As the approaching figures reached the car door, Wang Qiqi managed to shut it just as they heard Juliana utter, "Drive."

Juliana had initially hoped those people had mistaken them for someone else, but their persistent pounding on the window glass confirmed they had the right target, not to mention the sheer astonishment etched on Wang Qiqi’s face.

Wang Qiqi had only stepped out for a moment, so Zhu Hanlin hadn't even turned off the engine; otherwise, the three of them might not have made it out at all.

Zhu Hanlin gunned the car forward, surging through the crowd. Those people hadn't anticipated that the driver would accelerate even with someone clinging to the door, which frightened them badly. Especially since one person had leaned their entire weight against the window; when the car lurched, they nearly tumbled over.

Wang Qiqi shook her head repeatedly in the back seat. "Nana, give me your phone." The situation was clear: they were waiting for her in the hallway. Whether she returned or not, they would wait. Although Song Ziwen lived next door, she felt that against such ruthless people, Song Ziwen might not be enough of a deterrent.

Juliana hummed an acknowledgment and dug her phone out of her bag. "Do you know your brother's number?" Juliana knew Qiqi was heading for Song Ziwen. "Oh, Qiqi, who were those people?" It seemed odd; Qiqi, still a student, shouldn't have enemies.

"Han Tao's grandmother, his uncle and aunt, and his cousin," Wang Qiqi said, her panic receding into a strange calm.

"Ah, them." Juliana hadn't expected them to be Han Tao's relatives. "Wait, how did they know you live here?" Qiqi’s move wasn't announced with fanfare, and this wasn't a winter or summer break. How could they know Qiqi was back?

Wang Qiqi felt profound suspicion herself. Logically, the Han family shouldn't know about this apartment. Even Luo Hongjuan claimed to be permanently settled in the capital, rarely returning, and staying with friends when she did. Still, Qiqi suspected one person, but the problem was, "Wang Rui doesn't know Han Tao's troublesome relatives; they shouldn't be colluding. But besides her, I truly don't know who it could be." Song Ziwen and the others would never talk. Thinking it over, Wang Rui seemed the most likely culprit.

"But there's no one else but her," Juliana, too, suspected Wang Rui. "Did you forget your brother abandoned the cooperation with Gao Kai because you came back? You think Wang Rui might resent you?" If Song Ziwen and Gao Kai had succeeded, Wang Rui, as Song Ziwen’s cousin, would certainly have impressed Gao Kai. But now, not only would she not impress him, but she might even be sidelined for a time, especially with Chen Yan lurking around. It would be strange if Wang Rui didn't take her anger out on Wang Qiqi. Fortunately, Qiqi was leaving the capital tomorrow; otherwise, Juliana genuinely worried what Wang Rui might attempt.

They had circled back to this point again. Wang Qiqi wanted to smack herself. "Good heavens, I’m like Doraemon. If I could, I’d travel back thirty hours. I would try so hard to get along with Chen Yan and stay out of my brother’s affairs." Right now, she hadn't gained any advantage but had invited major trouble. From any angle, it was a mess.

Seeing Wang Qiqi still muttering, Juliana prompted, "So, what are you planning to do tonight?"

"Call the police," Zhu Hanlin interjected. Although there were only two men, the middle-aged woman looked quite fierce, and Qiqi lived alone. What if something happened tonight?

Call the police? Wang Qiqi was about to agree but paused. "We can’t call the police. If we do, they’ll just complain about how hard their lives are, and what if we run into a public servant who’s an idiot and forces us to settle privately?" For someone concerned with appearances, calling the police might be a good option, but in their current precarious situation, it was hard to manage, and they hadn't committed any serious crimes—at most, they'd just get a stern talking-to.

"Then stay at my place. Have your brother pack your things and send them to my place tomorrow," Juliana suggested after thinking it over. "Considering your brother hasn't called me yet, I think Wang Rui probably didn't leak your floor number." Juliana shuddered to imagine Qiqi going upstairs alone and encountering trouble—three burly individuals against one Qiqi would be suicidal.

Wang Qiqi could only thank classmate Wang Rui for having a sliver of conscience and not completely selling her out, or things would be far worse. If she got punched or kicked accidentally, could she even get on the plane tomorrow? "Wang Rui, I think she’s really asking for it. Say I change my mind now; how about I cooperate with Chen Yan?" Wang Qiqi brightened up, leaning over the passenger seat back to ask Juliana.

Cooperate with Chen Yan? Juliana looked at the person listening intently for her advice, yet her eyes sparkled with a desire to stir up some fun. "What are you thinking? You're leaving. You won't see how the next developments play out." Stirring the pot might be a good idea, but the problem was Qiqi was leaving soon. Juliana felt it would be better to step away from this mess. "Once you leave, Chen Yan will focus on Wang Rui. Even though you are the thorn in Gao Kai's side, Wang Rui slapped her face directly. It’s unlikely Chen Yan will just swallow that insult. I'll report the progress to you then."

"Okay." Wang Qiqi picked up her phone and called her brother.

Wang Qiqi quickly summarized the situation in a few sentences. "Brother, I won't be staying at home tonight; I’m staying at Nana's... It’s fine, Brother, just help me pack my luggage, and then meet me downstairs at Nana's tomorrow morning... Do you know where Nana lives?"

Juliana in the front seat recited her address, which Wang Qiqi quickly repeated to Song Ziwen. Only after he repeated it back three times correctly did Wang Qiqi hang up and return the phone to Juliana. "My brother is already in bed. He said he also didn't expect the Han family to be waiting for me in the hallway."

"What did your brother say about it?" Juliana was eager to know how Song Ziwen would handle it.

"Let them freeze," Wang Qiqi recalled how annoyed Song Ziwen had been when he learned the Han family dared to ambush her. If Wang Qiqi hadn't insisted she was fine, Song Ziwen would have rushed down to properly educate them. "My brother said it's cold; if they have the stamina, they can keep waiting. We’ll see them in the hospital later."

Song Ziwen's idea was a bit vicious, but Wang Qiqi loved it. Why should she be frightened late at night? "My brother also said that I’m not married to Han Tao yet. Even if I were, this kind of trashy mess isn't my responsibility as a granddaughter-in-law."

"Your brother must have said that they will end up going to Wang Rui to settle scores, right?" Juliana could tell from the upturn of Wang Qiqi’s lips that Song Ziwen must have added something else, otherwise Qiqi wouldn't be this happy. And what would make Qiqi this happy? It must be something unfortunate happening to Wang Rui. It made sense; following Song Ziwen's plan, waiting in this cold weather, even a young man couldn't take it for long.

"Oh, right, I can have my brother notify security to patrol the hallway after midnight and check for suspicious persons. If there are any, call the police directly." Wang Qiqi thought this was better. Who hangs around in a hallway late at night? It made them look like troublemakers. Plus, after they’ve been sufficiently chilled, Wang Qiqi doubted they would try to latch onto her again after taking such a hit. Getting booked would be incredibly humiliating for the Han family matriarch, who cared so much about 'face.' When they got out, their hatred for Wang Rui would intensify. That scene would be quite lively—too bad she wouldn't see it.

"That's a great idea, better than you or your brother confronting them directly," Juliana fully supported the plan. "Tell your brother."

Wang Qiqi busied herself with the arrangements, then suddenly realized something. "Did I interrupt your date?" It seemed her presence as a third wheel was rather large. "Classmate Zhu Hanlin, you’re not cursing me in your head, are you? You were supposed to take me back and then go on your date." Wang Qiqi looked genuinely apologetic.

Zhu Hanlin was deeply regretful that their rare moment for a world-for-two had been interrupted by a third party, but he didn't dare say it. Yes, I think your wattage as a lightbulb is too bright.

Wang Qiqi, sitting in the back like a major patron, continued teasingly, "Forget it. I’ve been a lightbulb enough times; one more won't hurt. How about you drop me off first, and then you two can cruise around? It’s fine if you don't come home until morning; you're both adults, I understand."

Zhu Hanlin was speechless. Where was the sharp, refined girl Juliana had described? Why was Wang Qiqi constantly teasing him? Didn't Juliana say Qiqi was slow to warm up? That she wouldn't get familiar unless the relationship was deep? This was their very first meeting, yet she was acting this way—it completely contradicted what Juliana had told him about Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi paid no mind to Zhu Hanlin's internal struggle. She pressed on mischievously, "Anyway, Nana moved out, so her uncle and the others won't know if she stays out all night." Besides, Wang Qiqi remembered Juliana's place wasn't that far from Zhu Hanlin's home. If it wasn't for the convenience of dating, she wouldn't have moved out—Qiqi was sure. Hmph, Wang Qiqi always knew Juliana was one to say one thing and mean another. They were practically cohabiting, yet she still claimed she didn't like him. That was clearly teasing! Wang Qiqi felt that as a friend, she had a duty to teach Juliana a principle: dating without the intention of marriage was hooliganism and must be resisted.

"Hey, I moved out so I wouldn't disturb my parents if I worked late," Juliana said indignantly. "Do you think I’m the type of person to move out just because of a relationship?" That was too much. Juliana pouted. "Hanlin, drive to your place, and then I’ll drive back myself."

Wang Qiqi felt quite bad toward Zhu Hanlin. Her arrival had ruined their precious date time. "I'm really sorry for ruining your date."

"It’s fine. I'll drive you both back, and then I’ll walk back. It’s not far anyway," Zhu Hanlin stated calmly. "If you feel awkward, you can just go to the room and sleep, and Nana and I can stay in the living room."

Damn, this guy is too reserved. He looked like a good person, but he might actually be a wolf disguised as a sheep. "How about this: why don't you both stay in the room, and I'll sleep in the living room?" Wang Qiqi offered a very practical suggestion.

"That works too." Wang Qiqi honestly expected him to get embarrassed after her suggestion, but surprisingly, the guy agreed instantly without blinking.

"You two," Juliana said helplessly. Both of them were too much. "Zhu Hanlin, if we go to your place, remember to make a late-night snack. Qiqi was shaken up; she needs nourishment to recover. Otherwise, when she goes back, Manman will say I didn't take good care of her." Hmph, I'll make sure you eat enough to get fat before you go back.

"Forget the late-night snack; I’d better sleep early. I need an early start tomorrow." Thinking about those people who forced her out of her own home made Wang Qiqi furious. Her stomach was already full, and in this state, she couldn't eat a thing.

"Just thinking about it is annoying. Why did I run into them?" Wang Qiqi had indeed faced bothersome things this time around, but overall she had been quite happy. To have something like this happen right before leaving was awful. "They’re even more repulsive than Wang Dagui and his daughter."

Zhu Hanlin drove obediently. This was not his place to interfere. He also didn't understand why Han Tao's grandmother would rush over when Wang Qiqi wasn't even married to Han Tao. What were they doing there so late?

Wang Qiqi showed a complete reluctance to deal with the situation. Juliana felt this wasn't solving the problem. "So, you’re just avoiding them?"

"What else can I do? They are renting right now," Wang Qiqi sighed, feeling it was quite pathetic that elderly people had to rent homes. "I wonder if the old lady will curse the Han family ancestors in the netherworld after she dies." For the sake of an unworthy grandson, they had ruined the Han family's foundation built over years. "They definitely came here expecting housing and demanding Han Tao take responsibility for the elderly care. Why should I face them? Considering the old lady’s condition, how many years do you think she has left?"

Although the old lady had charged forward with intensity, her gait suggested she wasn't living well. The only reason her son and grandson were currently caring for her was likely because she received a pension, and perhaps they hoped to use the old lady to pressure Han Tao and Luo Hongjuan into taking responsibility for her care, allowing the rest of the family to benefit. Once the old lady died, their only link to Han Tao would vanish.

Wang Qiqi's current strategy was to stall, to stall until the old lady passed away. "Han Tao said he won't come back even when she dies. He hasn't treated her like a grandson since childhood." From Granny Han, Wang Qiqi once again witnessed the consequences of excessive favoritism toward one child. "Enough talk. Nana, can I borrow your computer? I need to talk to Han Tao."

This situation was too outrageous. Although she had vented enough, Wang Qiqi felt it wasn't enough. No matter what, she had to complain to the main party responsible—they were his grandmother and his aunt/uncle.

"Be my guest. You should also take the chance to tell your sister to keep Han Tao’s mother from returning." Wang Qiqi avoiding them was logical; she wasn't Han Tao’s wife, and if Luo Hongjuan returned, Granny Han would certainly get involved. "By the way, did the Han family cause any trouble when his mother came back for the New Year?"

"No," Wang Qiqi shook her head. "No one knows we moved here, neither the Han nor the Luo families. His mother only went to pay respects at the Luo house right before she left." Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have had a peaceful New Year. "Next year, we'll spend the New Year in the US and watch them fuss."

Wang Qiqi walked out of the room yawning and saw Juliana emerging from the kitchen holding a pot. "Is the head chef making a late-night snack?" The smell was quite delicious.

Juliana looked at Wang Qiqi, whose mood had visibly calmed, knowing Han Tao must have comforted her. "Go wash your hands. The head chef made small sweet rice balls with red bean filling, served with a side of cold dressed wood ear mushrooms." The black fungus was meant to be taken back, but since Juliana was staying here tonight, they had to finish it.

That side dish was certainly something special—eaten like this only in certain circles. "Oh, Han Tao said all the procedures are finalized, and the framework is almost done. They plan to start operations in a while." Although Wang Qiqi was quite familiar with a certain software application from later times and knew some of its components, and was aware of some detours it took during development.

However, Wang Qiqi didn't want to unleash everything now. She wasn't in that line of business. If she occasionally offered an inspired idea, they wouldn't find it odd. But if she spoke too coherently, wouldn't they assume she was an expert and then constantly pester her for discussions? Wang Qiqi didn't want to be worn out by them in the end.

"That fast?" Juliana placed the pot on the dining table, looking pleasantly surprised. Although developing software quickly didn't guarantee success or profit, it was enough to make Juliana happy. It meant the start was going smoothly.

"I hope we see results soon. Once a few big investors commit capital, our net worth will soar," Wang Qiqi said. Although it sounded like wishful thinking, Juliana loved this pace. How many IT entrepreneurs didn't become instantly rich? Juliana never imagined she'd catch such a lucky break.

"Don't worry, it's not wishful thinking." Wang Qiqi emerged from the bathroom and sat opposite Juliana. "By the way, does your family own property in Shanghai?"

Property in Shanghai? Juliana was quite puzzled. "You want to buy a house?" Didn't she say she didn't plan to keep too many assets in China? Why did it sound like Qiqi wanted to buy property in Shanghai now? It probably wasn't a house; Qiqi had mentioned that rental income from property didn't yield as high a return as shop rentals. Although the initial investment was large, the appreciation was also strong. "You want commercial shops?"

"Mmm," Wang Qiqi nodded. "Manman just suggested we consider buying a few shops in Shanghai and Beijing under our names. We can rent them out now. In a few years, she plans to start a business, maybe bringing foreign goods in to sell domestically." Wang Qiqi thought this suggestion was good, provided Shi Man agreed to manage them. Otherwise, Wang Qiqi wouldn't agree; even touring the shops once a month would give her a headache.

Juliana initially thought Wang Qiqi wanted to buy for rental income, but she hadn't expected them to consider this venture. Money wasn't an issue for Juliana, but the problem was, "What about your sister and sister-in-law?" They had cooperated happily for years, and now, Shi Man’s idea felt like pushing them aside to strike out independently.

Juliana didn't mind cutting out Song Yao and the others; maximizing profit was the goal. Not to mention the sheer volume and profit from stockpiling goods during the domestic Christmas sales had swayed Juliana. But those were Wang Qiqi's relatives; what would she do then?

"We'll continue cooperating with them in that area. Shi Man suddenly said we could actually introduce some foreign beauty products and then open a beauty salon," Wang Qiqi couldn't possibly push Song Yao away. Although Yang Jing might have some hidden intentions, she hadn't voiced them formally yet. If Qiqi brought it up first, Qiqi and her group would be in the wrong.

"It's clear that women’s money is easy to earn," Wang Qiqi actually wanted to say that as the economy developed, men's money was easier to earn. Women, upon impulse, still worried about the price, but men were different; they cared more about 'face.' A few kind words, and as long as the price wasn't exorbitant, the deal could usually be made. However, in the next seven or eight years, Wang Qiqi wouldn't enter the men's beauty market. Entering too early might draw attention, but attention could lead to substantial losses. Since that was the case, it was better to wait until the market heated up slightly before entering.

Open a beauty salon? Juliana hadn't expected Wang Qiqi and Shi Man to venture into this field. Although they didn't know much about it, they knew it was very profitable. Although Juliana was young, she occasionally accompanied her mother for facials, and the prices were undeniable, even if the products were excellent.

"Great, I have no objection. Which foreign brands do you plan to bring in?" Foreign brands were always more popular with Chinese consumers, allowing for higher prices and better profits. "Do you have a plan?"

Wang Qiqi shrugged, "There's no charter; I just thought of it while doing a face mask." Wang Qiqi felt that if they waited for everyone to sit down, discuss it repeatedly, then research the market, and investigate the quality of the goods, everyone might end up abandoning the idea. After all, starting the personal shopping business between the three of them was just a snap decision back then.

"It's fine. When you get back, we'll hold an online meeting to finalize everything." Juliana showed absolutely no surprise at the answer; her response made it sound as if the charter had already been fully established.

Zhu Hanlin watched the two of them settle the matter so quickly, feeling his jaw might drop. How could a fleeting thought from applying a face mask be approved just like that? He genuinely found it incredible.