“Kiki, let's go shopping on New Year's Day.” Bai Ge was lying down, nestled close to Wang Qiqi below her.

Wang Qiqi typed the final few sentences onto the computer; this order would be her last piece of business before New Year's Day. “I’m not going. My cousin is getting married, and I have to rush back.”

Rush back? Everyone found it strange. Wasn't Wang Qiqi's cousin’s wedding set ages ago? Why hadn’t they heard Qiqi mention it before? Perhaps the wedding date wasn't originally New Year’s Day, and it had been moved up for some reason. As for the reason, everyone would immediately jump to the most obvious possibility.

“Originally, I didn’t want to go back, but my cousin’s bridesmaid had a last-minute issue and couldn't attend, so my cousin had to ask me to fill in.” Wang Qiqi could tell Jiang Xin about Song Yao’s pregnancy, but she wouldn't tell the dorm mates. The main reason was that while the dorm mates were fiercely tight-lipped about things concerning them, you couldn't expect their lips to be so sealed when it came to matters that didn't involve them.

Regarding Wang Qiqi’s explanation, Bai Ge and the others felt something was off, yet it wasn't impossible. “Then you really must go back.”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Yeah, I didn't plan on going back for the whole time; it’s just three days. I’ll practically spend the entire break traveling.” Qiqi wouldn't even be able to attend the last day of classes. She had to catch the train on the evening of the 30th. Originally, she considered taking the noon train on the 31st, but considering she wouldn't arrive home until the early morning, she worried about being too tired on New Year's Day, so she decided to leave a day earlier.

Bai Ge hummed. “Just you going back? Is your friend, that boyfriend of yours, coming with you?”

Han Tao going back? “No, he’ll be swamped those three days.” Even though New Year’s Day hadn't arrived yet, Han Tao’s tutoring clients had already informed him they needed him to work overtime during the break. Essentially, for those three days, from morning till night, he’d be ridiculously busy—every moment outside of eating, sleeping, and traveling would be spent hustling for money.

Bai Ge was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly understood. “It’s almost the end of the semester. Is tutoring really that lucrative?” With the final exams looming, Bai Ge felt her own wallet was so thin it couldn't squeeze out oil. She suddenly felt it was necessary to find a part-time job, and after some consideration, tutoring seemed like the most suitable option for her.

Wang Qiqi didn't know a great deal about the tutoring business, but from the hints she’d gathered from Han Tao’s casual remarks, she had some grasp. She considered for a moment. “Actually, tutoring is both easy and difficult. Parents who hire tutors primarily want to see their children’s grades improve. If you have that capability, then tutoring is easy. When my friend first arrived in the capital, people immediately sought him out for tutoring because one student's parent was well-connected with the parent of the student he currently tutors, who then made an introduction. Through that connection, he secured a few more clients. The key is whether you can genuinely improve your student's grades.”

Bai Ge and the others fell into deep thought after hearing Wang Qiqi’s words. They had initially assumed the hardest part of tutoring was simply finding parents willing to hire them. When Bai Ge asked initially, they were half-hoping Wang Qiqi’s friend could introduce them to a family needing tutoring, but now they realized they had been too simplistic.

“I hope none of the parents happen to own a translation agency,” Li Xin asked with sudden interest.

If the same question came from Gong Yiying, Wang Qiqi might have needed to pause and consider carefully, but coming from Li Xin, Wang Qiqi answered without hesitation. “It seems so. But back then, I hadn't thought that far ahead; I just liked English a bit. Later, Manman and the others suggested I try taking a translation test to gauge my level, so I went for it. My progress has indeed been significant. By the way, are you all thinking about becoming tutors?”

Wang Qiqi noticed the expectant looks in everyone’s eyes and, with a moment’s thought, realized they were likely looking to earn some money. A few people in the dorm came from less affluent backgrounds, so having such an idea was completely normal.

Bai Ge confirmed this with a simple “Mm,” adding, “I overspent a bit right after school started.”

“I’ll ask my friend, but since none of you have tutored before, you’ll probably only be able to teach elementary or middle school students, and the income won’t be high. At least, that’s what I think. You’ll have to negotiate the final rates yourselves,” Wang Qiqi said, aware she could only help with introductions; the actual work arrangement depended on their negotiations.

Bai Ge and the others weren't demanding high rates, and they weren't picky about teaching elementary or middle schoolers either. Among so many university students, how many tutoring jobs would they even get without an introduction, let alone the luxury of choosing?

“Thank you, Qiqi. We’ll treat your friend to a meal then,” Bai Ge said, subtly glancing at Duan Xiaomin and the others—she had managed to get a glimpse of Wang Qiqi’s mysterious boyfriend.

Li Xin looked surprised. “Why should we treat him to a meal? Isn’t he our 'brother-in-law'?” A brother-in-law should be the one treating us first.

Feng Yanjie glared at the slip-up from Li Xin. “What a silly girl. One thing is one thing. We’re treating him to a meal to thank him. Besides, once we get familiar, won't our brother-in-law eventually treat us to good food?”

“Exactly, exactly,” Bai Ge agreed. “At the very least, he shouldn't treat us the way Zhang Han did that one time.” There were certain things they wouldn't say in front of Han Meina.

Feng Yanjie also voiced her requirement. “We don't care about the restaurant’s class, but we absolutely must be full, and we can't all be crammed around a single table eating.”

Feng Yanjie had major complaints about that dinner hosted by Zhang Han. While the guys from the male dorm were all in the same class, it was fine for Zhang Han to invite everyone for a meal, but the problem was only providing one table. Even if they ordered extra dishes, there was limited space once sixteen place settings were accounted for. And then there was that whole incident with Deng Zhi later on.

Wang Qiqi certainly had no issue with that. “But we’ll have three extra people. Are you all okay with that?” If she invited the entire dorm, Shi Man and the other two would surely demand to come along.

Three extra people meant twelve in total. While a large group, it was manageable. “Oh, I wonder if Zhang Han will show up that day,” Duan Xiaomin suddenly recalled. If Han Meina joined the gathering, would Zhang Han appear? The number of people could keep growing.

Wang Qiqi realized the headcount was expanding, but it would be impossible not to invite certain people. “If there are too many, we’ll just book two tables.” No matter how much money it cost, Han Tao would willingly cover it.

Wang Qiqi’s suggestion brought forth a cheer. They knew that Han Tao’s popularity among them was no less than Zhang Han’s, and perhaps even higher. While Zhang Han was handsome and capable, what tangible benefits could he offer Bai Ge and the others? Besides, they hadn't enjoyed that one meal Zhang Han paid for. Conversely, if Han Tao could help them find work, they felt he was far superior.

Wang Qiqi thought it over. “I’ll call my friend tomorrow and ask him to check for suitable families for you first. Oh, and you all need to think about which subjects you excel at first.” This way, Han Tao could search for jobs with a clear objective in mind.

Hearing Wang Qiqi say this, Bai Ge knew she wasn't just brushing them off. Hmph, she knew Qiqi wasn't stingy. Gong Yiying had even claimed that Qiqi wasn't genuinely helping them find jobs but was deliberately setting them up to look foolish. In reality, Bai Ge and the others understood that if their abilities were good enough, they wouldn't have trouble getting hired. “Thank you, Qiqi, thank you, Qiqi.”

“You must select subjects based on your actual proficiency,” Wang Qiqi cautioned again. “It’s easier to shine by teaching the subject you are best at. Afterward, parents will naturally mention you to their friends, and your tutoring contacts will slowly expand.” Wasn't it the same for Han Tao when he first arrived in the capital? He started with just one family, and now, even with only three regular clients, the income wasn't low.

Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao preferred high-paying jobs that allowed him to maximize his income while retaining more private time. Otherwise, he could easily take on ten or twenty clients. However, the more clients, the lower the quality of education, as every child’s strengths and weaknesses differ, requiring tailored focus and different tutoring approaches for each. Wang Qiqi felt that if it were her, she would prefer Han Tao’s "boutique approach"—producing students who excel outstandingly in their subjects—and then worry about income? Of course, these were her thoughts; how they chose to operate was up to them. Wang Qiqi figured even if she told them her strategy, they might not listen.

Sitting on the top bunk, Bai Ge furrowed her brow, trying to figure out which subject she was truly good at. “I realize I don’t actually have a strong subject,” she sighed after thinking for a long time.

“Isn't your Math okay?” Duan Xiaomin asked, though slightly annoyed that Bai Ge had interrupted her concentration, she offered comfort.

“Math?” Bai Ge hesitated. Although her college entrance exam Math score was decent, she had forgotten most of it since then. Wait a minute—she didn't need to teach high school level! “That’s right! How could I forget? I can teach middle schoolers!”

Duan Xiaomin could only shake her head at the suddenly excitable Bai Ge. “Alright, we need to seriously think about our strong subjects.”

Bai Ge muttered a few sounds of agreement, then looked around at the others. She knew that speaking up again would disturb their concentration.

Wang Qiqi was long accustomed to Bai Ge’s occasional outbursts that seemed disconnected from the situation. Moreover, Wang Qiqi was busy rushing her manuscript. Although the deadline was after New Year's Day, she dared not actually submit it then.

The next day, Wang Qiqi received the lists from the five of them—Bai Ge and the others. As for Zhang Yan, she wouldn't be tutoring. Han Meina and Gong Yiying were not in the dorm; Bai Ge and the others didn’t mention them, and Wang Qiqi wouldn't ask if they should include Gong Yiying either. (To be continued.)