After finishing the task in her hands, Wang Qiqi stretched, walked into the living room, and prepared to do some exercise. Otherwise, sitting around all day would easily lead to a little paunch, and once that little paunch settles in, getting rid of it isn't an easy feat. Wang Qiqi entered the living room and found Shi Man sitting blankly on the sofa. She didn't think much of it, assuming the girl was preoccupied with something. After all, Feng Xuanxiang had some free time lately and was able to take Shi Man out on dates, so she had appeared much more normal. The only pity was that even when she brought things back, it wasn't much, which struck Qiqi as strange. How could her classmate Shi Man have changed so much recently? It was only after talking with Zhu Lina that Wang Qiqi finally understood: someone had seized the opportunity when she was too exhausted to even dry her hair and had a late-night heart-to-heart chat. However, Wang Qiqi couldn't help but find it amusing when she recalled Zhu Lina telling her later that she regretted talking about such things with Shi Man because she ended up with no delicious food to eat. But she knew that was all just for show; ultimately, Manman’s happiness was the most important thing.

Wang Qiqi exercised for half an hour until her body felt fully relaxed. As she prepared to start yoga, she noticed the other person was still holding the exact same posture, which struck her as odd. “Manman, Manman, what’s wrong?” At that moment, Wang Qiqi remembered the phone ringing earlier; Shi Man had answered it, but the call hadn't lasted long. Could it be related to that call?

After a long pause, Shi Man spoke softly, “Gong Junyu just called to ask if Daizi had shown up. He didn't say anything specific, but I have a feeling something might have happened to Daizi.” Shi Man recounted the call from Gong Junyu and shared her thoughts and worries.

Wang Qiqi knew Gong Junyu wasn't that thoughtless. Especially since it was the weekend, where would Daizi go? For a homebody like him, it was either staying home, going to class, or the library. Even that last trip to buy clothes—if Shi Man hadn’t insisted, would he have gone to the mall? Daizi had complained bitterly at home, saying accompanying Shi Man shopping for clothes was ten thousand times more painful than coding through the night. From that statement, one could grasp his miserable mood from the day Shi Man dragged him around trying on clothes. Having just suffered such hardship and acquired so many new items, given Daizi’s disposition, he wouldn't willingly go shopping again until at least spring. “That’s strange. Could he be out on a date?”

Shi Man was actually considering the same thing, but after pondering for an hour, she couldn't conjure up any girl Daizi might be romantically involved with or have a chance with. “Although Daizi’s appearance is much more dashing now than before, I just can’t picture which girl it would be.” As a junior in the computer science major, there weren't many girls to begin with. The decent-looking ones were already taken. As for the less attractive ones, they wouldn't meet Daizi's standards anyway. Furthermore, if he actually associated with those types, rumors would start circulating again, saying Daizi had completely given up on himself. Shi Man couldn't believe Daizi would encounter a girl who wasn't attached and was at least presentable.

“Maybe Jiang Xin came looking for him,” Wang Qiqi replied while doing her yoga. In this cold weather, if even Shi Man didn't know about such a girl, Wang Qiqi couldn't think of anyone else who would make Daizi leave so readily, other than Jiang Xin.

Wang Qiqi mentioned it casually, but it startled Shi Man sitting nearby. She leaped off the sofa. “What? He dares? He only looks this way now because Jiang Xin forced him to!” Shi Man was furious. Damn it, if it weren't for her, would they have had such an unpleasant falling out with Jiang Xin? Fine, it turned out that he, the person involved, would happily rush out just because of one phone call from Jiang Xin. Shi Man remembered how he had repeatedly made excuses not to go out with her in the first few days they asked him, and now this? It was utterly excessive; did he still have any regard for her? Wang Qiqi watched Shi Man’s agitated state without rushing, slowly continuing her yoga. After venting a long tirade, Shi Man noticed Wang Qiqi hadn't offered any affirmation, which puzzled her. She turned to look and saw Wang Qiqi still doing yoga, her face completely expressionless. “You, what kind of attitude is that? Just watching me get angry?” This was too much. Even if she wouldn't side with Shi Man about how bad Daizi and Jiang Xin were, she should at least try to calm her down and advise her not to be so angry. But here she was, completely ignoring her—this attitude was excessively rude.

Wang Qiqi yawned. “How can I try to persuade you? Perhaps Jiang Xin invited Daizi out hoping he would put in a good word for her so she could bring Cao Rui over.” Wang Qiqi had also taken a moment to consider why Jiang Xin would seek out Daizi. Ever since Jiang Xin admitted Cao Rui was her boyfriend, she should have understood that she and Daizi could never go back to how they were. Besides exchanging greetings when they met, they rarely interacted. Given that their relationship had cooled to this point, Wang Qiqi couldn't fathom what business Jiang Xin could possibly have with Daizi.

Shi Man’s previously angry face calmed down upon hearing Wang Qiqi’s words. She understood Daizi to a degree. Perhaps Daizi hadn't entirely forgotten Jiang Xin, but if Jiang Xin wanted Daizi to speak favorably for Cao Rui, Daizi would completely shut Jiang Xin out. Don't let his easygoing appearance fool you; that only applied in front of acquaintances. With strangers, Daizi’s gaze was always cold. It was likely because Jiang Xin had spent so much time with Daizi that even though they frequently argued, Daizi generally let her have her way. Perhaps that was why Jiang Xin forgot what kind of person Daizi truly was.

Shi Man could guarantee Jiang Xin would suffer greatly. “I’m really looking forward to the outcome. But Cao Rui is quite lucky to have Jiang Xin doing so much for him. I never realized Jiang Xin was such an irrational person usually.” Shi Man wondered if falling in love truly changed people so drastically; it was terrifying.

“Love makes people blind. Besides, Cao Rui is quite slick with his words. Although Jiang Xin is smart, Cao Rui’s sweet talk made her think he was a good person, so of course, she’s helping her boyfriend. Moreover, maybe Jiang Xin figures that as long as Cao Rui does well in his career and she’s his backer, won't Cao Rui remain devoted?” Wang Qiqi analyzed quietly. This analysis was something Han Tao had shared with her over dinner one day. Han Tao viewed Cao Rui as an ambitious man destined to use Jiang Xin as a stepping stone. Shi Man could only shake her head; teaching someone who refuses to see the truth is pointless. Having come to this realization, Shi Man stopped worrying and resumed reading her French book on the sofa. “Oh, Qiqi, are we going to France for New Year’s Day?”

Wang Qiqi hummed in affirmation. “Li Qian has quite a few new orders, plus Zhu Lina’s mother’s friends have brought in several more orders. Are we just going to let all that business slip away?” A few days ago, Wang Qiqi calculated the items people had commissioned them to bring back. She had to admit, there were simply too many. Originally, Wang Qiqi and the others planned to wait until Han Tao went to America to help bring things back, saving them a trip’s expense. But unexpectedly, even before the Spring Festival, there were so many requests. If they didn’t make a trip for New Year’s Day, Wang Qiqi worried that by the time Han Tao returned from the US, they would genuinely need a shipping container to pack everything. Wang Qiqi couldn't imagine that scene; it was too frightening. Of course, it would also draw heavy scrutiny from customs, and if you factored in the tariffs, what was the point of bringing anything back? It would be practically the same price as buying it domestically.

Shi Man moved her lips. To be frank, this trip would only last three or four days, including travel time. It would be so rushed that upon arriving in France, they wouldn't even have time to adjust to the time difference—buy the items, rush to the airport, board the plane back home. Shi Man found the thought of such a journey terrifying.

“Ah, you’re not going? Nana said she’s busy, and Han Tao is preoccupied tinkering with his computer. You’re not planning on skipping it too, are you? I already booked my ticket.” Wang Qiqi knew Shi Man wouldn't be going. It wasn't out of consideration for her, but because Feng Xuanxiang had mentioned he’d have a few days off for New Year’s and wanted to take Shi Man to Hainan for a few days. When a certain someone rarely asked for a favor, how could Wang Qiqi refuse to give face? After all, Feng Xuanxiang wasn't just Manman’s boyfriend; he was one of their financial patrons. Even though she had been reborn from a future life, regarding the current stock market, Wang Qiqi only knew the general upward trend. Catching a major dark horse among thousands of stocks depended on fate. Although Wang Qiqi studied finance, her foundation was still weak, and Feng Xuanxiang, as an experienced professional, played a crucial role. “Besides, haven't you been busy packing these past few days? I assumed you would be coming.” Shi Man looked stunned. Only then did she remember she had promised Feng Xuanxiang to go to Hainan. Initially, Shi Man felt going to Hainan with him alone was a bit... suggestive. But the issue was that Feng Xuanxiang had said after this trip, he would likely be busy again and might not be free until summer. During that period, the two would see each other only a few times a month. Only then did Shi Man shyly agree. Now, she realized she hadn't told Wang Qiqi and the others about her New Year’s travel plans. She had intended to tell them after she and Feng Xuanxiang returned from Hainan, to avoid being teased by them, but not saying anything had caused this situation. This put Shi Man in a difficult spot, especially since Wang Qiqi sounded as if the tickets were already bought. What should she do?

Wang Qiqi noticed Shi Man's troubled expression and inwardly smiled. You just won't tell me, will you? Hmph. Going on a trip to Hainan with a man and not telling your best friends? What kind of friendship is that? That’s why Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina had conspired to give Shi Man a big surprise. (To be continued)