Wang Dagui, however, didn't think so deeply; while he had his own little scheme, he knew his niece couldn't handle everything alone that day. "Qiqi, don't worry, we'll have Xiaorui take care of this."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Wang Dagui to be so cooperative. "Then thank you, Uncle. And Auntie, may I ask if my cousins can help too?"

Wang Damei knew that relying only on Qiqi and Xiaorui wouldn't be enough that day. But asking her own children to get involved in this business felt rather unlucky to her. She paused, genuinely wanting to refuse, yet she also knew that if she refused now and things went south that day, likely many people would call her petty.

After much deliberation, Wang Damei conceded, "Fine, I'll talk to your cousin and the others."

Wang Qiqi noticed her uncle’s expression wasn't great. "Uncle, I know this request is a bit much, but I truly have no choice."

Song Wenbo’s face was indeed grim, but he understood that since his wife had already agreed, disagreeing now would be a direct snub to his in-laws in front of her family. "Mm, I’ll make sure your cousin and the others arrive early that day."

Wang Qiqi knew they were still harboring some resentment. "Auntie, Uncle, I promise to give my cousins three very generous red envelopes that day." That should finally seal their lips.

Generous red envelopes? Li Cui pondered the meaning of "generous." "We're family, let's forget it." If she truly had the heart, she’d rather take Xiaorui to the mall to buy a few new outfits. "Xiaorui is a grown girl now, Qiqi, why don't you just buy Xiaorui a couple of outfits in your parents' name?"

What Li Cui implied was that since Qiqi was spending her parents' money, she wouldn't dare be stingy when buying clothes for her cousin. The clothes her sister-in-law used to buy for Xiaorui were never cheap, and perhaps this was the last chance; why not seize it?

Auntie certainly knew how to pivot, thought Qiqi. "Auntie, do you really think buying clothes is better? I was actually planning on giving each cousin and Xiaorui ten thousand yuan each. If it’s clothes, I have no objection either." Wang Qiqi knew that buying clothes wouldn't cost her ten thousand, but she simply didn't want to shop with Li Cui. Giving cash was better, and with cash given, would Auntie truly let Wang spend it lavishly? Given her personality, she’d want her daughter dressed beautifully, but if it meant spending her own money, Li Cui would hold back. In that case, would Wang still look stunning enough to attract men? Wouldn't she revert to her usual self? The more Wang Qiqi thought about it, the better the idea seemed. Initially, she’d thought of giving five thousand or eight thousand to each, but now she felt one thousand was better.

Li Cui heard that—what? Ten thousand? That number stunned her into silence. Her husband and she combined only earned about thirty thousand a year. After expenses, saving half that was considered good. Now, her daughter could earn this much for one day’s work—how could Li Cui not be tempted? The idea of Qiqi buying clothes for her daughter was immediately tossed aside. No matter how nice or expensive the clothes were, how long would they last? Cash was better. "Qiqi must rush to catch up on her studies since she missed school these few days, so let’s take the money instead."

Wang Damei and Song Wenbo also looked pleasantly surprised, though they understood this was also implicitly the final gesture of respect from Wang Dajun’s couple as elders toward the younger generation. "It’s a bit much. Although you received compensation money, that’s not how you should spend it. Let’s make this one smaller, and when your cousins get married, you can give a heavier gift."

Wang Damei’s original intention was for this ten thousand to be split among the younger ones, perhaps a thousand each this time, and then Qiqi could give her another ten thousand when her son or daughter married, with that gift intended for Wang Damei herself to use for their weddings.

Wang Qiqi smiled. "Auntie, this matter is secondary. If my parents hadn't left me this much money, I genuinely would have given less, maybe just a thousand or eight hundred. But everyone knows how much compensation my parents received. If I give so little now, won't my cousins resent it?" If she gave as little as Wang Damei suggested, wouldn't the young ones be unhappy? It was better to give more money and be seen as generous. Compared to holding the money and having them constantly covet it, it was better to simply be the good person. For Qiqi, having those few sums in hand meant she had nothing to worry about.

"They dare not," Wang Damei declared, confident in her authority. "What does your cousin need so much money for right now? They're still children. If you wait until they marry, they’ll remember it better."

Song Wenbo nodded in agreement with his wife; their two children were spoiled by the couple and spent whatever money they acquired.

"It's fine, Auntie. When my cousins marry, I’ll give them this much too, considering it as the last gift from my parents. Afterward, for future baby celebrations, I’ll only give gifts appropriate for one’s peers." By the time they marry and have children, she didn't know if she would even be back in this city, and she didn't need to rely on their goodwill.

Wang Damei was inwardly delighted upon hearing this. Though Qiqi hadn't explicitly stated the amount, Wang Damei knew it would be at least ten thousand. "Why give them so much, Qiqi? That’s the last of the money your parents left you. Your uncle said your parents only left you fifty thousand plus this house?" Wang Damei probed. "Didn't your maternal grandfather leave your parents two houses?"

In fact, Wang Damei found it odd that her younger brother, Wang Dajun’s couple, had left Wang Qiqi so little. Although the Wang family had no substantial assets and Dajun’s couple were generous spenders, the sister-in-law had come from a wealthy background. Even after everything they went through, the foundation should have remained; besides jewelry, two houses should have been left. It seemed impossible that only one house remained.

Wang Dagui and his wife perked up their ears upon hearing their elder sister speak, waiting for Wang Qiqi’s reply.

Wang Qiqi smiled faintly. "There was no other way. Although two houses were left, they didn't sell for much. We helped pay off Uncle's gambling debts, and last time, both Auntie’s and Uncle’s places were renovated, which my parents also contributed to. You all saw the everyday expenses of my family. How could we not dip into our savings?" Hmph, they were happy spending lavishly before, and now they want to push their luck and probe my family’s foundation? "My parents were people who cared about appearances. When the houses were sold, my mother cried privately, but what choice was there? Uncle’s gambling debts had to be cleared."

Wang Damei was speechless. She hadn't been ignorant of her brother's debts, but since Dajun’s couple covered them, she conveniently ignored the issue. Now, things were different. With Dajun and his wife gone, even if Qiqi seemed generous now, her inherent distance from the Wang family was clear, which puzzled Wang Damei. Previously, because Qiqi’s mother was an only child, Qiqi had treated her father’s relatives very well. But with the deaths of Dajun’s couple, it was astonishing how Qiqi had changed. Still, it must be related to the younger couple—they probably thought Qiqi was still a child, and now they realized she was difficult to handle, but it was too late.

"Daguai, you must stop gambling from now on. The money Qiqi has is the foundation for her future schooling, marriage, and career," Wang Damei cautioned Wang Dagui. "Xiaocui, you need to keep a tight rein on Dagui about gambling. Otherwise, if no one is there to cover the debts, your nephew and niece will be marrying soon, and I'll have more expenses. And Xiaorui will be starting high school soon, then university—the costs will climb."

Song Wenbo, uncharacteristically, spoke up. "Mm, Dagui, Dajun is gone now. Who do you think is going to settle your debts?" Song Wenbo worried that Daguai's messes might fall to them to clean up. Before, with Wang Dajun around, they only offered mild complaints. But now that Dajun was gone, if Li Cui started her usual hysterics—crying, making a scene, threatening suicide—would he really ignore it? Song Wenbo knew Li Cui was capable of anything; otherwise, would Wang Dajun’s couple have been so willing to pay off the debts? Often, it was just to prevent Li Cui from causing trouble.

It was rare for Auntie to actually advise Uncle against gambling. Previously, she only offered a slight word, perhaps out of concern that they might have to cover the debts.

Li Cui was already in a foul mood, and hearing her sister-in-law say that, she retorted, "How can I manage him? Big Brother passed away, and he still gambles out, losing over ten thousand!"

Li Cui’s words startled Wang Damei and Song Wenbo. "What? Lost over ten thousand?"

"Are you serious? Do you have any sense?" Wang Damei exclaimed angrily. Thankfully, Wang Qiqi was offering Wang Rui ten thousand yuan, or else they might have had to pay out of their own pockets.

Wang Qiqi looked at the aggrieved Li Cui. "Didn't people say Uncle lost four or five thousand outside? It seems Uncle reported a false figure again." It appeared that the money Uncle lost previously might indeed have been inflated.

Li Cui naturally knew Wang Dagui had lost a little over four thousand, under five thousand. But she habitually exaggerated the amount so that if her in-laws gave slightly less, the debt could still be cleared. She hadn't expected to be caught out by Wang Qiqi this time. "Is that so, Dagui? How much did you actually lose? Didn't you tell me it was over ten thousand?"

Wang Dagui knew he had to swallow the lie. "I lost four or five thousand around here, and maybe another five or six thousand somewhere else—it adds up to over ten thousand." Sigh, I’m so used to overreporting; I really hit bedrock this time.

"Since you lost it this time, you pay it yourself. Every other time, Dajun and the others paid it for you, leaving you no pressure at all." Wang Damei glanced at the time; it was getting late. "If you must gamble, gamble, but don't expect handouts for the debts. Qiqi, remember not to give your uncle any money in the future."

Wang Qiqi readily agreed. Are you kidding? With that money, I’d rather treat myself to food and drink, or even donate it to Project Hope. At least some of that money would reach children.

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