Wang Qiqi stepped out of the airport, habitually scanning the area, hoping to see a familiar face, but the result was predictably disappointing. "Han Tao didn't even bother to come. What was I expecting?"

She used to be accustomed to no one approaching her, but after returning to China, or even back to the States, there would always be someone there to pick her up. Now, suddenly reverting to those old days, Wang Qiqi truly couldn't adjust.

Wang Qiqi hauled her suitcase out of the taxi and surveyed the surroundings. Although it was a bit too shabby compared to her future office, securing such a ready-made space on such short notice was a minor miracle.

Pulling her luggage, Wang Qiqi stepped into the office. She had worried the reception area—that crucial facade—would be deserted, but relief washed over her when she saw a woman seated at the desk. At least the front was covered. "Hello," Wang Qiqi approached the reception, opening, "Is Tom here?"

Lu Qiaowei looked up upon hearing that familiar voice. "Qiqi, why are you back already?"

"Didn't Fatty say you weren't coming back for a few more days?" Lu Qiaowei exclaimed with pleasant surprise.

What? The receptionist was Lu Qiaowei? Wang Qiqi was completely stunned. "Weiwei, what are you doing here?" Qiqi had been trying to figure out how to explain herself to the receptionist; even though she had a work badge, she hadn't brought it on her vacation. "Aren't you supposed to be studying?"

"There was no one here, so I came to work part-time," Lu Qiaowei explained with a smile. She had actually intended to continue her studies, but since arriving here, seeing Fatty's work environment—though the company had no other women—had put significant pressure on her because of the numerous attractive women in neighboring companies. Moreover, Fatty used to have Han Tao watching over him, ensuring his safety, but now he was alone here. What if someone tried to flirt with him? Lu Qiaowei knew that even if she and Fatty broke up, she could find another relationship, but the next person might not be as good as Fatty, as successful as Fatty. "I plan to transfer schools."

Transfer schools? Wang Qiqi froze. "You plan to switch to a university around here?" Qiqi had lived here briefly but had never known there was a university nearby; besides, even if there were one, it wouldn't be a very good one. Judging by Lu Qiaowei's tone, she wasn't asking for advice but rather informing Qiqi of a decision. It seemed clear that she couldn't bear the thought of Fatty being here alone. Fatty was no longer the invisible nobody he used to be; he drew attention now. "I understand what you mean. Changing schools might be good. Oh, and you can also work part-time here."

While Wang Qiqi's suggestion was tempting, Lu Qiaowei still shook her head. "I think focusing on my studies is more important right now. I only came over because I saw they were short-staffed." Subtly, she wanted to show everyone that her relationship with Fatty was still quite strong—in essence, she was here to establish her presence.

Ah, the girl hadn't let love completely cloud her judgment; she understood the importance of coursework. "I get it. By the way, Fatty is inside, right? I need to discuss something with him." She needed to temporarily take over the company affairs from Fatty and then visit John. After all, the big boss was ill from overworking for the company; she couldn't pretend not to know.

"He is. Oh, Qiqi, have you had lunch?" Lu Qiaowei noticed Wang Qiqi still holding her luggage. "You can stay at my place tonight; I have an empty room." Lu Qiaowei inwardly gasped, thinking Qiqi was excessively dedicated, rushing to the office straight off the plane without even resting properly. "Honestly, you could have come in tomorrow. The company isn't as chaotic as it was before; Fatty can manage for a couple of days."

Wang Qiqi certainly wanted a place to rest—not necessarily sleep, but at least a hot shower to soothe her frayed nerves. However, the problem was, "I don't have anywhere to stay yet. Fine, order me a hamburger." She wasn't sure what good food was available nearby, so ordering something relatively safe was the best bet.

"Got it." Lu Qiaowei watched Wang Qiqi walk into the office before returning to her diligent work.

Wang Qiqi saw Fatty through the glass panel on the door, talking animatedly on the phone while constantly typing on his computer. She knocked lightly, then pushed the door open. Fatty looked up, preparing to reprimand the intruder for barging in without permission, but upon seeing Wang Qiqi, he was so shocked that he nearly tossed the receiver aside. "Qiqi! Is that you?"

Fatty felt incredibly guilty. He had just spent the last several minutes constantly complaining to Han Tao on the phone, wishing he would hurry up and get Wang Qiqi back to the States. He never expected the results to be this immediate. Of course, it would have been better if he hadn't voiced any complaints about Qiqi beforehand. "Well, well, I've just had a mountain of work recently, so what I meant was..." Fatty fumbled for words, trying to figure out how to explain himself to Wang Qiqi.

"I know. I know I've been a bit willful," Wang Qiqi admitted. Hearing Fatty complain about her to Han Tao stung initially—it was hard not to be annoyed—but she quickly understood. The company was critically busy right now, while she was enjoying leisure back home. In Fatty's eyes, she was neglecting her duties. "So, to make up for my absence, I’ll be staying here for a while."

Li Qian was right. The company in the States was developing well, but it was at a crucial juncture. It would have been one thing if she hadn't joined the company at all, but now that she was officially employed, being away on vacation during the busiest period would certainly look bad to her colleagues.

Fatty had fully expected Wang Qiqi to lecture him severely. He was bewildered when she not only refrained from criticizing him but announced she would stay and manage business affairs. "Qiqi, are you fully awake?" While Fatty desperately wanted to agree immediately, he worried she might change her mind later once she was fully rested. "How about you take a proper rest and come to the office tomorrow? There's no need to rush this minute." It was better than letting her rest up only to backtrack on her decision.

"Relax, I’m wide awake." Wang Qiqi looked at his expression and thought, Am I really that terrifying? "Don't worry, I'm serious. I’ve nearly wrapped up the domestic matters. At the very latest, I’ll fly back in February to sign a transfer agreement." Wang Qiqi almost said she wouldn't fly back and forth to handle things anymore, but then she remembered something. "And in March, my sister and brother are visiting the States, so I might have to act as their tour guide." Saying this, Wang Qiqi blushed slightly. Even though she had lived in the States for nearly a year total, she honestly hadn't visited many places. It looked like she needed to find some resources quickly; she couldn't let Song Yao and the others laugh at her.

"A transfer agreement?" Fatty frowned, feeling he didn't understand what she meant. "And why are your brother and sister visiting in March? Aren't they supposed to be managing their businesses? Couldn't they come over Chinese New Year?" Song Ziwen, perhaps, but Wang Qiqi’s sister and brother ran a clothing factory, an online proxy shopping store, a beauty salon, and a wellness center—how could such busy people drop all that work just to sightsee in the States? Moreover, March wasn't exactly prime tourist season.

"If I don't transfer, where will I get the money to invest in Old Feng's company? My siblings are coming over to sign contracts too; they want to buy shares in Old Feng's investment firm," Wang Qiqi clarified. "By then, John should be back from his leave, and most importantly, we should have hired staff by then." Wang Qiqi suddenly recalled the most urgent task. "Did you post the recruitment ads? Have we had any applicants?" If that was sorted, they could start scheduling interviews, and getting personnel lined up sooner would ease everyone's burden.

"I posted them, but I don't know how to interview people, and with Weiwei here, I certainly can't hire any beauties," Fatty said, noticing Qiqi's odd expression and quickly justifying himself. "It's not that I want to look at pretty faces, but Qiqi, you have to admit, the receptionist should at least be beautiful, right? At least not worse than Anna. That way, everyone has motivation to work, and visitors will feel better when they walk in." Although the receptionist needed competence, in Fatty's view, the primary role was finding a beautiful figurehead. "For the rest, just hire capable people."

Wang Qiqi nodded repeatedly; the reasons Fatty gave seemed sound. "Then why didn't you interview for the receptionist first?" Since the requirements weren't overly demanding, Fatty could have handled it himself; there was no need to wait for her return. "Look, you even made Weiwei come in to help, and she has classes."

Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered something. "Do you know Weiwei is planning to transfer schools around here?"

"I know." Fatty, despite having no thoughts of straying, was slightly irritated by Lu Qiaowei’s lack of trust in him. Still, he consoled himself in an Ah Q manner, thinking it was just because Weiwei loved him too much. "The reason I haven't interviewed for the receptionist is because she is the receptionist. I couldn't possibly find a beauty to hire myself; that would spark World War III."

"Fine. So you think it's appropriate to let Weiwei blame me instead?" So that was the source of his strangeness. "Don't worry. I will definitely select a woman who is attractive enough, gentle, gracious, and reasonably capable to be the receptionist."

Fatty was dumbfounded. He had laid out all his arguments, and Qiqi had nodded in agreement, yet she clearly wasn't following his plan. "Qiqi, Qiqi, what are you doing?"

"I don't want Weiwei blaming me. Of course, you could also encourage the single guys outside to voice their preference for the receptionist requirements," Wang Qiqi said with a slight smile. For the sake of dazzling the company's bachelors, she thought, as if I don't know that for older people outside, having a computer is sufficient qualification.

Watching Wang Qiqi glide out of the office, Fatty was filled with profound regret.