Wang Qiqi and Shi Man dragged Song Yao out of bed early in the morning, which Wang Qiqi found unbearable, especially since there was still some time before the store opened. “Sister, just let me sleep a little longer.” She had been on a long flight, rushed to the shop for inspection upon returning to the country, and then spent hours at home being interrogated by her mother-in-law about Han Tao. Wang Qiqi still felt as if she hadn't woken up yet.

“No more sleeping, you need to be up to receive the flower baskets.” Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi’s reluctance to get up with a twinge of jealousy. Heaven knew she herself had tossed and turned last night, more nervous than she’d been before opening her very first store.

“Receive flower baskets?” Wang Qiqi groggily climbed up. “Sister, you didn’t go and wholesale a bunch of flower baskets to decorate the storefront, did you?” How much money would that cost? It wasn't that Wang Qiqi was stingy, but she felt the money would be utterly wasted.

“I bought a few, some old clients bought some, Nana, and Li Qian all ordered baskets.” Song Yao frowned at Wang Qiqi’s expression, thinking her own sister was a bit too frugal. “We can’t have the entrance looking bare for the opening, can we? That’s the trend now.” Song Yao also didn't want to spend this unnecessary money, but felt she had no choice; it wouldn't feel right otherwise.

Wang Qiqi pursed her lips. To her, what use was this kind of superficial display? It would be better to offer greater discounts to truly win over customers. Did a more grandiose opening ceremony guarantee the shop’s longevity? In Wang Qiqi’s view, that was utter nonsense.

“Alright, I know this isn't the trend overseas, but this is China.” Song Yao rubbed Wang Qiqi’s head, signaling her not to impose foreign operating styles domestically. “Come on, get up. You and Manman have a lot to do.”

A lot to do? Wang Qiqi was quite surprised. “Aren’t we just coming out to cut the ribbon?” In Wang Qiqi’s mind, her role was to make a brief appearance and then retreat. How could it be that Song Yao had actually arranged chores for them? Wang Qiqi found this prospect daunting. Although she often applied facial masks to herself, she certainly couldn't offer beauty treatments to customers—that would scare a whole wave of clientele away.

Song Yao knew Wang Qiqi and the others wouldn’t think of entertaining guests. “You two aren’t planning to greet the guests? You expect me to handle all the socializing?” Song Yao sometimes truly wondered how she ended up partnering with these people, each lazier than the last. Other partners worried about associates getting too greedy and grasping for power; with her and Qiqi, she actually had to scheme to get them to lift a finger—few people would believe it if she told the story.

Greeting guests? Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were both startled by Song Yao’s words. “Sister, I absolutely cannot greet guests. I never handle that kind of welcoming and sending-off business.” Wang Qiqi refused immediately.

Song Yao’s face darkened when she heard Qiqi say that. She swiftly reached out and pinched Wang Qiqi’s ear. Wang Qiqi was shocked by Song Yao’s sudden violence; she couldn't believe she’d resort to something as risky as twisting an ear. “Sister, easy, easy! It hurts!” Wang Qiqi hadn't experienced such treatment for as long as she could remember; it was outrageous, absolutely perverse! “Sister, you are supposed to be a gentle lady, you can’t be this violent.”

“In your eyes, Wang Qiqi, am I supposed to be the one doing all the greeting and farewells?” Seeing Wang Qiqi’s ear turn bright red, Song Yao immediately let go. If she truly angered this girl, she definitely wouldn't get off lightly. It was best to quit while she was ahead.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected her older sister to suddenly erupt because of what she said. She felt deeply wronged but was also afraid Song Yao would strike again. “Sister, what I meant was that your social skills have improved immensely. In the future, you can not only make your own businesses flourish but also manage Brother-in-law’s factory well.”

“Enough, stop acting cute. Get up quickly.” Song Yao had intended to tease Wang Qiqi a bit more, but seeing how late it was, she decided against wasting more time on chatter. “Oh, right, put on some makeup. You two look terrible. If you go out looking like that, I worry the beauty salon clients will be scared away.”

“And a face mask, too.” Makeup is fine, but your skin looks too haggard. “Did you two use a mask yesterday?” Song Yao examined their complexions, feeling like they hadn't used masks at all yesterday. That was truly awful.

“We did,” Wang Qiqi pointed to the remnants in the trash bin. “It was too dry on the plane.” Wang Qiqi hated flying precisely for that reason—it was murder on the skin. “I meant to use one on the plane, but unfortunately, I forgot to pack my mask in my carry-on.” When Wang Qiqi got home, she realized how bad her skin looked, and the thought of having appeared before her subordinates yesterday with skin like an old aunt sent a wave of wanting-to-die through her. “Sister, I’m not going to the ribbon-cutting today; I was too embarrassed yesterday.”

Embarrassed? Song Yao rolled her eyes at Wang Qiqi. “Don't even think about slacking off. You wore those huge sunglasses yesterday; no one noticed you. If you have a mask, put it on quickly. I’m going downstairs to make breakfast.” Honestly, they looked for any excuse to be lazy. “The beauty salon isn't just mine, you know.”

Wang Qiqi watched Song Yao leave. “Is my sister angry?” Otherwise, she wouldn’t have emphasized that the beauty salon wasn't hers alone.

Song Yao nodded, looking slightly apologetic. “You were a bit much just now.” Otherwise, someone as good-tempered as Yao Yao-jie wouldn’t have said that, right?

Wang Qiqi pouted, thinking that she’d made jokes like that before, but her sister had never been this angry. Her reaction this time was unusually intense. “It looks like my sister is wound too tight.” Otherwise, she wouldn't react so strongly to a simple joke.

After Wang Qiqi and Shi Man got ready and went downstairs, they found Luo Hongjuan also dressed in a matching suit. “Mom, you look so youthful in that outfit.” Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Luo Hongjuan to carry off bright red well, but this outfit made her look remarkably young, and the style itself was also quite flattering for youthfulness.

Luo Hongjuan had heard several people complimenting the outfit, but hearing it from her daughter-in-law made her genuinely happy. “Your sister told me to buy it; I didn't want to at first, feeling like I couldn't pull off that kind of presence.” Now, when buying clothes, price was no longer Luo Hongjuan’s primary concern; it was whether it suited her when worn. Her daughter-in-law was right: buying better quality clothes meant they could be worn for a long time, unlike cheap items that only lasted a few wears. Besides, now that she had to greet customers, she couldn’t be selling branded goods while looking shabby herself. In this way, Luo Hongjuan’s shopping habits had gradually shifted.

Wow, even her mother-in-law was talking about "presence" now—that was progress. “Presence develops over time. I think you, Mom, are increasingly radiating the aura of a capable businesswoman.” Looking at her mother-in-law, who appeared ever younger, Wang Qiqi suddenly had a thought. Her mother-in-law had been a widow for many years; did she ever consider remarrying? For so many years, Luo Hongjuan had focused solely on raising her son, but now that Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were abroad, even though her sister’s family lived with her, she shouldn't be lonely. Still, Wang Qiqi felt she deserved a life of her own. However, Wang Qiqi couldn't voice this idea directly to her mother-in-law; it would make her feel like the daughter-in-law didn't want her around. Wang Qiqi decided to discuss it with Han Tao after returning home to see what he thought. If he agreed, she would have him bring up the matter with Luo Hongjuan.

While Luo Hongjuan was busy in the kitchen, Wang Qiqi pulled Song Yao aside. “Sister, does Han Tao’s mother ever have any suitors?” She wanted to know if Song Yao was aware of anyone pursuing her, as even when Song Yao wasn’t at the shop, she generally knew things.

Wang Qiqi’s question startled Song Yao, who looked around furtively before pulling Wang Qiqi aside. “Did you hear something?” Auntie Luo had always seemed hesitant about remarrying; she surely wouldn't have told Han Tao and the others. How could Qiqi bring it up as if she knew something? Had someone leaked the information?

Good heavens, it sounded like her mother-in-law really did have admirers. “What are the conditions of the suitor?” Wang Qiqi asked, intrigued. “I was just guessing. I just feel like my mother-in-law lately—mentally, or otherwise—seems much more energetic.” If Luo Hongjuan hadn't worn such a bright red outfit today, Wang Qiqi might not have noticed so much.

So it was just Qiqi guessing. Song Yao breathed a sigh of relief. However, she wasn't sure what Qiqi’s stance was yet. After all, Luo Hongjuan now possessed a modest fortune. For Wang Qiqi and her husband, this money wasn't a huge sum, but it wasn't insignificant either. If Luo Hongjuan remarried, whether this money would remain for Qiqi and the others was a question. “Qiqi, what are you implying?” Auntie Luo was hesitant about a second spring; Song Yao suspected she was mainly concerned about Han Tao and the others, worrying that Han Tao or Qiqi might object, leading to unhappiness for everyone.

“As long as the conditions are comparable, the person is kind to Mom, upright, and in good health, I have no objection,” Wang Qiqi stated very directly. “She raised Han Tao by herself; she’s already sacrificed too much. I don’t want her to end up all alone like this.”

Song Yao relaxed upon learning Wang Qiqi’s attitude. “Although your mom is getting older, she takes good care of herself now. It’s not that no one pursues her, but your mom usually pays them little attention. If you support it, have your Han Tao talk to Auntie Luo. Although we get along well with Auntie Luo, she still deserves a man to care for her.”

Wang Qiqi nodded to show she understood. When the two saw Luo Hongjuan and Shi Man had already brought breakfast out, they ended the conversation and went to the dining table. Shi Man shot Wang Qiqi a look, wondering if someone had apologized. Wang Qiqi shook her head, signaling she would tell her later.