Wang Qiqi felt an immediate urge to hang up the moment she heard the voice on the other end, but she listened as the caller rattled off the latest offer for her place. “I’m sorry, I’ve seen the contract. The lease runs until the end of the year, and breaking it incurs a penalty. And another thing: I need to tell you that I have severed all familial ties with your future in-laws. So stop bringing up some relationship between us.”

With that, Wang Qiqi cleanly disconnected the call. She was utterly sick of someone constantly invoking kinship ties. Damn it, she needed to consider it? Consider what? As for how the Gao family would react, Wang Qiqi truly didn't care.

Yesterday, Gao Kai had heard Wang Rui mention that her father was going to their aunt’s place to discuss the house with Wang Qiqi. He’d expected a result that would satisfy him, but after waiting all day, he hadn't received a call from Wang Rui. He tried calling Wang Qiqi himself to relay his family’s thoughts, never expecting such a disastrous outcome. This development completely stunned Gao Kai.

Standing by the phone, Gao Kai pondered for a long time before picking it up again to call Wang Rui, asking what had happened yesterday. Wang Rui, of course, explained everything to Gao Kai, while Li Cui listened beside her daughter, lost in her own thoughts.

Wang Dagui looked utterly flustered. “Gao Kai knows we fell out with Wang Qiqi?” No way, how could Gao Kai know? “Wang Qiqi told him.”

“Wang Qiqi told him,” Wang Rui ground out through clenched teeth. “Gao Kai couldn't wait for news from us, so he called Wang Qiqi directly. That wicked girl said it all on the phone. Gao Kai chewed me out over the phone, saying I messed things up.”

Thinking of this, Wang Rui glared at Wang Dagui with deep dissatisfaction. “Dad, I told you from the start we should have discussed this properly with Wang Qiqi. But you insisted you were the elder and she’d listen to you. Now look at this mess.” Especially since they wouldn't get any future benefits.

Hearing this, Wang Dagui shot up, ready to storm out. “I’m going to settle accounts with Wang Qiqi! She’s got the audacity of a leopard!”

Though Wang Dagui spoke ferociously, his actions betrayed that he was merely posturing. “Dad, just save your energy. Wang Qiqi publicly mentioned today that you told Auntie to watch how she conducts herself around you. If you go looking for her now and something happens to her, it’ll be obvious you orchestrated it.” Wang Rui, fed up with the thoughtless old man who only dragged her down, turned to her mother. “Mom, why aren't you saying anything? Give us an idea of what to do now.”

Li Cui secretly smirked. Now they remembered her. “I told you both that what you were doing was wrong before, but neither of you listened to me. Now you want me to come up with a plan? How can I? And after Wang Qiqi shut you down yesterday, I honestly don’t know what to say.”

Li Cui thought about the pile of trouble she already had on her hands. “I went to see Gao Kai’s mother today and talked to her about the money. She said she’ll give it to us by mid-year.”

The moment Li Cui finished speaking, Wang Dagui and Wang Rui jumped up. “Mom, how could you do that?” How could Wang Rui not panic? The matter of the storefront was unresolved, and now her own mother pulled a stunt like this. How would she face the Gao family in the future? Would Gao Kai’s mother still treat her warmly?

Wang Dagui was equally agitated. “Bring the money back! Are you stupid? If the money is with the Gao family, we still stand to gain some benefits!” They knew exactly how much benefit they stood to gain, which was essentially free money.

“Benefits?” Li Cui snorted. “If Wang Qiqi didn’t rent the apartment, would the Gao family hand over the money so readily?”

“We might as well take the money back now. I’ve inquired; the rent on that property runs until the end of this year. As long as the Gao family wants to rent, she won't dare refuse payment.” Li Cui had thought everything through. “As for your status in the Gao family, that’s for you to fight for. Remember, if we don’t get the money from her, she’ll come after us, not the Gao family.”

Wang Dagui’s mouth dropped open when Li Cui said this. “No way. Isn’t the Gao family quite wealthy?” Would rich people really quibble over such a small amount?

“Money is best kept close,” Li Cui stated simply. “In any case, I’m taking the money. I won't stop you if you want to play the good person, but if you do, then we divorce.”

Li Cui was tired of this whole affair. Life had become much harder since her husband’s elder brother and his wife left. These two good-for-nothings of hers kept thinking things were simple. Li Cui wanted no part of being tied down by them.

Wang Rui had intended to persuade the old man to go to the Gao family and demand the money by mid-year, but she hadn't expected her mother to utter the word 'divorce.' Seeing Li Cui’s stern face, Wang Rui backed down.

“Maybe we’re blowing this out of proportion. We’re inviting people for New Year’s Eve dinner in a few days, right? When Wang Qiqi comes, we’ll be extra warm to her.” That way, in the eyes of the Gao family, their conflict with Wang Qiqi would seem like just a minor spat.

“Yes, yes.” Appearances mattered most. Wang Dagui was a spineless coward; Wang Qiqi’s earlier display had actually left him a bit fearful. “Xiao Rui, you need to try harder. Your father has suffered a lot for you. Once you marry into the Gao family, remember to be filial to your old dad.”

Wang Rui looked at the fawning Wang Dagui with increasing annoyance. “Alright, alright, I get it.” She said impatiently, “I’m heading back now.”

Li Cui watched the two buffoons. She wouldn't involve herself; let them do as they pleased. She couldn't manage them anymore anyway.

In the days that followed, Wang Qiqi occasionally met up with Shi Man and Zhu Lina, went to the library for books, or browsed the internet—though there wasn't much useful material available. However, she managed to secure a few translation jobs. Li Xiangdong would fax the materials over, Wang Qiqi would translate them, and email them back to Li Xiangdong. While she was a bit busy, she earned enough for the New Year. With money in hand, Wang Qiqi indulged herself, frequently shopping for food and ingredients, and setting a date with Shi Man, Zhu Lina, and Han Tao for a New Year’s Eve dinner among the four of them before the holiday.

Shi Man watched Wang Qiqi load another cart full of fruit, vegetables, and meat. “You, you, you’re being too wasteful!” Wang Qiqi even bought two of those ridiculously expensive watermelons. This was…

“You don't have to eat them tonight,” Wang Qiqi shot Shi Man a look. “I’m treating you all; can’t I be a little extravagant?”

“But, but they’re so heavy! I can’t carry them.”

“Fine, there’s too much stuff. Although we can eat more, the problem is getting it upstairs.” She paused. “Actually, we could just eat at a restaurant.”

“A restaurant lacks atmosphere,” Wang Qiqi wanted them all gathered around chatting. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to lift a finger. By the way, Zhu Lina has been really busy lately; she missed the last few gatherings.” Even her calls were rushed.

“I think her family has a new project; I don’t know the specifics,” Shi Man said. After returning home, Shi Man was also busy visiting relatives or tutoring her younger siblings, or being dragged along by her parents to various social functions. “My parents keep taking me out to entertain, saying now that I’m in university, I need to start learning about these things.”

Shi Man found this utterly boring. “It’s far less interesting than staying home with you.” At least that was freedom. “By the way, are your uncles still bothering you?”

“They want to reconcile, but I won’t pay them any mind,” Wang Qiqi dismissed any overtures from Wang Dagui. What struck her as odd, however, was Li Cui’s complete silence.

This compelled Wang Qiqi to raise her guard. Wang Dagui and Wang Rui weren't worth much attention, but Li Cui was different. She had more schemes than Wang Rui, though she wasn't as ruthless. At this critical juncture, Li Cui's non-involvement was highly suspicious.

When Shi Man heard Wang Qiqi’s concern, she retorted, “Isn't it better when someone isn’t causing trouble?” Honestly, Wang Qiqi had a talent for worrying. “Just be careful. Besides, as long as they don’t try to sic people on you, you can go to the capital after the Spring Festival. What’s there to worry about?”

Wang Qiqi supposed that was true. She paid and left. If they weren't making a move, why worry so much? She must have too much time on her hands.

“You guys look so comfortable,” Zhu Lina said enviously when she entered and saw Shi Man lounging on the sofa watching TV and eating snacks.

Wang Qiqi walked over to the sofa, grabbed a blanket, and draped it over herself. “Don’t be shy. We can start eating once Han Tao gets back. Hot pot tonight.”

Zhu Lina was used to it; if Wang Qiqi was preparing the food, it was almost certainly hot pot. “Got it. Oh, Qiqi, my dad transferred money to your account. Did you see it?”

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “No, I didn't. How much did he send?” Wang Qiqi hadn't thought to check, as no one had mentioned it.

“I’m not entirely sure, maybe fifty thousand?” Zhu Lina wasn't certain.

Wang Qiqi froze when she heard the figure. “Fifty thousand?” Had she heard correctly? But a major boss was certainly generous with their spending. “That’s too much.”

Even if the stock market was doing well, the Zhu family shouldn't be this lavish, Shi Man gaped, her mouth wide open.

Zhu Lina shook her head. “It’s not that much. Remember that idea you had about frozen foods last time?”

Wang Qiqi understood. So, that fifty thousand included that investment. In that case, the amount wasn't quite as excessive. Wang Qiqi joked, “It looks like I might have lost out on those fifty thousand.” If the Zhu family handled this idea properly, it was guaranteed profit.

“What if we offer all future frozen food products made by my family for free?” Zhu Lina suggested another reward. In reality, there was a bigger reward, which Zhu Lina didn’t mention; her father said a decision would be made after formal production began.

Wang Qiqi just hummed in response. “That sounds about right. But your family’s business is expanding rapidly; your uncles must be getting jealous again.”

“Hmph. When aren't they jealous? Now they’re furious because the only shareholders are Mom and me; Dad isn't even on the list.” Zhu Lina revealed that her father hadn't taken money from the group company this time but used their personal savings, completely making his stance clear. This had infuriated their uncles, cousins, and nephews, leading to an escalation in their petty maneuvers. However, Father said he was prepared for all these moves, and Zhu Lina didn't share the details with Wang Qiqi and the others. In truth, Zhu Lina knew that even if she remained silent, Shi Man and the others had an inkling of what was happening.

【The Value of a Bride】Author: San Tan Who says an underdog’s comeback is just a flip of a coin? This young lady is determined to ‘fight’ her way to the top! 【First Arrival as a Bride】Author: San Tan The reborn woman returns strong: “A fierce life needs no explanation.”