Wang Qiqi finished washing the dishes and then cleaned a watermelon, slicing half of it to put in the freezer (in the summer, Shi Man loved eating frozen fruit; she thought it was incredibly satisfying). "How's the work going?" Having finished everything, Wang Qiqi walked over to the sofa and saw Shi Man intermittently picking up her notebook, studying it for a moment before returning to her practice problems, so she spoke up to ask.

Shi Man replied while looking at her notes, "This person is truly amazing. I've noticed that under the guidance of his thought process, many problems become quite easy. This notebook is excellent; I must dedicate my entire summer vacation to studying it thoroughly. That way, when the National College Entrance Examination comes next year, I won't have to worry about my math score."

The more Shi Man thought about it, the more she felt that if she studied according to the methodology in this notebook for the whole summer, she would definitely shock the class during the placement test after school resumed. "Ahhh, I have to tell my parents when I go back—I want to stay at your place; I want to study this notebook day and night." Shi Man knew that even if she asked to take the notebook home right now, Qiqi would agree.

"No way, you want to stay at my place?" Wang Qiqi stammered. Having this young lady stay over for a few days occasionally was fine, but if she stayed long-term, could she handle it? "Didn't you say your bed at home is very comfortable? Can my bed not compare?"

"I was just saying that," Shi Man carefully set down the secret manual, grabbed Wang Qiqi's arm, and ceaselessly pleaded, "I know Qiqi is a good person and will definitely take me in. Besides, if I followed you back every day, Gao Kai absolutely wouldn't dare harass you." Shi Man revealed the most crucial point.

Honestly, Wang Qiqi strongly agreed with this point Shi Man made. If Shi Man acted as a shield, that guy Gao Kai would only have to swallow his losses. He wouldn't dare to do anything in front of Shi Man, or else his family's business would be ruined. "Deal, it’s a bargain, but will your parents agree?" Even if they are busy with work, they wouldn't let their daughter live outside, would they?

"I'll go back tonight, but I think if they know my grades have significantly improved after studying with you, they will definitely agree to let me eat and live here." Shi Man was very confident about this. Her parents worried about her living outside because they feared she might fall in with the wrong crowd or neglect her studies. If they knew she was genuinely focused on learning, the chances of them not being moved are slim. "Don't worry, I won't disturb you and the expert's relationship development."

Wang Qiqi could only shake her head at the person whose mouth couldn't speak anything but nonsense. "I really should let those pursuers of yours see what the so-called 'Ice Queen' they talk about looks like now. There’s not a trace of aloofness. Don't worry, that expert is only focused on making money and getting into a good university." Wang Qiqi thought that if she could really win him over, she wouldn't have to worry about the rest of her life. Han Tao should be a very responsible man, although she wasn't sure if he would maintain this demeanor after entering society.

"He hasn't taken the university entrance exams yet?" Shi Man exclaimed, surprised. No way. "Is he in Grade 12?" But thinking about it didn't seem right. Would a Grade 12 student at this time have the energy to answer Qiqi's questions?

"He's in the same grade as us," Wang Qiqi answered with a sly smile. "Don't worry, I have a plan. If I build a good relationship with him, then neither of us math-idiots needs to worry."

"Mmm, but I can already predict that Gao Kai is going to be furious," Shi Man said, knowing that Gao Kai had left so easily today because he assumed Qiqi would eventually come back to him.

Although Shi Man hadn't received a definitive affirmative answer from Wang Qiqi, she knew she had agreed. After studying for a while, she suddenly burst out, "Has Gao Kai been getting close to your cousin lately?" Really, after Qiqi had said a few words earlier, she had completely forgotten to ask about this matter.

Wang Qiqi looked up at Shi Man with a puzzled expression. She remembered she hadn't mentioned the matter of Wang Rui and Gao Kai to her, had she?

"You didn't mention it, but I asked why Wang Rui might not go out with you, and then you immediately brought up Gao Kai. So I figure there must be something going on between them," Shi Man stated confidently. In truth, she had just remembered something. For instance, one of that guy's lackeys had mentioned a few times that Gao Kai often went to the residential compound where Qiqi lived to wait for her to come out. But from Qiqi’s tone, it seemed she had been cooped up upstairs the entire time. Perhaps Wang Rui ran into Gao Kai once or twice. Moreover, a guy like Gao Kai really liked socializing with girls, especially beautiful ones. Even though Wang Rui's personality wasn't the best, she was still quite a looker.

"They were chatting very happily this morning," Wang Qiqi said excitedly. "Maybe he thinks my ignoring him today is because I’m jealous. Maybe he’s feeling quite smug right now."

"Aren't you worried about your cousin?" Shi Man thought that while Qiqi used to be impatient with Wang Rui, she still cared for her to some extent. But this time, she could clearly hear the tone of someone watching a good show in Wang Qiqi's voice.

Worry about her? Wang Qiqi wouldn't worry about her. "What do I have to worry about? She's an adult; I’m not her parent. I’m just her older cousin. Besides, what can I say to persuade her? Maybe she thinks Gao Kai is the most suitable husband material. Why should I shatter someone’s beautiful dream?" Hmph, Wang Qiqi didn't believe that if she didn't associate closely with Gao Kai, given her family's means and inability to dress her up expensively, how long could Wang Rui last in that social circle? People in that circle immediately knew the brand and price of the clothes you wore just by looking. Wang Rui could only rely on her thick skin in that circle, but Wang Qiqi thought this would only spur her desire to find a rich husband.

Wang Qiqi's cold words made Shi Man look at her several times. "Do you know that the store under Gao Kai's name is only registered under his family’s name? His parents are actually just employees." If this were in the past, Shi Man might not have said it, but the situation was different now, and Qiqi wasn't infatuated with him anymore, so Shi Man decided to tell her. "I just heard my parents mention it. Apparently, the actual owner of that store came to check the accounts a few days ago." If the commotion hadn't been a bit bigger, and if her parents hadn't recognized one of the big boss's followers while eating, they wouldn't have known this was the case. "Qiqi, don't let this get out."

Wang Qiqi already knew about this, of course. However, this secret was only supposed to be revealed a few years later, after the Gao family's actions became increasingly excessive, and the big boss finally intervened. By then, even if Gao Kai was unwilling, he would have no choice but to settle down with Wang Rui.

In fact, after the Gao family ran into trouble in the previous life, they still had some foundation left. But because the family of three had gotten used to spending lavishly and prioritizing appearances, their existing funds weren't enough. Meanwhile, the storefront left by the maternal grandmother—though the Second Uncle’s family hadn't bought many properties—was generating enough rental income from the developing city to allow them to live comfortably, and this naturally became Gao Kai's source of income.

"Who would believe me if I said it? Everyone knows that store belongs to the Gao family. Besides, if it’s true love, one shouldn't bother with whether the other family is rich or not, right?" She just wondered what the Second Uncle and his wife would think when they found out the son-in-law they worked so hard to get was actually a fake rich man. There would be plenty of jokes to see then. "Whether the person is a millionaire or not has nothing to do with us."

The two continued with their studies. Shi Man focused mainly on math; things that required rote memorization for liberal arts were simple for her. Wang Qiqi, on the other hand, was working on geography and history exercises nearby. As for math, she had mostly caught up; although she wasn't entirely confident, she was at least at an average level. With the final exams only a short time away, she needed to speed up her review of subjects that required intense memorization.

Apart from occasionally getting up to refill water or use the restroom, the two were truly immersed in a sea of books until a knock sounded at the door.

Shi Man initially thought the knock was for someone else. "Who could it be this late?" Shi Man saw Wang Qiqi diligently trying to memorize the historical timelines and got up to go to the front door.

Shi Man certainly didn't dare open the door immediately. Peeking through the peephole, she saw a boy in his teens standing outside, carrying a large backpack. How could a boy be looking for Qiqi? Shi Man's curiosity immediately piqued.

Shi Man opened the door. "Excuse me, who are you looking for?" Of course, Shi Man assumed they might have knocked on the wrong door, so she asked first.

Han Tao was startled to see an unfamiliar girl opening the door. He glanced at the door across the hall, then back at this door. He hadn't gone to the wrong place. "Excuse me, is Wang Qiqi here?" Although Han Tao was sure he was at the right door, he still asked politely.

Looking for Wang Qiqi? Shi Man looked him up and down. "Who are you?" While he looked like a decent kid, the crucial point was that bad people didn't advertise their intentions on their faces. Since Shi Man didn't know him, she certainly wasn't going to let him in.

Han Tao found Shi Man's guarded expression quite amusing. "I live across the hall. My surname is Han, Han Tao," Han Tao said, pointing to the door behind him.

Shi Man looked at Han Tao with suspicion, then shouted toward the room, "Qiqi, someone named Han Tao is looking for you!"

Wang Qiqi had been concentrating hard on memorizing, and being interrupted by someone jolted her back from the history book. Ah, even though liberal arts just required memorization, history was too chaotic; so many events happened in one year. Minor details didn't need remembering, but there were still many major events, especially since Wang Qiqi often mixed up the years and the events. "I'm going to die. I truly regret choosing liberal arts. I should have gone for science; at least with science, you just have to do more problems." Memorizing was truly time-consuming.

"Qiqi, Han Tao is looking for you. Do you know him?" Shi Man raised her voice and shouted.

Han Tao? Wang Qiqi turned her head toward the door and saw Han Tao looking at her with an amused expression. "You're here? There are steamed buns and porridge in the kitchen; go help yourself." People who frequently came over for meals didn't need to wait on themselves; self-sufficiency was the key to abundance.

Shi Man moved aside to let Han Tao in, surprised that this person actually knew Wang Qiqi. Moreover, judging by their brief exchange and Han Tao's direct move toward the kitchen, it was clear he was very familiar with Wang Qiqi's home, or at least the kitchen—he knew where the utensils were kept.

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