Barbecue is a novelty for these people. They are used to having plenty of food and drink and have seen a lot of the world, but they have never had a buffet like this before.

"I was wondering what barbecue would look like, like something a savage would eat, but I didn't expect it to taste so good." Qing Xiaoxu ate politely.

"Auntie, you've been reading too much Dream of the Red Chamber, haven't you? This is the scene where Daiyu talks about Xiangyun and Baoyu roasting venison," Qin Xiaoyu chimed in at the opportune moment.

"Principal Qin is reading Dream of the Red Chamber?" Qing Xiaoxu was somewhat surprised.

"I enjoy reading some leisurely books, please excuse my poor reading skills." Qin Xiaoyu stopped there.

"Don't underestimate Xiaoyu. She's fluent in both English and Russian. She was the one who decided to organize today's picnic, which was modeled after 'Gone with the Wind.' She handled everything herself." Commander Wang quickly pushed Qin Xiaoyu to the front.

"No wonder, Principal Qin is no ordinary person. I'll have to ask him for advice if I ever need anything. Today's birthday banquet was both grand and novel." Someone immediately chimed in. People are obliged to speak well of those who eat, drink, and have fun for free. It's only fair that they say a few nice words.

"Thanks to everyone's support, Aunt Zhou has a lot of face." Qin Xiaoyu smiled beautifully. Some people remembered the legend about her background and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It's pitiful that she became a young widow at such a young age.

The waiters, dressed in uniform, continuously brought down freshly grilled meat from upstairs, keeping it constantly fresh.

"Xiaoyu, you're really amazing. I heard from her that you organized everything by yourself." Director Feng was quite familiar with Qin Xiaoyu, and he spoke to her with exceptional warmth.

"Aunt Feng, have you seen Zhou Yue recently? I called her and she said she went out again." Qin Xiaoyu suspected that Zhou Yue was lying.

"Going out? That can't be right. I think I saw her hanging out the bed sheets to dry the day before yesterday," Director Feng asked suspiciously.

"Sigh, I'll go visit them another day. I'll have to trouble you again, as her in-laws don't really welcome me."

"Xiaoyu, let me tell you a secret, all of us neighbors have heard it. Sometimes they argue, really fiercely. I don't know if it's just the young couple or what, we can't be sure, maybe we misheard." Director Feng spoke evasively, and Qin Xiaoyu had already guessed most of what was going on.

"Okay, I'll come see you in a few days. Aunt Feng, try the garlic-braised oysters." Qin Xiaoyu led Director Feng to the dining table.

Several dishes were already sold out, and she needed to go upstairs to check on them.

"Qin Xiaoyu, you did a good job." Bai Weiwei seized the opportunity to block Qin Xiaoyu on the stairs.

"I didn't do anything, it was just a fun get-together. Don't cause any trouble today," Qin Xiaoyu said bluntly.

"You know what I have. Do you still have to be so arrogant? That's not right."

Qin Xiaoyu suddenly realized that she had made a big mistake. She really couldn't provoke Bai Weiwei today. If she pushed her to the brink, Bai Weiwei would do something that everyone would regret.

"Some things aren't what you think. Let's find a chance to talk about it properly," Qin Xiaoyu brought the conversation back on track.

"Really? That depends on whether I'm willing or not. What if I'm not willing?"

"If you love Zhou Xing, you won't hurt him, including his family, right?" Qin Xiaoyu stared into Bai Weiwei's eyes, using her trump card.

"That's not necessarily true. If I can't have him, I'll destroy him. That's my principle in life. Right now, he's not here, and no one is protecting you. Why should I wait for him to come back? So, enjoy yourself while you can." Bai Weiwei smiled sweetly and scurried downstairs.

Qin Xiaoyu panicked, fearing that Bai Weiwei was about to make a move and that she couldn't give her the chance.

"Aunt Zhou, I'll take Fengqin home first. She has class tomorrow and can't come home too late," Qin Xiaoyu said, making up an excuse.

It's already past 5 PM. The barbecue buffet is over, and they're starting to serve fruit platters, followed by some entertainment. She can leave it to Commander Wang to manage, and then slip away with Tang Fengqin.

Unable to see her, Bai Weiwei's attempts to cause trouble were less effective.

"Second Aunt, today feels like a dream." Tang Fengqin sat in her car, her eyes shining with excitement.

"I brought you here today so you would know that there is another kind of life that you can strive for. Not everyone lives in a house with a stove, where the windows are frozen shut in winter and the air is stifling in summer. That kind of life is called settling, but you don't have to settle. That's all your aunt can help you with. The rest is up to you to strive for. You're a smart child, you know which path you can take. If you encounter anything you don't understand, come and ask your aunt." Qin Xiaoyu took the opportunity to give Tang Fengqin a lesson.

“I understand, I will study hard. My brother is in such a state now, and the family is already in a mess. I will try my best to do well so that my family can live a better life.”

Qin Xiaoyu smiled with relief; she hadn't misjudged him.

She parked the car at the entrance of the alley and let Tang Fengqin go back by herself. Lately, for some reason, she increasingly didn't want to go back to this home.

"Is that Fengqin?" I recognized the voice as Hanhan's grandmother. I wondered what she was doing at the alley entrance. When she saw Tang Fengqin get out of the car, she called out.

"Second Grandma, it's me, I'm back," Tang Fengqin replied sweetly.

"Where's your aunt?" Grandma Hanhan asked knowingly, so Qin Xiaoyu had no choice but to jump out of the car.

"Mom, are you waiting for us here?" Qin Xiaoyu asked directly.

"Well, do whatever you want, but don't set a bad example for the child. Dressed like that, she doesn't look like a student at all," Grandma Hanhan said coldly.

These words were like a slap in the face to Qin Xiaoyu, instantly igniting her anger. Just as she was about to speak, she heard someone behind her talking.

"Second Aunt, you're meddling too much! I, the child's own mother, haven't said anything yet. What's wrong with the child's aunt taking the child to see the world? Who are those people? They're city leaders and high-ranking military officers, people you wouldn't even want to meet. How is having a meal with them a bad thing? What's wrong with them that you should gossip about? If you were asked to go, you'd probably be busy carrying their shoes. Fine, even if you're high and mighty, you need to have the right to back it up. You look down on even government officials, do you think you're above everyone else?" The cousin-in-law relentlessly berated her, leaving Grandma Hanhan speechless.

"Alright, sister-in-law, take the child home. The neighbors are watching." Qin Xiaoyu was also disappointed in Hanhan's grandmother. Without saying goodbye, she drove away.

She drove back to the hairdressing school and arrived at the office. She saw the Zhou family's house brightly lit, probably bustling with activity. It was better that she wasn't there; she didn't belong there anyway.

Zhou Xing should remember this special day. I wonder if he misses his family over there.

Qin Xiaoyu pressed her head against the glass window, a cool breeze came through, and her mind cleared up; the image of that person became clearer and clearer.

"Little Fish, I saw that it wasn't over over there yet, why did you come back first?" Master Wang noticed something was amiss and followed.