Feng Xuanxiang found it odd when he saw Wang Qiqi and the others appear at the office. "You all today?"

"We sold the stocks," Wang Qiqi, keenly aware of the eyes following every movement in the crowded office, rushed the words out. "Are you free for dinner tonight?"

"Sure." Feng Xuanxiang knew colleagues were watching his interaction. "The same place we ate last time. Six o'clock tonight."

Wang Qiqi hummed in agreement and turned to leave. "Don't sell yet, wait a couple of days," Feng Xuanxiang said, then walked off, leaving Wang Qiqi to head toward the mid-account room.

Wang Qiqi returned to the mid-account room, gazing at the stock market display. After pondering for a long while, she decided against selling today; she would wait longer.

Shi Man noticed Wang Qiqi staring intently at the computer screen. "Not selling?" Although Shi Man knew the stocks were rising, having ignored them all winter break, she nearly gasped when she saw the initial investment had more than doubled, nearing a threefold return. Her money had multiplied just like that.

Wang Qiqi quietly repeated what Feng Xuanxiang had said. "It’s up to you tonight." Wang Qiqi winked conspiratorially at Shi Man. While they knew the general market trend was good, stocks don't just print money; you need the right stock to see returns in the multiples. Feng Xuanxiang was rumored to be quite capable, so one must seize every exploitable opportunity.

Zhu Lina patted the stunned Shi Man on the shoulder. "It’s all on you today." Zhu Lina’s concern was partly for Shi Man. They didn't have Feng Xuanxiang's full background, but his popularity at the securities firm suggested he wasn't lacking. Moreover, the look in his eyes indicated he wasn't a bad sort—though that was all subject to Shi Man’s future judgment.

Shi Man pointed at herself, pouted, and grumbled, "Why me? Honestly, you two are just..." She searched for the right word. "...selling out your friends for personal gain."

Shi Man angrily turned away. They were too much. Even if she stood to gain something, she felt they were entirely out of line. Well, someone was genuinely upset. Wang Qiqi shot a look at Zhu Lina, signaling her to comfort Shi Man. Zhu Lina ignored her with a huff; clearly, Wang Qiqi had been the first to carelessly 'sell out' Shi Man, so why should she be the one to console her now?

Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina offered apologies and sweet talk, but Shi Man wasn't easily mollified. Only after extracting numerous concessions did Shi Man finally relent, at which point Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina realized the other was deliberately using this situation to extort favors.

"Next time an opportunity like this lands in our laps, don't you dare waste it," Wang Qiqi muttered resentfully. Especially if someone was trying to court Shi Man, they needed to demand a proper price. They certainly wouldn't take the loss themselves; at the very least, they needed to recoup their 'losses' by demanding something from him.

Feng Xuanxiang, sitting in his office, suddenly felt a chill and shivered several times before recovering. He found it strange; the office was warm, yet he was getting chills. Puzzled but unable to decipher it, Feng Xuanxiang quickly regained his focus, determined to wrap up all his tasks before his evening meeting.

Shi Man paid no mind to Wang Qiqi's veiled threats, certain she held no real leverage over her. "Are we treating tonight?" Shi Man suddenly remembered the crucial question of who was paying for the dinner, especially since they were the ones needing the favor. "I’m not paying a dime." Hmph. While she wasn't short on cash, Shi Man figured since she was sacrificing her 'female virtue' (by playing go-between), she shouldn't also sacrifice her wallet.

Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina exchanged a look—was this girl dense? Every time they had a gathering with Feng Xuanxiang, they were never the ones footing the bill. "You won't have to pay."

"Don't worry, someone else will cover it," Zhu Lina thought. If a suitor wanted to court a beauty like Shi Man, he couldn't be stingy. Besides, if Feng Xuanxiang couldn't afford such a dinner, he wasn't fit to pursue Shi Man; Shi Man's parents would never allow their daughter to marry a man lacking substance, regardless of his talent.

Shi Man desperately wanted to point out that they were begging him for information and expected him to pay. But she held her tongue, anticipating Wang Qiqi would retort that a straightforward girl speaks her mind.

"Oh, and invite Han Tao tonight," Wang Qiqi decided. Since someone else was paying, why hold back? Besides, Han Tao also had stocks; they could all listen to his take and discuss it later.

Shi Man said nothing about inviting Han Tao. He wasn't exactly poor anymore; Han Tao wasn't the broke student he once was and had money in hand. "You’re going to become obscenely rich at this rate." Spending without earning—no, wait, spending far less than earning.

Wang Qiqi accepted Shi Man’s flattery with grace. "What can I do? I started from nothing; I have to work hard to retire by thirty." Wang Qiqi had no desire to work until fifty or sixty like so many others. She remembered before her rebirth, relevant departments were already debating raising the retirement age for women to sixty. Granted, sixty-year-olds looked younger now, but could their stamina compare to those in their forties or fifties? Would they even have the energy to travel then?

Retire at thirty? Shi Man tapped Wang Qiqi’s head, wearing an expression of superior, albeit patronizing, education. "If you had been born thirty years earlier, you'd definitely be up for public criticism." Probably end up in a cow shed undergoing re-education.

Public criticism? Pfft. "I have no intention of dedicating my entire life to 'the cause.' I just want to live my own life. Think about it, when we're thirty, we could..." Wang Qiqi described, in a flirtatious tone, the life of retirement—traveling to see beautiful scenery, tasting fine cuisine, and especially encountering handsome men to admire. Shi Man’s eyes immediately widened and shone brightly.

Zhu Lina knew Wang Qiqi could achieve that kind of life, but for herself, even with money, it would be impossible; stagnation meant regression, and the likely outcome required no guesswork. "I think you chose finance precisely because you planned for early retirement."

Financial professionals only needed internet access to monitor market trends; there was no need to be chained to an office. Zhu Lina understood Wang Qiqi studied finance so diligently not to join a major securities firm, but to make her own money. Perhaps this suited her personality; could she tolerate being an employee? She was already planning where to wander before spring even arrived, whereas Feng Xuanxiang often mentioned how his company was non-stop busy during peak times.

Wang Qiqi did not deny this. "That’s right. If there’s money to be made, I’ll take it, but health comes first." Working in finance carried immense pressure. Although it paid well, Wang Qiqi believed one needed the lifespan to enjoy the wealth.

"Qiqi, you’re terrible, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Shi Man looked at Wang Qiqi with mock grievance. Honestly, when she was choosing her university major, she had asked Qiqi, and she never mentioned this goal.

Wang Qiqi looked at Shi Man and sighed. "You're different from me. Your parents have their own ideas; they wouldn't stand to see their daughter unambitious. I’m the 'one person fed, the whole family is fine' type. Your parents wouldn't want their daughter wandering around aimlessly."

Zhu Lina suddenly remembered an issue. "What about Han Tao?" No mother-in-law would welcome a daughter-in-law who was constantly away from home and didn't care for her son, no matter how easygoing she might be.

"That’s why I plan to travel while Xiao Han is pursuing his Master's." If she arranged things well with Han Tao, Aunt Luo wouldn't know the details.

Given Wang Qiqi’s firm stance, Shi Man and the others had little to say. As for Han Tao? Forget it; he would surely agree as long as Qiqi was happy.

Han Tao had assumed this was a gathering of three young women and was prepared to let Shi Man treat him to a lavish meal. He arrived at the restaurant only to find an extra man inside. He felt puzzled. "Come in, we were waiting for you." Wang Qiqi beckoned the momentarily frozen Han Tao from the doorway. "Let me introduce you: this is Feng Xuanxiang, the one I mentioned."

Hearing the name, Han Tao took a second, more serious look. Shi Man's suitor and admirer. Based on his appearance, he could easily pass for a graduate student, but if one looked closely at his eyes, it was clear he wasn't as simple and honest as he looked. "Hello, Han Tao," Han Tao said, extending his hand to Feng Xuanxiang.

Feng Xuanxiang was also taken aback when Han Tao entered. He had expected only four people; the sudden appearance of another man made him jump. Was this someone related to Shi Man? But when he saw Wang Qiqi stand up to make the introduction, he understood. He shook Han Tao’s hand. "Feng Xuanxiang, I work at a securities firm."

Feng Xuanxiang wasn't dense. Based on Wang Qiqi’s brief self-introduction, he inferred his name had frequently come up around Han Tao, a realization that pleased him.

Han Tao naturally sat down next to Wang Qiqi. Although Han Tao and Feng Xuanxiang were meeting for the first time, and Feng Xuanxiang was already working after graduating, Han Tao had been tutoring since high school and didn't carry the air of a mere student. Coupled with his recent interest in the stock market, he wasn't a complete novice, and soon he and Feng Xuanxiang found common ground for discussion.

Shi Man watched Han Tao and Feng Xuanxiang get so animated discussing finance that she was completely stunned. One thought consumed her: Was Han Tao secretly auditing finance courses at school? How else could he converse so passionately with Feng Xuanxiang, even throwing out professional jargon effortlessly? If he had no understanding of finance, how could he speak so fluently?

Shi Man was about to confront Wang Qiqi for failing to disclose such a major development when she noticed Wang Qiqi was equally frozen, staring blankly from the sidelines.

Wang Qiqi was also startled by Han Tao's performance. While she knew he read finance books, she hadn't expected him to possess such depth of knowledge. Was this what they called genius? It made Wang Qiqi jealous. Without her rebirth, she wouldn't have such a confident grasp of market trends. It seemed even being reborn didn't make one omniscient.