Wang Qiqi knew that as a niece, she couldn't press the issue too much on this topic. Moreover, she had already fulfilled the favor Song Yao had asked of her. "The reason I came to Auntie's house today is also to share some good news. I just received my acceptance letter from C University a couple of days ago." Wang Qiqi pulled the C University admission letter from her bag and showed it to Wang Damei.

C University? Wang Damei looked at Wang Qiqi in surprise, then glanced at Song Wenbo. "Did I hear that right?" Could she really be so senile as to mishear news about her niece's chosen university?

Song Wenbo was equally astonished. "Wasn't it Shen University?" While C University was certainly respectable, applying there felt genuinely risky before the admission scores and final college entrance exam results were out.

"I originally planned for Shen University, since it's more convenient for coming home," Wang Qiqi knew Wang Damei and the others would remember her initial application choice. "My friend Shi Man and the others are going to C University. They persuaded me to go too, saying I'd have people I know there for company, and since my parents are gone, whether I'm home or not doesn't really matter anymore."

Wang Damei understood. Although their relationship with Qiqi was decent, it wasn't overly intimate. Compared to Qiqi's relationship with Wang Dagui and his wife, Qiqi's bond with their side of the family was better. Still, she hadn't expected Qiqi to keep such a significant decision secret. "C University is quite good, but if you're going all the way to the capital, what about the house?" Wang Damei wondered if Qiqi intended to just leave the property locked up.

"I've arranged for the current caregiver to come in once a week to clean, and I’ll have someone pop in occasionally to air the place out." In fact, Wang Qiqi had already asked Aunt Luo to help ventilate the place occasionally; as for the cleaning, she let Gong Hong continue doing that work.

Wang Damei uttered a noncommittal "Oh," her eyes assessing Qiqi. She wouldn't believe Qiqi had made such arrangements without any prior groundwork. "That’s good too. Having someone look after the house will put your uncle and me more at ease. After all, we’re busy with work and might not always have the time to go over and open the windows."

Wang Damei was thinking further ahead: if Wang Dagui and his wife ever found out that Qiqi had entrusted the key to her, then Li Cui would surely scheme to get the key from her. Then she would be caught between offending one side or the other by either giving it up or refusing. Now that Qiqi had arranged for her own caretaker, it saved Wang Damei a headache. "I’ll let your uncle know when we get back tonight; after all, she’s family."

Wang Qiqi nodded. "I'll mention it tonight when I get back. I just wanted to clear this with you first, Auntie."

Wang Damei didn't read too deeply into it, but Song Wenbo’s expression shifted instantly. If Qiqi told Wang Dagui and his wife this way, they would surely direct their anger toward Song Wenbo and Wang Damei, assuming it was their idea. Facing this possibility, Song Wenbo desperately wanted to ask Qiqi how she planned to handle it, but the words died in his throat. Ever since his brother-in-law passed away, the relationship with his brother-in-law's family had been strained over compensation funds; they believed Song Wenbo and Damei hadn't helped them enough. Later, when it came to funding Wang Rui’s university education, their refusal to cooperate with Li Cui’s act to swindle money from Wang Qiqi had made Li Cui even more distant. At this point, maintaining a good relationship with them seemed unimportant.

What convinced Song Wenbo to abandon supporting Wang Dagui’s family in favor of Wang Qiqi was C University. This was a milestone Wang Rui would never reach, no matter what. Even though Wang Dajun and his wife were gone, Wang Dagui and his wife remained. There was no guarantee they would raise Wang Rui well; they might not offer any help in the future—they might even become a constant burden requiring Song Wenbo’s family to clean up their messes. Considering all this, Song Wenbo naturally favored the path that benefited his own household.

Wang Qiqi waited a long time, but Song Wenbo remained silent. She couldn't keep staring at him either, as that would expose her intentions. She hadn't expected Song Wenbo to utter not a single word, which indicated he had already made up his mind. In the Song household, although Song Wenbo outwardly appeared to defer to Wang Damei, anyone familiar with the family dynamics knew that Song Wenbo was, in fact, the one holding the reins.

"I have my acceptance letter now, Auntie, so I’m going out of town with classmates for a few days starting tomorrow." Wang Qiqi casually mentioned her travel plans. "I’ll be passing through the capital. A friend of mine, whose family knew she was going to C University, bought her a four-bedroom apartment outright." Wang Qiqi added this detail with an envious tone. "She said she could let me have a room there."

Wang Damei and Song Wenbo both gasped at Qiqi’s statement. They couldn't fathom that Wang Qiqi would actually buy a property in the capital—even if she had the funds, they doubted she had that kind of audacity. Song Wenbo thought about it: a high school graduate whose family immediately purchased a four-bedroom unit in Beijing just because she got into C University—that was an entirely different level of reality.

Wang Damei suddenly remembered something Wang Rui had once said. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Is it a boy?" If Qiqi had a good relationship with such a boy, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing; a girl marrying into a family with good standing was always preferable. If Qiqi were still in high school, it might be problematic, but now that she was heading to university, that concern faded. Furthermore, if her niece married into wealth, it could be an advantage for their own family.

Wang Qiqi was unaware of the calculations running through Wang Damei's mind, nor would she have taken them seriously even if she had known. "No, it's a girl. Auntie, you’ve met her—Zhulina. That way, Shi Man and I can split our time between the dorm and her place."

Wang Damei knew Zhulina seemed to come from money, but she hadn't realized they were that wealthy. "It seems the friends Qiqi knows come from rather capable families." Rumor had it that Shi Man's parents were officials. Knowing friends of different social strata led to vastly different potential benefits.

Wang Qiqi smiled faintly. Zhulina’s generosity had truly been unintentional. "I didn't expect it either. I was originally prepared to live packed in with a bunch of people in a dorm room." Wang Qiqi meant that without Zhulina's open-handedness, she would have simply stayed in the dorm and wouldn't have considered renting.

Wang Damei didn't dwell on Qiqi’s remark. Whether Qiqi stayed in the dorm or rented a place in Beijing was beyond Wang Damei’s immediate concerns. "Going off to study in the capital alone, take care of your health."

Song Ziwen finally seized an opportunity to interject. "Then, Qiqi, are you still treating everyone?" It was quite customary for students celebrating college acceptance to host dinners for teachers, classmates, and relatives, especially for acceptance into a good school—a perfect chance to show off a successful child.

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "I’m not planning a banquet. It’s just going to college, and besides, my parents aren't here." Since she wasn't trying to solicit red envelopes, she decided against it.

Song Ziwen had been hoping Qiqi would treat them to a nice meal, so her lack of enthusiasm made him feel rather let down.

Wang Damei was momentarily stunned. She recalled that last year, when Wang Rui got into high school, Wang Dagui and his wife had indeed hosted a dinner. It seemed unlikely that Qiqi, accepted into such a prestigious university, would remain silent. But then she understood: Wang Dagui had hosted the dinner last year because Li Cui wanted everyone to contribute financially. Otherwise, would she have been so generous? When Li Cui realized that the contributions, especially from Wang Qiqi, weren't substantial, her expression soured horribly. Would she even contribute money this time? Sighing, Wang Damei wondered what to make of such behavior.

Song Yao came out carrying a plate of food. Hearing that Qiqi wasn't planning a banquet, she immediately objected. "If you don't host a dinner, when Wang Rui applies for college, and they invite you, will you give them money?" Song Yao was certain that if Wang Rui actually got into college, Li Cui would absolutely insist on a banquet. If Qiqi didn't host now, Li Cui would likely be delighted, gossiping outside about how arrogant Qiqi was while happily avoiding any expense. When Wang Rui's time came, however, Li Cui would host, putting Qiqi in a difficult position: pay up, or refuse? She couldn't use the excuse that she hadn't hosted for her own acceptance, as that logic wouldn't fly; people would just think she was foolish. They wouldn't argue that just because she skipped a dinner meant they should skip one too.

"Right, I need to host a dinner. It's just one table. I'll see how much my aunt gives me, and I’ll add an extra ten percent for Wang Rui’s college celebration." Wang Qiqi thought to herself that given Li Cui’s grasping nature, she wouldn't spend much; she might even show up empty-handed, which was her specialty. But no matter; she would match whatever amount Li Cui offered.

Seeing that Wang Qiqi finally understood, Song Yao nodded. "Second Aunt treats everything as a transaction; she never thinks about reciprocity or nurturing relationships. She’d rather give money to her own family." Song Yao already held a poor impression of Li Cui, especially after she deliberately brought up Song Yao’s dating life at the New Year’s Eve dinner, leading to a huge argument with her mother when she got home and ruining the entire holiday. Hmph. In short, Song Yao’s current mission was to create as much trouble for Li Cui as possible.

Wang Damei looked at her daughter’s agitated state and sighed. She knew this was her daughter lashing out. "Is the food ready?"

"It is," Song Yao replied, adding, "With his help, how could it not be fast?"

As Song Yao spoke, Gong Peixing emerged carrying a pot of soup. Seeing his brother-in-law so obediently helping in the kitchen, Song Ziwen sighed, walked over, and offered assistance. "Come on, Brother-in-law, as a man, you need to remember that the kitchen is off-limits. Aren't you embarrassing us guys?" Song Ziwen had never cooked a day in his life.

Song Yao heard her younger brother undermining her and put her hands on her hips. "Is that how a little brother-in-law talks to his sister? I'm your sister!" Although Song Yao’s expression looked feisty, she was secretly quite pleased. He was her brother, and even if she wasn't entirely thrilled with her choice of Gong Peixing, he still consistently supported her.

Song Ziwen knew exactly how smug his sister felt and shot Wang Qiqi a 'See how capable I am' look. "You are my sister, that’s true, but Brother-in-law and I are both men. From a man’s perspective, I must stand firmly with Brother-in-law, right, Brother-in-law?"

Gong Peixing smiled. "Although I am a man, helping the woman cook is the mark of a good husband." Compared to the potentially difficult future in-laws, his future brother-in-law and sister-in-law were much easier to deal with. Since his brother-in-law couldn't step in earlier, his sister-in-law had just smoothly defused an awkward situation for him.

"Exactly!" Wang Qiqi patted Gong Peixing’s shoulder. "Sister Yao Yao's mission is to train Brother-in-law to be someone who earns money outside but takes on all the housework inside."

Song Ziwen’s mouth dropped open in an exaggerated expression of shock. He looked at Wang Qiqi, then managed a smile that looked worse than a cry. "Heavens above, that goal is nearly impossible to reach. If I ever get married and my wife has the same requirement for me, I think I'll just stay single." Could he ever meet such expectations?