Wang Qiqi, holding her books and chatting happily with Bai Ge and the others, reached the classroom doorway. Just as she was about to step inside, Deng Zhi stopped her. “Qiqi, I need to talk to you.”

Wang Qiqi looked him up and down, noticing his demeanor was off—lacking his usual refined air. She certainly wasn't keen on following him, especially if they ended up in some secluded corner. “My name is Wang Qiqi. We aren't close. Please don't call me Qiqi, and if you have something to say, you can say it here.”

The commotion at the door had caught the attention of many students, and gazes swung toward them. Deng Zhi had only wanted a private word with Wang Qiqi, but he hadn't expected such a reception. Fine. “You forced my hand. At that dinner party the other day, a guy picked you up. Are you two living together?”

Deng Zhi’s accusation instantly sent ripples through the class. Good heavens, living together? Murmurs erupted immediately. “No way, she’s actually cohabiting with someone?”

“Is that why she keeps turning guys down?” Someone stroked his chin thoughtfully. It wasn’t impossible; after all, some of the guys who’d approached her were certainly well-off.

“Her partner must have pretty good prospects,” another speculated.

“Good prospects? And Qiqi would actually go for him?” Someone chimed in agreement. Although Wang Qiqi had always kept a low profile in class, ever since she bought that laptop, she hadn't been so inconspicuous in the department, or even the whole class. Otherwise, why all those ‘chance’ encounters with guys at the library? While many weren't purely after her money, having a girlfriend with some funds certainly eased the financial burden on the man.

“That was the dinner for both dorms, right? We could ask the guys who were in the same room as Zhang Han,” someone suddenly remembered, realizing there were direct sources.

Everyone agreed it was worth a try, so they questioned Zhang Han’s roommates. In truth, those guys didn’t know much more than the fact that the person in question was working as a tutor and was Wang Qiqi’s high school classmate. Oh, and he was quite tall, and they made a good-looking pair when walking together.

While the information revealed was sparse, those two points alone were enough to shock the assembled students. Heavens, a tutor? “Doesn't that mean his family background isn't good?” This was the more tactful phrasing.

The blunt assessment followed immediately: “Ugh, so he’s one of those moochers living off a woman.”

Deng Zhi listened to the classroom chatter, knowing his words had stirred up trouble. Hmph, it wasn't like no one else in the class had feelings for Wang Qiqi. But seeing how many others she had firmly rejected, they had dropped the matter. But if everyone knew the man she liked was just some useless freeloader...

Wang Qiqi listened to the murmurs and looked at the smug expression on his face. “First, who witnessed me living with anyone? Don't tell me seeing a guy pick me up is grounds for accusing me of cohabitation; if that were true, half the people here would be cohabiting.”

After saying this, Wang Qiqi surveyed the room. “I am not Ruan Lingyu; I understand the danger of gossip, but I can accuse someone of slander. Cohabitation is not a term to be thrown around lightly.” Hmph.

Slander? Everyone present froze. They had honestly thought it was just a bit of harmless banter. Was it really necessary to take it this far?

“Do you all think I’m making a fuss over nothing? Don’t you realize how important reputation is to a young woman? If I were living with someone, I’d just concede the point, but since I’m not, and you twist it like this—how is anyone supposed to live?” Wang Qiqi paused, realizing she sounded harsh. “Some jokes are fine, but some things you simply shouldn't spread, right? Are you suggesting that the next time a man and woman are seen eating out and coming home late, we can just claim they were up to no good?”

Hearing her line of reasoning, everyone fell silent. Could they really say Wang Qiqi was wrong? If they followed Deng Zhi’s logic for accusing her, her counter-speculation wasn’t entirely baseless. “Forget it, forget it. We’re all classmates; there’s no need to make things so hostile.” Someone tried to mediate.

“Exactly, exactly. We’re classmates; no need to make things this awkward.”

“Deng Zhi, apologize,” Zhang Han realized the situation was spiraling and rushed to Deng Zhi’s side, nudging him insistently. Zhang Han inwardly cursed the idiot; he looked smart, but clearly lacked common sense. Thinking this, Zhang Han felt a surge of annoyance toward Gong Yiying, who had been the one to tip off Deng Zhi first thing that morning—if not for her early gossip, things wouldn't have blown up like this.

Deng Zhi glared at the assembled students. He was already irritated enough, and now the entire mood had flipped just because a girl had threatened him a couple of times. What angered him most was that his supposedly good friend, Zhang Han, was now telling him to just drop it and apologize. Hmph. If he apologized now, how would he ever maintain any shred of dignity around here, or even face Wang Qiqi? So, Deng Zhi stubbornly refused to apologize.

Apologize? Wang Qiqi didn’t expect Deng Zhi to apologize anyway. The more he refused, the better; he shouldn't expect to get friendly with her later. “No need. I couldn't possibly accept such an apology. For someone who actively damages my reputation, a simple ‘sorry’ isn't enough. Apologies are easy to say, but only the speaker knows what they truly mean. Besides, which man I choose to like is my own business. I don’t need anyone’s approval to decide if I want someone rich, someone poor, someone capable, or someone who relies on me. That’s entirely my choice.”

Wang Qiqi’s declaration hung in the air, yet the listeners’ interpretation shifted: maybe Wang Qiqi had actually found herself a freeloader? The thought sparked intense jealousy in many. They thought, if we’d known that was her preference, we’d have jumped into the fray sooner.

“Also, being a tutor isn't a sign of poor family background; it’s a form of self-improvement. Can’t I work part-time?” Wang Qiqi knew it was only a matter of time before people found out she was working as a translator, though she’d hoped to delay the reveal. But thanks to Deng Zhi’s outburst, well... “At the very least, I respect someone who earns his tuition and living expenses through his own effort far more than someone whose parents pay for everything while he spends his time chasing girlfriends. Wouldn't you agree, Deng Zhi?”

Wang Qiqi gave Deng Zhi a look of utter disdain. Never mind whether he’d amount to anything in the future; based on his pettiness alone, he wasn't destined for great things.

Wang Qiqi was working too? That was explosive news! Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Good heavens, wasn’t Wang Qiqi supposed to be quite wealthy? Why would she need to work?

Gong Yiying’s jaw dropped upon hearing this. Wang Qiqi was working part-time too? “You’re not... you’re not a tutor, are you?” If Wang Qiqi truly needed to earn her tuition and living expenses, Gong Yiying looked at her with disdain. Hmph, what was the big deal? She was in the same boat as me—no, worse off than me, because at least my parents are still earning money.

A tutor? Wang Qiqi shook a single finger. “I don't have the caliber to be a tutor. I just handle text translation.” Tutoring was too strenuous and didn't align with my future career plans. Besides, I’m not planning to be a teacher, and I’m not desperately poor. Why engage in something that offers zero benefit to my intended career path?

Text translation? Holy cow. “Qiqi, you don't mean... you aren't constantly inputting data into the computer because you're translating manuscripts, are you?” Bai Ge’s mouth was wide open. Heavens, she had no idea her roommate, who always spent so much time on her computer, was actually making money! “Qiqi, you’re amazing.” Bai Ge felt she still knew very little about Wang Qiqi, missing something this significant.

Wang Qiqi smiled. “No, not really. A student of a friend who tutors opened a translation agency, so I went to try out. After passing the interview, they just send me some manuscripts to work on.”

Bai Ge suddenly grasped the situation. “So, when he picked you up that day, he was bringing you a manuscript, wasn’t he?” Once she framed it that way, it made perfect sense.

Wang Qiqi almost denied it, but then realized Bai Ge’s logic was sound, so she nodded. “Yes, he happened to have a manuscript to deliver, so he dropped it off.” Since Han Tao and she would have reasons to meet frequently anyway, she might as well let them think that.

“Didn't your parents leave you money?” Gong Yiying asked suspiciously.

“They did leave me money,” Wang Qiqi thought; she really must have started the day on an unlucky star. “But just because they left me money, does that mean I should never work? Even if my parents left me a fortune, it isn't what I earned. I’m genuinely happy to be doing work I enjoy while in university. At least in the future, when I meet foreign guests or watch an English film, I won't have to rely on subtitles.” Some films just lost their flavor when read in Chinese. “Class is starting soon; perhaps we can wrap up this topic?”

Wang Qiqi slid into the seat next to Jiang Xin. She had to avoid Bai Ge; if she sat next to her, even if Bai Ge couldn't question her aloud, she’d resort to passing notes.

“You’re about to become famous,” Jiang Xin remarked, watching with thinly veiled schadenfreude.

Wang Qiqi offered a wry smile. “It was bound to come out eventually. Besides, what I’m showing off is my own effort.” Wang Qiqi reflected that even if they were jealous, in the eyes of the school, she probably looked like the perfect model of a diligent, academically strong student working her way through college.

Wang Qiqi sat quietly, listening to the professor, while the people around her gave her all manner of looks. Gong Yiying, in particular, was astonished by how capable Wang Qiqi was. While she often saw Wang Qiqi reading English originals before, Gong Yiying always assumed Wang Qiqi was just pretending to be profound. To think she was actually working as a translator! If she were an English major, perhaps, but she was only a freshman! Even an English major wouldn’t be this good yet.

Was she using connections? Or was this whole translation job just an elaborate excuse to justify her need for money? Gong Yiying suddenly entertained this thought; she simply refused to believe Wang Qiqi was that talented.

Han Meina also looked at Wang Qiqi with surprise, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. But she felt intense resentment toward Wang Qiqi. After this episode, wouldn't people see Wang Qiqi as the ‘talented and wealthy’ ideal girl? Wouldn’t that push her own standing down a notch?