The moment Wang Cong stepped inside, she saw Wang Qiqi reciting loudly from a book. Cong sat down quietly beside her, thinking that surely Qiqi would notice a living, breathing person sitting right next to her.

Of course, Wang Qiqi had long since noticed Wang Cong’s presence, but she wouldn’t speak first, and she certainly wasn't going to prompt her. Did Qiqi really expect her to coax her out? Everyone held themselves in such high regard. Alas.

Wang Cong realized Wang Qiqi hadn't noticed her at all. She shifted slightly, but Qiqi didn't stir. Cong's expression soured a bit more. After a moment's thought, she cleared her throat.

Wang Qiqi couldn't possibly feign ignorance after hearing someone cough, could she? "Caught a cold?"

"No, I just wanted to talk with you for a bit, Qiqi." Wang Cong hooked her arm around Wang Qiqi's and began chattering about her visit to their grandmother's house the day before.

Listening to Wang Cong’s incessant rambling beside her, Wang Qiqi genuinely wished she could stuff something into her mouth. The main source of annoyance, however, was Cong constantly boasting about how popular she was at Grandma's. "That's nice. Little Rui, you always said you got along great with your cousins, while I was stuck at home reading." Isn't she just trying to make me envious? I don't mind throwing her a compliment.

Wang Cong felt a smug satisfaction listening to Wang Qiqi’s words. So what if Qiqi had money? She only had an aunt and their immediate family for relatives. "Tomorrow I'll call them up, and we can go shopping together, then find a place to chat. Okay?" Cong instantly regretted blurting out yesterday that she’d treat them to steak. She had been regretting it ever since, and if she hadn't run into Wang Qiqi today, she wouldn't have known what to do.

Wang Cong’s cousins? Wang Qiqi wasn't sure if she should feel honored or if she’d forgotten to check the calendar before leaving the house. Wang Cong was actually inviting her to meet her relatives. What a pity, though. Wang Qiqi held up the book in her hand. "I need to finish this math workbook these few days, and conquer this history workbook too."

Wang Cong’s eyes flashed with jealousy as she looked at the thick volume. Hmph, it was the Lunar New Year holiday, yet she insisted on playing the role of the diligent student. Didn't she realize that the more earnestly she appeared, the better her grades would be, which only served to highlight Cong's own lack of effort?

Wang Cong thought that no matter what, she couldn't let Qiqi complete her task. "Always reading, reading—be careful you don't turn into a bookworm! Hmph. Someone kindly invites you out shopping, and this is the attitude you give?" Wang Cong snapped, agitated.

Seeing Wang Cong angry, Wang Qiqi thought, Why are you mad at me? I’m not Gao Kai. What does it matter if you threatened to jump off a building in front of me? "Just because you say 'shopping,' does that mean I have to go with you? I’m a senior in high school, not... And are you trying to get me to go shopping, or..." Wang Qiqi leaned close to Wang Cong’s ear, "...or pay for your things? Did you promise to treat them to a meal and expect me to foot the bill?" She really thought she was an idiot.

Wang Cong hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to guess her intentions. Of course, she wouldn't admit it. Her eyes darted around. "No! How could I ask you to pay for them? Besides, I'm their older sister." And Qiqi is my older sister. How can the wealthy older sister sit by while the poorer younger sister pays the bill and not contribute anything?

"Oh, is that so?" If Wang Cong’s eyes hadn't been darting back and forth so much, Qiqi might have believed her a little. But the way her gaze avoided Qiqi's, combined with those rolling pupils, really suggested she took Qiqi for a fool. "What a shame. I genuinely don't have the time."

With that, Wang Qiqi immersed herself in her reading and revision. Hmph. Asking her to spend money treating Cong’s cousins was better spent donating to Project Hope or the Red Cross for those people to embezzle, as those people, no matter how much they ate, wouldn't speak well of her—she had completely inherited the Li family’s fine tradition of siding with whoever offered the most benefit.

Seeing Wang Qiqi preferring her book to even looking at her, Wang Cong pursed her lips tightly. If I weren't truly desperate, would I come here begging you? I’m not an airhead like my mother. Wang Cong knew the way Wang Qiqi looked at her was very strange. She had observed several times that if she wanted to stage a display of sisterly affection publicly, Qiqi was happy to play along. But the moment money was involved, Wang Qiqi became far less agreeable.

Wang Cong found it bizarre—why such a drastic difference in Wang Qiqi, who had never seemed overly concerned with finances before? It was as if someone had swapped her out. If Wang Qiqi hadn't remained within her line of sight, Wang Cong truly would have suspected a switch. Wang Cong walked out, touching her chin in deep thought.

Li Cui, seated on the sofa, grew angry watching her husband drone on to his brother-in-law about office matters, seemingly without any objective in mind. Why waste time on office gossip? Shouldn't he be discussing how that little brat Qiqi, so young yet already spending money as lavishly as her mother, needed a firm hand from a senior relative to exercise some restraint? Perhaps by placing the savings bonds near her uncle or aunt.

Wang Dagui, noticing Li Cui staring at him, sighed internally. Oh, Li Cui, Li Cui, you really care more about money than life. If Wang Qiqi weren't of legal age, there might be an excuse, but the problem was that Qiqi had just turned sixteen; it wasn't as if her aunt could just take the money because she wanted to.

Li Cui was furious that Wang Dagui ignored her. She turned and saw her daughter emerge from Song Yao’s room with a distinctly unhappy look. Her expression made it clear the mission had been unsuccessful. Hmph, useless. All day long at home, she talked about how to deal with Wang Qiqi, how to make her bleed money, but now look—she clearly hadn't persuaded Wang Qiqi. How did I give birth to such a fool of a daughter?

"Dinner is ready!" Wang Damei called from the kitchen. Following her announcement, Song Ziwen and Wang Qiqi both emerged from their rooms.

Li Cui pulled Wang Cong into the kitchen to help carry dishes. "Little Rui, when you’re a guest at someone's house, you should remember to help the host with chores."

Wang Qiqi knew those words were aimed at her. "Under Auntie's tutelage, Little Rui is becoming more and more virtuous." If she wants to imply Wang Cong is more well-behaved than me, I might as well play along.

Li Cui snorted. Great, Wang Qiqi was growing thicker-skinned. What could she even do against this attitude?

"Auntie’s cooking is as excellent as ever," Wang Qiqi said, ignoring the knife-like glare Li Cui shot her way.

Song Yao knew that under the current circumstances, she absolutely could not contradict her mother; she had to follow her lead. "Of course Mom's cooking is good. It's a shame Qiqi can't come over for dinner more often." That way, she and Wang Qiqi could often discuss how to handle various situations. Song Yao kept sending meaningful glances toward Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi found it strange; why would Song Yao say that after her comment? "Being a senior is just too hard. I was studying until midnight on New Year's Eve, and I spent over ten hours studying at home on the first day of the new year. It’s been like that ever since."

"Being a senior isn't that tough, is it?" Wang Cong thought about how Gao Kai was organizing a karaoke outing for everyone on the fourth day. It seemed that was the difference between the science and liberal arts streams.

Wang Qiqi knew Gao Kai was the only point of comparison Cong had. "There’s no choice. Science is truly happier than liberal arts; if you know how to solve it, you know how to solve it. Liberal arts requires constant memorization." Wang Qiqi shook her head as she spoke. "Otherwise, Shi Man invited me out for a meal tomorrow, and I had to decline. I have no choice; the pressure is just too great. We have a major test right after the fifth." Wang Qiqi noted that seeing the word 'test' now sparked absolutely no pressure in her—perhaps that counted as progress.

Wang Cong seemed enlightened, pretending not to fully grasp the situation. "So, Qiqi, is it true that your grades come from such diligent study? If you hadn't studied so hard that day, would your grades drop?" If that were the case, Wang Cong felt it was necessary to visit often to ask Qiqi for guidance. Firstly, it could boost her own grades, and secondly, it could lower Qiqi’s grades. Then, when the college entrance exams came, she would have far less pressure if Qiqi also performed poorly.

Wang Qiqi found it odd that Wang Cong would ask such a question, and judging by her eyes, there was a hint of ill intent. But after thinking a moment, she couldn't quite place it. "Yes, that's why I need to stay home studying constantly. You mentioned before that you wanted to ask me for help with problems, and I didn't have time to answer you. But later, I saw you studying with Gao Kai a few times, and you said he tutors you, so I felt reassured."

Wang Cong hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to bring up Gao Kai in front of so many people. While she was momentarily pleased that Qiqi mentioned Gao Kai, she noticed her aunt and uncle’s expressions turning sour.

Song Wenbo hadn't expected Wang Cong to be studying with a boy; no wonder her grades weren't great.

Wang Cong paid no mind to her uncle and aunt’s expressions. Hmph, they were hypocrites. Her mother often complained at home that they only liked socializing with rich people; if her mother didn't constantly flatter Auntie and Uncle, they wouldn't give their family a decent look. "But Gao Kai is also in his senior year."

"So am I," Wang Qiqi finally seemed to understand. So she intended to use the pretext of asking for academic help to visit her, while also perhaps sabotaging her grades? "Uncle, Little Rui mentioned last time that her grades weren't very good and she wanted to hire a tutor. I wonder if she brought it up? Actually, I would like to tutor Little Rui too, but I only get five hours of sleep a day now; I truly have the will but lack the strength."

Hire a tutor? Wang Dagui looked at Li Cui and Wang Cong in confusion. "Little Rui, did you mention that?"

Wang Cong paused. It would be difficult to deny since Shi Man was present when she mentioned it. "Dad, I heard Sister Qiqi’s grades shot up dramatically after she hired a tutor, so..."

As soon as Li Cui heard about hiring a tutor, she naturally refused. "I spent so much money because you promised you would study hard once you got into high school! Now you say you need a tutor? I don't have the money." As Li Cui spoke, her eyes flickered towards Wang Qiqi. "You know our family’s situation; we can’t afford a private tutor."

Wang Qiqi thought, If your family doesn't have money, then don't hire a tutor. Why look at me like that? Truthfully, if hiring a tutor could improve Wang Cong's grades, Wang Qiqi thought it might be worthwhile—getting into a decent university would make finding a job easier later, wouldn't it? But since the mother herself wasn't concerned, why should she be?

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