As Wang Qiqi reached the stairwell entrance, she saw a crowd spilling out of the apartment, “You guys are…” What was with the cheerful rush to get out? What was going on?

“Going out to eat. Someone’s treating,” Shi Man hooked her arm around Wang Qiqi’s and pulled her outside.

Someone treating them to dinner? Wang Qiqi wondered if it was her own treat. She knew Shi Man, and it wasn’t the sort of thing where Shi Man could often treat them. What about Dai Lijun? Since buying a place in the capital, he was practically strapped for cash, so their group outings had become less frequent. Seeing how happily Dai Lijun was grinning, Wang Qiqi naturally assumed it was her own treat.

“I’m treating. Thank you, Qiqi, for the notes. And thank you, Han Tao, for the monumental help today.” Dai Lijun was genuinely in high spirits today. He had just spoken to his mother and father about the matter. Although the old man was quite angry, he ultimately conceded that he would rush over as soon as possible. Dai Lijun truly admired his own audacity in putting down so many deposits at once. When the old man heard that backing out meant forfeiting the money, he certainly wasn't going to argue about giving up the commercial space.

My notes? Wang Qiqi looked questioningly at Han Tao. When did he start looking at her notes, and how were they helpful to him?

“Dai Lijun bought the commercial space today. He chose it based on your notes—the one you were quite satisfied with last time,” Han Tao explained with a grin.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Dai Lijun to buy a commercial space today. Her first reaction was, “Idiot, did you rob a bank or win the lottery?” It made no sense; buying a house was already financed through a loan, so buying a commercial space was completely illogical. Besides those two possibilities, Wang Qiqi truly couldn’t imagine any others.

Dai Lijun, who had been quite excited about how capable he felt, was taken aback when Wang Qiqi said something like that. His eyebrows immediately furrowed. “Qiqi, what do you mean by that? Am I only capable of becoming a villain to get rich enough to buy a commercial space?” That’s going too far, absolutely too far. Dai Lijun felt tremendously wronged. “You all are treating me to this meal; you need to compensate me for the emotional distress.” He still needed to be frugal; he couldn't get too cocky. Since any boasting usually invited immediate karmic retribution, he needed to freeload off the rich ones today.

“Done,” Wang Qiqi agreed instantly. “Han Tao, how long did you accompany this person today? Calculate the labor fee. And the information fee—don’t charge too much, just charge two points of the property price.” That should be more than enough to treat the idiot to a meal at a star-rated hotel, Wang Qiqi figured. She calculated that this might even cover her round-trip airfare.

Dai Lijun heard that and suddenly realized he was the biggest loser here. Qiqi made money and played the good Samaritan, but could he really enjoy this meal peacefully? The more Dai Lijun thought about it, the more he felt cheated. He immediately shouted, “Joking, joking! I said I’d treat, how could I let Qiqi treat?” Dai Lijun knew that even if Qiqi wouldn't actually demand the money, she would certainly bring up the topic of one of them having to go underground before the matter was settled between them. For the sake of his future happiness and quiet life, Dai Lijun felt a man shouldn't be cheap.

Wang Qiqi sighed regretfully, “I was really planning on taking everyone to a star-rated hotel, what a shame.”

Dai Lijun nearly slipped. He regretted opening his mouth to suggest Qiqi should treat. “My dear lady, please let me off the hook. You are magnanimous, just let me off the hook…” The man forgot all about face and self-respect; the priority was not to quarrel with his wallet.

Everyone laughed hearing Dai Lijun’s shameless plea. Shi Man cheekily poked Dai Lijun’s cheek, signaling that he was too useless to say such things.

Dai Lijun huffed a few times. “Alright, even if we eat near the complex entrance, we must choose a good place to eat. Don’t be shy.”

As soon as Dai Lijun finished speaking, Wang Qiqi objected, “Still eating near the complex entrance?” Wang Qiqi worried just thinking about running into that person again; that fellow was far too dangerous.

Dai Lijun had been about to retort, “So what if it’s near the entrance?” But upon seeing Wang Qiqi’s expression, he remembered the events of the last few days. What if they ran into that person by chance? Especially since that person’s mind was a bit muddled, causing Lu Qiaowei to be unhappy—what started as a pleasant occasion could easily turn sour. “I reconsidered. Let’s change locations. That place where Juliana treated us last time was good.” Although it was pricier, the environment there was excellent, and more importantly, that person wouldn’t go there—it was absolutely suitable for a gathering to celebrate something happy.

Lu Qiaowei, unaware of what had happened that day, hesitated when Dai Lijun suggested that. “Maybe we should change the location?” Her boyfriend had just bought a house and a commercial space; he was spending quite a bit, especially with the mortgage payments. Lu Qiaowei wanted her man to save some money, and she figured her boyfriend changed his mind because of Wang Qiqi. If it weren’t for Qiqi’s earlier remark, why would her boyfriend change his mind?

Wang Qiqi noticed Lu Qiaowei’s expression freeze and knew the situation had soured. “How about we just stick to the complex entrance then?” Hoping for better luck this time.

“Not the complex entrance. What if we run into Jiang Xin again? If it weren't for them having a small table last time, and the restaurant not being crowded, we might have ended up sharing a table,” Dai Lijun said with disdain. He figured this news would get out eventually anyway, so it was better to be honest. “I didn't enjoy that meal at all. Today is supposed to be happy; I don't want to see her.”

Shi Man looked at Dai Lijun in surprise. “No way, that’s too coincidental.” The school was some distance away, and besides, this wasn't Jiang Xin's usual haunt. How could they run into her so coincidentally? Furthermore, judging by the expressions of the three of them, that meal must have been very unpleasant. What trouble did she cause again?

“Wife, this really has nothing to do with me.” Dai Lijun noticed his wife was looking at him suspiciously and immediately threw Han Tao under the bus, explaining Jiang Xin’s recent activities. “So, Qiqi’s intention is…”

Han Tao felt his luck was truly awful today. First, he was provoked by Qiqi; then, he spent half the day running errands under the scorching sun. Finally, when he thought he could enjoy a peaceful meal, he was betrayed by Dai Lijun.

Shi Man’s mouth opened wide. She mentally screamed, wondering if someone had kicked the person’s brain, making him truly nonsensical. “Heavens, is she trying to become a mistress?”

Lu Qiaowei covered her mouth, which had gaped in surprise, with her hand. “Oh my god, no way.” Lu Qiaowei wondered what Jiang Xin was thinking, setting her sights on Han Tao. Did she have no brains? Even though Wang Qiqi often looked cheerful and easygoing, Lu Qiaowei knew this lady was the type who played the pig to eat the tiger—just look at how docilely she kept Han Tao in line. How could Jiang Xin make such a mistake? Besides, would Han Tao even be swayed? Jiang Xin wasn't a devastating beauty; winning Han Tao’s heart would be difficult.

Wang Qiqi had originally intended to keep this matter low-key, but she hadn't expected that someone would sell out a friend so readily. “Well done.” It looked like she definitely couldn't go easy on the food choices today, or how would she compensate for her wounded feelings?

Wang Qiqi wasn't the only one with that thought; Han Tao also felt they couldn't let the person off so easily. He had to make him spend money until his heart ached, making him remember this day forever.

Dai Lijun truly just wanted to distance himself from this mess, but alas. However, even if time rewound by one minute, Dai Lijun wouldn’t regret betraying the other guy; his girlfriend’s thoughts were what he cared about most. “Don’t be polite with the ordering today.” Though he admitted his wallet would be very, very thin today. “But I just bought a commercial space…” Dai Lijun was subtly asking them to consider his financial capacity.

“It’s fine. If we don’t have enough money, we can lend it to you. Just remember to pay the interest,” Hmph. Trying to use a plea of poverty to make her let him off the hook? Wang Qiqi scoffed internally. Too bad, too late for begging.

Wang Qiqi walked into the restaurant and found a relatively large table. When Han Tao saw the size of the table and then looked at Dai Lijun’s pale face, although he had thought about lecturing his big-mouthed brother earlier, when it came down to it, this friend didn't want his brother to suffer a huge loss. “Qiqi, we…”

Hmph, trying to help? Wang Qiqi sat down. “Waiter, the menu, please.” Absolutely no scrimping on expenses. She completely ignored Dai Lijun’s pitiful, innocent look, figuring she was near-sighted anyway. “Dai Lijun, stop twitching your eye. Be careful, if you twitch that already near-sighted eye again, you’ll end up with near-sightedness plus a twitch.”

Shi Man covered her mouth, laughing as she watched the man who looked like he’d just eaten a bomb. As long as she was just a spectator and not a primary party, Shi Man found the drama highly entertaining, especially since she wasn’t paying. She got to watch a show and eat good food. “Qiqi, don't forget to order me some Braised Pork in Brown Sauce.”

“And the Soy-braised Beef looks good.”

“The jellyfish salad looks good too.”

“And the cold cucumber salad looks good.”

Dai Lijun had initially thought dealing with Wang Qiqi would be the main hurdle, but he hadn't expected his good 'sister' to order four dishes after Qiqi had only ordered two. “There are only five of us, no need to waste food.” Wasting food was a pity, considering how hard farmers worked to grow vegetables, and naturally, how hard he worked to earn money. They shouldn't be so wasteful.

Shi Man stared at Dai Lijun with a mischievous smile. “There will be seven of us. I just called Nana. She’s almost done with her errands, so I asked her to come over. The driver can eat with us and then drive us back.”

Dai Lijun swallowed hard. He finally understood why Shi Man had disappeared for so long earlier, only to return with that mysteriously knowing smile. It turned out this was the final boss. “Manman, my dearest sister, your brother hasn’t offended you today, has he?” Dai Lijun considered himself the grand host treating everyone today. He felt Qiqi was asking for it, but as for Manman, Dai Lijun was certain he hadn't offended her. (To be continued)