Wang Qiqi felt deeply uncomfortable sleeping, and upon opening her eyes, realized Han Tao’s arm was lying across her. The light outside was already bright, yet Wang Qiqi felt utterly drained of strength. “Hey, take your arm off, this is really uncomfortable.” Having grown accustomed to sleeping alone, suddenly having someone sleeping beside her made Wang Qiqi terribly uneasy.

Han Tao heard Wang Qiqi’s complaint, but instead of complying, he just pulled her closer. “It’s still early, sleep a little longer.” Didn’t she expect them to go out exercising first thing in the morning? “Missing one day of exercise won’t matter.”

Han Tao felt truly exhausted; they hadn’t checked into the hotel until eleven at night. After showering, talking for a while, and engaging in some physical activity, all Han Tao registered was the faint glimmer of dawn outside.

Wang Qiqi looked at the person beside her, now resembling a listless stray cat, and murmured, “I wonder who it was yesterday, full of energy and not wanting to sleep.” Humph, he had talked about being so tired and wanting an early night—it was all lies. That’s why you should never trust a man when he says he’s too tired and wants to sleep.

“But you seemed to enjoy yourself yesterday too,” Han Tao countered, rolling over to grab the bottled water nearby. He gulped down half of it before slowly getting up and heading toward the bathroom, moving through the room completely unclothed.

Seeing this display, Wang Qiqi had only one thought: thank goodness they weren't staying at home, or if their family had knocked and walked in, it would have caused a huge problem. “You—you don’t even put any clothes on.” Wang Qiqi tossed his discarded shirt onto him. “Aren’t you ashamed?”

Ashamed? Han Tao looked down at his body. “Is my physique bad? I might not have an eight-pack, but I certainly have four.” There wasn't a shred of unnecessary fat; he was standardly built. Han Tao felt wronged. “I wonder who it was yesterday, clinging to me, saying I looked great.” Alas, some people just say certain things at certain times; once that window closes, you can forget about it. Han Tao complained with genuine grievance.

“How about I restore your memory?” Han Tao suddenly exclaimed with a spark of excitement. This was a method he rather liked; if possible, he truly wished Qiqi could remain forgetful forever.

Hearing such an outrageous suggestion, Wang Qiqi gave him a few hard kicks. “I’m hungry. Let’s go buy breakfast, and then we’ll take a stroll outside.” Wang Qiqi looked at his furious expression—how could he still want to sleep? If he kept trying, they’d sleep until the afternoon. “We’ll continue tonight.”

Though not entirely satisfied with Wang Qiqi’s reply, Han Tao could only let it go. “Get up, we’re already late for lunch; it’s ten-thirty.” They tidied up quickly and needed to find somewhere to eat, meaning it would be close to half-past eleven at least. “Should we have some cake first?” Han Tao suddenly remembered the pastries Shi Man had given him earlier.

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao finished dressing and tidying up. After having a simple breakfast in the room, they finally ambled out of the hotel to wander aimlessly nearby. “Oh, you’re not familiar with this area?” In Han Tao’s view, since Wang Qiqi had been here for several days, she should have some grasp of the city where she would be living for the next year—at least know which spots were interesting for a good outing. He hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to look completely blank. “Haven’t you been here quite a while?”

Wang Qiqi looked aggrieved. “I’ve just been holed up organizing the room. At most, I walked around the school I’m going to attend to get my bearings, or went to Chinatown to buy things.” Wang Qiqi thought to herself that she couldn't exactly take him shopping in Chinatown; that would be far too dull. It wasn't that Wang Qiqi hadn't considered asking Shi Man for suggestions on interesting places, but Shi Man only knew about shopping malls, and other than that, everything else was a toss-up. “How about we just walk around the suburbs, or I can take you to see the place I’ll be studying?” Wang Qiqi considered the options. What was so interesting about the places she bought things? Just different sizes and different goods. Han Tao had seen shops before.

Han Tao thought it over. He might come back for Christmas, or perhaps he'd go straight on vacation. He decided, “Let’s go look at where you’ll be studying.” He already felt a bit bad for not being here to see her off to registration, so now that he was here, there was no reason not to see the school where Qiqi would spend her time studying.

“You’ll definitely like it; a lot of it is old architecture.” Thinking about the school she was about to attend made Wang Qiqi particularly happy. Although the university she had attended before had a long history, it couldn't compare to this school—not just in its long founding history and building architecture, but more importantly, the atmosphere. Even though it was vacation, there were quite a few people around, and many were reading in the library. It was completely different from home. Wang Qiqi considered herself quite diligent in university, but compared to those people, she felt like she had just been coasting along. “By the way, have you seen the school you’ll be attending? What did you think?”

“It’s very modern. It probably doesn't have the same long history as your school, but then again, America hasn't been established for that long, so you can’t expect ancient history,” Han Tao mused. In terms of historical depth, there wasn't much point in comparing. “But the program is quite good.” While not exactly top-tier, it was certainly reputable. Han Tao was satisfied with attending this school. Going to a famous school was mainly about learning more, meeting more people, and then finding a good job or starting a good business. Han Tao had already achieved most of those things. As for the latter, Han Tao had considered it, but he’d have to wait for the right opportunity.

That opportunity was often tied to money. There were plenty of creative and talented people, but how many broke through? It wasn't that they didn't want to continue; it was that a shortage of cash could break a good man. Han Tao wasn't lacking drive, but he had to consider many things, like his wife and child, ensuring he saved enough for household expenses before he could confidently pursue starting a business. Although this sounded slightly small-minded and unadventurous, in Han Tao's view, it was the responsible side of a man. Of course, he knew that if he truly decided to start something, Qiqi would back him up. She would offer her own money for the venture, or at the very least, she would say she could earn the living expenses. But to Han Tao, that meant Qiqi would be overworked. So, he preferred to live an ordinary life rather than see Qiqi struggle. When they bought that house, didn't Qiqi take on extra work and stay up late translating? Although Qiqi never complained, Han Tao knew Song Yao had opinions about him, and strong ones at that. He truly didn't want to repeat that pressure, and this time, the pressure would be even greater than the mortgage for the house.

Wang Qiqi was busy putting on her shoes and missed the momentary shift in Han Tao’s mood. “Okay, let’s go. We’ll tour the school first, and maybe eat there to check out the cafeteria food.” The last time she visited the campus, she had arrived after lunch, and time was tight, so she hadn't experienced the future standard of meals there. Still, she figured it wouldn't be anything spectacular.

After walking around the campus for a while, Han Tao had only one thought: “You’ll be taking classes in very historic buildings.” The trees were thick and massive, clearly ancient. But this place made Han Tao feel uneasy. “If it gets dark too early in the winter, we should head back with Man Man.” Daytime was fine, but nighttime felt a bit eerie.

Wang Qiqi wasn’t that timid. Even if it looked slightly intimidating, the reality was that after her first year of university, she rarely attended evening classes, preferring to borrow books and finish her assignments at home. “Don’t worry. If I really need to study in the library, I expect to be pulling all-nighters.” Abroad, a student’s time during the semester was often spent in the library, especially near exams when library spots were fiercely contested. Of course, if you weren’t ambitious and just wanted to scrape by, there were ways—mainly retaking courses repeatedly—but Wang Qiqi had no intention of turning her one-year master’s program into a continuous Ph.D. track.

All-nighters? Han Tao was startled when Wang Qiqi said that so calmly. “Ah, you don’t seriously plan to stay up all night, do you? That’s terrible for your health.” Staying up late in youth might be fine; Qiqi had pulled an all-nighter before, but she usually needed to sleep by two in the morning. Now, the 'all-nighter' she mentioned meant staying awake the entire night. If she had a class the next day, that would be… “You should borrow the books and read them back home. Just keep up with your regular homework.” Thankfully, Qiqi didn't need to work part-time jobs to earn money. As for translation work, she could take it if she had time and leave it if she didn't; overall, her schedule was quite flexible.

Wang Qiqi certainly knew that reading books borrowed to take home was more comfortable, especially in winter, with a fireplace in the room, the ability to sip hot tea whenever she pleased, and snacks on hand. If she got tired, she could just flop down for a nap. That was definitely better than reviewing coursework in the library. However, one advantage the library had over home was the lack of people—especially women. You might intend to study for an hour, but it would turn into a tea party. In that case, the slightly harsher conditions of the library were preferable.

“Sometimes a little relaxation is okay, but your concerns aren’t unfounded either.” Han Tao recalled renting with a group of friends, playing games together, eating meals together. When someone went through a breakup, instead of comfort, they got relentless teasing, followed by buying plenty of beer to drink until they passed out. That time felt like yesterday, yet afterward, they all ended up studying abroad. Even now, though they were all in the US, and everyone kept saying they’d reunite, they had never managed a full gathering since—this person was busy, or that person couldn't get time off. Those doing poorly didn't want to face their old classmates, and those doing well were too busy with work to take leave. There were endless excuses. “Just stick with it. Besides, the pressure of credits is real. Even if you want to chat, you have to consider the exams.” Back home, if your usual performance was decent, someone might pull strings and give you a passing grade. But abroad, that approach wouldn't work. Of course, if you were willing to make certain sacrifices, there were always opportunities.

Wang Qiqi agreed. The pressure of credits was real. She and Shi Man didn't want to spend another year studying. Shi Hongrui had financial pressures, so she probably didn't want to stay another year either. Zhang Yan was always a good student and definitely prioritized academics. That left Zhao Rongrong, who was even less of a concern.

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao found a restaurant with many people and walked in. In her logic, places crowded with diners must serve good food, otherwise, so many people wouldn't gather there.

Once inside, they saw a variety of food—fast food, sushi, and other items—but the good stuff wasn't cheap. There were cheaper options like burgers and sandwiches, but Wang Qiqi wasn't particularly fond of that fare. “Ugh, does this mean I’ll have to pack lunch every day?” Wang Qiqi noticed that a microwave was provided in a corner of the dining hall, meaning bringing food was an option. She spotted a few people taking their lunchboxes to the microwave to heat them up, which brought her a wave of relief. Cold food in spring or autumn was tolerable, but the feeling of eating food that had gone cold in winter… However, preparing meals every day also felt like a huge burden. She couldn't be the only one bringing lunch, could she? That would mean she’d be responsible for preparing five people's lunches—breakfast, lunch, and dinner, three times a day.

The thought made Wang Qiqi shudder. “People who can cook are truly unhappy.” While they might be spared from cleaning the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, the tasks of shopping, preparing vegetables, cooking, and washing dishes—which she and Shi Man were responsible for—were not light. She had initially assumed she would only need to handle one main meal; breakfast would be bread and milk, perhaps some congee occasionally. Now, it seemed she had been far too naive. “Ugh, I’ve turned into a kitchen maid.” Wang Qiqi held up her hand to Han Tao, indicating her skin felt rough already.

Han Tao pulled Wang Qiqi’s palm closer to look. “Wow, your hands are still as beautiful and smooth as before.” Though it felt a bit rough to the touch, Han Tao knew he’d be asking for trouble if he actually said, ‘Your hands are a bit rough now.’ While Han Tao was generally straightforward, he wasn't entirely dense; he couldn't pull off grand romantic gestures, but that didn't mean he couldn't sweet-talk a girl. “Even if they feel a bit rough, to me, they feel just as smooth as before.”

While the sentiment was pleasing, it lacked credibility. “You’re just flattering me, but I enjoy hearing it. Later, we’ll go to the supermarket to buy hand cream.” Wang Qiqi planned to start a weekly hand-mask routine; if she did that, there would be no need to buy expensive creams—the ordinary ones would suffice.

Han Tao wasn't surprised by Wang Qiqi’s request. He had always known she was particularly protective of her hands. “Your hands look like they’ve never done housework.” They felt incredibly soft, plump, and fair—inviting a gentle bite.

Wang Qiqi knew her hands were well-maintained, but ‘well-maintained’ was relative. Compared to people who genuinely did no housework and dedicated themselves to self-care, her hands were a bit rough. “Right now, I’m just spending small amounts to keep them nice. It’s much better than waiting until my hands look rough enough to rival a farmer’s before thinking about maintenance. That would be a huge loss.” For example, Song Yao had also started focusing on hand care these past two years, but the foundation had already been slightly damaged; even with protection now, her hands didn’t feel as good as Qiqi’s.

After grabbing something quick to eat, the two left the school hand-in-hand. “Where to next?” Wang Qiqi asked, pouting slightly, standing at a bus stop near the school. “It’s so inconvenient without a car. Once I get my license, I’ll have a car.” If they had a car now, even without a destination, they could just drive around aimlessly, stop wherever looked interesting, and explore. But without a car, they needed to plan routes. “How about we take a spontaneous half-day bus tour?” Wang Qiqi suddenly had a rather reckless idea. She had actually done this before when studying in the capital—just hopping on a random bus heading somewhere unknown, transferring endlessly, exploring without a set goal. It led her to discover several interesting places. However, she had never dared to try it abroad.

Wang Qiqi’s suggestion startled Han Tao. “You mean we just randomly ride buses without a destination?” In Beijing, that wasn't an issue; the public transit network was extensive, and they would always find their way. But here, in a foreign country, few foreigners took the bus; most traveled by private car. If they made one wrong move, the two might genuinely not know where they were and couldn't find a return bus or even hail a cab—that would be a disaster.

Hearing Han Tao stutter through his reasons for objecting to the bus tour, Wang Qiqi sighed. Her only thought was that this man had become a bit dull from staring at computer screens coding. “If the bus doesn’t stop, we can hail a cab back.” Wang Qiqi said with a smile. She and Shi Man had successfully flagged down rides in the US before. While they had failed sometimes, the overall success rate was quite high. In wealthier cities, the success rate for hitchhiking was lower than in more ordinary cities, perhaps because people there were blinded by their own success and lacked that willingness to help. Wang Qiqi sensed this city seemed relatively kind; they should be able to flag someone down. “Don’t worry, I remember the address of our rental. At worst, we can just get dropped off at the school.” If they reached the school, surely they could find their way back? If all else failed, they could walk; it wasn't that far.

Watching Wang Qiqi, who looked completely confident that her plan was sound, Han Tao really wanted to ask where the usually wary Wang Qiqi had gone. How could she be so confident? Even though Han Tao wasn't enthusiastic about the itinerary, the moment a bus stopped, Wang Qiqi grabbed Han Tao and jumped aboard, completely failing to notice which route it was, let alone where it was going.

Han Tao watched Wang Qiqi, as excited as a small child on their first field trip, and could only sigh. He would have to wait until they got off to figure out which route it was, where it originated and ended, and which stop to get off at.

Wang Qiqi found a seat and heard the sigh from the person beside her. She patted his thigh. “Relax, it’s fine.” Humph, that time Shi Man and the other two went out, they found their way and returned safely despite having incorrect information. There was no reason they couldn't do what those three managed.

To prove that she wouldn't get lost here and that there were plenty of good people, Wang Qiqi recounted the story of Shi Man and the others' excursion. “So stop worrying like an old man about this and that. Have some faith in us.”

Looking at Wang Qiqi’s expression demanding reassurance, Han Tao felt his heart speed up, and his irritation began to mount. “Are you thinking they were just lucky, and you will be too? And just because they could do it, you think you can?” Han Tao was furious enough to explode. What was there to compare? It wasn't about comparing work performance or income.

Wang Qiqi had only meant to tell Han Tao not to worry about getting lost or not finding their way, that everything would be fine. She hadn't expected such a strong reaction from him. “Why would I compare myself to Man Man and the others? I just wanted you to stop worrying.” What Han Tao didn't know was that if this aimless wandering went well, she had considered pulling the same stunt when they visited Germany in a few days—wandering without purpose, purely for vacation rather than structured tourism. After all, they would have plenty of opportunities to visit Germany in the future. But now, that plan was definitely off the table; this man would never agree.

Han Tao knew his temper had flared, but he was genuinely upset. When he regained his composure, he saw Qiqi’s face had gone a little pale. Han Tao would not apologize. He worried that if he apologized, this girl might do something unpredictable. What if she then said, ‘Next time in Germany, we’re doing a bus tour too’? Han Tao felt like he might as well jump in the river.

Han Tao reached out and put an arm around Wang Qiqi’s shoulder. “As long as you’re obedient, I won’t scold you. I’m just worried that if you get curious and addicted to wandering like this alone later on, what then? Even if the neighborhood security is good, bad people still exist.”

Alright, Han Tao had a point. Wang Qiqi knew her own curiosity was quite strong. She had done this before in Beijing and in the US. Once, she had even gone alone to an unfamiliar place for a job interview, which resulted in Han Tao giving her the cold shoulder for several days. Wang Qiqi admitted she had been frightened afterward too. “Don’t worry, I understand. I won’t do this kind of thing again.” If she wanted to explore this small city, she would either do it on foot or drive a group of people around to discover things.

Han Tao stared at Wang Qiqi, and Wang Qiqi met his gaze squarely. She knew she couldn't dodge, or that certain someone wouldn't let her off the hook. Inside, Wang Qiqi kept chanting to herself that she had only promised not to take the bus for a city tour, but she hadn't promised not to drive, ride a bicycle, or even walk around the city herself. Thus, under the heavy pressure of Han Tao's stare, Qiqi showed no sign of yielding.

In Han Tao's view, Wang Qiqi's promise was still dubious, but what could he do? He couldn't possibly watch her every second. His only recourse was to hope that Shi Man would keep a close eye on her. The problem, however, was whether Han Tao could trust Shi Man to follow through on that task, considering that on many occasions, the two of them were birds of a feather. It was entirely possible that Shi Man might stir Qiqi up, leading them to sneak out, though it was equally plausible that Qiqi might incite Shi Man to join her on an outing.