The days of reunion were always fleeting, and the time for parting arrived too soon. Luo Hongjuan watched her son say goodbye to everyone while holding his luggage, then pulled him into a hug, bursting into tears. "When a child is successful, parents are naturally happy, but the feeling of them not being by your side..." Although Luo Hongjuan knew her son wouldn't be staying long, seeing him prepare to leave brought her deep sorrow.

Han Tao tightly embraced Luo Hongjuan. "Mom, I'll be back next month. I'll take you both to Thailand." Seeing his mother like this, a wave of guilt washed over Han Tao. Since starting university, he hadn't spent much time with her. He was grateful that this time, Qiqi had insisted on taking some vacation time to spend with her own mother. Han Tao suddenly thought that after this mission concluded, he would simply take a few extra days off; the wrap-up work probably wouldn't suffer much if he skipped it.

Luo Hongjuan nodded repeatedly. "When you go out, remember to rest well, and don't stay up late all the time; it's bad for your health..." Luo Hongjuan had said these words countless times, but right at the moment of parting, she couldn't help but repeat her admonitions.

Han Tao accepted them one by one. "Mom, you really don't need to see me off." The image of Luo Hongjuan seeing him off at the airport last time was still vivid in his mind; Han Tao definitely didn't want his mother crying all the way back this time.

Luo Hongjuan shook her head. "I'm going to see you off." At least she could spend a few more hours with her son. Even if she cried the whole way back, would she not cry if she stayed home anyway?

Away from where Han Tao and his mother could notice, Wang Damei whispered to Song Yao, "Look at her, only she misses her son. Our Qiqi hasn't had much private time with him either." Wang Damei felt Luo Hongjuan didn't understand social graces. If it were her, she absolutely wouldn't play the third wheel. "Han Tao has some vacation next month and is going to travel to Thailand with his mom. Doesn't she think about how pitiful Qiqi is?"

What could Song Yao say? "Mom, after all, he's her son. Qiqi doesn't even have an issue with it, so please don't feel indignant for her." Song Yao couldn't very well tell Wang Damei that after accompanying them to Thailand, Han Tao would then go to England to be with Qiqi.

Qiqi didn't have an issue? "One is her mother-in-law; how can a daughter-in-law say anything directly?" Wang Damei thought, with Wang Qiqi's personality, how could she possibly upset Luo Hongjuan at a time like this? "Qiqi really knows how to handle people better than me."

Song Yao could only pinch the bridge of her nose. How did this conversation end up circling back to her? Was this a case of being shot even while lying down? Song Yao thought she truly shouldn't have interjected.

Song Ziwen stayed quietly tucked to the side, staring intently at Han Tao. He certainly wasn't going to argue with his mother at a moment like this. His own sister was just a filial child, but the consequences could be severe. "Qiqi, I'll go with you later," Song Ziwen finally spoke up. Although Qiqi had driven him off once before and returned safely, that was during the day with Han Tao accompanying her, talking along the way. This time it would be at night, and who knew if Luo Hongjuan would cry the whole way back, potentially upsetting Qiqi, which could easily lead to an accident. Of course, he was also quite curious to see how a certain person would react when a planned intimate farewell turned into a family outing, adding two 'third wheels' to the ride. That person would probably choke with frustration but couldn't say a word. However, Song Ziwen felt no pity for that individual. If he hadn't managed to dissuade his own mother, would he need to be so proactive? The man, busy for days, also longed to be wrapped up in his wife's arms.

Having someone accompany her to the airport, Wang Qiqi naturally had no objections. If Luo Hongjuan hadn't been going, Qiqi driving alone would have been fine. But with Luo Hongjuan added, she truly worried about listening to her cry the entire drive back. "Then I won't be polite; thank you, Brother." Having someone willing to act as a buffer in the middle was a relief.

Song Ziwen noticed Wang Qiqi's expression of relief. He patted her head. "Why be polite with your brother?" Poor kid, unable to even have a moment alone with Han Tao. "Since Aunt Luo is also seeing Han Tao off, let's get going first." After all, the routine was the same: the mother clinging to her departing son, incessantly giving instructions.

Wang Damei glared at her son, who was already rushing toward the door. Really, she had planned on having Luo Hongjuan stay behind, but how could this brat not leave her a single moment?

"Mom, you..." Han Tao desperately wanted to tell Luo Hongjuan, Mom, please don't come see me off. I could finally talk with Qiqi for a bit. Han Tao thought he would have preferred Qiqi driving him to the airport alone—at most, she could have stayed overnight near the airport and returned the next day. But now, not only was there an extra mother tag-along, but his brother-in-law was joining too. Han Tao could already foresee that there would be no chance for private conversation throughout the journey, perhaps not even at the airport, with two 'third wheels' present. Han Tao felt utterly stifled, especially seeing the slightly smug look his brother-in-law shot him, which only deepened his frustration.

"Mom, your train leaves early tomorrow morning, so you shouldn't endure the bumpy ride. You should rest early; otherwise, you'll get home late at night." Han Tao knew he had to attempt self-rescue now. His wife wasn't suitable to speak up, and as for his aunt, she seemed caught off guard by his brother-in-law's sudden turn. Regardless, he had to persuade his mother to stay behind first. Song Ziwen was going anyway, bound to be the chauffeur. Let him watch the show; with Qiqi present, Han Tao knew Song Ziwen wouldn't stir up too much trouble, nor would he let Qiqi get overly burdened (If Song Ziwen knew his attempt to enjoy the spectacle was seen through, and that Han Tao viewed him simply as the designated driver, he wondered if he would still be interested in seeing Han Tao off).

After Han Tao's persuasion, coupled with Song Yao's gentle urging and little Tao Tao's cute antics, Luo Hongjuan finally gave up the idea of seeing Han Tao off at the airport. Besides, with Song Ziwen driving them, she wouldn't have to worry about what might happen to Qiqi on the drive back late at night. With Song Ziwen there now, Luo Hongjuan felt much more at ease. "Thank you, Ziwen. Auntie will prepare some delicious late-night snacks when I get home." Although he only proposed driving them because of Wang Qiqi, it was still a kind gesture.

Song Ziwen hadn't expected that his suggestion, made purely to watch the drama unfold, would yield such a fantastic reward. He knew how delicious Aunt Luo's soups were. Previously, when Song Yao praised how good Aunt Luo's soups were, he thought his sister was just flattering her. But after Aunt Luo demonstrated her skills upon returning, he finally understood why his sister, despite juggling the factory and the shop, maintained such good skin—it was all thanks to someone providing her with nourishing sustenance. Thinking of this, Song Ziwen felt it was necessary to encourage his own mother to discuss tonic preparations with Aunt Luo. His parents were getting older and needed nourishment, his wife also needed nourishment, and naturally, he, the breadwinner, needed it most. "Thank you, Aunt Luo. I'll look forward to eating when I get back."

After saying this, Song Ziwen turned to his mother. "Mom, you should stay home and take some cooking lessons too. Look how skilled Aunt Luo is now." Song Ziwen immediately walked to the door to change his shoes and leave, knowing if he stayed any longer, his mother would surely start scolding him. "Your cooking skills haven't improved in decades; that simply won't do." Standing at the door, Song Ziwen couldn't resist teasing his mother, but he genuinely felt that if his mother could be motivated by shame to improve her cooking, he would willingly talk to her about it for three days and three nights.

Song Yao almost laughed hearing her younger brother's blunt words, but what he said was undeniably true. "Mom, you should learn to make some nourishing soups like Aunt Luo does. Aunt Luo often cooks these when she's in the capital." Song Yao recalled this and turned to Yang Jing. "Aunt Luo's soups have become the signature dishes at the shop!" She knew many customers came specifically to see if there were any new soup items on the menu. Although the cost had increased significantly, the business had improved dramatically.

Yang Jing paused. She knew the shop offered drinks and homemade pastries, a tradition her own shop had continued. She hadn't realized that her sister-in-law's shop in the capital had started offering stewed soups. "Sister, you are amazing." Yang Jing thought Song Yao was incredibly shrewd in business, coming up with such an idea. But she could only envy her; she lacked such culinary talent, and she couldn't manage everything alone. If she hired someone, she'd worry they'd raise prices once they saw the business booming. She truly envied her sister-in-law. She had initially thought Song Yao was trying to build a good relationship with Wang Qiqi by involving Han Tao's mother, but she hadn't expected the seemingly useless Luo Hongjuan to be so capable.

Yang Jing had another reason for not wanting to hire an outsider: her own mother-in-law. If she suggested she could do it herself, why spend money hiring someone else? Yang Jing didn't know what she would do then. Her mother-in-law's cooking was just mediocre, and true to what the men said, she showed no inclination to improve, unlike Aunt Luo.

Song Yao raised an eyebrow and hooked her arm around Luo Hongjuan. "Of course, my judgment is excellent. But Yang Jing, I think your aunt's cooking is quite good too. Have you considered asking her?" Song Yao had met Yang Jing's aunt; she seemed like a very honest person. Song Yao thought that if hiring an outsider felt untrustworthy, they could easily ask a family member. However, she wouldn't push the matter; it was all up to Yang Jing's own plans.

Wang Damei could tolerate her daughter and daughter-in-law discussing these things in front of her, but what was even more irritating was that her own daughter hadn't suggested she go help out at her daughter-in-law's shop. It wasn't that Wang Damei wanted to work; she had grown accustomed to leisure over the past two years, but this was an issue of attitude. She felt that first, her son looked down on her cooking, and now her daughter was doing the same. Wang Damei couldn't help but be angry. She consoled herself: after seeing Han Tao off, she would definitely question Song Yao. How could she speak to an elder like that?

When Wang Qiqi and Han Tao came downstairs, Han Tao placed the luggage in the trunk, shared a final hug with Luo Hongjuan, and then hugged Tao Tao tightly. "Goodbye, see you in August."

It took Gong Peixing considerable effort to finally pry his son from Tao Tao's grasp. Han Tao seized the opportunity to quickly get into the car, afraid he might never get away otherwise.

Once inside the car, Han Tao immediately sensed something was off. Song Ziwen was in the front passenger seat, and Qiqi was in the back, showing no intention of driving. Han Tao thought, Forget it, I'll drive. They'll have to drive back after I get on the plane.

The honest Han Tao opened the driver's side door and sank into the seat. "Ah!" Wang Qiqi was surprised that her husband would so readily take the driver's seat. "Are you planning to drive without a license?" Damn it, why bother with the send-off if they were all heading to the traffic police bureau?

Song Ziwen had initially expected Wang Qiqi to drive. He hadn't anticipated his future brother-in-law volunteering so enthusiastically. "Go, go! How can someone without a license drive? Someone needs to study properly," Song Ziwen said, looking at the person sitting calmly behind him in the rearview mirror.

"Brother, you drive," Qiqi huffed. Didn't he want to come watch the spectacle? Did he think watching a show was so easy? Wang Qiqi thought watching a show came with a certain price.

Song Ziwen pointed to himself in surprise with his finger. "Me driving?" After a pause, he asked, "Shouldn't you drive on the way there, and I drive on the way back? Isn't that fair—one trip each?"

Wang Qiqi looked at Song Ziwen, who was clearly trying to wiggle out of it. "Brother, I'll buy you food and drinks at the airport."

"I genuinely wanted to drive, but alas," Han Tao said regretfully. "Brother, you drive. I don't feel at ease with Qiqi driving." If Qiqi drove, he wouldn't be able to chat intimately with her along the way. Alright, Han Tao admitted he had deliberately offered to drive. Even if Qiqi hadn't brought it up, Song Ziwen wouldn't have let Han Tao drive. Indeed, everything was unfolding exactly as Han Tao had predicted.

Since Han Tao had said that, and considering the other woman showed no sign of moving her bottom, Song Ziwen sighed and climbed over from the front passenger seat into the driver's seat. "Don't say night driving is difficult; it has to be done sometime. If Qiqi goes to England later, will she stop driving at night?" Song Ziwen increasingly felt he was providing Qiqi with a chance to practice, it was just a shame the other two didn't understand his intentions.

"That's a matter for the future," Wang Qiqi shot a look at him. She knew her reluctance to drive wasn't just about it being night. "Call me when you arrive." Wang Qiqi deeply missed the internet of later generations, where she could use QQ on her mobile phone. Unfortunately, current QQ wasn't that advanced; she could only let the telecom company profit from this.

"Got it." Han Tao knew he had to call home to report he was safe. "I'll call Mom too."

Song Ziwen had expected the couple to exchange some intimate words in the car. But they had been driving for half an hour, and he had already merged onto the national highway, yet all he heard was Wang Qiqi continuously nagging and repeating instructions. There were no intimate words between the lovers at all.

Song Ziwen suddenly questioned his active decision to drive today. "Qiqi, the instructions you're giving now, your mother-in-law has already told your man several times. I could recite them by heart. If you keep going, be careful your man doesn't leave you."

"If Yang Jing kept nagging me like that after my mom finished, I would definitely find Yang Jing too troublesome." Song Ziwen swapped the parties involved and realized he absolutely couldn't sit there smiling quietly, listening to his woman's nagging like Han Tao could. The more he thought about it, the creepier it felt, and he started shaking violently.

Wang Qiqi had intended to say other things to Han Tao after finishing her instructions, but with a 'third wheel' present, she felt too awkward to speak openly. She hadn't expected Song Ziwen to suddenly comment that her words were boring. "You wolf with ambitions!" Wang Qiqi looked at Song Ziwen twitching as if having a seizure and unceremoniously patted his shoulder a few times. "Brother, can you please drive properly? Talking while driving is already taboo, and you're twisting around! Show me how good your driving skills are and stay steady!"

Song Ziwen hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to be so rough. He had intended to take one hand off the wheel to rub his shoulder, but Wang Qiqi had scolded him like that instead. "Fine, fine, I won't talk anymore. I'll just listen, okay?" Hmph. It was fine; wasn't he being proactive today precisely because he wanted to hear what they had to say?

Seeing Song Ziwen cooperate so actively, Han Tao didn't want to disappoint him, especially since he was driving them to the airport. "About the house, I've thought it over. Let's not buy furniture for now. You'll be studying for three years of graduate school, so let's keep renting. We can buy furniture after you graduate." Although they now had their own house, Han Tao felt there was no need to move in yet. Wang Qiqi had considered that Han Tao would only stay during winter and summer breaks, spending most of his time at the university; the house would mostly sit empty.

Han Tao murmured, "If that's what you think, we'll do that." Then, "What about after you graduate?" He had previously thought they would move into his house, assuming Qiqi's graduate studies would only last one year, and accommodation would be an issue when she went to the US.

"I might end up traveling the world, you know. But if I go to the US, I will definitely be a companion wife," Wang Qiqi wasn't entirely sure about her plans for the year ahead, but one thing was clear: she didn't plan on staying alone in such a large house. Even though the security there was reportedly good, Wang Qiqi would be scared staying alone in such a big place. It would be better to be with her man.

Han Tao's heart sank a bit hearing the first part. They had already been separated for half a year; if Qiqi decided to travel the world after graduation, wouldn't they be separated for three or four years? Although Qiqi might go to the US during that time, the feeling would be different—like migratory birds. But hearing the second part made Han Tao happy. "That’s great, I’ll rent an apartment then." Even though it would be more expensive, Han Tao felt completely capable of covering those expenses. "If Mom wants to visit us, there will be a place for her to stay too." Of course, even if Qiqi had children, there would be a place to raise them. They had agreed to have children after Qiqi graduated from graduate school—Qiqi understood it as Han Tao’s graduation, and Han Tao understood it as Qiqi’s. Han Tao thought they had been together for four years now, like an old married couple, well-adjusted, and it was time to have a child.

"When Qiqi has the baby, Mom and the others will have a place to stay when they come to take care of her," Song Ziwen interjected. Hmph, what did he mean, a place for Mom to stay? There was only one scenario where Aunt Luo would go to the US: when Qiqi had a baby. Once Aunt Luo was promoted to grandmother, she would definitely go. Other than that, the chance of her going to the US was slim.

Wang Qiqi was startled by Song Ziwen's words. Although having a child was inevitable—especially since they planned on having several, and to recover quickly, they needed to complete this task before she turned thirty-five—the problem was Wang Qiqi had never considered having a baby immediately after finishing graduate school. Thinking about it: reborn in her senior year of high school, and then constantly busy with one thing after another, she hadn't had a moment to breathe. If things went according to Song Ziwen's timeline, Wang Qiqi felt she might faint. She would barely graduate from the sea of academia only to dive into the even greater responsibility of family life, especially with adding a new member. Children were the most difficult to care for.

Song Ziwen noticed Wang Qiqi’s conflicted expression in the rearview mirror. He felt sorry for his brother-in-law. Even after rolling around in the sheets so many times with his sister, if things went smoothly, the child could already be in kindergarten. He had finally seen the light, only to have Wang Qiqi pull him right back into darkness.

Han Tao looked at the conflicted Wang Qiqi. He knew she wasn't against having children; she just wanted to wait a couple more years. He knew her plan—she wanted two years of freedom. Han Tao didn't want her to abandon this goal, but he was also suffering. That fellow Feng Xuanxiang kept telling him he wasn't getting any younger and that if he delayed further, he’d be an elderly father. He also kept mentioning the possibility of two women wandering outside and meeting better men. Han Tao wasn't worried about the first reason; if Qiqi followed her plan, he would be nowhere near being an old father. But the second possibility terrified him. If that day ever came, he didn't know what he would do. Some people might say he was also a high-quality man and would surely find a better, more suitable woman. Han Tao knew that might happen, but he knew no woman would take such good care of his mother or be as wholeheartedly devoted to him as Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi spoke for a long time before suddenly realizing Han Tao hadn't said anything. Did he think the same way? Wang Qiqi shot Han Tao a displeased look. "What do you think?" Wang Qiqi adopted a threatening posture, implying that if he dared agree with Song Ziwen, she would certainly show him why the flowers were red.

Han Tao desperately wanted to voice his absolute agreement with Song Ziwen’s words, yet he knew such an affirmation would instantly arouse Qiqi’s suspicion, jeopardizing his plans for the future. In a flash, his expression shifted to one of utmost honesty and obedience. “Qiqi, don’t you know me by now? Haven't we already agreed? I will absolutely support whatever choice you make.” Internally, however, he mused that if a child did eventually come along, it would simply follow his script. Han Tao didn't worry about Qiqi considering an abortion; she had always insisted that terminating a pregnancy was detrimental to a woman's health, not to mention her belief that the first child would invariably be exceptionally intelligent. Based on these points, he knew for certain that if she became pregnant, Qiqi would absolutely carry the baby to term.

Wang Qiqi realized Han Tao was squarely on her side. Pouting with a haughty lift of her chin, she shot a defiant look toward Song Ziwen. Song Ziwen noticed Han Tao’s expression and thought to himself that while his little sister was clever, she truly didn't grasp the depths of men's thinking. He was absolutely certain Han Tao agreed with his perspective. As for whether Song Ziwen would warn Wang Qiqi? The answer was a definitive NO. His own aunt had long hoped for Qiqi to bear a son quickly to inherit the Wang family lineage. If his aunt learned that, due to his interference, that day was delayed, would he face anything pleasant? RS