Shi Man stood at the arrival gate, a cup of coffee in hand, occasionally glancing toward the exit. Old Feng muttered incessantly beside her, "There are so many people; do you think Qiqi and the others will even see us?"

Shi Man looked at Feng Xuanxiang, who clearly couldn't settle his nerves, and deeply regretted bringing this group along. She should have just come alone. "Relax, Qiqi is coming too. Don't be so tense."

Feng Xuanxiang looked at the seemingly relaxed Shi Man. If it weren't for the fact that someone had helped him clean his office a few days ago, he might have believed she was genuinely calm. He had initially thought he would be composed, but he suddenly realized he couldn't calm down. Although he had long laid out plans for his startup, just as he thought his entrepreneurial venture was doomed, he discovered he had a benefactor. With the scheduled day drawing nearer, Feng Xuanxiang began to feel a wave of anxiety. "I'm not worried..."

How could Shi Man not know what Feng Xuanxiang was truly concerned about? "Don't worry. If Qiqi takes the lead, will it be the same as that other person?" Shi Man paused. "At worst, we can let Nana take over. She recently made a fortune, and her parents supported her heavily when she decided to invest personally."

Feng Xuanxiang was about to reply when he saw a large, imposing procession emerging. "Qiqi and the others are here."

Shi Man quickly walked to the exit, exchanged greetings with Wang Damei and the others, and then tightly hugged Qiqi. "Qiqi, I've missed you so much."

When Wang Qiqi was enveloped in Shi Man's embrace, she genuinely felt like she couldn't breathe, not to mention the strange looks they were getting from passersby. "Hey, hey, you can let go now. Let's go. Oh, right, when are Nana and the others arriving?"

"Tomorrow. But you all arrived a bit early." It was just supposed to be a meeting to sit down and sign an agreement; was such a massive mobilization necessary? And arriving so early, too.

"My sister and sister-in-law have wanted to see New York for ages. Now that they're here, of course, we have to explore properly. How about you play tour guide?" Wang Qiqi knew that when shopping in New York, Yang Jing usually stuck to the big malls and a few specific boutiques. Shi Man wasn't strictly necessary for that, but since Shi Man was somewhat of a local expert, her presence was important, just to avoid Yang Jing complaining later that Shi Man hadn't been a good host.

Yang Jing looked at the bustling airport, comparing it to the airport Qiqi had been at a few days prior. She had only one thought: Since we finally emigrated, of course, we have to live in a big city. Everyone on Earth knows New York. As for the place where Qiqi was, if you told a hundred people, maybe one would know it. "Manman, we'll have to trouble you from here on out."

Shi Man looked at the beaming Yang Jing and felt a strange knot in her stomach. "No problem. I'll take you two beauties around the big malls and boutiques here." If it were just Qiqi coming, Shi Man wouldn't have taken her to these places. If they were going shopping, it would be to interesting little shops—places that might have small storefronts but stocked truly excellent goods. Shi Man had made a fortune thanks to those small shops. For example, Song Yao’s personal shopping business had changed its focus; it didn't carry many big brands but specialized in unique, well-designed items. Those were the pieces that commanded a high price, but unfortunately, sister-in-law Yang Jing wasn't interested in them.

These were exactly the places Yang Jing wanted to visit. She had worried Shi Man would take them to places like museums, which were nice, but those could wait. "I've come this time to procure quite a few things." The stock in the shop wasn't entirely sold out, but inventory was low. She had heavily promoted her upcoming trip to the US among her regular clients and taken on many new orders. "Oh, Manman, Qiqi said you know a real estate agent. Could you introduce us?"

Yang Jing planned to buy a house here? Shi Man was a little surprised. She recalled Qiqi mentioning that her brother and sister planned to buy a house near their place. Why was Yang Jing suddenly talking about buying in New York? Still, since it was her request, Shi Man wasn't going to be foolish enough to ask why she wasn't buying near Qiqi's house. "Sure, no problem. I'll have Old Feng find a few agents when we get back. What are your requirements for a house?"

After handing Yang Jing over to Shi Man, Wang Qiqi began discussing her goals for this US trip with Song Yao. "I just need one day to shop for a few things. Isn't Columbia University nearby? I plan to take Taotao to look around." A world-renowned school. Song Yao was banking on her own son getting into a university like that; in this day and age, one needed more education.

Taking Taotao to visit Columbia University? Wang Qiqi's mouth twitched. While touring such a university with children might leave a deep impression, Taotao was how old? What concept could he grasp visiting such an institution? Comrade Song Yao was being overly ambitious for her son. "Okay, I'll take you around, but will Taotao like it?"

Taotao had no concept of the university his mother mentioned. "I want to go to the amusement park!"

Right, that was how a child should act. Wang Qiqi was about to persuade Song Yao not to push things too hard when Niuniu suddenly piped up, "I know Columbia University. It’s a famous university. Grandma said that since I'll be living in New York, I have to work hard to get into Columbia."

Wang Qiqi was speechless. Feng Xuanxiang’s expression was also rather strange upon hearing this. If a fifteen or sixteen-year-old facing the college entrance exams had said this, perhaps one would call it ambition. But for a little girl this young to say such a thing—one could only imagine how her parents educated her at home. "Niuniu is very ambitious. She should aim for Columbia."

Yang Jing and Song Ziwen felt a surge of pride hearing Song Xiaoran speak. "Niuniu has loved reading since childhood, educated by her maternal grandmother. Her goals are quite high." Hmph. Taotao was clearly several years older than Niuniu, yet he was still just a silly boy who only knew how to play. Song Yao truly didn't know how her sister-in-law educated her child. Furthermore, Yang Jing sensed that Qiqi seemed quite critical of her family’s approach to discipline, favoring Taotao instead. This realization made Yang Jing even more determined to keep Qiqi from spending too much time with Niuniu, lest Qiqi’s theories spoil her daughter.

"She's more promising than my Taotao," Song Yao thought, feeling nauseous looking at Yang Jing's smug expression of maternal pride. How much depth could a child that age truly possess? It was all the result of education from parents and elders. The problem was that such a young child was putting on airs like an adult. Song Yao also disliked it. In fact, Song Yao had initially considered educating Taotao strictly, perhaps like Niuniu, but after Wang Qiqi persuaded her, Song Yao abandoned the idea. Children should act like children. When she was abroad, she saw how carefree the children lived, unlike those back in China who were constantly shuttled between classes. Song Yao had originally assumed Yang Jing, whose parents were teachers, would be better at raising children than she was, but seeing Niuniu’s behavior these past few days, Song Yao thought this child was too mature. While she might be ahead of many children developmentally, she was missing out on much else. More importantly, a child this young lacking her own independent thoughts was a major issue.

Yang Jing was delighted by Song Yao's praise. "Not at all. I also think Taotao is very healthy. Very sturdy." Poor child. He seemed quite clever when he was little, but now, other than being sturdy, he was just sturdy.

Han Tao felt a chill run down his spine watching Yang Jing and Song Yao exchange faux compliments. "I find it so fake. Is all this necessary?" Han Tao whispered near Wang Qiqi's ear.

"It's very necessary. If women aren't competing against each other, they compete through their children," Wang Qiqi quickened her pace toward the parking lot. She needed to leave in the car soon; she couldn't stand the way the two of them pretended to praise each other's children while clearly disliking them. Thankfully, their schedules would separate later; she just needed to take Song Yao where she wanted to go.

"Will you be like this in the future?" Han Tao slung an arm over Wang Qiqi’s shoulder as they walked out. "I probably won't be going out much for the next few days. I’ll be holed up in the hotel handling things." Han Tao had just taken a call from John. Fortunately, Han Tao’s work only required an internet connection; otherwise, he would have had to fly back immediately.

"Mmm, you should spend time chatting with Mom." Wang Qiqi knew that for Luo Hongjuan, where she went to sightsee was irrelevant; all that mattered was spending time talking with her son.

Han Tao thought, I need to work; how can I chat with my mother while working? "You take Mom out and about. You don't like shopping much anyway. Go look at a museum, or perhaps Chinatown."

Chinatown? Wang Qiqi wondered if the elderly lady, freshly arrived from China, would enjoy such places. "Forget it, let's take her to see the Statue of Liberty and then get some good food." If the man couldn't host his mother-in-law, she, as the daughter-in-law, had to step up to the responsibility.

After Wang Qiqi and Han Tao settled on where to take Luo Hongjuan, Yang Jing and Shi Man had also finalized their shopping itinerary. Yang Jing looked apologetic. "Qiqi, we'll have to trouble you to take Niuniu." Although Yang Jing wanted to take Niuniu, her main goal was shopping, and traveling with a child was inconvenient. Coincidentally, Qiqi and her group weren't planning on shopping, so they could help look after the child.

Wang Qiqi looked at the unabashed Yang Jing. What could she say? Honestly, Yang Jing had some nerve. Usually, Niuniu was cared for by her maternal grandparents, but now, when they were out, she was pawned off on them. Didn't Yang Jing want to bond with Niuniu?

The first thing Wang Qiqi did upon returning to the room was kick off her shoes. "Taking care of children is exhausting." Wang Qiqi increasingly wondered if having children, or having them at the end of the year or the start of the next, was the right decision.

Han Tao put down his laptop and quickly poured a cup of tea when he saw Qiqi sprawled out completely unceremoniously on the bed. "Tired from being out today?"

"Exhausted. Luckily, that child Niuniu is very well-behaved. Oh, has Yang Jing returned?" Since the group had split up, Wang Qiqi didn't know if Yang Jing was back, though she assumed Yang Jing was currently lost in the department stores.

Han Tao thought, How would I know? "I've been in the room handling orders the whole time. She probably hasn't returned. Is something wrong with Niuniu?"

"That girl is impossibly mature. I have this feeling that she's the older sister," Wang Qiqi said with exasperation. "Her posing for photos is good, very ladylike, but I just feel like she lacks any spark or vitality. Taotao, even though he’s rough and tumble, the photos he takes have a real flavor. And today, when Sister Yaoyao was with Taotao, I noticed Niuniu kept glancing at him with envy. Honestly, Yang Jing—is shopping really that important?" Although Yang Jing needed to procure items for her shop and claimed to have a long list of purchase orders, Wang Qiqi didn't believe those orders required the better part of a day. Yang Jing could have woken up early, visited the nearby boutiques to secure the goods, and then spent time with Niuniu. But she only focused on her own shopping. Even though she was Niuniu's aunt, there was a difference between an aunt and a mother.

"In any case, when I become a mother, I won't be like her." Yang Jing wore a mask of 'My parents educated me, so I'm confident,' but Qiqi really wanted to ask Yang Jing if she regretted missing out on her daughter's growth. The couple seemed to pursue their separate hobbies, and it was only Niuniu who kept her feelings bottled up. "Also, Niuniu rarely seeks out her paternal grandmother. Auntie must be a little unhappy about that." Recalling Wang Damei's various expressions of helplessness regarding Niuniu today, Wang Qiqi didn't know what to say.

Han Tao looked at the conflicted Wang Qiqi. "You're overthinking things. Your aunt probably hasn't been around much to look after Niuniu normally, so of course, she isn't close to her. As for Yang Jing, perhaps she thinks her hard work is securing a better living environment for Niuniu," Han Tao paused. "In any case, when our child arrives, you must take good care of them. My mother will only be an assistant; the responsibility for the child's education falls on us."

"Although Niuniu is very well-behaved, I don't like that kind of child. I prefer children who are more genuine. Our generation's thinking was already heavily shaped by teachers early on, and we didn't face the pressure kids have now. But children like Niuniu have so much of their thinking constrained by teachers or parents." It was rare for Han Tao to voice his opinion on a child like Niuniu; he usually kept quiet about others' affairs.

"Don't worry, I know. Let me rest for a bit. Oh, order some food, would you?" Although Wang Qiqi had eaten a little earlier, she barely managed to eat much while busy looking after the child.

"Let's go out and eat. There's some great food around here." Han Tao hadn't eaten much either, and knowing Qiqi wouldn't eat much when out, he had already asked Feng Xuanxiang about good local spots, planning to take Qiqi out for a good meal and enjoy a few days of just the two of them.