Wang Qiqi just waved goodbye to Bai Ge, clutching her books on her way to borrow the specific ones Han Tao had requested from the library, when she received a pager message from Li Qian: Qiqi, I'm finally free today! Come over for dinner tonight? P.S. Just the two of us.

Seeing this message, Wang Qiqi had only one thought: Good heavens, Li Qian moved fast. It's been barely four months since she found out about Li Xiangdong's mistress being pregnant and causing a scene at her doorstep until the matter was truly resolved. This issue was wrapped up just like that. Although she didn't know the exact division of Li Qian and Li Xiangdong’s joint assets, she figured it must have been quite favorable.

On her way to Li Qian's place, Wang Qiqi stopped to buy some fruit and milk. As for anything else, Wang Qiqi was certain Li Qian would have everything prepared. There might not be much food, but there would definitely be plenty of alcohol; last time they drank so much just brooding over things, so there was no way the so-called liberation dinner wouldn't feature ample drinks.

When Li Qian heard the knock, she poked her head out from the kitchen. "Auntie, could you please get the door for me? You can head off for the day after."

The auntie murmured an acknowledgement, let Wang Qiqi in, and then departed. Wang Qiqi watched Li Qian still busy in the kitchen, wondering if Li Qian was actually cooking the meal herself today. But if the auntie had already left, who would clear the dishes? Wang Qiqi suddenly slapped her forehead—why was she worrying about cleanup? The real issue was whether she would even have the strength to crawl into bed later, or perhaps, whether she could manage to get the hostess of the evening into bed. Last time, she had help; this time, she was completely on her own, which felt like immense pressure.

"Qiqi, go sit on the sofa for a bit. I just need to plate a couple more dishes and we can eat. Oh, right, I simmered some lamb soup today—it’s very nourishing for winter. Would you like some?" Li Qian suddenly recalled that Qiqi didn't particularly like lamb soup, mostly because she found the smell off-putting, even though a bowl in winter was truly restorative. "I bought a freshly slaughtered lamb from the countryside today; it’s incredibly fresh."

Lamb soup? Freshly slaughtered, too. "I'll have some," Wang Qiqi replied. She wasn't very fond of lamb; she preferred fish and shrimp over eating the meat. "Sister Qian, shall I help?"

"No need. We just need to set the table later." Li Qian ushered Wang Qiqi out of the kitchen. "Just relax in the living room. It's just the two of us. I haven't prepared too many dishes, but don't worry, I only set aside two bottles of wine for today. We’ll take it slow."

Hearing there were only two bottles of wine, Wang Qiqi immediately felt more relaxed. When she walked into the living room, she noticed that many items were missing from the once-crowded curio cabinet, and some of the calligraphy and paintings on the walls were gone too. The resulting patches of exposed wall created noticeable color variations that looked quite jarring.

"Cheers," Li Qian said, sitting down opposite Wang Qiqi. "Thank you, Qiqi, for staying with me through those times." During those difficult days, Li Qian often found the motivation to keep going just by recalling the words Wang Qiqi had spoken to her. Although, in the eyes of many friends, she had lost out in this divorce, suggesting she could have pushed for more assets if she had held on longer—what good were more riches to Li Qian? If she hadn't branched out on her own, perhaps she wouldn't have ended up divorcing Li Xiangdong. And dragging things out like that, Li Qian felt she was on the verge of a breakdown; it was better to just let go completely.

Wang Qiqi raised her glass to congratulate Li Qian. "Congratulations, Sister Qian, on starting a new life." Wang Qiqi almost asked if Li Qian knew Ye Ruizhi's true feelings for her, but she swallowed the words as they reached her lips. After being friends for so long, Li Qian surely must know his intentions. Now that Ye Ruizhi was widowed and Li Qian was divorced, they were practically two single people. If they both harbored feelings, starting anew might not be out of the question.

"Thanks, Qiqi. Do you know what I got out of this divorce? Just the household savings, a few apartments in the Capital, and one car. All the shares in the translation agency went to Li Xiangdong. Do you think I was right to get divorced?" Li Qian genuinely wanted to know Wang Qiqi’s reaction to the settlement. "Oh, and the office building where the translation agency is located also came to me." Li Qian hadn't wanted it at first, but later reasoned: why refuse? Even if Li Xiangdong didn't rent the space, such a prime location wouldn't struggle to find tenants, and the monthly rent would be substantial enough to guarantee Li Qian would never starve, even without working.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Li Qian to secure the title to the office building. She knew that area wasn't much right now, seeming a bit remote, but in another three years, it would be a hot spot. Just that office space could command three thousand a month in rent, and people would fight for it. "Sister Qian, you absolutely did not lose out on this divorce. Even though you didn't get the assets of the translation agency, having that office for rent, plus several apartments to live in, your life will definitely be good." Although she didn't know the exact savings amount, Wang Qiqi guessed it wouldn't be small. "You can keep buying property later; the monthly rent alone will be enough for your expenses, Sister Qian."

Wang Qiqi didn't believe Li Qian would languish in self-pity forever, content to be a landlady. Perhaps Li Qian didn't have the headspace for future plans right now, but based on her understanding of her friend, Li Qian would definitely bounce back. As for what her specific plans were, Wang Qiqi admitted she didn't know.

Li Qian was speechless at Wang Qiqi’s suggestion. Honestly, she couldn't fathom why Wang Qiqi was so obsessed with real estate. Rumor had it that back in her hometown, Qiqi’s deceased parents had left her several properties, and on top of that, she had bought several more. In the Capital, she purchased two apartments the year before last—though they were still on mortgage, those loans weren't an issue for her—and reportedly she’d also bought commercial space and a residence in Juliana’s development. She was truly turning into a landlady. "You call me a landlady? As I hear it, your monthly rental income isn't small either."

Wang Qiqi chuckled, not denying it at all. "Money is a good thing, but the house I bought last year—it hasn't been long, and the housing price has already gone up. Prices will continue to rise. In that case, why should I keep the money idle? It’s much more profitable to turn it into property." Ten thousand yuan now might buy a small studio in the Capital, perhaps in a slightly remote area, but in six or seven years, that same ten thousand might barely cover a bathroom. And how much interest would ten thousand earn just sitting in the bank for so many years? In her previous life, she missed that train; she absolutely couldn't miss it this time, especially since she wasn't exactly poor. "Actually, this is also a sign of my insecurity. I always worry that if I lose my job someday, or if Han Tao and I break up, I'll at least have rental income to rely on." Of course, these were all hypotheticals for Wang Qiqi. For a young woman her age to own so many properties would naturally seem strange to people; even if her parents left her a substantial inheritance, many people nowadays preferred keeping money in the bank.

Wang Qiqi was merely explaining her reasoning for acquiring so much property. To Li Qian, however, it seemed incredible how much this child must have endured to become this way. Although Qiqi always had a cheerful smile, possessing such a world-weary perspective at such a young age was truly bewildering to Li Qian. Yet, it was perhaps this precocious mindset that made Li Qian feel she connected so well with Wang Qiqi. Still, Li Qian felt compelled to advise her friend. "While women should cherish themselves, Han Tao is a good man. For you to treat him like this..."

"He knows, and he supports me." Han Tao had indeed asked Qiqi why she insisted on buying so much property. Back when she wasn't his girlfriend yet, she had simply replied: security. She told him that even after dating or marrying, she would use her own money to buy houses. She had also firmly stated that if they were to marry, they absolutely must get a prenuptial agreement: her assets would be hers, his would be his. Wang Qiqi still remembered Han Tao's astonished expression at the time. "But, Sister Qian, when you chose him back then, did you ever imagine a day like this would come? Do you regret that initial choice?" Wang Qiqi watched Li Qian carefully, hoping to read something on her face.

To Li Qian, Wang Qiqi’s probing expression looked like genuine concern for her feelings. How could she be angry? As for Qiqi’s question about regretting the choice of Li Xiangdong, Li Qian honestly couldn't count how many times she had pondered that question over the past year. Even her best friend who married off to Hong Kong would tell her every time they spoke on the phone that Qiqi had made the wrong choice initially; if she hadn't been momentarily soft-hearted and chosen Li Xiangdong, perhaps her life wouldn't be this way now.

But some things don't revert just because you regret them. After a long pause, Li Qian sighed softly. "Some things aren't about regret; it’s about what you learn from them, and whether you had happy times. No matter how unhappy things got between Li Xiangdong and me, he gave me a sweet, well-behaved son and a period of happy married life. Even in this divorce, although that woman tried to dissuade him later, he was still quite generous..."

Wang Qiqi was surprised that even after everything, Li Qian was still speaking well of Li Xiangdong; it felt so artificial. Wang Qiqi thought that if it were her, she would never say good things about an ex in front of someone like Shi Man—unless he walked away with nothing. Then, she would certainly speak highly of him, since she would have become a wealthy woman, right?

Seeing Wang Qiqi not listening to her and just focusing on scooping food onto her plate, Li Qian smiled. "Qiqi, do you think what I’m saying sounds fake?"

Wang Qiqi nodded sincerely. It was fake, as stiff and insincere as an official statement.

"Should I complain about how terrible he was? That would lower my own class. Besides, what kind of difference would that make? I’d be no better than a shrew. I should be grateful he set me free, allowing me to live the life I want, pursue the goals I want to achieve, and thank him for being so generous even in divorce." Li Qian explained why she was being so generous. "And regardless, he is Li Zhe’s father. If I speak ill of him, saying he’s cheap and stingy, while his new wife complains that he gave me so much money and still has to cover our son’s tuition—what do you think Li Xiangdong would feel then?"

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