Song Ziwen stared blankly at Wang Qiqi. "You aren't joking with me." Though Song Ziwen desperately wished Qiqi were jesting, he knew she would never joke about something like this.

"I wish I were, big brother. Just think about what Gao Kai told you—did he ever mention snatching up land near the development zone? Hasn't he been constantly pushing you about another plot of land that he claims is excellent?" Wang Qiqi understood that Song Ziwen might find this difficult to believe, but it was the truth. Moreover, after thinking it over, regardless of how much she disliked Chen Yan (and Chen Yan certainly felt the same way about her), Wang Qiqi refused to let Wang Rui have the final laugh. Therefore, a rift absolutely had to form between Song Ziwen and Gao Kai.

Song Ziwen thought back. "Well, he did mention the land near the development zone, but the news he received suggested that area probably wouldn't expand..." As he spoke, Song Ziwen began to catch on. "Could he have..." He recalled that Gao Kai had proposed a partnership, essentially saying his current capital was tight and he wanted to enter into a joint venture. Now, it seemed, there was a lot of fluff in that story.

"Brother, his proposing a partnership with you might just be about spreading the risk. I don't know how he pitched it to you—maybe it was about the lack of funds, or maybe you just clicked, and he wanted to collaborate. But brother, his wife works at a bank. Do you honestly think securing a loan would be a problem for him?" Wang Qiqi poured Song Ziwen a drink, then poured one for herself.

"No," Song Ziwen echoed Wang Qiqi’s implied conclusion. For someone without banking connections like himself, securing loans through years of cooperation hadn't been impossible; for Gao Kai, who was in real estate, where capital demands were far higher, it should have been even easier. Song Ziwen had initially assumed Gao Kai wanted to bring him in to help, but now he wondered who was actually helping whom. Yet, if he didn't partner with Gao Kai, wouldn't that mean he had no way to enter the industry? Song Ziwen had always been bullish on real estate; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily swayed by Gao Kai, losing a significant measure of rationality.

"Qiqi, the reason I wanted to partner with Gao Kai was because I think this industry is promising, but your brother is very busy; I can't just jump into it myself, and I don't have that much capital," Song Ziwen sighed, speaking plainly. "Qiqi, you see how hot real estate is right now, how high prices are soaring. I'm genuinely taken with this sector."

"Then get into it if you like it! Brother, why must you partner with Gao Kai? There’s no rule saying he could build from scratch and you couldn’t. How long has he been in this line of work? A year and a half, max. Do you really think running a business is beyond you?" Wang Qiqi gnawed on a chopstick. Since Song Ziwen was set on entering the field, why not do it solo? Why follow Gao Kai? Wang Qiqi didn't believe Gao Kai wouldn't feel a sting when the partner who had agreed to collaborate suddenly changed his mind to go it alone. Gao Kai wouldn't just lose a partner; he’d gain a competitor. She wondered if Gao Kai would regret his actions.

Wang Qiqi didn't think Song Ziwen's goading had any exaggeration to it. Though Gao Kai's family had been in business before, they had fallen on hard times for years, and his interaction with high-level figures had dwindled. Song Ziwen was different. Although he hadn't grown up in business circles, he had clawed his way up in commerce over the past few years and cultivated considerable connections. Especially since his property agency company had been running for years, it had developed extensively, attracting many sellers and renters who registered their information with his agency—a stable source of clients. While capital was tight, there were banks; with Song Ziwen's long-standing favorable relationship with them and his existing capital base, why would the bank refuse such a major client?

Going it alone? Song Ziwen hesitated. This would not only require more capital but also raised concerns about whether he could manage the sheer workload. "Can I handle it? Real estate and the cabinet factory?" His current setup—an interior design company, a property agency, and a cabinet factory—already made him feel stretched thin. A real estate company would demand significant effort. The more Song Ziwen thought about it, the more he felt this industry wasn't something he could just enter on a whim. But regardless of which industry he chose, entering early offered a huge first-mover advantage. Song Ziwen admitted he was truly conflicted.

"Money isn't infinite," Wang Qiqi said, watching Song Ziwen struggle with his dilemma. She couldn't make the choice for him; otherwise, if things went south later, the blame would fall entirely on her. "Brother, sometimes trying to bloom everywhere is less effective than focusing deeply on one industry and mastering it." Seeing an industry boom and wanting to jump in casually often leads to stretching the battle lines too thin, which isn't always good for a company.

Song Ziwen watched Wang Qiqi eat quietly, his lips moving slightly. He knew Qiqi said this partly because she didn't want him to collaborate too closely with Gao Kai, but he had to admit that what Qiqi said held considerable weight. "I'll think about it again. Sigh, if it really doesn't work out, I'll just buy commercial shops. Your sister-in-law needs money for her business, the cabinet factory needs storefronts to display products, the agency needs to expand, and the design company has multiplied—I need to secure larger premises for everything." As Song Ziwen listed these needs, he suddenly realized he had fallen into a trap: constantly chasing whichever industry promised quick profits. Looking at the businesses he and his wife already held, he saw that none were running at their optimal capacity. Instead of seeking out partnerships and risking meeting a dishonest collaborator, perhaps it was better to solidify and expand the ventures he already owned—businesses he didn't have to worry about being cheated out of.

Wang Qiqi watched Song Ziwen articulate his realizations, followed by an expression of regret mixed with relief. She knew her mission was complete, fulfilling Yang Jing’s request. "Brother, congratulations on seeing things clearly. Actually, I think the cabinet factory's products are a bit staid; you could try developing some new lines." Wang Qiqi had seen the things Song Ziwen produced and, frankly, wasn't impressed. "Quality is crucial, but style matters too. Young people are drawn to style."

"I noticed that too. I plan to hire a few young designers," Song Ziwen replied, admitting he’d seen the issue but had shelved it when pursuing the real estate venture. Looking back now, Song Ziwen felt immense regret—how could he have been so foolish? Even if he had partnered with Gao Kai, why did he forget his core business? "Qiqi, brother, thank you again for this." Song Ziwen raised his glass in a toast to Wang Qiqi and drained it in one gulp.

Wang Qiqi also raised her glass and finished hers. "Don't mention it, brother. I have my selfish reasons too; if you improve the factory, I make more money, don't I?" Wang Qiqi was candid. "This time, after I sell the house, besides perhaps buying a shop in Beijing, I don't want too many assets here in China, to avoid future hassle. Han Tao and I won't be returning often, and management would be a pain. I'll see if any good opportunities arise in the States." She dropped a few strategic hints, revealing things gradually to preempt later complaints.

Song Ziwen wasn't surprised by Wang Qiqi's words; he found them perfectly reasonable. "Continue investing in real estate?"

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "There's nothing worth investing in in real estate right now. Buying property incurs taxes, and it's quite expensive." In a few more years, Wang Qiqi might consider buying property in the US to sell to the wealthy, but for now, she felt it wasn't worth the effort. Even with rental income, after taxes, the annual return was less favorable than investing in the stock market, given that their money wasn't limitless.

"Thank you," Yang Jing said, settling into the passenger seat as the car pulled out of the complex. Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Song Ziwen to report back to Yang Jing so quickly. That man was too honest. Yet, Yang Jing worried about Song Ziwen having an affair. Wang Qiqi had to admit that Yang Jing's conversations with those other guests hadn't been helpful. "It’s fine. Why thank me? If my brother improves the factory, I earn more, and frankly, I don't want any more contact with Gao Kai or Wang Rui." Wang Qiqi saw Yang Jing as an ally standing in the same trench, at least on certain fronts. She was certain that compared to many others, she was an excellent partner: never interfering, always offering advice when problems arose. If that wasn't enough, Wang Qiqi thought the other person must be heartless.

"Your brother should make the factory even better," Yang Jing replied, recalling the expansion plans Song Ziwen had outlined yesterday. She was thrilled. She agreed with Song Ziwen's ambition to grow bigger and stronger, but she felt it was unnecessary to jump into every lucrative sector. Spreading resources too thinly invites disaster. It was better to build up and strengthen what they already had before exploring new avenues. However, whenever she tried to advise him, Song Ziwen always countered with some theory. Yang Jing was genuinely grateful Wang Qiqi had returned when she did. "Oh, your brother said there’s no limit on lunch today; eat whatever you want, you can even stay for dinner—he’s covering everything." Although Song Ziwen's money was her money, the gesture felt different.

"I have plans for dinner, Nana asked me to eat with her." Wang Qiqi politely declined. "I'm leaving tomorrow; Nana is treating me to a home-cooked meal tonight." This wasn't an evasion; Zhu Lina had actually called her, inviting her to meet the man who would soon be her fiancé, assuming nothing unexpected happened.

Zhu Lina invited her? Yang Jing was inwardly stunned. Wang Qiqi had only been back for three days, and this was their third meeting. That frequency was too high. Yang Jing sensed this was more than a casual connection; it must be a confidante relationship. Otherwise, given Zhu Lina's busy schedule, meeting for even one meal would be a stretch.

Wang Qiqi watched Yang Jing, whose jaw remained slightly agape in surprise, and offered a gentle reminder. "Sister-in-law, your jaw is going to drop off. It’s just dinner with Zhu Lina; what’s so strange about that? Our relationship won't suffer just because of time or distance." Wang Qiqi knew that as they continued to collaborate, their bond would only strengthen.

"You two really have a wonderful relationship," Yang Jing said, looking at Wang Qiqi with envy. Few people were as fortunate in their connections. People used to say she had married a man who held her back, but what did those critics know? Neither of their incomes was low, and they were earning in USD.

Wang Qiqi smiled. Relationships required maintenance. If she always let Zhu Lina support her, even the best connections would sour over time.

"In a few years, once things here are running smoothly, your brother plans to enter the real estate market," Yang Jing stated calmly, as if discussing the weather, relaying what Song Ziwen had told her yesterday. "That way, everything will be in order, and he can devote himself to real estate without worry." Yang Jing wasn't ready to let go of the profits promised by property development.

Entering real estate once things were stable, Wang Qiqi mused, might mean tackling much tougher competition. Everyone saw the profits in real estate; by then, success would depend purely on financial muscle, especially if banks tightened lending restrictions on home purchases. Would the sector still be such a guaranteed hit? Well, that wouldn't be her problem. If Song Ziwen decided to start a real estate company, she certainly wouldn't get involved; the risk exposure would be far greater. "That sounds wonderful," Wang Qiqi replied smoothly, careful not to let Yang Jing see her true thoughts.

"Qiqi, should we continue our partnership then?" Yang Jing asked while driving, her tone as casual as discussing the weather. In truth, she felt conflicted. Real estate was clearly a money-printing operation, and having Wang Qiqi involved meant sharing a slice of the profit. But if Qiqi opted out, Yang Jing would worry that Qiqi didn't believe in the sector's prospects.

"Sure," Wang Qiqi agreed instantly. After all, she wouldn't be putting up any capital. If he really entered the business later, what could he do to her if she didn't invest?

Under Song Ziwen's guidance, Wang Qiqi spent the whole morning running around with documents before finally completing all the necessary procedures. "So tiring," Wang Qiqi said, stretching her arms, and handed a pre-prepared red envelope to the young clerk.

"No, no!" The clerk dared not accept it. Not only was the boss's wife standing nearby, but what would the boss think if he took a bribe? He felt immense pressure taking an envelope from his boss's sister.

"Take it." Wang Qiqi pressed it into his hand. "Although my brother pays your salary, you spent half a day running errands; you might have missed out on a deal. I need to compensate you for that, at least a little." On the drive over, Wang Qiqi had heard from Yang Jing that this young man was a star performer at the agency, closing many deals monthly. Sales staff didn't earn much base salary; their income relied heavily on commission. By spending half the day assisting her, he must have missed several potential sales.

"Accept it," Yang Jing said. She had intended to tell Qiqi that Song Ziwen would give him a bonus anyway, but since Qiqi insisted, she had to let him take it. They couldn't stand in the lobby arguing over a small red envelope.

With the boss's wife giving the nod, the young man thanked them again and took his leave.

"Actually, your brother would have given him a bonus," Yang Jing remarked, watching the direction the clerk had walked off.

"If my brother gives one, that's his affair. Me giving this is my gesture of goodwill." Even though the air conditioning was on, the young man was visibly sweating after running around—Wang Qiqi noticed this. For someone without local connections, achieving such good performance meant he possessed not only smooth talk but also persistence and a willingness to work hard. Though seeing the boss's wife and the boss's sister might have motivated him, he hadn't been overtly fawning, a quality Wang Qiqi greatly admired.

Yang Jing watched as Wang Qiqi’s gaze lingered where the clerk had disappeared. She teased, "Don't tell me you’ve taken a liking to him."

Wang Qiqi was startled by Yang Jing's remark. "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? How could I like him?" Although he seemed promising, how could he compare to Han Tao? "I just feel that with his ability, he won't stay a subordinate for long; he'll fly off soon enough." Who ambitious and young would choose to remain an employee forever? Furthermore, Wang Qiqi felt that if Song Ziwen insisted on a partnership, this clerk would be a far better choice than Gao Kai.

Gao Kai, despite his drive, always gave Wang Qiqi the impression that he was the sort who would stop at nothing to achieve success. However, Wang Qiqi also felt he was capable of gratitude. But Song Ziwen wouldn't partner with him; Wang Qiqi was certain of that. Although Song Ziwen valued ambition, capital was a real constraint for Gao Kai.

Yang Jing remained unaware of the complex thoughts racing through Wang Qiqi's mind at that moment. She looked away. "Capable people always move on eventually. Your brother's enterprise looks good, but the path for upward mobility is somewhat limited." Yang Jing never interfered with Song Ziwen's companies. Firstly, it would displease him; secondly, if she had the energy to manage Song Ziwen’s enterprises, she'd rather focus on perfecting her own shops, which were the source of her private nest egg and her future security.

"Let's go eat," Yang Jing said. She hadn't eaten much breakfast, eager for a good lunch. "After lunch, I need to check my shop. Oh, right, Qiqi, if you have time, want to come look at some storefronts this afternoon?" Although Yang Jing could make these decisions herself, since Qiqi was in the country, she wanted her to look at the commercial property purchase too. A shop blessed by the Goddess of Wealth was bound to thrive.

Wang Qiqi was startled by Yang Jing’s proposal. What was the rush? "You're going to look at shops?" Were they selling like cheap cabbages now? Or had she been gathering information all along and was seizing the perfect opportunity?

Yang Jing nodded. "It was a sudden thought, actually. A large pedestrian street is being constructed downtown, and I plan to see if I can secure a couple of units." Yang Jing felt thrilled at the prospect of opening a shop downtown; it was proof that her business was succeeding. Of course, that was just the first step; she had to establish a firm footing downtown. She had already researched that pedestrian street; it wasn't far from the city's largest mall, meaning foot traffic shouldn't be an issue.

A pedestrian street already? Wang Qiqi was surprised. Based on her knowledge of the future, pedestrian streets existed, but surely not this early? Wang Qiqi wondered if her reincarnation had altered the timeline of events. "Alright, let's go take a look." Despite her inner confusion, she decided she should see it—to determine if it was the same pedestrian street she knew from her previous life.

After a satisfying meal, Wang Qiqi followed Yang Jing to the commercial properties Yang Jing was considering. Wang Qiqi trailed behind Yang Jing as they entered the so-called pedestrian street. "Sister-in-law, is this the large pedestrian street currently under construction?" Wang Qiqi was shocked that this was where Yang Jing wanted to invest. Fine, she had visited this area in her past life, but it was because the business there was dismal. Despite its downtown location backing onto the largest mall, it attracted little custom. After several renovations, it turned into a cluster of food stalls, and some sections were encroached upon, resulting in a much smaller final scale. More importantly, it wasn't a true pedestrian street; cars couldn't enter, but electric bikes and bicycles barreled through without restraint, utterly failing the 'pedestrian' designation.

But Wang Qiqi didn't know how to tell Yang Jing that this pedestrian street was a bust and would eventually become a haven for grime and disorder. Yang Jing would never believe her; she'd think Wang Qiqi had a fever.

Wang Qiqi’s hesitation made Yang Jing suspicious. "Qiqi, what's wrong?" Why were her eyes and brows furrowed the moment they arrived? A knot formed in Yang Jing’s stomach—did Wang Qiqi already think this location was bad? Otherwise, why that expression?

Wang Qiqi looked up at Yang Jing with a confused expression. After a moment's thought, since Yang Jing seemed to be asking for her opinion, she couldn't possibly remain silent when she knew the facts. She had been shocked upon hearing the asking price for the units from Yang Jing earlier; it was absolutely predatory.

Wang Qiqi grabbed Yang Jing’s arm. "Sister-in-law, are you serious about buying shops here?"

"It's not good?" Yang Jing asked quietly, noting Wang Qiqi’s guarded manner, yet she wondered why Wang Qiqi had already dismissed the place based on the atmosphere without even going inside to look around properly.

"It’s more than not good," Wang Qiqi said, choosing to approach the issue from the angle of Feng Shui. Having spoken frequently with a master recently, Wang Qiqi had picked up a bit of knowledge in this area, so she decided to use it as her starting point.

Yang Jing truly believed these things, especially since she had started her business. Hearing Wang Qiqi say this made her jump, "Ah, it's really like that?" She hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to spot an issue just from an entrance, saying the feng shui of this location wasn't great; for things to really flourish, she needed to go into the catering industry, as that would bring immense fortune. Although Yang Jing wanted to say that maybe Qiqi was mistaken—after all, she wasn't a feng shui master—she remembered what Song Ziwen had said and kept silent. Perhaps she should find a real master to take a look? It was a pity that the previous master, with his growing fame and numerous invitations from the wealthy magnates in the south, had already relocated there. Otherwise, Yang Jing would have really liked to consult him.

Wang Qiqi nodded with a knowing, almost mystic air. "Sister-in-law, if you weren't my sister-in-law, I really wouldn't say this. And I actually think the place across the street would suit you even better." Wang Qiqi pointed mysteriously toward a specific spot.

What? Across the street? Yang Jing followed the direction Wang Qiqi indicated and was genuinely startled. "Qiqi, are you sure you aren't mistaken?" RS