Wang Qiqi placed her leave request form in front of Anna, then casually handed her a notebook. Anna, seeing the request form appear before her, was just about to slip it into her desk drawer when Wang Qiqi unexpectedly offered her a notebook. Feeling quite odd, she took it, and by the time she looked, Anna was furious. "What is the meaning of this?" Anna asked, her face losing all color. Thanks to a certain someone, her standing at the office wasn't great; she used to have people vying to do favors for her, but after Angel caused that whole scene, absolutely no one pursued her anymore. How could this not anger Anna?

"To prevent future conflicts," Wang Qiqi explained. It wasn't intentional targeting. "Last time I took leave to return to the country, didn't a certain someone seem to forget to hand in their leave form?" If John hadn't discovered the issue when auditing salaries, wouldn't they have been marked as absent without pay? Once is a precedent for a second time. Although Wang Qiqi had successfully suppressed that person last time, she had expected that person to be shown the door. She never imagined that she would linger in the company like a cockroach, which greatly irritated Wang Qiqi. Since dealing with business matters was unavoidable, she could only prepare thoroughly. It wasn't as if she was targeting a specific person; it was because that person had made a mistake before. Being cautious was never wrong. Being cornered by Wang Qiqi like that almost took Anna’s breath away. "Last time was my oversight." She didn't know if Angel had deliberately brought it up to embarrass her or if this notebook idea was a measure to prevent her from making future mistakes. She had no recourse but to apologize.

"A simple 'oversight' from you will suffice. If it weren't for me having previously cleared it with John, I might have been fired." Wang Qiqi was annoyed by Anna’s insincere apology. "This matter could be seen as big or small. What if it had been someone else?" Anna quickly signed her name in Angel's notebook, thinking the matter was settled. She didn't realize it was just beginning. After being lectured by Wang Qiqi while sitting at her desk, Anna looked at Wang Qiqi's expression and had only one thought: She’s just a shareholder. Does she really need to throw her weight around in front of me? She knew Wang Qiqi disliked her. When Anna delayed submitting her resignation, Wang Qiqi looked visibly perplexed. Anna illogically thought to herself, Why should I resign? I should stay right here and keep provoking you. The other reason she hadn't left was that she couldn't find a better job. Aside from the salary, few companies offered good prospects, and even if they did, she probably wouldn't be hired. It was better to stay put. While Angel's attitude toward her in the past few days hadn't been great, it wasn't this targeted. Why was it like this now? Anna admitted she didn't understand.

"Remember your proper role, and stop thinking about extraneous nonsense." The look of utter confusion on Anna’s face infuriated Wang Qiqi, who could only warn her not to cross the line. "If there's a next time, you deal with the consequences." Hmph, what if she was issuing a threat? The look Wang Qiqi gave Anna made her almost stumble back a step. She finally understood why Angel had been acting so strangely and scolding her today: it was because she was going back to her home country and wouldn't be around Tao. Anna desperately wanted to complain: Your man treats you so well, what are you worried about? As for Anna's feelings toward Wang Qiqi, she no longer cared much, even if she disliked her; it was only because Wang Qiqi had caused her such public embarrassment before.

"I have no interest in your man anymore; stop pressuring me repeatedly," Anna whispered to Wang Qiqi, her tone laced with anger.

Wang Qiqi pretended not to hear and continued to stare at Anna, making her extremely uneasy. "Giving up so soon? Found a new target? I truly pity the men you date. What kind of girlfriend did they find? It’s easy to love someone and just as easy to stop. Thank goodness my Han Tao didn't get entangled with you, or I estimate you would have ended up cuckolding him before long." Wang Qiqi continued to twist the knife sharply. Anna constantly told herself not to fall for it; if she actually punched her, she knew she wouldn't be far from resigning. "Say whatever you like; I have nothing to say."

Wang Qiqi noticed her impatience and understood the wisdom of quitting while ahead. "Remember what you said." With that, Wang Qiqi turned and left.

Watching the departing figure, Anna repeatedly slapped at Wang Qiqi’s back with the files in her hand.

Shi Man and Wang Qiqi met at the San Francisco airport and boarded the plane back home together. "I heard a certain someone threw another fit a few days ago?"

Don't even mention it—no one but Fatty would betray her. "Mm. I’m going back to the country for a few days; shouldn't I give that person a warning?"

After following the flight attendant's instructions to fasten her seatbelt, Shi Man remarked, "You've calmed down a bit now. I thought you would resort to physical force the first time. If you had acted then, would she still be working at the company?" For someone like that, giving no quarter was the way.

"I think it’s better if she stays. Who knows if the next person won't suffer from lovesickness? Besides, apart from that one flaw, her work performance is genuinely good." Wang Qiqi had observed Anna and had to admit her professional capabilities were strong. More importantly, as a receptionist, her looks were acceptable, and her general attitude was quite pleasant—except for the occasional bout of infatuation and the habit of stealing boyfriends, she was otherwise quite fine. "Otherwise, I would definitely ask John to show her the door when her contract expires. Though, perhaps she’ll resign next year anyway." A receptionist wouldn't travel thousands of miles just to follow someone, right?

Shi Man covered her mouth, chuckling. "You figure you’ll only have to deal with her for a few more months. But the company is relocating next year; are you going over there?" Although the process of onboarding new shareholders had started, no one knew when it would be complete, but the move date was pretty much set. Shi Man just didn't know Wang Qiqi's plan.

"I'm not going. I need to take care of my man." Wang Qiqi thought, Why should I go over there? Wouldn't moving mean separating from him? "Don't worry, Fatty will move over too. We won't be kept in the dark about the company's situation."

After landing, the two immediately hailed a cab to visit the beauty salon. Although Song Yao occasionally sent Wang Qiqi and the others renovation photos of the salon, pictures couldn't compare to seeing the actual effect in person.

With the grand opening scheduled for tomorrow, Song Yao anxiously paced the shop, checking this and that, frequently giving instructions to the women following behind her. "Tomorrow is the opening day; you must keep everyone in line and ensure there are no problems." Although Song Yao knew she had asked some questions many times already, she couldn't stop herself from repeating them, as if doing so could soothe her own anxious heart.

"Got it," the person behind her replied very politely, showing no sign of impatience.

Wang Qiqi and Shi Man followed behind them, surveying the place. "Sis, the renovation looks great. Don't be so worried. I'm sure the opening tomorrow will be a complete success." Wang Qiqi had intended to say something about her sister working hard, but seeing her sister's somewhat strained expression, she found it amusing. "Sis, you've opened several companies and factories before; this isn't your first business venture. There’s no need to be this nervous." Wang Qiqi didn't recall Song Yao being this tense when she opened her first company; back then, it was excitement, not this kind of anxiety.

Song Yao introduced Wang Qiqi and Shi Man, and the two had a preliminary acquaintance with the current managerial talent of the beauty salon. After that, they efficiently excused themselves from Song Yao and the others.

Once they left, Song Yao briefly asked about their journey before urgently launching into a detailed explanation of the salon's current status. Wang Qiqi felt quite helpless. She and Shi Man had timed their return precisely, clearly indicating their trust in Song Yao and no intention of managing the salon themselves, yet Song Yao insisted on such a thorough rundown.

After repeating herself one more time, Song Yao noticed Wang Qiqi and Shi Man looking at her with teasing eyes and immediately felt a little embarrassed. "Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced more; my courage has shrunk considerably."

Wang Qiqi and Shi Man covered their mouths, laughing. "Sis, you're not timid; you're striving for perfection." Wang Qiqi understood that Song Yao was probably just nervous. She now knew many people in the capital, and the investment for these four locations was significant. The pressure on Song Yao must have been huge. "Sis, you've done wonderfully. If it were up to Manman and me, we definitely wouldn't have done this well."

Song Yao knew Wang Qiqi and the others were comforting her. "I know. Okay, let's go. All the guests tomorrow are returning clients. As long as their performance isn't too disastrous, there shouldn't be any issues." Song Yao understood that no matter how anxious she was, there were things she couldn't predict, but she had handled everything within her responsibility perfectly. "Let's go. We’ll buy some ready-made food on the way back; I don't have the energy to cook tonight." Eat early, put on a face mask, and get a good night's sleep so she could greet the guests in top form tomorrow.

"I don't mind. I just want some vegetables," Wang Qiqi stated. She had been eating too much meat lately and absolutely needed something light to cut through the richness.

"Me too," Shi Man chimed in from the side.

Seeing that both of them wanted vegetables, Song Yao knew they weren't trying to save her money but genuinely craved greens. She didn't stand on ceremony. "How about hot pot tonight? It's getting cold." It’s quick to prepare; just wash the vegetables well. That way, those who love meat can eat meat, and those who love vegetables can eat vegetables.

"Deal." Although eating hot pot this early in the season felt a bit premature, it was acceptable in the north, and this arrangement catered to everyone's dietary needs.