As Wang Qiqi stepped into the classroom with Jiang Xin, holding her books, she noticed everyone chatting happily, but the room fell silent for a beat the moment she entered.

Bai Ge waved, calling out, "Qiqi, Qiqi, over here."

Hearing someone call her name, Wang Qiqi let out a breath of relief; the atmosphere in the class had been rather grim. "Bai Ge, Happy New Year! Where did you go for New Year's Day?" Wang Qiqi offered greetings to those around her.

After Bai Ge briefly mentioned where they went, she beamed excitedly, "Qiqi, did you know? Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi are dating now."

"I knew yesterday, Jiang Xin told me," Wang Qiqi replied, acutely aware that everyone was watching her reaction, which she found rather amusing. "I told Jiang Xin right then that I’d treat everyone to a meal sometime."

Bai Ge froze for a moment, but quickly recovered. Since it was Jiang Xin’s roommate who saw it first, it stood to reason that Jiang Xin would tell Wang Qiqi. "Right." She then lowered her voice, "Everyone was just buzzing about it, and Gong Yiying kept dropping hints about you just now. Be careful later."

Honestly, when Bai Ge and the others saw Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi walk in arm-in-arm, they were all stunned. Although gossip had been rampant in the class, the room was now clearly divided into two factions, and Gong Yiying carried herself like a victor.

Be careful? Wang Qiqi felt thoroughly perplexed. Just as she was about to say something, Gong Yiying's irritating voice cut in, "Qiqi, where were you over New Year's? We never saw you. You weren't out with that person, were you?" Gong Yiying said, tugging Deng Zhi along with her.

Wang Qiqi looked at the two arrogant figures and instantly felt like she was observing two vain peacocks showing off their plumage. "You didn't know? I told everyone in the dorm that day I had to rush back because my cousin was getting married and I was her bridesmaid. Were you not present that day?" Wang Qiqi wondered if the girl was trying to flaunt or drag her into the mud. "But I hear you’ve been quite pleased with yourself lately. When are you treating the dorm to dinner? I already told Manman and the others yesterday—it hasn't even been long since school started, and our dorm has already settled two couples."

"No problem at all. Actually, Qiqi, we really have you to thank for this. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be together, right, Zhi?" Gong Yiying linked her arm through Deng Zhi's.

Deng Zhi knew Gong Yiying was deliberately showing off, but he was equally happy to needle Wang Qiqi a bit. To this day, Deng Zhi never forgot how humiliated he felt when Wang Qiqi hadn't given him a second glance. "That’s right. If it weren't for classmate Wang Qiqi, how would I have known Ying was so perfect for me."

"Exactly, we really have you to thank," Gong Yiying smiled like a flower. While Deng Zhi didn't have the family background of Zhang Han, he was still far better than Wang Qiqi's boyfriend who worked as a tutor.

Wang Qiqi waved dismissively, "Thank me for what? If you really want to thank me, remember to treat us to a good meal. And if you happen to offer a matchmaker's gift, even better—I certainly won't refuse." Wang Qiqi thought, If you want to show off, then show off.

Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi had expected to see at least a momentary change in Wang Qiqi’s expression, but they hadn't anticipated such a sharp retort. "When might you be treating us to dinner, Qiqi?"

"I'll treat everyone on a happy occasion next semester," Wang Qiqi replied, having already planned the date for when Han Tao would be freer.

Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi exchanged a glance. Even if it was a while off, there was still something to look forward to, right? "Sisters, keep your evening free tonight, especially you, Qiqi."

Wang Qiqi gave an OK sign. "If there's good food involved, I’ll push aside any commitment." Wang Qiqi added, "Tell me the location you decide on for the treat, and I'll be there on time."

Gong Yiying glanced at Deng Zhi, then smiled at Wang Qiqi. "Actually, Qiqi, you can bring your significant other." This was a chance to see firsthand which lucky fellow had managed to hook up with Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi smiled and politely declined the invitation. "I'd love to bring him out, but his final exams are approaching, and he's very busy right now." Wang Qiqi wasn't lying; the parents of Han Tao's students had asked him to take on extra lessons to ensure their children achieved good grades on the upcoming exam. Han Tao couldn't refuse and had accepted the workload.

Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi looked at each other again. Gong Yiying asked with feigned concern, "Qiqi, you need to be careful. Maybe he's seeing someone else on the side..."

Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao wasn't that kind of person, but she understood their concern was thinly veiled curiosity, a desire to see a good show. "It’s fine. We’re just friends. If he wanted to change his mind, he could do it even if we were together every day." Seriously, Gong Yiying, ignoring the guy standing right next to you, she's even giving me a mournful look. That’s just awful. Doesn't she realize he has a girlfriend?

Gong Yiying hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to remain so spirited. She stared at Wang Qiqi for a long moment, noticing that Qiqi was simply staring back. She laughed lightly. "Qiqi, you really know how to take things in stride." Hmph, you think I’m implying our relationship won't last long, don't you? Hmph, even if our relationship doesn't last, so what? Besides, Gong Yiying didn't think she’d pin herself down to Deng Zhi forever. If someone better came along later, couldn't she change her mind?

"It's not about taking things in stride; it's about trust in him," Wang Qiqi looked directly into Gong Yiying's eyes.

Gong Yiying pouted and scoffed. Trust? Didn't this girl know that men were often unreliable creatures? "Then I wish you good luck," Gong Yiying thought. I just hope I don't find out about some affair; otherwise, I will have a good laugh at her expense. We’ll see how tough her mouth is then.

Wang Qiqi sat down to the sight of Bai Ge giving her a thumbs-up. "You're amazing."

Wang Qiqi smiled and returned the gesture with a thumbs-up. "Fighting me with her level of competence? Honestly, I just don't get why she needs to parade Deng Zhi in front of me. I was the one Deng Zhi confessed to and I rejected him, not the other way around."

Wang Qiqi wondered if the pair were incapable of realizing how idiotic their showing off was. Furthermore, Wang Qiqi genuinely wanted to tell Gong Yiying that the prize she was treasuring was something Wang Qiqi had already discarded. But saying that would be too impolite. Still, didn't they understand this? Or were they desperately hoping to see her humiliated?

Bai Ge glanced back at the two canoodling figures in the back and sighed. "Jealousy trumps everything. But I predict they’ll move out of the dorm sooner or later." Things were progressing far too quickly. "Deng Zhi is changing his affections way too fast, isn't he?"

Everyone has been young, everyone has had a crush, or been crushed on. But after a failed confession or unrequited love, one usually mopes around for months. Yet, Deng Zhi’s confession to Wang Qiqi felt like just yesterday, and now he was parading his new conquest to show off. What did that imply?

"It implies he's charming, and it implies Deng Zhi never truly liked me; he liked something else about me," Wang Qiqi stated wisely. "Oh, speaking of which, Han Tao told me he asked around for you; someone is actually looking for a primary school tutor. He’s going to find out the specifics, and then you can look over the details and negotiate with the household yourself."

Wang Qiqi’s words brought great delight to Bai Ge and the others. "Really?"

"Yes! We thought we wouldn't hear back until next semester," Duan Xiaomin was also pleasantly surprised. They received a response so quickly! Although they might not secure the tutoring job, just the effort he put in showed how supportive her future brother-in-law was.

Would Han Tao put this much effort in? In his view, he had already lost to Zhang Han in terms of family wealth, so he couldn't lose in this arena. Many people sought him out for tutoring, and he had turned them down previously. Since he could help now, he would. "It would be best to finalize things this semester so you can start next semester," Han Tao decided.

Wang Qiqi’s timing made sense to Bai Ge and the others. "Mhm. Oh, Qiqi, I'm a little worried. I've never tutored before..."

Wang Qiqi could only sigh. Being the good Samaritan was proving costly; she had successfully introduced a couple, and now they expected her to secure their future as well. "Han Tao can give you a brief orientation. Of course, every child is different; you’ll have to figure things out based on your own judgment, understand?"

"Will he accompany us to the interview then?" Li Xin asked cautiously. "I'm just worried..."

Accompany them to the interview? Wang Qiqi was taken aback. She couldn't decide that. Han Tao was already swamped with his studies, discussing computer science matters with Dai Lijun, and taking on tutoring jobs. To be honest, in the past few weeks, Wang Qiqi had only managed to talk with Han Tao on the weekends. According to Shi Man’s view, only Wang Qiqi could tolerate someone like him. Which couple spent their time apart? Wang Qiqi and Han Tao rarely cuddled; at most, they'd occasionally go out for groceries or a meal, which counted as a date. If Wang Qiqi hadn't been okay with it, Shi Man would have seriously questioned Han Tao about whether he was taking advantage of Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi also wished they could snuggle together intimately, but she knew Han Tao didn't have time for moonlit romance right now; he was busy with many things, all for their future. But now they expected him to chaperone their interviews? Wang Qiqi seriously wanted to ask them how old they were—it wasn't like they were in kindergarten. "I’ll ask him. It’s not up to me to decide." Alas, Wang Qiqi was beginning to regret her involvement.

Li Xin and the others noticed the flicker of unhappiness on Wang Qiqi's face and realized they might have been overly demanding. They recalled that Wang Qiqi’s boyfriend supposedly handled several tutoring arrangements. It wasn't as if he could just drop everything he was doing to take them to an interview.

Jiang Xin, having heard Wang Qiqi mention this before, also felt their requests were excessive. He was doing this as a favor; was it necessary to pile on one demand after another? (To be continued)