Wang Qiqi happily pedaled her bike, rushing home, ecstatic despite the busy day, for the rewards far outweighed the effort.

Pushing her bike toward the courtyard gate, Wang Qiqi habitually glanced up at the attic window, only to suddenly realize something crucial: the window was open.

The window was open? Heavens, Wang Qiqi instantly sobered from her joyful mood. "Oh no, did I forget to close the window before leaving?" This felt catastrophic, a situation that could truly ruin everything. A flood of worries rushed through her mind. Wang Qiqi quickly tossed her bicycle aside haphazardly and sprinted toward the house entrance.

Though anxious, her footsteps were surprisingly light, careful not to alert anyone. But when she finally opened the door, a sharp cry escaped her lips, "Han Tao, weren't you supposed to be working overtime today?" Wang Qiqi was genuinely shocked. Thank goodness there was still some food available, or she truly feared they would face an empty table for dinner. "And you know, you could scare someone to death like that!" Wang Qiqi felt a lingering dread, realizing Han Tao was indeed something else for causing such a scare.

Han Tao watched Wang Qiqi’s expression shift rapidly from surprise and worry to happiness, noting the slightly unhappy look she shot him afterward. "What, are you surprised I’m not working overtime?" If he hadn't been worried about a certain incredibly brave woman, would he have cut his shift short to come back?

Seeing Han Tao’s face drawn, clearly sulking, she immediately and wisely shook her head. Only a fool would seem surprised at this moment. "Tao, you know..." Soon, Wang Qiqi was happily running to Han Tao, who was seated on the sofa, excitedly recounting the joyful things that had happened that day.

Based on Wang Qiqi’s animated expression, Han Tao could tell her excursion had yielded significant gains, but the core issue remained: "You just left a note and took off—did you ever consider how worried I’d be when I saw your message? And do you even understand the situation there? Do you know if the person you met was good or bad?" Although Wang Qiqi had returned safely this time, luck wasn't guaranteed every time. This world had both good and bad people, and Han Tao felt it necessary to lecture someone.

Wang Qiqi knew she had been reckless this time and that someone was definitely due for a lecture, but she hadn't expected him to be back early from work just to set her straight. "I know I was wrong, but I called them beforehand and confirmed things before I left."

Wang Qiqi sensed her answer wouldn't satisfy him. "I know I was impulsive this time, and I promise there won't be a next time."

Han Tao didn't believe a word of it. If a similar situation arose again, he could guarantee she would do the exact same thing. "Qiqi, you have no idea how worried I was when I read your note. I was truly anxious about you..." Since the hard-line approach wasn't working, he decided to adopt a posture of vulnerability first.

Wang Qiqi stared at Han Tao for a long moment. "I understand, but Tao, you won't believe it—I met a really decent boss today." While the pay wasn't the absolute highest, the terms were excellent. "He said payment per piece is impossible, but he can settle the accounts after every ten translations." This outcome greatly pleased Wang Qiqi; the previous place insisted on weekly pay, and only after reaching a specific threshold, which she had found highly problematic.

Han Tao hadn't expected her to actually find such a favorable client. "Small scale? How many assignments do you think they’ll give you?" Anyone willing to agree to that payment schedule was almost certainly a small translation agency. Otherwise, they would never consent. But small agencies meant limited workload—was this truly suitable if Qiqi was aiming to earn money?

"The issue is, I'm not an international student. Besides this offer, nobody else would hire me." Regarding this specific problem, Wang Qiqi felt that for her current situation, it was simply not an obstacle.

Han Tao had to admit, after hearing her analysis, that it was indeed a tricky point. "You don't expect to travel there often, do you?" Although Wang Qiqi claimed the person was kind, Han Tao reserved judgment on her perception. "If you have to go, tell me in advance."

Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao wouldn't concede easily, but the scenery on the way back was lovely. "Sure, the roadside views were nice, mountains and a lake in the distance, and the sky was especially blue." It was perfect for a spring or autumn outing; even better if there were floral scents.

"You must be hungry; you didn't eat dinner, right?" Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered there wasn't much good food at home. "Is Dali Jun still working late?"

Han Tao grunted. "I checked and we still have some noodles."

Dali Jun was working overtime to earn money? Wang Qiqi realized the designated third wheel wouldn't be home tonight. "We haven't seen a movie in ages. Let's grab dinner and catch a film to celebrate." Ever since they finalized the house purchase, Dali Jun had made Han Tao and Qiqi pay dearly; seeing the final bill had genuinely pained Wang Qiqi.

"Deal, shall we get steak?" Han Tao recalled the place from their last gathering—good prices, fresh and tasty food. "Or should we go for a buffet? The one from the company gathering; the food was decent."

A buffet? Wang Qiqi instinctively wanted to decline. Buffets were designed for people to eat until they burst, but how many could actually get their money's worth? From a health and weight management perspective, buffets were a major trial. However, if it was that specific place, Wang Qiqi thought she could manage it. If Han Tao praised it, it must be acceptable. Plus, she had burned quite a few calories today, so an occasional boost seemed necessary. "Okay, I’ll pay for dinner tonight, and you pay for the movie."

"Perfect," Han Tao agreed without objection.

Wang Qiqi returned to their table with a fully loaded plate of seafood, while Han Tao had already fetched two drinks. "The fruit juice here is quite good." Although slightly inferior to freshly squeezed varieties, it was definitely better than what they drank back home.

Wang Qiqi nodded. The ultimate skill at a buffet was drinking minimal water, as that left less room for food. "Thanks, the seafood here is quite good."

For the rest of the time, Wang Qiqi adhered to one principle: take less food but make more trips, striving to consume more substance. Although in the end, she likely didn't eat enough to break even, Wang Qiqi estimated she hadn't lost too badly. "The main dishes are good, but I wonder about the pastries." She had passed the pastry counter several times, eyeing the assortment of meticulously crafted sweets, desperately wanting two pieces, but the need to minimize losses forced her to resist.

"They are quite delicious. This place is famous far and wide for its pastries," Han Tao remarked. Though he hadn't tried them himself, several colleagues had, and apparently, some people made special trips just for the desserts.

Delicious pastries. Wang Qiqi understood why. Pastries filled you up quickly, and foreigners seemed to love sweets, meaning their pastries were often very sweet, contributing to a quicker sense of fullness. This naturally reduced the amount of meat and seafood consumed. However, compared to the local income, Wang Qiqi thought the price wasn't exorbitant. Those who came likely didn't stop to calculate if they were losing money; they simply chose what they liked. Compared to them, Wang Qiqi felt like a miser, always calculating every detail. "They look great. I'll try some next time we come."

Wang Qiqi liked the atmosphere of the place. Even though it wasn't the weekend, many families were dining out. Plus, the prices weren't too high. Coming here once a week for a better meal sounded excellent—perhaps combining it with a trip to the supermarket for groceries and then seeing a movie, a perfect family outing.

"Let's come on the weekend then, and we can do our grocery shopping at the same time." Han Tao had wanted to suggest this for a while but hadn't known how to bring it up. Now, seeing Qiqi’s enthusiasm, he knew she was tempted. "We’ll bring Dali Jun along then."

Wang Qiqi was initially displeased at the thought of Dali Jun joining, but she knew if she refused, he would start grumbling. "Fine. Oh, by the way, I’ll go to the supermarket first after we leave, then we'll see the movie." Otherwise, Wang Qiqi worried that by the time the film ended, all the good items would be gone.

"Pick up some chicken wings. Your cola chicken wings were excellent last time," Han Tao suddenly remembered something. "Oh, and some colleagues mentioned how good your cola chicken wings are; they asked if you sell them?"

Han Tao mentally chastised himself for forgetting such an idea, but then again, his wife wasn't meant to be a full-time cook, and the oil fumes were terrible for the skin.

Cola chicken wings? Sell them? Wang Qiqi was momentarily stunned. She had made that dish last time, and it had turned out a bit too sweet; both Han Tao and Dali Jun had complained it was overly sugary. But throwing it away felt wasteful. They had taken the plate to work, and naturally, it had been completely devoured. However, Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Han Tao’s colleagues to like it so much they wanted to buy the finished product. It wasn't out of the question, but there were complications: "If I sell them, how will they see you? And how should I price them?" Chicken wings aren't inherently expensive; many people find them bony with little meat, so few actually buy them. Wang Qiqi personally liked them, often stewing them as snacks to go with drinks for Han Tao and Dali Jun. But selling them meant pricing was an issue; she couldn't just charge the raw material cost.

"It’s fine; you're providing the labor, and they’re taking it home for their families." Regarding Qiqi's worries, Han Tao felt it was no issue at all; how many people hadn't eaten her delicious cooking? "For the price, I’ll ask them. By the way, Qiqi, have you calculated the cost per wing? Include everything."

Wang Qiqi hadn't actually calculated that. After a brief mental tally, she offered a figure. "This price already includes my wages, specifically what I’d earn working at a fast-food place."

Han Tao hummed an acknowledgement and jotted down the number. "Let's go; we have forty minutes until the movie starts."

Dali Jun finished his overtime early, rushing home as fast as he could. He figured arriving now would be ideal. Han Tao would have finished his lecture, and any potential explosion from Qiqi should have mostly dissipated by now. At worst, he could step in as a mediator to help them discuss things calmly.

Dali Jun had calculated everything perfectly on the way, but when he entered the courtyard, he saw no light coming from the attic, which startled him. "Don't tell me Qiqi hasn't come back?" This realization almost made Dali Jun cry out. Heavens above, if she hadn't returned, had she run into trouble? A wave of panic hit him; Qiqi not being home was a major issue—Han Tao would surely go ballistic.

Just as Dali Jun pulled his bike toward the parking spot, he noticed Han Tao's car was also gone. "Did he go look for her?" But did he even know where Wang Qiqi had gone?

Dali Jun turned his bike around, ready to search for them both, but as he reached the entrance, he suddenly remembered he didn't know their destination. Besides, if Qiqi or Han Tao returned, he could stop them and prevent them from running around unnecessarily.

Dali Jun parked his bike and hurried upstairs. When he opened Wang Qiqi and Han Tao's apartment door, he found the room eerily quiet. On the coffee table sat only a few empty drink cans; shaking them confirmed they were empty. "Looks like Han Tao was holed up here for quite a while. Did Qiqi call him or leave him a message?" But Han Tao's laptop was still in its bag, untouched, meaning the information probably wasn't shared online.

Dali Jun surveyed the relatively tidy room. "I really don't get the situation." With such limited clues, Dali Jun couldn't draw any solid conclusion. He tossed the empty cans into the trash and checked the fridge for anything. Sighing, Qiqi had just run off today, throwing everything into disarray. Han Tao's efficiency that entire afternoon had been poor, and while Dali Jun had stayed late at work, his own state of mind hadn't been great either. Finally finishing work, he returned home to find things like this. "Qiqi, Qiqi, it hasn't been that long, and this is already the second time you've done this."

Dali Jun analyzed the situation more carefully and concluded: buying a house too easily ruins relationships. He was genuinely curious about the renovation plans for Han Tao and Qiqi's place, but he decided it was best to stay out of it and watch the show, lest he get caught in the crossfire if Qiqi exploded.

The TV was on, but Dali Jun couldn't focus on what was playing. He kept pacing to the window, checking if anyone had returned. "Alas, not having a good old mobile phone is inconvenient; there's no way to contact anyone." Dali Jun deeply missed the existence of cell phones at that moment. If they had one, Han Tao would have contacted Wang Qiqi immediately, and none of this ensuing drama would have happened. At the very least, he wouldn't be sitting here foolishly waiting for Han Tao or Wang Qiqi.

Both Wang Qiqi and Han Tao assumed Dali Jun would be working late into the night, so they both forgot to notify the equally worried Dali Jun. The two of them, full of food and enjoying a romantic movie, returned home slowly under the moonlight, their pace deliberately unhurried, carrying the spoils of their earlier shopping spree.

"I think the most romantic part of this movie was when the old couple sat in their wheelchairs holding hands watching the sea at the end." People’s definitions of romance varied, but Wang Qiqi believed the most romantic thing was growing old together. "Tao, I hope we can die together." No need to wait at the Bridge of Forgetfulness for many years to find the next person; that would be unbearably lonely.

"Mmm, we will definitely grow old, and I won't leave you behind. Even if I have to go first, I'll take you with me." Han Tao knew how harsh, perhaps even cruel, his words sounded, but he felt no one in the world could treat Qiqi better or offer her greater security than he could.

"Okay," Wang Qiqi agreed quickly. "If I go first, I'll take you with me too."

When Wang Qiqi was still a short distance from home, she noticed a light on inside. In this scenario, a light meant only one thing: "Dali Jun is back? You said you were working until midnight!" Oh no, Wang Qiqi thought. This was the very first time they’d tried to sneak away for some private time as a couple, and they got caught. Could it be this tragic? She could already picture Dali Jun’s devastation upon seeing that the person who needed the lecture had instead gone out sweetly with Han Tao for dinner, a movie, and shopping. She braced herself for the sorrow he would express and the way he would demand compensation for his fragile heart.

Han Tao also found it strange. If he hadn't been in a bad mood today, he too would have been working late. It wasn't even ten o'clock, yet Dali Jun was back—highly unusual. "It's fine, it's fine." The couple stopped their car to quickly discuss how to handle the encounter. Their final conclusion was: they absolutely could not mention the buffet or the movie; that would be too cruel.

"I wish we hadn't eaten at the buffet; otherwise, we could just say we bought groceries and cooked dinner here," Wang Qiqi grumbled. "We’ll just say we grabbed some fried chicken later."

Han Tao pushed open the door, carrying two large bags of purchases. He found the TV on, the computer screen active, and someone leaning against the sofa back, completely still. Han Tao gestured quietly to Wang Qiqi, "He probably waited up until he fell asleep."

Wang Qiqi followed Han Tao in quietly, then gently placed the bags on the counter to put things away. "I actually feel quite bad; we didn't even notify Dali Jun." Wang Qiqi knew that if Dali Jun hadn't cared, he could have easily gone to his room and slept, instead of remaining on the sofa.

Wang Qiqi paused, thinking. "I'll make something quick to eat as an apology." She checked the time; it was too late for anything complicated. "I’ll make some fried rice." Luckily, there was leftover rice; otherwise, they'd be stuck with noodles, and Dali Jun would likely complain again about late-night snacks only consisting of pasta.

Dali Jun smelled the aroma drifting through the air. He rubbed his eyes; that smell meant Wang Qiqi was cooking. Without opening his eyes, his head turned toward the kitchen. "Qiqi, you're back? You were so reckless today! Usually, you seem so smart and astute, how could you do something so brainless today? Do you know Han Tao’s face went pale when he read your note? Do you know that?" Dali Jun's peripheral vision had caught Han Tao’s silhouette; since Han Tao and Wang Qiqi appeared together, it meant Han Tao had already educated Qiqi, so he didn't need to be an annoying presence.

Hearing the first words from the waking Dali Jun warmed Wang Qiqi's heart. "I know, you dummy. I won't do anything so foolish again. I’m making fried rice; come have some." The rice was ready just then. "I’ll whip up some seaweed and dried shrimp soup to go with it."

"I want beef," Dali Jun requested, raising a hand. He had noticed the beef in the fridge earlier but hadn't been in the mood to eat then. "And I messaged Shi Man earlier; your behavior truly scared us."

Wang Qiqi had no objection to Dali Jun's suggestion, but him messaging Shi Man sounded ominous. Heavens, she hadn't told Shi Man about this part of the story. She knew the moment Shi Man found out, she would either bombard her online or call, tearing her apart over the phone until she was thoroughly chastised. The thought of her miserable fate tomorrow made Wang Qiqi want to retract her recent vow to be nice to someone. "Silly boy, you worry too much. Tell me, besides Shi Man, who else did you message?" Please don't tell me he contacted Song Yao or Lu Qiaowei; otherwise, Wang Qiqi wouldn't have an easy time, especially if Luo Hongjuan found out and became overwhelmed with guilt, feeling that if she hadn't been unable to help, her sons wouldn't have been this anxious.

"Don't worry, I didn't notify anyone back in the country." Dali Jun had considered messaging Lu Qiaowei, but he ultimately stopped. He knew Lu Qiaowei would tell Song Yao and the others, leading to international calls tracing them down. Qiqi wouldn't hold it against them, but Dali Jun would certainly face consequences. Moreover, he hadn't known the full situation at the time; if Qiqi returned safely, he would have caused them needless worry.

Wang Qiqi let out a breath of relief upon hearing he hadn't notified anyone domestically. "Tell Manman I’m back, and I’m not to do that again next time."

"And you aren't to be so reckless either," Dali Jun thought, clearly faulting Wang Qiqi but sounding as if he was somehow to blame.

Daili Jun ate the late-night snack Wang Qiqi had prepared, noticing that both Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were barely touching their food. "Why aren't you eating?" The flavor was quite good; usually, Han Tao was the one who fought him for the most, yet today he acted like a completely different person.

"We thought you'd be working late, so we grabbed some fried chicken outside." Wang Qiqi patted her slightly rounded stomach, thinking to herself that if she weren't putting on a show, she wouldn't even touch this small portion.

"That's great. I was worried sick about you two, and you couldn't even bother to give me a call," Daili Jun exclaimed in frustration. "To think I spent the entire evening on edge..." Daili Jun unleashed his grievances, eating as he spoke about how wronged he felt, and how cold-hearted Han Tao and Wang Qiqi had been toward him—the core message being his utter misery.

"I'll make you braised chicken wings tomorrow; I bought plenty today," Wang Qiqi knew exactly how to appease a food lover, or perhaps, how to subdue him.

Wang Qiqi’s words successfully silenced Daili Jun. Although he desperately wanted to continue his complaints, he knew that pressing the issue further might cost him the promised feast from Qiqi. It was better to seize this moment to negotiate for more favorable terms.