Wang Qiqi informed her relatives and friends of the exact date for the funeral the next day. Naturally, her uncle was the first to be notified, followed by her aunt. They were reliably supportive and showed up, helping to save face for the occasion. Of course, if Li Cui’s expression had been even slightly better, it would have made things feel even more complete.

Though Wang Dagui felt a pang of resentment, he understood that if he didn't make an appearance today, the neighbors would talk endlessly. His sister had thoroughly scolded him on the phone yesterday, emphasizing that with such an important event, not a single member of the Wang family had stepped up to support Qiqi. She placed the blame squarely on Li Cui for acting too outrageously, suggesting things wouldn't have escalated this far otherwise. Inevitably, Wang Dagui cast a subtle blame toward his own wife.

Wang Qiqi, though puzzled as to why both her aunt and uncle’s couples had arrived in full force, felt a measure of relief. With everyone present, they could properly discuss matters. After lunch, Wang Qiqi served everyone slices of watermelon. "Uncle, Aunt, I actually have a few things I need to discuss with you both."

Li Cui rolled her eyes at Wang Qiqi, inwardly scoffing that Qiqi only remembered wanting to discuss things now. Hmph. Still, she knew she needed to maintain a pleasant demeanor today, otherwise, there would be consequences for her. Especially with her sister-in-law standing guard nearby; her husband had explicitly warned her before leaving not to say anything that might provoke Qiqi’s temper. This fact certainly did not improve Li Cui’s mood.

Wang Damei, however, had a vague idea of what Wang Qiqi wanted to discuss, but she waited for Qiqi to make the first move. "What is it?"

Wang Qiqi briefly explained the compensation amount, the arrangements for their parents' graves, and the schedule for the funeral day. "This is the menu for the reception banquet."

Wang Damei accepted the list and glanced over it, immediately freezing. "Isn't this menu a bit too extravagant?" There was even a seafood dish listed. This immediately elevated the banquet's status, and consequently, the price—likely well over twelve or thirteen hundred per table, rivaling the standard for a wedding reception.

Hearing Wang Damei’s comment, Li Cui felt an unbearable itch, as if a cat were clawing at her insides. She craned her neck, trying desperately to see the menu, but Wang Damei, perhaps deliberately, shifted her body just enough to keep Li Cui from catching a glimpse. Wang Qiqi observed this from the side and stifled a private smile. It seemed her aunt held some reservations about her uncle’s wife, judging by that performance.

After studying the menu for a while, Wang Damei handed it to Wang Dagui. "Take a look. I think this menu is quite good. How much is it per table?" Wang Damei directed the final question to Qiqi.

"One thousand, excluding alcohol," Wang Qiqi stated the price. "For the liquor and soft drinks, we will pay based on the retail prices from an external shop."

Wang Dagui was about to volunteer to handle buying the drinks himself, but he was surprised when Wang Qiqi announced everything would be handled by the restaurant. That idea died immediately. He knew that even if he offered to help source the stock, Qiqi wouldn't agree. There was nothing he could do; the whole affair concerning the refrigerated coffin had spread widely, causing Qiqi to view him differently. Wang Dagui himself wasn't sure if Qiqi had known all along about his attempts to profit from the situation, or if someone had told her, but the crucial thing was that Wang Dagui resolved to behave more honestly.

Li Cui finally saw the menu and felt her heart bleed. Such expensive food, and adding in the tobacco and liquor would push it to fifteen or sixteen hundred per table. The more she calculated, the more painful it became, and she forgot the warning her husband had given her before leaving. "Qiqi, now that you have some money, you don't know how to be frugal! Ordering such expensive food is a real waste, especially when so many neighbors will be eating—it’s just too much for them."

"I don't think so. If it weren't for the neighbors' help during these difficult times, I might not have managed at all," Wang Qiqi replied, offering no further explanation. "Besides, I'll be living here alone from now on, and I'll surely need them to keep an eye on things. Everyone outside knows I have money now." Wang Qiqi wasn't sure how people's hearts truly lay, but she knew that possessing that much money would inevitably breed envy, especially with her uncle, that time bomb, existing nearby, making Wang Qiqi deeply uneasy. Who knew what desperate measures he might resort to for the sake of money?

Hearing Wang Qiqi say this, Li Cui subtly glanced at Wang Dagui. The two of them had discussed it at home yesterday; they knew that tricking money out of Wang Qiqi wouldn't be easy. However, they could move in with her—for instance, renting out their current place to generate rental income while saving on living expenses. They could eat well, drink well, and foster good relations, perhaps even getting Qiqi to pay for new clothes. Then, when Wang Qiqi left for university next year, they could simply occupy the house permanently. Over time, the property would naturally become theirs.

Wang Dagui looked at Li Cui, then at his elder sister. He knew that neither Li Cui nor he was in a position to suggest moving in with Qiqi; if he brought it up, the girl would become even more guarded.

Wang Damei looked at her disappointing younger brother. Although she wasn't entirely pleased that Da Gui had kept the compensation amount secret from her, he hadn't ended up with the money, and his reputation was far worse than hers. She also worried that if she didn't put in a good word for her brother and his wife, giving them some bargaining chips—even though their scheme had failed—the problem was that she had been tempted and had agreed to cooperate with them initially.

Wang Damei cleared her throat. "Qiqi, you’re planning to live alone. Shouldn't you reconsider? After all, you are still a child." Regardless, the estrangement between Wang Qiqi and the main Wang family branch was obvious. If Qiqi lived alone, people would surely gossip. Moreover, her husband needed significant capital to start his factory, and if Qiqi was willing to contribute some funds, that would be ideal. "How about this, Qiqi, why don't you come stay at Aunt’s house? Your cousins have all moved out anyway."

Wang Qiqi understood the insincerity in Wang Damei’s proposal immediately. It was mere courtesy. If she truly moved in with her aunt, her good days would end in less than three days. Her aunt was far too obsessed with cleanliness, requiring everyone to rise early, making life only slightly easier than in the army, and demanding the house be maintained like a seven-star hotel—completely unsuitable for someone like her. "Thank you, Aunt, but this is where my parents lived. I don't want them to feel lonely."

"Why not have your uncle move in to look after you?" Wang Damei actually didn't want Wang Qiqi staying at her place either. She was accustomed to only two people in the house, making cleaning much simpler. If Qiqi were added, it would mean considerably more chores. This was also a way to put in a good word for her younger brother.

Have my uncle move in to look after me? How much money would she lose in the process? "Uncle moving in? How would we handle the expenses?" Wang Qiqi asked with feigned concern. "That would be best; Uncle is much better suited. That would save me quite a bit of outlay. How about I eat dinner at Uncle’s place every day, and then I return here to sleep?" Wang Qiqi said with apparent delight.

Eat at my house, and then return to sleep here? Li Cui spat silently a few times. Damn it, eating my food at my house—how could she save money then? Li Cui was naturally unwilling; this was moving in the complete opposite direction of what she had planned.

Wang Dagui felt like weeping. Having Qiqi eat at their house, and with her being such a picky eater at that. "Well, Qiqi, you know how much your aunt and I earn in a month, that, that..."

"I'll cover the living expenses. How much should I contribute?" Wang Qiqi already knew they weren't that benevolent.

Li Cui looked at Wang Dagui, realizing her elder sister wouldn't step in to mediate at this moment. "Contribute living expenses? Qiqi, I think your uncle, your aunt, and Xiao Rui should move over here, and we will take care of you..."

"I cover all the expenses, right?" Wang Qiqi looked at them with amusement. "Is that what you call taking care of someone?"

Wang Damei shook her head. This couple really was pushing things too far; they expected Wang Qiqi to foot the bill? "Li Cui, you can't speak like that. If you move over, what will you do with your empty house?"

What would they do? Rent it out for the income, Wang Qiqi thought with a cold sneer.

"Well, I was worried Qiqi would be scared living alone," Li Cui said. "Actually, Qiqi could stay at my place too, it’s just that we don’t have a separate room for her."

Stay at your place? Sharing a room with Xiao Rui, and sharing clothes with Xiao Rui? "No need. I’m staying here precisely because I don't want my parents to feel lonely. And to be blunt, I wasn't afraid when my parents were still here. Once everything is over, I certainly won't be afraid."

Hmph. She wasn't even afraid when the coffin was in the house, staying alone to guard it. How could she be scared after they were cremated? "Besides, my parents would never harm me; they will bless me. And I can clean my parents' room every day, making it seem like they are still home."

Wang Qiqi's meaning was clear: the rooms in her house were already occupied; there was no space for their family of three.

Li Cui pouted. An empty house was just an empty house, right? "Well, the house would just sit empty anyway. If your aunt comes over, she can help with the cleaning."

"No need. I’ve already hired someone to help with the cleaning. Besides, I’m going to university next year, Aunt. Please let me gain some life experience," Wang Qiqi stated a fact. "And it saves Auntie and Uncle the awkwardness of having to move next year when I leave for college. As for this house, I plan to rent it out then, which will perfectly cover my tuition fees."

"Rent it out? Didn’t you say you wanted to keep it as a memento?" Li Cui pressed.

"Yes, I’ll keep it for a year. Then I can buy a small place of my own," Wang Qiqi mused. Although the house was nice, it was also a place filled with sorrow. Buying a small new place would be easier to keep tidy.

Li Cui realized Wang Qiqi had no intention of letting her move in. "Qiqi, didn't you say earlier you had something to discuss with us?"

Wang Qiqi nodded. "Yes." Wang Qiqi then recounted the troublesome details for the day of the funeral.

Li Cui thought to herself that she had finally waited for her opportunity to step in.