Wang Qiqi had no idea how long she'd been working, only knowing that when she got tired, she'd doze off for a bit. But she wouldn't sleep long before being jolted awake, forcing down another cup of coffee to keep going. It wasn't that she didn't want to rest; it was because MAY next to her was working so relentlessly. Except for the occasional moment tending to her baby or taking a short nap, as long as Wang Qiqi was awake, MAY was constantly flipping through documents, typing furiously on her computer, and making phone calls. In an environment like that, how could Wang Qiqi dare to rest much? She always felt as though the boss was watching her every move; if she wasn't working diligently, what would the leader think of her? What had she been up to while the boss wasn't around?

Wang Qiqi truly admired this woman. Of course, Westerners seemed quite resilient. After giving birth, there was no traditional confinement period, and naturally, there was no maternity leave to speak of. If you wanted a good rest after delivery, you either had to resign or possess a substantial amount of accumulated leave. While this place was considered somewhat humane—MAY hadn't returned to work after her maternity leave—seeing how frantically busy she was now made Wang Qiqi genuinely impressed. Of course, her child was also having a tough time, sleeping right there in the office. Thank goodness the baby was quiet and didn't fuss; otherwise, Wang Qiqi felt she truly would have broken down.

“Where are you planning to go for the Christmas holiday?” Just as Wang Qiqi lowered her head, appearing busy but actually lost in thought, MAY suddenly asked.

“Bali,” Wang Qiqi replied, surprised that MAY would ask about her vacation plans. She found it strange; overseas, only close friends would inquire about holiday destinations; casual acquaintances would never abruptly ask where you were traveling. “I just booked the flights a few days ago,” Wang Qiqi quickly added as an explanation. Otherwise, if MAY thought she had booked everything way in advance, that would be a huge problem—wouldn't it suggest she wasn't focused on work at all, only thinking about vacation?

“Bali sounds lovely, but maybe this time you…” MAY wasn't one to pry; she had just asked casually. She had heard Mark and the others mention that Angel’s boyfriend was doing his graduate studies in the US, so she assumed they might take a trip over Christmas. But based on the current situation, although they'd have the day off on Christmas, traveling seemed unlikely. Of course, if things progressed smoothly, an outing might be possible, but currently, the probability looked slim.

Wang Qiqi had always held onto a secret hope that maybe she had good karma and that fate loved her, but it seemed fate wasn't on her side this time. “It’s fine, maybe next time. If worst comes to worst, we’ll go to Greece.” Although Italy was also a place Wang Qiqi longed for, Zhang Yan and the others were going to Italy. Wang Qiqi didn't want to vacation in the same place as them—not because she worried about anything, but because it wouldn't feel like an intimate getaway for just the two of them.

Hearing that Wang Qiqi was already considering Greece, MAY moved her lips but ultimately held back. It was better not to crush the girl’s spirits further; what if she couldn't even make it to Greece and was stuck with just local day trips? She might just explode.

Don't let Wang Qiqi’s confident tone fool you; she was quite anxious inside. Right now, all she could think about was working hard, gathering information as meticulously as possible, striving to wrap up this deal soon so she could finally leave for her vacation. As for how much money they would make, or how much she would ultimately receive, Wang Qiqi truly couldn't bring herself to think about it. Compared to money, she craved a proper rest and a leisurely holiday more.

When Shi Man drove over to drop off clothes for Wang Qiqi, she noticed her severe dark circles. “Have you been getting any sleep these past few days?” In just this short time, how many times had she yawned? And the overall impression was that she hadn't rested well at all.

Wang Qiqi yawned weakly. “I’m desperately looking forward to a sleeping bag right now.” She used to complain about sleeping bags being inconvenient, but now, even dozing off for an hour in one sounded like a blessing. As for a real bed, Wang Qiqi didn’t dare think about it. “The first thought I have when I see a sleeping bag is that I can finally stretch my legs out without worrying about getting a stiff neck.”

Heavens, she was actually looking forward to a sleeping bag! It looked like Qiqi had suffered quite a bit here recently. “You need to pace yourself. Oh, and you haven’t contacted your Han Tao, have you? He’s worried sick. Not even logging into the chat app, and not even sending emails! Honestly, you.” Shi Man used to think Wang Qiqi was avoiding Han Tao, perhaps finding it difficult to tell him their holiday might be canceled. But now she understood—it wasn't avoidance at all; she simply didn't have time to rest.

Wang Qiqi desperately wanted to say, why would she bother chatting with Han Tao? Her mind was completely strained. With the time she had, she’d rather snatch a quick nap. Besides, the current situation was so tense; Wang Qiqi avoided sending any emails except the absolutely necessary ones, fearing the boss would think she was acting suspiciously. The boss hadn't been in a good mood lately, so Wang Qiqi felt it was best to keep a low profile under the circumstances. “I’ll call him later.” Some things couldn't be explained clearly in an email. She had thought about asking Shi Man to pass along a message, but nothing beats saying it herself. She’d wait until tonight, choose a good time, and call the man. Wang Qiqi genuinely felt terribly apologetic.

“Talk to him properly. If things get too tight, just have Han Tao come over to keep you company. Since there’s no one at home anyway, having someone look after the place would be a bonus,” Shi Man said cheerfully. “You’d even save money, and while your man says he’s fine, he can’t truly be fine. He’s a workaholic, just like my Lao Feng.” Men who are workaholics are better; otherwise, if they have too much free time, who knows what stories might unfold.

Wang Qiqi wouldn't mind spending the money, but the problem was she couldn't spend it even if she wanted to right now. Wang Qiqi hated the boss’s friend with a passion. If he was going to betray them, why couldn't he have done it sooner? Didn't he know Christmas and the New Year were approaching? Now, because of him, everyone’s joy was ruined. If he had acted just a little bit slower, she would have nearly finished wrapping things up. If he wanted to turn against them, so be it. But this was just her thinking now; the best time to make a move is when everyone is slightly off-guard, and he certainly picked a good moment. If someone hadn’t noticed, he might have actually succeeded.

“My only hope now is that this contract goes smoothly so I can spend the money renovating the house nicely.” Since the vacation might be out of the question, she might as well hold onto the money. Then, when buying furniture and appliances, she wouldn't have to watch the budget and could buy exactly what she liked.

Shi Man could only offer one thought: “You’re quite good at entertaining yourself and very open-minded about things.”

Wang Qiqi offered a bitter smile. “What else can I do? Alright, my break time for today is over; I need to get back to work. You should try harder these few days too. Stop always thinking about buying things for everyone. People will think your parents are incredibly wealthy, hearing all the gossip.” Wang Qiqi had noticed Shi Man had purchased quite a few items for her trip back home. “Buying gifts for your parents and Lao Feng’s parents is fine, but don’t be so generous with the rest of the relatives. If you get into the habit of giving expensive gifts every time you return, and then you scale back slightly later, people won’t think your previous gifts were generous and these new ones are merely standard. Instead, they’ll just think you’ve become stingy.” Wang Qiqi had experienced this deeply. “No matter how rich they are, they’ll be envious. Even if you give a lot, they’ll have something to say. It’s better to just spend it on enjoying yourself.”

Shi Man understood these principles. “Ah, last time we visited his family, it was so rushed, and we didn't see some relatives. This time, his mother said since we are both studying abroad, the gifts shouldn't be too modest. What choice do Lao Feng and I have?” The mother-in-law was only concerned with appearances, never considering how hard we work to earn money. “Anyway, I let Lao Feng handle it. She’s his mother; if I say too much, it’ll seem like I, his daughter-in-law, am being stingy.”

“You have it easy. Han Tao’s mother is so good to you.” Previously, Shi Man thought no matter how good Han Tao’s mother was to Qiqi, she couldn't compare to how she treated her own son. But after interacting more with the future mother-in-law recently regarding the birthday banquet back home, Shi Man had matured considerably. “As for me, I just buy some discounted designer brands. They only recognize a brand name anyway.”

“Even discounted, it’s expensive. I think you should really tell your mother-in-law how hard it is to earn money abroad. Doesn't she feel bad for you? She’ll feel for her son, too. Don't always stay silent; they naturally assume you have it easy overseas.” They think studying abroad means you’re rich because one dollar converts to several Yuan. But the issue is, we don't earn in dollars and spend in Yuan, do we? “However, it is frustrating that your mother-in-law acts that way, but at least you are far away.”

Shi Man could only offer a wry smile. “No matter how far I am, she’s still my mother-in-law; she’ll eventually live with us.” Shi Man could only hope that when that time comes, her mother-in-law sees how hard she works and stops causing trouble. “It’s true that distance fosters good relations, but as soon as a minor issue arises, problems surface.”

Wang Qiqi knew Shi Man was upset. She had managed to distance herself from those toxic relatives back home, but now this issue with the mother-in-law had popped up. What could Wang Qiqi say? “It’s better than bottling it up only to have them stab you in the back later.” These types of people can’t keep secrets. Although they are easily manipulated, they are still better than those who constantly scheme in silence. Furthermore, the more they make trouble, the more Feng Xuanxiang will realize how difficult Shi Man’s life is.

Shi Man could only see it that way. “Alright, I’m leaving. Take care of your rest; look how much thinner you are than when you were in your final year of high school.” All the weight she had slowly gained over four years was gone; it was heartbreaking. She wondered how Han Tao would react seeing his wife so thin after not seeing her for months. He’d probably be distraught.

Wang Qiqi looked at her bony body with helplessness. She had finally managed to gain a little weight, and Han Tao still thought she was too thin. Now, with all this work, she had slimmed down again. Wang Qiqi worried. She thought perhaps she should start eating lavish dinners daily, even consuming ten intensely sweet pastries a day. That should help her put on weight, right?

MAY looked at Wang Qiqi’s lunch, then looked at it again. “Are you very hungry today?” Angel usually didn’t have such an appetite, and could she really finish all that food? MAY was highly skeptical.

Looking at the mountain-like hamburger before her, Wang Qiqi felt melancholic. She was genuinely intimidated by this super-sized meal. “I have to eat it even if I can’t finish. I need to try and gain five kilograms in these few days.”

MAY was momentarily speechless at Wang Qiqi’s statement. Most people found losing weight hard, while this person was actively trying to gain weight. She glanced down at the little bit of fat on her own stomach and wished she could transfer some to Wang Qiqi, but that was unrealistic. MAY felt utterly miserable, wondering why she even asked Angel that question.

Wang Qiqi didn't notice the other woman's wistful gaze. Right now, all she could think about was conquering the giant burger in her hands. Looking at something so large, especially with three thick patties, Wang Qiqi thought Mark and the others must have incredible appetites. After eating something like this, they claimed to be hungry again just three or four hours later. If it were her, Wang Qiqi suspected she wouldn't need dinner. No matter how big it was, she had to eat it one bite at a time. Wang Qiqi closed her eyes and focused on eating the hamburger, comforting herself that if she couldn't see the enormity of it, she was just eating a regular hamburger.

Mark looked at the delivered meal. “We didn’t order this, did we?” He distinctly remembered everyone agreeing they were tired of the super-sized burgers and wanted a change of flavor. No one should have ordered this. “Did they get the order wrong?” Perhaps the delivery address was mistaken.

The delivery person checked the slip. “No mistake.” It was impossible for both the address and contact number to be wrong simultaneously.

Mark took the order slip and confirmed it was correct. Just then, Wang Qiqi poked her head out. She had been wondering why the delivery was so slow; they hadn't brought any food yet. She walked out of the office and saw the delivery was already there. She quickly pulled out her card. “Mine, mine!”

Mark was surprised to see the order was Wang Qiqi’s. “Yours?” He wondered if this giant thing was her lunch. Did she have an enormous appetite?

Mark’s gaze made Wang Qiqi feel a bit embarrassed. Eating this much as a girl was slightly mortifying. “Yes, I get hungry easily lately, so I’m eating this.” Sighing, Wang Qiqi couldn't bring herself to say that she had lost too much weight recently and needed to eat more to recover. Honestly, if it weren't for feeling too awkward to order more food, Wang Qiqi really wanted to eat five of these burgers a day. Although she was sick of the taste and felt nauseous just looking at it, the effect was great. Shi Man, who had stopped by earlier to drop off clothes and pick up the used ones, even commented that she looked plumper. That made Wang Qiqi very happy; it meant her weight-gaining efforts were effective.

Mark didn't dwell on it when he heard that. As he was about to turn and head upstairs, he suddenly noticed something from his angle. “Have you gained weight recently? You look a bit plumper.” Her face hadn't looked this full just a few days ago. Nick had even teased Angel, saying they could start a weight-loss clinic here because even the very thin Angel had gotten plump, but now she had some flesh on her face. Considering everyone was incredibly busy lately—far busier than in the beginning—it was strange that she had gained weight. Mark wondered if it was related to what she was eating?

Mark glanced thoughtfully at the hamburger in Wang Qiqi’s hand, feeling he might understand her flicker of awkwardness when he asked earlier. “Actually, eating this makes people gain weight more easily. You just feel thin now because you’re busy. Once things slow down, you’ll gain weight significantly.” Mark said this out of kindness. Although the studio was busy, moments of this intensity weren't frequent. Business always existed, but not every boom would be this hectic.

Wang Qiqi didn't care about the future right now. Her immediate goal was for her man to see her looking healthy when he arrived, not to have him comment that she was too thin and express disdain. “It’s fine. I need to get back to work.” MAY had only stayed here the first two days. After all, having a baby meant that even the quietest child would eventually cry, and with people coming and going and the noise level high, it wasn't ideal for the baby. So, MAY had returned home a few days ago, though she frequently exchanged intelligence with Qiqi online. Thus, even though Wang Qiqi was sitting alone in the office now, she couldn't relax even slightly; she was still so busy she could only doze off when utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, this report passed, and the exam wasn't too difficult. Otherwise, Wang Qiqi felt she might actually cry. Having to face an exam during such a busy period—surely no one was more miserable than her, except maybe Mark and the others. Though they were in university, the pressure was immense. Once, Mark drove Wang Qiqi to class, and all the way there, Wang Qiqi heard Mark muttering to himself. If she listened closely, she could tell it was about his studies. “How’s your revision going?”

When Wang Qiqi asked this, Mark’s face visibly fell. He thought if anyone ever called Angel a bad person again, he’d kick them. Didn't this prove that someone was provoking him?

Seeing the other person’s puffed-up face put Wang Qiqi in a great mood. Ah, seeing someone else unhappy really did lift one’s spirits—that principle was certainly true. “Work hard; you’ll definitely ace the exam. You’re the boss’s favorite student.”

Watching the smug figure walk away, Mark raised a fist in the direction of his annoyance. Coincidentally, Wang Qiqi, who had turned back, caught the gesture perfectly. Wang Qiqi had intended to ask Mark about the progress of their current situation. Her man had said that if it was confirmed they couldn't go on vacation, he would reschedule the flights. They hadn't canceled the Bali tickets yet, just in case they could still leave at the last minute. Unexpectedly, she saw such a childish side of Mark. Wang Qiqi laughed heartily.

Compared to someone else's joy, Mark only felt embarrassment. He thought he was having a terrible day: first, asking Wang Qiqi about her revision, and then being caught in the act by Qiqi herself. “I’m heading up now.” To prevent Wang Qiqi from saying anything embarrassing, Mark figured it was best to flee first.

“Wait a moment.” Wang Qiqi had intended to tease Mark, but the kid ran off first. “Do you think we’ll wrap this up before the holidays?”

“You have plans?” Mark fixed his gaze on Wang Qiqi. “Going on vacation with your man?” Otherwise, why the sudden excitement?

Wang Qiqi affirmed with a nod. “Is there a problem? Tell me the result quickly; I need to see if we’re going or not.” Hmph, despite his elite demeanor, Mark was quite the gossip.

“I also hope to finish before the holidays, but it’s looking slim.” Mark’s expression also turned unhappy. It was bad enough that he couldn't focus on studying due to the impending final exams, but now even their previously planned vacation might be canceled. Anyone would be unhappy about that. “We can look for another opportunity later, or maybe you can wait until the last minute. You’re on the support team, so you might have better luck than us.”

Wang Qiqi considered this. While it was true, what if the boss needed her when she was already relaxing on a tropical vacation thousands of miles away? How would the boss view that? “Forget it, let’s just cancel.” Although there was some regret, it wasn't overwhelming. Wang Qiqi and Han Tao simply wanted to spend a New Year together. Last year, Han Tao had left for the US early and missed the celebration. They didn't want to miss it again this year.

After Wang Qiqi called Han Tao to tell him about her decision, Han Tao didn't say much, just, “I understand. I’ll rebook the tickets,” before asking how Qiqi was doing and if she was too exhausted. Regarding Bali, he didn't bring it up again. In truth, Han Tao didn't care much where they went; the important thing was that Qiqi liked it. Previously, Qiqi had been ecstatic about Bali, frequently discussing how they would spend their time—sleeping in, driving around to explore. Now, all those plans were abruptly dashed. Han Tao knew Qiqi must be fuming inside, and bringing up the topic again would likely lead to an explosion.

After hanging up, Wang Qiqi opened the travel itinerary she had prepared, gazing at it for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. “Sigh, I wonder when I’ll ever get to visit such a beautiful place.” Han Tao was definitely a dedicated professional; if the leader needed him, he would ensure the task was completed, which was why foreigners were willing to count him as a formal employee while he was still studying. He was capable and obedient. Right now, Han Tao was still studying, and he felt considerable pressure, worrying about Qiqi in the UK, especially since Shi Man constantly mentioned Mark’s name in his ear. Han Tao should be nervous, and this was likely one of the reasons he suggested the trip in the first place.

Wang Qiqi reluctantly deleted the travel plan. Alas, the beautiful vacation was gone just like that. As for the trip to Greece, Wang Qiqi really didn't have the emotional capacity to make those arrangements. It wasn't because she was too busy, but the worry that if matters here weren't settled by then, the holiday might shrink to just two days, which would surely cause her a second wave of heartache. Better to decide the plan based on the actual situation later. If that fell through, France would do; a casual stroll near Paris would suffice, or maybe she could just stay home, rest up, and recover. Wang Qiqi didn't believe for a second that someone overseas wasn't grinding away at work; his pressure was no less than hers. She was stuck spinning around this single track, while he—was he flying back and forth just to work? He was truly a busy man. RS