Bai Ge saw Wang Qiqi sitting beside her and murmured softly, "Qiqi, I need to talk to you about something after this is over."

Wang Qiqi hummed in response. To be honest, seeing Bai Ge today had given her quite a shock; Bai Ge had darkened considerably. Wang Qiqi admitted she’d also gotten quite tan from running around all summer, but compared to Bai Ge, her change was minor—at most, a healthy tan. Bai Ge, however, had upgraded straight to a bronze beauty. "What on earth did you do this summer? How did you get so much darker?"

Bai Ge smiled faintly. "I took on two extra tutoring jobs; the burden got a bit heavy." To save money, she’d cycled to some of her appointments. Though her skin was darker, the rewards were significant. Just thinking about having bought an apartment in the capital gave Bai Ge a powerful sense of accomplishment; it meant she had finally established a foothold in this city.

Duan Xiaomin truly couldn't fathom why Bai Ge had been working herself so ragged lately—tutoring, and doing God knows what kind of handicraft work she’d picked up somewhere. She couldn't figure out why Bai Ge seemed so desperate for money. "Making money is good, but you have to watch your health, too."

Bai Ge nodded. Of course, she knew that. "Don't worry, I'm about to settle down. I'm planning to pursue my master's degree." Bai Ge knew Duan Xiaomin was hoping to stay on at the university, but Bai Ge thought the chances were slim. There were only a handful of positions available for staying on, and without any connections, it didn't matter if Duan Xiaomin was a student union executive.

Duan Xiaomin paused, momentarily stunned, then hesitated. "Weren't you planning to start working right away?" Why the sudden change of heart? Bai Ge always used to emphasize the family's burden and the need to start earning early to support her younger siblings' schooling. Now she was planning further studies.

"Mmm, I found my parents a job. I convinced them to move to the capital to work. Their salaries should be enough to cover my siblings' tuition fees," Bai Ge said vaguely. However, her statement wasn't entirely false. After learning Bai Ge’s parents were coming to the capital, a connection Bai Ge had made suggested a position—a night guard at a certain location. This wouldn't interfere with their existing income and would still bring in money. Bai Ge immediately took her father to interview. Just like that, her father was placed, and he had already been working for over a month. While the salary might not seem high to many, for the Bai family, it represented a considerable income.

Duan Xiaomin hadn't expected Bai Ge to have found a job for her father, too. She looked at Bai Ge with surprise, and a flicker of darkness crossed her own heart. She had always assumed she was doing quite well among Bai Ge and the others. She hadn't realized that the usually quiet Bai Ge possessed such capabilities. "I didn't realize you've become so capable lately, Bai Ge. But I don't think you need to go for a master's. You should find a good job." With that, Duan Xiaomin walked away.

Wang Qiqi was taken aback by Duan Xiaomin’s words. While her statement seemed reasonable on the surface, something felt off. Feng Yanjie and Li Xin also looked awkward. Although they felt a pang of jealousy—the four of them had started from similar positions—they hadn't expected Bai Ge to be doing so well. Feng Yanjie felt a bit better; her family background was far superior to Bai Ge's group. But the issue was that Bai Ge knew quite a few influential people in the capital. They were already in their third year, all contemplating their futures. Feng Yanjie and Li Xin also hoped to stay and work in the capital, but the reality was that the number of university graduates was huge. Even if C University was prestigious, with so many graduates, a good job might not fall into their laps.

Finally, Li Xin smoothed things over. "Duan Xiaomin has been under a lot of pressure recently. Apparently, her chances of getting into the campus student union this time aren't great." A senior student, who had just entered her fourth year, had promised to help Duan Xiaomin secure a spot in the student union. Duan Xiaomin had worked hard behind the scenes for her, only to have the senior tell her yesterday that the slot had been snatched away. Duan Xiaomin had been so angry last night that she couldn't sleep. Hearing this news just now, anyone would be unhappy.

After Li Xin and the others left, Bai Ge said irritably, "Just because she’s unhappy, she can take it out on me?" Honestly, Bai Ge was speechless about Duan Xiaomin’s recent attitude. "I just don't get it; it’s just one spot to stay at the university, is it really worth all this?" She looked at everyone like they were a competitor, and today her words were so acidic. Was this what Wang Qiqi meant by people growing up and changing? Perhaps in the past, Bai Ge would have thought staying at the university or landing a desk job as a junior white-collar worker was excellent, but now Bai Ge felt that working independently might be better. Regardless, there was no need to let a mere student union spot ruin her mood.

Wang Qiqi watched Duan Xiaomin leave without saying a word. Regarding Duan Xiaomin, Wang Qiqi had heard rumors, such as... "She’s in a bad mood; just let her have it." Wang Qiqi understood. To have invested so much, with hope seemingly within reach only to watch it recede, anyone would be unhappy. "Right, what did you need to see me for?"

"I want to take you to see the copy shop I just set up," Bai Ge said with excitement. She had originally wanted to take Duan Xiaomin and the others, but seeing Duan Xiaomin’s volatile state, Bai Ge didn't dare bring them along to share this joy. After thinking it over, she could only tell Wang Qiqi.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Bai Ge to actually get this venture off the ground. "You really opened a copy shop?" Although it could make money, the competition was fierce, as it required no technical skills—anyone with enough money to buy a photocopier could start.

Bai Ge nodded. "Mmm, I also negotiated with the parents of one of my tutoring students; I'll source my paper from them. The price will definitely be low." Bai Ge knew this copy shop wouldn't last forever, but she had definite ideas for future development, and what she lacked was capital. "I'll only do this for a few years while I’m in school; I have other plans after graduation." As for those other plans, Bai Ge wasn't entirely certain, as it was still five years away.

Wang Qiqi looked at Bai Ge’s confident expression and recalled how, upon entering university, Bai Ge had been the least self-assured among the eight of them. But since starting tutoring, she had become much more cheerful, and even her outlook had changed. "It’s good that you have a goal," Wang Qiqi patted Bai Ge’s shoulder. Although she didn't know what that goal was, or how much she would gain or regret in achieving it, it was certainly better than having no goals at all.

Bai Ge smiled. "Mmm, even if I fail, it’s fine. I’m young anyway." Bai Ge tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "By the way, how was your trip to the US this time?" Bai Ge knew about Wang Qiqi's trip over the summer, and she had found out about it by sheer coincidence.

"It was alright," Wang Qiqi briefly described her experience in America. "My job over there was mostly logistics. Honestly, I mostly stayed put at the lodging; I didn't really go sightseeing. But the air was nice; it’s just a bit sparsely populated. Making a trip out really isn't easy."

Bai Ge had initially wanted to ask Qiqi if she had any romantic encounters abroad. She had heard that foreigners’ standards for beauty differed from those in China—the plainer a girl was domestically, the more "Chinese charm" foreigners supposedly saw. She really wanted to know if those foreigners considered the domestically recognized petite beauty, Wang Qiqi, a stunner. But unexpectedly, Qiqi had spent her time there in such a dull manner. "You might as well have stayed here; at least you could have gone out and seen things." Bai Ge knew Qiqi always took trips during vacations; she was the one living the easiest life in the class.

"It’s different; I experienced a different atmosphere," Wang Qiqi shook her head. "I just considered it broadening my horizons." Besides, she had a task there—a very important one—which she wouldn't tell Bai Ge or the others. It was especially fortunate that she was accompanying the trip so she could profit alongside Feng Xuanxiang. Wang Qiqi thought that if only Han Tao had gone, that blockhead would have just coded or gone home to rest, never getting in touch with Feng Xuanxiang, and the latter would likely never have found him even if he wanted to connect.

Bai Ge conceded the point. "You’re the envy of our entire class or even department now, you know? Han Meina speaks about you with such acidity, always saying you have excellent judgment. Didn't she constantly say before that you picked a boyfriend with poor prospects, that your taste was awful?" Bai Ge admitted she had shared that sentiment before, but seeing Han Tao truly take off now, she felt Qiqi’s judgment was unique. Why chase after rich men? Gong Yiying’s previous history was right in front of them, and besides, would rich families even look favorably upon them? It was better to find someone whose family background wasn't exceptional but who had drive, like Han Tao. Wouldn't that guarantee a good future?

Wang Qiqi expressed that she didn't care about other people's opinions; what they said had nothing to do with her. "Now they’re probably just jealous that I latched onto a powerful man. Anyway, whether it's good or bad is their interpretation." If they had time to gossip about others, they might as well focus on their studies, as if she relied solely on Han Tao and did nothing herself.

Bai Ge looked at the calm Wang Qiqi and was genuinely impressed by her composure. Back when Gong Yiying had almost implied to her face that she was financially supporting a man, Qiqi hadn't argued back. Now, when people said she was lucky to have found a wealthy man, she didn't raise a defense either. That level of self-possession was something. "I also feel now that I missed out on a lot, but I truly can't bring myself to love finance."

Can't love finance? Wang Qiqi secretly chuckled. "If you don't love finance, why are you still thinking about grad school?" After all, getting into grad school wasn't easy now, although perhaps staying at their own university might be slightly easier.

Bai Ge thought about it and found it quite amusing herself. "That's why I have to study hard, striving to become a financial expert who can baffle people with theory!" Bai Ge covered her mouth, shaking her head as she described her plan.

Wang Qiqi looked at the triumphant Bai Ge and wanted to tell her that ideals were beautiful, but reality was harsh. No one would be that naive, unless they were infatuated with you.