Wang Qiqi stepped out of the restaurant entrance and saw Han Tao already waiting. As soon as Han Tao spotted her emerging, he casually took her backpack and started walking slowly ahead. “Dinner party today?” Judging by the standard of the restaurant, it seemed quite nice.

“Someone is pursuing a beauty from my dorm. Once they secure the relationship, they’re treating us to a meal.” Wang Qiqi briefly explained the reason for her gathering, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt she’d said too much. Han Tao was waiting for her, after all; she estimated Shi Man must have told him the whole story already. “Manman…”

Han Tao had actually been quite nervous on the way over. His tutoring session had ended early, and if they hadn't agreed to meet at the entrance at eight-thirty, he would have already rushed into the restaurant. “She said some guy who’s chasing you was treating everyone to dinner.” Han Tao’s voice grew softer. “I didn't believe that part…” If Wang Qiqi were someone who prioritized material wealth, she wouldn't have aimed for C University; staying at Shen University would have been much better.

Didn't believe it? Wang Qiqi looked at Han Tao, who was twitching his head back and forth, and knew the degree of truth in his words. “Actually, Manman wasn’t entirely wrong; someone really is trying to pursue me, but sadly, he’s even worse than Gao Kai.” Wang Qiqi had seen far too many calculating gazes. Even if Zhang Han boasted about his family background, a good background didn't guarantee he would treat her well. Besides, if his family were truly wealthy, why would he look at her with such a calculating expression? “Wants to be a kept man living off me while playing the role of a white knight—is it that easy?”

Han Tao hadn’t expected the pursuer to be that kind of person, but the issue was that someone wouldn't reveal their true colors so easily during a first meeting. “Are you sure?”

“What are the odds that I like reading travelogues, and he likes them too, and the content he discussed was exactly what I’ve been reading lately.” Wang Qiqi tried several times to steer the conversation toward the travelogues she’d recently read, but he only stammered. Of course, he could claim he hadn't had time to read them, but Wang Qiqi felt such coincidences were too neat. “The main thing was that calculating look that gave him away.”

Han Tao listened as Wang Qiqi calmly recounted the events of the dinner table as if discussing someone else’s affairs. “If the person heard this, do you think he’d feel like jumping off a building?” Having experienced so much, Wang Qiqi wasn't like an ordinary young girl. Perhaps outsiders saw Wang Qiqi as quite lavish with her spending, but she was actually very prudent. For example, the laptop was specifically bought for translating materials.

That person’s thoughts? Wang Qiqi didn't have the time to care about his survival. She rubbed her stomach, which wasn't full. “Let’s grab some late-night snacks to take back. I’m hungry.” They had ordered plenty of food, but the problem was there were sixteen people to share it, the seating was cramped, and then there was Deng Zhi.

Well, that statement alone indicated Wang Qiqi hadn't enjoyed the meal much. But what kind of late-night food could they find at this hour? “Buy dumplings?”

Dumplings? Wang Qiqi didn't much care for them. “Let’s get some fried rice instead.” Although dumplings were similar to wontons, Wang Qiqi always felt the skins were too thick.

“See? I don’t know what will even be available this late.” Han Tao glanced around at the shops that were gradually closing their doors. He thought, never mind what it is, as long as it’s edible, it’ll do.

Wang Qiqi looked around at the deserted street; only one small shop was still open. “Let’s go see if they have anything good.” She was used to seeing barbecue stalls operating late past midnight, or at the very least, 24-hour convenience stores. Even after being reborn for this long, Wang Qiqi still couldn't quite adapt.

In the end, Wang Qiqi only bought some dry instant noodles and a bit of bread. “Let’s have noodles tonight.” Wang Qiqi could only console herself; she thought there were still some leftover eggs from last time.

When Wang Qiqi and the others returned home carrying their purchases, they found Dai Lijun was still there, which Wang Qiqi found strange. “Why is he still here?” Although he swiftly rushed into the north-facing room with his water cup, he still startled Wang Qiqi.

“He went to buy a computer this afternoon and installed it directly in Han Tao’s room.” Zhu Lina also felt quite helpless. She and Shi Man had finished their dinner, discussed some matters, and when they returned here, they were both startled by Dai Lijun standing by the door. If they hadn't recognized him as Dai Lijun, they might have called the police.

Installed in Han Tao’s room? Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered that guy mentioning last week that he was also planning to buy a computer. “He’s quite fast. But I suspect the chances of him going back tonight are slim.” After playing on the computer for just a little while, that guy hadn't satisfied his computer craving yet—would he really leave? “Should I cook some noodles for you all?”

Dai Lijun poked his head out from the slightly ajar room. “I want some. Oh, right, I bought a roasted chicken and haven't finished it yet.”

“I’ll just have a little.”

“One bowl for me,” Shi Man and Zhu Lina stated their required amounts.

Wang Qiqi had only asked out of politeness, never expecting them all to want some. “Couldn’t you guys at least politely say no?” Although Wang Qiqi complained, she still got up to start cooking noodles in the kitchen.

Watching Wang Qiqi head to the kitchen to work, Shi Man beckoned Han Tao over and asked if he knew why Qiqi immediately wanted to eat after returning, considering she’d just been treated to a meal. “Is it possible the host was stingy and refused to order many dishes?” But that didn't sound right either; knowing Han Meina’s temper, she would never let her man skimp on ordering food.

“One table of sixteen people, and one of them is a guy Qiqi dislikes.” Han Tao dropped this brief explanation and walked toward the small room. He had some questions he needed to ask Dai Lijun. Not long after, discussions between the two men drifted out of the small room.

However, the information Han Tao provided was enough for Shi Man and Zhu Lina to digest. “Only one table for sixteen people? That’s too stingy.” Shi Man compared that to Wang Qiqi’s appetite, and it definitely wouldn't have been enough. Of course, the key point was, “Does Wang Qiqi not get along well with the guys in her class?” But that didn't seem right either; they hadn't heard that Qiqi had much interaction with the male students.

Zhu Lina was deeply engrossed in a book on the sofa, reading with great focus. Shi Man next to her was chattering ceaselessly, making it impossible for her to concentrate. She put down her book. “You can go in and help now.” Zhu Lina pointed toward the kitchen.

“Why?” Shi Man thought. Didn't she see she was busy? Did she have time to help boil noodles? Besides, she didn’t know how to cook, so she’d only make a mess by going in.

Zhu Lina shot Shi Man a look. “You can go ask Qiqi.” Sigh, outsiders said she was easygoing, while Shi Man was a bit aloof, almost like a Little Dragon Girl. Zhu Lina thought she really needed to let those who called Shi Man the Little Dragon Girl see her true colors—she was clearly a gossip enthusiast.

Right! How could she have forgotten that crucial point? Lina was the best after all. Shi Man happily scurried away, successfully deflecting the issue onto Zhu Lina, and then returned to her book.

Wang Qiqi spotted Shi Man creeping in and immediately knew there was no good news coming. “If you want help with chores, I’ll talk while we eat.” Wang Qiqi knew that even though Zhu Lina hadn't come in, she was quite keen on gossip. Since the story might need to be told twice, it was better to get it all out at once.

What? Tell the story while eating? Shi Man immediately tried to turn back to the living room to wait for Qiqi to call them for dinner, but just as she turned, she heard, “You can hear the story, but you have to wash the dishes.”

“Um, um, those noodles are what you’re eating.” Shi Man mentally compared herself; she could skip the noodles. “If I don’t eat noodles, do I not have to wash the dishes?”

Wang Qiqi looked at Shi Man trying to dodge the topic and shook a single finger at her. “No exceptions, unless you don’t want to hear today’s gossip.”

Shi Man stood still, thinking it over. “I’ll just wash the dishes and do the chores.” Sigh, she envied Lina—getting food and gossip without lifting a finger, but then again, Lina was the landlady.

Wang Qiqi quickly finished boiling the noodles. “Done. Go tell them it’s ready.” Wang Qiqi then started on a second batch of noodles; there were too many people, and Wang Qiqi could only cook the portion size for two people; any more would turn the noodles mushy.

Shi Man carried a bowl of noodles to inform Han Tao it was time to eat. As for Zhu Lina, Shi Man figured it would only be half a bowl, and since she was reading, eating later wouldn’t matter.

Wang Qiqi, having worked busily for a long time, finally carried her own bowl of noodles out of the kitchen, only to find Dai Lijun and Shi Man had nearly finished eating. But clearly, there were only two mouthfuls of noodles each; she guessed they were holding out to hear the gossip. “Wait until I finish eating; I’m starving.” Wang Qiqi first picked up a piece of roasted chicken to eat. Although there were fewer dishes at home and she had to work, it was much more comfortable than eating at the restaurant.

Shi Man and the others watched Wang Qiqi taking large bites of food and noodles, wondering if the girl hadn’t eaten anything at the dinner table. “If the person who treated you saw you eating like this back home, they’d probably be overjoyed,” Shi Man quipped.

Overjoyed? Wang Qiqi struggled to swallow the food in her mouth. “If he’s happy, that would be the problem. Right now, he’s probably worrying about how to placate his roommate.”

His roommate? Zhu Lina quickly figured it out. “Could this dinner have had another meaning? Were they trying to introduce a man to you?” As she spoke, she glanced toward Han Tao—Shi Man’s guess was actually correct this time.

Wang Qiqi nodded. “I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, but I feel like he was very concerned about whether I was going abroad.”

“What business is your going abroad of his?” Shi Man grumbled. “Does he want to go abroad too if you go, and then spend your money? Damn it, forget a man like that.”

Wang Qiqi spread her hands. “Do I just look like the type who wants to keep a kept man?” Back home, Wang Qiqi was quite annoyed. On the way back, she had replayed Gong Yiying’s expression when she saw Deng Zhi; it had changed. Furthermore, if Deng Zhi were truly that great, why didn't Gong Yiying display her charms and snatch up this bachelor who didn't have a girlfriend? Gong Yiying knew, so wouldn't Han Meina know? “Truly, good people get bullied.”

As soon as this line was uttered, the four people present simultaneously made a retching expression, bluntly stating that Wang Qiqi had quite thick skin. (To be continued.)