May’s flight took off first. After seeing May through security, Wang Qiqi planned to find a place to sit down. “Angel, if you ever want to work in finance, you can always look me up,” May said, giving Wang Qiqi a final hug before waving goodbye.

Wang Qiqi froze, stunned that May would say something like that. Although Qiqi had no intention of entering the finance world herself, May’s offer showed a genuine kindness. “Thank you, May!” Wang Qiqi shouted. When she saw May turn back to look at her, Qiqi ignored becoming the center of attention and quickly made a heart gesture toward May before speeding away with her luggage cart. It was so embarrassing—the shouting was bad enough, but that gesture was far too intimate.

Only after making the gesture did Qiqi realize the potential disaster. This wasn't like back home where holding hands between same-sex friends was seen as merely platonic. Overseas, too much intimacy between women often suggested a romantic relationship. That heart gesture, in the eyes of the onlookers, would surely make them think she and May were a couple. Qiqi was too mortified to look at the passersby, let alone see May’s reaction.

Wang Qiqi’s sudden departure caused quite a few people present to laugh. May, too, was initially startled. If it weren't for the fact that the girl had a boyfriend and intended to reunite with him on her trip to the States, May might have actually suspected she was a lesbian, making such a public gesture.

When she looked again for Angel, she saw only her retreating back. That girl, May thought with a helpless smile as she turned toward the departure lounge to board her plane.

Wang Qiqi rushed toward the coffee shop, pulling her luggage. Along the way, she felt like everyone on the path was mocking her. For the nth time, Qiqi regretted her impulsiveness; she shouldn't have been so forward with May.

Qiqi lingered in the coffee shop until the very last moment before paying and preparing to board. Fortunately, two hours had passed by then; otherwise, Qiqi might have seriously considered buying a hat just to hide her face.

Upon arriving at JFK Airport, Wang Qiqi first booked the soonest available flight to Han Tao’s location, dropped off her luggage, and then found a phone in the airport to call Han Tao. “Tao. I’ve arrived in New York… My flight number is…” After saying this, Wang Qiqi quickly hung up. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk, but time was short; she still needed to rush to the boarding gate.

Wang Qiqi hung up so cleanly and abruptly, completely unaware of the turmoil she left Han Tao in on the other end. He had expected her call to be a complaint about her work assignment dragging on indefinitely. Instead, she announced her arrival in New York and gave him a flight number... Before he could process it all, the line went dead.

Han Tao mumbled "Hello? Hello?" into the phone several times, but receiving no response, he reluctantly hung up. Fatty stood beside him, looking confused. “What’s wrong with you?” Why had he been talking into the receiver for so long? Besides, hadn't a certain someone been in a foul mood lately, frequently snapping at people? Fatty genuinely worried that bottling things up like this would be bad for his health.

Fatty had initially assumed Qiqi would be back soon after seeing the several large boxes she had mailed home. But he waited and waited, and she never returned. Whenever he tried to ask Han Tao when Qiqi was coming back, Han Tao’s glare would shoot over. When he tried to ask Qiqi, she would just look helpless.

“Qiqi’s back! Qiqi’s here! She’s already in New York!” Han Tao finally snapped back to reality, jumping up instantly. He had to go pick her up. Qiqi didn't know where he was staying, and even if she could hail a taxi, it wouldn't be as good as him meeting her himself.

The thought of Wang Qiqi walking out of the airport and seeing him waiting for her at the exit made Han Tao smile. Right, he needed to take her out for a nice meal tonight. Even though she kept saying she wasn't too busy toward the end of her stint, Han Tao couldn't believe she wasn't stressed. If she wasn't busy, why would the boss keep paying her? She’d have been fired long ago. The memory of her frail figure at her graduation ceremony made Han Tao anxious. He was glad she wasn't planning to go into finance, or he’d worry her body wouldn't handle it and she’d fall seriously ill. Han Tao planned to make sure she took time to recuperate once she started working here; there wasn't that much work anyway, she shouldn't take everything on.

Fatty hadn't expected Qiqi to actually be back, and he was excited too—excited because the "alarm" at home could finally be lifted. But he grabbed Han Tao’s arm. “Where are you rushing off to? Check what time her flight lands first, then head over a bit early. And hey, can you even go to the airport looking like that?” Fatty eyed Han Tao with disdain. Despite his handsome face, his clothes were a wrinkled mess. “If you greet Qiqi looking like that, I truly worry she’ll just pretend not to see you and walk right past you.” It was too embarrassing; one needed to maintain appearances, whether at home or abroad.

Han Tao was annoyed when Fatty stopped him. His wife was flying in from the UK—this was a massive event! Did that damn Fatty think work came first? Hmph. He remembered how Fatty had eagerly rushed to New York to pick up Weiwei the moment she landed back in the country. Compared to that, Han Tao considered himself far more dedicated to his job, yet Fatty stopped him over this. Han Tao looked down at his own attire.

Okay, Han Tao admitted his clothes were a bit pathetic. He recalled he’d worn them yesterday. Sigh. Even though he hadn't sweated much, it felt awful. “Yeah, I’ll go back, take a shower, and change,” he conceded. The flight wasn't due for a while anyway. “By the way, should we eat out or stay home for dinner?” Han Tao had calmed down a bit now, less frantic than when he first picked up the phone.

“Eat at home. Didn’t you say Qiqi has been eating takeout for a month? Besides, Weiwei is a decent cook.” Fatty gave Han Tao a sidelong glance. Could Western food really beat Chinese food? How many authentic Chinese restaurants were there overseas? It was better to buy ingredients and let Weiwei cook. Fatty thought that would be more economical and comfortable.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes.” Han Tao noticed Fatty’s skeptical look but didn’t have time to argue now. “Then we’ll trouble Weiwei. Fatty, I’m leaving this to you.”

“Oh, and remember to buy a bouquet of flowers on the way to the airport. A little romance is necessary sometimes,” Fatty added, though he couldn't offer much in the way of great advice, he could at least suggest this to Han Tao.

Buy flowers? Han Tao instinctively felt it was a waste. But looking at Fatty’s persistent expression, and recalling the look on Lu Qiaowei’s and Shi Man’s faces when they received flowers, and then remembering the time he had bought flowers—even though Qiqi had said it was wasteful, she had smiled so genuinely that day—fine, he’d listen to Fatty and buy a bouquet. It wasn't like they couldn't afford it. “Yes, yes, I’ll get them.”

“Remember to mention it to John, too. John is actually a decent guy; he’s just looking out for the company’s interests,” Fatty murmured. He had noticed lately that things seemed tense between Han Tao and John. He knew some of the reasons; honestly, they both had good intentions, but their philosophies clashed. Beyond offering Han Tao some advice, Fatty didn't know what else to do. Fatty genuinely worried that one day the tension might erupt, leading them to split ways.

Han Tao looked at the worried expression on Fatty’s face, and after a long moment, patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to adjust. For now, our goal is to make this company successful.” Qiqi was right. Since they started this venture, they should see it through properly. She was counting on this investment to make them rich, and since it was her wish, Han Tao naturally wanted to help her achieve it. He had actually come to terms with things over the last few days: if they truly couldn't cooperate, they would focus on running the company well, launching the product sooner, and then, once the company went public, he could sell some shares and start his own venture. “I won’t be foolish enough to throw away the fruits of victory.” He and Fatty had come up with this idea together; it was practically their child, so Han Tao would never give up on it.

Fatty wasn't sure if Han Tao was consoling him or if he had genuinely changed his mindset, but he hoped it was the latter. “I won’t keep you any longer; hurry up and go. I’ll also get off work on time today.” Today was a milestone, plus there was a big meal waiting. Fatty wouldn't miss it. And he worried that if he missed the welcome dinner, Qiqi would nag him endlessly. So, for the sake of his own ears, even with pending work, Fatty didn't want to miss out.

Wang Qiqi dragged her luggage, scanning the arrivals area repeatedly. She saw no familiar face. No way, she thought. Is my charm less potent than a computer bug? Hmph. Even if he was a workaholic, this was her first time here! She hadn't given short notice—she was hours early, at least—yet he hadn't made a single move? Wang Qiqi’s expression soured. Hmph, if he didn't come to meet her, fine. It’s not like she didn’t know the address.

Qiqi stomped out of the airport angrily, pulling her bags, completely unaware of the figure following closely behind her, clutching a bouquet of flowers.

Han Tao had spotted Wang Qiqi long ago, but he wanted to surprise her, and also see if she would recognize him first. He hadn't expected her not to see him, and what shocked Han Tao even more was that Wang Qiqi just walked straight out of the airport. He thought, This is bad; she probably thinks I didn't come to meet her.