Song Yao turned and hugged Wang Qiqi. “Take good care of yourself. Don’t just focus on work; remember to eat on time. Since you’re living alone, be careful around the house, check everything thoroughly every time you go in.” Because Shi Man and the others had decided to go exploring, Wang Qiqi was the only one left at the house. Song Yao couldn't help but worry, especially since Qiqi usually spent most of her time in the studio.

Wang Qiqi nodded. In truth, she was just waiting for the final tasks to wrap up. After all, she had persisted until this point; if she asked to leave now, she wouldn't get paid, which was an unforgivable issue for her. “Sis, don’t worry. Once the beauty salon opens, I’ll definitely come back to China for the opening ceremony.” Actually, they weren't planning a grand opening ceremony for the salon; it would just be a casual gathering for everyone to celebrate.

“Good. Once things are mostly settled, we’ll have an online meeting to discuss how to get the beauty salon up and running.” Traveling abroad had broadened Song Yao’s perspective considerably. She had initially thought the money they earned was quite substantial and felt she could finally relax, but that notion was immediately crushed. Moreover, upon hearing Wang Qiqi mention that they had also invested in some kind of internet company, her sense of urgency flared up again.

“Okay. As for the house, Sis, you and Nana can figure it out together.” She had no intention of constantly being online, listening to Song Yao report endlessly about which location for the property was best.

“But Sis, you had better find a place with nearby parking. As more people buy cars in the future, they’ll drive when they come for treatments. If there’s no parking, it will be a **nuisance.” Wang Qiqi recalled a crucial point. Don't choose a great location only to find the parking lot is a ten-minute walk away. Considering how cold Beijing winters and hot summers are, would those wealthy clients be willing to suffer that inconvenience? It should ideally be something resolved within a few steps. “If we can buy a slightly larger commercial space, that’s fine. Areas we don’t need temporarily can be rented out. If business picks up later, we can reclaim and renovate them.” After all, buying more property wasn't a worry; even if the space wasn't used for the business, collecting rent was a good alternative, and they could recoup their initial investment even if they sold the commercial unit later.

“Don’t worry, your sister knows this.” Song Yao had already made a mistake in this area once before. Fortunately, it was early in their venture, and while there were losses, they weren’t huge; otherwise, she would have cried buckets. She wouldn't make the same mistake managing the beauty salon this time. Since obtaining bank loans wasn't difficult now, she might as well expand the operation a bit more.

Song Yao chatted with Wang Qiqi for a while and noticed Luo Hongjuan was still holding onto Han Tao, nagging him incessantly. She lowered her voice, “See, no matter how much she likes you, you can’t compare to Han Tao.” While she had also cautioned Qiqi about being careful, after just a few words, Luo Hongjuan latched onto Han Tao and wouldn't stop talking—it was utterly blatant favoritism.

Wang Qiqi wasn't as agitated by Luo Hongjuan’s relentless talking to Han Tao as Song Yao was; after all, they were mother and son. “I don’t have high expectations for my mother-in-law, just that she isn't as biased as your mother-in-law. And she certainly shouldn't be as bothersome as your aunt.” She wasn’t her biological mother, so how high could her demands be?

Song Yao had meant well by talking to Qiqi, but she hadn't expected the girl to steer the conversation toward her own situation. She truly felt like she had shot herself in the foot. “Do you know how to speak, girl? But your brother-in-law is busy making money, and he’s given up on his parents. Let them cause trouble if they want; we’ve already sold all the houses back home except for that last one. They can stay as long as they like. If they go around outside saying we’re unfilial, let them. We don’t care.”

Song Yao had learned her lesson now. The money she sent for filial piety each year was strictly through postal money orders, never bank transfers. During festivals, she had Song Ziwen deliver the gifts around ten in the morning on a weekend, making sure to greet people and mention the gift delivery. Although it smelled a bit like putting on a show, it at least let others know they were providing support regularly, preventing the old foolishness where they gave only a token amount—the bulk being festival money. The elders would receive the money and then complain outside that their son had struck it rich but only gave them so little throughout the year.

Previously, when Song Yao spoke of her in-laws, there was still anger in her tone, but now she spoke as if discussing irrelevant matters, indicating that aside from finding it amusing, she didn't care at all. This was good; it saved her brother-in-law from being caught awkwardly in the middle. “Sis, follow Manman’s lead and listen carefully. And test the products thoroughly; don’t just take their word for it, especially since it’s going on your face.” The most dreadful thing in the beauty industry is encountering substandard products that cause adverse reactions in clients; that would be a huge problem.

Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi, who was still ceaselessly advising her, looking worried. Song Yao’s face darkened. She reviewed her recent actions—had she really done anything unreliable? Everything she had done had been quite sound. Why was Qiqi still so uneasy? “Relax. Your sister uses cosmetics and things too; I know how important this is.” I’m not some ignorant country girl. Other than not knowing foreign languages, I understand everything else. If my foreign language skills were up to par, Song Yao was confident she could converse directly with foreigners.

Song Yao frowned, seeing Luo Hongjuan still holding Han Tao and instructing him on this and that. Although she hadn’t seen Han Tao in a long time, Han Tao hadn't seen Qiqi in a long time either. Song Yao considered this couple rather pitiable; they had spent years mostly apart. If they weren't both workaholics, their deep feelings would have faded long ago, leading to a breakup. It was better to let them communicate their feelings properly while they were together. “Aunt Luo, let’s go inside.”

Luo Hongjuan let out an ‘Oh,’ and after quickly giving Han Tao a few more final instructions, she walked over to Wang Qiqi, who was waiting quietly nearby, and hugged her. “Remember to take good care of yourself; don't work yourself to death. Health is the capital for making money. Also, be safe; if you hear any suspicious sounds, don't play the hero; remember to call the police.”

Wang Qiqi nodded and kissed Luo Hongjuan’s cheek. “Auntie, once you arrive in France, have a wonderful time. Go wherever you want to go, buy whatever you want to buy, and let my sister pay. You’re on a business trip; the boss should be generous for once.” Wang Qiqi and Song Yao had an understanding: whatever Luo Hongjuan liked, Song Yao would buy it, and Qiqi and Song Yao would settle the bill later. “If Sis is unwilling to pay, I will.”

“Forget it; you girls earn your money the hard way.” Luo Hongjuan understood perfectly that if Song Yao paid, Qiqi would ultimately be the one footing the bill. If they were financially secure, it would be fine. But ever since Luo Hongjuan learned her son had started an internet company, she knew their finances must be tight. Regarding the money Qiqi brought back in February to handle the house sale, she finally understood things. At first, she worried if they had picked up some bad habits to need to sell their house. Her son was starting a company, and she, as his mother, couldn't help; she certainly shouldn't be spending their money. “Mom has money here. You two are successful now; I don’t need to save much. Don’t worry.”

Luo Hongjuan patted the back of Wang Qiqi’s hand and bid them farewell before heading through security to board her flight. “Let’s go; we’ll find somewhere to sit for a while.” Han Tao walked up to Wang Qiqi’s side, threw an arm around her shoulder, and prepared to find a spot for coffee to rest. His flight was still four hours away.

Wang Qiqi obediently followed Han Tao, ready to find a place to sit. Standing for so long had made her, wearing high heels, slightly unsteady. She had only taken a few steps when she mentally cursed her bad luck at running into them. One of them was already enough to sour Wang Qiqi’s mood, but she never expected to run into both of them at once, and face-to-face, no less. Wang Qiqi couldn’t even turn away and pretend she hadn't seen them, let alone consider what they might say about Qiqi being arrogant if she did.

Wang Qiqi managed to force a smile. “Ruirui, Yingying, hello. What are you two doing here...?” Yes, the people Wang Qiqi ran into were Shi Hongrui and Gong Yiying. They were pulling luggage, looking ready to catch a flight, which wasn't what surprised Qiqi the most; rather, she hadn't expected the two of them to be together, and not just as casual friends. They were conversing cheerfully, their smiles radiant. Especially when they saw Wang Qiqi, their faces registered surprise too. Wang Qiqi felt there was something distinctly strange about them being together.

“Hi, Qiqi. Hi, Han Tao.” Gong Yiying hadn’t expected to run into Wang Qiqi at the airport. Hadn’t she been finishing up work at the studio and supposed to be wrapping things up? Why was she at the airport? Wasn't the graduation ceremony just yesterday? Why was Han Tao leaving today? What was the rush? It was summer vacation, wasn't it? Han Tao’s work was programming; he could work anywhere there was a computer and internet connection; there was no need to rush back so soon. If Gong Yiying had known they would meet at the airport, she definitely wouldn't have booked a flight for this time.

“Hi, Qiqi. Hi, Qiqi’s man.” Shi Hongrui greeted them unenthusiastically. “We’re catching a flight; we’re leaving now. Bye.” Shi Hongrui thought today was unlucky, running into them. But what was wrong with Wang Qiqi’s man? Hadn't he just attended his graduation ceremony? Why was he in such a hurry to leave? Could it be he found a lover in the US and was rushing back?

“Goodbye.” Wang Qiqi was happy to avoid dealing with them; interacting with them required constant vigilance—one wrong word and disaster could strike.

Wang Qiqi watched as Shi Hongrui and Gong Yiying rushed through security with their luggage. A sudden thought struck her: were they also going to France? If so, would they be on the same plane? Wang Qiqi wondered what kind of expression Shi Man would have if she saw them. Thinking of this, Wang Qiqi pulled out her phone and called Shi Man. She prayed Shi Man’s phone wasn’t turned off yet. Fortunately, she got through. She quickly recounted meeting Shi Hongrui and Gong Yiying, urged her to be a little cautious, and hung up.