A group finished a casual lunch and returned to Feng Xuanxiang's place.

Shi Man, as Feng Xuanxiang's girlfriend, took on the role of hostess, serving tea and coffee tailored to individual tastes before settling down right next to him.

Since everyone had already hammered out most of the details beforehand—like the equity splits—John produced the contracts drafted by his lawyer. “Take a look. The agreements follow what we discussed, and I’ve had my lawyer review them too.”

Originally, the investment contracts were supposed to be signed individually, but since they had negotiated everything together, and everyone had flown in specifically for this, all the contracts would be signed today.

Everyone took their respective copies of the contract to review. Even though a lawyer had already given them the once-over, they still needed to read carefully. However, they wouldn't sign until the lawyer gave the final confirmation, at which point the contracts would officially take effect.

Wang Qiqi scanned the document. She was really only focused on a few key points. As for any ambiguous sections that might lead to future disputes, that was what lawyers were for. Seeing how thick the contract was, Wang Qiqi finished reading the entire thing in about twenty minutes. She had expected to be the fastest, but to her surprise, she was the last one done. “I see no issues. Now we just wait for the lawyer’s review.”

“Same here.” Everyone’s main concern was simply the percentage of capital contribution each held. Since Juliana was investing this time, Wang Qiqi’s earlier idea of fixed share percentages had to be dropped. John did suggest calculating the technical contribution of the three original shareholders into fixed shares. Even though the shares would technically be under Han Tao’s name, to Wang Qiqi, anything under Han Tao’s name was essentially hers.

“Then I’ll wait for the contracts to be generated and the funds to arrive.” John let out a sigh of relief. Before starting this venture, he knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he hadn't expected it to be this arduous. John thought Fatty’s idea would certainly take off, though he wasn't entirely sure how successful it would become. He had initially planned to develop ERP software, which had a decent market outlook, but ultimately, he felt Fatty’s idea was better. However, his satisfaction didn't matter. Once John presented the new concept, all the previously committed investors backed out, and even his father, whom he thought would definitely support him, said he didn't see a good future in it. Not a single investor remained. Just when he thought the investment journey was doomed to fail, Han Tao surprisingly managed to secure so many investors.

Honestly, John had never expected Han Tao to bring in investment. In his impression, Han Tao was a quintessential IT worker who never paid much attention to anything outside of computers. Especially since this startup was viewed by many as extremely unreliable with a high failure rate, it was surprising that it attracted several investors. Well, although the investment amounts weren't huge, it was certainly better than the three of them scraping together their meager personal funds to start a business.

“The moment the contracts are finalized, the money will be wired immediately.” Regarding finances, Feng Xuanxiang had already been gradually pulling funds out of the stock market. As for Qiqi’s end, he wasn't sure. “Roughly when can the framework be established?” When the framework was up, it meant they were one day closer to seeing results. They had previously discussed the timing of contributions, and after comprehensive calculation, they found Feng Xuanxiang's funds could be released the fastest.

“Mine will be in by the end of February at the latest.” Although Wang Qiqi was eager to sell her house, the Lunar New Year was approaching, and she didn't want to sell at a steep discount just to rush things. This made selling the house a bit difficult. However, Song Ziwen seemed interested in taking it off her hands, but he lacked the immediate capital. Even if Wang Qiqi was willing to sell to Song Ziwen at a 10% discount, it was currently impractical.

“Once the contracts are generated, my money will be in within three days,” Juliana stated regarding her contribution timeline, as this investment was her personal decision and required no multi-level approval.

John quickly calculated the investors' funding timelines. Except for Wang Qiqi’s slightly later deposit, everyone else could meet the schedule, and even hers was within the agreed timeframe. “Good, I’ll start setting up the company as soon as I get back.” Although John knew there would be investment and they had held countless online meetings clarifying contributions and share distribution, until the investment agreement was physically signed and the money was in the bank, John couldn't truly relax.

With the business settled, Shi Man glanced at Juliana. “You guys keep chatting; shall the three of us head out?” Shi Man knew the four shareholders likely had more to discuss—perhaps the organizational structure, future development, and certainly refining the main product. These were topics the three investors, content with just waiting for returns, weren't keen on facing. Rather than listening to incomprehensible jargon later, it was better to slip away now and leave the serious discussion to the men, allowing the women to go shopping.

“Be careful,” Feng Xuanxiang said, knowing the two women were definitely eager for retail therapy. As for Wang Qiqi, who looked rather downcast standing nearby, he knew she was being dragged along, but at least with her there, the two shopaholics wouldn't lose track of time while splurging. “Remember to watch the time.”

Shi Man automatically tuned out the latter part of his remark. Hmph, what did that imply? Did she suddenly forget how to return home when she went out? “You’re just letting me go? Aren’t you going to give me some cash?” Shi Man shamelessly stuck out her hand toward Feng Xuanxiang.

“No cash.” Feng Xuanxiang stated without embarrassment. After all, he had only so much to his name, and his wife knew it. As far as he knew, not only was his own capital tight recently, but Fatty Han Tao and even Wang Qiqi looked financially strained. “Sweetheart, your husband’s money is out there earning more. Once things are better, I promise I’ll give it all to you.”

The moment Wang Qiqi stepped into the boutique, her eyes lit up, and she immediately dove toward a sofa. She needed to replenish her energy, or she worried she might burst. Wang Qiqi hadn't expected to be this exhausted. She thought this shopping trip would be like before—mostly looking without buying, or just buying a little. But she miscalculated Juliana’s presence; the woman was like a shopping maniac, buying every attractive piece of clothing or footwear she saw. Consequently, Wang Qiqi and Shi Man became glorified bag carriers. With bags piled high, the three of them were nearly collapsing from exhaustion. The upside was that every store they entered was met with genuinely warm smiles from the sales staff.

“Give me a little space in a moment.” Just as Wang Qiqi tried to adjust her posture to sit more comfortably, she heard Shi Man’s voice from beside her. “You need a rest too?” Wang Qiqi was surprised. She knew Shi Man usually had great stamina, especially when shopping; it was rare to hear her ask for a break. Though Wang Qiqi found it odd, she obediently made some room.

“Can’t I?” Shi Man thought, I’m not an iron woman. How could I not feel tired? “I didn’t rest well yesterday, so today…” Shi Man couldn't exactly say, I’m weighed down by too many purchases, could she?

“Yes, of course,” Wang Qiqi replied quickly. “By the way, that coat you tried on earlier looked really good. Why didn’t you buy it?” The coat had a simple cut and excellent material. Even though it was pricey, Wang Qiqi thought it was definitely worth it, and Shi Man had liked it too. Why the hesitation?

“It costs money to buy,” Shi Man murmured. “Old Feng and I really don’t have much cash left. Honestly, Old Feng and I regret buying the house.” Otherwise, their capital wouldn't be so tight. “We made a small profit selling the Boston place; otherwise, he wouldn't have bought the New York one. If we weren't investing, it would be fine, but we can’t pull all the money out of the stock market, and we still have mortgage payments to cover, sigh…”

“Then sell the house,” Wang Qiqi stated bluntly. “It’s not like foreigners are obsessed with owning property.” Since capital was tight, and Wang Qiqi knew that money tied up in real estate was actually losing value—if that money had been invested, it could have earned twenty or thirty percent by now—while the house incurred annual taxes and mortgage interest, tying up capital was truly wasteful. “If our investment isn't enough, Han Tao and I might sell our US house too.” While they thought the house was nice before, that was based on the assumption Han Tao would stay at his old company. Now, where the new company would be located was still an issue, making the house a hot potato. Fortunately, the property in that area had appreciated well, so they could view it as an investment return.

“Sigh,” Shi Man didn't expect Wang Qiqi was also considering selling her house. “No wonder fewer Americans buy houses—job mobility is high, and houses really aren't that easy to flip.” Thinking about Qiqi’s gorgeous house, especially one they hadn't even lived in since buying it, made Shi Man feel a bit better. At least Old Feng had lived in their house for quite a while.

“Exactly. And renting is pretty good too.” Wang Qiqi had looked up rental prices with Han Tao. She calculated that renting was quite advantageous: you could leave whenever you wanted, avoid property taxes, the rent was tax-deductible, and most importantly, if you disliked the neighborhood, you could just move. With their own house, that flexibility disappeared.

“But would your mother-in-law and your aunt agree? Would my parents agree?” Young people might accept renting for marriage, but the elders wouldn't? In their eyes, renting meant you were poor, and they would lose face. “Especially since my parents have already told all our relatives that Old Feng bought a house in New York. If I tell them we’re selling it…” Shi Man could already picture the gossip from all the busybodies, even if her parents themselves didn’t object.

“Mine might be better, but Han Tao’s mother, knowing how happy we were to buy a house in the US, would certainly have something to say if we sold it. She might think I was the one pushing for it.” Wang Qiqi knew that even though she was somewhat far from those difficult relatives for the moment, selling the house would look like fiscal irresponsibility in Luo Hongjuan’s eyes. Moreover, she was selling her house back home for investment purposes. Luo Hongjuan might suspect Wang Qiqi insisted on the sale, making Wang Qiqi quite conflicted.

“You have a mother-in-law issue; I have a relative issue. Ugh, it’s so complicated.” Shi Man always thought the adult world was unnecessarily complex, weighing this and that, but now she understood: it wasn't that you chose to be complicated; the surrounding environment forced you to be. “But Han Tao is something else. You consider everything for him, and you treat his mother so well. Look at me—I barely buy them anything all year, maybe just a phone call wishing them a Happy New Year. When I go back this time, won’t they still treat me wonderfully?” In Shi Man’s opinion, Han Tao’s mother had become somewhat temperamental because Wang Qiqi had spoiled her too much.

“She’s just one mother; it’s right to treat her well. She’s actually not bad; she’s been through a lot. In her mindset, having money means buying property for security in old age, so you won't be kicked around.” Wang Qiqi understood the thinking of Luo Hongjuan’s generation. They wanted to get rich, but more than wealth, they desired a stable life without worrying about housing or children when old. And although Luo Hongjuan had her schemes, she wasn’t a difficult mother-in-law. “You and Old Feng are far from his parents, so interactions are polite now. But they only have one son. Do you think they won't eventually come to live with you?”

“Of course, they will,” Shi Man thought. Perhaps by then, her relationship with her in-laws would be worse than Qiqi’s with hers. “I won’t worry about it now. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If I start worrying now, how am I supposed to live?” Shi Man waved her hand, signaling she wouldn't overthink it. Besides, “I can at least be more mindful and not make petty arguments with Old Feng in front of them.”

“But they’ll be quite old when they come over. They always said that without English, they’d be like fools cooped up at home overseas. They can live quite comfortably back in China.” Some might think the in-laws being self-centered was excessive, but for Shi Man, this was actually good—it meant delaying living with them.

“That’s before having children.” Grandchildren are often the focus of retired parents. Few elderly people refuse to help raise them. Of course, there are exceptions. Wang Qiqi wondered if Feng Xuanxiang’s parents genuinely didn't want to help or if they were saying it out of fear that Shi Man would resent their interference.

“If we have children, I can raise them myself; I’m a homemaker after all.” Shi Man thought she knew how to raise kids. “At worst, my mom can come over to help. My own mother helping is definitely better than the in-laws helping. That way, when I go out shopping, my mother-in-law won't think I'm constantly spending her son's hard-earned money on frivolous splurges.”

“Talk to Feng Xuanxiang about it.” Although having her own mother help with childcare was preferable, she still needed to ask her husband’s opinion; otherwise, it could cause trouble later.

“Old Feng agreed that my parents should help. Otherwise, he’s genuinely worried I’ll clash with his mother, putting him in a difficult position between us.” Shi Man knew this was true. If she didn't have her husband’s backing, she wouldn’t object to her mother-in-law helping. “Old Feng’s idea is to give his parents more money so they can travel while they’re still able. His father has loved traveling since he was young but couldn't afford it when he was younger. Now that his son is successful, showing filial piety is appropriate.”

Shi Man was very pleased that her husband negotiated these matters with his parents first. Even when a wife and son agree on something, having the son persuade the parents is always more effective than the wife doing it.

“Your man is wonderful,” Wang Qiqi could only say. Conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are major issues, but if a man steps up to take responsibility, soothe both sides, and shoulders all the pressure himself, even a strained mother-in-law relationship won't become too severe. “But my situation is different from yours. Han Tao grew up without a father; it was just him and his mother relying on each other. For his mother, keeping her son close is the greatest happiness.” Wang Qiqi knew that even if her own parents were present, she shouldn't expect Han Tao to agree to let her parents raise the child. “Don’t worry; if real problems arise, Han Tao will step in.” While Han Tao might not always see the undercurrents, Wang Qiqi was certain that once he realized the situation, he would persuade both parties.

“Oh, you,” Shi Man pouted. “Just keep spoiling Han Tao. Han Tao used to be so diligent, arranging everything. But look at him now; aside from messing with computers, he’s truly gone to seed.” If Qiqi hadn't been pursuing her Master’s degree in the UK, Shi Man truly suspected Han Tao would have insisted she attend the same school so he could look after her nearby—which, in Shi Man’s view, was quite selfish.

“I take such good care of him. Do you think he’d be willing to take care of anyone else?” Wang Qiqi thought her goal was precisely to pamper Han Tao to the point where he cared about nothing outside his computer. Once he was completely accustomed to this dynamic, even if he developed stray thoughts later, he would need a woman who could take care of him. Even if he was momentarily curious about taking care of someone else, that feeling might last a month or two, but over time, Han Tao would realize his situation.

Shi Man stared at Wang Qiqi for a long moment, surprised by her thinking. “You’re fierce.” But Han Tao must know about Qiqi’s little plan, yet he accepted this arrangement, suggesting he also trusted Qiqi to handle things. “My Old Feng is different; he absolutely needs external interaction to make money. I’m letting go completely. The tighter I control a man, the more he wants to run. By giving him complete freedom now, his urges to stray won't be as intense.”

The two women continued to discuss how to tame their respective husbands and navigate relationships with their mothers-in-law. Since their men’s situations differed, neither could directly borrow the other's experience, offering only suggestions from their own perspective.

For the rest of the time, Shi Man and Wang Qiqi chatted nonstop in every store they entered. Juliana was busy trying on items she fancied, occasionally asking Wang Qiqi and Shi Man for opinions. The three continued their shopping mission in complete harmony.

“Alright, let’s grab a bite to eat, and then we’ll go to the supermarket to buy supplies. We’ll have Qiqi cook us a nice meal when we get back.” Juliana was ready to keep shopping, but looking at the mountain of bags Wang Qiqi was holding, she dropped the idea of continuing to browse.

Go back already? Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were surprised. They hadn't even covered half the mall yet—Juliana had claimed before they entered that she planned to shop the entire place from end to end. Furthermore, stocking up at a supermarket so they could eat Qiqi’s home cooking? Wang Qiqi was immediately reluctant. “Hey, I’m a guest here!” How could a guest be expected to cook? “Manman’s cooking is pretty good too; take this chance to try it.” Wang Qiqi noticed Shi Man hiding behind Juliana, clearly trying to avoid being dragged into the cooking arrangement. Hmph, trying to escape won't work.

Manman cooking? Although Juliana knew Shi Man could cook and had seen pictures of some dishes she’d made, which looked presentable, this wasn't a restaurant. “Can Manman’s cooking even be eaten?” Juliana asked bluntly, showing no concern for Shi Man’s feelings. “Manman hasn’t cooked much before in China, and the taste really wasn't good.” Juliana was flying back to China the next evening, and she definitely didn't want their only proper dinner in the US to be wasted.

Shi Man truly felt like kneeling before Juliet. Since Nana had already insisted that Qiqi should cook, she should have stuck to it. As for Qiqi pushing the cooking onto her, Your Elder Self could have simply said Shi Man's cooking wasn't as good as Qiqi's. Why on earth did she have to say Shi Man's cooking was edible? Wasn't that utterly dismissing her abilities? Shi Man absolutely could not back down now. "What I make is perfectly acceptable. How about I cook a whole spread alongside Qiqi?" Shi Man felt she had to seize this chance to completely reverse Juliet's opinion of her culinary skills in front of her. "Even if the flavor isn't utterly divine, it's certainly fit for consumption." Honestly, Juliet was the one with terrible cooking skills, yet she insisted on questioning Shi Man's abilities—it was simply too much.

"Absolutely not, Manman. Nana has insulted your cooking that severely; no matter what, you must fight for your honor. If I were you, I would insist on cooking the entire meal myself." At any other time, Wang Qiqi might have helped prepare a dish or two, but she hadn't rested well yesterday and had been up since dawn visiting Central Park and then going shopping. Wang Qiqi felt her legs were turning to jelly. If she didn't rest soon, she worried her body would stage a full strike, and there was still much work waiting for her back at the apartment. Therefore, she had to hold firm.

Shi Man shot a venomous glare at Wang Qiqi, her eyes conveying accusations of betrayal and utter wickedness. The only response she received was Wang Qiqi’s back as she strode away, swinging her shopping bags. What could Shi Man do but stamp her foot? She had no choice but to catch up with the two of them to discuss what they should make for dinner. Shi Man certainly wasn't being kind-hearted by suggesting an elaborate menu; she was trying to persuade Juliet and the others to choose something relatively simple. But how could Juliet and the others let Shi Man have her way? Naturally, they picked dishes that they liked and dishes that Shi Man was relatively skilled at preparing.