han Tao suddenly recalled a message he had received. "While you’re there, see if there’s anything the house needs."

Wang QiQi didn't think the exchange fair tomorrow would have any bicycles for sale, and even if they did, they’d likely be children's bikes. "Let's eat. I’ll check it out tomorrow."

Dai Lijun sat at the dinner table, listening to the couple discuss the events of the last few days. Especially when Wang QiQi mentioned their trip to Boston and the surprise Feng Xuanxiang had prepared for Shi Man, he pouted. "Didn't I tell you all that?" Hmph. When he told them, Han Tao called him long-winded, but when QiQi told the story, Han Tao listened with a smile in his eyes. The difference was too wide.

"That's because the way I tell it is more interesting." Wang QiQi shot him a look and continued, "Feng Xuanxiang’s house really is nice. And I told him we’re planning to buy a house too; he's very supportive."

Han Tao was relieved when he heard that Feng Xuanxiang didn't show any discernible reaction, at least outwardly. "I've already told my colleagues about my idea, but they all say finding a suitable house isn't easy. Too many people are moving here now, and housing prices are rising fast. My colleagues suggest either buying in a newer development a bit farther out. QiQi, what do you think?" Han Tao's original idea was to buy a place near the office (within a forty-minute bike ride). But now he felt it was truly a problem—either no one was selling, or the prices weren't quite right. So, buying in a newer development was a good option, and the price was cheaper.

Wang QiQi was indifferent. A new development now would be an old community in ten years anyway. "When should we go take a look?" However, this meant transportation would be an issue. Without a car, it was inconvenient. "When should we go learn to drive? With Feng Xuanxiang having a car, he can take us anywhere with just one word."

"I don't have time to learn to drive; you go ahead and learn," Han Tao considered it. He figured since he would only use a car for commuting, and given the current situation, they probably couldn't afford two cars anyway.

"I'll be your chauffeur?" Wang QiQi spoke first. "Remember to pay the fare."

"Deal, no problem. My salary goes to you anyway." Han Tao felt no pressure at all; he was a model modern husband. (To be continued)