Song Ziwen looked at Wang Qiqi in surprise, then rubbed his ear. "Qiqi, what did you just say? Did I hear that wrong?" Song Ziwen wondered if the after-effects of his flight hadn't worn off yet.

Song Yao handed Song Ziwen the freshly brewed tea. "You heard correctly. Qiqi intends to relinquish her shares." Especially now that Qiqi had new plans for the money, Song Yao couldn't possibly talk her out of keeping it. More importantly, Song Yao also wanted to invest in that new investment company; without Qiqi holding shares, Song Yao genuinely wouldn't dare put money in. The stock market makes money quickly, but it loses it just as fast. With Qiqi involved, she felt absolutely at ease.

Song Ziwen confirmed repeatedly that Wang Qiqi intended to withdraw her stake. Knowing Qiqi as he did, such a large sum being pulled out meant she definitely had a new collaboration in mind. "Qiqi, now that you have all that money, do you have a new plan, or does Han Tao's company need investment?"

"I told you it was fine for Han Tao to just work for someone else. He’s bought a house; aren't cars and such the next logical step? Why insist on starting some IT company? So many people in the States study computer science, and how many succeed? Now look, even domestic assets are being sold off." Of course, he only said this because Luo Hongjuan wasn't present; otherwise, he wouldn't dare utter such words, lest Luo Hongjuan think he was saying Han Tao was living off her.

Wang Qiqi didn't want Song Ziwen to have too many notions. Previously, to prevent Song Ziwen from hearing about the promising future of the IT company and developing various thoughts, she hadn't mentioned how well the company was actually developing. But she also didn't want Han Tao to appear as if he were living off her. "The company is developing well, and there are investors willing to come in. I’m pulling the funds because Lao Feng—Shi Man’s man—wants to start his own venture. His previously secured partner abruptly changed their mind and decided not to collaborate. As Shi Man’s friend, I have to offer some assistance, and frankly, I’m quite satisfied with Lao Feng's capabilities."

Song Ziwen understood now. So, Rou Rou had a new plan. But he remembered Shi Man’s husband studied economics. How was it that everyone Qiqi knew was striking out on their own? Were they all influenced by Qiqi, with hardly anyone willing to remain an employee under a boss? "Is he a stock trader? Wasn’t he working at a decent investment firm?" Song Ziwen recalled that Shi Man lived in the same complex as him, and thinking back, he seemed to remember her parents mentioning a son-in-law working for a big overseas company, likely in finance. If he were starting independently, it must be finance-related. And for Qiqi to abandon her own company with a stable income source, he must believe the dividends from the new venture would be significantly higher. "Sister, are you planning to take shares?" Qiqi flying back specifically for this matter, not to their hometown but to the capital, and asking him to meet her here, clearly meant discussing this with Song Yao.

Song Yao didn't intend to hide anything from Song Ziwen either; she nodded. "After hearing Qiqi was planning to invest, I thought things over too. You know, your brother-in-law and I have earned quite a bit these past few years; we can't just keep buying property or chasing random investments. Since such a good opportunity has arisen, I don't want to miss it. However, whether the other party will accept us, I’m not entirely sure; we'll need Qiqi to ask them first." Song Yao didn't know the current status of Feng Xuanxiang’s investment company, but she certainly needed to polish Feng Xuanxiang's company a little, so Song Ziwen wouldn't feel like he was doing them a favor, giving him a sense of superiority.

Song Ziwen looked at Song Yao suspiciously. Earlier, Qiqi clearly said the agreed-upon partner backed out. In his view, they should be quite short on capital. How come, hearing his sister now, it sounded like the other party wasn't worried about the source of the principal? "Oh, is that so?" Was she trying to test him?

"That’s right. Regarding funds, Lao Feng saying he’s not short on money isn't entirely true, though in finance, having more money is always better. But sometimes, having too much money isn't always good—a smaller ship turns faster." Wang Qiqi knew Song Ziwen was tempted. "Brother, you know the stock business; when it profits, it’s very profitable. On this matter, Brother, you should ask your wife." Everyone loves the profit, but if it doesn't profit, who knows what your sister-in-law might think.

"I know. I’ll go ask Yang Jing. Since you have a new plan, Qiqi, I will arrange a comprehensive audit as soon as I get back. Whatever money is due to you, I’ll transfer it as quickly as possible." Seeing that Wang Qiqi had made up her mind, Song Ziwen no longer insisted.

"Give me the money at an eighty percent discount." Wang Qiqi offered Song Ziwen a discount. After all, that money was already much more than what she originally invested, not to mention the dividends over the years had already recouped the principal. "Brother, I need the money urgently. If possible, can you give it to me by the end of February?"

Eighty percent discount—Song Ziwen was quite satisfied with that. Although the timeline was tight, given their good relationship with the bank, Song Ziwen was sure that if he simply asked, securing a loan wouldn't be an issue. "Sister, are you planning to take shares?" Song Ziwen thought it would be improper for him to absorb all the shares and needed to ask Song Yao if she was interested.

Song Yao shook her head. "You take them." Song Yao had money on hand, but since she intended to invest in the other company, that capital wouldn't be available. Besides, if Yang Jing knew she had invested more, she might be unhappy. Forget it. To be honest, if she weren't worried about Song Ziwen having other ideas, Song Yao would also have offered her shares in Ziwen's company. "You know, your brother-in-law and I just acquired a commercial property recently. Truthfully, we aren't overflowing with cash."

Song Ziwen certainly didn't believe his sister's explanation, but since it was an excuse, he naturally wouldn't press the issue and expose it. However, he understood one thing: the money his sister and brother-in-law were using to invest in that company wouldn't be small, otherwise, why would they refuse such a good deal as an eighty percent discount? This solidified Song Ziwen’s resolve to invest. For Song Yao to pass up such a favorable opportunity, and for Qiqi to offer such a steep discount just to get the funds sooner—"I’ve made up my mind. I want to invest in the investment company. I wonder if the other party will accept." Well, the implication from their earlier conversation was that he might feel superior. Although Song Ziwen’s business had grown substantially over the years, and his tone carried a hint of condescension, he knew there were realms where mere wealth wasn't the deciding factor, like this investment company, which depended on the diligence of the people running it.

"That depends on their reply. I'll get back to you later. But Brother, you will have to fly to the US to sign the contracts." Some matters required physical signing. These contracts all needed to be signed in the US. "Of course, we can mail them back for you to sign, but I think it’s best if you fly to the US to look things over, and you can check out the company's office address while you're there." After all, a shareholder shouldn't be ignorant of the company's physical location.

Song Ziwen hesitated upon hearing he might have to travel to the US. "Perhaps mail them to me for signing." He probably felt that sounded a bit off. "You know I have too much work to handle at the company." How long would a round trip to the US take? And he couldn't just fly to the US to sign a contract, right? That would hardly justify the ticket price. But if Yang Jing found out he’d passed up such a good opportunity, she might lecture him severely. However, if his wife went to the US, could she keep herself in check? Song Ziwen vividly recalled how violently his wife had swiped her card the last time they were in Japan.

"And while you’re there, you can have a simple opening ceremony," Wang Qiqi added, sensing Song Ziwen’s hesitation. "You can take your sister-in-law with you to see the US. If all goes well, the company will likely be based in New York—it’s a shopping paradise there."

New York, shopping paradise—Song Ziwen’s face flushed. "Qiqi, do you think that after I spend that much money, I’d let your sister-in-law go on a massive shopping spree?" Song Ziwen had never been to the US, but he often heard Yang Jing rambling about this and that about America. He couldn't even imagine what his wife would be like if they went, likely ditching him to follow Shi Man on a grand purchasing spree. "Sister, are you going?"

"Yes," Song Yao immediately agreed. "It’s a perfect chance to take Taotao to Disney. Last time when Qiqi graduated from her Master’s, I took him to the Disneyland in France. In a few days, we’re going to Japan, so Taotao can visit Tokyo Disneyland, and then going to the US means Taotao can conquer all the Disney parks!"

Song Ziwen pursed his lips. His older sister was certainly generous. Of course, he wasn't begrudging the expense, but he was genuinely busy. "What about Brother-in-law this time?" Hmph, he wouldn't be jealous; she was a woman, so naturally, she’d be interested in such things.

"I'm going," Gong Peixing confirmed, wanting to see what his investment company looked like. "Then we can visit Han Tao’s IT company. After all, we earn money to live better lives; why else earn so much? We should invite Mom and Dad too and make it a whole family trip."

"Absolutely not!" Song Yao and Song Ziwen objected in unison. "Let Dad stay in the hometown. If those two travel together, it might be like Mars colliding with Earth; it's better the way it is now." Song Ziwen didn't want his parents to reconcile; their hearts had drifted far apart long ago. Now that his mother was in the capital and his father was back home, they could at least manage a few words from a distance. Better to let them gaze at each other across the miles.

"Exactly," Song Yao had long given up trying to mediate between them. Since the old man’s heart wasn't invested anymore, and neither wanted a divorce, they might as well live their separate lives.

With his son and daughter voicing their opinions so firmly, Gong Peixing dropped the subject, deciding not to press the issue. Otherwise, any benefits would be his to enjoy, but any trouble would fall on his shoulders—best to drop it.