Song Ziwen had a mountain of things to attend to, and since Qiqi needed the funds rather urgently, he only stayed in the capital for a single night before preparing to fly out. Wang Damei watched her son, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, preparing to leave so quickly, and a clear displeasure crossed her face. "You can't stay a few extra days?"

Song Ziwen looked at the unhappy Wang Damei and pulled her into an embrace. "Mom, you know the factory has a lot going on; I have to rush back to guard the business. Besides, in a few months, I'll take you to the States to travel. Will that make you happy?"

"Really?" Although Song Yao had mentioned it yesterday, Wang Damei still put on a show of being utterly surprised. "Don't just say sweet words to fool me into being happy."

Song Yao watched her mother's delighted expression and pouted. She turned to Wang Qiqi, who was standing nearby. "For the exact same thing, the reactions after telling a son versus a daughter are so different. Sigh, no wonder people say that no matter how good a daughter is, she can't compare to a son."

"Don't worry, Auntie knows how wonderful you are," Wang Qiqi whispered. "Besides, how much jealousy would you feel if Auntie treated your brother better?" Song Yao was living quite well these days; she wasn't the type to cling to her parents' money. It was just that she felt annoyed that Song Ziwen, who only visited occasionally, could so easily pull all of Wang Damei's attention away.

"Why would I be jealous? As long as Yang Jing thinks I'm just after my mother's money, that’s fine." Although Yang Jing had never explicitly said anything, and her expression was perfectly calibrated, a few unintentional glances had let Song Yao know that her sister-in-law, who came from considerable wealth herself, still placed great importance on her parents' assets. Song Yao actually despised such petty thoughts. While her parents had a fair bit of money, she felt that if she channeled the same effort she put into observing them into her own business, her ventures could flourish significantly more. "Forget it, just consider it my little complaint this once. Anyway, I walk the straight path; whatever she thinks is her own business, as long as Mom is happy."

"Of course, I believe you. You never cared about this money." In a past life, Wang Qiqi might have thought Song Yao was speaking with misplaced sentiment, but in this life, Wang Qiqi knew Song Yao genuinely didn't care about the money Wang Damei and her husband held. Song Yao earned many times more than that. Yet, because of this very attitude, Song Yao couldn't simply sit down and discuss the matter with Yang Jing. If Yang Jing denied ever thinking that way and instead claimed Song Yao was overthinking things, the situation would become awkward. Wang Qiqi once again thought, "It's a blessing that Han Tao and I are both only children. Though the future burdens will be heavier, at least we won't have these kinds of bothersome issues."

Song Yao looked at Wang Qiqi's slightly smug expression and found it irritating. "It's a good thing Ziwen is leaving. Mom didn't say too much either; otherwise, I really would have worried," she admitted. Honestly, having Song Ziwen come to the capital to handle this matter made Song Yao quite nervous. Although she could have asked Gong Peixing not to mention the beauty salon and wellness center, the problem was that Wang Damei knew about these things. It was fortunate her mother hadn't opened her mouth, or Song Yao wouldn't have known how to handle the fallout.

"So, Auntie does care for you. But Auntie isn't blind, either. She can’t fail to notice that your relationship with Yang Jing is a bit strained. If she told Song Ziwen about the beauty salon, and Yang Jing found out, would your relationship with your brother improve?" Wang Qiqi knew Wang Damei leaned towards Song Ziwen, but if Song Ziwen learned about the situation with Song Yao, it would only cause an unpleasant rift between the siblings, and Song Ziwen would ultimately be the one to lose out. With a moment of comparison, Wang Damei would naturally know which choice to make.

"It wouldn't," Song Yao confirmed firmly. "Even if Song Ziwen didn't think much of it at first, Yang Jing would. If she keeps nagging in Ziwen's ear, I guarantee that even if Ziwen has no feelings about it, he'll start to feel we've wronged him."

After assuring Wang Damei and Song Ziwen properly, Song Ziwen looked up and found Song Yao and Wang Qiqi deep in animated conversation, their heads bent together. His gaze unconsciously darkened, a look that Wang Damei, who was constantly watching them, immediately noticed.

Wang Damei had initially felt a pang of guilt for hiding certain things about Song Yao from her son, but seeing Song Ziwen’s expression now reaffirmed her decision. She would treat the matter as if she’d never known. Wang Damei thought to herself: The son and daughter both have their own lives, and the son isn't doing poorly. There’s no need for me to get caught in the middle.

The topic of conversation between Wang Qiqi and the others had long since shifted. Qiqi wasn't leaving for a few more days, so there was no need to say everything now. Thus, when Song Ziwen asked a question, their expressions didn't betray much surprise. "Brother, you’re already thirty, aren't you? Why are you still acting like a child? I was just telling Yaoyao Sister that I plan to take a camera and snap some photos to show Niu Niu, let her see what her old man looks like when he’s being a baby."

Song Ziwen immediately grew agitated upon hearing Wang Qiqi’s words. He knew Qiqi was the type to follow through on what she said. "Don't, I just haven't seen Mom in a while and got a little emotional. But to Mom, no matter how old I get, I’m still her child."

Song Ziwen checked the time; it was getting late, and if he didn't leave soon, he’d miss his flight. "Sister, let's head to the airport. Oh, right, Qiqi, aren't you going to see me off?"

Wang Qiqi smiled and shook her head. "No, I have an appointment with Uncle Ye to discuss something." In truth, it was Li Qian who had asked to meet Wang Qiqi. She had remained in the capital recently because of the wellness center issue, and upon hearing Wang Qiqi was back, she had immediately called Qiqi to arrange a meal to catch up.

The moment Wang Qiqi pushed open the door to the coffee shop, a waiter rushed over, about to ask if she was meeting someone, when Wang Qiqi said, "My friend is over there." Wang Qiqi knew the few spots Li Qian favored, and after scanning a few directions, she spotted Li Qian sitting elegantly on a sofa, reading a magazine and sipping coffee.

The waiter watched the guest hurry inside and quickly followed.

As Wang Qiqi walked forward, she looked at Li Qian, and her mind flashed back to the first time she had ever seen her. Wang Qiqi deeply felt that heaven had been exceptionally kind to Li Qian; in these past five or six years, time seemed to have left no mark on her face whatsoever.

Li Qian watched Wang Qiqi approach and stare intently at her, causing the waiter standing nearby to adopt a strange expression. "One cappuccino, one Tiramisu," Li Qian said, having already ordered Wang Qiqi's favorite flavors.

After the waiter noted the order, he kept looking back at Wang Qiqi, thinking this customer was too bizarre. Was she planning some kind of confrontation? Perhaps a mistress provoking the wife? If it were just verbal sparring, that would be one thing, but what if it came to blows? This was a public place; they couldn't cause a scene. Just as the waiter stood there uncertainly, not knowing what to do—

"I know her; she must just be lost in thought," Li Qian said, stepping in to explain since the waiter hadn't left. "Qiqi, what's wrong?"

Hearing Li Qian call out the other's name, the waiter finally went to the counter to place the order.

Wang Qiqi snapped back to attention and saw Li Qian looking at her with an amused expression. "What’s wrong?" Wang Qiqi reached up to touch her face, checking if anything was on it.

"What were you standing there thinking about? The waiter thought you had lost your mind," Li Qian explained. "Oh, right, I ordered a cappuccino and a Tiramisu. They should suit your taste, right?"

"They'll do," Wang Qiqi replied, though she preferred the ones she made herself. "I was just looking at you, Sister Qian, and remembering the first time I saw you. I think you haven't changed much. Have you been getting that cosmetic injection?" Rumor had it that the needle made the skin tighter, but the side effect was that too many injections turned the face into a plastic mask, resulting in a fixed, unnatural smile. "Or maybe you've been taking placenta supplements?" That was also supposed to be quite effective.

Li Qian lightly swatted her when Wang Qiqi's words became increasingly outlandish. "Behave yourself, I don't need any of that. I'm in a good mood, my son is successful, Uncle Ye is good to me, and I've achieved success in my career. I’m much happier than many of my friends. Back when I first got divorced, so many people secretly laughed at me. Now, it's my turn to laugh at them." Li Qian knew Wang Qiqi didn't socialize much with her usual circle of wealthy acquaintances, and Qiqi was very discreet. More importantly, Qiqi operated mainly abroad, only returning to China to meet familiar faces.

Wang Qiqi had been present during the process of Li Qian’s divorce. "The one who laughs last laughs sweetest. But I’m surprised you've started chatting about gossip like those society ladies, Sister Qian." In Wang Qiqi’s memory, Li Qian was definitely the cool, aloof type. She never expected her to engage in idle talk, proving that everyone harbored a desire for gossip.

Li Qian caught the teasing tone in Wang Qiqi's voice and rolled her eyes. "Weren't you vacationing in the Maldives? Why didn't you go straight back to the States?" Li Qian admitted she was quite surprised when she heard Wang Qiqi had returned to the country. They kept in touch frequently, and Li Qian knew Qiqi had been extremely busy. "First financing, then restructuring the company—such a massive undertaking. How can your CEO's chief assistant just disappear like this? Your boss must be furious." If Qiqi didn't work for a company Li Qian had invested in, Li Qian suspected the boss would have fired such an employee long ago.

"I came back to raise funds. The deals are mostly settled. Besides, I was so busy recently, working twelve or thirteen hours a day. I didn't even get overtime pay—oh, foreigners don't really have a concept of overtime pay," Wang Qiqi implied that she was essentially trying to cash in on her accrued vacation time. "And the matters I was responsible for are nearly concluded."

"Raise funds?" Didn't Old Ye say Han Tao's IT company was doing well? And that there were investors interested? Why did Qiqi still need to return to raise money? "Surely you aren't planning to invest your own money?" Though if they did, it would only mean a smaller stake in the equity.

"It has nothing to do with the IT company," Wang Qiqi said briefly, explaining the real reason for her need to secure capital.