Wang Qiqi looked at Li Cui with amusement. "I have evening study until 6:30, and then I still have to walk home. Does Auntie mean I shouldn't even attend evening study?"

Wang Damei knew that students in their final year had evening study. "Qiqi has evening study. Just have Wang Rui eat dinner later and come over then."

"But what she said was so cold-hearted, like when she said she had no time to tutor Xiao Rui's homework," Li Cui said, annoyed.

Wang Qiqi sighed. "I'm a final year student, not a private tutor, nor am I in the second year. My focus is the Gaokao. I have the college entrance exam in just over a month. I'm sorry, but between the two, I can only choose the Gaokao."

Wang Qiqi’s words left Li Cui truly speechless. Should she say something like, 'I hope you don't do well in the Gaokao'? Besides, Qiqi's grades had always been so stable; she wouldn't perform poorly this time. As for her own daughter, Li Cui had poured so much effort into her, only for her to seem more interested in chasing boys—it felt like all that money was wasted.

Wang Rui, hearing Wang Qiqi bring up the Gaokao repeatedly, remembered something. "Qiqi, which university are you planning to apply to?"

"It depends on the mock exam results. I definitely want a school close to home, preferably in the city," Wang Qiqi replied quickly. "Even if it's not local, I'll study in a nearby city, like Shencheng. The train ride home is only three or four hours."

Wang Rui understood; it seemed Wang Qiqi was leaning toward Shencheng. "Shencheng is great. When Great Aunt was still here, she loved visiting Shencheng." If Gao Kai really went to Shencheng, she could frequently visit under the pretense of seeing her sister, and it would be convenient if Gao Kai returned home.

Thinking of this, Wang Rui couldn't hide the smile spreading across her face. Wang Qiqi thought, Smile all you want. When I actually submit my application form, you’ll have something to cry about. Wang Qiqi smiled faintly too, but the content of her smile was known only to herself.

After finishing the meal, Wang Qiqi settled the bill. "Aunt and Uncle, Uncle and Auntie, older cousins, Xiao Rui, I need to go back and study now. I'm leaving first."

Wang Damei waved her hand. "Go on, study hard, and try to get into a good university so your parents can rest easier down there." Wang Damei noticed that Li Cui was also ready to leave and immediately called out, "Xiao Cui, Da Gui, Xiao Rui, you all stay. I have something to discuss with you." Wang Damei had felt awkward saying certain things in front of Wang Qiqi, but keeping them bottled up inside made her uncomfortable.

Li Cui watched Wang Qiqi walk away and mentally cursed her sister-in-law for causing trouble. Qiqi had taken a taxi back, but Li Cui was now holding groceries. If she took the bus, it would be a long hassle, but taking a taxi was too expensive. Still, she didn't dare disrespect her sister-in-law.

Wang Qiqi didn't care what her aunt had to discuss with Li Cui. After all, with such a pig-like teammate, it was a miracle if they didn't lose. Besides, her aunt wasn't a fool and wouldn't easily conspire with Li Cui again.

When Wang Qiqi returned home, she saw them diligently studying. She went in, washed her face, and sat down to focus on her books. Shi Man and the others didn't say anything about Wang Qiqi joining them; they were all used to conversations during study time being strictly limited to academic matters.

"Qiqi, your homework for today." When the break time arrived, Shi Man handed Wang Qiqi a thick stack of practice papers. "How was it today?"

A slight smile played on Wang Qiqi's lips. "How could it be good with my aunt present? She even wanted my sister to come here to study." Although Wang Qiqi had been firm in her refusal, she didn't truly believe Wang Rui would show up. However, one couldn't understand the thinking of 'extreme characters,' so she gave them a preemptive warning.

What? Wang Rui was coming over? "Isn't she having a great time with Gao Kai?"

"Exactly. Is studying with us more interesting than going out to eat or singing karaoke?" Zhu Lina grumbled. "Gao Kai is getting more and more unrestrained." He seemed okay before, but now he looked like a child who couldn't handle any setback. Few students who fall out of the advanced class manage to return, but how many people end up like Gao Kai, completely giving up?

Shi Man grew increasingly disdainful of Gao Kai. "If Wang Rui comes, I won't help tutor her." How many people truly cared about studying when they were with Gao Kai? Few of the genuinely studious people still surrounded him. Having fun and eating out occasionally was fine, but when it came to the Gaokao, this was no joke.

"Who has time to tutor her? If she really comes, tell her to go to the study room alone and send her home around ten o'clock," Wang Qiqi had already planned. At most, they'd waste some electricity and give her a late-night snack—nothing more. "I already told them I'm too busy with the Gaokao to manage her. Oh, right, I also told them I plan to apply to a university in Shencheng."

"A Shencheng university?" Zhu Lina was stunned. Wasn't Qiqi planning to apply to a university in the capital? Why the sudden change?

Shi Man nudged the dim-witted girl. "Shencheng University is also quite good. Besides, where one says they are applying is just talk; the application form is what truly matters, right?"

Wang Qiqi nodded. "I'm just worried she'll spread this news. I certainly don't plan on seeing that face for the next four years." Besides, she hadn't mentioned a university far to the south, which would truly break up a relationship. However, Wang Qiqi knew that even if she had named a school far south, Wang Rui wouldn't believe it, nor would Gao Kai. Everyone knew she was sentimental about home and wouldn't go that far away. Therefore, saying she was going to Shencheng would be readily accepted.

Zhu Lina gave an 'Ohhh.' "Ahhh, I really wouldn't want you to go to university in Shencheng." Zhu Lina thought to herself, It’s just an act; that’s easy. I’ve been acting since I was little.

Wang Qiqi assumed Wang Rui wouldn't come, so she didn't dwell on it. But the next day, as the three of them were chatting while walking home, they saw a guardian deity posted right at their doorstep.

Wang Rui hadn't wanted to come; honestly, sitting there foolishly by herself was worse than staying home, where she could at least lie down or get up occasionally to eat something. Coming here, she knew none of these people would give her a warm welcome, but she couldn't stand up to her mother's nagging. "Qiqi, you're so late."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected her to actually show up. The three exchanged glances, all sharing the same thought: Thick-skinned people are truly thick-skinned. "We couldn't help it; we just finished class. Didn't I tell Auntie last time that if you came, it would have to be after seven?" Wang Qiqi pulled out her keys. "Did you eat?"

"A little," Wang Rui murmured, patting her stomach.

"Oh, go study in the study room. Remember to turn on the air conditioning yourself." As soon as she got inside, Wang Qiqi immediately turned on the living room AC; it was hot. Shi Man and Zhu Lina went to the bathroom to wash their faces, then headed to the kitchen to help carry food.

Wang Rui saw there was shrimp, fish, and meat, even seafood. Her stomach, which hadn't been that hungry before, suddenly felt a pang of hunger. Just as she was about to mention she hadn't eaten enough,

"Oops, I forgot to save some food for Han Tao, or else the tutor won't seriously help us with math," Shi Man noticed Wang Rui’s eyes fixed on the food on the table, knowing she craved these dishes. Truthfully, giving her some wouldn't be impossible, but Shi Man didn't feel she needed to cultivate a good relationship with her.

Zhu Lina was a step slower mentally, but her actions were quick. She grabbed a plastic container from the kitchen. "I’m starved; I forgot. Here, save more for the tutor. I have several problems I need help with today; I need to butter up the tutor nicely."

Wang Rui watched helplessly as nearly half of the previously full dishes were scooped away. She bitterly wondered why she wasn't getting any share. She grabbed her schoolbag and headed toward the study room, deliberately slamming the main door shut to vent her anger.

Hearing the slam, Shi Man raised her voice. "Does she think she’s a young lady or the owner? If the door breaks, you fix it!"

Wang Rui, inside the room, heard Shi Man’s words and her face flushed red. She was surprised that Wang Qiqi would let others treat her like this, but she lacked the courage to pull open the door and walk out with her bag. Wang Rui kept repeating to herself, "Endure, endure." She turned on the air conditioning; at least she had AC here, which was much better than the single fan at home.

Wang Qiqi didn't expect Wang Rui to actually hide inside. "The little girl’s capacity for endurance has increased." Wang Qiqi wasn't expecting to drive Wang Rui away in just one or two tries. "Alright, let’s hurry up and eat, then we have to study."

The three ate dinner discussing school matters. Wang Rui quietly opened the study room door just a crack and leaned against the doorway, listening to what Wang Qiqi and the others were saying. Although Wang Qiqi had mentioned going to university in Shencheng that day, Wang Rui still felt Qiqi might not actually apply there, so she had come over precisely to confirm it again.

Wang Qiqi and the others didn't know what Wang Rui was doing in the study room, but when they noticed the gap in the door, the three exchanged looks, all realizing the girl was truly there with an agenda. Too bad for her; she wouldn't overhear anything useful.

The three sat quietly to study. Wang Rui squatted by the study room door and listened for half an hour but couldn't hear a single word, apart from the occasional sound of someone using the restroom. It was utterly silent. Wang Rui wondered if they really did just focus on studying and not talk, just as Wang Qiqi had claimed.

When Han Tao returned, they briefly mentioned saving food for him and then fell silent again. Even when they spoke, it was only to discuss problems. When she studied with Gao Kai, it was always lively, rarely focusing on academics. Was this the reason for Gao Kai’s declining grades? To Wang Rui’s disappointment, Wang Qiqi’s relationship with Han Tao seemed quite ordinary, not as close as she had imagined. Wang Rui often wondered if Wang Qiqi and Han Tao were a couple; then she could finally mock her properly. (To be continued.)