Luo Hongjuan turned the doorknob and found Wang Qiqi sleeping so soundly that she almost didn't wake her. But then she thought that Qiqi had already slept for so long; if she slept in now, she wouldn't sleep tonight. After all, this was a homecoming celebration. "Qiqi, Qiqi."

After a long while, Wang Qiqi finally woke up drowsily. She had intended to throw a tantrum, but the moment she saw it was Luo Hongjuan, she swallowed the curse back down, forcing a smile. "Mom, you're back."

"Get up and eat, don't sleep anymore." Luo Hongjuan looked at Qiqi's dark circles and swallowed the advice she intended to give. Her son was at a crucial point in his startup, and her daughter-in-law was busy with company matters while also rushing back to handle things domestically. How could her health be good?

More than her son and daughter-in-law’s careers, Luo Hongjuan wished they would get married soon and give her a few stout grandsons. Then she could go to the US to babysit them. But with her daughter-in-law so busy now, how could her health be okay? Besides, her son had promised that once Qiqi graduated from her master's program, they would start trying for a baby, but looking at the situation now... Luo Hongjuan felt she needed to have a serious chat with her son to hear his thoughts.

Wang Qiqi murmured an "Oh," sitting blankly for a long time before slowly climbing out of the warm covers. "It’s been a long time since I slept this comfortably." Of course, Wang Qiqi’s words held a bit of exaggeration; while she was busy in the US, it was generally much more relaxed than her days in England.

"If you sleep comfortably, take this chance while you’re in the country to rest more. Just let your sister handle some things," Luo Hongjuan felt that with Song Yao around, the group would surely manage everything. There was no need for constant back-and-forth travel, which wasted airfare and caused terrible jet lag. When Qiqi graduated, she had flown to Europe. Although it was a novel experience and she enjoyed herself, the jet lag was simply agonizing. Even if Qiqi was young, it still harmed her body.

"It's fine, I need to finalize many things this trip. All the agreements must be signed; the next time I return will be for the National Day holiday," Wang Qiqi didn't know what Luo Hongjuan was thinking, but she was being straightforward. "Manman has been in the country a bit too long now. If she doesn't go back to the States soon, I really worry Old Feng will revolt." The couple had been separated for so long; Old Feng had already seen a glimmer of hope, yet Shi Man had stayed in the country this long for the sake of the beauty salon. Han Tao even said Old Feng was turning into a resentful husband. Wang Qiqi's secondary mission for this trip was to bring Shi Man back to the US.

"How is business at the shop?" Although Lu Qiaowei also purchased some items, the feedback Luo Hongjuan received from Song Yao was that the quality of the things she picked wasn't very good. While sales were acceptable, they lacked that sought-after buzz compared to the items Manman selected. Keeping Shi Man in the country felt somewhat like using a master craftsman for trivial tasks.

"It's quite good, but now that more people are doing this, it relies entirely on reputation," Luo Hongjuan had minded the shop for years, watching its once bustling business become sporadic. She knew that the cross-border shopping trend wasn't as lucrative as it used to be. Fortunately, her daughter-in-law and the others had thought of a new venture. "Get ready, and we'll go eat. If it weren't for your toys enticing him, Taotao would have been causing a ruckus long ago."

Wang Qiqi looked at Luo Hongjuan’s expression, doting on the child, and inwardly complained. He wasn't even her grandson yet, and she was already spoiling him this much. If she had children someday, who knew how doting she’d become? Wang Qiqi resolved that she absolutely needed to talk to Han Tao. The affection of the older generation was understandable, but Wang Qiqi didn't want to worry about her own children when she was old. "I know," she said, ensuring her expression was perfectly natural, betraying no inner turmoil.

After getting herself ready and walking down the stairs, Wang Qiqi hadn't even had a good look at the new house Song Yao had bought when she heard Taotao's excited voice, "Auntie's coming down! Mom, can we eat now?"

Song Yao could only shake her head at her son's famished appearance. "Eat, eat. Go call your father out."

Taotao trotted to a certain room door and knocked. "Dad, it's time to eat." Then he scampered off to the bathroom to wash his hands.

Gong Peixing emerged from his study, saw Wang Qiqi standing at the landing, and immediately greeted her warmly. "Qiqi, you’ve lost weight this time! Let your mom properly nourish you." Gong Peixing had always regarded Wang Qiqi as a great benefactor. Without her, he didn't know if he would have married Song Yao, let alone imagined the happy life he now enjoyed.

"That's right, that's right." Luo Hongjuan hadn't looked closely when Qiqi was in bed earlier, but seeing her now, she noticed Qiqi had indeed become much thinner. "You're even thinner than when you attended your graduation ceremony." Luo Hongjuan worried about how she could bear children looking this way. She was determined to cook all sorts of good food for Qiqi while she was in the country, ensuring she became plump and rosy before returning home.

Wang Qiqi had intended to agree with her brother-in-law that she had lost weight, but catching her mother-in-law's slightly displeased expression, she inwardly panicked. Her mother-in-law was already a bit unhappy after the graduation ceremony—Qiqi had promised she would keep herself well-nourished, and now she felt she had broken that pledge. "It's just that I only just arrived in the US, and there were too many matters to handle, especially since there’s an irritating person at the company who keeps clinging to Han Tao, knowing full well he has a girlfriend." Wang Qiqi could only offer a silent apology to Han Tao; the current situation was quite unfavorable for her, and for her own sake, she had no choice but to bring this up.

What? Her son’s company had run into a 'rotten peach blossom' (an admirer)? Luo Hongjuan couldn't bother worrying about why Qiqi was thin anymore. She assumed this other woman's presence was making Wang Qiqi unhappy, causing her to waste away further. Luo Hongjuan expressed her strong displeasure. "Hmph, it must be someone shamelessly clinging to him now that Han Tao is successful!" Luo Hongjuan would absolutely not allow her son to marry a woman who was clearly after his money. If he married, it had to be Qiqi, someone who was absolutely auspicious for his career was the only one fit to stand by his side. "Alright, eat, eat. Qiqi, don't be angry. Don't worry, Mom will speak to Han Tao and give him a good lecture."

"Aunt Luo, you can't go easy on Han Tao just because he's your son. Even if Han Tao is uninterested, the fact that the other person dared to let Qiqi know shows how brazen she is. These women today—the moment they see a wealthy man, they just can't wait to latch on, never caring if you have a girlfriend or a family," Song Yao remarked pointedly.

Wang Qiqi initially thought Song Yao was taking her side, but then she noticed Song Yao glancing at Gong Peixing as she said those words, and Gong Peixing’s reaction was strangely evasive. Could Brother-in-law have done something to betray Sister? Wang Qiqi truly hadn't expected that her attempt to change the subject would lead her to uncover something quite significant.

However, seeing the dynamic between Song Yao and her husband, Wang Qiqi knew this was something Song Yao should resolve. Moreover, judging by Gong Peixing’s reaction, he probably felt remorseful. Since the topic was ostensibly about Han Tao right now, she had to support him one way or another. "Women nowadays are all like that, always hoping for something for nothing. Han Tao has confidence in himself. I imagine Brother-in-law, if you faced a similar situation, you would make the same choice Han Tao would," she said.

Gong Peixing knew he had made a mistake, but hearing Song Yao’s words earlier made him deeply uncomfortable. After all, to bring it up in front of his sister-in-law—and what kind of person was his sister-in-law? Surely she could guess what was implied? Qiqi’s eyes kept darting toward him. Thankfully, Qiqi was a good person and didn't press the interrogation. Her subsequent question was clearly seeking assurance from him. Gong Peixing had no reason to refuse; he wasn't an idiot and knew those women weren't interested in him as a person, but in his money. "Of course. Women outside hold no true feelings; only your own wife, especially the wife who has walked with you from nothing, your wife. Don't worry, dear, I won't step out of line," he promised Song Yao.

Wang Qiqi covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Her brother-in-law was quite the character, using her question as an opportunity to publicly declare his loyalty to Comrade Song Yao. "That’s why I instructed Fatty to keep an eye on her while I'm back. Han Tao is a true gentleman, but what if that woman resorts to underhanded tactics?" Wang Qiqi was about to continue when she saw Taotao nearby and cut herself short. "Eat, eat."

Song Yao knew Wang Qiqi had left some words unsaid and didn't press further, but she shot Wang Qiqi a meaningful look—a silent request to discuss the details after dinner. Wang Qiqi nodded in return.

At the dinner table, Gong Peixing inquired about the operation of Wang Qiqi's company. Upon hearing that progress was quite good, he asked, "The IT industry is booming, much more profitable than my factory. Do you think it's too late to invest now?" When Song Yao first mentioned this after returning, Gong Peixing had been tempted, but he also knew the risks were unusually high; one wrong move could wipe out all the investment. But hearing Qiqi confirm the smooth operation now made him realize that given their family assets and the amount they could currently invest, this was his only chance to get a stake. And even this chance depended on Qiqi's goodwill.

Ah, Wang Qiqi hadn't expected her brother-in-law wanted to invest. "I can't give you an answer right now." Wang Qiqi briefly explained the situation. "Many people are interested in investing now, and I don't know what their final offers will be. I'll keep reporting the situation back, and then you can make your decision, Brother-in-law." Even though John had agreed to further funding, Qiqi knew her own investment wouldn't be less than what those waving checks would pay.

Gong Peixing was surprised by the high number of potential investors and could only leave it to fate. "Thank you for handling this, Qiqi."