The joy of hot pot was palpable, and the four of them chatted happily. Although Han Tao continued tutoring everyone in math after they returned home, given that everyone had just gone through the intense midterm exams, even the usually composed Han Tao showed a hint of weariness. After all, these were the final year midterms, and since the implementation of the class-streaming policy, the high school seniors in the school had received a powerful stimulant; every single one studied diligently. Han Tao, as the top student who consistently held the number one spot in the grade, was naturally a key protégé of the teachers and the object of envy for many liberal arts students wishing to surpass him.

Han Tao only briefly went over the math problems before picking up his textbooks to quietly review his own studies. Wang Qiqi and the others, with unspoken agreement, set aside math and instead picked up their history or geography books to begin memorizing. By eleven o’clock, everyone began dispersing to get ready for rest. Wang Qiqi, adhering to her old habit, took a bath before going to sleep. Although bathing every day in high school, especially during winter, seemed like a bit of a waste of time, Qiqi felt that if she didn't soak in hot water to relax, she would truly suffocate. Moreover, despite the half hour she spent bathing, that time was actually Wang Qiqi’s chance to summarize the day’s lessons—reviewing what she had mostly mastered and what still needed work, ensuring a focused review the next day. Even if material memorized today was forgotten in a while and needed re-studying, repeated consolidation would stick in her memory enough to prevent complete erasure.

Shi Man and Zhu Lina were packing the books needed for the next day’s classes. Seeing Wang Qiqi carrying clothes for washing, they could only shake their heads. They knew bathing was comfortable, but at this critical time, they truly didn't want to spend too much time soaking. “Qiqi, I’m going to take a quick shower today,” Shi Man accelerated the pace of her movements, planning to quickly shower and return to her room to continue reading politics for a while while seated on the **.

Zhu Lina nodded as well. “I need a shower too today. The exams are over; I can finally wash up.” Legend had it that one shouldn't shower during exams lest good luck be washed away—though that was just talk. If it were true, the classrooms would likely reek by the time of the college entrance exams. It was only Qiqi who could leisurely maintain her half-hour daily soak, even during midterms.

Hearing them mention bathing, Wang Qiqi simply said, “Then you two go first. I’ll heat up some snacks, and you can head back to your rooms after you eat.” Although everyone had eaten quite heartily at dinner and had another snack at ten, this was a special time requiring intense mental effort. No matter how much they ate, it was digested quickly. They’d had two meals of late-night snacks, yet none of the three had gained weight, proving why high school senior year was called ‘hell’ by so many.

“Okay,” Shi Man rubbed her slightly hollow stomach, feeling she was turning into a gluttonous pig. Fortunately, her weight hadn't spiked; otherwise, she'd be crying her eyes out.

Wang Qiqi reheated the soup with red beans, jujubes, and lotus seeds, then returned to her room to make her bed and turn on the air conditioner. It wasn't extravagance on Wang Qiqi's part; it was necessary because she was sleeping on the floor, and 'that person’s' sleeping posture was truly poor, often kicking off the covers. For the sake of 'that person’s' health, Wang Qiqi, who didn't particularly favor air conditioning, had to turn it on even in winter.

Once Wang Qiqi finished these preparations, Shi Man and Zhu Lina had just finished their showers. After finishing her tonic, Wang Qiqi returned to the bedroom. With some time left and the room temperature having risen, she did some yoga. There was no alternative. Wang Qiqi had originally planned to enroll in a Taekwondo class, but the atmosphere in the classroom was so intense now that even a weekend class might not have time available. She had to get a refund and skip it. Thus, Wang Qiqi could only manage morning jogs and evening yoga to keep fit.

Shi Man and Zhu Lina watched as Qiqi emerged from her bath and immediately began performing yoga poses, thinking that Qiqi was truly wasteful. With the situation so urgent, she still had time for bathing and yoga. But then they recalled her insistence on learning Taekwondo. They didn't quite understand Qiqi's actions. However, since her grades were excellent and these activities didn't impede her studies, what grounds did they have to persuade her? Besides, Shi Man had once mentioned that Qiqi’s approach seemed like a waste of time, but Qiqi countered that it was about balancing work and rest, even persuading Shi Man. In fact, Wang Qiqi’s persuasion had been somewhat successful; for instance, she had encouraged them both to start jogging in the mornings, even if it was only for five or six minutes—it was still exercise, wasn't it?

After completing her final pose, Wang Qiqi closed her eyes, sitting motionless like a monk in deep meditation. “Qiqi, turn off the light and sleep.” Shi Man was long accustomed to Qiqi often sitting still like a monk on the floor; informing her when it was time to turn off the lights for sleep was sufficient.

“Oh,” Wang Qiqi emerged from her meditative state, stood up, shook her limbs, set her alarm, turned off the light, and slipped under the covers. Between the hot bath and yoga, it truly aided sleep. The most important factor, of course, was sleeping alone on the floor mat; absolutely no one would disturb her.

Without the pressure of the midterms, and sleeping alone, Wang Qiqi found that although she only slept for six hours, the quality of her rest was excellent. She rose quietly, washed up, got dressed, put the breakfast stewing, and then headed out for her morning exercise. As for the alarm clock? Sorry, that was for the two lazy pigs at home. Without it, Wang Qiqi guaranteed they could sleep until seven o’clock if she didn’t wake them up herself.

Although Shi Man and the other girl had also jogged in the morning and eaten breakfast, they kept yawning on the way. In contrast, the nearby Wang Qiqi, who had gone to bed at the same time and woken up earlier, possessed incredible energy, making the other two deeply envious.

“Sis,” Wang Rui hurried to catch up from behind. This was the first time the two sisters had seen each other since their chance encounter at the library.

Wang Qiqi turned, saw Wang Rui, and greeted her with a smile before they walked toward the school together. As for asking how she did on the midterm exams, Wang Qiqi certainly wouldn't inquire; if someone hadn't done very well, wouldn't she be making trouble for herself?

Wang Qiqi might not ask about Wang Rui’s exam results, but Wang Rui certainly would. “Qiqi, how did you do on this midterm?” Wang Rui knew that although she thought she did decently, it was only relative to her own ability. She had no idea where her ranking stood in the class or the grade level. But Wang Qiqi was different. Math was supposedly her weakness, yet her paternal uncle and the others had somehow hired a tutor for Qiqi. Even though she had stayed home for a long time, her grades hadn't slipped. Wang Rui also wanted a tutor, but would her family agree? She had just made her family spend a fortune on sponsorship fees; her mother certainly wouldn't agree, and Qiqi wouldn't pay for her tutor either. Alas.

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Not bad. And you?” Be humble, I shouldn't tell her the specific rank within the top few in the grade. Even if I’m in the top three of the grade, once the whole school's ranking comes out, I might not even crack the top one hundred. So, I must remain low-key and grounded.

Wang Rui had been waiting for Wang Qiqi’s reply. “Not great, Sis. I also want to get a tutor.” Wang Rui knew she couldn't persuade Wang Qiqi, but she had to try. Lately, Gao Kai had become genuinely serious; the only place they met every weekend was the library, which gave Wang Rui a strong sense of crisis. Moreover, Gao Kai had asked her to find out which university Qiqi planned to attend. If Wang Rui were still obtuse, she'd be truly foolish. Although Wang Rui didn't want to help him ask or see Gao Kai and Qiqi together, the current situation wasn't something she could resolve by simply not wanting it.

With so many girls circling Gao Kai, and him only coming back to her to find out Qiqi’s target university, if she couldn't provide that information, would Gao Kai still seek her out? However, if Gao Kai and Qiqi ended up at the same university, Gao Kai would at least strive hard to pursue Qiqi and wouldn't have time to flirt with those other flighty girls. Wang Rui knew she lacked the ability to deal with those flighty girls, but handling Wang Qiqi would be a small matter.

A tutor? “That’s great, Xiao Rui. Have you talked to Auntie? If you plan to get a tutor, you should do it soon. You’re in your first year now; if you start tutoring now, your grades will improve significantly by your final year.” Wang Qiqi said enthusiastically. Of course, this would significantly boost Wang Rui’s grades, making her busier and leaving her less time to plot against Qiqi. More importantly, it would drain her family’s money.

Wang Qiqi knew that Wang Rui had never been a studious person since childhood; her life’s main goal was indulgence. If her aunt hired a strict tutor for her, Wang Rui might endure it for a year at most. If Gao Kai’s university wasn't extremely prestigious but still beyond Wang Rui’s current ability, she might persevere for all three years. But if Gao Kai’s university was either too demanding or too easy, Wang Rui would likely give up. The reason was simple: the former would be too difficult to chase, and the latter too easy—Wang Rui would get in unless she was terrible.

“But my mom…” Wang Rui knew Wang Qiqi would agree to her getting a tutor; in front of her classmates, she would certainly feign sisterly affection. But why didn't she mention the money?

Wang Qiqi secretly laughed inwardly. Does this girl’s brain contain anything other than Gao Kai? I’ve consistently refused to pay on behalf of her family; why hasn't she given up yet? Wang Qiqi patted Wang Rui’s shoulder. “Xiao Rui, you must understand that Uncle and the others earn that money for you. Your mother paid such a high tuition fee for you to transfer here; she surely won't balk at this small expense for a tutor. As long as it’s a legitimate expense, I’m sure Auntie won't have any objections.”

Wang Rui looked at Wang Qiqi’s unyielding attitude. Other than cursing her as a miser in her heart, what else could she do? Her parents were only her Uncle and Aunt; they couldn't force her to pay. Alas, this wouldn't work. She had to think of a plan when she got back. Chinese New Year was approaching; she couldn't go without new clothes, could she? She couldn't wear last year's hand-me-downs! Even if her mother agreed to buy new clothes, she would definitely choose cheap, bargain-bin items. How could she possibly wear those clothes and showcase her beauty?

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