Wang Qiqi had originally planned to take a long-haul bus with Shi Man, traveling through a few interesting cities before heading back. However, since Shi Man had so many things she needed to bring back this time, and while some could be checked, carrying so much luggage meant she wouldn't be able to enjoy the trip properly. So, everyone changed their minds and decided to go straight home.

Back in the capital, Song Yao saw them off at the train station. Upon arriving at her hometown, Song Ziwen, looking sharp in a designer suit, stood on the platform with both hands waiting for Wang Qiqi. "Qiqi, welcome back." The scene drew curious glances from people waiting to board the next train.

Shi Man covered her mouth, her gaze flickering between Wang Qiqi and Song Ziwen, then she suddenly whispered, "It's missing a bouquet of roses, otherwise it would look much better." She felt like something was missing, and now that she said it, she knew what it was. No wonder she felt something was off earlier.

Roses? Wang Qiqi thought about her cousin standing on the platform like a fool, with her mischievous friend standing beside him commenting, "Don't worry, I'll tell your Old Feng. Next time he picks you up at the airport, he should make a bigger scene, at least buy ninety-nine roses." Wang Qiqi had initially thought of suggesting nine hundred and ninety-nine roses, but then reconsidered that the intended recipient probably couldn't manage that, and it would be too ostentatious, so ninety-nine became the compromise.

Shi Man hadn't expected that her casual remark would lead Qiqi to such an idea. If Qiqi told Old Feng, he might actually do it. "You, you..." Shi Man thought about Old Feng putting on such a show, while Han Tao was unlikely to do the same. Qiqi was a practical girl; she'd be happy with an occasional flower, but a large bouquet would definitely earn her disapproval, and she'd probably lecture him about being wasteful. It seemed like water finds its own level between them.

Wang Qiqi shrugged, walked past Shi Man to Song Ziwen's side, and unceremoniously placed her rolling suitcase in front of him. "Brother, help me with the luggage." So, someone wanted to show off, right? Let him show off and perform.

Song Ziwen hadn't expected his cousin to be so impolite, treating him like a porter. "Qiqi, you..."

"Brother, I'm not Sister-in-law, you don't need to put on this act," Wang Qiqi replied impatiently. "I've been on a train all night, I'm tired. Brother, let's go home." A night train was tiring enough, but the person in their compartment snored so loudly that Wang Qiqi barely slept the entire night.

Song Ziwen looked at the dark circles under Wang Qiqi's eyes, took the backpack from her, then took Shi Man's suitcase, and led them away. "Your sister-in-law has already made preserved egg and lean meat congee. Let's go out for dinner tonight. By the way, Shi Man, should I send you straight home, or...?"

"Brother, Manman is staying in our complex," Wang Qiqi said listlessly from the side. "I just want to go home and sleep; I'm exhausted."

"Me too," Shi Man replied, looking equally drained. At that moment, she regretted not taking the plane, even though that would have involved its own hassles, at least she wouldn't have been sleepless all night.

Wang Qiqi dragged herself out of bed in a daze. After a quick rinse, she went to Song Ziwen’s place to see if there was anything to eat. She had just arrived home and hadn't had time to buy groceries; there wasn't even a bottle of mineral water in the house. "You?" Wang Qiqi was utterly surprised to find an unexpected person opening the door for her.

Wang Rui was just as taken aback to see Wang Qiqi. Although she hadn't seen Wang Qiqi in about a year, she had heard plenty of news about her: her man was studying abroad in the US and had bought a house there; Wang Qiqi was going to study in the UK; Wang Qiqi had co-opened a successful hostel in Lijiang; and she was involved in her cousins' family businesses. Whenever she heard this, Wang Rui felt resentful—why did they receive such different treatment despite being cousins? "Long time no see," Wang Rui finally managed to choke out after a long pause.

"Yeah, long time no see." Wang Qiqi deeply regretted opening the door. If she had known this person would be here, she would have walked further just to buy food and drinks rather than come here. But now, retreating would make her look worse than Wang Rui. "Summer vacation?"

"Yeah."

The two stood frozen at the doorway, no follow-up action, no conversation flowing, just like strangers.

"Who is it?" Wang Damei waited for a long time, but no one came inside, and Wang Rui was just standing there. Who would be visiting at this hour? She hadn't expected Wang Qiqi; if it were Qiqi, Wang Rui would have already been inside.

"Qiqi!" Wang Damei exclaimed. "Why aren't you coming in?"

Wang Damei shot a reproving look at Wang Rui. How many troubles had this girl caused over the years? If she caused trouble, Wang Damei wouldn't mind, but she kept dating one man after another and was still in this state. She might as well have been like Wang Qiqi, who settled down with one man from the start. So many people thought she and Han Tao weren't a match back then, but now Han Tao was certainly worthy of Wang Qiqi, or perhaps it was Qiqi's good fortune to have found him. As for Wang Rui, with her lofty ambitions and meager fate, Wang Damei didn't know how to judge her.

"Auntie," Wang Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Wang Damei. In the July heat, standing in a non-air-conditioned space, she felt like she was melting, especially around three in the afternoon. But this also explained why Wang Rui was here. If it weren't for Wang Damei's connection, Wang Qiqi doubted Wang Rui would have shown up.

After entering the house, Wang Qiqi greeted Song Wenbo, who was playing with Niuniu on the sofa. As for Wang Dagui, Wang Qiqi ignored him, as usual. "Why aren't Uncle Yang and the others here?" She thought they were still helping look after Niuniu.

"They went out of town for an old classmate reunion," Wang Damei said, knowing Qiqi was there and not bothering with pleasantries. Wang Qiqi automatically went to the kitchen, pulled out the juicer, and started cutting a watermelon for juice. "Auntie, who wants watermelon juice?" Having a juicer at home was truly a blessing; it was far better than the so-called fresh juice sold outside or in supermarkets. This was genuine fruit juice.

"Get one for Niuniu," Wang Damei thought about suggesting one for Wang Rui too, but felt it would be better if Wang Rui asked for it herself. This might help bridge the gap between the cousins, whose relationship was currently more awkward than that between strangers. She kept giving Wang Rui meaningful glances, hoping she would take the hint, but Wang Rui never asked for one. She thought, this girl clearly isn't introverted; why has she become so awkward after not seeing her for months, unable to seize an opportunity?

Wang Rui had received Wang Damei's visual instructions, but her pride wouldn't let her ask Wang Qiqi directly. In her view, asking would mean admitting defeat to Wang Qiqi. Furthermore, she knew Qiqi had a good relationship with Song Ziwen, but she hadn't realized Qiqi could treat the Song family home as her own—rummaging in the kitchen and helping herself to food without asking. After all, Wang Damei had been the one to welcome her when she arrived. If Wang Rui moved around a bit, Wang Damei's eyes would follow her every move, not to mention her uncle. Wang Rui snorted inwardly: Did they think she was a thief? Even though her financial situation wasn't great, she wouldn't resort to such things.

Wang Damei had no idea what Wang Rui was thinking. If she knew, she would certainly spit at her. She would ask if she had forgotten what she did last summer vacation—what niece calculates against her elders like that? And Wang Rui had invited her uncle to Hong Kong for the New Year but hadn't invited Wang Damei. Even if she hadn't been invited, not sending any gifts afterward showed that Wang Rui and her father didn't truly care about her. Wang Damei felt she had treated Wang Rui well, but how was she repaid? Wang Damei felt a sting. In contrast, Qiqi often called to ask about her health, bought clothes for her and Song Wenbo, and bought toys for Niuniu. Although Qiqi was wealthy, this still showed she had heart. This time, Wang Rui and her father arrived empty-handed, not even bringing a piece of fruit.

Hearing that only two cups were requested, Wang Qiqi naturally didn't make extra juice; she only poured two glasses and came out, even thoughtfully placing a straw on one. "Niuniu, call me."

Niuniu tilted her head, stared at Wang Qiqi for a long time, then slowly uttered, "Gugu, Gugu." She reached out her hands wanting to be held.

Wang Qiqi had only said it out of habit. She hadn't expected the little girl to remember her. A child's memory wasn't that good. The last time Wang Qiqi saw her was during the Spring Festival. She didn't expect someone she only saw twice a year to remember her, but the little girl had called her name correctly and wanted to be held. Wang Qiqi excitedly scooped up Niuniu, and the little girl giggled nonstop in her arms. "Auntie, Niuniu is amazing!" Happy children are loved everywhere, especially a chubby, fair-skinned little girl whose eyes turn into crescents when she smiles—she was overwhelmingly cute.

While Wang Qiqi was overjoyed, Wang Rui, on the other side, felt bitter. In the long time since she arrived, the little girl had only called her 'Auntie' once, and that was because her grandmother told her to. Afterward, she hadn't called anyone again. At first, Wang Rui hadn't cared, thinking she was just a little girl. But now, after Wang Qiqi arrived, the child called out without prompting, and she hadn't even received a kiss. Wang Rui thought this girl, just like her parents, was a snob who favored the rich. Hmph, when she found a rich man in the future, she'd see how Wang Qiqi would try to curry favor with her then.

Qiqi paid no mind to someone else's internal turmoil; she was busy bonding with the little girl. "Hello, Niuniu." As expected of a baby still drinking milk, she smelled sweetly of milk in her arms, which felt comforting no matter how one looked at it.

Song Wenbo, watching Wang Qiqi and Niuniu interact so well, was also quite happy. It was definitely a good thing for his granddaughter to be close to Qiqi. He thought: keep her away from that Wang Rui—not only is she ill-intentioned, but she's also petty. Song Wenbo mused that if his granddaughter spent too much time with her, she might be led astray. "Your brother and his wife often show Niuniu your pictures with Han Tao. And every time you send back toys and clothes, your brother and sister-in-law tell Niuniu about it, so..."

Wang Qiqi understood and lightly tapped the nose of the very happy little girl. "So seeing Auntie is like seeing new toys arriving, huh? Oh, I forgot to bring the gifts over." Speaking of gifts, Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered; she had been so busy rushing over that she forgot the presents. "Tonight, Auntie will give the toys to Niuniu. They are Barbie dolls!"

Wang Damei, upon hearing that Wang Qiqi bought more toys for Niuniu, looked conflicted. "Qiqi, please stop buying toys for Niuniu. You have no idea; her toys could stock a toy store. Your place has quite a few of Niuniu's toys already, and don't buy too many clothes either." Wang Damei added this because the doll—how old was she?—had clothes that could rival Wang Damei's own wardrobe. "You buy them, her mother buys them, and Song Yao buys them too. Many clothes can only be worn once before she outgrows them. Isn't that wasteful?"

"If she can't wear them, we'll give them away," Wang Qiqi said dismissively. "Girls need to be raised richly. Otherwise, if some boy offers her a little something, she’ll be lured away, and you won't even have a place to cry, Auntie."

Wang Qiqi truly meant this when she said it. In her opinion, girls should be raised with abundance and not restricted, though the necessary education must still be provided, lest the child become spoiled and unruly, which would be a loss.

Wang Rui felt uncomfortable hearing Wang Qiqi say this. She thought Wang Qiqi was satirizing her—saying she could easily be lured away by men? Wasn't this a veiled insult? Wang Rui really wanted to jump out and ask Wang Qiqi what she meant, but before she could act, she noticed the disapproving looks sweeping over from Wang Damei and her husband.

That look instantly calmed Wang Rui down. Right, how could she forget where she was, and why would Wang Damei let her humiliate Wang Qiqi? She seethed inwardly, tightly biting her lip, constantly warning herself to stay calm, or the one to lose face would definitely be her.

Wang Qiqi didn't notice the subtle interactions between the others. However, after playing with Niuniu for a while, as she picked up her juice, her eyes swept over Wang Rui's bleeding lip. She lowered her head and took a sip of the juice, preventing Wang Rui from noticing her expression.

"Qiqi, you're leaving at the end of the month?" Song Wenbo recalled what his son had mentioned. "Why so early?" The money spent abroad was much more than domestically.

"Exactly, why go so long in advance?" Wang Damei also strongly disagreed. "People go early to adapt to the environment, Qiqi, you don't need to adapt; you already spent several months in the US."

Wang Qiqi finished the last sip of juice, gently pushing the cup further in. "I need to rent an apartment, and finding a satisfactory one isn't easy." Wang Qiqi knew she absolutely couldn't mention that she planned to travel along the way, or she wouldn't know how she’d die.

"You're not staying in the dorms?" Song Wenbo was quite displeased. If she were studying abroad with Han Tao, renting would make sense, but there were three girls this time; what if something happened? Besides, didn't the school provide accommodation? Why bother looking elsewhere?

"The school does provide accommodation, but the fees we'd pay them are enough for us to rent outside. And the school dorms aren't ample; it’s basically impossible for graduate students to secure a spot," Wang Qiqi explained. She had researched the school beforehand and knew that first-year undergraduates had a 100% chance of securing housing, but for postgraduates, it was pure luck. So, renting was a better option.

Song Wenbo listened to Wang Qiqi's explanation; he didn't know if it was entirely true, but he knew this was her decision and unlikely to change. "Be careful about security when you're out there. Call us if anything happens."

Wang Qiqi quietly held Niuniu, listening to the instructions from Song Wenbo and Wang Damei. Wang Rui watched Wang Qiqi, nestled quietly on the sofa listening to her elders' advice, sighing inwardly. This trip back, she realized many things had surpassed her expectations. For instance, she thought Wang Qiqi would study in the US, but the most shocking news was that Gao Kai was actually standing again and running a fairly successful teahouse. Moreover, he seemed to be involved in some real estate venture. Wang Rui knew getting into this industry required a significant investment. Although she didn't know how much he had invested or borrowed, the news alone angered her, and perhaps even more so, it angered her about herself.

Wang Rui hadn't expected her reputation to become so disastrous, making her seem so worthless, only to end up with nothing. After going in circles, she found that Gao Kai, whom she had judged long ago as having no chance of a fresh start, had given her such a huge shock. "Qiqi, have you seen Gao Kai recently?" She thought Gao Kai's movements couldn't be entirely unknown to his classmate, Wang Qiqi. Didn't they have a class group chat or reunions?

Gao Kai? Wang Qiqi was surprised that Wang Rui would bring up that name. She wondered if Wang Rui knew something. "What?"

Wang Qiqi’s clueless expression made Wang Rui uncertain if she truly knew anything. "Do you know how Gao Kai is doing lately?"

Before Wang Qiqi could answer, Wang Damei interjected unhappily, "Why bring up that person?" In her mind, if Gao Kai hadn't caused trouble between the two sisters back then, would Wang Qiqi and Wang Rui's relationship have deteriorated so badly? "Mentioning that name irritates me. Didn't one of Qiqi's classmates say he’s now living off women?" In her eyes, a man who had fallen so low as to rely on women for survival had no future prospects.

"What's going on? Is he successful now?" Wang Damei suddenly wondered if Wang Rui brought up that name for a reason. Could Wang Rui have caught wind of something? Or perhaps that boy was actually doing well now?

Wang Qiqi recounted running into Gao Kai during the Spring Festival. There was nothing to hide about that; Song Yao and Song Wenbo both knew about meeting Gao Kai at the reunion. "Ziwen even said that family's chicken feet were pretty good."

Speaking of chicken feet, Song Wenbo also recalled, "That place's chicken feet are indeed good; your brother even bought them back a few times." The flavor was refreshing, and the ingredients were quite fresh. "When doing business, you need to be honest to make it work well."

Wang Rui was surprised that Wang Qiqi had actually met Gao Kai, and that her uncle and aunt seemed to know about it too. But then she blurted out, "Teahouse? Didn't they say he was doing real estate?" As soon as she said that, she realized something was wrong. She had just returned from out of town; how did she know so much? What would her aunt and uncle think?

Doing real estate? Song Wenbo and Wang Damei exchanged glances. They thought that kind of capital wasn't small. How could he have the means to do that? Everyone said the Gao family didn't have much money when they started with the restaurant; how did they make a comeback in just a few years? Did they keep something hidden back then?

Wang Qiqi was equally surprised, wondering how Wang Rui knew. Gao Kai had only mentioned it once during the Spring Festival. It had only been a few months.

Wang Qiqi's look of surprise confirmed to Wang Rui that she didn't know either. "I just ran into someone who used to be close with Gao Kai. I heard—I heard he might be cooperating with the Zhu family?" Wang Rui said, her eyes flickering, mainly focused on Wang Qiqi.

Gao Kai cooperating with the Zhu family? Wang Qiqi secretly chuckled. Was this girl trying to trick her? Putting aside the Gao family's situation and the Zhu family's background, considering the Gao family's past behavior, would the Zhu family agree to cooperate with them? The current Gao family had nothing. "I wouldn't know about that. I only know that the Zhu family has its own real estate sector; they have connections and money, so why cooperate with others? If they cooperate, they'd look for someone with solid backing," Wang Qiqi said calmly. Humph, dreaming if she thought she could get anything out of her. Of course, Wang Qiqi admitted to herself that she genuinely didn't know Gao Kai's recent status. "I only met him once like that; I haven't seen him since."

Wang Rui looked at Wang Qiqi's composure and couldn't keep her cool, but that person had explicitly stated that Gao Kai's comeback was due to the Zhu family's connections. And since Zhu Lina, the Zhu family heir, had such a good relationship with Wang Qiqi, it was impossible she wouldn't tell Wang Qiqi, right? Furthermore, that source was quite well-informed; they had no reason to lie to her. "Did your classmates not tell you?"

Looking at Wang Rui, who still hadn't given up, Wang Qiqi retorted impatiently, "I'm just Nana's classmate. Why would he mention his family's investment plans or who they're cooperating with to us? That's business confidential information. Have you even told your aunt about whatever it is? It seems like you only bring things up when you need money for a big issue, right?" Wang Qiqi thought to herself that she wasn't any better than the person she was criticizing. "Auntie, Uncle, I've had enough to drink, I'm heading back now." Seeing that face here made Wang Qiqi feel like she was going to throw up.

The atmosphere was so tense that Song Wenbo didn't want to linger either. Since she was his wife's relative, he let her handle it. "I'll take Niuniu over to Qiqi's place; besides, Niuniu's favorite toys are over there."