The well-fed Wang Qiqi finally regained some spirit. "Sister, what brings you here?" She hadn't heard anything about it before, especially not that Luo Hongjuan had come along—surely the shop would be unattended? For Song Yao, who seldom left her shop, being forced not to do business was worse than death. Wang Qiqi worried something might have happened at home, but Song Yao’s expression didn't suggest any argument.

"The shop is being renovated, so I came out to take a look," Song Yao said. Seeing her son absorbed in playing with puzzles on the floor, she let him be; it was rare for him to be so quiet. "Mom and Dad, Ziwen and the others are busy. I’m your older sister, and it’s your graduation ceremony—it wouldn't be right not to attend." Song Yao hadn't planned to come initially, but upon hearing Qiqi’s roommate's parents were coming, she worried that Han Tao might be too busy with work or studies to attend Qiqi's graduation. Wouldn't Qiqi feel isolated facing such a significant moment alone? After much thought, Song Yao decided to renovate the shop and use the opportunity to get out for a while.

Although Song Yao claimed the renovation was the reason for her trip to the UK, Wang Qiqi knew she had arranged it specifically. The shop was a bit aged after years of renovation, but Song Yao always kept it impeccably clean and well-maintained. Some things didn't need to be said so explicitly; understanding was enough between them.

"Sister, how long do you plan to stay?" Although tomorrow, after the graduation ceremony, she would be completely finished with the school, the work at the studio wasn't entirely complete. If she didn't go for the next two days, it was because the professor had been somewhat lenient; asking for more leave would put the professor in a difficult position.

Song Yao also wanted to ask Qiqi what she had been busy with lately, perhaps spending some time out together. But Shi Man had told her Qiqi had been swamped, even writing her thesis in snatched moments, often sleeping only three or four hours a day. This trip back was only possible thanks to a concession from higher-ups. "We are planning to go to France the day after tomorrow. Your friends’ families are going too; will you be alright alone then?" Song Yao had already asked Han Tao; it seemed he would leave right after the graduation ceremony. "Han Tao is really something. Rushing in and rushing out. He leaves tomorrow night and only arrived this afternoon." All told, his stay barely exceeded thirty hours.

Song Yao complained about Han Tao’s brief visit. Qiqi looked so thin from working so hard, yet he still had to stick to his original plan of returning to the US. Hadn’t his exams mostly finished? But Wang Qiqi knew he must be deep into the most critical phase lately, and the fact he squeezed in this much time probably meant he rushed through mountains of work. "He's busy too. Sister, Han Tao recently co-founded a company with some friends." Since things seemed to be progressing smoothly, Wang Qiqi decided not to hide it from Song Yao any longer. "He’s incredibly busy; I honestly didn't expect him to come."

Han Tao started a company? Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi in disbelief. Good heavens. While it wasn't unusual for someone Han Tao's age to start a company, he was doing it in the US, probably in his core field. Didn't Qiqi mention before that it required a huge initial investment and carried great risk? How could Han Tao already be launching a venture? "Oh, you little thing, why didn't you discuss something this major with the family?"

At this point, Song Yao realized something abruptly. "You didn't come back in February just to raise money, did you?" She finally understood why Qiqi had suddenly decided to sell off the house in their hometown—apart from the current residence and the old ancestral home, all other properties had been sold. Back then, Song Yao thought Qiqi might be planning to buy property in Beijing or the US, never imagining it was for starting a business. "Is there still enough money?"

"It's enough for now." Wang Qiqi cautiously glanced at Song Yao, noticing her face was full of concern, devoid of any jealousy. "Sister, I did consider asking if you wanted to join. But honestly, if this succeeds, it’s massive profit. If it fails, all the money just washes away."

Song Yao felt a slight twinge initially. If this venture hit a massive windfall, she and even Tao Tao could live off the interest for the rest of their lives. But that was just a fleeting thought. If the IT industry were that easy to succeed in, why would so many computer science graduates need to find jobs instead of starting their own companies? "Don't worry. Even if your sister wanted to, I lack the guts, not to mention the spare capital. I’m doing quite well right now. Your brother-in-law’s factory is doing well, and the training school is properly established. While it hasn't generated profit yet, at least I don't have to keep investing. It should turn a profit by year-end. The personal shopping business isn't as hot as before, but it’s stable. If I can get the beauty sector off the ground, I’ll be truly content for the rest of my life." As Song Yao listed them, she realized her ventures, though not rapidly lucrative, were stable, and the family business was slowly expanding. Song Yao didn't have the ambitious drive of Song Ziwen; seeing a good line of work made her want to join in. "By the way, when you went back that time, did you tell Ziwen not to cooperate with Gao Kai?"

This issue had passed so long ago; why was Song Yao bringing it up again? She looked at Song Yao, confused, wondering if Song Ziwen had been persuaded by Gao Kai again and planned to partner with him.

"Thank goodness you went back then, or he would have been severely swindled this time. And he called him Wang Rui’s man—cheating even an acquaintance." Song Yao knew Song Ziwen shared some blame; if not for his greed, things wouldn't have turned out this way. "Oh, did you know, Little Uncle might be remarrying?" Though Song Yao knew Wang Qiqi disliked hearing about such matters, it was still a major event in the Wang family that Qiqi needed to know about.

Wang Da Gui is remarrying? Wang Qiqi was quite surprised. Still, she thought remarriage was a decent option for him. Wang Rui was unreliable; expecting her to care for Wang Da Gui without personal gain was unlikely. "Who is he marrying?" She hoped this time he would find someone respectable, not a woman of loose morals.

Song Yao said with a playful expression, "Apparently, he met her at a dance hall. She has a son and doesn't work; she just wanders around." Song Yao truly wondered if her uncle’s mind had been rattled. Did he really think that because his daughter was Gao Kai's mistress, he would automatically become wealthy? Finding such a wife! The elder was like that, and now the younger one too. "Ziwen heard the other party is also somewhat notorious. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong."

Wang Qiqi initially thought this had nothing to do with her, but hearing Song Ziwen’s worries relayed by Song Yao, she suddenly felt anxious. Wang Rui had previously colluded with Han Tao’s grandmother to plot against her. Now, Wang Da Gui's new wife’s son was a known troublemaker, and a sudden fear gripped her. "They won't conspire against us later, will they?" Thugs would do anything for money. Wang Rui clearly didn't get along with Wang Qiqi; if she found an opportunity, she would certainly cause trouble. "What did Auntie say?" Did Wang Damei have no opinion on this? Would she really let that woman into the family? "Right, what does Wang Rui think?" If he really married such a woman, wasn't that tantamount to openly dividing Wang Da Gui’s assets? Would Wang Rui just stand by and let her inheritance slip away?

"My mother’s opinion wasn't accepted." Song Yao mentioned casually, "My mother actually wanted to come, but she was so enraged by this matter that she fell ill in bed. As for Wang Rui, she said she had no objections, as long as her father agreed. I just feel she isn't that kind-hearted." In Song Yao’s view, anyone trying to take Wang Rui's inheritance was an enemy. Why would she agree so readily? There had to be a catch.

Whether Wang Damei would come, or why she wasn't coming now, was irrelevant to Wang Qiqi. She kept trying to decipher Wang Rui’s motives for agreeing. Suddenly, one possibility struck her. "Ask Brother to investigate where that man hangs out, who he associates with, and what his influence is."

"Yang Jing is opening a shop, my brother has a real estate agency, and he owns a factory too. What if that man brings some hoodlums to the entrance, claiming it's for 'protection' but actually scaring away customers?" Wang Qiqi felt this wasn't impossible. "Brother didn't defend Wang Rui this time, so she must resent him deeply. Since I'm far abroad, she can't retaliate against me, but Brother..." Song Ziwen had been in business for so long; he probably knew many people, but perhaps not many underworld figures. He couldn't rely on official channels for every issue, could he?

"How dare he?" Song Yao slapped the table and exclaimed loudly, though she didn't know what to do either. Giving him money might solve the immediate trouble, but it would make him think they were easy targets, leading him to constantly demand more. His appetite would grow, making the problem even harder to solve later.

Wang Qiqi, however, thought there was another potential way to deal with the threat, though it required Song Ziwen to figure out the logistics. She whispered her idea to Song Yao. After hearing it, Song Yao’s eyes drifted slightly, as if she couldn't fully process what Qiqi said. "I'll discuss that with Ziwen when I return. If he behaves, fine. But if he doesn't, this is truly an option." Though harsh, it was better than being blackmailed. "Gao Kai got married, and Ziwen went to the wedding. It was quite grand. Wang Rui also attended and stood right beside Gao Kai's parents."

Wang Rui standing beside Gao Kai’s parents... Wang Qiqi felt her brain seize up. "Are Gao Kai’s parents mentally deficient?" Anyone attending the wedding should know the relationship between Wang Rui and Gao Kai. Such a high-profile display by Gao Kai's parents on his wedding day clearly signaled their dissatisfaction with the bride. Since that was the case, Wang Qiqi felt the two families could potentially cooperate—they shared a common enemy, after all.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.