Wang Qiqi returned home to find a crowd gathered. Li Cui stood inside the house, speaking animatedly, and many people made way for Wang Qiqi as she entered.

"Auntie," Wang Qiqi greeted Li Cui, who was pointing at Gong Hong in the living room and chattering away. "You look well today, Auntie. I wonder what brings such a grand entourage to my home today." Wang Qiqi found looking at the shrewish-looking Li Cui tiresome, but the audacity of barging into her home and acting like the mistress of the house was something Qiqi could not easily stomach.

Li Cui was naturally flustered. Primarily, she hadn't anticipated Wang Qiqi moving so quickly, agreeing to terms with the other party so fast. Now, seeing Qiqi enter, her eyes seemed ready to spit fire. "Oh, look who it is—Big Brother's good daughter. You've returned. Where were you today?" Wang Qiqi knew why Li Cui was asking. Everyone had seen her leave that morning; naturally, they were all whispering about it now. She lifted her chin. "Didn't I reconcile with them according to what you and Uncle suggested? Didn't you two always say back here that this was the only way to honor my parents?" Hmph. Trying to catch me contradicting myself, are you? Fine, I’ll drag you both down with me. Not like no one saw the commotion those days.

Although Li Cui knew the situation, hearing Wang Qiqi say that stung her heart; she knew that money now had nothing to do with her. Originally, that 350,000 yuan was supposed to be theirs. But now... "But didn't you insist that the murderer be brought to justice?" Li Cui sneered at her.

"Of course, I remember what I said. But tell me, my dear Auntie, haven't you noticed that despite such a massive incident, the newspaper only ran a tiny, sesame-seed-sized article the next day, and then nothing more? I might not go out much, but didn't Auntie mention last time that the young couple was cremated too? Their parents are civil servants. What hope do I have against them?" Wang Qiqi felt wronged too. "Do you think this money is a fortune? If I could, I’d rather have only what belonged to my parents. The leaders from my father's work unit said if it hadn't been for the city’s drive to become civilized and sanitary, this whole matter would have been forgotten long ago. Why would they bother with an orphan like you, without parents or status? If you make trouble, you'll just end up locked up."

Such things weren't uncommon. Didn't one often see reports online about people petitioning the government, only to be dragged back home and thrown in jail? Alas, maybe things weren't that corrupt in this era, and Wang Qiqi had only knelt at the entrance of the Municipal Government, but caution was still best.

Wang Qiqi's words caused many bystanders to fall into contemplation. Yes, even a minor car accident used to get a mention in the news, but this major crash seemed to vanish as if swept away by the wind. No one present was a fool. Recalling the perpetrator's actions that day, they understood. It was true.

Li Cui was stunned. All the effort she had spent stirring up the crowd’s emotions moments ago had been instantly reversed by Qiqi’s arrival. She let out a long, cold snort. "Your uncle was only trying to help you by running errands to handle these matters. Now that you've sorted it out yourself, you didn't even bother to let us know. Your uncle could have negotiated with the other party for you." Then that money could have conveniently ended up in my pocket.

"Didn't Auntie say she wasn't feeling well? I didn't want to trouble Uncle. Besides, the leaders from Father’s unit brought the other party here yesterday and finalized the settlement. I went to the traffic police detachment today to sign the papers, and then I went to the cemetery to purchase the final resting place for my parents." After speaking, Wang Qiqi knelt before the memorial tablets of Wang Dajun and his wife, telling them about the plot she had secured for them today.

Tears streamed down Wang Qiqi's face as she spoke, "Mom and Dad, I’ve chosen a place for you halfway up the mountain, so in winter, you can both enjoy the sunshine together. I also chose marble paving so it will be less strenuous for Mom when she cleans. And I selected two stone lions to guard the property. The stele is also fine white jade. It’s a bit expensive, but it was bought with your lives; no expense is too much."

The crowd listening outside the door gasped upon hearing the details of the plot Qiqi had chosen for the couple—it would cost at least eighty or ninety thousand. They remarked on how generous Wang Qiqi was being. Li Cui, however, felt like dragging Wang Qiqi straight to the cemetery to cancel the purchase. They had already inquired; a decent plot could be secured for just ten thousand. How could this girl possibly spend so much?

"Qiqi, it's not that Auntie is criticizing you, but you can't just spend money the moment you get it. You need to think about your future life. Oh, and the remaining money..." Li Cui asked solicitously, though what she really wanted to say was that Qiqi was a child and should let her elders manage the funds.

"Oh, that money? I deposited it in the bank for a three-year fixed term," Wang Qiqi stated outright. "Don't worry, Auntie, I won't touch the rest of the money. I have a hundred thousand to spend anyway, and the work unit will compensate some more." Wang Qiqi inwardly thought that after saying this much, Li Cui should feel too embarrassed to press further. But Wang Qiqi had severely underestimated Li Cui's shamelessness. "The savings book. I can keep it safe for you."

Wang Qiqi's kneeling movement paused mid-way. She cursed inwardly. "Mom and Dad, don't worry. I won't misuse this money. I’ll keep it somewhere safe. You always said it’s better to keep money in one’s own hands." Wang Qiqi then stood up, looking directly at Li Cui. "Even though I am young, there’s no reason to hand over the family savings to someone else to manage. I'm not a three-year-old."

"But you are still studying," Li Cui countered, surprised that Wang Qiqi had rejected her suggestion so bluntly instead of engaging in circular arguments. "Qiqi, you must know there are many swindlers out there. What if they..."

"Don't worry, this money is in a fixed deposit. Besides, I know exactly whose home I can trust to keep it," Wang Qiqi stared into Li Cui’s eyes. If you want the savings, just say so directly.

Li Cui felt the pressure emanating from Wang Qiqi and inwardly thought she must be seeing things. How had this girl become so formidable? Even her elder sister-in-law hadn't made her feel this tense before. "If you trust someone, Qiqi, you can leave it with me. Of course, you could also leave it with your Auntie Wang [Wang Damei]." Li Cui only mentioned Wang Damei’s name reluctantly, knowing that since she had brought up elders, she couldn't just imply she wanted the money herself without naming someone else.

Even though Li Cui mentioned Wang Damei, Wang Qiqi knew it was just an offhand remark. If they weren't surrounded by people, Li Cui would have directly asked for the money. "Regardless, I will not place this money with anyone. I am seventeen years old; I am practically an adult. The money my parents left me is enough for my living expenses. I don't feel the need to rely on anyone. Furthermore, everyone here knows my uncle. He used to gamble frequently, losing money and incurring debts, which my parents helped him repay several times. Do you think I can confidently entrust the money my parents died for to Uncle?" Wang Qiqi finished, her voice tight. "What if, when the deposit matures, you use the certificate to withdraw the money? I won't even have a place to cry."

At first, the onlookers dared not speak, but then an elderly woman spoke up. "Dàguì doesn't earn much, but he gambles heavily. Dàjūn had to step in to solve his problems more than once. It’s not safe to leave money with such a person."

Once one person spoke out, others quickly chimed in. "Exactly! Just yesterday, I saw Wang Dàguì heading out to gamble again. I heard he owes someone a few thousand yuan."

As soon as this was said, the entire scene fell silent. If Li Cui claimed her husband had reformed and stopped gambling, she might have had a chance. But the critical point was that Wang Dàguì was gambling again and was now in debt, a fact known to many neighbors. How could she possibly continue her argument?

Wang Qiqi could only shake her head. Wang Dàguì was truly hopeless—he earned a little, then loved to play Mahjong, and when he played, he liked big stakes, often tricking people out of their money. Later, Li Cui probably managed to control the money, forcing him to quit gambling slowly because no one was willing to cover his debts anymore.

Wang Qiqi looked at Li Cui with a touch of amusement. "Auntie, my uncle gambled again. I truly can't feel secure leaving my family’s money with you. I’m genuinely worried that before long, my inheritance will be gone, all used to pay off Uncle’s gambling debts." However, Wang Qiqi did consider one possibility: perhaps if Li Cui couldn't get the money, she wouldn't bother stopping Wang Dàguì from gambling, letting creditors come to their door instead, since those people wouldn't care about the relationship between the two families. "Auntie, you must control Uncle! My parents used to help pay his gambling debts, and I won't ask you to pay now. But now that my parents are gone, to put it bluntly, every penny I spend before I graduate from university is one less penny I have. I have no money to settle Uncle's gambling debts."

Wang Qiqi knew simply saying that might not be enough. She walked to the doorway and addressed the crowd watching. "Esteemed elders, uncles, and aunties, my parents advised Uncle against gambling during their lives and even helped pay his debts. What happened before is in the past. Starting from this very moment, I, Wang Qiqi, will not pay a single cent of Wang Dàguì's gambling debts. Only then will he realize that gambling has no safety net. I state this here today: if anyone comes knocking with my uncle's IOU, I apologize, but I will call 110. He has a job, a house, a wife, and a daughter. It is not the niece's responsibility to pay his debts."

[The Pretty Police Flower of the Great Qing]: A police flower travels through time, solving cases and flirting simultaneously. The Pretty Police Flower of the Great Qing: A police flower travels through time, solving cases and flirting simultaneously. Recommended by 【Jīng Huā Chuān Yuè, Pò Àn Diào Xì Liǎng Bù Wù】: For more chapters, please visit the URL for grand recommendations and ad-free full-text novel reading.