Wang Qiqi looked at the bank statement that yesterday declared her a "little millionaire," only to show a balance of a few hundred today. She let out a long sigh. To secure this house, every penny from her stock market investments had been poured in, along with her newly arrived salary. "Thank goodness Americans get paid weekly," Wang Qiqi thought. Just when she worried about how they would manage day-to-day expenses, especially needing funds for inventory, the thought struck her, easing the frown etched on her face.

Wang Qiqi sighed deeply and placed the bank statement on the coffee table. "Truly the most miserable existence."

Han Tao stared intently at the computer screen, his fingers never ceasing their movement. With the mortgage weighing on them, their liquid funds were practically zero. This squeeze was deeply unsettling for Han Tao, who hadn't felt this financially constrained since before starting university. "Things will slowly get better."

Wang Qiqi understood that perfectly. "They will. At least we own a home now. Maybe I should find a part-time job?" She recalled what Shi Man had said about her current wages from part-time work being quite good, plus the tips—really quite decent.

Part-time work? Han Tao shook his head at Wang Qiqi’s suggestion. "It's unnecessary. Maybe I should pick up some freelance gigs?" Such work was often posted online, though Han Tao had never bothered to look closely before. His company compensation was good, and his schedule was busy, so he genuinely never imagined facing this kind of necessity.

Freelance gigs? Wang Qiqi knew a bit about those; being temporary work, the pay could be quite substantial. Shi Man had mentioned it before—if they needed money for the house, why not consider freelancing? Wang Qiqi was initially tempted but ultimately dismissed the idea because Han Tao already worked such long hours. Moreover, his salary would cover the mortgage easily. The initial strain was just because all their cash had been spent.

"Forget it. Your job is already demanding enough. Besides, if your boss finds out you’re taking outside work, it wouldn't look good for your standing." After weighing the options, Wang Qiqi vetoed the suggestion. Losing her main source of income for a little extra cash wasn't worth it, especially since it would eat into personal time. "Your health is more important. Once we return [to China], we won't worry." Fortunately, the loan payments were monthly, easing the pressure considerably.

Wang Qiqi calculated the figures on her fingers with Han Tao. "Wow, if things go smoothly, we can save quite a bit of money over the next year." She also reasoned that after 9/11, the stock market would likely dip significantly, making it a good time to invest. "Plus, we have Feng Xuanxiang helping us manage the stocks." What was there to worry about then? However, Wang Qiqi suddenly felt a pang of concern regarding the next year's finances. She had focused only on liquidating funds to avoid losses during 9/11 but had forgotten about the tuition and living expenses for their planned studies in the US next year. After a quick mental tally, Wang Qiqi realized that the money saved in this short period might barely cover those necessary expenditures.

"I’ll check online for part-time translation work," Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered her experience translating Chinese to English for foreigners in the US. The only uncertainty was the going rate and the safety of payment, which is why she hadn't acted yet. But now, it seemed she was the one who most needed to earn money.

Seeing Wang Qiqi propose this, Han Tao didn't press his point. Honestly, if he could avoid it, he didn't want to take on side jobs. It wasn't about his physical capacity but the risk of his employer finding out. While he knew their reasons, his boss might not be pleased, harboring a resentment that would make him view Han Tao unfavorably. "Don't take on too many assignments; your health comes first." Han Tao knew Wang Qiqi already translated manuscripts sent from China while in the US, given the mortgage payments. Thinking of this, "I feel like we're the definition of 'reverse-rich' ( - fù háo)." People see us owning property and assume we’re loaded, completely overlooking our substantial monthly repayments.

"Pressure creates motivation." Wang Qiqi regretted not thinking about earning money in the US sooner; the current pressure wouldn't be so intense if they had. "Tomorrow, I'll go through the phone book to see if any local translation agencies need staff."

Wang Qiqi mused that the internet wasn't as advanced then; few companies advertised online. Yet, she realized that if she found an ad for a translation house online, it meant the company was established, or at least the owner was astute with strong potential. Such people, she hoped, wouldn't shortchange their employees.

Han Tao found Wang Qiqi’s reasoning plausible, though not entirely solid. "Okay, we’ll try everything. Right from the start, talk to them about whether they can settle payment per assignment." However, he suspected they might resist, as invoicing for every small job would be too troublesome.

Payment per assignment? Wang Qiqi was stunned by Han Tao's suggestion. Was that even possible? If they paid per job, wouldn't that imply a private arrangement, which sounded even less reliable? "We'll see when we get there," she replied. Nothing was certain yet; it was all speculation.

Wang Qiqi searched online for ages but found no advertisements for translation companies. "Do I really have to look through the Yellow Pages?" Heavens, the workload would be immense, especially with the dense English text that made her eyes blur.

Although Wang Qiqi deeply dreaded looking through the Yellow Pages—feeling it would shorten her life—the desire for lovely US dollars kept her going. Fortunately, after staring at what felt like ancient scripture for over half an hour, she finally located a translation company not far from them. Wang Qiqi checked the registered address; it didn't seem too far. "Maybe I should go check out the company's size before deciding?" She felt cautious, given how few people she knew in this foreign land.

Wang Qiqi knew it would be safer to visit with Han Tao, but she had no idea when he might have leave. After pacing the apartment a few times, she made up her mind. "Worst case, I'll just scope out the exterior first. Besides, it’s broad daylight; nothing much is likely to happen." Being extra vigilant should suffice.

Wang Qiqi called them to inquire about their needs for a Chinese translator, the exact payment structure, the company's scale, and the address. They also administered a brief verbal test over the phone, which she passed satisfactorily. The person on the line kindly suggested meeting in person, adding that if Wang Qiqi felt uncomfortable visiting the office, they could arrange a meeting somewhere nearby. After gathering all the information she needed, Wang Qiqi hung up.

Wang Qiqi picked up a pen and slightly modified the address the caller had given. "Her voice was lovely, sounding like an attractive woman—perhaps a gentle type." Wang Qiqi suspected this wasn't just a receptionist; she sounded too certain. Even if she wasn't the owner, she was an employee, and a woman with such a magnetic, soft voice couldn't be a bad person, especially since she offered a neutral meeting spot. "Perhaps they are short on translators?" Based on the earnest yet unhurried tone, Wang Qiqi thought this possibility was quite strong, and if true, it would be excellent news.

After making a note, Wang Qiqi called the second translation company. Their attitude, however, was anything but pleasant—curt and insistent on knowing why Wang Qiqi needed their address. Even when she explained she was seeking part-time translation work, their demeanor didn't improve. When she asked about visiting to assess the situation, they reluctantly provided an address, but Wang Qiqi sensed extreme impatience. This led her to conclude one of three things: they were flush with applicants, the boss was harsh, leading staff to be unprofessional, or the caller was the boss's mistress, caring little for professional ethics. Wang Qiqi rated this one poorly, marking it as mid-to-low tier.

Wang Qiqi checked the time—ten in the morning. If she ate lunch early, she could likely make a round trip. With that thought, she quickly prepared a meal, left a message for Han Tao online about her destination, and set off. In her view, this wasn't a huge deal; she could handle it herself. Besides, she wasn't exploring potential workplaces at dusk. The rate quoted by the first company seemed decent, and while the second might offer more, compensation wasn't everything; the working environment mattered too—were colleagues easy to get along with? If she encountered a stingy boss who assigned a lot of work but perpetually delayed payment or found petty excuses to deduct wages, Wang Qiqi felt it wouldn't be worth the trouble. A good phone assessment was one thing, but the in-person check was crucial. It wasn't unheard of for someone who sounded gentle on the phone to be the complete opposite in person.

Wang Qiqi grabbed her notes, packed her wallet, and looked up the bus routes online. "OK, sorted. Off I go." She felt today was promising; this trip would definitely yield results. She locked the doors and windows and stepped out. As for whether Han Tao would leave her a note, Wang Qiqi knew his note would simply be disapproval, so she chose to ignore it. She had notified him; his reaction time was just too slow. As for how Han Tao would lecture her upon her return, Wang Qiqi figured, as long as she returned safely, what could he really do?

When Han Tao finally finished his work and saw Wang Qiqi's message, he panicked. He hadn't expected her to be so hasty about this field investigation, which was dangerous. They had explicitly discussed waiting until his day off to check things out yesterday. What if something happened? This was the US, and even though the surface looked safe, certain areas were not. Their current neighborhood appeared peaceful because they lived in an affluent area with excellent security.

Han Tao checked the time Wang Qiqi left the message against the current time. He feared this silly girl might already be out. Still, he held onto a sliver of hope and called their home phone. Unsurprisingly, no one answered. "Good heavens, what am I going to do?" Han Tao ran his hands through his hair. He knew she was impulsive. He should have persuaded her more strongly yesterday. Now that things were like this—no, Han Tao decided he couldn't just sit here pretending not to know and continue his office work. His current state made it impossible to concentrate; he felt deeply unsettled.

Dai Lijun, having wrapped up his tasks, was preparing to ask Han Tao out for lunch when he saw him sitting at his desk, looking troubled. "Tao, what's wrong?" Today's assignment was heavy, but it shouldn't have been beyond Han Tao's capability. Personal matters? He’d just bought a house, yes, adding pressure, but Dai Lijun couldn't imagine this being a real issue for the couple; they certainly wouldn't be short on money, especially since Qiqi’s name was on the deed, meaning she wouldn't hold back funds. He truly couldn't fathom why Han Tao seemed so worried.

Han Tao felt a genuine panic but had no one to vent to. Hearing Dai Lijun’s voice, he grimaced and showed him Qiqi’s message. "Don't you think she’s being a little too reckless?" Han Tao recounted snippets of their conversation from the previous day.

Dai Lijun was also startled by Wang Qiqi’s boldness. "You're not thinking of asking for leave, are you?" Dai Lijun admitted he would be worried in Han Tao's place.

Han Tao nodded, confirming that's exactly what he was considering. "But do you know which translation agency Qiqi is heading to? If you go home now, you’ll just wait there. Do you think waiting at home will solve anything?" Dai Lijun analyzed calmly. "Based on what you said, Qiqi only wants to freelance to earn more money. If she finds out you're worried and took an afternoon off, what will she think?" If she was actually meeting someone, fine, but just sitting at home looking distressed, Dai Lijun was certain Qiqi would be furious.

"Let's go eat. Let's go eat." Dai Lijun pulled Han Tao towards the break room area. He knew Han Tao would eventually see reason, but right now, he was simply flustered.

Han Tao was indeed rattled. Listening to Dai Lijun’s analysis, while finding him somewhat cold-hearted—not his wife, so no worry—he conceded the point. "Eat, eat."

Usually, during lunch, Han Tao and Dai Lijun discussed work matters, but today Han Tao was silent and sullen, causing several colleagues to cast curious glances his way. Dai Lijun gave him several subtle signals, but Han Tao seemed oblivious.

"Something happened at home," Dai Lijun whispered. Hearing this, the surrounding colleagues didn't overthink it; they assumed Han Tao was having a spat with his girlfriend. Since Han Tao's work output had been acceptable that morning, they stopped worrying about his mood, concluding that relationship arguments were normal as long as work didn't suffer.

Wang Qiqi, unaware that her message had nearly caused her husband to request leave to rush home for her, was currently sitting on the bus, heading toward her destination. "The scenery is beautiful. I never realized taking the bus could offer such lovely views." Wang Qiqi regretted not bringing her camera to capture some shots; what a pity. However, she comforted herself that she might ride this bus route many times in the future, which lessened the regret.

After getting off the bus, Wang Qiqi managed to find the second translation company she had called after asking around. From the outside, the scale seemed decent. "The renovation looks nice." Wang Qiqi peered through the glass and saw three or four people inside, but the atmosphere felt uncomfortable. The only woman visible was busy applying makeup. Wang Qiqi was momentarily stunned. It was just past one o'clock; quitting time was still far off. Maybe she was preparing to meet a client.

Wang Qiqi knocked and entered to inquire about the situation, emerging shortly thereafter. "Their attitude was vile, so haughty," Wang Qiqi muttered indignantly as she walked down the street.

As soon as Wang Qiqi stated her purpose upon entering, the person immediately peppered her with questions. When she mentioned she was coming over for the summer vacation, the woman waved her off dismissively—that was what infuriated Wang Qiqi the most. She understood their concerns given her temporary status, but the ensuing comments truly angered her. Wang Qiqi felt like swinging a fist at the woman to show that Chinese people weren't to be trifled with, but seeing the men nearby, she restrained her anger, forcing her gaze away. Before leaving, however, she did manage to express her indignation: If they looked down on Chinese people so much, why bother hiring a Chinese translator for profit? If they despised them, they shouldn't take that money. (Wang Qiqi desperately wanted to curse them as worse than pigs and dogs, but she held back. Circumstances dictated caution; she didn't want to die without anyone knowing her fate.)

If Wang Qiqi initially thought finding a part-time job would be easy given her abilities, the stinging encounter with that Taiwanese woman forced her to reconsider. Perhaps her optimism was too naive. After all, she wasn't a student residing there or planning to settle; local employers would naturally be cautious about her reliability. Furthermore, Wang Qiqi pondered why so many established students wouldn't need an aspiring student like herself for part-time work. This thought brought a wave of discouragement. Was she being impulsive? Would she really end up working at a fast-food restaurant?

Wang Qiqi found a Starbucks and bought a coffee. "Give up, or try again?" Returning now felt deeply unsatisfying, even if she could console herself by saying she at least enjoyed the scenery as a relaxing outing. "Try again." Wang Qiqi downed the coffee in one gulp, consulted her notes again, and headed toward her final destination for the day, steeling her resolve.

Wang Qiqi looked at the building before her, comparing it to the address on her paper. "Is this the place we're looking for?" It looked far more like a residence than an office. Was this the reason the first company mentioned they could arrange an off-site meeting?

Wang Qiqi looked around cautiously before ringing the doorbell. A woman in her early thirties emerged, looking puzzled. "Hello, who are you looking for?"

"Hello, I'm the one who called this morning," Wang Qiqi called out loudly, standing outside the fence. One had to be constantly alert here.

The woman uttered an "Oh," signaling Wang Qiqi to enter. "Hello, I'm Mary. Are you the one who called this morning asking about needing a Chinese translator?" Mary looked at the young woman standing before her, noting she seemed quite young.

Wang Qiqi affirmed, "Yes." The other woman made no move to invite her inside, and Wang Qiqi certainly wasn't going to step into an unknown space if there were any potential security risks inside.

She explained her situation right there at the entrance. "Considering my situation, can I do part-time work?" If yes, she would proceed; if no, she would move on.

Mary had assumed she was dealing with a Chinese student. She hadn't expected someone who wouldn't arrive in the US to study until next year. "Then why are you here now...?" A child so young, studying at a university in China, yet currently in the US—and not as an exchange student—implied significant expense for round-trip airfare and living costs. She seemed to come from a wealthy family. Why would someone like that need to earn money?

"My boyfriend is interning here for the summer, and I just arrived. I’m just bored and want to earn a little money," Wang Qiqi explained, knowing her presence would raise questions.

Mary stared at Wang Qiqi for a long moment, calculating how to proceed. "If you won't be staying in the US long-term, this gets complicated. For instance, I worry about the security of your manuscript submissions, and you might worry if I'll pay you on time."

"I’m the one who should be worried about the payment. If I hand in the work and you don't pay, won't I be the one suffering the most?" Wang Qiqi thought that compared to Mary's concerns, she was the one who had more to lose.

"You're worried about the money. You have to realize that assignments will have deadlines. If you fail to deliver the work, I stand to lose even more," Mary countered, presenting another potential complication.

Wang Qiqi stared at Mary for a long time. "Then I have no choice. How about this: I'm currently still in the US; can you give me work for the next two months?" Wang Qiqi thought that since neither side fully trusted the other, this arrangement would give them both an adjustment period. Wang Qiqi was certain that once the other party saw her work was reliable, they would be satisfied, and she, in turn, could assess their trustworthiness.

Mary looked back at Wang Qiqi for a long moment. "Fine. Wait here for a moment; I need to test you." Mary remembered the contracts she held and decided to give this young girl a chance, and in doing so, give herself one as well. RS