Shi Man carried a bag of food downstairs, asking Han Tao about a problem she saw before sleeping the previous night. Wang Qiqi walked behind them, listening to her Walkman while reciting vocabulary words. Although English was their strong suit, it still required a steady effort to remain secure in it. "Qiqi, Qiqi." Shi Man looked down when she reached the staircase landing and spotted a face she considered handsome, yet one that made her want to gag.

Wang Qiqi pulled her back and took off her headphones. "What's up?" She couldn't have forgotten something, could she? She had clearly reminded her before leaving the house; honestly, she was such a scatterbrain.

"A certain lovesick boy is waiting for you downstairs again, though there’s a pretty girl keeping him company." Shi Man truly couldn't understand it; she was a junior in middle school facing the high school entrance exams, yet she had time to chat and flirt. Shouldn't she be focusing on reviewing her studies for school? While their school might not rank as high as Han Tao's, it was still considered a key high school. Her foundation wasn't strong to begin with; if she didn't work harder, 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 lie-ins just for a handsome boy. "Maybe they are just discussing a problem. Why are you so surprised?" Wang Qiqi put her earbuds back in and continued memorizing English words. She’d rather spend that time reviewing more books than caring about irrelevant people.

Shi Man looked at the earnest Wang Qiqi engrossed in her studies, then down at the two people chatting animatedly. She smiled smugly. Did that guy think this setup would make Qiqi jealous? It might just attract some useless romantic entanglements instead. Still, he could probably handle it; wasn't that a necessary quality for a rich kid to possess?

Wang Rui was annoyed, watching the person who was ostensibly talking to her but whose mind was clearly elsewhere. Hmph. She thought coming over early would allow her to use the time talking to him to close the distance between them, but today had resulted in absolutely no progress. Gao Kai kept staring fixedly at the staircase, barely registering her questions, answering only with vague affirmatives and no sincerity at all.

Wang Rui had considered throwing a little girl's tantrum, hoping Gao Kai would sweet-talk her a bit, but she only dared to think it. She had witnessed his sudden shift to a cold, unrecognizable demeanor before. She worried that if she truly provoked him, he would never look at her kindly again. Although she could use Qiqi to get closer to him, the problem was that ever since her uncle and aunt passed away, Wang Rui always felt Wang Qiqi's gaze on her was strangely discerning, carrying an undercurrent of probing and deep thought. This made Wang Rui deeply uneasy.

In the past, Wang Rui always felt Wang Qiqi was easy to handle, that dealing with her would be effortless. But now, she felt Qiqi wasn't as gullible as before. A thought surfaced in her mind: had Qiqi always been pretending to be weak when she was actually strong? Otherwise, why was she so assertive? Even things her own parents thought they could secure, Qiqi had carefully safeguarded them all. Her family had only managed to handle one matter, and Qiqi had caught them red-handed, leading to rumors outside that her family was behaving dishonorably, even bullying an orphan girl. Wang Rui knew her father had acted wrongly, but if Wang Qiqi could have kept the issue quiet, their family's reputation wouldn't be in such a mess.

"Xiao Rui, your outfit today fits you quite well." After saying goodbye to Han Tao, Wang Qiqi walked over to Wang Rui. Hmm, this dress made Wang Rui look even sweeter. The girl had good taste in clothing, but only in that regard. Her ability to judge people was about the same as hers.

Shi Man chimed in after a glance. "It is quite nice. Isn't that the XX brand? It makes one look very ladylike. Qiqi, this brand just launched in the city this year; it’s perfect for girls our age. Maybe we can check it out another day." She had noticed the smug smile Wang Qiqi had given the silly girl after noticing Qiqi complimenting Wang Rui’s clothes—it was just a few designer items, not like Qiqi couldn't afford them.

XX brand? Wang Qiqi’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing the name. In her past life, Wang Rui started favoring this brand around this time, saying it felt wonderful to wear. At first, her aunt would buy some for her too, but over time, her own clothes became lower quality, while Wang Rui often flaunted hers or deliberately gave her clothes she had worn for a season. But could Wang Rui afford such nice clothes now? Although the clothing prices now were cheap compared to the future, would Li Cui be willing to buy such expensive clothes for Wang Rui? Maybe one outfit per season, but definitely not several sets for rotation.

"Sure, let’s go look when we have time. I haven't seen it yet. If something suits me, I might buy a couple of pieces." Wang Qiqi readily agreed, knowing Wang Rui would definitely be tempted to come along and ask.

Just as Wang Qiqi predicted, Wang Rui also requested to join them. "Sister Qiqi, I know where the counter is; I can take you!" It would be a good opportunity for her to buy a couple of outfits herself. She had spotted two dresses she liked the other day, but her mother had said they were too expensive—over six hundred for two skirts, but they looked fantastic on her.

"That works. Buy whatever suits you, but Xiao Rui, remember to bring money. I won't be covering you," Wang Qiqi stated frankly. "You know my parents are gone; I have to think about my future too. The less I spend, the better." Shi Man had initially thought Wang Qiqi was being overly generous, but she smiled after hearing the latter part.

Wang Rui had been quite happy moments before. Hmph, she planned to bring this up in front of Gao Kai. Since Wang Qiqi immediately agreed, she would play the part of the caring sister in front of him, showing deep sisterly affection. But she hadn't expected Wang Qiqi’s next words: "I pay for myself? But I don't have that much money." Wang Rui said pitifully, glancing at Gao Kai, hoping he would chip in a little.

Wang Qiqi ignored Wang Rui’s subtle movements and walked ahead with her things. "If you don't have money, then just look. Trying on clothes costs money too." Go ahead and act like the perfect sibling in front of that guy, judging me for not fulfilling my responsibilities as an elder 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 my parents' funeral? Did you spend it all?"

Wang Qiqi thought to herself: She wants to imply I'm not taking care of her, right? Fine, I’ll bring up the money—a considerable sum too. How long has it been that she’s blown it all? Isn't that being wasteful?

As soon as Wang Qiqi spoke, Gao Kai looked at Wang Rui in surprise. He hadn't realized the girl was such a spendthrift, blowing ten thousand yuan in just a few days. Who could afford to support her? No wonder Qiqi was growing impatient with her; he wouldn't have a better attitude either.

Wang Rui was already resentful about that sum of money. She was unhappy to begin with, but that brat Qiqi dared to bring it up in front of Gao Kai, implying she spent too much. Given the strange look Gao Kai just shot her, she had to save face somehow. She sniffled. "Ten thousand was given to me, but my mother took it all, saying she would keep it safe for me, and only bought me a few outfits." Although her mother implied with every word that she had enough clothes now, who ever felt they had too many?

Keeping it safe for you? Wang Qiqi knew perfectly well that Li Cui's definition of "keeping it safe" meant never bringing it out again. Right. Since her own family wouldn't be providing anything, they wouldn't offer more support or cover Wang Rui’s expenses either. Li Cui must realize this and probably felt heartbroken, maybe calculating figures over the savings passbook day and night. Still, if she bought that house, she might realize in ten years how worthwhile the purchase was; the rent alone would cover a month’s expenses. Too bad she probably hadn't done that. "Keeping it safe? Then tell Auntie you want to buy clothes."

"But Mom said I have enough summer clothes," Wang Rui said pitifully, occasionally glancing at Gao Kai, hoping he’d say a word or two on her behalf. "Sister, you also know my..."

"Auntie is also doing what’s best for you, not wanting you to waste energy on things irrelevant to your studies. I haven't bought clothes either, and even if I did look, I probably wouldn't buy them. I need to save the compensation money from my parents for living expenses until I graduate from university and start working. I’ll save what I can." Wang Qiqi thought to herself: You think you can cry and claim hardship? Can’t I? My parents are gone, and things can't be the same as before.

"Then you still have a private tutor," Wang Rui blurted out. She hadn't known her aunt had hired a math tutor specifically for Wang Qiqi, yet hadn't bothered getting one for her. "Auntie is so biased! She said she treats me like her own daughter, hmph. Look, she only got you a tutor, not me. Auntie is so unfair!" Wang Rui grew increasingly convinced of her aunt's favoritism. If she had gotten a tutor back then, would she be struggling this much now? Feeling wronged, her voice grew louder. If it weren't for considering Gao Kai’s presence, Zhang Qian truly felt she would have used profanities.

Biased? Wang Qiqi was almost crying with laughter. "Yes, my mother is biased. She didn't hire a tutor for you. But tell me, Wang Rui, who is my mother to you? Are your parents still around? Who paid your tuition fees from childhood until now? Who bought your clothes, and who covered the costs for every spring outing, autumn trip, and snacks? 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 demand this and that, go ask your own mother! My family never owed your family anything. When my parents supported your family, whatever your family lacked and saw at our house, your mother would ask for it constantly. My father even paid off the gambling debts your father owed. When my parents passed away and your parents heard how little money they left, they still called my parents wasteful—saying why did they go traveling overseas last year if they knew they were going to die soon? Worse, your father even skimmed money from the cost of the ice coffin for my parents, then told people that I refused your parents' help because I was guarding against your family! You tell me, considering your parents' nature, would I dare let them help?" After saying this, Wang Qiqi angrily pulled Shi Man away, unwilling to stay and witness the other girl’s expression.