Song Yao turned and hugged Wang Qiqi. “Take good care of yourself. Don't just bury yourself in work; remember to eat on time, and since you’re living alone, be extra careful about the security of the house—check around thoroughly every time you go in.” Because Shi Man and the others had decided to go sightseeing, Wang Qiqi was the only one left at the house, which made Song Yao uneasy. It was a small comfort that Qiqi usually stayed at the studio anyway.

Wang Qiqi nodded. In truth, all she was waiting for was the final wrap-up work. After persevering this long, it would be pointless to ask to leave now, as she wouldn't get her share of the money. This was an unacceptable issue for Wang Qiqi. “Sis, don’t worry. When the beauty salon opens, I will definitely fly back for the opening ceremony.” In reality, they weren’t planning any grand opening for the salon; it was just meant to be a casual gathering for everyone to celebrate together.

“Good. Once things are mostly settled, we’ll have an online meeting to discuss how to get the salon up and running.” Traveling abroad had certainly broadened Song Yao’s horizons. Her initial thought that the money earned was enough to finally breathe easy was instantly dashed. Hearing from Wang Qiqi that they had also invested in some internet company immediately reignited her sense of urgency.

“Okay. As for the house, Sis, you and Nana can figure out the details,” Qiqi said, making it clear she had no intention of spending her time online listening to Song Yao constantly report on which neighborhood plot was best.

“But Sis, you should try to find a place with nearby parking. As more people buy cars in the future, they’ll drive to the salon. If there’s no place to park, it’ll be a real headache,” Wang Qiqi brought up a crucial point. They shouldn't pick a great location only to find the nearest parking lot is a ten-minute walk away. Considering how cold the winters and how hot the summers are in the capital, would those wealthy clients endure such a trek? 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 immediately need can be rented out, and we can renovate them later when business picks up.” After all, buying extra property wasn't a concern; even if the salon didn't use it, rental income was a good alternative, and they could always sell the commercial space later to recoup the initial investment.

“Don't worry, I know what I’m doing,” Song Yao replied. She had already learned a painful lesson on this front once before. Fortunately, it was early in their venture, and while there were losses, they weren't catastrophic; otherwise, she would have cried buckets. For the current salon project, she wouldn't make the same mistake. Bank loans weren't difficult these days, so she might as well spread out the scope a bit wider.

Song Yao chatted with Wang Qiqi for a moment before noticing Luo Hongjuan was still relentlessly briefing Han Tao. She murmured to Qiqi, “See? No matter how much she likes you, she still can’t compare to Han Tao.” Although she had also been advising Qiqi on how to be careful, after just a few words, Luo Hongjuan clung to Han Tao, talking non-stop—she was clearly showing blatant favoritism.

Wang Qiqi wasn't as agitated by Luo Hongjuan’s lengthy discourse with Han Tao as Song Yao was, since they were mother and son. “I don’t have high expectations for my mother-in-law. Just don’t be as biased as your mother-in-law, and certainly don’t be as nagging as your aunt,” she reasoned. It wasn't her biological mother, so how high could her demands be?

Song Yao had intended to offer Qiqi some kind advice, but she hadn't expected the girl to turn the topic back onto her. Song Yao felt as if she had just shot herself in the foot. “Can you even speak, you little thing? But your brother-in-law is busy making money and has given up on his parents. Let them cause trouble if they must. We already sold all the houses back home except for that one last place; they can stay as long as they want. If they go around saying how unfilial we are, let them. We don’t care.”

Song Yao had learned her lesson now. The annual filial contributions were always sent via postal money order, never bank transfer. During holidays, she had Song Ziwen deliver them on a Saturday morning, around ten o'clock, making sure to greet people and mention the gifts. While it had an element of putting on a show, it at least let people know they were providing for them regularly, preventing the old scenario where they would give small tokens and large holiday bonuses, only for the elders to receive the money and then complain outside that their children were rich but only gave them so little throughout the year.

Before, when Song Yao mentioned her in-laws, there was still anger in her voice. Now, she spoke about them as if they were irrelevant matters, showing she paid them no mind beyond perhaps a slight amusement. This was better, as it spared her brother-in-law from being caught uncomfortably in the middle. “Sis, follow Manman’s lead and listen closely, then try the products thoroughly. Don't just take their word for it, especially since it’s going on their faces.” The worst thing about facials is encountering bad products that cause adverse reactions in clients; that would create huge problems.

Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi, who was still non-stop lecturing with an expression of deep concern. Song Yao’s face darkened slightly. She reviewed her actions; had she really done anything unreliable? Everything she did was usually well-intentioned. Why was Qiqi still so worried? “Relax. Your sister also uses cosmetics and knows how important this is.” I’m not some ignorant village girl. Besides not knowing foreign languages, I understand everything else. If my language skills were up to par, Song Yao was confident she could talk directly to foreigners.

Seeing Luo Hongjuan still clinging to Han Tao, ceaselessly instructing him, Song Yao frowned. Although she hadn't seen Han Tao in a long time, Han Tao hadn't seen Qiqi in just as long. Song Yao pitied this couple, who had spent years mostly apart. If they weren't both workaholics, even a deep connection might have withered by now. It was better to let them communicate and nurture their feelings while they were together. “Aunt Luo, let’s go inside,” Song Yao suggested.

Luo Hongjuan murmured an acknowledgment, gave Han Tao a final quick instruction, and walked over to Wang Qiqi, who was waiting quietly nearby. She hugged Qiqi. “Remember to take good care of yourself and don’t push yourself too hard. Health is the capital for everything. And be safe; if you hear any suspicious noises, don’t try to be a hero—remember to call the police.”

Wang Qiqi nodded and kissed Aunt Luo on the 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 foot the bill. You’re on a business trip; the boss should be generous this time.” Wang Qiqi and Song Yao had actually agreed: whatever Luo Hongjuan liked, Song Yao would buy, and Qiqi would settle up with Song Yao later. “If my sister refuses to pay, I will.”

“Forget it, you girls earn your money the hard way.” Luo Hongjuan knew perfectly well 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 learning her son started an internet company, Luo Hongjuan knew their finances must be tight. Regarding the money Qiqi used to handle the house sale when she returned in February, Luo Hongjuan had understood everything. She had initially worried if they had picked up bad habits, leading to the need to sell property. Her son was starting a company, and she couldn't help him; she certainly shouldn't be taking their money. “Mom has money here. You are both successful now; I don’t need to save much. Don't worry.”

Luo Hongjuan patted Wang Qiqi’s hand on the back, said her goodbyes, and proceeded through customs to board her flight. “Let’s go find somewhere to sit for a while.” Han Tao walked up to Wang Qiqi, slung an arm around her shoulder, and suggested finding a place for coffee to relax. His flight wasn't for another four hours.

Wang Qiqi obediently followed Han Tao, ready to find a seat. Standing for so long had been difficult in her high heels. She had only taken a few steps when she inwardly cursed her bad luck: running into them. One of them was enough to sour her mood, but running into both of them, face-to-face, was too much. Wang Qiqi couldn't even turn away and pretend not to see them, especially knowing that if she did, they might accuse her of being arrogant and disrespectful.

Wang Qiqi forced a strained smile. “Ruirui, Yingying, hello. What are you two doing here?” Indeed, Wang Qiqi had run into Shi Hongrui and Gong Yinying. They were standing with their luggage, clearly preparing to board a flight. What surprised Qiqi the most wasn't that they were leaving, but that they were together, and not just casual friends—they were chatting animatedly, their smiles radiant. When they saw Wang Qiqi, they, too, looked surprised. Wang Qiqi felt a strange awkwardness seeing the two of them together.

“Hi, Qiqi. Hi, Han Tao,” Gong Yinying hadn’t expected to run into Wang Qiqi at the airport. Wasn’t she supposed to be finishing up the final work at the studio? Why was she at the airport? Didn't they just have their graduation ceremony yesterday? Why was Han Tao leaving today? What was the rush? Wasn't it summer break? Han Tao’s work was programming; he could work anywhere with a computer and internet connection. There was no need to rush back so urgently. If Gong Yinying had known they’d meet at the airport, she definitely wouldn't have booked a flight at this hour.

“Hi, Qiqi. Hi, Qiqi’s man,” Shi Hongrui greeted them curtly. “We’re catching a flight, gotta run. Bye.” Shi Hongrui thought today was incredibly unlucky. Why did she have to bump into them? And what was up with Wang Qiqi’s boyfriend? Hadn't he just graduated? Why the urgent departure? Could it be he found a lover in the States and was rushing back?

“Goodbye,” Wang Qiqi was secretly relieved to end the interaction quickly. Dealing with them required constant vigilance; saying the wrong thing could lead to trouble.

Wang Qiqi watched Shi Hongrui and Gong Yinying swiftly head toward customs with their luggage. A thought suddenly struck her: were they also going to France? If so, would they be on the same plane? Wang Qiqi wondered what expression Shi Man would have if she saw them. With that thought, Wang Qiqi pulled out her phone and called Shi Man. She held her breath, praying Shi Man hadn’t turned her phone off. Luckily, she got through. She quickly relayed the encounter with Shi Hongrui and Gong Yinying, urged them to be a little cautious, and hung up.