Wang Qiqi and Han Tao stood at the courtyard entrance for a long time. Shi Man and the others had noticed them much earlier. Zhao Rongrong and Shi Hongrui were seeing Han Tao for the first time, and both stood by the window, staring at him.

“Qiqi’s boyfriend is quite tall,” Shi Hongrui’s first observation was Han Tao’s height. Wang Qiqi, barely over 1.6 meters, looked truly petite next to him. “Wow, isn’t he a shut-in? Why isn’t he fat?” Shi Hongrui had seen plenty of college acquaintances who lived glued to their computers, sporting big bellies, or worse, were heading in a porcine direction. Yet, Han Tao wasn't fat. Wasn't it always said that foreigners were fat, or perhaps it was all the fast food?

“Han Tao pays close attention to physical fitness; he always makes time to go to the gym,” Shi Man explained. “The place where Han Tao works has a gym, open all day. Whenever he hits a wall with his ideas or just needs a workout, he heads over.”

Shi Hongrui found this incredible upon hearing it. “Wait, he can do that during work hours?” Wasn't that basically slacking off? If this were in China, the boss seeing an employee exercising during work hours would surely have opinions—even if they didn't say anything, they'd be inwardly displeased.

At first, Shi Man also thought it strange, but later she realized it made sense. “There’s so much work; ultimately, you have to get it done. Besides, if you’re stuck for an idea, or if your idea is wrong, will just sitting in front of the computer guarantee a solution?” Especially in an IT company, deadlines set by the boss must be met. Although everyone tries their best to keep pace, when you’re truly blocked, there’s nothing you can do. “He can discuss work matters while exercising; it’s definite physical conditioning, and tough problems get solved.” Many times, solutions emerge from a casual suggestion or a single point brought up during conversation.

Shi Hongrui conceded the point and stopped dwelling on it. She knew her field, finance, couldn't compare to IT; in finance, every minute equals money, and a single slip-up could lead to significant losses. “Huh, why is only Qiqi coming in?” And she’s carrying luggage. Why isn't her man following? Is he worried about being stumped by a group of women? Could he be so pathologically introverted that he clams up around women?

Shi Man was also puzzled as to why he hadn't followed them in when they reached the door. “Does he want to check out the size of the house?” Shi Man had briefly considered if Han Tao was planning immediate action, but dismissed the thought. A long flight is exhausting; she remembered feeling utterly drained after flying from China, even sleeping most of the way.

Wang Qiqi casually dropped Han Tao’s luggage in the living room. “Help me move the lumber over by the garage.” She couldn't just ask Han Tao to do all the work without having him move the materials.

The moment she said that, everyone was stunned. Shi Man stammered, “Han Tao isn't resting?” Good heavens, Shi Man thought Han Tao was either incredibly capable or perhaps too domesticated.

“Yeah, get it done early so we can get our clothes out in the sun tomorrow,” she replied. For the past few days, everyone had been drying their clothes by briefly airing them on their windowsills. Although they had a dryer, they all preferred the smell of sun-dried laundry, and they always felt dryer-tumbled clothes had a slight residual dampness—though that might just be psychological.

As Han Tao grunted while moving the wooden planks, he saw four women emerge. He didn’t recognize two of them. Though he knew their names, he couldn't match them to faces. Qiqi had described their traits, but to Han Tao, they were just Qiqi’s roommates; he hadn't bothered memorizing them. “Hello,” he managed.

Shi Man was quite pleased with how Han Tao glanced at everyone, offered a greeting, and immediately went back to work. “Hi, thanks for the trouble today. With the frame, drying our clothes will be much easier.” Although you could still see a bit through the gaps in the planks, it was definitely better than hanging them directly outside.

“If you feel bad about it, how about I cook something delicious tonight?” Han Tao joked. As for the other three women, Han Tao didn’t know them well, and based on what Qiqi had told him, they were either kitchen disasters or severely lacking in practical skills. Han Tao wasn’t about to risk a meal that might give him indigestion. Shi Man, however, made food that was, at least, edible.

Shi Man blinked repeatedly. She hadn't expected Han Tao to suggest that. She considered it. “I have no problem, as long as you have no problem.” Ah, it had only been a few days since she last saw Han Tao, and his speech was already becoming slick. She’d have to talk to Qiqi; a man suddenly becoming so glib probably meant something was up.

“I have no problem either, as long as you cook at your normal level—just a few of your specialties,” Han Tao thought. He’d eaten Shi Man’s cooking before; overall, it was passable. “Old Feng often tells me how much he looks forward to your cooking. If you keep putting it off and don't start now, won't Old Feng be terribly disappointed when he gets here?”

Shi Man really wanted to say her man would never say such a thing, but she held back. Didn't she need to give her man some face? “Fine, I’ll cook, but I won’t be able to help you with this heavy lifting. Qiqi shouldn’t have to deal with these chores anyway; her only job should be cooking. But now that I’m cooking, I’ll lose a helper, so your Qiqi will have to pitch in.” Humph, Shi Man was forcing Han Tao to choose: either Qiqi cooks or Qiqi handles the tedious, heavy work.

Wang Qiqi knew there was a reason Shi Man agreed so quickly; here was the counterattack. “Because we’re about to work on my desk, of course, I need to be present.”

“Well, I certainly hope to look up and see Qiqi right beside me,” Han Tao said. He hadn't known how to choose, but now that his wife had spoken, he knew exactly what to say.

Shi Man looked at the couple who were clearly of one mind and knew she couldn't escape cooking dinner. “Okay, I’ll cook, I’ll cook. Let me see what we have in the fridge and I’ll make my specialties.” Ah, the poor soul. She thought she’d dodged cooking duties, but the moment Han Tao arrived, she was picking up a ladle again. And it was all Han Tao’s fault. Shi Man grew angrier the more she thought about it and shot Han Tao two fierce glares.

Han Tao pretended not to notice. Hadn't he received looks like that plenty of times a few years ago? “Qiqi, the tools. Let’s get started.”

After Qiqi mentioned wanting an outer covering for the clothesline, he had recalled a design he saw in the US and sketched out a few plans, finally arriving at a relatively simple enclosure. Though he hadn't built it before, Han Tao knew the difficulty wouldn't be high, provided he had capable assistants. He figured he could finish before dinner. As for the desk Qiqi mentioned, he knew that once the dimensions were measured, it would be manageable. And since Qiqi said she would use a cloth shield outside, there was no need for a perfectly smooth finish, definitely reducing the workload. Han Tao glanced at the sky and said to Wang Qiqi, “Let’s aim to finish all this before dinner.”

Wang Qiqi responded with an "Mm," and pulled out the tools she’d retrieved from the garage. “These are left by the previous landlord. Use them carefully; I’ll have to pay if they break.”

Shi Hongrui, who had heard Han Tao confidently claim he’d finish the covering by dinner, inwardly scoffed that this guy was supposedly shy; he was conversing so well with Shi Man, and even handing out blank checks for dinner. She nudged Zhao Rongrong and whispered, “It’s a pity this guy didn't study business; he’s so smooth with his words.”

Zhao Rongrong pulled her friend’s sleeve, signaling her to watch her tongue. Although she also felt Han Tao might be exaggerating, maybe he genuinely possessed the skill. Hadn’t Shi Man mentioned he helped colleagues repair houses in the US? Compared to house repair, building a simple cover shouldn’t be that hard.

Not only were Zhao Rongrong and the others skeptical of Han Tao’s words, but even Qiqi suspected her man might have overpromised. She knew Han Tao wasn't just talking about finishing the cover; the desk was included. Wang Qiqi thought he could manage the former, but adding the desk made her doubt him. Yet, seeing her man so confident, Wang Qiqi found it awkward to voice her concerns; sometimes, actions spoke louder.

Facing disbelief from everyone, including his own wife, Han Tao merely smiled faintly. He wouldn't argue with them; the best proof was completing everything within the specified time.

“Help me carry the remaining planks over to where you plan to dry the clothes,” Han Tao instructed, walking over to where he had stacked the lumber. He selected a few sturdy planks for the base, slightly recalling the drawing he’d made. “Qiqi, how big are you planning for the cover?”

Wang Qiqi and the others exchanged glances, then shook their heads. “We don’t know; you decide based on these planks.” Since they had no idea how many planks they needed, they bought a cubic meter. They had worried it might be too little, but when the processed lumber arrived, they were stunned by the sheer quantity. They were forced to throw the entire problem to Han Tao, letting the master craftsman figure it out.

Han Tao could only shake his head. As soon as he saw the excessive lumber, he wondered if they had any concept of scale at all. Seeing Qiqi and the others bending low, diligently moving wood, he could only sigh. “It's better to have too much lumber than not enough. At worst, we’ll just make the lattice tighter.” Five people’s laundry load was substantial, yet not overwhelmingly so.

“You handle it all,” Wang Qiqi said, realizing Han Tao wasn't expressing any displeasure. She took it as him giving her face and smiled sweetly at him. “I have confidence in you.”

Han Tao shook his head wordlessly, picked up the nails and hammer, and began assembly, starting with the frame. “Two meters high should be enough, right? I’ll use wire to secure the top. Some clothes can hang there, and we can put quilts and things underneath.” Han Tao suggested. If this were on a terrace, 1.5 meters would suffice, but since it was in the yard, a two-meter-high cover should be safe enough.

“You’re the boss,” Wang Qiqi responded, maintaining her stance. It wasn't that she had no opinions, but this job clearly had Han Tao in charge. If the boss found an easier way to do it, why interfere?

The others nodded in agreement. Their thought process was similar: don’t cause trouble. Furthermore, Han Tao sounded very confident about the cover. They might as well wait for the final product. They had only initially wanted a place to dry clothes, but Han Tao was already considering space for sheets and duvet covers—what a capable man.

Although she was in the kitchen cooking, Shi Man kept checking on Han Tao's progress, popping out frequently. “Oh, you’re working on the frame now, but how is this frame...?” Why wasn’t the frame level? It looked dangerously unstable. “We have to use this for a year.” Whether the structure would last beyond a year was outside their current concern, but right now, Shi Man worried if it would even survive half a year.

Shi Man’s doubt wasn't hers alone; Qiqi and the others also saw the frame looking precarious. But since the four of them had deferred all responsibility to Han Tao, suddenly questioning his ability would be embarrassing for them.

Han Tao glanced at the frame. Alright, he admitted, in its current state, it looked like a hazard. But it wasn't finished yet, was it? “Don’t worry. Once everything is secured, you’ll see how sturdy it is.”

Waiting until it’s done? Shi Man muttered under her breath, “If it falls apart by then, it’s too late.” What if it truly was a safety risk? Would they have to tear it down and start over? But since Qiqi and the others acting as his assistants hadn't voiced any concerns, Shi Man could only turn back to the kitchen, inwardly cursing. If he ruined those good planks by failing to secure the cover, she’d make him pay dearly for that dinner she was cooking.

Worried about Han Tao, Shi Man made several trips out of the kitchen between frying and simmering, checking on the cover’s construction. As the structure took shape, Shi Man's expression grew increasingly pleasant.

When Han Tao finally finished the completed structure, he stood before the five women and asked, “Well? What do you think?”

Though a bit crude, it was generally acceptable. Shi Man and the others even tested its stability by shaking the frame vigorously. “Not bad, it feels pretty solid.” Even when shaking it together, there was minimal wobble; it should hold up when loaded with clothes.

“It’s just a little ugly,” Shi Man noted, her eyes glinting as she offered a suggestion that wasn't quite an objection. “It would be perfect if it were a bit more aesthetically pleasing.”

Han Tao knew Shi Man would find something to critique. “This is the extent of my artistry for now. But you all need to buy waterproof paint and apply several coats so it lasts longer.” Han Tao had noticed earlier that the wood hadn't been waterproofed. Since the cover would be permanently outdoors, waterproofing was paramount.

Shi Man was tempted to say she’d buy the paint immediately and have Han Tao apply it, but then she realized she didn't know where to buy paint. Chinatown might have some, but by the time they got there, the shops might be closed. “We’ll buy it tomorrow. Han Tao, can you help us paint?”

Wang Qiqi didn't get angry watching her man being bossed around to do this and that. This job genuinely required a man’s touch. For instance, while women could build the cover, the question was whether it would be this sturdy or finished this quickly. “Let’s paint tomorrow, and we can all pitch in then,” she said. Even if a man was doing the hard labor, she couldn’t let her man handle everything.

“Let’s all paint together,” Zhang Yan looked at the size of the structure and felt it would be an arduous task, certainly not as easy as building the frame. “Why didn't we think of waterproofing earlier?” If they had painted the planks before assembly, it would have been much faster and easier than painting the completed structure now. But now they’d have to take their time. Moreover, Zhang Yan recalled Qiqi and Han Tao mentioning he was rushing the frame today so they could go out tomorrow. She felt this minor task shouldn't burden him further. Wang Qiqi probably agreed, fearing Shi Man would accuse her of prioritizing her boyfriend over her friends.

Zhao Rongrong and Shi Hongrui chimed in, supporting Zhang Yan’s suggestion. Shi Man was surprised that the people who should have supported her opinion were now opposing it. “Han Tao and Qiqi are going out tomorrow,” Zhang Yan whispered into Shi Man’s ear.

Hearing this, Shi Man immediately changed her tune. “Fine, sisters, we’ll work at home tomorrow and let Qiqi take our hero of the day out for a walk to see how lovely our future living space is.”

Wang Qiqi watched Shi Man change her mind so quickly and knew Zhang Yan must have said something to her. She gave Zhang Yan a silent thank you gesture. “Then I’ll trouble all of you. Alright, Han Tao, let’s work on the desk.” Wang Qiqi expertly recited the length and width she had planned for her desk.

Hearing Qiqi recite the measurements so precisely, Han Tao knew she was really looking forward to the desk. Lately, she’d been using her laptop while sitting on the floor or in the living room, which was very inconvenient. “I need to go inside and take a look,” Han Tao said. He worried that for such a long desk, the support structure underneath absolutely had to be solid. Otherwise, over time, Qiqi might forget the supports were weak and load the desk down, which would concern him about collapse.

Her man wanted to see her room? Wang Qiqi readily led Han Tao to her room. “Shoes off,” Wang Qiqi stopped him as he was about to step inside. Since the clothes in her room were separated by a curtain, dust accumulation was inevitable. For easier cleaning and less dust, and because Wang Qiqi simply loved the feeling of her feet on the floor, shoes had to be removed in her room.

Han Tao complied, removing his shoes. Once inside, although he was interested in touring Qiqi’s room, he worried about the time constraint. He went straight to the spot where Qiqi planned to put the desk. Although the lighting in the attic wasn't ideal, there was a skylight directly above the desk, ensuring decent natural light and ventilation. “This spot is good for the desk, but are these few stacked stools going to be sturdy enough for support?” Han Tao asked, looking at the extremely rudimentary support system with a slight grimace.

Wang Qiqi knew her support setup was somewhat crude, but the issue was, “I don’t have a choice, should I build desk legs myself?” That project was far too massive. “I just need it to last a year.”

Han Tao knew it only needed to last a year, but it had to survive that long. Since Qiqi didn't want to make the project too complex, he picked up the stools, examining them. After quickly calculating, he said, “I have some spare planks; I’ll use them to connect and secure these stools.” Fortunately, although the stools weren't perfect, their quality was decent. As long as he could tie them together securely, they should last a good while.

Listening to Han Tao and watching his actions, Wang Qiqi felt conflicted. “Will it be troublesome to bring the wood planks up? And do we need to move the stools out?” Following Han Tao’s planned method, the room was bound to get messy.

Han Tao understood Qiqi’s hesitation but felt, “It’s better to do it in the room. I’ll help you clean up afterward. Also, the wooden board is too long; bringing it up whole will be slightly harder to maneuver.”

Wang Qiqi thought it over. Theoretically, they could bring the board up intact, but what if it scraped the paint on a wall somewhere? Touching up the paint would be another hassle. “Then let’s cut it into two pieces.” One piece for the main desk, and the other for reference materials while studying.

After agreeing on the plan, the two went downstairs. Han Tao measured the distance with his ruler, then swiftly cut the wooden board into one large and one small piece using the cutting machine, then proceeded to cut all the remaining planks into smaller sections.

Zhang Yan and the others watched, completely bewildered. What was going on? Cutting the main board in two made sense, but why cut the support planks too? They wondered if Han Tao planned to cut everything to size in the attic and assemble it there.

Though they didn't understand the meticulous cutting, they helped carry the pieces upstairs. When they saw Han Tao nailing the cut planks onto the stools, they finally understood: he was reinforcing the stacked chairs, effectively turning Wang Qiqi's single desired desk into two.

Shi Hongrui watched Han Tao working so skillfully and gave Wang Qiqi a thumbs-up. “You found yourself a good one.” He was truly capable, with excellent hands-on skills. More importantly, the look he gave Qiqi was incredibly gentle.

Zhao Rongrong also whispered to Wang Qiqi, “He treats you really well.”

Wang Qiqi accepted all the praise with immense pride. “A good man needs to be cultivated by a woman. I’ve been training him for quite some time.” Wang Qiqi proudly boasted about how she had educated Han Tao and molded him into such a fine specimen.

Wang Qiqi's words left Shi Hongrui momentarily stunned. Han Tao remained crouched on the floor, continuing his laborious task, his head bowed low—not to facilitate the work, but because he feared he might start chuckling. Although his current good fortune was cultivated by Qiqi, the issue was that he had been diligent before; why did the content revealed by Qiqi make him feel so peculiar?

Shi Man happened to have the meal ready. She came upstairs to call everyone to eat and took the opportunity to glance at how Qiqi was arranging her desk. In doing so, she overheard Qiqi’s comments. Regarding Qiqi’s so-called 'childhood sweetheart' narrative, Shi Man could only curl her lip in disdain. Sure, they were neighbors, but in reality, Qiqi and a certain someone hadn't interacted much back then.

Shi Hongrui, with her back to Shi Man, naturally couldn't see her expression. At this moment, she was solely focused on listening to Qiqi recount the so-called lessons learned. "Sigh, why didn't I have such a wonderful childhood sweetheart growing up?" If only, then perhaps she too could live the kind of life Qiqi enjoyed. Of course, it was merely a pleasant daydream. She knew she lacked the capability, and besides, not every childhood sweetheart possessed the same capacity for hardship as Han Tao. RS

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