The days drew closer, and Wang Qiqi’s mood brightened with each passing one; she even hummed a tune while tackling her heavy workload.

KAN heard Wang Qiqi singing. Though he couldn’t make out the words, he could feel her joy. “No work the day after tomorrow?”

Wang Qiqi let out a soft affirmation. While the actual date hadn't arrived, she and Han Tao needed to fly out two days early to sort out some final details. They couldn't just arrive at the last minute; they needed to confirm everything with the hotel one last time. Although the entire itinerary had been settled via phone and email, both Wang Qiqi and Han Tao felt uneasy. Even though the wedding was simple and the guest list small, neither of them wanted a single hitch.

Wang Qiqi nodded, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Yes, we leave tomorrow night. So, the rest falls to you, BOSS.” Heh, finally a few days of ease—the mere thought made her happy. Just imagining the blue skies, white clouds, and sandy beaches made Wang Qiqi’s heart race; her spirits soared.

KAN knew this one wouldn’t make his life easy. Even before setting foot outside the office, she was already this cheerful. “It’s fine. I’ll take my time. Doing it when you return is the same thing.”

“Great.” Wang Qiqi wasn’t worried at all. JOHN had said the matter needed resolving within a week, and by then, she’d be enjoying Hawaii.

KAN watched Wang Qiqi’s sly grin, knowing exactly what she was thinking. “There will always be work to do.”

How could Wang Qiqi not understand KAN was talking to her? Of course, work was never done; otherwise, why would JOHN hire more people? Did he think they should just receive money without working? “The work is indeed endless. All I’m asking for is a chance to catch my breath.” At least, not having to worry about business matters, just eating, drinking, and having fun every day—the thought alone was delightful.

KAN fell silent. If he continued talking to Wang Qiqi, he felt he might collapse. “We really need to hire someone.” KAN knew Wang Qiqi didn’t have the authority to make hiring decisions, but she could speak to JOHN on his behalf. Although he had proposed it before, the company’s current focus remained strictly on recruiting IT talent; JOHN hadn't given much attention to HR yet. At this moment, KAN wished he had a shareholder in the company.

Wang Qiqi wholeheartedly agreed. “We absolutely must hire someone.” If they didn't hire, when her stomach started showing, was she supposed to keep working while heavily pregnant? Even if JOHN didn't object, Wang Qiqi had heard that the tradition of ‘sitting the month’ wasn’t common practice here; women often returned to work soon after giving birth. To Wang Qiqi, this was unacceptable. Though she was young and figured she could endure it, the core issue was: she was raised eating grass, how could she compare to those raised on beef? For the sake of a beautiful future, Wang Qiqi dared not gamble with her health. “I will talk to JOHN.” Wang Qiqi certainly understood KAN’s ulterior motives, but the three people in HR were truly swamped. Wang Qiqi deeply missed her days as a junior assistant; the pay was lower, but the upside was she could work on personal matters for extra income during office hours, and more importantly, the responsibility was lighter.

JOHN sat in his office reviewing documents. He looked up when he heard a knock and saw it was Wang Qiqi. He raised an eyebrow. “Angel, what is it? I will certainly be there the day you and TAO marry.” Although JOHN couldn't stay long, he absolutely had to attend the wedding of a friend and business partner.

Wang Qiqi already knew from Han Tao that JOHN would attend the wedding. She had initially worried that since Han Tao and Fatty were both taking leave, JOHN might be unable to make it. She hadn't expected him to fly over specifically for their wedding; it felt rather grand. “I know, JOHN. I feel the HR department is understaffed, and I expect to get pregnant soon after the marriage, so I might resign.”

JOHN knew Wang Qiqi and Han Tao had been together for a long time and had heard TAO mention their plans to have children. However, he hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to consider resigning; this struck him as odd. “Are you feeling slighted because I put you in HR without your full consent?” JOHN paused, then spoke. Honestly, he had always thought Qiqi’s abilities were merely average. Coupled with her frequent absences when she first started, JOHN hadn't paid much attention, thinking of it as simply paying someone to be there. But after working alongside her these past few months, he realized her capabilities were excellent. JOHN had actually hoped Qiqi would become his assistant, but unfortunately, she chose the Deputy Manager role in HR. Now, he was surprised she was even thinking of quitting.

This perplexed JOHN. Based on his understanding, many Chinese women returned to work after having children; few simply left work after getting married to become full-time homemakers, especially highly educated women like Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi did have some reservations—the current workload was a bit much, and she had learned a lot. “I was just thinking that once I’m pregnant and give birth, I won't be able to return to work immediately; I'll need at least a few months of rest,” Wang Qiqi stated frankly. “So, there’s no need to hold a position.” If she were just a junior assistant, taking leave would be fine, but the issue was she occupied a Deputy Manager role. How would her subordinates view that? Wouldn't they think she was just leveraging her shareholder status to take extended leave?

JOHN hadn't anticipated that Wang Qiqi’s resignation proposal stemmed from this reason, though he understood it was likely only part of it, with the rest being her desire for a break. “Then take six months off. Or you can work from home.” Thinking this over, JOHN found the suggestion excellent. Since Wang Qiqi was a company shareholder, he doubted she would do anything detrimental to the company’s interests. “Yes, work from home.”

Wang Qiqi was stunned. She truly hadn't expected JOHN to agree to her working from home. While the digital age made remote work very feasible, Wang Qiqi never imagined she was important enough for such an arrangement. “Isn't that a bit... generous?”

JOHN looked at the anxious Wang Qiqi. “It’s fine. By the time you’re pregnant, HR will have more staff, and your workload won’t be heavy.”

Well, since JOHN insisted, did he really need her to stay tethered to the company? Wang Qiqi wouldn't push for a full leave anymore. Working from home meant she could care for the child and still collect a salary—that was quite good.

Han Tao saw Wang Qiqi stomp over, looking annoyed. He wondered what was wrong. She had been happy moments ago, talking about not worrying about milk powder money for the future. How could her expression change so drastically after one phone call? “Was it KAN? Or JOHN?” He suspected it might have been a call from management; that would explain her change in demeanor.

If only it had been KAN on the phone. “Song Ziwen just called. He said Wang Rui is coming too.” Wang Qiqi felt a surge of anger thinking about an unwelcome guest appearing at her wedding. “I already told Song Ziwen that I don’t have a relative named Wang Rui; she can do whatever she wants.”

Wang Qiqi was furious. If it weren't for the trouble stirred up by Song Ziwen or Yang Jing, how would Wang Rui even know about the wedding? “I told Song Ziwen already that I didn’t invite her, so I’m not covering her flight or hotel.” She wasn't some sucker, why should she be responsible for Wang Rui's expenses, especially since Gao Kai was tagging along? Why did she feel Wang Rui still needed to be high-profile? Why should her good mood be ruined, forcing her to pay? She wasn't a doormat who had to foot the bill just because Wang Rui decided to show up. Wang Qiqi said this knowing Han Tao was listening, worried he might impulsively decide, given it was a happy occasion, that it would be impolite to refuse, thereby letting Wang Rui gain an advantage.

Han Tao was flabbergasted. Although marriage was a joyous occasion and he didn’t want to argue, some people had an astonishing lack of shame. “Right, we can’t spoil them. Did you tell Song Ziwen?” If Song Ziwen were standing right there, Han Tao suspected he would lose control and want to throw a punch; he had simply never encountered such a burdensome relative.

“I did. Anyway, I don't care whether he’s happy or unhappy about it.” Wang Qiqi had hung up the phone in anger, determined not to dwell on Song Ziwen’s reaction. “Alright, time to board.” She needed to maintain a good mood and couldn’t take this unhappiness with her to Hawaii.

While Wang Qiqi was practically spitting blood from anger, back in China, Song Ziwen stared in disbelief at the phone receiver. He knew Wang Qiqi would be upset when he delivered the news, but he hadn't anticipated her hanging up so abruptly after that sharp retort—it was exceptionally rude.

“What happened?” Yang Jing, standing nearby, had clearly heard Wang Qiqi’s frustrated voice crackle through the receiver.

Song Ziwen hung up the phone. “You heard that? Qiqi got so mad she hung up on me. Look at what you’ve done! You know how bad things are with Wang Rui, yet you insisted on bringing her along. Do you think our relationship with Wang Qiqi isn’t strained enough already?”

The more Song Ziwen thought about it, the angrier he became. “Wang Rui is a jinx. Whenever we get involved with her, bad luck follows.” He had intended to transfer shares of the processing plant to Song Yao to free up some capital, but then Yang Jing said Song Yao wouldn't contribute funds and threatened to sell to others. This prompted Song Yao to retaliate by threatening to give her shares in the cabinet factory to someone else. As a result, although there was still some contact, the relationship had severely cooled. Now, the only connection between Song Yao and Wang Qiqi was that investment company; there was no other financial interaction.

“Wang Rui was just trying to be nice,” Yang Jing murmured. “They are cousins, after all.” Yang Jing thought it was normal for Wang Rui to ask to attend Wang Qiqi’s wedding; regardless of everything, they were still relatives. “Wang Rui also said she would cover her own flight expenses.” Yang Jing pouted. She had clearly heard Wang Qiqi refuse to pay for Wang Rui and her husband’s airfare and accommodation. In Yang Jing’s view, Wang Qiqi was simply being stingy by refusing to pay for these costs—truly uncharitable despite her wealth.

“Do you think Wang Qiqi can’t afford that money?” Song Ziwen shot Yang Jing a look. “You, stop letting Wang Rui flatter you and thinking she’s a good person. That girl is vicious. Gao Kai used to like Qiqi, but the moment your uncle and aunt had trouble, she immediately latched onto Gao Kai. Does that sound like something a decent person would do? When your uncle and aunt were around, they treated Wang Rui so well; anything Qiqi had, Wang Rui had too.”

Yang Jing was shocked to learn about the animosity between Wang Rui and Wang Qiqi, and this specific incident. “Oh? Qiqi was involved with Gao Kai back then?” Good heavens, Yang Jing remembered Qiqi and Han Tao being together since their first year of university; she never knew there was any history with Gao Kai, let alone such a dramatic love triangle. “Wang Rui told me their family kindly offered to help Qiqi manage her affairs at the time…”

Song Ziwen snorted internally. Never mind that Yang Jing had been married in for a few years; there were many things she didn't know. Family secrets like these were never shared with her. But what good was telling her now? “In any case, you should carefully consider everything she says. She only acts when there's a profit to be made. She flatters you because she sees some value in you. And we aren't asking Wang Qiqi for anything. Ever since your uncle and aunt’s troubles, Qiqi has relied entirely on herself, developing a personality that doesn’t seek favors. You might find her words too blunt and less pleasant to hear, but think it over.”

Yang Jing looked at Song Ziwen, who had returned to his work. Although she was displeased that he hadn't disclosed everything, one thing she gathered was that many people had tried to seize Wang Qiqi’s family fortune back then. Seeing Song Ziwen’s demeanor, it was possible her in-laws had a hand in it too. The fact that Wang Qiqi managed to protect her family assets during that period suggested she wasn't simple. Comparing herself to Wang Qiqi, Yang Jing felt a chill; she knew she probably didn't possess Wang Qiqi’s level of capability. “I understand. But what should we do if Wang Rui insists on going?”

“If Wang Rui wants to go, let her pay for it. Just make sure you don’t get too close to her when she’s there.” What else could Song Ziwen do? It seemed Wang Rui was determined to attend, which would certainly anger Wang Qiqi. “Since she’s paying for her own flight, lodging, and food, it has nothing to do with us. Just tell her to bring enough money.”

Song Ziwen knew very well that Wang Rui’s claim of paying for everything herself was likely just talk. Gao Kai wasn't exactly flush with cash right now. A trip to Hawaii, including airfare and accommodation, would easily cost thirty thousand, not to mention any shopping they might do. “Has Gao Kai’s money arrived? After paying the workers’ wages, your red envelope gift this time should be slightly more than the amount previously discussed.” Even though Wang Qiqi claimed she wouldn't accept red envelopes, they couldn't actually give nothing, especially now with the Wang Rui incident complicating things.

Yang Jing confirmed this. “I prepared it long ago, specifically exchanging it for US dollars, which I didn’t spend during the last trip to the States.” Yang Jing was more than willing to cover this red envelope; they would be traveling first class and staying in five-star hotels, not spending a dime throughout the trip. How much money could she put in the red envelope? She was definitely profiting. Thinking about it this way, the money Wang Qiqi was spending was substantial—it probably wasn't much less than what she would spend hosting a wedding domestically.