Wang Qiqi stretched contentedly, climbing out of her warm covers. Rubbing her eyes, she noticed how intensely bright the sunlight streaming through the window was. "Finally, a truly restful sleep," she sighed, having completely lost track of when she last woke up naturally.

After a few lingering yawns, Wang Qiqi looked around the room and saw she was alone. "Compared to those two, I really am quite the lazybones."

One major reason Wang Qiqi hadn't been eager to rush back to school for review sessions was the prospect of catching up on sleep. While cramming could certainly stuff a few more things into her head, she felt she didn't lack those few days of revision; what she desperately needed was more sleep time. "Alright, up now for some studying."

Shi Man heard the door open and spoke to Zhu Lina, who was still diligently wrestling with math problems. "I truly suspect Qiqi’s reluctance to go back for review sessions is purely because she wanted to sleep in."

Zhu Lina nodded in agreement. "I thought so too."

Zhu Lina was astonished at how deeply Wang Qiqi had slept. She and Shi Man had woken up at seven-thirty that morning, alarmed, thinking they were late, and had made quite a racket. Yet, Qiqi hadn't stirred, merely rolling over and continuing to sleep until this very moment. Zhu Lina truly admired Qiqi's composure; to sleep so soundly at this stage was remarkable.

Wang Qiqi smiled faintly. "When you finally get a chance for a long lie-in, of course, you have to make the most of it. I plan to live like this for the next two days—wake up only when nature calls." Qiqi actually wanted to add that she planned to nap soon and be asleep by ten that night. These recent days had left her utterly exhausted; she could almost hear her body crying out its fatigue.

Shi Man and Zhu Lina’s mouths dropped open simultaneously. "You can't be serious!" they exclaimed in unison.

"Wait a minute, Qiqi," Shi Man interjected, looking at Zhu Lina to signal she should speak first. "We have three days off school—they’re for intense review and final sprints." Not for rest.

Wang Qiqi nodded, fully understanding. "I've already reviewed everything necessary. My strategy for these few days is to relax, relax, and aim to get my physical state to its absolute peak. By the way, where is Han Tao?" It seemed impossible that Han Tao wouldn't be awake yet; that boy was aiming for scholarships and surely wasn't as languid as she was.

"Don't know," Shi Man shrugged. "Aren't you going to wash up? It's already ten o'clock."

Wang Qiqi mumbled an acknowledgment and headed toward the washing area. "Oh, right, what are we having for lunch?" she asked just before stepping into the bathroom, suddenly remembering the midday meal.

"I already made congee, and I’ve heated up the steamed buns and shumai," Shi Man thought, pleased with the efficiency. Cooking enough in the morning meant lunch was covered too. Being at home, they could always snack if they got hungry anyway.

Wang Qiqi was taken aback that Shi Man had planned even lunch. "Shi Man, are you trying to become the perfect wife? Preparing lunch now?"

"One has to learn sometime," Shi Man thought, worrying if she truly was incapable of doing anything practical. "Actually, I'm quite capable. And simmering congee is great; cook extra in the morning, and lunch is sorted."

Wang Qiqi was speechless; it seemed both of them were channeling laziness into efficiency for breakfast and lunch. "That works. We’ll have a proper feast tonight." If they ate this well at noon and night, she worried that after sleeping so well and eating so richly, she might gain several pounds before the college entrance exams—a surefire recipe for envy.

"Noon, time to eat," Zhu Lina announced, clapping her hands as she finally finished the math problem in her grasp. "By the way, Qiqi, should you ask Han Tao if he wants to join us?"

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "No need. I imagine Aunt Luo has prepared lunch for him, so we shouldn't interrupt their cozy mother-son meal." Aunt Luo already felt guilty for not being able to take better care of him during such an important time. She would surely be showing off her cooking skills over these three days off school.

Shi Man and the others murmured an assent; they were just accustomed to Han Tao being around at mealtimes, which prompted the casual suggestion.

Wang Qiqi spent the three days before the exam at home in leisurely comfort. Meanwhile, Wang Da Gui brought up the subject with Li Cui, "The college entrance exam is the day after tomorrow..."

The mention of the Gaokao ignited an instant surge of anger in Li Cui. "Gaokao, Gaokao! You expect me to go see her off?"

Wang Da Gui had intended to suggest that, but seeing Li Cui's reaction, he knew she would absolutely refuse. "My elder brother and his wife aren't around. If Qiqi goes to the exam hall alone and sees other students with their parents, won't she feel terrible?" Regardless, she was his niece. Wang Da Gui, despite his gambling habits and penchant for taking advantage, often felt ashamed when recalling the care his elder brother and sister-in-law had shown him. But as a man, he wasn't sure what the girl needed. He thought Li Cui might offer some comfort or care, but alas...

"Now you remember I'm her elder?" Li Cui scoffed. "Look at everything she's done. Which time has she ever respected me as an elder? She doesn't even treat Xiao Rui like a sister. Fine, she thinks she’s rich and powerful now and doesn’t need us. I don't care, but I won't debase myself to be humiliated."

Li Cui thought that if she had time to escort Qiqi to the exam hall, she’d rather spend that energy focusing on her own daughter. "You shouldn't always be fussing over Qiqi. She’s just our niece, and frankly, not a close one. If you have time, you should focus more on our daughter. Remember, our daughter is our future." The thought of her daughter’s upcoming final exams infuriated Li Cui, especially when comparing them to Wang Qiqi’s mock exam scores and university application choices. Wang Qiqi was aiming for Shanghai University; Li Cui wasn't even sure her daughter could get into the absolute lowest-tier undergraduate program in Shanghai.

The realization that Wang Qiqi had pulled so far ahead made Li Cui unable to sit still. She suddenly stood up and snapped at Wang Rui, who was studying in her room. "Stop reading books unrelated to your studies in there! Are you still thinking about men who have nothing to do with you? Focus and study seriously! If your grades are still this terrible in the mid-term exams next semester, you deal with the consequences. Qiqi is going to Shanghai University; you better not fail to get even an undergraduate degree and end up in vocational college!"

Wang Rui’s face immediately turned mortified upon hearing her mother’s words. Oh, Wang Qiqi, why do you have to be so good? Aiming for Shanghai University! You should have aimed for vocational college. I should be the one going to Shanghai University! But that was just a fleeting thought. She knew her current performance made even an undergraduate degree difficult, let alone Shanghai University’s undergraduate program. A vocational spot at Shanghai University was possible, but if she truly couldn't make the undergraduate cut, what was wrong with vocational college? Wouldn't that just mean graduating a year later than Gao Kai? Yes, that’s what I’ll do. The important thing is attending the same university as Gao Kai; does the undergraduate status really matter that much?

Wang Da Gui and his wife had no idea what their daughter was thinking in her room. Wang Da Gui glared at Li Cui. "Is that how you act as a mother? Will you gain honor if your daughter goes to vocational college? Qiqi’s good scores are the result of hard work and hiring a tutor. I’ve thought it over; we should hire a tutor for Xiao Rui too." Wang Da Gui calculated that if his daughter could achieve excellent results in the Gaokao, he could fully secure her connection to Gao Kai, and this small amount of money was worth spending.

Hire a tutor? "Money? Do you think we're swimming in cash?" Li Cui bristled at the casual tone in Wang Da Gui's voice, as if discussing buying a piece of clothing. "Xiao Rui is only in her first year of high school; two more years to go. Have you calculated how much two years of tutoring will cost?"

"Just don't give the money to your mother's family," Wang Da Gui countered, thinking it was better spent on their daughter. "Your money is ultimately for Xiao Rui. You might as well use it to properly cultivate our daughter. As long as she marries into a good family, everything we invest now will definitely pay for itself many times over."

Li Cui sighed, looking at Wang Da Gui’s easygoing expression. Is marrying into a wealthy family really that straightforward? They are all so hopelessly naive.

While Wang Da Gui’s family debated escorting Wang Qiqi to the exams, Wang Da Mei remembered that her poor—yet financially secure—niece was about to face the Gaokao.

"Yao Yao, have you been in touch with Qiqi these past few days?" Wang Da Mei asked her daughter, who was focused on eating.

Song Yao spat out a bone. "I spoke to her briefly. From the sound of it, Qiqi seems sleep-deprived."

"Which senior in high school gets enough sleep?" Song Wenbo shot a glare at his two unambitious children. "Speaking of which, should we go see Qiqi off on the exam day?"

Song Wenbo recalled that one of his subordinates had requested leave for the three days of the Gaokao, citing the need to escort their child. He couldn't take leave himself, but he felt he couldn't miss seeing Qiqi off during such a major event. "Yao Yao, you take the day off, okay?"

Song Yao’s mouth widened in surprise. After a moment, she offered a strained smile. "I do have the day off, but I have plans that day." Song Yao was thinking of her scheduled shopping spree in Shanghai.

Song Ziwen felt his parents’ gazes shift to him. "I have to work overtime that day." Seriously, is my relationship with Qiqi close enough that I should see her off to the exam? Besides, he had already made plans with his colleagues for an intensive gaming session that day.

Wang Da Mei sighed heavily. "Forget it then. I guess we’ll just give Qiqi a call those days. We’ll tell her we both have overtime and can’t spare the time to take her to the exam hall." (To be continued)