After an hour, Wang Dagui finally rushed in, panting, "Qiqi, since it was so late, I ran all this way and finally found someone renting ice coffins, though the price is a bit steep."

Expensive? Wang Qiqi's eyes were icy cold, though her expression was one of profound gratitude. "How does the rental work? How much is it per day?"

Wang Dagui had rented one for fifty a day. He paused, "That's eighty a day." He hesitated again, "And that’s for just one unit, so Qiqi, you see..."

Eighty a day? Wang Qiqi let out a cold laugh internally. She knew that in three to five years, it wouldn't even be that much. "Uncle, I really don't have that much money on hand. Have them come over, and I can negotiate with them myself. After all, I am an orphan who has lost both parents, and this price is a little high, especially since I need to rent two units." Wang Qiqi played the poverty card strategically, constantly lamenting her lack of funds to her second uncle and the others. She knew that mentioning it once or twice wouldn't make them take her seriously, but if she kept repeating it, especially since she was just a child, they would believe it was the absolute truth, as they perceived her as someone who didn't concern herself with such matters.

Wang Dagui was startled by his niece's words. He hadn't expected her to insist on meeting the suppliers; that was absolutely unacceptable. Even though he intended to secure a favorable price with them, rumors could still leak out, so it was best that all money and valuables passed through his hands first. "Oh, Qiqi, you know this matter is very urgent. The people who have them are short-handed and had to transfer them from elsewhere. Why don't I go back and try to negotiate the price again?" He figured he could concede a little on the price if necessary.

"Seventy per unit per day, and I need a receipt," Wang Qiqi stated the price directly. She figured this price would still leave her uncle with a substantial profit.

Seventy per unit? Wang Dagui truly felt like cursing his mother. He had initially planned for one hundred and fifty yuan for the two units, but his niece's opening bid immediately cost him another ten yuan in potential profit. Sighing, he conceded, "Fine, I'll go ask, but forget about the receipt."

Wang Qiqi shook her head. That was out of the question! The receipt was the single most crucial piece of evidence. It would be vital when negotiating compensation from the responsible party. Moreover, it would let everyone know that her uncle was trying to take advantage of his orphaned niece during her time of grief after her parents' passing. Of course, if he did provide the money, it had to be done in a way everyone witnessed, forcing him to defend his actions later.

"Uncle, you also know why my parents passed away." Although she was experiencing this event for the second time, Wang Qiqi couldn't stop herself from weeping uncontrollably. Today marked a watershed moment. Before today, Wang Qiqi could be willful and indulge herself because she had her parents backing her up. But from this moment forward, Wang Qiqi was entirely alone. Not only was there no one to look after her, but those very relatives were already plotting to seize the sole means of livelihood belonging to their deceased kin's orphaned niece. Thinking of this, Wang Qiqi wept for her parents, and for herself. "No matter what, the responsibility for this money falls squarely on that scoundrel."

Hearing his niece say that, Wang Dagui finally understood the vague sense of unease he had felt earlier. He truly was an absolute fool! His elder brother and sister-in-law had been killed in a crash, and seeing the driver’s arrogant demeanor, coupled with the sheer price of the car he drove, Wang Dagui could easily surmise that the perpetrator’s family must be wealthy. How else could a young man in his early twenties afford such an expensive vehicle?

He could easily step in as the deceased’s family member to demand compensation. After all, Qiqi was a child, still reeling from the pain of losing both parents. How could she be expected to consider all these details? Besides, she was just a child, and the Wang family wasn't entirely without kin. Such an important matter naturally required an elder like himself to handle it. As for the money, well, it should naturally go to him—as a fee for taking care of his niece. And, of course, his brother and sister-in-law's savings and house could also be considered part of the care expenses.

Wang Dagui, increasingly lost in his beautiful daydream, imagined himself instantly becoming a millionaire. He failed to notice the gazes fixed upon him by the three people present, especially the murderous look from his niece, whom he considered utterly useless.

Watching her uncle openly display his greedy intentions toward her family's assets right in front of her, Wang Qiqi desperately wanted to drag this man—whom she had mistaken for a good uncle in her previous life at this very moment—to her parents' graveside and force him to repent. She wanted to ask him if his actions were worthy of the brother and sister-in-law who had always taken care of him. However, considering the character of her uncle's entire family, Wang Qiqi suppressed the thought. At this critical juncture, she could not afford to do anything foolish that would alert them.

Wang Qiqi forced down her churning emotions, managing to restore a convincing façade of grief before her uncle awoke from his pleasant reverie. Wang Dagui quickly snapped back to reality, cursing himself internally for zoning out in his niece’s house. Although he didn't fear the girl, he needed to preserve both face and substance. Especially since his elder sister would surely show up tomorrow, pretending to be the dutiful elder brother to take charge of the aftermath. Given his sister's greedy nature, would any benefits be left for him? Therefore, he needed to make a strong impression today.

"Then I'll go talk to them right away. Qiqi, rest assured, your Uncle will handle everything perfectly." As he said this, Wang Dagui noticed there were only three people in the room; his wife, Li Cui, was conspicuously absent. "Qiqi, where is your aunt?"

Wang Dagui worried that his foolish wife might have gone into the room to start rummaging through his elder brother and sister-in-law’s stored belongings. That would cause huge problems, and as a man, he felt awkward entering the room himself. "Auntie said that Xiaorui would be scared being home alone, so I let her go back first." Wang Qiqi thought it was best if they left; she had things to do later, and having them around was truly inconvenient. "Besides, starting tomorrow, I'll be relying on you and Auntie for help."

Hearing his niece say this, Wang Dagui felt a surge of triumphant delight; he was practically bursting with joy inside. He knew that managing the funeral arrangements meant his niece was placing the responsibility squarely upon him. "Don't worry. No matter how tired your aunt and I get, we will help you, Qiqi. We will ensure your parents have a grand send-off."

With that, Wang Dagui turned and walked out. Even with his back to Wang Qiqi, she could feel the intense joy radiating from her uncle. Wang Qiqi smirked coldly. Second Uncle, Second Uncle, this money isn't so easy to take. Sometimes, chasing small gains leads to major blunders.

Once Wang Dagui was gone, Gong Hong reached out and squeezed her husband’s arm. "That little girl, don't think I'm meddling, but those ice coffins are only fifty a day outside. If you rent them for a longer period, and for two units, forty is doable." Gong Hong hadn't wanted to interfere, but seeing that the girl had just lost both parents and now her own relatives were trying to bully this orphan at such a time, Gong Hong simply couldn't stand by.

Wang Qiqi looked at the indignant Gong Hong. It seemed this auntie was genuinely a good person. If it had been someone else, they would have taken the money and left as soon as the bodies were delivered, let alone helping clean the remains of her parents and saying such things. "Auntie, I know, but what can I do? You know I’m still a child," Wang Qiqi sighed, adopting a look of complete helplessness.

Gong Hong looked at her husband. "Honey, can you stay here alone today? Why don't I stay the night with her?" Gong Hong felt that the one thousand yuan she received suddenly felt hot in her hand, or perhaps it was too easily earned. She figured she didn't have work tomorrow morning anyway, so she might as well stay and help keep vigil.

Although Wang Qiqi was deeply grateful for the offer, she still politely declined their kindness. "Auntie Gong, I'll be fine on my own, thank you. But could you possibly stay a little later? Wait until Uncle brings those things back and places my parents inside before you leave, okay?" (No skip line).

Gong Hong naturally didn't object. That was her original intention anyway; having taken so much money, she couldn't just drop the girl off and leave.

Before long, Wang Dagui returned, bringing two people who ferried the ice coffins over in two trips. Another person arrived to help set up the mourning hall. Gong Hong also pitched in, and once everything was settled, she left. Wang Qiqi had made sure to get her business card with her mobile number so she could contact her if anything came up. Wang Dagui looked at the arranged mourning hall (though missing two photos of his brother and sister-in-law). Whether it was his imagination or not, he felt a chilling wind blowing. "Qiqi, why don't you go get some rest?" Wang Dagui thought that starting tomorrow, money would start coming in, so Qiqi must be planning to go through those savings today. He would watch carefully where the child went to retrieve the money, so he could sneak in a thorough search of the house in a few days. Wang Qiqi shook her head. "No need, Uncle. I just want to stay with my parents tonight. But I'll need you to come early tomorrow morning, as I need to go to school to ask for some time off." That would also allow her to take care of a few things on the side. Wang Dagui grunted an affirmation. "If I’m not free tomorrow, I’ll have your aunt come back." Even if she needed leave, he'd make sure his wife took the time off; he could easily make up for any loss even if she took a year's absence. "That will be troublesome for you, Uncle." Wang Qiqi, wiping tears, saw her second uncle off. Then, she opened the door slightly, turned the volume on the funeral music playing from the recorder down very low, and sat foolishly on the ground alone, muttering incessantly to herself—though, besides the deceased Wang parents, no one else knew what she was saying.

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