Deng Zhi didn't initially believe what Juliana said, but when she mentioned benefits for everyone, he was convinced. Shunning an advantage was simply not in Juliana's character. Now, Gong Yiying coolly stated she wanted a benefit: "Are you willing to let me pursue other girls?" Deng Zhi asked with a soft smile. Although he was growing tired of Juliana and craved something new, the crucial difference was that Juliana wasn't like Gong Yiying, someone he could manipulate at will. If he truly latched onto Juliana’s deep pockets, he risked losing Gong Yiying’s status, making Deng Zhi question whether he should sacrifice his masculine pride.

Gong Yiying watched him—a look of yearning mixed with apprehension and hesitation. She inwardly scoffed. This man was likely about to have a burst of machismo again, wanting the advantages of a woman supporting him while still demanding the air of a strong male. Such a perfect deal didn't exist. She hoped someone else would endure the trouble for a while. Moreover, if he focused his attention on Juliana, she would gain more time for her own pursuits, increasing her chances of success. Although Deng Zhi hadn't restricted Gong Yiying’s movements, she worried, always sensing a look of knowing understanding in his eyes, though she couldn't be sure if she was just being paranoid.

Gong Yiying skipped class, pulling Deng Zhi out of the room; she needed to properly analyze the situation with him. Deng Zhi obediently followed her out. For him, studying was merely a path to a good job. But if Juliana was indeed the daughter of a wealthy family, and an only child as Gong Yiying suggested, why bother with strenuous academics? If he could just charm Juliana completely, would he ever need to worry about his future?

Bai Ge watched Gong Yiying loop her arm around Deng Zhi and lead him away, letting out a cold laugh. "It's certainly different when someone is supporting you." She was becoming more unreliable. Han Meina also had a boyfriend, yet she never skipped class like this. She constantly returned to the dorm to boast about how well Deng Zhi treated her, showing off the clothes and bags he bought her. Did she think everyone was foolish? Did she believe those displays of extravagance were honorable? "Qiqi, don't you agree?"

Feng Yanjie tugged at Bai Ge’s sleeve, signaling her to stop. She knew Wang Qiqi and Gong Yiying were at odds, and the two now completely ignored each other when they passed, not even offering a simple greeting. Bai Ge had to bring up an unpleasant topic right then.

Bai Ge was mostly speaking to Wang Qiqi. She thought Qiqi was naive. So many classmates needed her help, yet she never bothered building relationships within the class. Gong Yiying often missed class but maintained decent popularity, largely because she frequently shared small treats or juicy gossip during class. Bai Ge knew Wang Qiqi heard plenty of gossip too, but she only listened, never repeating anything, which was safe, but made her seem too withdrawn—only listening to others' jokes without ever sharing back.

Wang Qiqi generally wrote her notes, responding without much concern. "Perhaps she has her own plans. First loves don't necessarily last." Someone like Gong Yiying could never end up with Deng Zhi; either Deng Zhi would dump Gong Yiying, or Gong Yiying would dump Deng Zhi. Currently, the latter seemed more probable. The main reason was that 'The Blockhead' once saw Gong Yiying walking intimately with a foreigner while buying computer parts in the city—the way they confidently headed toward a hotel genuinely shocked him. Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were actually calculating when Gong Yiying and Deng Zhi would finally break up.

The thought that she might soon witness Deng Zhi’s reaction upon learning about the infidelity made Wang Qiqi’s expression shift. Then again, perhaps Gong Yiying would have already run off with the foreigner. Of course, whether this foreigner would actually take Gong Yiying abroad remained an uncertainty.

Hearing Wang Qiqi say this, Bai Ge and the others shared a thought: "Qiqi, have you seen something we haven't?" A lot of campus romance drama unfolded off-campus, and Wang Qiqi and her group weren't always around school, often taking walks elsewhere. Perhaps they had witnessed something they shouldn't have.

Wang Qiqi knew what these inquisitive kids were interested in. "People who flaunt their affection rarely have relationships that last." Look at those lovers who loudly declared their coupling; their relationships seemed doomed to fade within a few years. Furthermore, such people were often maintaining the relationship for appearances. Wang Qiqi felt that her current relationship with Han Tao—being together but not constantly entwined—kept things feeling beautiful. However, if they started living together, countless issues would surface, even beyond the mundane concerns of rent and utilities. Thinking this over, Wang Qiqi hesitated about Han Tao’s suggestion to set up an apartment together after the break. She worried that constant proximity would reveal incompatibilities, leading them to incessantly impose demands for the other to change.

Bai Ge and the others were speechless after hearing Wang Qiqi’s remark. After a moment, Bai Ge sighed softly, "Qiqi, did something happen between you and your Han Tao over the break?" Otherwise, why would she sound so cynical?

Wang Qiqi shrugged. "My man and I have never been high-profile; we’ve always been low-key. Besides, Han Tao is such a homebody; who else would he find besides me?" Haha, I snagged him first. She knew Han Tao was a responsible man; she dared anyone to steal the fruits of her labor.

Bai Ge, watching the self-satisfied Wang Qiqi, decided to ignore her and let her write notes. Discussing romance with someone clearly immersed in a sea of happiness was pointless. Still, while Han Tao seemed utterly devoted to his computer, he always remembered Wang Qiqi’s kindness. When they went out together, often splitting bills, he always took good care of her—not the performative affection Deng Zhi or Zhang Han showed their girlfriends, but a habitual attentiveness to Qiqi, where he’d keep an eye on her movements even while talking to others.

Watching Wang Qiqi furiously writing, Bai Ge sighed. The second year was already halfway over, but where was her other half? She thought how simple finding a boyfriend seemed for others, yet it felt impossibly difficult for her. Bai Ge wasn't without suitors, but after a short time dating, she either found them immature, or they complained she was too busy tutoring to go on dates. After several such near-relationships, she remained single. Meanwhile, Duan Xiaomin and a few others had settled into stable relationships, which only made Bai Ge anxious.

Wang Qiqi was unaware of her friend Bai Ge’s inner turmoil. Frankly, she had her own worries: returning home meant catch-up tutoring, dividing up merchandise, and waiting for payments. She had fronted quite a bit of money for this last venture. Even with deposits secured, she didn't know how she would manage everything without the foreign exchange support from Juliana’s family. When would domestic bank cards work in overseas malls? With so many issues demanding her attention, Wang Qiqi forgot to tell Juliana and the others about Han Meina’s question regarding her trip to France.

Wang Qiqi was sorting items in her room, planning to wait for Han Tao to arrive so they could deliver the goods together, when she received a call that forced her to urgently notify her boyfriend to come over.

Han Tao, confused, immediately dropped his computer and rushed over. They had planned for him to arrive after 3 PM, drop off the packages, and then they would go out to eat and shop. He hadn't expected the plan to change. "Why is Li Xiangdong urgently looking for you?" Since the internet became available, Wang Qiqi rarely visited Li Xiangdong in person.

Wang Qiqi shrugged, helping Han Tao carry the heavy boxes downstairs while Shi Man ran out to the complex entrance to hail a taxi. "I don't know. He said it was urgent, maybe it's about the material I mentioned last time." After returning, Wang Qiqi had sent Li Xiangdong her translation. Perhaps he was looking for her because her translation wasn't good enough. "I can't translate it perfectly; I'm not a literary scholar." Straight translation was fine, but the text needed polishing; otherwise, how could someone be interested in a book if it looked dry and incomprehensible?

Wang Qiqi and Han Tao arrived at the Li residence. Looking at the familiar entrance, even though the door was the same, her mindset had vastly changed. The first time she followed Han Tao here, she had been quite nervous, feeling she might not succeed. But unexpectedly, she had actually achieved her goals.

Han Tao stood by the door watching Wang Qiqi stare at it, refusing to enter. He nudged her gently, then knocked. Soon, someone opened the door—it could only be Li Qian. "Qiqi, you're here."

Li Qian smoothly took the small box from Wang Qiqi’s hand and led her inside, completely ignoring Han Tao who was struggling with the heavy boxes behind them.

By the time Han Tao carried the last box in, Wang Qiqi was already seated on the sofa, sipping a cup of coffee. Li Qian, seeing Han Tao follow, made no ceremony, pointing him toward a spot. "What would you like to drink? Make yourself at home, treat it like your own place." When the Li family's son was still home, Han Tao, as a tutor, was very familiar with the layout and always helped himself to what he needed.

Although the young master was now studying in England, Han Tao occasionally came by to handle computer issues for some pocket money. Watching the two women chat animatedly, Han Tao could only pour himself a cup of coffee and watch them converse.