Wang Qiqi trailed closely behind Shi Man, circling her constantly. Tonight, the two were catching a train to Shencheng, planning to book a room near the airport to rest before an early departure the next day. Shi Man insisted on packing plenty of snacks for the flight, and ideally, a handheld game console. "That way, the journey won't feel so lonely..."

Shi Man was about to elaborate when she spotted a familiar, annoying figure. She immediately silenced herself. Wang Qiqi, noticing Shi Man’s sudden halt and silence, didn't think much of it, assuming her friend had seen something interesting. "Manman, should we grab some chocolate?"

"Whatever. By the way, Qiqi, I think we have enough stuff now. Let's go; I need to get back and finish packing." Shi Man thought about the time—how could Wang Qiqi still have the mind to linger here? "I just spotted Gao Kai."

Gao Kai? Wang Qiqi shrugged. "Are we supposed to run from him now?" Pfft. What was the situation now? What was his situation? Was there any need to flee just because they saw him? "Even if he knows we're going abroad, it's just business... Besides, if you don't stock up on supplies, I worry you won't have anything to eat on the plane." Wang Qiqi was indifferent; she'd just sleep or read. But Shi Man was different. On the flight back from France last time, she’d consumed half the plane's provisions. It was a mystery where she found the energy.

Gao Kai wandered around for a good half-circle. Finding nothing he needed to purchase, he sighed and prepared to check out and leave. Just then, he spotted a familiar silhouette. "Qiqi?" Although she didn't respond immediately, Gao Kai was certain the girl standing over there selecting items was Wang Qiqi. He then noticed the cart full of goods she was pushing. Initially, he found it odd—why would Wang Qiqi, living alone, need so many snacks? But then he quickly remembered that Wang Rui had told him about Wang Qiqi’s plans to go to France.

It had only been about a year, yet the difference between them was stark. Gao Kai used to consider himself better off than Wang Qiqi. Therefore, her perceived lack of consideration annoyed him. He always felt he had everything going for him, so why was she turning out like this? Now, she was thriving, even planning to go to France. And the possibility of her studying abroad after graduation wasn't low. Gao Kai himself had once fantasized about studying overseas, about more exciting days awaiting him. But now, forget studying abroad—he was struggling just to maintain his current standard of living. Compared to this reality, how could Gao Kai not harbor resentment toward Wang Qiqi? Yet, he knew he had absolutely no chance of making a move against her. His family's situation was already precarious. If Zhu Lina or Shi Man ever found out he had tried anything against Wang Qiqi, they would surely make him pay dearly.

After hearing Gao Kai call her name, Wang Qiqi took a long moment before turning around, feigning surprise at seeing him. She simultaneously glanced at the items in his cart and couldn't help but note how much his taste had become decidedly more common. "Long time no see. Why haven't I seen Xiao Rui?" Weren't the two of them always inseparable? Why wasn't Wang Rui with him now?

"She went shopping with some classmates." Gao Kai checked the time—it was still early. "Shall we go grab a drink somewhere nearby?" Gao Kai reasoned that if he could start fresh, why shouldn't he try? If he succeeded, he could return to his former lifestyle.

"A drink? Wang Qiqi waved her hand dismissively. "No thanks, we need to get back and finish packing." As if! Going out for a drink with him would be tempting fate. Besides, if Wang Rui found out, it would be endless drama.

"By the way, when you have time, Qiqi, could you comfort Xiao Rui a bit? I know she wasn't always the most sensible and did some stupid things, but considering her parents just divorced?" Gao Kai thought that if his own path was blocked, he still had Wang Rui, right? As long as he could coordinate with Wang Rui, that foolish girl would surely agree to his plans. How could he not know her deep-seated hatred for Wang Qiqi? In short, if she could be used, use her.

Not sensible? Shi Man found it hilarious that Gao Kai was clearly trying to make excuses for someone. "When Qiqi was her age, both her parents had already passed away, and her own relatives were trying to steal her family fortune. Now she’s just dealing with a divorce. Is that really worth comparing? But then again, from a boyfriend's perspective, you naturally think your girlfriend is in the right. Since that’s the case, you should be spending even more time with her—shopping, dining, offering genuine comfort." Or maybe comforting her physically, Shi Man thought wickedly to herself.

Gao Kai was thoroughly shut down by Shi Man's retort and didn't know how to continue. Shi Man’s point was undeniable; when Qiqi’s parents died, Wang Rui was around the same age. "I didn't mean that Qiqi is older than Xiao Rui..."

Wang Qiqi felt utterly displeased hearing Gao Kai say that. Wang Rui disliked her, and Wang Qiqi certainly didn't care for Wang Rui. Why should she comfort her? Furthermore, if Wang Rui died, Wang Qiqi would secretly rejoice. Comfort her? Dream on. "Excuse me, my relationship with her isn't good. She won't be happy to see me, and seeing her reminds me of how my parents treated me when they first died." Recalling that in her past life, she was brought down by Wang Rui, Wang Qiqi’s heart turned cold and hard.

After finishing the payment, Wang Qiqi smiled toward the person standing behind her. "We're leaving. And you've gotten much plainer lately."

Gao Kai flushed slightly at Wang Qiqi's comment but quickly regained composure. "I have a lot of food at home. I just wander around the supermarket to kill time when there's nothing else to do."

Wang Qiqi gave him a look that suggested mutual understanding, then turned and walked away. After getting into the taxi, Shi Man spat out, "Clearly broke, but still pretending to be rich. He doesn't even know how he's going to die." Shi Man didn't hold back her criticism. "By the way, I don't like the look he gave you. Keep an eye on him. You know..."

"'A cornered dog will leap over a wall,' right?" Wang Qiqi had also noticed the way he was looking at her. She knew Gao Kai had likely fixed his sights on her, but so what? "Let him waste his life clinging to Wang Rui. He's just my pitiful future brother-in-law."

Wang Qiqi genuinely wanted to know how he would react if he discovered the Gao family fortune was just an empty shell. Perhaps she would be severely disappointed. Wang Qiqi eagerly awaited the mystery to be solved soon, completely missing the occasional glances Shi Man kept shooting her way.

"Qiqi, there’s something I need to tell you." Seeing the strange smile playing on Wang Qiqi's face, Shi Man knew she must be plotting someone’s downfall. She decided to share news that would definitely make her happy. "Do you know where Li Cui went?"

Where Li Cui went? How would Wang Qiqi know? "Isn't she supposed to be working?" Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered that Li Cui hadn't retired yet. How could she have gone out of town? A clever woman, she thought. Some problems aren't truly solved just by divorce. Only by leaving this place, where they couldn't find her, could Li Cui finally live in peace.

"She retired. They bought a house in a small city with nice scenery." Shi Man recalled the information Zhu Lina had shared with her. Truthfully, the city wasn't large, only known for its good views. "By the way, do you know why Li Cui agreed to the divorce so readily?"

She hadn't expected Li Cui to go to that place. Although it was a small city, it would later develop hot springs and become a renowned spa destination, attracting many for weekend getaways and holidays. Even though it was a minor location, the economy wasn't bad. However, currently, the area wasn't very busy. Li Cui buying a house there suggested she wanted to avoid trouble. "As for why she divorced so smoothly, maybe she made a decent profit on her private savings in this stock market run?" Although Wang Da Gui claimed to know the family's savings balance, Wang Qiqi could guarantee with absolute certainty that he had no idea about their true wealth. Otherwise, given Li Cui's character, how could she have left with nothing? There was only one scenario: she had made significant gains, and she no longer wished to stay with Wang Da Gui. Moreover, she likely saw or heard the gossip surrounding the Gao family.

Shi Man had intended to gloat a little, but Wang Qiqi had guessed everything. "How dull, you already knew." She regretted even mentioning it; it was so uninteresting. "Did Li Cui tell you?" Wasn't it true that Li Cui had contacted Wang Qiqi before saying she was getting a divorce? Perhaps she had revealed her future plans then?

"How could she tell me something that major? If I knew, wouldn't I have told you?" Wang Qiqi shook her head. If she truly knew everything, she could start fortune-telling, make a fortune, perhaps become a major landowner, and build a villa in the scenic area. "I was just guessing. If they could afford a house out of town, they must have made substantial money in the stock market. But Li Cui saw the Gao family pooling funds to speculate on stocks—would she not be tempted? Even using the family money for trading would have been enough for her to maneuver things." Perhaps the booming stock market allowed her to earn quite a bit, and when events unfolded beyond her expectations, she simply decided to leave and pursue the life she wanted. Still, Li Cui was quite ruthless; she didn't even support her own maternal family, whom she usually cared deeply about. "I wonder what Wang Da Gui would think if he knew she had this much money." However, there was an issue: the property deed's date would be recorded there. If Wang Da Gui tried to contest it later, it would still be considered joint marital property. But then, thinking of how shrewd Li Cui was, she wouldn't hand Wang Da Gui such leverage, especially since property values weren't high right now.

"He will definitely regret it." After the taxi stopped, Shi Man said, "We’ll meet at the train station around three."