Wang Qiqi settled back down to sleep after Wang Rui left. When she finally woke up, it was nearly five o'clock. She switched off the air conditioner first, then picked up a history book, intending to get through this required reading for the holiday.

It wasn't until half-past five that Wang Qiqi finally packed her things, changed her clothes, and headed over carrying the gifts she’d prepared: a large watermelon, some grapes, and a small muskmelon. She knew that arriving right at closing time meant neighbors would surely stop her to ask questions.

Along the way, Wang Qiqi paused countless times, explaining to passersby that her uncle’s family was hosting a dinner. “My aunt said I didn't need to bring anything, but I felt too awkward to show up empty-handed, so I just picked up some fruit,” she’d say.

Those who used to be close to the Wang brothers knew exactly how much the Wang Daguai family expected visitors to bring for a meal. Looking at what Wang Qiqi carried—a big, loaded handful of fruit—they realized the cost couldn’t be more than fifty yuan. Yet, she deliberately repeated her Aunt Li Cui’s words loudly. They knew Li Cui’s true character; if Wang Qiqi had shown up with so little, Li Cui would surely be cursing her internally.

They weren't fools; Wang Qiqi’s actions over the past while revealed her true intentions. She was intentionally following Li Cui’s words to the letter, knowing that Li Cui’s offer to come empty-handed was mere polite formality. If taken seriously, however, the small amount of fruit Wang Qiqi brought was actually quite generous.

Wang Qiqi’s hands were so full she couldn't even knock. She lightly tapped the door with her foot. Li Cui happened to be right at the entrance. Hearing the soft contact, she casually opened the door, then froze in surprise.

Li Cui had assumed that even though she’d said they could come without gifts, her eldest brother’s family would never arrive empty-handed—that was just basic etiquette her sister-in-law would have drilled into the girl. What shocked her was that the girl hadn't come empty-handed; she had brought things in both hands. But the problem was, they were a watermelon and a muskmelon—what value could that possibly hold? A flash of anger ignited in Li Cui’s chest. She had been hoping that Wang Qiqi alone bringing something would effectively cover half the cost of tonight’s meal; she hadn't expected this...

Wang Qiqi watched Li Cui’s expression flicker with unhappiness. If you’re unhappy, then I’m certainly happy, she thought. Seeing Li Cui consumed by anger, she forgot to invite her in. Wang Qiqi finally spoke up, “Auntie, may I come in? These things are quite heavy.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially, “Are you perhaps unhappy? Oh dear, I knew I shouldn’t have listened to my mother. She said that when people use polite words, you must bring something, or the host gets angry. That advice is clearly flawed. You’re family, Auntie; we shouldn't be so formal. What’s wrong with coming empty-handed? You look upset.”

Li Cui, already furious, heard Wang Qiqi’s deliberately inverted logic. Even knowing the girl was trying to needle her, what could she do? Argue with a child? No one would side with her.

Resignedly, Li Cui stepped aside. “Xiao Rui, Qiqi is here. Don’t just keep playing with Xiao Qing.”

Song Yao and Song Ziwen had arrived only a short while before. They had expected Wang Qiqi to be there already, surprised she was only just arriving from nearby. They had certainly heard their second aunt (Li Cui) make thinly veiled remarks about Qiqi not being there to help. However, they silently cheered Qiqi’s newfound assertiveness. Although their relationship with Wang Qiqi hadn't always been great, the situation had changed. First, Wang Qiqi now had money; wouldn't flattering her make their own lives easier? Second, they never got along with the Second Uncle’s wife, especially since she constantly gossiped about their own mother. Seeing Second Auntie humiliated was precisely what they enjoyed.

While they missed the direct confrontation between Wang Qiqi and Li Cui at the door, they could tell from the tone of the exchange that Second Auntie was inwardly wounded. Song Yao exchanged a look with her younger brother and decided to back Wang Qiqi up.

“Oh, Qiqi, you’ve arrived perfectly! I’ll help wash the grapes. Little brother, you go cut the muskmelon. We’ve been sitting here for ages and haven't seen any fruit yet.” Song Yao’s main complaint about visiting Second Uncle’s house was always the lack of snacks, even during the New Year. On such a hot day, they weren't even running the AC, and now, not a single slice of watermelon while waiting for dinner? Even the water they offered had to be boiled first. This wasn't hosting a meal; it felt more like barging in on someone else’s dinner unannounced—it felt like an ordeal, not a gathering.

Wang Qiqi knew bringing fruit was the absolute right decision. She looked at Li Cui with a deliberate expression of helplessness. “Auntie, look…”

Li Cui had planned to serve the muskmelon after dinner, saving the grapes and watermelon for the next two days to stretch her provisions. She hadn't expected the troublesome Song Yao to set her sights on the fruit immediately. “Dinner is almost ready; we’ll have the fruit later.”

Song Yao rolled her eyes at Li Cui. “It’s this hot, and I’ve been parched since I walked in, but all you have is hot water. Besides, not all the guests are here yet. Good Auntie, please let us have some fruit first.” She offered a brief, pleading look toward Song Ziwen. “Little brother, why aren’t you cutting the muskmelon? It takes effort to slice it neatly without the rind. I’ll wash the grapes first. This is our pre-dinner fruit; we’ll eat the watermelon and muskmelon after the meal.”

After giving Wang Qiqi a look that said, I’ve got this, Song Yao responsibly grabbed a large basin and headed to the bathroom to wash the grapes. The reason she avoided the kitchen was simple: the small space was already occupied by two men, and there was no room for her near the sink.

Li Cui watched the fruit she had intended to save for later slip away, feeling intensely irritated but utterly powerless. Since she hadn't brought the fruit out herself, what could she possibly say? Song Yao’s implication was clear: the hostess was failing in her duties.

Wang Qiqi placed the last watermelon in a corner by the wall and quietly sat down next to Wang Damei.

Wang Damei was constantly dabbing sweat with a towel. Being stout and stuck in the stuffy room, sweat poured off her, soaking the towel, which now carried a sour odor that Wang Qiqi could smell sitting beside her.

Wang Damei knew the smell was unpleasant, but what choice did she have? They wouldn't even turn on the AC in this heat. She remembered fiercely nagging her younger brother to buy an air conditioner—what a wasteful woman she was! She had created such a fuss that the Dajun couple left, and Qiqi started treating her family coldly. Wang Damei understood things were going poorly, but unlike Qiqi’s parents, she wasn't the type to prioritize kinship. If she had shown a little humility, things might have turned around. Instead, she insisted on maintaining a superior, elder demeanor. Fine, if that’s how she wanted to play it, Wang Damei wouldn't interfere. But she shouldn't cause trouble in front of Wang Qiqi. Yet, she persisted, now demanding that Wang Qiqi contribute money for her daughter’s tuition. Honestly, Wang Damei was weary of the situation, but what choice did she have? Li Cui spent hours crying at home about being broke, and she couldn't just stand by and watch her niece stop studying.

Just as Wang Damei was about to get up to wash the towel, Wang Qiqi swiftly took it from her hands. “Aunt, I’ll wash it.” Washing a towel wasn't exactly flattering, but to Wang Damei, it showed Qiqi was a considerate child.

True to form, when Wang Qiqi returned with the clean towel, Wang Damei looked much warmer than when she first arrived. “Thank you, Qiqi. I heard your door lock was replaced. Were you not careful?”

Wang Qiqi was fully prepared for Li Cui to have told Wang Damei about the lock situation. She offered a slightly embarrassed smile. “I went out to buy some things and found my keys were gone when I got home. If Aunt Gong hadn’t been there that day…”

Wang Damei had heard Li Cui muttering about the keys for a long time after she arrived. She knew Li Cui wanted her to press for a spare key to keep at her place, but Wang Damei had no desire to be the bad guy. “Be more careful in the future. I remember your parents used to keep…”

Wang Qiqi knew exactly what Wang Damei was about to suggest, so she cut in first. “Aunt, I will be careful. Even though I’m just a child, I don’t like leaving keys at other people’s houses, even relatives’.” Wang Qiqi fixed her gaze on Wang Damei and whispered, “Especially relatives who have greedy designs on our property. Though, honestly, my family doesn’t have many valuables. My parents’ jewelry, savings books, and property deeds are all secured in a bank vault. Other than the petty cash we use for daily expenses, we really don’t have much money left.” The money she used daily came from rent; she never touched the principal savings. The message was clear: she did not trust Li Cui, and even if Li Cui came over, she wouldn’t find anything valuable.

Wang Damei saw Wang Qiqi’s unabashed gaze and actions, and sighed. What could she say? After a long pause, she sighed again. “They are relatives, after all. Help where you can.”

Wang Qiqi gave a cold laugh. “They are relatives, yes, but has she treated me like a relative? Oh, she sees me as family, alright—but only as a bank. When she needs money, she cries poverty, yet she’s already planning to buy a new house.” Wang Qiqi had bet that Wang Damei didn't know about this, and she had just exposed Li Cui’s secret.

Although Wang Qiqi spoke softly, Wang Damei heard every word clearly. She looked at Wang Qiqi in astonishment, and Song Wenbo stopped reading his newspaper. Both turned to stare at her.

Wang Qiqi nodded to them, then detailed which house Li Cui intended to buy, including the address, apartment number, square footage, and the price they had negotiated. “Aunt, I just don’t understand. How can someone who constantly claims to be broke suddenly decide to buy a house? Even if they needed a loan, they’d need the capacity to repay it. Are they expecting my family to become their unpaid sponsor? Even if we were willing to be suckers, we certainly wouldn’t fund the entire purchase. So, Uncle and his family do have money, so stop worrying that they have nothing to spend.” (To be continued.)