"It's really not easy to grab a decent meal these days," Julianna murmured, slowly shuffling towards the classroom, her bag bulging against her stomach. "The food options are too limited. We're lucky we got here when the first-year students were mostly done eating." Otherwise, queuing for food would take forever.

Wang Qiqi thought that finishing classes late was a silver lining—at least the lines were shorter—but the main issue was, "I haven't had chicken wings in ages. Every time I go, they're sold out." Qiqi had a particular craving for the wings from one specific vendor, but she noticed she hadn't managed to buy any for days now.

"Exactly. Every time we get there, we're stuck with whatever leftovers are left," Shi Man agreed, thoroughly dissatisfied. The first-year students didn't have to worry about their desired dishes disappearing after queuing, and the second-year situation was slightly better than the third-years. But for the third-years going to the cafeteria, it wasn't a matter of choosing what dish you wanted; you simply had to ask the server what was currently available and pick what looked most palatable from that limited selection.

"Why don't we just order takeout?" Julianna had been eyeing the stir-fry options for ages. "I heard Gao Kai eats the stir-fried dishes there frequently, and your sister has been lucky enough to join him."

Qiqi hadn't realized Wang Rui was so adept at charming Gao Kai, enough to get him to treat her to meals almost daily. "Well, that’s pretty good, quite impressive." It made sense now why, that time Qiqi visited her uncle's house, Wang Rui had been flaunting the meals she had with Gao Kai, bragging about where they studied during lunch breaks. Still, Qiqi just listened; if someone else wanted to treat Wang Rui, let them. Qiqi certainly wasn't going to be the fool footing the bill. "But that girl kept badgering me, asking which university I plan to attend."

Qiqi noticed Wang Rui became exceptionally tense whenever she asked about Qiqi's college plans. Qiqi truly couldn't fathom why her choice of university would make her so anxious.

"Something's up," Shi Man noted curiously. "You two don't get along well. Logically, why would she pry into which university you're applying to? It looks like someone put her up to asking."

Qiqi nodded. "Yeah. So I told her I plan to stay in the local area for college." Qiqi only remembered the whole issue after Julianna mentioned Wang Rui having lunch with Gao Kai. They both knew Qiqi's actual university requirements, and they knew Qiqi had no intention of staying local. "You should have seen her expression relax the moment I said I was staying in town." Based purely on that look of relief, Qiqi knew she’d be an idiot not to understand the situation by then.

Julianna and Shi Man understood: Qiqi had deliberately fed the other girl false information. But Shi Man voiced a concern: "But you have to submit your college application soon... Even if Qiqi doesn't discuss her choices with her aunt and uncle, Gao Kai won't easily believe she’s staying local. The local universities are decent, sure, but with Qiqi's current grades, she could aim much higher. Besides, this place is essentially a painful memory for Qiqi."

"He'll probably find out my real application through Gao Kai, right?" Qiqi had thought this through. "I plan to submit my application form at the very last moment. By then, that certain person should already have finalized his own university choices. Once he knows his real selection, what can he do to take it back and change it? The Gao family doesn't have that kind of pull to retract and resubmit an application; there are strict deadlines for that."

Shi Man and Julianna realized the scheme: Gao Kai was fishing for Qiqi's university aspirations, and Qiqi was using Wang Rui in return. "This way, my aunt won't constantly have ideas about my house either." If Qiqi stayed local, Li Cui would just have to stew in her frustration alone. Even if Li Cui found out later that Qiqi was going out of town, the house wouldn't be handed over for 'caretaking.' Qiqi could simply lock the door and see if Li Cui dared to break in then.

"But what if you go out of town?" Shi Man wondered why Li Cui would ever give up on Qiqi’s house. People wouldn't openly seize property, but Li Cui could simply claim she was looking after the house for her niece attending college out of town, allowing her entire family to move in. Shi Man remembered the greedy way Li Cui looked at Qiqi during her infrequent visits, her eyes calculating, which struck Shi Man as utterly repulsive. Was that even family? If you were going to scheme against relatives, must you be so obvious? In contrast, Qiqi’s paternal aunt, Wang Damei, while also calculating to some extent, at least brought gifts when visiting and called occasionally—two or three times a week—reminding Qiqi to study hard. The immediate uncle's family nearby was far colder.

"That’s my house, not Wang Dagui’s house," Qiqi countered. It wasn't ancestral property; why should Li Cui get to 'take care' of it just by saying so? Qiqi would rather pay someone weekly for cleaning services than let her uncle's family touch it. During the National Day gathering hosted by her aunt’s family, Li Cui’s thinly veiled comments about Qiqi not looking after Wang Rui at school had made Qiqi want to slap her. But Qiqi hadn’t shown Wang Rui any leniency either, immediately telling her elder aunt the whole story about Wang Rui and Gao Kai, and why she refused to babysit Wang Rui—proving that if they wanted to see if her sister was worth looking after, here was the evidence.

Although Wang Damei and her husband tried to smooth things over, Qiqi knew that not only she but also Li Cui and her husband were displeased by her blunt rebuttal of their elders. "Forget them. Oh, right, I need to book the New Year’s Eve dinner reservation when I get home today." Qiqi suddenly remembered that every year, her family hosted the New Year’s Eve dinner for her aunt’s family and her uncle’s family, and this year would be no exception. Her aunt had called yesterday specifically to ask about the dinner plans, even offering to come early to help if things got too busy. Qiqi had politely declined. She never intended to host those people at home again; eating out was so much simpler and more convenient. Everyone could meet at the restaurant, finish eating, and then disperse to their own homes immediately. Her aunt would go home, but people like Li Cui would only come to eat, not to offer a single bit of help—they’d be lucky not to cause trouble.

Shi Man suddenly recalled that Qiqi would be spending the New Year alone this year. "Qiqi, why don't you come spend the New Year at my place?"

"Come to my place," Julianna chimed in, finally letting go of her stomach. "Actually, this year my Dad is only staying home for a few days, just like I learned." Her father mentioned that the final push for the western branch of the business was happening, and he was giving up the Spring Festival holiday to deal with it. Sigh. Ever since she could remember, as the family business grew, her father spent more and more time on the road, rarely at home. Even on trips and vacations with her, he was constantly taking calls requiring his final decisions. Her mother was busy too, wrapped up in her own endless tasks, giving Julianna little other than money.

Qiqi shook her head. "No, Han Tao and I have already planned things out. We intend to travel around the nearby area for a bit and then settle in to review our studies together." The Spring Festival was a prime opportunity for focused study. She didn't have many relatives left. In the past, she used to accompany her parents to visit their colleagues or have them over, making the New Year lively. But this year was different; without her parents, those people certainly wouldn't come calling. When the main figures leave, the peripheral connections fade. When her parents were alive and held positions, people paid respects. Now, she was an orphan. Even with some money, what use was that to people who couldn't benefit from her connections?

Shi Man found it odd that Qiqi would spend the Spring Festival with Han Tao. "Doesn't Han Tao have to visit relatives?" Even for third-year students, some family visits were mandatory, though distant relatives could be skipped. "Maybe I can join you after the second day of the New Year?" The first day was strictly for staying home and observing the traditions; her parents wouldn't allow her out even if she wanted to—the rule was you had to stay home on the first day, not be out running around all year.

"Okay," Qiqi agreed. Although she knew she would have to get used to spending the New Years alone, feeling lonely, she was very welcoming of company. "Then I'll buy extra food." If it were just her and Han Tao, Qiqi was planning on keeping things simple, maybe just stocking up on some seasonal snacks. But with Shi Man and Julianna joining, it was different; she needed to stock up properly. "I’ll handle the snacks. Don't try to fight me on this. How can you two bring things for the New Year celebration when I'm the one hosting? It's not like I’m broke."

Truthfully, Shi Man and Julianna were planning on bringing plenty of food and supplies for Qiqi, but hearing her insistence—and knowing that Qiqi, despite spending money freely, had enough from the house left by her parents to live comfortably for three lifetimes, not to mention the compensation money—made them back down. In fact, even if Wang Dagui had managed to seize the compensation money from Qiqi’s parents, Qiqi could still live quite well.

"Then we won't be polite, but you absolutely must come to my house for a New Year's call. My mom already said she wants to give you a big red envelope."

"Mine too."

Shi Man and Julianna inwardly decided that even if Qiqi insisted on handling all the New Year provisions herself, compensating her wouldn't be difficult. Visiting their homes as juniors was perfectly normal, and it was customary for their parents, as elders, to give Qiqi New Year's money.

Qiqi knew they wouldn't take no for an answer easily. "Fine, if it's red envelopes, then I won't refuse. How can one decline the good wishes of elders?" Lately, Shi Man’s and Julianna’s parents had visited quite often, bringing numerous gifts. Qiqi had slowly grown familiar with them, and she didn't seek future favors, nor did she act overly restrained or place herself too low in status. As a result, Shi Man’s parents viewed Qiqi much more favorably. Though she lacked parents, many would see her as ill-raised, especially after falling out with her uncle’s family. But they understood the reasons behind the rift. These acquaintances only felt that Qiqi was an extraordinary girl; if she couldn't even secure her family wealth, her future prospects wouldn't amount to much.