Wang Qiqi noticed that ever since Shi Man mentioned Huang Li's family situation one day, Huang Li had been constantly snorting coldly at her whenever she passed by, which struck Wang Qiqi as very strange.

“What’s gotten into Huang Li lately?” Wang Qiqi ordered the dishes she wanted for the day, voicing the confusion in her heart.

“Who knows? But has she ever been normal?” Shi Man never paid any mind to Huang Li, seeing her as nothing more than a clown, one with an intensely jealous nature to boot.

Zhu Lina had caught a few whispers, but she knew neither Wang Qiqi nor Shi Man were the types to enjoy gossip. There was also the fact that entering October, everyone's drive to study hadn't waned; if anything, it was growing stronger. “It seems someone confirmed that Huang Li’s family circumstances aren't great.” In reality, most of the class already knew, and even those who used to be on decent terms with Huang Li had started keeping their distance.

So that was the story. Wang Qiqi understood. “So that’s what this is about. But we can’t really be blamed, can we? It’s not like no one else in the class has parents who were laid off.”

Shi Man expressed her incomprehension that Huang Li was taking out her frustration on Wang Qiqi for this reason. “So what if their parents were laid off? Those are facts. Does Huang Li think she can deny those things? Compare that to Han Tao; it’s truly a world apart.”

To be honest, Han Tao’s family situation was even more dire than Huang Li’s, yet he hadn’t shirked his responsibility to shoulder the family burden and work hard to earn money. Instead, Huang Li fabricated an illusion of her family being well-off—truly too vain. Wang Qiqi fell silent. In truth, Huang Li had her reasons for acting this way. “People naturally favor the wealthy and despise the poor. If Huang Li admitted her family situation was poor, how do you think her popularity in class would fare?”

Shi Man imagined a few classmates whose family backgrounds weren't great. While Qiqi’s statement was blunt, she wasn't wrong; those with poor backgrounds often wore clothes that were washed until they were almost white, or they wore their school uniforms both to and from school. Though many didn’t say anything aloud, their eyes betrayed their thoughts. “Even if that’s the reality, her attitude…”

“It is a bit excessive, right? But perhaps, from her perspective, we’re the ones who exposed something she desperately wanted to hide.” Wang Qiqi knew her words sounded like she was defending Huang Li. “Actually, I’m not trying to defend her. But, Xiao Man, do you think no one in class knew about her family situation? Even if they didn’t know everything, surely some slip-ups occurred. But look, has anyone mentioned it? Everyone just didn’t want to be the bad guy. Now that someone has lifted the lid, people naturally start digging for information. The information they gather already has its own distortions, and when they pass it along, they each add their own spin. Who knows how terribly they’ll describe Huang Li’s family condition now. It’s no wonder Huang Li is furious, and the first people she’ll blame are surely Shi Man and me.”

Shi Man had initially wondered why Qiqi was acting so strangely, defending Huang Li, which naturally made her feel a bit uneasy. But after listening to Qiqi’s analysis, she understood. “So I ended up being the bad guy this time.”

Wang Qiqi nodded at Shi Man. “This time, we became targets just like him.” Wang Qiqi sighed helplessly.

Shi Man could only let out a long sigh herself. “This time, we’re just unlucky. I never expected to offend that woman. Things are going to be difficult for us from now on.” Having a viper coiled up beside them—the thought alone made her miserable.

Zhu Lina’s lips moved; she wanted to say something, but decided against it, not wanting to discourage Shi Man further. “At worst, she’ll just badmouth you in private, maybe give you a dirty look or two.” Of course, Zhu Lina knew that given Huang Li’s temperament, the 'badmouthing' would be vicious. “Oh, right, did you two know Huang Li has a crush on Gao Kai?”

Huang Li likes Gao Kai? Shi Man nodded. “I know.”

Wang Qiqi nodded too. “But how do you know? That person never once let her feelings show.” Classmate Huang Li never displayed any sign of this affection; it was impossible for Zhu Lina to know.

“I noticed it several times.” Zhu Lina hadn’t expected Wang Qiqi to also know about Huang Li’s crush on Gao Kai. “Later, I thought it over carefully and realized Huang Li never speaks kindly to any girl who gets close to Gao Kai. Actually, if someone observed Huang Li closely, they would definitely notice these behaviors.”

Wang Qiqi finally understood; someone’s actions had betrayed her. “Speaking of which, Gao Kai pairing up with Huang Li is truly a high match.” If Huang Li found the opportunity, she would surely soar to the clouds, but Gao Kai’s mindset wasn't as strong. If things went smoothly for him, he’d do well, but the problem was he was genuinely just a kid; his mindset was incredibly fragile.

A high match? Shi Man and Zhu Lina wouldn't agree with Wang Qiqi’s assessment. Although they knew about the Gao family’s hospitality and that Gao Kai was somewhat fickle, he still possessed a certain capability; the foundation of the restaurant his family had managed for so many years was solid.

Wang Qiqi looked at their expressions of disagreement and didn’t argue further. In the end, as things developed, they would realize she was right.

Huang Li was unhappy, and Wang Qiqi and Shi Man found the situation irritating as well, constantly receiving cold glares. What frustrated Wang Qiqi the most were the frequent whispers she overheard, always revolving around her and Gao Kai—specifically, that she didn't use his money when they were together. This was factually true, but some people’s interpretations were incredibly nasty.

Rumor One: Wang Qiqi would break up with Gao Kai simply because he wouldn’t pay for her food.

Rumor Two: Wang Qiqi broke up with Gao Kai because he finally saw her true nature and didn't want to spend money on her, forcing her to initiate the breakup. Of course, some countered that Gao Kai was still chasing her. In short, there were endless explanations.

If the central figure of their gossip wasn’t herself, Wang Qiqi would genuinely find the situation entertaining, with new gossip to listen to every day. But with herself as the focus, Wang Qiqi truly wanted to cry her eyes out.

Wang Rui, however, had been in a much better mood lately. For instance, Gao Kai sometimes asked her to review lessons together on weekends. Even though they were both juniors in Senior High—she was only a first-year—there were many topics they couldn’t connect over, and some people treated her poorly, but she didn't dwell on it. The most important thing was that Gao Kai was finally paying attention to her again.

“Gao Kai, I don’t quite get this problem.” Wang Rui approached Gao Kai again, holding out her workbook to ask for help.

Gao Kai was growing annoyed by Wang Rui asking him questions every few minutes. Not only were his friends critical of Wang Rui being too bothersome, but she had asked over a dozen questions in the few hours they sat there. “Wang Rui, you need to learn to solve some problems yourself. We always save the ones we don’t know for the end to discuss together.”

“Exactly! You’ve been sitting here for so long, how many questions have you asked Gao Kai? Please, you’re only in your first year, we’re seniors.” A certain girl spoke up, scoffing. Before Wang Qiqi was around, it wasn’t this troublesome. Even Gao Kai’s official girlfriend wouldn't flaunt her position this much. But this cousin of the ex-girlfriend was truly too much trouble.

“Right, time is tight. Stop showing off all the time. Our habits aren’t going to change just because a new person arrived.”

Wang Rui had been relying on Gao Kai’s implicit support to repeatedly overstep boundaries. She hadn't expected Gao Kai to speak to her so bluntly. Seeing Gao Kai’s attitude toward her, the other girls’ demeanor toward her also shifted dramatically. She was furious, but she knew Gao Kai preferred gentle and obedient girls. She bit her lip hard. I’ll endure it for now. Once I officially become Gao Kai’s girlfriend, I’ll kick all you nasty gossips away from him, just you watch how smug you all act then.

Wang Rui lowered her head to look at her assignment, but the fierce glare and the motion of her biting her lip were caught by an observant eye. Of course, Gao Kai noticed as well.

Gao Kai didn't give Wang Rui’s intentions a second thought. “Do your homework.” Gao Kai was still preoccupied with the idea of getting back into the advanced class after the midterm exams, which would restore his previous allowance for frivolous spending.

The girls present saw Gao Kai’s indifference and knew Wang Rui wouldn't be their match for the moment. They shot Wang Rui contemptuous looks. Hmph. Even though the clothes she wears are designer brands, they look like last year’s styles. I bet she won’t have any new styles next year either, considering Wang Qiqi won’t be a fool buying clothes for her anymore. How could Gao Kai possibly like someone like that? Even if he did, would his parents approve? The Wang sisters were unknown, but they knew Gao Kai’s parents didn’t even like Wang Qiqi, let alone Wang Rui. It looked like there would be much excitement to watch unfold.

Wang Rui kept her head down, reviewing her studies, but she felt the gazes directed her way—all hostile. Wang Rui wasn't oblivious, but she knew she couldn't retreat. If she retreated now, regaining her position later wouldn't be easy.

After this brief commotion, everyone quieted down, seriously focusing on studying, which also settled down the person who had been reviewing nearby, ready to find an administrator due to the noise.

“Qiqi, let’s go eat lunch. Ugh.” Shi Man clutched her stomach and checked the time; it was getting late. She spoke to Wang Qiqi, who was diligently studying nearby. “The Power Supply Bureau is ridiculous. Not cutting power during the day, not cutting it at night, but they had to choose today to cut it. Sigh.” Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here reviewing.

Wang Qiqi gave an 'oh' sound, then scribbled the calculated [Answer] onto her practice sheet. Alas, re-entering the third year of Senior High, she found this life truly grueling. “Just a few more months, and it feels like years.” In her previous life, although she also attended Senior High, she hadn’t been this diligent, and college was a mess anyway. These past few months, her nerves had been pulled incredibly tight. “Let’s go eat hotpot.”

“Great, great!” Actually, the suggestion to eat hotpot had come from Zhu Lina, because a new hotpot restaurant had just opened about a ten-minute walk from the library. Eating it in this weather was perfect. (To be continued)

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