For the next few days, Shi Man felt as if time was dragging on interminably. Every time she went in or came out of the bathroom, she emerged with a look of sheer misery, and Wang Qiqi, seeing her expression, never bothered to ask for the outcome; even if she did, it would be like asking about the eye of a typhoon.

The persistent low-pressure atmosphere in the house was felt even by Zhu Lina, who usually left early and returned late, retreating straight to her study upon arrival. Seeing Shi Man again marching toward the restroom as if heading for battle, she softly inquired, “Manman, what’s wrong?”

“My period hasn't arrived yet,” Wang Qiqi quickly stated, then immediately resumed the posture of reading she held just before Shi Man had entered the restroom.

Her period hasn't come? Shi Man’s period still hasn't arrived? Zhu Lina was stunned by Wang Qiqi’s words. “No way.” This was a serious issue.

Wang Qiqi nodded bitterly, “Otherwise, Manman wouldn't be so tense.” In truth, Wang Qiqi hadn't failed to advise Shi Man that it was better to go to the hospital for a check-up rather than wait in such agony. Feng Xuanxiang had also urged her to go, but Shi Man insisted that if her period still hadn't shown up by the next month, then going to the hospital wouldn't be too late. Wang Qiqi knew Shi Man was still clinging to a sliver of hope.

Just as Zhu Lina was about to say something, they heard Shi Man shriek from inside the bathroom. The two women exchanged a glance, then sprang up and rushed toward the door. “Manman, what is it? What happened?” Surely, nothing else had gone wrong.

After a long while, Shi Man finally drifted out of the bathroom. “That—that I’m not, not pregnant.” Only then did Shi Man finally heave a profound sigh of relief.

“It’s here?” Wang Qiqi was equally thrilled. “Wait, though—did you have no warning signs this time?” Also, if it was just light bleeding, there was another possibility.

Shi Man managed a soft affirmation, “Mm-hmm. Actually, my stomach started hurting a bit this morning, just like every time before my period, I just hadn’t been sure at the time.”

The turn of events confirmed Shi Man was not pregnant, which brought her a wave of relief, but she was instantly angered again by Dai Lijun. As the weather grew warmer, Shi Man started wearing less clothing. One day, Dai Lijun encountered Shi Man on campus and bluntly declared, “Shi Man, you’ve gotten so fat.” This infuriated Shi Man so much she almost kicked him right then and there, and she didn't hold back when lecturing Dai Lijun afterward. “I’m starting a diet today! I’m cutting out late-night snacks and chocolates, and things like that,” Shi Man vowed, clenching her fists.

“Can you do it?” Wang Qiqi doubted Shi Man’s resolve, but perhaps after such an embarrassing experience, she would pull herself together. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going for a run every morning.” Although Wang Qiqi hadn't gained much weight, the slight belly she developed was a major concern for her. Because of this, she had been waking up early lately to drag Han Tao along for morning runs.

Morning runs? Hearing Wang Qiqi’s suggestion, Shi Man’s face immediately elongated. She hadn't engaged in early morning exercise since graduating from high school. “Um, um…” That sounded awfully painful. “I’ll start with dieting first.”

Wang Qiqi looked at Shi Man, who just moments ago had been so ambitious about how she would exercise and diet, now falling silent without another word. “The best way to lose weight is through [EXERCISE].” Dieting was too painful a method, and Wang Qiqi wasn’t fond of it.

Shi Man certainly knew that, but unfortunately, for someone who didn't particularly love [EXERCISE], or rather, someone who held a certain dread toward physical sports, it truly wasn't the best option.

Wang Qiqi strictly adhered to a routine of [EXERCISE] coupled with moderate dietary control. By the time she returned to her hometown at the end of April, although her weight hadn't dropped dramatically, the fat had disappeared, having transformed into muscle. The scale hadn't moved much, but the overall impression she gave was that she had lost significant weight. This greatly impressed Shi Man. Even though she had managed to lose weight through dieting, the impression she still gave was that she was heavier than Wang Qiqi. “Seriously, you ate more than me and you look slimmer than me. How is that possible?” Shi Man said, looking displeased at Wang Qiqi, who was packing her things to leave.

“That’s the result of my [EXERCISE]. When I was out running in the morning, you were still fast asleep, weren’t you?” Wang Qiqi thought to herself, sure that Shi Man would eventually bite. “Manman, think about how many delicious things you’ve given up recently for this diet. That pickled fish I brought back last time was incredible, absolutely divine, especially how well the pickled greens and fish were infused with flavor.”

Wang Qiqi had intended to tease Shi Man, but she hadn't expected to get so carried away describing it that she started craving it herself. “Never mind that, I’m having pickled fish tonight!”

Shi Man didn't eat it that day, but she certainly inhaled the aroma for a long time. Qiqi mentioned it to tempt her into exercising with her. To be honest, Shi Man was now tempted—not for any other reason than that Wang Qiqi’s current physique was the one Shi Man found most pleasing, possessing a kind of healthy beauty. Her complexion looked so good; in contrast, Shi Man touched her own face—she hadn't lost much weight, but her whole face looked dull, no longer the vibrant rosy white it used to be. After comparing the two internally, Shi Man concluded that although early morning [EXERCISE] was painful, the rewards outweighed the suffering. “What’s the big deal about waking up early to exercise? I’ll go all out for my weight!” At worst, she’d work out for three months. Shi Man had already calculated that once Feng Xuanxiang left, no one would treat her to delicious food or generously buy her expensive meals, so losing weight would be much simpler then.

Wang Qiqi thought, It’s just a little morning run; why is she acting like it’s a death sentence? “Then eat to your heart’s content these next few days. When we get back, we’ll diet together in earnest.” Wang Qiqi foresaw that once she returned home, it would be a continuous cycle of eating, eating, eating. People of the older generation always believed it was better for children to be a bit chubby—it showed the family was well-off, that the child was healthy. If you suggested being slimmer was better, they would just purse their lips, worrying about how being too thin might negatively affect the child. Although Wang Qiqi felt she was a bit overweight, in Wang Damei’s eyes, she had gotten thinner. When she went home for the Spring Festival, Wang Damei had worried if Wang Qiqi was under too much stress or studying too hard, causing her to lose so much weight. Even though the college entrance exams had ended over a year ago, Qiqi was still so slim, making Wang Qiqi swallow the words about being overweight.

“Be careful what you eat when you go back,” Shi Man said, noticing Wang Qiqi’s mix of anticipation for the trip and worry that her hard-earned results would be undone, perhaps even leading to weight gain. However, it was rumored that Wang Damei was quite a good cook, specializing in delicious meals. If Wang Damei saw how thin Wang Qiqi looked, she might take time out to cook her something hearty.

Seeing the look on Shi Man’s face—the quiet worry that she would relinquish all the progress made through hard work and potentially gain weight—Wang Qiqi turned and pinched Shi Man’s nose. “Don't worry, even if I eat, I’ll exercise restraint. I will [EXERCISE] properly. I’ll eat what I need to eat, unlike some people who resort to starvation dieting.”

Wang Qiqi’s words effectively silenced Shi Man, who huffed a few times, turned, and walked away. “Remember to bring back some local specialties. Oh, and stop by my place on your way—my parents heard you were going back and prepared some food for you. Be sure to bring it back.”

Wang Qiqi replied with an “Oh,” “I’ll swing by your place before I leave. By the way, don’t pack anything too heavy, or I won’t be able to carry it.” Wang Damei would definitely insist she take things, and Han Tao’s mother would surely make her carry preserved fish and cured meat—all of which were heavy.

“It’s not heavy, just some sausages and things. They look handmade; you love them, don’t you?” Shi Man looked at Wang Qiqi’s expression of disgust and worry about carrying heavy luggage, thinking to herself that if she didn’t know her little friend loved these things, why would she ask her own mother to seek them out?

Handmade sausages? Good heavens, that was a delicacy. “We can make sausage and rice casserole when I get back; it’ll taste amazing.”

“Paired with Auntie’s cured meat,” Shi Man could practically taste the saliva forming. “I’m not talking anymore. I’ve decided to restrain myself a little these next few days, or else eating too much now will make dieting a huge hassle later.”

“I think you’re just waiting to gorge yourself on rice casserole when I get back. But girl, starve yourself too much now, and you might lose your appetite then,” Wang Qiqi stated, understanding Shi Man’s little scheme perfectly. “Oh, right, I thought I saw Gong Yiying when I left school today. Has she shown up again recently?” Ever since that incident last time, she hadn't been seen for half a month. Wang Qiqi nearly didn't recognize her when she spotted her unexpectedly on campus. Shi Man had been preoccupied with her own issues lately and hadn't bothered digging into campus gossip. At this moment, she deeply missed Jiang Xin; if she were here, all this gossip would have already been spread around. “Haven’t you heard anything from Bai Ge and the others?”

“I think so.” Wang Qiqi had been rushing around campus lately too; even if Bai Ge and the others wanted to talk, Wang Qiqi never had the time, rushing into class right on time and vanishing the moment it ended. “Maybe I’ll ask when I get back.”

Shi Man thought to herself that there was no way she could endure that long. “Their investigation skills are too amateurish; they’ve been digging for so long. By the way, was she draped in gold and silver?”

“Draped in gold and silver? That’s what nouveau riche wear, isn't it? I just noticed she looked surprisingly energetic. Although she was carrying a bag with a prominent 'W' logo, I suspect it wasn't a genuine designer item.” Wang Qiqi hadn't gotten close enough to see clearly, but based on the bag’s style, it was likely a knock-off. Of course, it could have been poorly maintained, causing the bag not to hold its shape, but she dismissed that possibility as low. “The most surprising thing was that she was speaking English.” Someone who hasn’t even been abroad acting like a foreigner—it was repulsive.

“Did a foreigner finally take her out?” Shi Man was surprised Gong Yiying was so lucky. “But someone won't be happy about this.” He was practically treated like a rat crossing the street, afraid to even show his face on campus, yet she dares to appear here looking like a victor.

“I’ll leave that important task to you,” Wang Qiqi said as she stuffed the last piece of clothing into her suitcase and closed the lid. “We’re going out for pickled fish. Want to come? Call Feng Xuanxiang too; let’s all have a meal together.”

“Sure.” Shi Man agreed without hesitation. After all, she planned to [EXERCISE] and diet after the holiday anyway, so there was no need to endure such hardship now.

(To be continued)

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