Wang Qiqi initially thought that after seeing Han Tao's moved expression, he would agree, but she was surprised to hear opposition instead. "You're not moved?" Wang Qiqi had clearly seen the look of agitation on Han Tao's face moments before, and heard him take a deep breath; she really wanted to know the reason.

"I am moved, but Qiqi, there's no way you can just invest in Apple like that." For Han Tao, who specialized in science, it felt too uncertain. "If you have the money, I still suggest you invest in the company instead." Han Tao wasn't very familiar with Apple, but hadn't Qiqi mentioned dreaming that the project would succeed? Han Tao felt it was better to invest in the company, where he worked, ensuring he could absolutely grasp the situation.

The company's situation was becoming clearer by the day; they just needed to do some promotion at various universities once the semester started. Once successful, John planned to seek another round of financing. "It will be much easier to attract investors once we have results. Naturally, some will also be drawn in automatically, and at that point, we can negotiate the investment amount and equity share properly." "Although it won't compare to our initial investment terms, the amounts invested later will be larger, while the corresponding shares will be smaller."

"John would also welcome your continued investment," Han Tao emphasized. "While spreading the investment is advantageous to him, sometimes those venture capitalists only invest for performance and profit; they can be quite short-sighted. But you are different. You previously promised not to interfere with company operations. I believe John would absolutely not object if you continued to invest."

Wang Qiqi thought the same way: Apple's stock price wouldn't accelerate much faster in the next two years, making an investment in the company shares the best option right now. "Fine, I'll go talk to John." Wang Qiqi still hadn't reported to the boss about her work, especially concerning her job duties. Although Han Tao had already given John a heads-up, she herself hadn't spoken to John, which felt somewhat rude.

"You'll talk to John about your job and also mention your desire to invest?" Han Tao hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to act so quickly.

"Mm, just to gauge the water first." Wang Qiqi left Han Tao's office. Someone would help clean up anyway.

Han Tao looked at his now slightly messy office and reluctantly stood up to help tidy it. He carefully placed the books Qiqi had been reading back and didn't hesitate to take the remaining fruit.

Wang Qiqi arrived outside John's office and knocked. Only after hearing an affirmative voice from inside did she gently push the door open. "Do you have a moment?"

John hadn't expected Angel to arrive now. "A bit later than I anticipated." He gestured for her to sit. Although he didn't explicitly state whether he had time, the implication was clear.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected John to be waiting for her. She smiled. "I was discussing something with Tao. He mentioned that if things run well, the company will seek further financing, is that right?" Wang Qiqi first inquired about the matter that interested her.

"Yes." John was surprised she brought that up first. "You aren't thinking of investing again, are you?"

John was actually somewhat uncertain about whether to accept further investment from Angel. If she kept investing, wouldn't her shares skyrocket? However, this shareholder hardly interfered with the company's affairs. When she first came to work, John had assumed she wanted to join the finance department, given her background in finance, but she only wanted to be an assistant, which greatly surprised him. Now, hearing her intent to invest further... If she remained hands-off regarding company matters, she was indeed the best candidate for financing. But what if she changed in the future? He couldn't prevent Angel from entering the company's management structure; that would be very detrimental to John, especially after the previous unpleasantness between him and Han Tao.

"Yes. I still won't interfere with company affairs." Wang Qiqi could tell from John's hesitant expression that he wasn't entirely pleased with her investing. "The reason I invest is for results. Frankly, I don't understand computers at all. It doesn't matter who is the leader; the key is profit." Wang Qiqi reiterated her stance. If Han Tao and someone else reached an irreconcilable impasse, she could always start over with a new project. Wang Qiqi didn't believe that if the first venture succeeded, the second one wouldn't.

If Angel had avoided the topic, John might have considered it further, but now he understood that she was aware of the situation between him and Han Tao, yet these relational issues were not her focus—she only cared about profit. And on that point, John was absolutely confident. "Tao can be quite idealistic sometimes." John admitted he was pragmatic; after all, wasn't the ultimate goal of starting a business money? "Tao and I actually cooperate quite well. Even if things are a bit unpleasant now, I believe we will cooperate perfectly later, as our fundamental goal is the same: to make this project great, not just to achieve some success and then sell the project."

This attitude was exactly what Wang Qiqi sought. Fundamentally, there was no insurmountable issue between them. Wang Qiqi couldn't say John was wrong, nor could she say Han Tao was wrong; it was just that their environments and positions had changed, leading to shifts in perspective. However, John's assertiveness was also becoming difficult for Han Tao to handle, as he was a man who greatly valued face. "Everyone shares the same starting point. Can you two talk sometime?" Wang Qiqi felt their current state stemmed primarily from poor communication. John was busy with programming while also needing to handle external communications, and Han Tao was busy coding. Each believed they were right, causing their relationship to slowly deteriorate.

John pondered for a moment and nodded. "Would it be possible to borrow Tao for the evening?"

"No problem." Wang Qiqi shrugged, signaling her agreement. "You can borrow him for the whole night; I just hope when he returns, he’s completely recovered."

Having settled the matter concerning Han Tao and John, Wang Qiqi moved to the other reason she had come by. "You know my situation, John. I just want to stay in the States to accompany Tao. I still have some matters to deal with back in China."

"I know. That's why your salary is the lowest in the entire company, and you don't get paid for days you take off." John knew what Qiqi was planning when she first approached him about working at the company. "Actually, calculating your wages, it's only slightly more than an intern's pay during the summer." John figured he wasn't losing out.

"That settles it then." Since John had said so, Wang Qiqi didn't press the matter further.

Wang Qiqi opened the laptop she brought and typed continuously, her brow occasionally furrowing. When Han Tao walked over, he saw her frowning and knew she was busy with translations again. He tapped on the desk. Wang Qiqi, who had just felt a bit dizzy from translating, assumed it was Fatty and impatiently looked up. Seeing Han Tao, she was startled. "Is it quitting time already?" No way, time flew that fast?

Han Tao looked at the dazed Wang Qiqi and sighed inwardly. It was a blessing that she didn't often look so confused. If others saw her like this, who knew how many admirers he would attract. Although Wang Qiqi had previously complained that her clothes were too childish, Han Tao’s thought was that it was fortunate she didn't have a habit of wearing makeup, or she might have attracted countless romantic rivals for him.

"I'm having dinner with John tonight." Han Tao admitted he was quite used to it, considering John was a very family-oriented man who rarely went out after work. Hearing John suddenly ask him to dinner tonight surprised Han Tao, but he also wanted to talk with John. Now that John had extended the first olive branch, he wouldn't back down either. "Should I ask Fatty to join us?" Han Tao considered it and felt it would be unfair not to invite Fatty.

"What good would inviting Fatty do?" Wang Qiqi immediately objected. "John asked you today to discuss your previous conflict. Do you think Fatty’s presence would mediate or something?" If Fatty were capable of talking sense, the conflict would have been resolved long ago. "Have a good talk with John; if necessary, a fight wouldn't be a bad idea."

Han Tao hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to know the purpose of John's invitation. "Did you suggest this?" Indeed, if John had intended to talk to him, he would have sought him out sooner instead of waiting until now. "Forget the fighting; that just benefits the lawyers."

Wang Qiqi hummed in response. "Yesterday, I heard you say that from your perspective, he was wrong, but if he tells the facts from his side, it's your mistake. I think you two need to sit down and talk properly."

"Got it. I won't go running with you tonight; you can take Fatty along." Han Tao remembered that Fatty hadn't exercised today. Since he couldn't accompany Qiqi, he naturally pushed Fatty into the role. "Go home with Fatty tonight; I'll tell him later."

"Understood." Wang Qiqi gave an 'OK' gesture with her hand against the fireplace and returned to her serious work. "I told John I need to go back to China at the end of the month. Qiqi said some paperwork requires my signature there, as well as decisions on the renovation style." Shi Man and the others were moving quickly; the location had been found. Because they were rushing for the opening, the property in Beijing was purchased as a completed unit. The price was a bit high, but the surrounding neighborhood was mature, considered a mid-to-high-end community in Beijing. Song Yao and the others planned to open before the National Day holiday, so the renovation work had to be accelerated.

"That fast?" Han Tao was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Shi Man and the others to be so swift, but thinking about how quickly Bai Ge opened her training institution before, he quickly reconciled; after all, they had spent over three months in preparation this time. "Did you get your leave approved?"

Wang Qiqi nodded. "I only just realized how low John's expectations are of me. Now I have no psychological burden." She had been worried about delaying company business by taking so much leave, but it turned out John knew she was essentially just there to fill a role. That was fine; it saved her the trouble of explaining.