Wang Qiqi was eating dinner while reading in the living room when she heard a knock, which struck her as odd. Who would be calling at this hour? While there had been a steady stream of visitors bringing condolence money over the past few days, no one delivered funds late in the evening.

Setting down her bowl, Wang Qiqi looked up and saw her paternal aunt’s family and her uncle’s family standing there. She found their presence at this time strange, yet she knew she couldn't refuse them entry; otherwise, under their inevitable gossip, she would be the one to suffer the loss. "Aunt, Uncle, Aunt-in-law, Xiaorui, what brings you all here?"

Wang Qiqi certainly wasn't going to politely ask if they had eaten. At this hour, whether they had eaten or not had nothing to do with her—it might even save her some money.

Wang Damei, though she had grumbled at home about how a girl as young as Wang Qiqi managed to handle everything alone, expecting someone would help, was surprised to find Qiqi had truly managed it all herself. "Qiqi, you have no idea. When I heard your uncle's call saying your parents had been in a car accident, your aunt immediately fainted. As soon as I woke up, I wanted to rush over that very night, but who knew my health wouldn't allow it? I've been lying down resting at home. I thought your aunt-in-law would be here, but it turns out she's not well either. But now, your aunt feels better and can..."

Wang Qiqi watched the mournful expression on Wang Damei's face, thinking, As expected of the best actress in the Wang family. But the problem was, she wasn't a naive child. Seeing an apparent pillar of support, Qiqi burst into loud, earth-shattering tears, far from letting Wang Damei finish her offer of help. "Aunt, Qiqi is so scared being here all alone! But I know Mom and Dad are watching over me from heaven. I am their child, and I will handle their funeral arrangements with dignity. And since Aunt-in-law wasn't well a few days ago, and Uncle stayed home to care for her, I managed all these matters by myself. So, Aunt, you should rest well at home if your health isn't good. Qiqi can manage things here."

Wang Damei had genuinely intended to say she could manage to help despite her ailing health. Just before entering, she had spotted a few pairs of feet upstairs and knew someone was listening in. What she wanted was for those people to see that she hadn't shown up earlier because she was ill, but the moment she felt slightly better, she rushed over to assist her niece. However, Qiqi, this child, hadn't allowed her to utter the words she'd prepared. "Qiqi, it’s fine. Your aunt can handle the strain." Nonsense, hurry up and come over, or I won't be able to control this girl.

Wang Qiqi knew they wouldn't give up so easily. "Aunt, you haven't been well for a long time. My father always said you shouldn't be overworked. Besides, with my parents gone so suddenly, you must be heartbroken, and your health probably can’t take the stress. You should really stay home and rest."

Then Qiqi turned to Li Cui. "Aunt-in-law, you haven't been well either, have you? Were you startled by that lamp falling the other day? I looked at it later; I truly don't know what happened that it just fell. I examined the fracture point—there wasn't a hint of rust. It’s as if we saw a ghost in broad daylight, right, Aunt-in-law?"

Wang Qiqi admitted she said it deliberately. You want to forget what happened that day? I haven't forgotten.

As Wang Qiqi predicted, Li Cui, already on edge, instantly felt a chilling draft around her. She managed to force a strained smile. "It’s nothing, I haven't dwelled on that matter." Dwelling on it was the furthest thing from the truth. These past few days, Li Cui had dreamt constantly of Wang Dajun and his wife relentlessly chasing her, asking why they treated Li Cui's couple so well before, only for them to bully Wang Qiqi so badly after the parents passed. Every time, Li Cui couldn't sleep well, and lack of sleep had a devastating effect on a woman. Indeed, Li Cui looked considerably haggard lately. Of course, if it hadn't been for that incident, and the fact that she still dared to go out grocery shopping the two days following, people might have truly believed she was sick. But now, many assumed her state was due to a guilty conscience.

"It's good that it's nothing. I've been very worried. I was speaking in front of your parents, hoping not to frighten you," Wang Qiqi said, more than happy to display her supposed kindness. "Aunt-in-law, you still look quite unwell. Why don't you go back and rest some more? My father’s matters aren't settled, and you aren’t coming over daily to lend a hand anyway."

Coming over daily? Did she expect Wang Qiqi to provide them with lavish meals? "Especially since I’m eating only vegetarian meals here, no meat or fish. That wouldn’t be good for Aunt’s and Aunt-in-law’s bodies."

Wang Qiqi threw out reason after reason. She knew her uncle-in-law Song Wenbo and cousin Wang Rui were absolute fiends for meat. If there was no meat for lunch or dinner, their faces would immediately fall.

Wang Dagui was stunned upon hearing this. "Ah, vegetarian? Qiqi, you’re still a child, eating like that..." Eating vegetarian was out of the question. Wang Dagui had figured that since his sister and Li Cui were coming to 'help,' their two families could openly come over for meals. Cooking? They had no time for that. They would just order takeout from nearby restaurants—eat plenty if it was good, and not eat if it wasn't. This way, they could pressure Wang Qiqi into agreeing to a private settlement sooner. But he hadn't expected Qiqi to insist on vegetarianism.

Wang Rui, recalling what her parents had said on the way, and remembering the meals at her uncle’s house—always featuring fish, meat, and shrimp, with her aunt’s cooking being absolutely delicious—had been highly anticipating it. Even though her aunt was gone, her father promised restaurant-quality meals every time. "Dad, I don't like vegetarian food." What was so good about those vegetable dishes?

Wang Qiqi listened to Wang Rui’s spoiled tone and the pitiful look she cast her way, chuckling inwardly. You have parents, but do they have money? Even though my parents are gone, what they left me is far greater than what you have with living parents. Don't expect to live the life of a princess in this lifetime. That life where you could buy whatever you desired is no longer yours; it belongs to me now.

Wang Qiqi looked up with a look of sorrow. "I don't like eating vegetarian either, but my parents have passed away, so the house can only afford vegetarian meals. This is also a way to accumulate merit for my parents. Uncle, since Xiaorui wants meat, then let Aunt-in-law continue to recuperate at home as before, and Uncle, you take care of Aunt-in-law and Xiaorui. Although I’m not great at cooking, I can manage simple vegetarian dishes. If you don’t mind coming over during mealtimes, then we can all eat vegetarian together."

Wang Dagui had been about to say, Qiqi, you eat vegetarian, and we’ll just order takeout, but Wang Qiqi’s response caught him off guard. How could he continue with his plan now? Should he suggest they eat out and then claim the receipts for reimbursement? Forget it; if that story got out, people would laugh themselves sick. It would be the definition of living off the dead. "Well, perhaps we could bring some meat over? And Qiqi, didn’t you like shrimp before? I’ll get some shrimp tomorrow, Uncle will."

Wang Dagui thought that if Qiqi ate shrimp, he would then have a legitimate reason to bring his whole family over. But who was Qiqi? She was already wary of their two families and had prepared thoroughly. "No need, Uncle. I swore before my parents that until their affairs are settled and they are laid to rest, I will only eat vegetarian. Also, the only thing I serve guests is vegetarian food—vegetarian food I cook myself."

Wang Qiqi stared up at them. "And I’ve been eating vegetarian these past few days, and it hasn't affected my health. I actually feel quite good, truly."

Wang Damei glared at her younger brother. This man! They had a huge sum of money waiting for them, yet he was still trying to squeeze out small advantages. "Alright, Qiqi, listen to your uncle. That person responsible wants a private settlement, and you were very emotional about it, so he asked your uncle to approach you."

Wang Qiqi just uttered a soft, cold "Oh," looking at Wang Dagui and his wife. "I know. The day after my parents’ accident, Aunt-in-law already discussed this matter with me. Because of this..."

Li Cui immediately interjected, "But Qiqi, you can't just leave your parents in a refrigerated coffin indefinitely, can you? That’s unfilial, and the expenses are high..." Li Cui desperately didn't want Wang Qiqi to recount the events of that day. That day was a nightmare for Li Cui, and she certainly didn't want to repeat it.

"So, according to Aunt-in-law’s suggestion, this matter must be settled privately?" Wang Qiqi fixed her gaze on Li Cui's eyes.

Li Cui wasn't about to concede. "I was just suggesting it; whether to agree or not is up to you."

Wang Qiqi stared at Li Cui for a long moment, then let out a long, drawn-out "Oh." "It’s good that you all know. This afternoon, a leader from my father’s work unit called me, asking if I had reached an agreement with the person responsible, mentioning that the compensation amount had even been set at five hundred thousand." This wasn't a complete fabrication on Wang Qiqi’s part; she had indeed received that call at noon, but the leader’s tone implied a strong desire for a private settlement, subtly hinting at the other party's background, while also mentioning the amount was negotiable. Qiqi said this specifically to startle Wang Dagui. "That truly shocked me. I haven't even met the person responsible, and neither Uncle nor Aunt mentioned this to me, yet an amount has been named, and they said the agreement could be signed today with immediate payment. I was perplexed why such a major issue wasn't even discussed with me, the child of the victim."

Wang Qiqi was betting that Wang Dagui hadn't told Wang Damei the real compensation figure, and probably not even Li Cui.

Wang Dagui froze when Wang Qiqi mentioned this. No way, how could that girl know the figure they offered? He didn't think Qiqi was lying; her demeanor suggested she was well-informed. But the problem was, only the responsible party's family and he knew this amount. He didn't believe the culprit would tell Wang Qiqi. If they could contact Qiqi directly, why would they bother going through him?

While Wang Dagui was momentarily stunned, he failed to notice the looks Wang Damei, Song Wenbo, and Li Cui were giving him, or he wouldn't have been lost in thought so foolishly.

Song Wenbo had initially been skeptical of Wang Qiqi’s statement, but seeing his brother-in-law’s expression, he immediately understood. So they had already planned to take half each with us! Great, they took us for fools. They’d take the 200,000 first and then split the rest with us.

Of course, Song Wenbo knew that now that Qiqi knew the figure, there was no way his side would get any money. He had never heard of a brother’s estate being divided among siblings when there were direct heirs. Thinking this, he said, "Qiqi, we just came to check on you. Your aunt isn't feeling well, so we’ll head back now. Qiqi, if you need anything, just call us."

Wang Damei knew this wasn't the time to settle accounts with Wang Dagui, but she recognized that what her husband said was the best immediate strategy. Going back was the right move; she shouldn't wade into this murky water anymore. Although their visit was brief, Wang Damei realized that her younger brother wasn't going to fleece little Qiqi easily—not when even Wang Dajun's superiors were siding with Qiqi.

New book soliciting collections and recommendation votes. Recommended for full-text novel reading with advertisements removed by [Website URL]

For more novels, visit storyread.net.