Wang Qiqi and Bai Ge felt considerably lighter after their conversation; as they passed a cooked food shop near the road, Wang Qiqi cheerfully went inside and bought some ready-made dishes, considering it a small reward for someone who had helped gather information, granting her the time needed to resolve her own issues.

Carrying her schoolbag in one hand and the purchased food in the other, Wang Qiqi walked home humming a tune. Her mood was absolutely splendid, but even the best spirits soured instantly upon hearing a greeting and seeing a familiar figure appear.

Honestly, people shouldn't be spoken of so easily—why did she have to run into him? Wang Qiqi completely ignored the person, heading straight for home. As for what the other party might think, sorry, that wasn't within Wang Qiqi's scope of consideration. Besides, his heart must be incredibly resilient; if it were her, she would have dropped out long ago. Staring at that lingering gaze, Wang Qiqi felt it almost impossible to maintain her composure and keep walking.

Deng Zhi saw that Wang Qiqi had been in good spirits, but suddenly stopped humming and her face lost all trace of a smile. Looking at the food in her hands, he thought, Could she be taking that home for a sweet dinner with Han Tao? If only, if only he had insisted on pursuing Wang Qiqi back then, even despite how she treated him, instead of listening to that conniving wretch, perhaps he would have a place in the capital city now. More importantly, he wouldn't be in such a wretched state as he was now. Although Deng Zhi hadn't been to school recently, he had heard plenty about the current gossip regarding him from his good friend Zhang Han—like how the woman who first cheated was now a popular figure on campus, envied by many, while his own frequent evaluation was nothing but "waste," "waste." This infuriated Deng Zhi. As for that bitch who suggested he pursue Zhu Lina, it wasn't as if he hadn't heard the rumors about his supposed "connection" with Zhu Lina while he was being cuckolded. He’d tried to insert himself into the situation, but shortly after the rumor spread, he was warned—and then severely beaten. Deng Zhi hadn't ruled out calling the police, but what good would that do? Did he have witnesses or physical evidence? If he reported it, the next thing awaiting him might be going missing.

Deng Zhi was forced to give up on Zhu Lina. Just as he was heartbroken, contemplating whether to drop out, he heard information intentionally "let slip" by a romantic rival. Hmph, he knew the other person meant to tell him on purpose, yet pretended it was accidental disclosure. Did they take him for a fool? But it didn't matter; this piece of news gave Deng Zhi a glimmer of hope. Deng Zhi felt Wang Qiqi shouldn't only possess two properties; perhaps she had three. He figured she wouldn't reveal her entire hand. Therefore, for the sake of those few properties, Deng Zhi decided he absolutely had to strive harder. Moreover, wasn't Wang Qiqi doing translation work? Deng Zhi mused that once he caught up to Wang Qiqi, he'd have her work as a translator—reportedly, that was quick money. The more Deng Zhi thought about it, the better things seemed, which is why he avoided Wang Qiqi now as if she were a pest. Not a hint of anger showed on Deng Zhi’s face.

“Qiqi, can we talk?” Deng Zhi snapped back to reality, realizing Wang Qiqi had walked quite far ahead. He quickly strode a few steps to catch up. “Talk?” Wang Qiqi looked him up and down, assessing the thick-skinned man. “You want to tell me how it feels to wear a green hat? Sorry, my relationship with Gong Tianying isn't good, and frankly, my relationship with you isn't good either. I know you feel wronged, but are we close enough for that?” Wang Qiqi sidestepped him. “Also, you learned about my family situation from Cao Rui, and Nana has never liked you—did you really think you could chase me down so easily...?”

Since the man insisted on having no shame, she might as well address him properly. Did he really think she was a pushover? “Let’s not even discuss how you chased me in our first year and I never agreed, much less would I ever agree to your pursuit. I had a boyfriend back in high school. Never mind his character, first and foremost, he and I grew up together; there’s no room for anyone else between us. Second, what do you possibly have to compare to him? Stop always thinking about finding a girlfriend to change your destiny. In fact, I think Gong Tianying leaving might have been the right choice for you. Don’t spout about being wronged; you’re enjoying the money Gong Tianying earned—money whose cleanliness I question—while you play the kept man. Has that hobby worn off yet?” Deng Zhi had initially intended to use vague words to suggest to onlookers that Wang Qiqi was somehow flawed, but he hadn't expected her to be so blunt. He suddenly recalled Wang Qiqi’s tongue. Back when rumors circulated about Deng Zhi and Zhu Lina having an affair, leading to Gong Tianying's infidelity, it was Wang Qiqi and Shi Man who, with just a few words, managed to swing public opinion. Although the truth became known to some extent, it still deeply angered Deng Zhi. Perhaps if he had held out a little longer, he and Zhu Lina might have actually ended up together.

“I’m sorry, but Gong Tianying may have the inclination to make money off foreigners to support you, but I have no intention of supporting a man. Think hard about why Gong Tianying left. While she certainly had faults, no woman likes supporting a man, especially one who is both useless and ridiculously arrogant,” Wang Qiqi vented without holding back. “And rather than spending time trying to find a rich person to support you, you might as well drop out of school and hang around bars; maybe you’d actually find a rich, lonely older woman.” Wang Qiqi felt she was truly being too kind, pointing out a path for someone who was trying to slander her.

Rich, lonely older woman. Deng Zhi’s eyes lit up momentarily at the suggestion, but his gaze quickly dimmed. He thought, It’s not that easy, and besides, those so-called 'rich women' were usually married; wouldn't that be rather immoral?

Wang Qiqi found the conflicted look on his face quite amusing. He wanted easy gains but didn't want a tarnished reputation. “Think about it carefully. Consider your reputation at school, and then consider that Gong Tianying is about to go abroad, leaving you here to deal with all the gossip…” Wang Qiqi clicked her tongue repeatedly. “I heard Gong Tianying is even treating classmates to a meal today. Think about how triumphant she must feel, about to leave the country, and then look at you…” Wang Qiqi put on an expression of feigned sympathy for his perceived plight.

Deng Zhi knew Wang Qiqi was trying to provoke him, but what she said was the truth. Compared to Gong Tianying’s current glory, and contrasted with his own situation, he reflected that he must achieve a life of superiority. This girl in front of him couldn't provide that. At that moment, Deng Zhi made a decision: he would stop pestering Wang Qiqi and turned to leave.

Wang Qiqi knew he would choose this path; he was too impulsive. Of course, if he actually managed to secure an appreciative wealthy woman, he’d be lucky. But she wondered if he possessed the skill to pull that off after all these years. After walking a couple of steps, Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered something: if it was this easy to send Deng Zhi away, why had she mentioned the properties to Bai Ge and the others? As long as the gossip didn't truly explode, how long would the news linger? But she quickly dismissed the thought—what was done was done. Shi Man, looking at the cooked dishes on the dining table, was quite surprised. Wasn't Qiqi’s mood supposed to be bad? “Did you tell Bai Ge and the others?”

Wang Qiqi hummed an affirmation. “Call Han Tao and the others over for dinner.” With her mood much improved, Wang Qiqi was happy to cook, especially since she had resolved another matter on the way back. “I ran into Deng Zhi on the way back today.”

Deng Zhi? Shi Man’s hand trembled as she reached for the phone. “How did you run into him? Did he… did he do anything to you?”

Wang Qiqi shrugged to indicate she was fine, then pointed to the phone. “Call Han Tao and the others first, then I’ll tell you how it all went down.”

After Shi Man quickly completed the call and relayed the necessary information, she rushed to the kitchen doorway. “Qiqi, tell me. Did you really handle Deng Zhi?” She doubted someone like him could be dealt with so easily. Shi Man wondered if Wang Qiqi had resorted to some kind of violence and beaten him.

Wang Qiqi nodded. “Am I a violent person?”

Wang Qiqi thought to herself, I haven't even practiced any martial arts. If she had trained for even one year back in her final year of high school, maybe she could have pulled off a flashy move, perhaps even fighting Deng Zhi to a draw. At worst, she might have ended up being the one beaten down by him. “Only brutes use force. I’m a civilized person, so I used civilized methods. I just analyzed things for him: I only have some family assets, nothing comparable to Gong Tianying who is going abroad. He should go find a wealthy woman instead.”

Shi Man was stunned that Wang Qiqi had dismissed him so easily. “Ah, you just said that? Wouldn’t he go back to Zhu Lina?” Good heavens, Cao Rui had finally found a chance to get rid of Deng Zhi, and now Wang Qiqi’s suggestion might undo all that effort? And what about Nana...? “Also, Qiqi, you only have some family assets?” Shi Man mentally questioned how modest Wang Qiqi was being, how much she was underestimating herself. While she might not compare to Zhu Lina, the houses and savings she possessed amounted to at least two million, right? Her parents’ inherited houses and savings alone were over a million, not to mention the compensation money and all her endeavors over the past year. Stating two million was humble; with that much wealth, many people would be crying with envy. Wang Qiqi waved a finger at her. “No, do you think Deng Zhi is an idiot? After all that, he knows he can’t possibly catch Zhu Lina now. I suggested he find a rich, lonely older woman.”

Shi Man was speechless at Wang Qiqi’s advice. “Aren't you corrupting him? Isn't that telling him to become a kept man, a gigolo? Heavens!”

“I was just saying it; I didn't expect him to actually take the advice. It can’t be helped; his obsession is too strong. He’s too desperate to advance quickly and live a life more glamorous than Gong Tianying’s in the short term. Without this path, how else can he achieve it? Do you think those young rich second-generation men are easy catches? At least his reputation at school is ruined now.”

(To be continued)