Wang Qiqi treated the Wang Dagui family as complete strangers; if she encountered them on the street, she would merely offer a greeting and briefly inquire about Wang Rui's Zhongkao (high school entrance exam) performance.

Wang Qiqi pretended to have forgotten Wang Rui’s outburst that day, admitting to herself that this inquiry was deliberate.

Wang Rui’s mood plummeted to rock bottom after comparing answers with her classmates. She didn’t know how she would have endured these past days if she hadn't persuaded her family that Qiqi would cover the tuition fees for her to study elsewhere. Seeing Wang Qiqi’s seemingly concerned expression now, Wang Rui certainly didn't believe she had good intentions. If she weren't relying on getting money from Qiqi in the future, Wang Rui would have already been impolite to her.

Even so, Wang Rui offered Wang Qiqi no pleasantries. She let out a cold snort, "I wasn't as good in my grades as you were back then, are you satisfied now? Happy to see my scores are worse than yours, aren't you?"

Wang Qiqi secretly chuckled at Wang Rui’s agitated state but feigned deep hurt on her face, looking like someone deeply wronged. Clutching her chest, she sighed, "Xiao Rui, how could you think of me that way? Wasn't I just concerned about you? Never mind. Regardless of how you scored, the results aren't out yet. But you did say before that you didn't want to study hard and that vocational school would suffice."

Li Cui watched Wang Qiqi’s hurt expression. She heard how her words, while ostensibly excusing Wang Rui, were actually mocking Xiao Rui for poor grades, implying she’d only qualify for vocational school. Although her daughter was guaranteed a spot in vocational school, getting into a regular high school was preferable. What future was there in vocational school? "Don't worry, my Xiao Rui will definitely get into high school, and she'll get into the same one you attend," she huffed. Hmph, Wang Qiqi, your grades are good, but my Xiao Rui’s aren't bad either.

Wang Qiqi understood that Li Cui must have resolved to pay out of her own pocket, but her money wasn't so easily obtained. "That’s wonderful. But is Xiao Rui that confident? I heard from her last time that her mock exam scores weren't ideal." Wang Qiqi paused, then added, "But it’s fine. The school has quotas for students studying elsewhere, though it costs extra money. But compared to Xiao Rui's future prospects, Auntie will find the absolute value of these funds spent worthwhile. Parents save money for their children; why else save?"

Hearing Wang Qiqi, Li Cui felt there was a hidden meaning. How could she know about their recent discussion? Indeed, Wang Dagui had inquired, and the required Jiedu fee (fee for studying outside the district) was around ten thousand. Li Cui was reluctant to part with this sum, yet now this girl was saying things that pointed directly to the money issue.

Wang Rui glared at Wang Qiqi, fury rising within her. What did she mean by those words? Was she mocking their poverty? "Don't worry. If I truly don't get into your school, my family will figure out a way to cover the Jiedu fee; we won't use your family's cursed money." Hmph, she thinks we have no money! Hmph, even if we don't have as much as you right now, so what? You're just spending a thousand less than you have. In a few years, will your family still have this much money? My parents are actively earning! Besides, if I marry a wealthy husband, you’ll be the one begging me for help, and you won't get it.

This was exactly the result Wang Qiqi wanted, perfectly achieving her goal. Although Wang Rui’s heart was vicious, she was still a child easily provoked into a reaction. However, since Wang Rui was a child, her words could be conveniently denied. "It seems Auntie truly is a good mother. I was worried earlier that if Xiao Rui needed the Jiedu fee, it might be an issue, and I even thought about helping cover a bit. But I didn't expect Auntie had already made preparations. That’s a relief. Well, I’ll be heading to university next year too, so tuition and other expenses need consideration; I must learn to be frugal."

Li Cui felt like spitting blood listening to Wang Qiqi talking about saving while simultaneously implying that the money was already sorted. "Don't worry, Xiao Rui is my daughter; I save money for her sake. But..." Li Cui thought, If you’re going to make me uncomfortable, I won't let you off easily either. "Qiqi, I’ve wanted to say this for a while. You should use the money you have sparingly; why hire a housekeeper? I could actually come over and help with the cleaning." Hmph, hiring a housekeeper is the biggest waste!

Wang Qiqi knew that after her previous jabs at Li Cui, Li Cui couldn't not bring up the housekeeper. She covered her mouth and smiled, "I know hiring a housekeeper is a bit wasteful, but I have no choice. I’m in the second year of high school and taking classes; I don't have enough time or energy to spend on housework. Besides, Auntie, you also have to work, look after Uncle and Xiao Rui, and manage the chores—you really are busy. If I can manage it myself, I shouldn’t trouble relatives. Sometimes, if relatives constantly demand things from each other, even the deepest affection will fade, don't you agree, Auntie?" Hmph, if relatives aren't worth caring for, I certainly won't prioritize them.

Listening to her niece’s loaded words, Li Cui realized that if she pushed the issue further, or insisted on helping with cleaning, cooking, or errands, she wouldn't gain favor; instead, she'd likely be satirized again. It all came down to Wang Dagui, that pig-headed fool. If he hadn't tried to pocket such a small saving, giving the wily girl leverage, they wouldn't be so passive now. At this rate, her family might even be living in Wang Qiqi’s house, depending on her for food and expenses. If things went smoothly, she might even manage Qiqi's assets—children were so easy to manipulate—but Wang Dagui had ruined everything.

The surrounding neighbors had been watching the three of them clash like fire and earth, eager for drama. Hearing their sharp words, everyone thought a good show was unfolding. However, most sympathized with Wang Qiqi. While relatives should help each other, they had witnessed how Wang Dagui and his wife treated the orphaned child of his elder brother, who had always helped them. If Wang Qiqi hadn't stopped acting so weak, she might have been swallowed whole by the Wang Dagui family, bones and all.

Li Cui hadn't stopped bad-mouthing Wang Qiqi outside, accusing her of being heartless, but everyone could see how events had unfolded. If they were in her shoes, they wouldn't associate much with such greedy relatives. Don't listen to the mother and daughter talking about how they'd handle the Jiedu fee themselves; if Wang Qiqi hadn't provoked them, who knew what drama they would have caused, crying poverty at Wang Dajun's door to extort money from his visibly wealthy niece.

Though everyone loved gossip, they felt some obligation to help Wang Dajun and his wife. "Li Cui, Qiqi is such a good child. She’d rather spend her own money than burden you with housework. But perhaps this is for the best, avoiding petty gossip. Everyone knows what your Dagui did before. When relatives associate, it’s better to keep a certain distance."

"Li Cui is lucky to have married Wang Dagui. Although her husband isn't very successful, she has a capable elder brother-in-law, and they raised a daughter whose tuition was all paid by Wang Dajun and his wife. Although this Jiedu fee is a bit steep, the high school Qiqi attends is good, so the extra expense is understandable. Just consider it as having paid several years of tuition upfront."

"Consider it paying nine years of tuition upfront? It should have been the parents' responsibility in the first place, but Wang Dajun and his wife were kind enough to cover it. However, some people simply don't know gratitude; they think what others give is simply owed to them."

"It’s fine. Wang Dajun’s family covers the major expenses for Li Cui’s household; they certainly have money. Didn't they try to buy a house last time, only backing out because the price negotiations failed?" someone who knew a bit of insider information revealed this juicy detail.

"What? Buying a house? Isn't their house worth over a hundred thousand?" someone exclaimed. "Li Cui has been crying poverty and saying she has no money—turns out she has all this cash hidden away!"

"Now that's the height of feigned poverty," another sighed.

Li Cui hadn't expected such a secretly guarded matter to be exposed. She grabbed Wang Rui and tried to flee. Now that everyone knew they had money, she was glad she had boasted about covering the Jiedu fee herself; otherwise, people would mock her behind her back.

Wang Rui was stunned that her family was trying to buy a house. She looked at Li Cui in disbelief—this was the mother who constantly claimed they were broke? So they actually had this much money, even more than her uncle and aunt’s entire savings? However, Wang Rui quickly reconciled the situation: any major purchase their family made was financed by her uncle; their own money, outside of small incidentals and what her mother sent to her maternal relatives, was all saved up.

Wang Qiqi was genuinely surprised, seemingly hearing this for the first time. "Auntie, you actually have money to buy a house? That's wonderful news! It seems my parents can finally stop worrying. My father often worried about Uncle’s family struggling financially. It turns out your savings are more than both of theirs combined. I guess my parents can relax now; Xiao Rui will have money for high school and university. Auntie truly manages the household well; my parents are a bit wasteful."

Li Cui wanted nothing more than to vomit blood. "No, I just... I just wanted to borrow some money for the house."

"Borrowing still requires repayment, doesn't it? How can one have the audacity to borrow if they lack the ability to repay?" As she said this, Wang Qiqi suddenly seemed to remember something. She covered her mouth, "Auntie, you weren't planning on borrowing the house purchase funds from my family, were you? If that’s the case, my parents would be too embarrassed to ask your family, though my family honestly doesn't have that much spare cash with all our expenses. Still, we could probably lend a few tens of thousands."

Everyone listening to Wang Qiqi laughed. "No wonder they were talking about buying a house; turns out that was their strategy."

Li Cui was beyond wanting to vomit blood; she wanted to grab a knife and stab someone. This girl had utterly ruined the image she had painstakingly built. But she didn't dare. She could only shamefully drag Wang Rui toward home, determined to make Wang Qiqi suffer a major embarrassment and taste the bitterness of this day.

Wang Qiqi watched the mother and daughter fleeing in disarray, letting out a few cold laughs before strolling toward home herself. Today was truly a good day; she had ensured everyone knew Li Cui's family was wealthy, making it impossible for her to beg for money now.