Wang Qiqi left, holding onto Shi Man’s arm, but the bomb she dropped before leaving was still echoing loudly. Perhaps some people didn't know who Wang Qiqi’s cousin was, but those who usually hung out with Gao Kai and his circle certainly knew Wang Rui.

At first, they all assumed Wang Rui often came looking for Gao Kai, occasionally mentioning things about Wang Qiqi, thinking that Wang Qiqi was just posturing, playing hard to get with Gao Kai. They never imagined it was actually this: Wang Rui was the one who liked Gao Kai, yet she insisted on using Wang Qiqi’s name. What was that all about? Even though Wang Rui had presented herself well in front of everyone previously, appearing as a rather cute girl, nobody expected her to be this kind of person.

Of course, some people also felt that Wang Qiqi revealing Wang Rui’s crush on Gao Kai in front of so many people was somewhat unethical, and they criticized her behind closed doors for being so malicious. However, once they heard the tidbits deliberately leaked about Wang Rui’s character—words that came from Wang Qiqi’s mouth—they all quickly shut up.

The reason someone would deliberately spread this information was primarily understood by Gao Kai’s female fans: it turned out Wang Qiqi was not the competitor they thought she was. She had effortlessly stepped out of that circle; otherwise, how could she have shown no reaction to Gao Kai kneeling and pleading with her? Moreover, compared to Wang Qiqi, Wang Rui was actually a more appealing candidate. After all, this time, Wang Rui had somehow managed to persuade Gao Kai to agree to go to XM with her.

Gao Kai watched as Wang Qiqi waved dismissively and walked away from the crowd. He roared loudly, "Didn't you promise to go to XM with me?" Gao Kai had already resolved that, whether Wang Qiqi was willing or not, he would find an opportunity to conquer her once they were in XM. And that woman, Wang Rui, had also said Wang Qiqi would be going to XM.

Did I agree to go to XM with you? Wang Qiqi thought the man was truly an idiot. "Did I say that out loud?" Although she really didn't want to bother with this brainless fellow, for the sake of her reputation, she couldn't let the onlookers spread baseless gossip. More importantly, she had no idea when this unwanted romantic entanglement had even begun. "And when did I ever tell you we were going to XM? Did I ever say I wanted to travel?"

Gao Kai froze. Could it be she genuinely didn't know? But hadn’t Wang Rui confirmed Wang Qiqi agreed?

Wang Qiqi paused for a moment, then realization dawned. "Ah, I remember now. A few days ago, Xiao Rui mentioned to me that you all were going to travel to MX, and she asked if I wanted to come. But I don't have the money to travel, so I just said, 'Only if you treat me.' She never said she was treating me to an outing, so naturally, I didn't go. Besides, it’s so hot; staying home is much better." Wang Qiqi knew she couldn't entirely deny knowing about their trip; that would be too easy to expose and would reflect poorly on her.

Gao Kai hadn't expected Wang Qiqi’s refusal to go to XM to stem from such a reason. However, the fact that she wasn't going because she lacked money drove him crazy. If she didn't have money, how many people actually did? Putting other things aside, her parents’ compensation money alone was several hundred thousand, right?

"You’re not thinking of using my parents’ compensation money, are you?" Wang Qiqi knew Gao Kai wasn't a good person, but she hadn't expected him to stoop to that idea. "But that money is for me to use for my studies, not for gallivanting around. I'm sorry. More importantly, I don't want to go out with you. I’d rather spend that time reviewing my lessons than going out. Besides, I have so much homework, I don't know when I'll finish. Alright, I won't chat with you any longer; I’m leaving now."

This time, Wang Qiqi truly left, not caring if Gao Kai was fuming enough to spit blood behind her.

Gao Kai watched Wang Qiqi walk away, his anger toward her rising sharply. He had been utterly humiliated today all because of her. But Wang Rui wasn't innocent either. Wang Qiqi had never agreed to go to XM, so how had she confirmed it for him? If he hadn't assumed Wang Qiqi wouldn't agree to hang out without her, why would he have even considered bringing Wang Rui along? Hmph, Gao Kai mused, if your cousin isn't going, then you, the burden, have no reason to exist. Besides, if Wang Rui went along, she certainly wouldn't be treating him to meals or anything.

Gao Kai made up his mind not to take Wang Rui. After all, the reserved train tickets could be refunded, and the hotel rooms were fine—at worst, they could each take a room. However, he wouldn't inform Wang Rui right away. He knew she must be ecstatic right now, and wouldn't it be more amusing to tell her tonight that he wasn't taking her out? Gao Kai stood up, a smirk on his face, a sight that startled quite a few people nearby. "Gao Kai, are you alright?"

"Yeah, you didn't get too agitated by that girl, Wang Qiqi, did you?"

Gao Kai dusted off his clothes. "It's fine; this just adds a bit of challenge, doesn't it? If everything is too compliant, there’s no fun in it. Let's go; we need to buy food and drinks for the journey tomorrow."

The others looked at Gao Kai, finding it very strange. They remembered how excited he was when he first learned Wang Qiqi was coming, saying the trip would be incredibly meaningful. Although he didn't spell it out, they weren't fools; they understood the implication in his words. Why was the female lead suddenly not coming, yet he seemed even more excited?

"Let’s go. Don't worry; I won't back down so easily. But our trip tomorrow will be short two people," Gao Kai finished, leading the way out.

Those left behind quickly understood the two missing people were Wang Qiqi and her cousin, Wang Rui. Although two beauties were missing, they felt no regret. Wang Qiqi was Gao Kai’s business; they could only look. As for Wang Rui, although she was single, she wouldn't look twice at guys like them anyway. They'd rather spend their time thinking about whether they might see girls in swimsuits on the beach—that was more practical.

Wang Rui, excitedly packing back home, had no idea that Gao Kai’s sudden fit of madness would let her know prematurely that Wang Qiqi wasn't going to XM at all. She hummed a tune while cross-referencing her checklist, making sure everything was perfectly prepared.

Li Cui, returning from her walk, heard her daughter humming inside her room as she entered the house. She paused at the doorway, looking at her daughter excitedly packing clothes for a trip, finding it peculiar. It was just a few days visiting nearby scenic spots with junior high classmates; why the intense excitement? Just as she sensed something was off with her daughter, the house phone rang. Li Cui walked over to answer, immediately sensing something was amiss—why was there a boy's voice on the other end, and his tone was furious?

What shocked Li Cui most was the final thing the caller said: "Not going to XM anymore." Before she could press for details, the person abruptly hung up.

XM? Wasn't her daughter just going to play nearby? Why would they be going so far? What worried Li Cui most was that it was a boy calling. Didn't her daughter say she was going out with a few girls from her class?

A sudden thought struck Li Cui: Could her daughter be going out with that kid, Gao Kai? Could Qiqi be going too? But that didn't quite fit. Her daughter mentioned taking the train to XM tomorrow. How come Qiqi had already dragged several bags downstairs tonight, and now someone called to say they weren't going? What was going on? Li Cui was genuinely confused. "Xiao Rui, did someone just call saying they aren't going to XM?" Li Cui emphasized the word "XM" while carefully watching Wang Rui’s reaction. "And why did the caller say you were going to XM?"

Wang Rui immediately panicked. To be honest, the funds came from her old man sponsoring two thousand, her mother gave her one thousand, and she had a little saved up from her Great Aunt. She knew this money was enough for a short trip, but she hadn't expected her mother to find out. She thought for a moment, concluding only Wang Qiqi could have known about her trip. Could Wang Qiqi have betrayed her?

The more Wang Rui thought about it, the angrier she became. She threw her clothes aside, preparing to confront Wang Qiqi and demand to know what she was trying to pull, or if she just disliked her.

Seeing her daughter’s furious state, Li Cui asked, "Where are you going?"

Where am I going? "To settle accounts with Wang Qiqi. What is the meaning of this?" Wang Rui snapped, spitting the words out. "It must be her selling me out. If it weren't for her, how could this have happened..."

Hearing this, Li Cui finally understood; she wasn't a fool. She was shocked at how wild her daughter's intentions had become. Earlier, when her daughter planned to deal with Wang Qiqi, Li Cui had helped brainstorm ideas, mainly because Wang Qiqi had money, which they could potentially use as a subsidy. But she never imagined the result would be her daughter heading down such a dark path.

However, regardless of everything, Li Cui would not let her daughter go charging after Wang Qiqi like a madwoman. "Stop right there! While I was taking a walk in the neighborhood just now, I saw that girl Qiqi dragging several suitcases out. What use is it going to her now?"

Wang Rui was stunned. What? Wang Qiqi is leaving for a long trip? She looked at Li Cui in disbelief, stammering, "Mom, what do you mean? She’s going traveling?" Could it be that Wang Qiqi secretly reconnected with Gao Kai? Hahaha, so that’s why Gao Kai sent someone to kick me away. Right, how could Wang Qiqi let herself remain in her sight? I was the fool.

The more Wang Rui thought about it, the more convinced she became that her guess was correct. But she needed confirmation. She frantically grabbed the telephone and repeatedly left messages on Gao Kai's pager, asking if he was going to XM with Wang Qiqi.

She stayed glued to the phone until past nine o'clock, but Gao Kai never sent any response. Assuming her interpretation was correct and that Gao Kai was simply ignoring her, she retreated to her room in tears.

Li Cui was initially stunned into silence by her daughter's motionless despair. She dared not ask her about other matters, like the travel funds for the outing. If they were going to XM, the one thousand yuan her daughter had would certainly not be enough. Who paid for the extra money? Li Cui really wanted to know. Wang Qiqi certainly wouldn't give it; that left only one possibility: Wang Dagui. But she needed her daughter to admit it first. Before she could ask, her daughter had already gone back to her room crying. What could she do? Press the issue further? Forget it; she’d ask when her daughter calmed down.