Wang Rui, hearing they were going to her paternal uncle’s house, knew she would get money soon. Although the portion that would reach her hands was small, she planned to keep at least half once she received it; otherwise, she wouldn't give any to her mother. The Song siblings walked happily behind the main group toward their maternal uncle's house, each already deciding how they would spend their share of the money.

Song Yao suddenly grabbed her younger brother. “What if we team up with Wang Rui and don’t give the money to Mom and Dad?” Song Yao knew their parents intended to take the money back after Wang Qiqi handed it over, and then how would she spend it? Once money was in their parents' hands, getting it back wouldn't be easy.

Song Ziwen glanced at Wang Rui walking ahead. To be honest, though he hadn't interacted with Wang Rui much, he knew she was a spoiled brat, completely ruined by his second uncle and aunt. “What are you looking for her for?” Hmph. “We’ll just slip it into our pockets; do you think Mom and Dad will force us to hand it over?”

Song Yao hadn't expected her brother to devise such a scheme, but she thought it over and agreed. “Right, we grab the money and run.”

Song Ziwen looked at Song Yao. His sister truly lacked courage, yet she desperately wanted the money. “I hope you have the guts when the time comes.” His sister had many ideas, but her nerve was too slight.

Song Yao immediately caught the look of disdain in her brother’s tone. Although she was timid, it was surely better than her brother being too bold. “Are you planning to use this money to pay off gambling debts?” Her younger brother only acted well in front of their parents; in reality, he was just like that good-for-nothing second uncle—a spendthrift.

Song Ziwen grunted in response. Honestly, he had been spinning with anxiety lately. If he couldn't come up with the money to repay the debt soon, those people would storm their house demanding payment, and he didn't know how ugly his end would be, especially since their parents often held up the second uncle as a negative example when lecturing him. “Don't you lecture me, either. It seems big sister recently found a boyfriend whose family background isn't great. You’ve been covering all the expenses when you go out, haven't you?” Hmph. Don’t think you've caught any dirt on me. If Mom and Dad found out you were dating a man from a poor family, who knows how they’d go about breaking you two up.

Song Yao knew her parents wouldn't approve of her partner, but she couldn't help loving him. “His family might not have money, but I value his ambition. Did you know he’s about to run for class monitor?” Although it was a small leadership role, Song Yao believed that since he was only in his early twenties, with time, he would succeed. “Didn’t Dad also start as a simple factory worker?”

Song Ziwen didn't know how to persuade his sister when she said that. Back then, even though their father only had a middle school education, how many people had college degrees then? Plus, their father was willing to learn, gained skills, and was articulate, so he gradually moved up. But would such good opportunities exist now? Still, it was possible the man was just very smooth-tongued, otherwise how could he have charmed his sister so thoroughly? “Forget it. We are both in the same boat—a brother and sister in trouble. You don’t sell me out, and I won’t sell you out. But big sister, take my advice: marriage is like a second birth. Look at how happy our first maternal aunt is—living well, eating well, using the best things in life, and when she died, even Qiqi made the send-off so magnificent.”

That was living. In comparison, their own maternal uncle lived a rather stifled life. Song Ziwen truly couldn't understand why, since their family wasn't poor and their father was still in a position where people offered him bribes, they still ate so simply and lived everything so plainly. It baffled Song Ziwen. “Also, you don't know that Mom and Dad are obsessed with saving face. She often says she’s going to find you a good match, preferably someone like First Uncle—though without the hindrance of a brother like Second Uncle.”

Song Yao thought about how great First Auntie really was. “I think he’s quite good to me too. He buys me whatever I like, unlike Mom, who is so stingy, nagging me non-stop whenever I buy something new. You can at least hide your bonuses, but my salary is fixed. As for bonuses, Dad doesn't even need to inquire; someone immediately reports how much I earned that month. I can’t hide anything.” Song Yao sighed. Although she once thought working in the same unit as her father would grant her favor, now she saw that her brother had figured things out better. He worked on the railway, earning about the same as her, but his bonuses were significantly higher, and the best part was the family didn't know about it yet.

Song Ziwen secretly gloated as he watched his sister filled with regret. “Now you know, right? I told you back then not to work in Dad’s factory. You insisted you could get an easy job that way.” Song Ziwen felt the old saying was true: women are animals with long hair and short sight. “But since you’re in the factory, they’ll defer to you because of Dad. If you were working outside…”

Song Yao fell silent. It was true; her brother’s mind was quicker, and his words were more persuasive than hers. “But you need to gamble less. Look at Second Uncle; I heard he lost money again. Second Aunt just came to Mom crying about it.” Song Yao thought her guess about Li Cui’s intentions might not have been precisely accurate, but it wouldn't be far off.

“First Uncle is dead; would she really have the nerve to ask Qiqi to help pay off gambling debts?” Song Ziwen said mockingly, stepping closer to Wang Rui, who was walking affectionately alongside Wang Qiqi. “Did you see Little Rui? She often talks about how Qiqi is in front of us, but look at her attitude now—a classic opportunist who clings to anyone who has something to offer. But I doubt Mom went along with Second Uncle’s **—Qiqi isn't as easygoing as First Uncle; they won't be able to swindle her as easily.”

Wang Rui intimately hooked her arm around Wang Qiqi’s, putting on a show of sisterly affection, which made Wang Qiqi extremely uncomfortable. “Little Rui, it’s so hot; why don’t you hold on so tightly?” Wang Qiqi really wasn't used to them making such intimate gestures toward her. For her, the farther away Wang Dagui’s family stayed, the happier she was. Wang Rui thought: Of course, I know it’s hot. If it weren’t for that little bit of money, do you think I’d bother cozying up to you? Hmph, she really thinks she’s something. But at this moment, Wang Rui knew her happiness rested in Wang Qiqi’s hands. She deliberately pouted, wriggling her body coquettishly. “Qiqi, what’s wrong with you? You never minded before when I did this. It’s awful how kids these days are getting weirder, but that’s good too; at least Gao Kai won’t like such a strange woman.”

Hearing the girl’s saccharine voice sent a chill down Wang Qiqi’s spine. Me? You think you can lure me in like some cheap guy? Putting aside that they weren't even lesbians, even if they were, she’d look for someone of higher caliber, and primarily, someone with better character. In any case, Wang Rui was absolutely unqualified.

Wang Qiqi was unhappy, so her words weren't polite either. Hmph. Her father’s funeral was handled; for the rest, they could show up or not, she didn't care, even if they called her ungrateful. “Didn’t I state my opinion? You either didn’t listen or you told my parents I wouldn’t accommodate you.”

Wang Rui hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to be so dismissive. She knew Wang Qiqi was a bit tired of her, but the problem was that her paternal uncle’s family was backing her. “Fine, I won’t cling, then. Oh, Sis, you need to give me the money later.” Hmph, if you want to tear off the mask, so will I.

“No problem; that money will go to you eventually.” Wang Qiqi knew that it wasn't just Wang Rui thinking of using the money; the Song siblings probably had the same idea. She wondered if Song Yao had already met her ex-husband, and if Song Ziwen had started accumulating gambling debts outside. If so, congratulations—the Great Aunt’s household was going to be chaotic and full of drama soon, providing her with plenty of amusement. There was also a downside: perhaps Great Aunt’s family would try to target her. Too bad, too bad. They would realize that no matter how much they fussed, they would only become a laughingstock, revealing how they bullied an orphaned girl.

The Song siblings quickened their pace, eager to get back to their maternal uncle’s house to enjoy the air conditioning; the outside heat was terrible. Just as they were catching up to Wang Qiqi and the others, they overheard that exact sentence. Song Yao and Song Ziwen exchanged a look of surprise.

“Qiqi, you’re really going to give me the money?”

“Good Qiqi, you are the best little sister!”

Wang Qiqi looked at the Song siblings, who were both beside themselves with excitement. “I said the money would be given to you, didn’t I? You didn’t think I would refuse to give money to Great Aunt’s family, did you? Rest assured, I know what’s appropriate; one can’t manage things without funds in hand.” If she gave the money to the elders, how could she watch the show? Besides, how to get the money back was something for those black-hearted elders to worry about; that wasn’t her concern.

Song Ziwen felt Qiqi’s words struck a chord. “Qiqi is right. How can a man be without money? My mom is just too tight-fisted with it.” Hmph, I really don't know why she hoards so much money. She doesn’t spend it; is she planning to burn it for herself when she dies?

Song Ziwen got agitated and spoke a bit too loudly. Wang Damei, walking ahead, heard him, turned around, and glared fiercely at Song Ziwen. Song Ziwen flinched under Wang Damei’s stare.

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