Although Wang Qiqi had told Song Yao earlier to have Song Ziwen call in the afternoon, how could she possibly let Song Ziwen actually call at that time? That would be courting death. As soon as she finished her personal hygiene routine, she immediately placed a call to Song Ziwen.

Wang Qiqi knew that after her commotion this morning, Comrade Song Ziwen would certainly be quite sulky, but she hadn't expected President Song's temper to be so fierce recently. After saying many nice things to no avail, Wang Qiqi resorted to threats, which finally managed to subdue the proud man.

Shi Man was nestled nearby, continuously eating fruit, finding it highly amusing watching Wang Qiqi cycle through compliments and threats. Of course, she received countless glares from Wang Qiqi, but Shi Man simply ignored them. She’d laugh when she felt like laughing; what could Qiqi do? It was clearly her own antics that were funny.

After hanging up the phone, Wang Qiqi wiped some sweat from her brow. "I let my brother take advantage of me again, sigh." Wang Qiqi thought she shouldn't have called first, which resulted in her having to be so subservient. Shouldn't it have been Song Ziwen begging her for some advice and ideas? How did it get completely reversed, with her eagerly trying to solve his problem? Wang Qiqi felt her recent life had been too smooth, except for that spat with Anna earlier, though honestly, that incident wasn't very successful either. It was mainly because Han Tao was on her side; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to suppress Anna. She had become too complacent.

Shi Man looked at the vexed Wang Qiqi, knowing she was just talking big. She would still help Song Ziwen. "Do you want to come back to our hometown with me?" That way, they could travel back to the US together; a flight that long would be incredibly lonely otherwise.

Wang Qiqi shook her finger. "I have a mountain of trouble waiting for me back home; I'll pass." If she went back, Wang Rui would constantly brag. Previously, Wang Qiqi could easily shove her away and tell her to go cool off somewhere, but now that she was pregnant, such actions were out of the question. Moreover, returning to the hometown would be even more boring. Staying in the capital at least meant she had Song Yao and her family around. "I'd better keep my mother-in-law company." Returning after only a few days only to go straight to the hometown—who knows what Luo Hongjuan would think of her intentions? Especially since there was nothing going on back home.

"Why not take your mother-in-law out for a spin?" Shi Man pondered that since Song Yao was busy, they could take Luo Hongjuan around nearby. Qiqi had a driver's license, and they could even borrow a car from her brother-in-law's factory.

Shi Man’s suggestion was good, but the issue was, "My mother-in-law absolutely won't agree to go out. My sister is busy with the beauty salon business; she insists on guarding the (daigou/purchasing agent) shop. As long as she's there, those subordinates won't dare to get too creative." Regarding the drinks and pastries made in the shop, Song Yao let the girls eat some, which was well-intentioned, but some of them were dishonest. When the shop was unguarded, they would take some home. Taking what was on the counter was unlimited, unlike eating their share. It wasn't that Song Yao and Luo Hongjuan minded the cost of the pastries; they were just worried that those employees might tamper with the prices of the goods later. Now, some customers would haggle over the price instead of accepting a fixed rate, making control difficult.

"Then you go watch the shop," Shi Man thought. If this doesn't work and that doesn't work, she can't just sit at home staring at the computer all day. Even though there was little Tao Tao at home, the boy had his friends. He hadn't been home long before he went next door to play with other kids.

Watch the shop? Wang Qiqi yawned, slowly got to her feet, and mumbled, "I'll go upstairs to see if there's any work." Wang Qiqi didn't think she had the skill level for that kind of task. Better not, or she might scare away customers, which would be a far greater transgression.

After seeing Shi Man off, Wang Qiqi felt completely bored. Even though Tao Tao was at home, the little boy found Qiqi inadequate company for their various games and preferred going out to play at friends' houses or inviting friends over. In short, Wang Qiqi realized her decision to return to China was a mistake; she wouldn't be this lonely otherwise.

Earlier, Wang Qiqi had complained endlessly about watching the shop being boring. Now, with absolutely nothing to do, only a few TV shows were worth watching, and the internet wasn't as lively as it was in later years. The helpless Wang Qiqi could only get up early every day to accompany Luo Hongjuan to work.

Luo Hongjuan watched Wang Qiqi come to work early every day. Once at the shop, she diligently cleaned. Though she wasn't very good at serving customers, she took over the pastry-making. Luo Hongjuan kept nodding in approval; this was how a good wife should behave.

Wang Qiqi noticed that her mother-in-law's gaze towards her had become much warmer over the past few days. She wondered if the esteemed mother-in-law had cooked up some new scheme. Earlier, Luo Hongjuan had even discussed the possibility of her getting pregnant with Han Tao. Thankfully, Han Tao currently had a better understanding of eugenics and was too busy, so he managed to put her off a few times, much to Wang Qiqi's profound relief. It wasn't that Wang Qiqi didn't want children, but the year she spent studying in England had been incredibly hectic. Even though she tried to manage three regular meals, her lack of sleep had affected her health. Han Tao was also working overtime, and neither of their physical conditions was optimal before rushing into having a baby. Wang Qiqi genuinely worried that any child born under such circumstances might not be very healthy. Now, seeing Luo Hongjuan look at her like that, was she planning to bring up this topic?

Wang Qiqi felt her mother-in-law seemed to have a bit too much free time. It was necessary to help the esteemed mother-in-law find her second spring so that her life could be more fulfilled. Of course, this would also allow Wang Qiqi to avoid conflict with her.

Wang Qiqi’s premonition was correct. After dinner that evening, Wang Qiqi planned to retire to her room briefly before sneaking online to talk to Han Tao for a moment. Unexpectedly, Luo Hongjuan called out to her, and Song Yao was called as well.

Song Yao wondered if something had happened at the shop, given Aunt Luo's grave expression. She looked questioningly at Wang Qiqi, who wore an equally bewildered look. Song Yao realized it wasn't about the shop; it must concern Qiqi. "Aunt Luo, why did you call for me?"

Seeing Luo Hongjuan's stance suggested a serious, long talk was coming, Wang Qiqi slipped into the kitchen, brewed a pot of longan, red date, and goji berry tea, and brought it out. While she was busy in the kitchen, she had received gestures from Song Yao confirming that it was indeed about her. However, Song Yao's expression suggested it wasn't about the baby issue, which relieved Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi brought out the teapot and had just poured three cups when Luo Hongjuan spoke first. "Qiqi, you and Xiao Tao have been together for several years now. When are you planning to get married? Although there are plenty of Westerners who live together without marrying, we still need to get married." Luo Hongjuan was eager to have a grandchild, but with the children abroad, she was alone domestically, and no amount of eagerness would change that. Agreeing to her face and then forgetting it later was normal. She had thought about going to the US, but several people were renting rooms, and Qiqi needed to work. She didn't speak English, so being alone during the day in the US would be very lonely. Since Qiqi was back in the country for a few days, Luo Hongjuan thought it was best to discuss this matter with her.

It was about the wedding arrangements; the heart Wang Qiqi had held suspended in the air completely settled. "Han Tao and I have already decided. We'll register our marriage abroad directly. Once he’s done being busy, we’ll come back and have a gathering with everyone—just close relatives." Wang Qiqi didn't care about the red envelopes from relatives. According to their plan, they would invite a few friends and the Song family, wrapping up the reception in just two or three tables. There was no need to invite dozens of tables; it was too exhausting.

Luo Hongjuan heard that her son and daughter-in-law were registering overseas and then mentioned returning for a banquet. She was just about to lay out the wedding plans she had envisioned—after all, Han Tao was her only son, and she had given out so many red envelopes over the years; she certainly needed to figure out how to get some back. Unexpectedly, her daughter-in-law said this—though not explicitly stated, it implied a simple ceremony. How could Luo Hongjuan be happy about that?

Wang Qiqi saw Luo Hongjuan fall silent and knew she was quite displeased, clearly wanting a grand wedding, perhaps even hoping to recoup those past red envelopes. "Mom, I want a grand ceremony too, but our wedding shouldn't lose money, should it?" She decided to approach it from an economic standpoint.

"Lose money?" Luo Hongjuan snorted. "How could it lose money? Weddings always make money." Although she had never hosted a wedding, she knew colleagues and friends who had. The thought of her outstanding son having a simple wedding made Luo Hongjuan genuinely annoyed.

"Weddings make money, but everyone knows Han Tao and I are working and earning in the US. Mom, an ordinary hotel definitely won't do; it has to be a star-rated hotel, and the banquet tables can't be cheap, right? At least two thousand per table?" Wang Qiqi didn't get angry; throwing a fit now wouldn't solve anything.

Luo Hongjuan nodded from the side. That was true. Her friends had all held weddings in ordinary restaurants, costing about a thousand per table. Her son's situation was different; if the standard went up, the price had to rise too.

It seemed her mother-in-law understood the market rates. "And the liquor can't be subpar, right? We must at least serve Maotai and Wuliangye, or people will say we're stingy. Mom, calculating this way, I'd say it’s three thousand per table." Wang Qiqi almost said, who knows how many red envelopes they’d receive? At least Wang Qiqi knew the relatives from the Han and Luo families would definitely be the type to bring three generations to one table and only give a three-hundred-yuan red envelope for the meal. It wasn't that Wang Qiqi begrudged the money; it was that she felt it would be better to sponsor a few poor children's education than to feed those people.

Although Wang Qiqi didn't say it, Luo Hongjuan could do the math. Calculating the economics, she too was startled—not that it would break even, but that it might lose a significant amount.

Wang Qiqi didn't stop there, wanting to give Luo Hongjuan more to think about. "Especially if we invite a lot of relatives; they’ll all flock around, hoping Han Tao can take them abroad. Mom, what do you think we should do then? If we take them, Han Tao and I won't be able to manage everyone; if we don't, they’ll say we are heartless."

Wang Qiqi distracted Luo Hongjuan so effectively that in the end, she could only concede and agree not to hold a large banquet, settling for just three or four tables of guests. "But the standard can't be low!"

"Don't worry, don't worry," Wang Qiqi quickly promised. Her mother-in-law might value appearances, but she wasn't foolish enough to be swindled. Wang Qiqi was quite satisfied.