Wang Qiqi paid no mind to the murmurs around her; it wouldn't matter if Li Cui stayed here to clear her name, as Wang Qiqi had witnesses.

Wang Qiqi approached the gathering crowd. "Aunties and uncles, the matter concerning my father seems settled. Whether my aunt is right or wrong in saying I made a small fortune off my parents' deaths, that money was earned through lives lost—it's the only solace left for me. Though I never wished for this solace, don't judge me by my small stature; I will certainly guard this money. You all know the situation at my house these past few days, and you all saw how my parents treated relatives and friends when they were alive. Yet, during this time, I've been alone tending the wake. Aunt Luo helped buy groceries, and Uncle Qi even let his dog stay at my place to guard the house, otherwise, I truly worry I wouldn't have held on. You all know I’m still just a child..."

Wang Qiqi felt intensely wronged thinking about it now. When she needed help with arrangements, no one was around, but as soon as money was involved, everyone surfaced. She’d rather have no relatives at all. "I understand what my aunt means—she just thinks I'm young and easy to bully. Rest assured, although I am small, I can watch the money. As for the future, I can take care of myself. I’m going to university next year anyway, so I can definitely manage."

Li Cui’s heart sank when she heard this. So, Wang Qiqi meant she planned to handle everything herself and didn't need their 'care' at all. Li Cui’s mouth moved, but she said nothing. She knew anything she said would just be countered by the girl. Right now, the girl was angry, so she shouldn't invite trouble. It was better to go back and discuss strategies with her husband.

After saying that, Wang Qiqi returned inside and immediately pulled out the number she had saved from the full-service funeral provider, calling to arrange the date for the funeral procession—that was the priority. Seeing Wang Qiqi efficiently making the call, Li Cui interjected, "Qiqi, we don't need to hire outside help. They’ll just take a large cut from us." If everything was outsourced, how would they make money? They at least needed to recoup what Da Gui had lost gambling. Li Cui felt her demands were truly not excessive.

Wang Qiqi certainly knew that, but the problem was if they managed it, the final costs would be even higher. "It's much simpler if professionals handle it. Besides, the guests who needed to come have already visited; there aren't that many people calling on us. I can manage by myself on normal days." The busiest day would only be the funeral itself, which is when they’d be needed. With professional help, her parents’ send-off would be grand, unlike the simple and lonely farewell in her previous life.

Wang Qiqi knew her immediate family circle was small. For her parents' workplace, she anticipated only a few representatives, so the crowd wouldn't be large. As for the neighbors, at most they would treat everyone to a meal at a restaurant, just like last time, and wouldn't follow to the crematorium. But if that happened, it would feel truly desolate. Everyone else had grand processions, but her family would only have a few people. However, Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered something: on the day of the funeral, what about her parents' memorial tablets and photographs? She couldn't carry them all by herself. Calling Wang Rui seemed like the most appropriate choice, but would her aunt be willing?

Wang Qiqi glanced at Li Cui and noticed her expression was full of displeasure. She sighed internally. Oh well, at worst, she would negotiate with them, maybe offer a bit of money. If that failed, wasn't there her paternal aunt? Wang Qiqi didn't believe her aunt would refuse. Even if her aunt was hesitant, the shrewd Uncle-in-law wouldn't let things get too strained with their side, especially since Wang Qiqi now had money. At this time, her Uncle-in-law must have plans to start a factory, and what he lacked was capital...

Wang Qiqi made up her mind. If they were willing, she would just ask directly and give Wang Rui a large red envelope to do it. If they weren't willing, she would discuss it with her aunt. Moreover, having her cousins from her aunt's family step forward would be even better; they had two people. Of course, if all three of them were willing, that would be best.

What Wang Qiqi could figure out, Li Cui also sensed. She threw out a parting shot about having matters at home and left to return to her own house. The onlookers, seeing the commotion dissipate, also dispersed.

Only when she saw everyone gone did Wang Qiqi find a place to sit down. Gong Hong, having watched Wang Qiqi come in from outside without taking a sip of water while facing off against her aunt, also sighed inwardly. Poor child; her parents had just passed, and she already had to fight with her uncle and aunt. It seems having money isn't always good, and having no money isn't good either. Gong Hong poured Wang Qiqi a cup of cooled boiled water. "Have some water, you must be thirsty."

Wang Qiqi looked up blankly at the concerned Gong Hong, gestured to the chair opposite her, and gulped down a large cup of water. For someone who had never thought water tasted sweet, Wang Qiqi suddenly felt that this Nungfu Spring water was quite delicious. "Thank you, Auntie Gong. I'm sorry you had to witness such a spectacle today."

"This happens often in my hometown too, though usually because of poverty," Gong Hong observed, watching the girl who had been full of fighting spirit moments ago suddenly look drained. If it weren't for the support of the chair, she looked ready to collapse. "Do you want to go back and rest? You’ve been alone these past few days, right?"

Gong Hong hadn't expected that only this little girl had been tending the wake all these days. Honestly, even an adult couldn't have managed that level of dedication. To Gong Hong, Wang Qiqi seemed like a delicate city girl, yet she had actually managed it. Looking at the girl’s pale face, she was truly haggard. Thinking about what someone had just said, it didn't sound like family at all; it sounded more like a creditor. But Gong Hong couldn't voice this; that would be crossing a line.

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "I'm fine, Auntie Gong. I'm used to it. Since the day my parents died, I knew I was different. I can only rely on myself to protect what my parents left me and to ensure my own well-being. What I said just now was necessary. Did you see my aunt? And you know what my uncle is like. If I back down this time and give them my parents' compensation money, then in the next step, my parents' house..."

Wang Qiqi looked around. "...will also be taken over by them. Then I’ll have neither money nor a house." Wang Qiqi let out a cold laugh. "They probably should have raided my house the day after my parents passed away." Wang Qiqi wasn't fabricating this; it was because when they were putting things back in place that day, they hadn't done it neatly. Perhaps they were in a rush, as some clothes underneath were wrinkled. This was absolutely impossible; her mother always folded clothes perfectly. The only possibility for the clothes to look like that was...

Gong Hong’s mouth fell open. "No way." Wasn't that tantamount to confiscation? Are there relatives like that?

"Why not? In the face of money, everything else is dust," Wang Qiqi stated coldly. "Sometimes, these so-called relatives are worse than strangers. Auntie Gong, there will be more people like this in the future, only some hide it deeper, and we don't know about them yet." Sometimes she felt it was a blessing that the family fortune wasn't huge, at least it didn't inspire her uncle and aunt to plot murder for wealth.

Gong Hong looked at Wang Qiqi and suddenly had a thought: this girl didn't look like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old; she seemed more like someone who had experienced a great deal. "There are good people, dear."

"Yes, there are good people, like Aunt Luo, and like you, Auntie Gong." Wang Qiqi took several deep breaths, trying to pull herself together. If she constantly stayed in a low mood, she would be the one to suffer. "Auntie Gong, how about you come to my house to clean and cook some meals? And buy a bit more vegetables so I can have a hot meal waiting when I get home." Initially, Wang Qiqi thought she could come every other day, but her mother used to keep the house spotless, and once she started university, she would be busy and might not have time to clean. Since she planned to hire someone anyway, she might as well have Gong Hong come every day to clean.

After reviewing her studies these past few days, Wang Qiqi realized there were many areas she didn't understand. She would need to dedicate a lot of effort over the next year, otherwise, whether she could change the course of her previous life was still in question. Entrusting the housework to Gong Hong was the best solution.

Gong Hong hadn't expected her kind gesture today would lead to Wang Qiqi asking her to be a housekeeper. Although she had worked for many families before, her income wasn't substantial, and going to a factory would mean being dismissed for being too old. "Deal, Qiqi. Don't worry, I will make your house spotless. Should I buy the vegetables too?"

Gong Hong had heard from a fellow villager who worked as a nanny that earning a hundred a month by buying groceries for the employer was considered small change, but Gong Hong felt it wasn't worth risking her reputation for such a small amount. She believed that if the employer asked you to do something, it was out of trust, and you shouldn't betray that trust. Over time, the employer would notice, and just a few days ago, someone was fired for doing exactly that. Having seen such incidents, Gong Hong was wary.

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Yes, otherwise, should I wake up early to buy them?" Honestly, she’d rather spend that time reading at home; it wasn't worth it for such a little bit of money.

"Aren't you worried I..." Gong Hong hesitated, unable to articulate the thought.

"Will overcharge?" Wang Qiqi smiled sweetly at Gong Hong until she shook her head. "Actually, Auntie Gong, I plan to give you a set amount for groceries each month, and you arrange things within that budget. I’ll just eat meals within that price range; whatever is left over is what you earn. If there’s a shortfall, just tell me. Of course, I will ask about the market prices beforehand."

Wang Qiqi thought that based on her planned menu, Gong Hong wouldn't make much profit, and it was fine to let her earn a little extra. After all, the principle of 'no clean water yields no fish' still applied. This way, Gong Hong would be motivated to buy good, affordable vegetables, and she’d be earning the money legitimately, which was much better than her skimming from the food allowance. As for Gong Hong's character, Wang Qiqi didn't know her completely yet, but that was fine; there would be plenty of opportunities to learn more in the future, right?