The next morning, Wang Qiqi packed her things early, preparing to open an account, only to find Shi Man and Juliet both looking as if they were heading out. She found it strange. "Weren't you two planning on sleeping in?"

Shi Man glanced at Juliet. "I thought about it yesterday. Since I have some money lying around, and it's just going to be spent carelessly if I keep it, what if I use that little bit of money to earn more? Wouldn't that be a win for me?" Shi Man wasn't exactly short on money; her parents were civil servants, and while their official income wasn't huge, the bonuses they received during holidays and throughout the year meant she never worried about finances. This time, she felt a kinship with Qiqi, wanting to advance or retreat with her.

"Me too. Are we just going to watch you get rich?" Juliet playfully punched Wang Qiqi. "You have houses and savings. You always call me the rich girl, but you're the biggest rich girl of all."

Juliet had assumed Wang Qiqi would buy property when she helped Han Tao purchase his house. She knew property values would rise, plus there was rental income. But Qiqi hadn't made a move then. Now, hearing she planned to enter the stock market, Juliet realized Wang Qiqi must be very confident in her market predictions; otherwise, why would she venture in? Outsiders said Qiqi spent lavishly, but really, Qiqi only splurged significantly on food. Still, Qiqi was right—nourishment from food was better than supplements. If their family hadn't frequently sent nutritious things, and Qiqi hadn't often brewed sweet soups, would they have all made it through such a grueling final year of high school? Juliet, for one, knew she wouldn't have; her foundation was weak, and she might very well be in an overseas preparatory class right now.

"Exactly," Shi Man chimed in, following the lead. "Qiqi is fine; she has houses and shops. I'm completely empty-handed. Any allowance I get is spent as soon as I see something I like." Last night, lying in bed, Shi Man inventoried her small treasury and realized it was negligible. She received at least twenty to thirty thousand in yasuiqian (New Year's money) and birthday red envelopes annually, but what she had left now was just over a hundred thousand, even after counting the red envelopes from relatives and her parents' colleagues after she got into C University. Shi Man genuinely couldn't figure out where her money went; she hadn't bought that many clothes, and her mother bought most of the snacks, plus she still had her allowance. Shi Man was truly confused. She worried that in a year or so, she wouldn't even have this hundred thousand left, so she might as well follow Qiqi into the stock market. If she struck it lucky and made money, that would be thrilling. If she lost it, well, it would just be like the money she couldn't account for before.

"The stock market carries risks..." Wang Qiqi stared at the two exuberant faces brimming with the desire to get rich. Qiqi desperately wanted to remind them that making money wasn't that easy. Although the market conditions were good now, if she hadn't been reborn from the future, she wouldn't dare touch the stock market even if forced.

"We know, we know, but we're just playing small," Shi Man said, echoing the very words she and Lina had used to persuade Qiqi yesterday, clasping her hands together sincerely. "Besides, we're advancing and retreating together. If I really manage to make money, I'll definitely buy a place too, then I can collect rent and be a landlady. No, if I'm unhappy someday, I can just go live there for a few days."

Wang Qiqi and Juliet exchanged glances at the girl bouncing from one idea to the next, ignoring her as they walked to the entrance to change their shoes to leave. As for the one already lost in a daydream, they would just let her continue dreaming.

Shi Man was about to ask them something when she realized they were ignoring her. "Hey, you two wait for me!" This was too much; they were completely disregarding her.

"Why should we bother with you? I thought you were busy dreaming about being a landlady," Wang Qiqi retorted dryly. "Actually, with the money you have now, you could afford an unfurnished studio apartment. No need to act so pitiful."

Wang Qiqi didn't know how much in red envelopes children of officials received from other parents, but she knew Shi Man’s birthdays or the New Year were major opportunities for her to strike it rich. "Too bad your birthday will be in Beijing from now on; what a loss for your red envelope income."

Shi Man nodded sadly. "Yeah, at least I'll lose over ten thousand in red envelopes. Ah, it pains me so much." But her tone quickly shifted. "My mom said that getting too many red envelopes isn't always a good thing. People give you envelopes because they hope to get favors from you in return." There was no such thing as a free lunch. "Back in my hometown, people always remembered my birthday; I couldn't refuse even if I tried. They were celebrating their own children's birthdays, so it would be weird if my parents didn't celebrate mine. But now that I'm studying at university in Beijing, not celebrating my birthday is pretty normal."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Shi Man to see things so clearly. Many people became terribly conceited, wishing they could celebrate three or four birthdays a year just to scoop up more red envelopes. The favors they asked their parents for were minor matters; power unused was wasted. Some opportunities to profit disappeared with time. Yet, Shi Man felt this wasn't necessarily a good thing. Of course, Qiqi wondered if Shi Man would regret this sentiment later.

"Then let's head out. We still need to buy bowls and chopsticks. Oh, Qiqi, are you planning to withdraw the money today?" Juliet knew Qiqi likely carried cash on her, but she wondered how much she planned to invest this time.

Wang Qiqi nodded. "I plan to go big—I'm putting in all of my parents' compensation money." Wang Qiqi thought to herself that she didn't need too much; she just aimed to see the money reach seven figures before the year 2000.

Putting in all the compensation money? Juliet didn't know the exact amount Qiqi’s parents received after their deaths, but she knew the parents of the person at fault were business owners and clearly spoiled their son. Including the fees for smoothing things over after the accident and the final compensation, it seemed to be several million. Juliet remembered her own father telling her that if she ever caused trouble like that, he wouldn't pay that kind of unwarranted money. Juliet had just listened, though she knew there was a couple with a high school-aged daughter involved. She hadn't realized it was Qiqi’s parents. "You can't be serious."

"Don't worry," Shi Man said, unconcerned about Qiqi's future. "The bank books and the house her parents left her are worth more than that." If Qiqi gambled all her money away in the stock market right now, she still had the house. The monthly rental income alone would cover her expenses. Furthermore, Shi Man didn't believe Wang Qiqi was that thoughtless; she wouldn't squander her entire foundation.

Wang Qiqi raised an eyebrow and threw an arm around Shi Man's shoulder. "See, Manman understands me best."

"Of course, what kind of relationship do we have? By the way, Qiqi, are you really sure?" Shi Man had reconciled herself to the idea of the money disappearing without a trace, but one still hoped to earn some wealth. "My happiness in my next life depends on you."

"That's a huge responsibility," Wang Qiqi said, feigning shock, then asked with genuine confusion, "I always thought Shi Man's first half of life was her parents' responsibility, and the second half should be borne by her man. Why does it fall to me? Manman, you've got it wrong; I don't like women."

Shi Man froze for a second upon hearing this, then quickly realized what Qiqi meant and pinched Wang Qiqi’s arm. "What goes on in that head of yours? I really don't understand you. By the way, didn't Gao Kai make trouble at your place a few days ago?"

Wang Qiqi looked at Shi Man, realizing she hadn't mentioned that. "How did you know?"

"Hmph, even if you don't say it, Gao Kai's friends will," Shi Man scoffed, then explained how she received the news. "I can't believe a man who looks so refined and gentle as Gao Kai would do such a thing. He has zero character."

Wang Qiqi let out a sarcastic laugh. "He has character? You have no idea. Early the day before yesterday, my sister came looking for Han Tao to settle accounts, saying he hit Gao Kai."

Juliet and Shi Man had lost all hope for Wang Rui’s common sense. "Now I think you and your sister are a perfect match, the kind whose brains are simply muddled. I really don't know how they grew up. Oh, wait, it's your sister's influence—she's contagious. Look at you; when you were close to your sister, you got confused too. Now Gao Kai is close to your sister, and his grades are slipping repeatedly." Shi Man summarized her conclusion: "Stay far away from your sister in the future, or your recently brightened mind will turn dull again."

Wang Qiqi burst out laughing at Shi Man's words. "If Wang Rui heard that, her hair would stand on end. But Manman, what you said is actually quite true. When you get close to her, your mind does get foggy." Although a bit harsh, Wang Qiqi had to admit it made sense. In her past life, hadn't she always been muddled from spending too much time with Wang Rui? And wasn't Gao Kai ruined in this life, too? Of course, he was ruined in the past life as well, but most of it was his own fault. "Alright, we're here."

Although there were people opening accounts at this hour, it wasn't the frantic rush seen in later years when everyone flocked to open accounts. The securities office staff were quite surprised to see three people who clearly looked like students coming in to open accounts. Just as they were about to explain things to Wang Qiqi and the others, Wang Qiqi smiled. "May I ask if the funds are deposited directly with the brokerage, or can we use a bank transfer?"

"If the amount is large, we provide fund transfer services here," the beautiful clerk replied slowly after a moment of stunned silence, assuming these young women were only opening the accounts, and adults would handle all future transactions.

"Can an out-of-town bank card be used?" Shi Man wondered if this would save her a trip to the bank to withdraw money locally and incur transfer fees.

"We don't charge a fee for that," a male employee interjected impatiently. It was almost 11:30 AM; the market was closing soon for lunch, and these girls showing up now were just delaying their meal.

《A Lucky Star is Born》Author: Thousand Island Demoness Synopsis: Watch the transmigrated heroine's luck, fortune, and romance flourish! A tale of endless prosperity!