Shi Man carried a bag of snacks downstairs, asking Han Tao about a problem she had seen before she went to sleep last night. Wang Qiqi walked behind them, listening to her Walkman while reciting vocabulary words. Although English was her strength, it wasn't completely secure; she needed to put in extra effort. "Qiqi, Qiqi." Shi Man looked down from the stairwell turn and spotted a face she considered handsome, yet one that made her sick.

Wang Qiqi pulled her back and removed her headphones. "What's up?" She hoped Shi Man hadn't forgotten something; she distinctly remembered reminding her before leaving. Ugh, what a scatterbrain.

"Some lovesick guy is waiting downstairs for you again, and he has a little beauty accompanying him this time." Shi Man truly couldn't understand it. As a ninth-grader facing the high school entrance exams, did he have time to flirt? Shouldn't he be studying harder at school? Although our school doesn't rank as highly as Han Tao's, it's still a key high school. Her foundation wasn't great before; if she didn't work harder, how could she get in?

"That must be Wang Rui. That girl has been getting up unusually early lately." Wang Qiqi hadn't expected someone to give up her beloved lie-in for the sake of a handsome boy. "Maybe they're discussing schoolwork. Why are you so surprised?" Wang Qiqi put her earbuds back in, continuing her English vocabulary review. She figured she had better spend time studying than worrying about irrelevant people.

Shi Man looked at Wang Qiqi, who was diligently memorizing, and then down at the pair chatting animatedly. She smirked smugly. Did that guy think this display would make Qiqi jealous? If anything, it might just attract some useless romantic entanglements. However, he could probably handle it; wasn't that a necessary quality for a child from a wealthy family to possess?

Wang Rui watched the person she was talking to, who seemed completely distracted and kept staring blankly toward the staircase landing, feeling thoroughly annoyed. Hmph, she thought coming over early would help her build rapport by talking to him, but today proved utterly fruitless. Gao Kai was glued to the stairs, not truly listening to her questions, responding only with vague affirmatives—no sincerity at all.

Wang Rui considered throwing a feminine tantrum, hoping Gao Kai would placate her a little, but she only dared to think it. She had seen the way he could turn nasty in an instant. She worried that if she truly provoked him, he would never give her a pleasant look again. While she could use Qiqi to get closer to him, the problem was that ever since her uncle and aunt passed away, Wang Rui felt Qiqi’s gaze toward her had become strangely scrutinizing, laced with a thoughtful, probing quality. This unsettled Wang Rui greatly.

Before, Wang Rui always thought Wang Qiqi was easy to manage; dealing with her would be a piece of cake. But now she felt Qiqi wasn't as gullible as before. A thought struck her: had Qiqi always been pretending to be weak while actually being strong? Otherwise, why was she so formidable? Even the things her aunt and uncle thought they could take, Qiqi had managed to secure them all. Her own family had only managed one small matter, and Qiqi had caught them red-handed, leading to public gossip that her family was despicable for bullying an orphan girl. Wang Rui knew her father had acted wrongly, but if Wang Qiqi had kept quiet, their reputation wouldn't be so tarnished.

"Xiao Rui, your dress fits you really well today." After bidding farewell to Han Tao, Wang Qiqi walked over to Wang Rui. Indeed, this dress made Wang Rui look even sweeter. The girl had good taste in clothing, though perhaps only in that area; her ability to judge people was about the same as hers.

Shi Man chimed in, "It is quite nice. Isn't that the XX brand? It makes you look very ladylike. Qiqi, this brand just entered the city this year; it’s perfect for girls our age. Maybe we should go check it out sometime." She had noticed the smug smile Qiqi received after praising Wang Rui's outfit. Really, it was just a few designer items; it wasn't like Qiqi couldn't afford them.

XX brand? Hearing the name, Wang Qiqi’s heart skipped a beat. In her previous life, Wang Rui had loved wearing that brand around this time, claiming it felt wonderful to wear. At first, her aunt used to buy some for her too, but as time passed, her own clothes became cheaper and cheaper, while Wang Rui frequently showed off hers or deliberately passed down clothes she’d only worn for one season. But could Wang Rui afford such nice clothes now? Although current clothing was cheap compared to later times, would Li Cui really be willing to buy Wang Rui such expensive items? Maybe one outfit per season, but definitely not multiple sets for rotation.

"Sure, let's go look when we have time. I haven't checked them out. If something suits me, I might buy a couple of pieces." Wang Qiqi readily agreed, knowing Wang Rui would be tempted and suggest tagging along.

Just as Wang Qiqi predicted, Wang Rui asked to join them. "Sister Qiqi, I know where the counters are; I can take you." This way, she could buy a couple of outfits herself. She had spotted two lovely dresses she liked last time, but her mom said they were too expensive—over six hundred for two skirts—even though they looked amazing on her.

"That’s fine, buy whatever suits you, but Xiao Rui, remember to bring money," Wang Qiqi stated frankly. "You know my parents are gone; I have to think about the future too. The less I spend, the more I save." Shi Man had been wondering why Wang Qiqi was being so generous, but after hearing the rest, she smiled.

Wang Rui had been quite happy. Hmph, she wanted to bring this up in front of Gao Kai; wasn't it true that Wang Qiqi readily agreed? Yes, she needed to show sisterly affection in front of Gao Kai and 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 pitifully, glancing at Gao Kai, hoping he might offer some assistance.

Wang Qiqi ignored Wang Rui’s little maneuvers and walked ahead with her things. "No money, then just look. It costs money just to try clothes on." Go ahead and act like the perfect sibling in front of him; say I’m not caring for my sister and failing my responsibilities as an older sister. Wang Qiqi didn't care what Gao Kai or anyone else thought of her. "Qiqi, didn't my parents give you ten thousand yuan after the funeral? Did you spend it all?"

Wang Qiqi thought to herself: She wants to imply I don't take care of her, right? Fine, I’ll give her the money—a considerable sum at that. How long has it been? She spent it all? If that’s not wasteful, what is?

As soon as Wang Qiqi spoke, Gao Kai looked at Wang Rui with astonishment. He hadn't realized the girl spent money so recklessly. Ten thousand yuan spent in just a few days? Who could afford to support her? No wonder Qiqi was impatient with her; he wouldn't have a better attitude either.

Hearing Wang Qiqi’s words, Wang Rui was already resentful about that sum of money. She was already unhappy, but that brat Qiqi was airing her dirty laundry in front of Gao Kai, implying she spent too much. And Gao Kai’s strange look just now—regardless of everything, she had to save herself. She sniffled. "The ten thousand was for me, but my mom took it all, saying she'd keep it safe for me. She only bought me a few outfits." Although her mother implied that those clothes were enough for the summer, one never complained about having too many clothes.

Keeping it safe for you? Wang Qiqi knew exactly what Li Cui meant by "keeping it safe"—it wouldn't see the light of day again. It made sense; since her own family wasn't offering anything, they wouldn't support her expenses or Wang Rui’s either. Li Cui must have realized this and was probably heartbroken, perhaps counting the bankbook day and night. However, if she bought that house, maybe in ten years she’d realize what a good investment it was; the rent alone would cover her monthly expenses. Too bad she probably didn't do that. "Keeping it safe? Then tell Auntie you want to buy clothes."

"But Mom said I have enough summer clothes," Wang Rui whined pitifully, repeatedly glancing at Gao Kai, hoping he would interject. "Sister, you know my..."

"Auntie is doing what’s best for you, not wanting you to waste energy on things unrelated to your studies. I haven’t bought any clothes either; maybe I'll look, but even if the clothes were expensive, I wouldn't buy them. I need to save the compensation money my parents left for my living expenses until I graduate college and start working. I’ll save whatever I can." Wang Qiqi thought to herself, You think you’re miserable? Don't I know what suffering is? "At least your parents are here, and you get money monthly. My home... well... Xiao Rui, my parents are gone, so things can't be the same as before."

"But you still have a tutor," Wang Rui blurted out. She hadn't known that Great Aunt had hired a math tutor for Wang Qiqi but hadn't done the same for her. "Great Aunt is so biased! She said she treats me like a daughter, but look! She only hired a tutor for you, not for me. Great Aunt is so unfair!" Wang Rui became increasingly convinced of her great aunt's bias. If she had a tutor back then, would she be struggling so much now? Feeling terribly wronged, her voice rose. If it weren't for Gao Kai standing right there, Zhang Qian would swear she’d use profanity.

Biased? Wang Qiqi was nearly crying with laughter. "Yes, my mom is biased. She didn't hire a tutor for you. But tell me, Wang Rui, what is my mother to you? Are your parents still alive? Who has paid your tuition, bought your clothes, and covered your snacks and expenses for every school trip since you were small? Don't tell me your parents did; check your own conscience. Is there anything I have that you don't? My mother is only your Great Aunt, not your actual mother. If you want this and that, ask your own mother. My family has never owed your family anything. When my parents supported you, and your family lacked something they saw us have, your mother would demand it left and right. My father even paid off your father's gambling debts. And then, after my parents died, when your parents saw how little money they left, they accused my parents of being wasteful—saying they shouldn't have traveled abroad last year if they knew they were going to die! And your father even skimmed money off the cost of the ice coffin for my parents! He even told people that I deliberately refused your parents' help because I was guarding against your family! Tell me, given your parents' character, would I dare let them help?" With that final burst, Wang Qiqi angrily pulled Shi Man away, unwilling to stay and look at the other girl's expression.