Wang Qiqi certainly knew the name of that pill, but there was no way she could blurt it out now; otherwise, Wang Rui and the others would find it very strange that an unmarried girl like her knew so much.

Wang Qiqi shook her head, signaling ignorance. "I only heard about it from a university classmate. She said her aunt apparently couldn't conceive, took some pill recommended by someone, and had it specially brought back from Hong Kong. After taking it for some time, she gave birth to three babies—two boys and a girl." This, of course, was all fabricated by Wang Qiqi.

If Wang Qiqi had easily revealed the pill's name, not only would Wang Rui have been suspicious, but even Li Cui would have had to think twice. But with Wang Qiqi speaking like this, they actually believed her.

Wang Dagui spoke first. "That medicine is quite good, very beneficial. How about..." As long as his daughter was married into the Gao family, Wang Dagui knew he would have money to spend. Although the Gao family was rich, his daughter had only received a few sets of clothes after sleeping with the Gao family boy for so long. Considering how much money his daughter had taken from home, it was, overall, a losing proposition.

Li Cui shot Wang Dagui a glare. Even if she was anxious, there was no need to be so obvious, was there? She then spoke to Wang Qiqi with great kindness. "Qiqi, find some time to inquire for your aunt. If Xiao Rui secures her position in the Gao family, you might benefit a little too, right?"

Benefit a little? Wang Qiqi inwardly chuckled. If she really had to beg them, who knew what kind of faces they would put on. "It's just a small favor. Besides, I don't feel the need to gain any benefits from the Gao family. We’ll just live our separate lives."

Li Cui looked at Wang Qiqi’s earnest expression and was quite satisfied with her understanding. However, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Qiqi, is the compensation money from your parents still there?"

Compensation money? As soon as Li Cui uttered those words, Song Wenbo stopped talking to his son-in-law, Gong Peixing. Both men shifted their gazes toward Li Cui, while Wang Rui also glared at Li Cui with clear displeasure. "Mom..." In Wang Rui's view, with such a good opportunity at hand, why should Wang Qiqi get a share? The Gao family was willing to share such good news with their family because of her; why should Wang Qiqi get any benefits?

Wang Qiqi found Li Cui’s sudden mention of the compensation money very strange. Her mind raced through a hundred possibilities, yet she couldn't figure out why Li Cui was bringing this up again, especially since her parents' compensation money was something Wang Dagui, or even Wang Damei, had no right to mention.

Wang Qiqi hesitated slightly. "What is it? Does Auntie have some opportunity for making a fortune to share with me?" Wang Qiqi didn't believe the stingy Li Cui would be so kind as to offer her a chance to get rich.

Li Cui was furious at Wang Rui’s narrow-mindedness—what a short-sighted brat! Did she really think Li Cui was that benevolent? With such excellent news, why wouldn't she borrow money from Wang Qiqi to operate the investment herself, make a profit, and then dismiss her with a small token amount? Moreover, Li Cui thought that when Wang Qiqi eventually came asking for the money back, she could make things slightly difficult for her as payback for the past insult. "Xiao Kai's mother said the stock market is good recently, and she has some inside tips..."

After Li Cui rambled on for a while, everyone finally understood: they were apparently getting into stock trading. As for stocks, Song Wenbo and Wang Damei’s family were skeptical; look at how wild the stock market was in the early nineties, and what happened afterward. "We don't have any spare money either. All our money is tied up in the house. Besides, we don't trust the stock market." Wang Damei was the first to reject Li Cui’s idea of involving relatives in getting rich.

Wang Qiqi found it even funnier. She didn't believe Li Cui was being so kind. The underlying message was clear: they needed to hand the money over to her for joint operation. For that kind of operation, even with a ten-thousand-percent return, Wang Qiqi wouldn't join. Once the money was given to Li Cui, getting it back wouldn't be easy. "Auntie, the stock market is doing well now. Even without inside tips, as long as the stocks bought aren't too outlandish and the heart isn't too greedy, one will eventually make money." The stock market was booming; even a fool would partner up, right? Furthermore, how much money did Li Cui have, and how much did I have? If they were to partner, she should be the one putting her funds into my account.

Li Cui hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to understand so much. Her mouth dropped open. "Qiqi, you’re not also trading stocks, are you?" Hmph, if she was trading, she wouldn't even bring me along. "I just started about a month ago and made a small profit. Isn't that why I’m sharing this news with you all? But Qiqi, you..."

Wang Rui's expression also soured. Yes, she knew how hot the stock market was now; Gao Kai was using his pocket money to trade stocks—that’s how he could afford to buy her clothes and such. But she hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to also be involved in the stock market. She didn't know exactly how much money Wang Qiqi had, but she had a rough idea given how much the elders lost back then. If all of that was invested in stocks, how much would it be earning? Thinking of this made Wang Rui extremely uncomfortable. In her eyes, Wang Qiqi should be groveling on the floor, watching her own life improve.

"Auntie, have you forgotten that I majored in finance?" Wang Qiqi would not tell Li Cui whether she was trading stocks or not. "My professors occasionally mention it in class, but one saying is very true: stock markets have risks; entering requires caution." It would be great if she held on for another year, but given Li Cui's black heart, constantly extracting money from the market, it would be a problem if she ever stopped. If she pulled out the principal early, she’d have earned money to circulate, which would be fine. But Li Cui would only think about making the principal grow larger and larger to earn more money, aiming to surpass me financially sooner.

When Li Cui and the others heard that Wang Qiqi knew about the stock market because of her finance studies, they breathed a collective sigh of relief. Wang Rui was happy that the foolish Wang Qiqi, despite studying finance, wasn't trading stocks—she deserved to live off past savings. Li Cui was happy because her principal investment was about to see a massive boost.

But before Li Cui could even ask to borrow money, Wang Qiqi spoke first. "That money is a keepsake from my parents. I put it into a five-year fixed deposit back then, and I never intended to withdraw it. Besides, I feel it’s better to keep money in my own hands. You know, borrowing money involves one facial expression, and returning it involves another." Although Wang Qiqi didn't name names, she smiled at Li Cui as she said this. Anyone who couldn't grasp her meaning then would truly be an idiot.

Li Cui slammed her chopsticks onto the table. "Wang Qiqi, what exactly are you implying? Am I someone who borrows money and doesn't repay it?"

If it were someone else, they might not be so direct, but this was Wang Qiqi. She wouldn't hold back. She nodded. "Yes, there’s no choice. After everything that has happened, I understand that money is best kept with oneself. Even if you offered twenty percent interest, Auntie, I wouldn't be moved. I won't touch this money even while I'm in college."

Twenty percent, Wang Qiqi secretly scoffed—truly black-hearted. Even though it was higher than bank interest, given the current returns in the stock market, if it was only this much... Wang Qiqi kindly informed Li Cui, "Auntie, even though the Gao family is your in-laws now, their approach is a bit unethical."

Li Cui froze. How did this involve her in-laws? She was stunned, as were Wang Dagui and the others. Wang Rui panicked. "Auntie and Uncle are very kind-hearted, Qiqi. Don't pour cold water on things here."

"Kind-hearted?" Wang Qiqi sneered. "Does Auntie trade stocks herself, or is the money kept in the Gao family's account?"

"It was put into your Auntie's account," Wang Dagui answered honestly.

Hearing Wang Qiqi ask this, Li Cui knew trouble was brewing. She hadn't expected her silly husband to answer so quickly. She pinched Wang Dagui's flesh underneath the table, signaling him with her eyes to keep quiet. "It was originally supposed to be managed under my name, but later Xiao Kai’s mother said having more capital makes operations easier and can earn more money..."

Wang Qiqi initially thought the Gao family was scamming people, but now she realized the Gao family was also playing a trick, and Li Cui wasn't exactly an angel either, trying to skim some benefit. But none of that concerned her. She tapped Li Cui slightly, signaling that not everyone was a fool. "It’s not that Gao Kai’s parents are bad, I just find it unethical. Auntie just said the Gao family's investment is quite profitable, but only offering twenty percent return. It sounds impressive at first hearing, but consider this: if ten thousand yuan were placed with them, you’d get twelve thousand yuan after a year, right?"

Li Cui nodded, confirming the calculation wasn't wrong. "The bank only offers a few thousand in interest for a year."

Wang Qiqi continued, "But the same ten thousand yuan, even without inside tips, according to professors' calculations, as long as one’s brain isn't muddled and one doesn't panic-sell when things look bad, earning ten thousand—making it twenty thousand by year-end—is considered passing grade." As Wang Qiqi spoke, she looked at Li Cui and saw the surprised look in her eyes, as expected. Hmph, trying to trick me? Just wait.

"Ten thousand turning into twenty thousand in a year?" Song Yao’s mouth dropped wide open. She suddenly felt she shouldn't have used the money to buy property. If that much money went into stocks, by next year she could have... Song Yao found her mind struggling to process it.

Song Ziwen’s hand, mid-way bringing food to his mouth, stopped abruptly. "And that's just passing grade, Qiqi. If the operation is better, can it earn even more?" Song Ziwen felt like an absolute fool. Earning money—why buy houses for rental income? "Qiqi, if there are inside tips, how much can be earned?"

Wang Qiqi wasn't certain. "I think if one operates several times, of course, provided the inside tips are plentiful and not false, turning ten thousand into fifty thousand might be possible."

Well, as soon as Wang Qiqi finished speaking, everyone’s astonished eyes turned toward Li Cui. Li Cui kept muttering, "Ah, ah, Qiqi, are you sure you calculated correctly? How can it be that much? Xiao Kai’s mother didn’t say it was this much..."

Regardless of the truth in Li Cui's words, naturally, no one believed her. Wang Damei stepped in to rescue her. "Wang Rui hasn't married into the Gao family yet. One needs to use their brain for some things; making money isn't that easy." Hmph, this Li Cui claimed she’d let everyone make money; it turned out she was the one getting the big cut while they got scraps to drink. (To be continued.)