Whether it was Wang Qiqi’s words that startled Anne, or if she harbored some other scheme, the result was that she had grown remarkably quiet lately.

Wang Qiqi didn't pay much mind to someone else's change in demeanor, but her level of caution toward Anne certainly escalated. The quietest dogs are often the fiercest. Wang Qiqi kept a covert watch on her, and just as she had turned the corner, intending to enter her office, she suddenly remembered something she needed to tell Anne. She spun around sharply and caught Anne looking at her with a gaze full of malice, sending a chill down Wang Qiqi’s spine. She knew then that Anne surely had a backup plan.

Anne hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to turn so abruptly; it gave her quite a scare. Instantly, a professionally practiced smile settled on her face. "Angel, is something the matter?" she thought, cursing herself for not speaking sooner. Why wait until now to say something? Didn't she realize this abrupt action could frighten someone to death?

What was there to remind her about? Wang Qiqi had already been startled by Anne. The thing she had intended to say almost slipped her mind. "I need to take some leave in a couple of days. When it comes to the reimbursement forms, you handle them. Once they’re done, remember to give them to Alice."

Take leave? Anne was surprised that Angel needed time off. "How long will you be gone? I need to arrange the work schedule." Heavens, she hasn't even been working for a full week, and she already needs leave. Even a shareholder shouldn't act like this! But then again, if she's gone, doesn't that present an opportunity for me? Anne grew happier the more she thought about it.

Wang Qiqi noticed the smile on Anne's face and knew she wasn't planning anything good. Because of this, Wang Qiqi resolved to speak thoroughly with Fatty before she left, ensuring he kept a close eye on Han Tao. It was entirely possible Anne would try to cause some incident while she was away. "At least half a month. Don't worry, I know you can handle my work." Wang Qiqi certainly wouldn't be polite to Anne. In her estimation, if someone couldn't manage this workload, they should just resign.

Half a month... Oh my God, Anne was about to shout hallelujah! Heaven truly loved her. She had been searching for an opening these past few days, never expecting such a golden opportunity to arrive so quickly. "I will get it done." Regardless, she had to agree for now, lest Anne somehow persuade JOHN to hire another assistant.

Fatty was shoving food into his mouth while relentlessly inputting data on his computer. When he spotted a certain figure appear in his office doorway, he was stunned. "Oh, what a rare visitor!" Didn't Qiqi usually eat lunch with Han Tao? Why was she here today? This struck Fatty as very strange. "Doesn't your Han Tao have an issue with this?" Didn't Han Tao often say lunchtime was their office dating hour? Why weren't they dating today? Or had Han Tao done something to upset Qiqi?

Wang Qiqi expected Fatty to tease her. "Why can't I come here? Should I just leave?" Though Wang Qiqi spoke of leaving, she took the food and sat down anyway. "I’m leaving in a couple of days. I’ve handed things over to Anne."

Fatty knew about Wang Qiqi’s impending departure. Since she had already settled her affairs, he was puzzled why she needed to specifically tell him; shouldn't this be something to discuss with JOHN?

"I mean for you to keep an eye on Anne." Wang Qiqi knew these matters were unnecessary to relay to Fatty.

Watch her? "Hasn't she been behaving lately?" Fatty had noticed Anne had been quite docile and sweet recently. He assumed the previous incident with Wang Qiqi had scared her straight. After all, Qiqi was a shareholder; getting someone fired wasn't that hard, especially since Han Tao had made it clear he wasn't interested in her. Shouldn't she tread carefully?

"Behaving my foot," Wang Qiqi swore colorfully, recounting the morning’s event. "That woman is excellent at pretending to be good. Even you thought she had improved. If I hadn't turned around so sharply, I never would have noticed." See, even Fatty, who was supposed to be monitoring her, thought she had changed for the better. Never mind Han Tao—if Anne made a move then, she’d succeed too easily. This thought sent a fresh wave of panic through Wang Qiqi.

Fatty hadn't realized Anne was faking it. "Thank goodness you noticed. Otherwise, I truly would have overlooked it. Don't worry, I will stay right beside Han Tao. If she really makes a move, it will only be when I'm not around." Fatty knew Han Tao didn't have much affection for Anne, so his only fear was her resorting to underhanded tactics. "The company's progress is quite good lately. The preliminary internal testing went smoothly. Although the small-scale trial revealed a few minor issues, overall it was quite positive. Once September hits, there will definitely be a steady upward climb, and more people will be paying attention to the company then." By that time, their net worth would see a modest increase, and once the company secured new investment, staffing would need to expand. Anne would then be utterly relegated to a front-desk role. If she wasn't looking for a safety net now, it wouldn't fit her character. If Han Tao were to actually do something to her, who knows what demands she might make.

"Exactly why you need to watch her constantly." Listening to Fatty’s analysis, Wang Qiqi sucked in a breath. "Now you realize the weight of the task, right?" No matter how much she worried about Anne, her return to China was set in stone. "I should have just found a reason to kick her out back then."

It wasn't that Wang Qiqi hadn't considered asking JOHN to fire Anne earlier. But first, she worried about causing unnecessary trouble for the company by doing so, and second, Anne’s subsequent performance hadn't been bad. "If she messes up this time, we’ll see how she manages to stick around here." If Anne dared to act out, Wang Qiqi would directly confront her at the office. If Anne played the first move, she’d counter with the fifteenth, seeing if Anne would have the nerve to stay in the company after that.

Seeing Wang Qiqi’s fierce expression, Fatty inwardly prayed for Anne, hoping the girl wouldn't cause any trouble, lest it lead to significant upheaval—or else she wouldn't be able to work here anymore.

"Remember that," Wang Qiqi glared fiercely at Fatty.

Seeing her stern gaze, Fatty quickly nodded his assurance. "I'll keep an eye on Anne. We’ll wrap up on time; I’ll take the work home. You know Han Tao; once he’s home, he hates going out again." Fatty recalled that Han Tao hadn't always been like this; he used to be somewhat outgoing. How could spending so much time in the US have made him so introverted? Still, it was beneficial, making it easier for him to monitor Han Tao.

"Isn't that perfect? Why would he need to go out?" Wang Qiqi was quite satisfied with Han Tao’s homebody tendency. Compared to others, Wang Qiqi herself was a homebody too. Although, according to Shi Man, their life was too quiet, resembling an old married couple. "Staying home is good. Going out is unpredictable." It was just that Han Tao was currently busy with work, and among the people he knew, few enjoyed partying. Even when Feng Xuanxiang went to a nightclub, it was for a celebration. Otherwise, Wang Qiqi wouldn't feel comfortable with Han Tao being close to him.

"Yes, yes," Fatty conceded, deciding he hadn't said anything. Han Tao was spoiled rotten by Wang Qiqi. In Fatty’s eyes, it was a negative trait, but Qiqi insisted it was a good thing. "Remember to bring me back some good food." Even though they often made Chinese food at home, Fatty felt some dishes just didn't taste the same as they did back in the mainland.

Fatty’s desires were genuinely modest. "You know some things simply can't be brought to the US. I really miss dàcháng miàn (large intestine noodles)." Braised large intestines were one of Qiqi's favorites, but such a dish would never be sold abroad. Wang Qiqi declared that upon returning to China, she would gorge herself on it.

"You're lucky; you'll be eating it soon." Fatty was quite envious. Although he wanted to go back, he used to think plane tickets were expensive, making a round trip costly. Now, money wasn't the issue; time was.

"You can too," Wang Qiqi thought, wasn't it summer vacation now? What was Fatty hesitating about going back for? "It’s just that you won’t be able to stay long. You might have to come right back once you land in China."

Fatty knew perfectly well that going back wouldn't be an issue, but the duration would be short. "Forget it. A trip back costs a fortune—gifts for this, gifts for that. If the gifts aren't generous enough, people are unsatisfied. They all assume I’ve struck it rich in the US." The thought alone depressed Fatty. His father was so good to his relatives, yet how did they repay him? The memory chilled him. He was thankful he had listened to Qiqi and bought commercial property in Beijing; who knows what his situation would be otherwise. "I’m building my business in the US now, and people still whisper behind my back. But the moment I go back, everyone flocks around my family demanding gifts. I think I’ll pass." Even if money were abundant, Fatty wouldn't waste it on such things, let alone when money was currently tight. "Maybe next year. Next summer, during my graduation, I’ll have my parents come attend my ceremony. I’ll take them around to see things. Of course, I need to buy a house before then."

Wang Qiqi knew a bit about Fatty’s family situation. Their circumstances weren't much better than Han Tao's troublesome relatives. "Since you'll be staying in the US eventually, just have your parents move here." Whatever those relatives say back home would be their problem. "Alright, I’m done eating. I’m going to Han Tao’s place to doze off for a bit." This was the upside of working in an IT company—the working hours were quite flexible. Right now, the pay wasn't high, the work was demanding, and vacations were few. In a few years, once everything was running smoothly, it would definitely be less work, better pay, and more vacation time. Thinking this, Wang Qiqi suddenly wondered if she should just stay employed at the company, even if the salary was low. She was one of the original employees, after all.

With that thought, Wang Qiqi decided that after she returned from China, she would discuss her long-term employment status with JOHN. Previously, Wang Qiqi worried she wouldn't be able to tolerate the rigidity of office life, but these past few months, she felt she had adapted quite well. Besides, staying cooped up at home all day could turn a person soft. Of course, she needed to discuss it with Han Tao too. RS