Wang Qiqi let out a breath of relief, but Han Tao’s brow furrowed. “It’ll be discovered sooner or later. By the way, did Li Cui see you today?”

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “The moment I spotted her, I dared not even speak loudly, nor raise my head straight. Thank heavens they didn’t stay for dinner, otherwise…” It truly would have been impossible to eat a single meal in peace.

“Then stay home and keep a low profile recently, lest Wang Dagui cause trouble.” Han Tao could guarantee that if Wang Dagui knew Wang Qiqi had seen Li Cui with her paramour, he would definitely hold a grudge against Qiqi. You couldn't expect a man like that to be reasonable.

Wang Qiqi certainly knew this. “I haven’t even told Song Yao or the others about this.” The stakes were simply too high. Wang Qiqi knew that if she told Song Yao—who would love to see the Wang Dagui family suffer—Song Yao might very well tell Wang Damei. As the eldest sister, Wang Damei’s reaction upon learning the truth would be to immediately call Wang Dagui to discuss matters. First, they would try to avoid divorce at all costs; second, if Li Cui truly insisted on divorcing, they would make sure Li Cui left with nothing. Although Li Cui wasn't the best person, if she were completely cast out, it would certainly lead to a massive uproar. Would Li Cui be easy to deal with then?

“Not telling them was the right move.” Luo Hongjuan never had a good impression of Wang Damei; she had only one assessment of her: a weather vane—whoever offered more benefit, she helped. This was despite the fact that Wang Qiqi knew Wang Damei coveted her family’s wealth, yet Qiqi still treated her so kindly. “Your paternal aunt, she will definitely betray you when the time comes. In short, she’s a good person only as long as there are benefits to gain. The moment you lose power, just watch; she’ll surely stomp all over you.”

Wang Qiqi knew this well. “We are mutually exploiting each other. If I didn't align with Wang Damei, even though I don't fear them, would my senior year of high school be stable? Besides, they know my bottom line now, so they won't overstep. Aunt Luo, they are actually just paper tigers. The more assertive you are, the less they can do to you. Moreover…” With Song Yao and Song Ziwen making a fortune, even if Wang Damei wanted to stir up trouble, would Song Wenbo? Even if the couple got hot-headed and foolish, Song Yao and her brother stand by our side and wouldn't side with Wang Damei and her husband.

Luo Hongjuan looked at Wang Qiqi, who wore a smug, ‘Praise me, praise me’ expression. She truly didn't know how to comment. Luo Hongjuan sometimes couldn't figure Wang Qiqi out. Calculating from the time Wang Dajun and his wife passed away, the change in Wang Qiqi has been immense, so great that it could make one think a different person stood there. “You, if I had only…” Perhaps she wouldn’t be living in such distress now.

Han Tao’s mood darkened as he looked at his mother. “Mom, don’t dwell on the past. Grandma and the others were biased; no one over there will help us. They only want to kick us out to claim more of the inheritance. But so what?” Their favored grandson turned out this way—couldn't hold a job for long, didn't focus on studying, but was full of energy chasing girls. Before even graduating from technical school, he got a girl pregnant, and in the end, they had to fork over a huge sum of money. “We have peace now. If we took the Han family assets, just see how they’d react.” Hmph, everything will be settled according to that agreement.

Luo Hongjuan moved her lips. Fine, since her son put it that way, why should she keep agonizing over it? “Are you hungry? I made some wontons today. How many should I boil?”

“Thank you, Aunt Luo, I want ten.” Wang Qiqi knew Luo Hongjuan was changing the subject. She gave Han Tao a subtle glare. Han Tao was wonderful in every way, but sometimes, regarding family matters, he was even more extreme than she was.

“I want ten too.” Han Tao was angry, but he knew he and his mother truly couldn’t communicate well on this topic.

After his mother went into the kitchen, Han Tao grumbled, “Look at my mom. Sigh, I don't know what’s so great about the Han family.” She’d been mentioning that old woman constantly since he got back these past few days. “Forget it. Once we graduate, I’ll sell this house and take my mom to Beijing.” Better than running into annoying people every time they stepped out, and saving his mother from listening to everyone's sour remarks, as if him succeeding was some sort of outrage.

“So you take it out on your mom…” Wang Qiqi was about to say something when the home phone rang. Wang Qiqi found it strange; it was already ten o’clock, why would someone be calling their house?

Wang Qiqi walked to the phone with curiosity. As soon as she picked up, she heard Song Yao’s anxious voice, “Qiqi, are you home?”

Hearing Song Yao’s flustered tone, Wang Qiqi smiled. “Sis, have you gone addled looking after Taotao? If I weren’t home, how could I answer the phone?” This isn’t the future where I can forward the landline to my cell. “Right, why are you calling me in the middle of the night? Not inviting me to dinner, are you?” Wang Qiqi teased.

Wang Qiqi had answered the phone cheerfully, but slowly, her expression changed, becoming quite grim. “I’m sorry, I have to leave for a long trip the day after tomorrow. I don’t have time to deal with these bothersome matters. Doesn’t he have a good daughter and son-in-law? They can handle it. Why should an outsider like me get involved?” After speaking, Wang Qiqi hung up the phone, clearly annoyed.

Han Tao and Luo Hongjuan were both startled by the way Wang Qiqi slammed the phone down. Luo Hongjuan retreated to the kitchen to boil more wontons, while Han Tao put down his computer and asked, “What happened? Why are you so angry?” Did something happen to Wang Qiqi’s cousin? But that didn't seem right; hadn't her relationship with Song Yao been quite good recently? Why the sudden explosive fight?

Wang Qiqi pursed her lips, composing herself slightly. “Speak of the devil, Song Yao just called. She said Li Cui filed for divorce.”

“Oh, that’s normal then. Didn’t you say she wanted a divorce last time? It’s August already; if not now, then when?” Han Tao thought that filing for divorce specifically when Wang Qiqi was home in her hometown, and not sooner or later, suggested something fishy was going on.

“Apparently, Wang Dagui was the one who tracked her,” Wang Qiqi said. She hadn't expected Wang Dagui, that homebody, to be stalking someone. It was very strange. He only went to work, occasionally drank with friends, or gambled; his social circle was truly small. And Li Cui must have avoided those places. If no one tipped them off, it meant someone had been tracking her for a long time. “Anyway, it’s a huge mess over there now. The cuckold has gone to Big Aunt’s place.” It’s truly a turn of the tables; usually, someone would go to Big Aunt’s place to cry for help, but now it was a man. That was quite rare.

Cuckold—that metaphor was quite fitting. “If he finds out, he’ll curse you to death. By the way, did she call you to go over?” Han Tao wondered why they would inform Wang Qiqi about such a scandal. Although she was the head of her household, she was still an unmarried girl.

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Big Aunt said so. After all, it’s a family matter. Ugh, I guess I won’t be able to come back during summer vacations anymore; trouble always finds me the moment I return.” This year, there’s the divorce of Wang Dagui and Li Cui. Next year, there will likely be even more commotion. It’s Wang Rui’s time to apply for university, but can she even get in with her grades? Or rather, with Li Cui pressuring her now, her grades are already abysmal; if no one supervises her anymore, she’ll probably give up school entirely.

“Eat something before you go,” Luo Hongjuan said, setting out the late-night snack for the two young people. She looked at Wang Qiqi, who was eating with her head down, wanting to offer a few words of advice, but she held back. Qiqi was far more capable than she was; she would handle this situation.

Wang Qiqi murmured, “I’ll eat a lot. I don't know how long this chaos will last today.” Sigh, truly a hard fate.

After the three finished eating, and Luo Hongjuan washed the dishes, she and Han Tao left. Wang Qiqi securely locked the doors and windows, grabbed a change of clothes, and was preparing to set out when she heard a knock.

Wang Qiqi walked to the door and asked quietly, “Who is it?” Han Tao would have announced himself if he knocked, and Wang Qiqi couldn’t imagine who else would come calling at this hour.

“It’s us.” Song Yao realized then that knocking without speaking at this hour was a bit frightening. “It’s your Sis Yao Yao, and your brother-in-law, Song Ziwen.”

Hearing the arrival of these few people, Wang Qiqi’s heart raced. Could Wang Damei have masterfully redirected this calamity toward their doorstep? That would certainly prevent them from having a peaceful life and make her parents restless below. She opened the door and saw indeed three adults and one infant, carrying large bags and small packages.

“I mean, you guys…” It was the seventh lunar month, the Ghost Month. Even if it wasn't the 15th, bringing a baby not yet two months old out at this hour? Though the baby was well-protected.

“We took a cab,” Song Yao uttered before carrying her son toward Wang Qiqi’s room. “I want to try to get my son to sleep.”

Song Yao the Queen led the way with the Prince cradled, and Gong Peixing, the attendant, couldn't do anything but follow, trailing a bag. Wang Qiqi observed their movements. “Why didn't you stay home? Why run to my place in the middle of the night?”

“It was too noisy at home. My aunt’s house hasn't been cleaned in a long time, how could we stay there?” Song Ziwen also looked exhausted. “Qiqi, do you have any watermelon at home? I want some watermelon.”

“No watermelon, but I have grapes and cantaloupe.” Watermelon might not be good this late in the season; Wang Qiqi was already onto cantaloupes, eating one large one religiously every day.

No watermelon, but cantaloupe—that was fine; as long as it was food, it worked. Song Ziwen found the cantaloupe and, while devouring piece after piece, began to tell Wang Qiqi the reason for their refugee-like arrival.