Wang Qiqi was quite busy the next day. She went home, gave the house a thorough cleaning, and chatted with her parents. Although she had brought photos of them along, talking to them there felt different from speaking to them in person. After quite some conversation, Wang Qiqi rose to go have lunch at Auntie Luo’s house.

Luo Hong watched the slender girl sitting quietly across from her, detailing how Xiao Tao was doing in the Capital, and listening to her plans about going to Europe during the summer to source merchandise. She truly couldn't believe this frail-looking girl had so many ideas. Previously, she had persuaded them to buy property, and now that they were in the Capital, she was dabbling in the stock market. While a bit restless, one had to admit the girl had good foresight. Now, she was planning a trip to Europe. “Buying things in Europe? Can you sell them when you get back?” If it were property, that would be excellent, but what if they stocked up on high-end bags and cosmetics only for them to expire?

Wang Qiqi understood that people of an older generation would naturally feel uneasy about such ventures. However, their worries reflected the sentiments of many. It was precisely because of these cautious thoughts that even if someone got the idea, they would be discouraged. “One of the parents whose child Han Tao tutors is a translator. She says as long as the goods are genuine, they are cheaper than buying domestically, and she can help market them.”

Since Wang Qiqi had put it that way, what else could Luo Hong say? Moreover, whether for better or worse, letting the young ones venture out was a good thing, especially since the purchasing capital came from stock market earnings. How could she object? Although Luo Hong found Wang Qiqi a bit overbearing, and her constant stream of ideas seemed somewhat elusive, she had to admit that since this was the girl her son liked, and given how long Luo Hong and Qiqi had known each other, she knew Qiqi was a decent person. “Do whatever you decide, but no matter what you do, always leave yourself a fallback plan. After all, not everything is guaranteed to succeed.”

Wang Qiqi knew this point well. “We plan to keep the principal intact, and we aren't planning to withdraw all the money.”

The stock market was performing well, and besides, even if they found sales channels, they couldn't expect to be brilliant or purchase vast quantities on the first try. Wang Qiqi’s idea was to first test the waters; earning back the expenses for their trip out would be good enough.

After Wang Qiqi analyzed their approach, Luo Hong still felt a little uneasy, but significantly less so than before. “The train tonight?”

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Yes, tonight. If we don't leave soon, I’m worried I’ll lose my original capital.” Regarding these matters, Wang Qiqi knew that even if she didn't mention it, rumors would surface.

Luo Hong was momentarily stunned, then caught on. “Your aunt told you she has inside information, a twenty percent annual return?” Luo Hong was increasingly impressed by Li Cui’s thick skin. After the unpleasantness with Wang Qiqi previously, anyone else wouldn't bring up money again, yet she did.

This time, it was Wang Qiqi who was momentarily stunned. “Ah, she doesn't go around telling everyone that, does she?” Good heavens, how much money was she planning to rake in? Her audacity was too much. Even in a bull market, there was no need to go this far. “Are there many people investing?”

Wang Qiqi was truly worried. If it genuinely made money, that was one thing, but if they lost the principal without making a profit, Wang Qiqi worried about what Li Cui would use to repay the money. As for the Gao family, whom she assumed had deep pockets, there was no counting on them. But these were secondary concerns; the most important thing was that if Li Cui dragged their family into it, and those old neighbors came demanding money, it would be a huge headache.

Even though her family and his had separated long ago, and his family’s debts had nothing to do with hers, and she hadn't acted as a guarantor, what if unreasonable people targeted her? When Wang Qiqi voiced this concern, Luo Hong smiled and comforted her. “Don’t worry. Your aunt now has a bigger backer; you’re no longer in her eyes. And when you leave later, if you run into old neighbors, just say a few polite words when they ask.”

Wang Qiqi looked at the bags and parcels piled beside her, filled with everything from pickled vegetables to cured meat. Wang Qiqi genuinely wanted to say that in the Capital, they truly had everything, but this was the manifestation of a mother’s love for her son.

Luo Hong suddenly remembered something and dashed into the bedroom. Wang Qiqi internally fretted, surely there isn't more stuff for me to carry? Please, no, it’s already too much.

Moments later, Luo Hong returned with several sweaters. “Qiqi, these two sweaters are for Xiao Tao, and these two are for you.” With her son not around, Luo Hong didn't need to worry about the other house; if anything broke, Gong Hong could handle the repairs and submit the receipts for reimbursement. As for the stock market, although Luo Hong often kept an eye on it and considered selling when it rose, her son had told her to wait until the right moment, so Luo Hong didn't have much to do. Previously, she used to make trips to the hospital to care for her detestable mother-in-law, but now that the mother-in-law was discharged, Luo Hong had no intention of visiting her again. Being nice to her would only encourage them to develop unwarranted expectations and schemes to squeeze benefits from her family. With nothing else to do at home, Luo Hong knitted sweaters.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected there to be something for her too. Since her mother passed away, no one had knitted a sweater for her. Wang Qiqi took the sweaters, holding back tears, unsure of what to say besides thank you—she felt gratitude was all she could offer.

Luo Hong looked at Wang Qiqi, clutching the sweaters and only managing to say thank you, then pulled her shoulders close. “If you like them, Auntie will knit more for you in the future.” Luo Hong had previously worried Wang Qiqi might dislike them, as Qiqi had mostly worn ready-made clothes since she was little.

Wang Qiqi, tears streaming down her face, smiled. “I love them very much. They smell like Mom’s scent. When Mom was alive, she used to knit sweaters for me too, but I was too young then and thought the store-bought ones were prettier. Now, I can’t ever wear a sweater my mom knitted.”

Luo Hong stroked Wang Qiqi’s back. The two leaned against each other for a long time. Finally, Luo Hong wiped the tears from her face. “When you have winter break, let me know early, and Auntie will help clean your house.”

Wang Qiqi murmured an acknowledgment, packed the items, bid farewell to Luo Hong, then went home to say goodbye to her parents. After locking the door and standing there for a few minutes, she adjusted her backpack and headed downstairs.

“Qiqi, you’re back,” some women chatting downstairs noted as Wang Qiqi appeared, showing no surprise. They exchanged glances, and one spoke up.

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Yes, my cousin is getting married, and I’m here as a bridesmaid. I’m catching the train tonight, so I just came back to say hello.”

The women present weren't surprised about Song Yao’s wedding; Li Cui had already spread the news about the early wedding date throughout the neighborhood. “I heard your cousin moved up the date because she’s already pregnant?”

“In the past, some people got married after having a child.”

What a bunch of gossips. “My sister and brother-in-law got their marriage certificate in September. They only moved the reception to the Spring Festival because they were worried the renovation on the marital home wouldn’t be finished in time. Isn't the marriage certificate proof of marriage?” Wang Qiqi wasn't lying; if they weren’t legally married, would her aunt and uncle have allowed Song Yao and Gong Peixing to share a bed? “My sister and her husband are legal spouses. It’s strange that no one talks about those who aren't legally married couples but just sleep together as boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Wang Qiqi thought Li Cui really had the leisure time to spread such news, wondering why she didn't consider that Wang Rui was only a high school sophomore constantly preoccupied with men. If she were Li Cui, she would try to keep such news hidden.

Everyone present were sharp cookies; they knew Wang Qiqi was referring to Wang Rui, but they just smiled. “By the way, Qiqi, your aunt said she wanted to include you in her wealth-building venture. She mentioned the stock market is doing well, with a fixed profit share of twenty percent. Are you joining?”

Finally, the main topic arrived. Wang Qiqi thought, no wonder I had to sit through your nagging. “My aunt’s future in-law has inside tips, which is good, but I’m not interested in that. Besides, our families split apart, and we had such an unpleasant fallout before; I wouldn’t dare entrust that much money to her. Furthermore, I majored in finance, so with a twenty percent return, I’ll just manage my own investments.”

“Right, Qiqi studied finance. Are you trading stocks too? Do you have any inside tips?”

“Yeah, if you have any, include us.” No one was a fool. Twenty percent wasn't high, and the stock market was booming now, but the question was how long the boom would last. What if it ended like the early nineties, when many people lost everything overnight, even their underwear? But taking just twenty percent, they were hesitant to give that up. If someone could provide guidance, they could easily do it themselves.

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “I’m not trading stocks. Although I studied finance, I only learned about these things from teachers. At the time, this was the last memory my parents left me; I really value the idea of trading stocks.”

“I can only politely decline my aunt’s kind offer.” Wang Qiqi certainly wasn't going to persuade them further. “If my aunt makes money, it means my uncle makes money. If they live well, my parents below will also be happy, and that’s all. I’d rather live a stable, preservative life.”

As soon as Wang Qiqi finished speaking and left, she heard someone behind her saying, “Li Cui said the twenty percent is fixed, and there might be some fluctuation depending on the final profit, supposedly at least fifty percent. Besides, isn’t that girl Wang Rui involved with the Gao family's boy…”

“Right, the Gao family has such deep roots; they wouldn't default on our small amount of money.”

“Exactly. I told you, Wang Qiqi definitely won’t hand over her money. Didn’t you all know the relationship between their two families?”

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Li Cui to devise a scheme so quickly, even offering as generous as fifty percent. Li Cui must hate her to the bone now. How much profit did she need to generate? (To be continued)