Wang Qiqi stepped back two paces, startled by what Wang Rui had just said. Of course, she wasn't afraid of the mere words; what shocked her was that this girl still hadn't grown up. "Wang Rui, you're in junior high now, aren't you? Not elementary school anymore. Can you please stop always threatening me with 'I'll tell my uncle' or 'I'll tell my aunt,' or 'I'll tell my father... Do you realize that makes you sound like a child who refuses to mature?"

Wang Qiqi thought, Little thing, I’ve tolerated you long enough. Do you really think I’ll be scared just because you mention calling up your so-called backups? You’ve got it all wrong. I won’t fear your elders. We don't rely on them for support, so we don't need to be afraid of them. "And if you didn't show up that day, fine. Didn't your parents tell you that the red envelopes were only to be given after everything was settled?"

Hmph, if she doesn't come, she doesn't come. The three of us can handle this easily, and we won't give you the red envelope then—it will be completely justified. The only question is whether Wang Rui and her parents will be willing to part with that much money, especially since Li Cui was already planning to use the ten thousand to pay off gambling debts. Even if Wang Rui was unwilling to attend, Wang Qiqi could guarantee that Li Cui would force her to show up.

Wang Rui was utterly stunned by what Wang Qiqi had started saying. What? Someone who seemed even more dependent on her parents than she was dared to lecture her? Wang Rui knew that despite always calling on her elders and parents, deep down she was independent. But Wang Qiqi, whenever she was at a disadvantage, never mentioned calling her parents or elders, yet she was always seen clinging to her aunt when they went out, clustering around her in unfamiliar places. For that person to lecture her now—how could Wang Rui not be angry? But before she could flare up, she heard the next words from Wang Qiqi.

She turned and stared at Wang Qiqi for a long, long time. "You win." After saying this, Wang Rui slammed the door and walked out. She truly feared that if she didn't leave, she might lash out and kick the eyesore in front of her.

"Hmph, why didn't that car hit their whole family of three that day? Then I wouldn't have to look at that person's infuriating face." Wang Rui angrily slung her backpack over her shoulder, heading for class. Naturally, she was furious that someone she considered an idiot in her mind had just lectured her, and even dared to threaten her. Wang Rui couldn't swallow this insult. Of course, she knew she absolutely had to show up tomorrow; if she didn't, the old man at home would surely kill her, not to mention the money already earmarked for spending.

Thinking of this, Wang Rui suddenly remembered something. Wasn't the reason she went to Wang Qiqi's house today to ask for help paying off debts? How did the conversation devolve into this? When had she become like this? Or perhaps her family had been deceived by Wang Qiqi all along, masking her true colors? Wang Rui suddenly felt the injustice of her family's predicament acutely.

"You're Wang Rui?" Wang Rui was kicking small pebbles along the road, walking toward the school in simmering resentment. But just as she was feeling intensely unhappy, she heard someone call her name. Judging by the tone and sound of the voice, Wang Rui was certain she didn't know this man, or boy.

"I am." Wang Rui turned around and looked around. After searching for a moment, she finally located a boy waving at her. Looking at him, Wang Rui thought he seemed quite familiar, but she couldn't for the life of her remember when she had met him.

The other person seemed to realize Wang Rui didn't recognize him and walked over to her automatically. "Hello, you're Wang Qiqi's younger sister, Wang Rui, right?" To be honest, he had been loitering around here for the past few days, but he hadn't seen the person he was looking for. Just as he was about to give up, he spotted Qiqi's sister. Frankly, he didn't understand much about the girl, only knowing she was a bit spoiled. But just now, he noticed her walking forward with a pout, and the sight made him think that perhaps the girl wasn't so bad after all, so he couldn't resist calling out. "I am Wang Qiqi's..."

Before the other person could finish introducing himself, Wang Rui remembered who this man was. To be honest, under normal circumstances, Wang Rui wouldn't spare a second glance for such a man. But having just been severely provoked by Wang Qiqi, she was desperate to find a way to pay Qiqi back. She had racked her brain for a countermove but came up empty until she saw him. Now, Wang Rui instantly devised a plan to deal with Wang Qiqi using him.

Wang Qiqi—no, Wang Rui—put on a sweet smile for him. "You're looking for my sister, aren't you? Recently..." Wang Rui knew the man must be there for her 'dear' elder sister. Although their outward interactions seemed perfectly normal, Wang Rui wasn't a fool; several boys had pursued her at school. While this man wasn't exactly her type, she’d heard his family's circumstances were decent. Such a prize, Wang Rui thought, she should snag him and give her cousin a massive shock.

The other nodded. Everyone knew about the sudden passing of Wang Qiqi's parents these days, and he was worried. He had been eager to comfort Qiqi, but she had been taking leave from school recently, making him unable to find her. He could only wait here. But he quickly realized that with such a huge event at home, Qiqi wouldn't have time for a stroll. Still, he habitually came by every day, as if doing so brought him closer to Qiqi and allowed him to offer support. Seeing Wang Rui today, he knew his trip wasn't in vain; he gained something after all. "Uh, is Qiqi alright?"

Although Wang Rui was cursing Wang Qiqi venomously in her mind, she answered honestly with a touch of feigned helplessness and sorrow. "What do you think? Can my sister be alright? My uncle and aunt treated her so well. Now that they've suddenly left, my sister has completely collapsed."

The young man was stunned upon hearing this. He immediately turned, intending to rush to Qiqi's house to comfort her, to tell her that even though her uncle and aunt were gone, he was here, and he would stay by her side.

Wang Rui hadn't expected that a single sentence from her would make the person want to turn around and go to Wang Qiqi. How could she allow that? If he went over now, how would the grieving Wang Qiqi react to him? Moreover, given Qiqi's recent transformation, Wang Rui felt this man would become even more infatuated with her. "Hey, aren't you being a bit too hasty? My sister is down, and my parents took leave to handle my uncle's funeral arrangements and look after her. Don't worry, my sister is doing a bit better now, she just doesn't want to see anyone. She keeps kneeling at the memorial altar; nothing we say can persuade her to stop."

If nearby residents heard Wang Rui’s words, they would likely despise her. Wang Dagui and his wife had indeed taken leave from work, but they hadn't lifted a finger to help Qiqi. Their only 'enthusiastic' activity was scheming how to swindle money from the orphan girl. But the young man knew none of this.

Hearing Wang Rui’s words filled him with emotion. "I understand, I understand. Qiqi always said her uncle and aunt were very good to her." Whether she expressed hatred or not was irrelevant now. Besides, he didn't believe such a young girl would have any reason to lie to him. Furthermore, with his elder brother deceased, it was perfectly normal for the younger brother to help look after his brother and sister-in-law's affairs. "Then... it’s probably not good for me to see Qiqi right now. Um, um, little Rui, could you perhaps help me look after your sister?"

Wang Rui looked at him, his expression earnest, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward a certain prominent area. She secretly cursed her foolish sister for falling for such a specimen. What decent young man stared at a girl's chest like that? If it were anyone else, they would probably feel embarrassed and try to avert their gaze. But who was Wang Rui? Since puberty, she had enjoyed the attention men paid to her feminine

For more novels, visit storyread.net.