Wang Rui came over for several consecutive days and noticed there was never any food prepared for her. Moreover, they rarely discussed issues, and no one seemed to care if she was actually studying. They would only call her over to eat a bowl of noodles when they had their late-night snack.

After enduring it for a few days, Wang Rui finally couldn't hold back, "Aren't you all about to submit your university applications soon? Which universities are you planning to apply to?"

Zhu Lina pursed her lips. Tch, what did it matter to her which university they attended? "I haven't really thought about it. It'll be either a university in Shencheng or Beijing anyway. But Qiqi is applying to a university in Shencheng, so I'm considering Shencheng. It's close to home, and the city has developed quite well these past few years."

"I'm going to Beijing University. The family has decided," Shi Man dropped the bowl in her hand and threw her arms around Wang Qiqi. "Ah, ah, ah, Qiqi. I truly can't bear to part with you. How can you bear to go to university in Shencheng? Must we be separated like this? Why don't you come to Beijing too?"

"No." Wang Qiqi slipped out of Shi Man's embrace. "Who was it that said the air in Beijing is bad and the fruit tastes dry? Why would I go to Beijing then? Besides, this way is close to home. Can't you go to Shencheng for university for Lina and me?"

Zhu Lina hummed in agreement. "Exactly. My family also approves of me going to university in Shencheng. So, Xiao Man, you should go to Shencheng too. We can rent a place together then, and we can keep living like we do now."

"That sounds good." Qiqi agreed without objection. "The thought of living in a dorm without air conditioning makes me feel it'll be unbearable."

"I know, right?" Zhu Lina strongly agreed with this point. Even if it was one of those four-person dorms, Zhu Lina felt it wouldn't be suitable. "At worst, Qiqi and I can rent a place together later."

Watching Wang Qiqi speak, Wang Rui still felt uneasy, but after thinking it over, it seemed Qiqi really didn't like the north; she preferred the south. "It's good for Sister Qiqi to study in Shencheng. I can visit you often in the future."

"Don't you have studies?" Wang Qiqi asked casually. "You should focus more effort on your studies in high school. Getting into a better university is what matters most."

Studying, studying, studying—Wang Rui became furious the moment they brought up schoolwork. "Qiqi, you're really becoming more and more like my mom. Can I take that as you being jealous of me being close to Gao Kai?" Wang Rui asked provocatively. Hmph, Wang Rui thought. One person constantly nagging about studying, and another constantly asking how Qiqi is doing, how Qiqi is... it made Wang Rui's anger unbearable.

It was right after Wang Qiqi left that day that her aunt severely scolded her own mother. It was all about how she was useless and had no prospects. Hmph. Even if she had mentioned how Qiqi and Gao Kai were involved before, what did her aunt say? She said that even if Qiqi was confused before, now that she had come to her senses, she was focusing all her energy on her studies. Then, she looked at Wang Rui with an expression that suggested Wang Rui was chasing after a piece of trash that no one wanted, asking if Wang Rui had a problem with her eyesight. Wang Rui thought to herself: just wait until you see me marry Gao Kai and Wang Qiqi marry some poor bum—then we'll see who's crying.

Wang Qiqi met Wang Rui’s provocation with a sharp retort: "Who you are close to has nothing to do with me. You need to remember that Gao Kai is someone I discarded. As for why you're so interested in what I cast aside, that's your business. I'm just reminding you not to forget that your current main duty is studying. Whether you listen or not is irrelevant." To put it plainly, she’s wearing my mother’s hand-me-down rags. Although in this lifetime, she and a certain someone had only exchanged kisses and held hands, for high school students now, that could still be considered 'second-hand goods.'

Shi Man, Zhu Lina, and Han Tao were all stunned by Wang Qiqi's fierce words. They hadn't expected her to evaluate Gao Kai like that. "Hahahaha, that kills me! I never thought Gao Kai was a piece of discarded second-hand goods," Zhu Lina commented with a laugh. "But I think you might be the first person to kick Gao Kai to the curb."

"Agreed." Shi Man raised her hand in agreement. "But perhaps Qiqi will forever remain in Gao Kai's heart. No matter who he marries in the future, or how many wives he has, or how many women surround him, he might not remember clearly, but Qiqi will definitely be remembered."

"The red mole on the heart, right?" Wang Qiqi’s body trembled slightly. "Forget it. To be remembered by someone like that for a lifetime—I'm the one who'll end up crying. His philandering has nothing to do with me; I'll live my own small life." Stay away from eccentrics and scumbags; then my future life will be fine.

Wang Rui listened to them constantly discussing Gao Kai, especially the part about him having multiple wives in the future, which made her heart ache. "I'm leaving. I won't come tomorrow. I'm unhappy always waiting by the door for you all to come home." It was stiflingly hot, she was being bitten by mosquitoes, and most importantly, she had to stay here waiting for Qiqi and the others. "Qiqi, how about you give me a key? Then I can let myself in."

A key? Wang Qiqi shook her head. "Forget the key. You can come later. Come at seven-thirty in the evening, and we will definitely be home." She had finally managed to invalidate the keys they held. She must have been foolish to give them keys. She would be leaving here in three months; if she left the keys with them, she would worry that they wouldn't leave the house even if she wanted them to.

Wang Rui hadn't expected that she wouldn't even be given a key. "Wang Qiqi, you're going too far! Is this how you treat your own cousin? I just don't want to wait outside. What's the big deal about a key?"

Wang Qiqi looked at Wang Rui and asked pointedly, "You are my cousin, not my biological sister, are you? And you are not the owner of this house, are you? Why should I give you a key?"

Wang Rui was speechless. She knew that even if she complained, no one would support her view, not even relatives. "Fine, you don't welcome me, so I won't come anymore." With that, Wang Rui snatched up her schoolbag and stormed out.

Wang Qiqi watched the person leave like a gust of wind, even leaving such a parting shot hanging in the air. Before Wang Qiqi could say anything, they heard a heavy slam as the door shut. "Acting like she's somebody important just because she got a decent meal. Let's get back to studying." Wang Rui leaving was better. "Ah, I wonder if she turned off the air conditioner."

Wang Qiqi thought to herself if the other person had remembered to turn off the air conditioner after leaving.

As Wang Qiqi opened the study door, a gust of wind blew out, making her feel very strange. Surely that girl didn't leave both the air conditioner and the fan on? But when Wang Qiqi looked closely, she immediately cried out.

Shi Man and Zhu Lina, hearing Wang Qiqi's shriek, rushed over. "What happened? What happened?"

Wang Qiqi was so angry she couldn't speak. She pointed at the window and the air conditioner. "That brat actually opened the window while the air conditioner was running!" Does she think she's family of the power supply bureau, that electricity is free, or that she gets cheap electricity?

Shi Man and the others looked at the window opened halfway and the air conditioner continuously blowing cold air. What was this supposed to mean? Even if you feel stuffy with the AC on, this is unnecessary.

Wang Qiqi was so angry she felt like spitting blood. Given Wang Rui’s character, it wouldn't be easy for her to come over next time.

Wang Qiqi walked into the study, picked up the phone, and dialed Li Cui. "Auntie, has Xiao Rui come back yet? ... I don't know how Xiao Rui explained things to you, but from now on, she shouldn't come to my house again. She is not welcome here... Yes, definitely not welcome. I have never seen a guest open the window while running the air conditioner... Of course, perhaps Xiao Rui is used to leaving the window open while using the AC at home, but my family cannot afford the electricity bill for running the AC with an open window... Xiao Rui said studying here is boring. I said at the very beginning that I don't have time to tutor her... Xiao Rui, after a few days here, she should have known that we basically read our own books unless we are discussing specific problems... Auntie, I need to study now. Goodbye."

Shi Man and Zhu Lina were surprised that Wang Qiqi would call Li Cui directly over such a small matter. It wasn't that big of an issue.

"Hmph, this time the relationship is completely severed. I wonder if that person will have the nerve to stay over anytime soon?" Wang Qiqi hung up the phone, then went to switch off the air conditioner. "Alright, let's get back to studying."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Wang Rui to do something so brainless. However, this fit Wang Rui's mentality: she felt she was rich, so using extra electricity at their place didn't matter to her. But she hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to use this opportunity to kick her out.

"Really, is Qiqi really going to apply to a university in Shencheng?" Gao Kai had discussed the future university locations with Wang Qiqi before. At that time, Qiqi had said she wanted to go to a Shencheng university—first, because it was closer, and second, because the universities in Shencheng were good. Gao Kai hadn't expected that regardless of how their relationship had changed, Qiqi was still set on going to university in Shencheng.

Wang Rui looked at the excited Gao Kai, and a pang of jealousy hit her heart. What she was thinking was, When did Gao Kai start caring about me so much? But no matter how sour her heart felt, Wang Rui’s expression remained sweetly welcoming. "Gao Kai, you don't know, to help you inquire about information, I even..."

Gao Kai was in a good mood today, especially considering the information Wang Qiqi’s classmate had provided earlier. "Didn't you mention wanting that skirt from Shununü Fang last time? I'll give you the money." Gao Kai knew a significant difference between Wang Rui and Wang Qiqi: in his eyes, he was just a mobile bank to Wang Rui, whereas Qiqi never asked to spend his money. Even if he gave her things, she would find a way to buy things to pay him back. Compared to that, Wang Rui truly fell far short.

Wang Rui hadn't expected that she had only mentioned offhandedly how nice a certain skirt was, and Gao Kai actually remembered it. "That would be too embarrassing." Wang Rui said sweetly while swaying her body.

Gao Kai really didn't want to look at Wang Rui’s affected mannerism for much longer. "I won't say anymore. I need to go back and study." Since he had gotten the answer he wanted, he couldn't waste time. Qiqi's grades now meant she could certainly get into a good university in Shencheng, and if he wanted to attend the same university as Qiqi, he would have to put in significant effort. "Oh right, Xiao Rui, it would be best if you could keep listening to hear which university Qiqi is going to. There will be plenty of rewards then."

Wang Rui watched Gao Kai turn and walk away, stamping her foot. Hmph. He already knows which city she’s going to, yet he still wants to know the specific university. What excessive demands. (To be continued.)