Wang Damei and her husband rushed in like a gust of wind. By the time Wang Dagui regained his senses, he naturally looked completely wronged. "Qiqi, this has nothing to do with me. I was just asked by someone who pulled strings to inquire about your stance on a private settlement. The compensation amount, of course, can still be negotiated." At this point, how could Wang Dagui not realize that not only would he fail to gain any benefit this time, but he had also offended his elder sister? As for his wife beside him, her expression was even worse.

Li Cui was burning with suppressed anger. She didn't believe Wang Qiqi was just making things up. She had been suspicious all along—how could Wang Dagui be so generous as to agree to split everything equally with Damei? It turned out he had already pocketed two hundred thousand himself. But the critical issue was that she hadn't even known about those two hundred thousand. That money was known only to him. What he planned to do with such a sum was Li Cui's greatest concern.

However, no matter how upset Li Cui was internally, she knew she had to add a few mitigating words. "Qiqi, perhaps the intermediary was misinformed, or maybe it's a rumor spread by the party at fault to sow discord among us. Why don't you let your uncle go talk to the other side tomorrow?"

Wang Qiqi looked at Li Cui, who still hadn't given up hope, and shook her head. "No need. I've thought it through. They are wealthy and powerful. These past few days, I've called the traffic police detachment daily, asking how the case is progressing, but they keep saying this is wrong, that evidence is insufficient. I understand now. I just can't accept that just because they have a few lousy bucks, they can act so wantonly."

Wang Qiqi felt truly wronged. She recalled that the moment she realized she had been reborn, her first thought was to save her parents’ lives. Even if the compensation was a million, Wang Qiqi would rather not be an orphan without parents. Life without parents nearby felt chilling to the bone, especially during the New Year, a feeling that was almost unbearable. Yet, unexpectedly, even with her rebirth, she couldn't save her parents' lives. That sense of powerlessness...

Wang Dagui and Li Cui picked up on the implication in Wang Qiqi's words. "You want a private settlement?" Did that mean there was still a chance for them? This reignited a spark of hope in Wang Dagui's heart.

Although Wang Dagui regretted not getting his hands on that two hundred thousand, he could find a way to skim that money off the top later, provided he was the one handling the negotiations.

Wang Qiqi cried, her eyes red, and exclaimed, "What if I don't settle privately? Just as Auntie said, I can't let my parents keep sleeping here, can I? I need to give my parents a proper burial. They can drag this out with me, but can I afford to wait them out?"

Indeed, even if she went to kneel at the city hall gates, officials protect officials, especially when power and wealth combine. Who would care about the life and death of a common citizen like her? It was only because her father had good connections at his workplace that the leader was willing to put in a word; of course, he also wanted to show his subordinates who followed him what his capabilities and magnanimity were. But regardless, Qiqi truly needed to thank him, though that thanks would happen later and wouldn't be mentioned to her uncle and his family.

"How about I go talk to that family tomorrow?" Wang Dagui asked again, unwilling to let go.

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "My dad's unit leader said he would handle the negotiations for me." Wang Qiqi thought to herself, I won't let them profit, and I certainly won't let you profit either. At least he won't try to take away my living expenses as an orphan. At worst, I'll just build a good relationship with him.

"Having the leader step in?" Wang Dagui stammered, trembling. He hadn't expected things to escalate to this point. First, the compensation amount was known to others. While the good news was that Wang Qiqi agreed to a private settlement, the critical issue was that they had no part in it whatsoever. "Why bother troubling a leader? Your uncle is right here and can handle this matter."

"Yes, yes, your uncle can handle it. This is a matter for the Wang family; there's no need to trouble outsiders," Li Cui quickly chimed in. Although they couldn't get as much money as before, at least their family could sip some of the soup. The rest could be figured out later. Given Qiqi's current demeanor, Li Cui worried whether she could even trick any money out of her now.

"Exactly, Sister. My mom isn't that sick, actually. Dad is just idle at home, so let him handle it," Wang Rui said, first looking at the room with envy and jealousy. Actually, Wang Rui had overheard her parents talking in the bedroom the day her uncle died. Wang Rui was ecstatic then; all she thought about was moving into such a beautiful house, where she and her parents could have two large rooms, and the north-facing room, formerly a study, would become Wang Qiqi's. Then, her and Wang Qiqi's status would be switched, and she would be the princess.

But Wang Rui hadn't expected that today she would learn from her parents that there was a compensation of several hundred thousand from her uncle's death. How could this not fill Wang Rui with intense envy, jealousy, and hatred? To put it darkly, Wang Rui once had the thought: why weren't her parents the ones who died that day? Wang Rui knew that if her parents had been killed in the accident, her uncle's family would certainly take her in and treat her well, and the compensation money would all go to her. But she reasoned that since her parents knew about the money, they must have already made arrangements, and this money wouldn't go to that simpleton Qiqi. Yet, unexpectedly, both her parents' and her aunt's maneuvers had been disrupted by Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi looked at the one acting so meek and sensible. "That won't work. You know, since my dad passed away, many matters concerning his unit require my dad's leader to step in, such as the death benefits. Can my uncle handle arranging that for my dad?" Wang Qiqi knew from her past life that she wouldn't have known about this death benefit money at all if she hadn't entertained the leader that day. However, this gave Wang Qiqi a perfect excuse for having her father's leader involved.

Wang Dagui’s mouth opened and closed. What could he say? This dead girl even knew about the unit's death benefits. To be honest, Wang Dagui had been busy inquiring about these matters recently. Although he hadn't asked directly at his elder brother's unit, intelligence from outside suggested that the death benefits from the unit would be substantial. The real unknown was the exact amount, which truly depended on what the unit decided. "Well, if someone capable is helping, then I won't busy myself. By the way, once that other matter is settled, what about your parents' burial plot?" Wang Dagui thought he couldn't leave with absolutely nothing.

Regarding the burial plot, Wang Qiqi truly hadn't given it much thought. "That's not urgent. We'll see depending on the final compensation amount." Wang Qiqi had already decided she wanted to buy a large plot. This wasn't to show off; rather, Wang Qiqi intended to be buried beside her parents when her time came, symbolizing a return to them. In that case, the plot couldn't be small. Fortunately, at this time, as long as one had money, securing a large plot was not a problem.

Li Cui and Wang Dagui exchanged a look, seeing disbelief mirrored in the other's eyes. "Qiqi, you aren't planning to spend the entire compensation on a burial plot, are you?" How could this child be such a spendthrift?

"Can't I?" Wang Qiqi retorted. "This was paid for with my parents' lives. I won't let them lie in such a tiny plot. Dad loved big houses; this long-term home he inhabits must also be made comfortable for him."

"But Qiqi, you should also know that your parents wanted you to attend university..." Li Cui felt a chilling coldness spread through her. She truly wanted to rush over to Wang Qiqi, slap her a few times, and wake her up. How could she have ended up with such a prodigal child? Yet, she knew that even if onlookers outside called Qiqi a spendthrift, in their hearts, they might also consider her a filial child. Moreover, her intentions weren't entirely wrong; she had no moral ground to criticize her choices. Still, Li Cui had to make one last attempt.

"Aren't there still fifty thousand plus the death benefits from their units? Auntie, don't worry, I've thought it all through. Once I start university next year, I'll rent out this house." Wang Qiqi outlined her future plans. "This way, my tuition fees will be covered."

This was the first time Li Cui had heard Wang Qiqi mention her plans for the house. The news sent a surge of blood rushing up from her chest, but she knew she absolutely couldn't spit it out now. Otherwise, the onlookers wouldn't say they were grieving for the deceased uncle and aunt; they would just say she had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice used to lure it. So, she forced the surge down hard. "Rent out the house?"

"Rent out the house?" Wang Rui exclaimed. "Sister Qiqi, why would you rent out this house? Look how beautifully it's decorated. Can you bear to rent it out? Besides, this house is where Uncle and Auntie lived; it's a memorial. If you're worried about no one looking after it when you go to university out of town, my family can move in." Then this house will belong to me, and it won't be easy for Qiqi to take it back later.

"But my university expenses depend on the rent. Why don't you pay back the money you borrowed from our family back then, Uncle, so I can go to university?" Wang Qiqi didn't believe Wang Dagui would return that money; that stingy man wanted both the money and the house.

"Little Rui, your Sister Qiqi's university expenses are quite high. But, Qiqi, isn't the money your parents left you enough?" Li Cui skillfully avoided the topic and shifted to Wang Qiqi's expenses. "Besides, aren't there the compensation funds?"

"The compensation funds are for buying a burial plot for my parents. Also, this place is a painful memory for me; my parents died here. If I don't rent it out, I'll sell it and buy a house elsewhere. But Auntie, why are you and little sister Rui so concerned about this house? Does your family not have a place to live?" Wang Qiqi's temper finally flared. Is it up to you lot to butt in about how I manage my affairs? What a bunch of greedy people.

Wang Rui tried to say more but was pulled back by Li Cui. She knew Wang Qiqi was already quite displeased with their family. Even though she had pretended not to know about the compensation earlier, Wang Qiqi must have had an idea but chose to stay silent.

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