Shi Man carried a bag of food downstairs, asking Han Tao about a problem she had seen before going to bed the previous night. Wang Qiqi walked behind them, listening to her Walkman while memorizing vocabulary. Although English was supposed to be their strong suit, it wasn't a guarantee; they still needed to put some effort into it. “Qiqi, Qiqi.” As Shi Man looked down from a turn on the staircase, she spotted a face that she considered handsome, yet it made her nauseous.

Wang Qiqi pulled her back and took off her headphones. “What’s up?” She hoped Shi Man hadn't forgotten something; she distinctly remembered reminding her before leaving. Sigh, such a scatterbrained person.

“Some lovesick guy is waiting for you downstairs again, and he has a pretty little beauty keeping him company.” Shi Man truly couldn't understand it. As a ninth-grader facing the high school entrance exams soon, did they have the time for flirting? Shouldn't they be studying harder at school? While our school might not rank as highly as Han Tao’s, it’s still a key high school. Her foundation wasn't strong to begin with; if she didn't work hard now, how could she get in?

“That must be Wang Rui; she’s been waking up really early lately.” Wang Qiqi hadn't expected someone to give up her beloved sleep just for a handsome boy. “Maybe they’re discussing schoolwork. Why are you so surprised?” Wang Qiqi put her earplugs back in and continued reciting English words. She’d rather spend that time studying than caring about irrelevant people.

Shi Man looked at the earnest Wang Qiqi studying, then at the two chatting animatedly below. She smirked triumphantly. Did that person think this display would make Qiqi jealous? It might just attract some unwelcome romantic complications instead. Still, that person should be able to handle it; isn't that the expected virtue of a child from a wealthy family?

Wang Rui was annoyed, watching the person talking to her but clearly distracted. Hmph, she thought coming early would allow her to use the time talking to him to grow closer, but today showed absolutely no progress. Gao Kai kept staring fixedly at the stairwell, not listening to her questions at all, merely responding with absentminded ‘uh-huhs’ and ‘ah-ahs,’ showing zero sincerity.

Wang Rui had considered throwing a typical girl's tantrum, hoping Gao Kai would coddle her a bit, but she only dared to think about it. She had witnessed that person's sudden coldness when angered before. She worried that if she genuinely provoked him, he would never give her a pleasant look again. Although she could use Qiqi to get close to him, the problem was that ever since her uncle and aunt passed away, Wang Rui always felt Qiqi looked at her strangely, with an air of probing and careful consideration, which made Wang Rui quite uneasy.

Before, Wang Rui always thought Wang Qiqi was easy to handle; dealing with her would be a piece of cake. But now she felt Qiqi was no longer as easily fooled. A thought struck her: was Qiqi pretending to be weak all this time? Otherwise, how could she be so assertive? Even the things her parents thought they could secure, Qiqi had meticulously kept hold of. Her family had only managed one transaction, and Qiqi caught them red-handed, leading to rumors outside that their family was dishonorable, even bullying an orphan girl. Wang Rui knew her father was wrong, but if Wang Qiqi had kept things quiet, their family's reputation wouldn't be so tarnished.

“Xiao Rui, your outfit looks quite fitting today.” After saying goodbye to Han Tao, Wang Qiqi walked over to Wang Rui. Hmm, this dress made Wang Rui look even sweeter. This girl had good taste, at least in clothing, though perhaps not in judging people, which was similar to her own abilities.

Shi Man chimed in, “It is quite nice. Isn’t that the XX brand? It makes one look very ladylike when worn. Qiqi, this brand just entered the city this year; it suits girls our age perfectly. Maybe we should go check it out sometime.” She had noticed Qiqi complimenting Wang Rui’s outfit and the triumphant smirk that silly girl threw their way—it was just a few designer items, as if Qiqi couldn't afford them.

XX brand? Wang Qiqi’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing the name. It seemed like in her previous life, Wang Rui began favoring this brand around this time, saying it felt wonderful to wear. Initially, her aunt would buy some for her, but as time went on, the quality of her own clothes dropped, while Wang Rui often showed off or deliberately gave her clothes she had worn for a season. But could Wang Rui afford such nice clothes now? Although the clothing compared to later times was relatively inexpensive, would Li Cui really be willing to buy Wang Rui such costly attire? Perhaps one set per season, but certainly not N sets for rotation.

“Sure, let’s go check it out when we have time. I haven’t seen it before. If something suits me, I might buy a couple of sets.” Wang Qiqi readily agreed. Of course, she knew Wang Rui would be tempted and would ask to tag along.

Just as Wang Qiqi predicted, Wang Rui said she wanted to go too. “Sister Qiqi, I know where the counters are. I can take you.” This way, she could buy a couple of sets for herself too. She had spotted two dresses she liked the other day, but her mother said they were too expensive—over six hundred for two skirts—though they looked amazing on her.

“That’s fine, buy whatever suits you. But Xiao Rui, remember to bring money. I won't be footing the bill,” Wang Qiqi said bluntly. “You know my parents are gone too; I have to think about my future. The less I use, the more I save.” Shi Man had been wondering why Wang Qiqi was being so generous, but hearing the end of that sentence made her smile.

Wang Rui had been quite happy moments before. Hmph, she specifically wanted to bring this up in front of Gao Kai. Qiqi had immediately agreed, right? To show sisterly affection in front of Gao Kai, she needed to play the good person. But she hadn't expected Wang Qiqi’s next line: “I pay for myself? But I don’t have that much money.” Wang Rui said mournfully, glancing toward Gao Kai, hoping he might offer some help.

Wang Qiqi ignored Wang Rui’s little maneuver and walked ahead with her things. “No money, then just look. Trying on clothes costs money, too.” Go ahead and act virtuous in front of that person, criticize me for not caring for my sister or fulfilling my duties as an older sibling—Wang Qiqi didn't care about the judgment from Gao Kai or anyone else. “Qiqi, didn't you receive ten thousand yuan after my parents’ funeral arrangements last time? Have you spent it all?”

Wang Qiqi thought to herself: You want to imply I don't take care of you, right? Fine, I'll give you the money—a substantial amount at that. How long has it been? You blew it all? If that’s not wasteful, what is?

As soon as Wang Qiqi spoke, Gao Kai looked at Wang Rui with surprise. He hadn't realized the girl was such a spendthrift, blowing ten thousand in just a few days. Who could afford to support her? No wonder Qiqi was getting impatient with her; if it were him, his attitude wouldn't be much better.

Wang Rui, already resentful about that sum of money, felt even more upset when Qiqi brought it up in front of Gao Kai. The implication was that she spent too much. And given the strange look Gao Kai just gave her, she had to save herself no matter what. She sniffled. “The ten thousand was for me, but Mom took it all, saying she would keep it safe for me. She only bought me a few sets of clothes.” Although her mother implied with every word that she had enough clothes, who ever complained about having too many?

Keep it safe for you? Wang Qiqi knew perfectly well what Li Cui meant by ‘keeping it safe’ was never giving it back. Of course. Since her own side had nothing to give, she wouldn't offer further financial support or cover Wang Rui's expenses. Li Cui must realize this and would be heartbroken, perhaps counting the bankbook day and night. However, if she bought that house, maybe in ten years she’d realize how worthwhile the purchase was; the rent alone would cover a month's expenses. Unfortunately, she probably hadn't done that. “Keeping it safe? Then tell Auntie you want to buy clothes.”

“But Mom said I have plenty of summer clothes already,” Wang Rui said pitifully, occasionally glancing at Gao Kai, hoping he would interject. “Sister, you know my situation…”

“Auntie is also doing what’s best for you, not wanting you to waste energy on things unrelated to studying. I haven’t bought any clothes either. Even if the clothes were expensive, I wouldn't buy them. I need to save the compensation money my parents left me; I need to live on this until I graduate from university and start working. I’ll save whatever I can.” You think you’re the only one who has a hard life and can cry about it? Wang Qiqi thought. “At least you have your parents and a steady income every month. Mine... well, my parents are gone. Some things just can’t be the same as before, Xiao Rui.”

“But you have a tutor,” Wang Rui blurted out. She hadn't realized her aunt had hired a math tutor specifically for Wang Qiqi but not for her. “Auntie is so biased! She said she treats me like her own daughter, hmph. Look, she only got you a tutor and not me. Auntie is clearly showing favoritism!” The more Wang Rui thought about her aunt’s favoritism, the more wronged she felt. If her aunt had hired a tutor for her back then, would she have to struggle so hard now? The aggrieved girl’s voice grew louder. If not for Gao Kai being present, Zhang Qian really felt she would have started swearing.

Favoritism? Wang Qiqi almost cried from laughter. “Yes, my mother is biased. She didn't hire a tutor for you. But tell me, Wang Rui, what is my mother to you? Are your parents around? Whose money paid for your tuition from childhood? Whose money bought your clothes, and covered your field trip fees and snacks every time? Don't tell me it was your parents; check your conscience. Is there anything I have that you didn't? My mother is only your aunt, not your mother. If you want this and that, ask your own mother to provide it. Our family never owed yours anything. My parents supported you, and whatever your family lacked, your mother would demand the moment she saw it in our house. My father even paid off your father's gambling debts. And after my parents died, when your parents saw how little money they left, they even called my parents wasteful—saying why did they travel abroad last year if they knew they were going to die? And your father even skimmed money from the fund for my parents' ice coffin, then told people I refused to let your parents help, claiming I was guarding against your family! Tell me, given the nature of your parents, would I dare let them help?” After saying this, Wang Qiqi angrily pulled Shi Man away, unwilling to stay and look at that person's face.