Zhang Yan looked at Shi Hongrui’s pretense of complete ignorance, as if she were hearing this for the first time, and felt a wave of nausea. She was such an actress; it was a good thing she didn't look delicate, or she’d be one of those 'innocent flowers' from a certain auntie’s novels.

“See, I told you you were being too much, hiding things about your man from all four of us,” Shi Man emphasized the word ‘all.’ Alright, granted, they already knew a little, but that was only because Zhang Yan had admitted it herself; they hadn't gone digging like someone else, nor had they acted inappropriately after learning the facts.

“Exactly, you have to treat us to a meal, treat us to a meal,” Shi Hongrui clapped her hands excitedly, saying so. Today’s dinner had been incredibly delicious, she had to admit. “How about we go back to the place we ate today for another meal?” The ambiance was excellent, the food was excellent, and the service was excellent—all in all, Shi Hongrui adored that spot.

Zhao Rongrong watched Shi Hongrui, who was clapping to demand a treat from Zhang Yan, and was utterly speechless. Was this person suffering from acute forgetfulness? Just this afternoon, Manman had said that if anyone was treated again, they needed to pay for the two meals Manman had already covered first. How much time had passed? Shi Hongrui might forget, but would Shi Man and Wang Qiqi forget?

Wang Qiqi, watching the excited Shi Hongrui, turned her attention back to the computer. This issue was best left for Shi Man to handle.

“Why should Yan Yan treat us? JOHN’s situation is his own business; it has nothing to do with us,” Shi Man thought, wondering if this girl was a hungry ghost in a past life, always demanding food whenever anything happened. Besides, the dinner they just had—six people eating out—that bill wasn't cheap. Even though JOHN paid, Shi Man had mentally tallied up everyone’s orders; she didn't believe for a second that Shi Hongrui didn't know the price.

“Even if it’s JOHN’s business, he’s Yan Yan’s man, and she hasn't truthfully disclosed JOHN’s situation,” Shi Hongrui retorted quickly. Hmph, snagging such a good catch, and only offering one meal felt stingy.

“Is not disclosing my man’s situation such a serious offense? You haven’t told us about your man’s situation either—are you treating us to a meal?” Zhang Yan was furious too. Was she treating her like a sucker to be fleeced? She knew she had ordered the most expensive items for the six of them today. Zhang Yan didn't believe it was because it was the best tasting; it was because the price was highest, which was why that person had ordered it. Now, after being the unwitting mule to be heavily charged once, she was expected to treat her again? Zhang Yan truly couldn't fathom how Shi Hongrui had developed such a thick skin; did she really think everyone was a walking ATM?

“Right, you haven't told us about your man either—one meal,” Shi Man chimed in, egging her on. Everyone had sympathized when that person constantly complained about how heartless her parents were and how little money she had. But seeing her appetite growing, why hold back? Everyone was struggling.

Shi Hongrui hadn't expected them to fight back. Startled, she stammered, “I, I…” She was about to recount her pitiful circumstances again, believing she was truly unfortunate, receiving no financial support from home, unlike them, who surely received some backing from their families.

“Your parents don't support you, so you don't have much money,” Shi Man said, articulating the essence of what Shi Hongrui was about to say, if not the exact words. “But your parents gave you a lump sum when you left, enough for your tuition, living expenses in the UK, with plenty left over, right? When I came to study in the UK, my parents only covered tuition; I depended on myself for living expenses. Do you really think your situation is better than mine?” Honestly, what was the point of crying poor? Did she expect them to donate money?

“Don’t talk about us being in business; you are in business too, and didn’t you promise to treat us twice?” Shi Man hadn't intended to let her order such expensive food initially, but since the girl was being so shameless, there was no need to be frugal on her behalf. “Didn’t you say the steak place over there was good? How about you treat us there next week?” She couldn't exactly treat them to a cheap place after making such a fuss, could she? Shi Man had already decided that if the girl insisted on being so brazen, she would only treat them to cheap places going forward—matching Shi Hongrui’s expenditure as a benchmark.

“Sure, I think the set meal Ruirui ordered today looked nice,” Wang Qiqi figured, since someone was going to be offended anyway, she didn't mind kicking her while she was down. She couldn't let Shi Man take all the heat fighting Shi Hongrui alone.

Shi Hongrui looked at Shi Man, who had been relentlessly attacking her all day, and glanced at Shi Man in surprise. What was going on? Wasn't she targeting Zhang Yan? Why were Shi Man and Wang Qiqi both defending her so strongly? “Fine, go ahead and target me now. I know I’m not as capable as Zhang Yan at finding a rich man, and I can’t give you benefits, but you don’t have to gang up on me like this.” In Shi Hongrui’s view, the only reason Shi Man and Wang Qiqi were targeting her was because she hadn't found a rich boyfriend yet. Hmph. Once she found one, Wang Qiqi and Shi Man would surely be flattering her.

Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were speechless. So, in that person's eyes, their actions were just efforts to curry favor? Wang Qiqi decided to ignore the person whose brain was clearly malfunctioning. Since she thought that way, why bother correcting her?

Shi Man was genuinely irritated. While JOHN was wealthy, so what? In Shi Man’s opinion, the money wasn’t earned by him; it was family fortune. With many children in the family, after estate tax, who knew how much JOHN would actually inherit? Shi Man truly didn’t value that little sum. Wasting time sucking up for such little money was less efficient than figuring out how to earn more herself.

“JOHN’s family is rich, but he has older siblings and younger ones above and below you. How much do you think he’ll inherit? Besides, that’s his business, not mine. I have two hands and two feet; why would I scheme for his money?” Zhang Yan was deeply offended by the way that person viewed her. Did she really think she was dating JOHN for his money? “When I started dating him, I certainly didn’t know his background; I found out slowly over time.”

Seeing Zhang Yan so agitated, Shi Hongrui pouted, thinking, Who is she trying to fool? Does she take me for a three-year-old? “Yan Yan, there are no outsiders here. You don’t need to preach big morals. If you really have no designs on their family assets, why are you pursuing a degree in Business Administration? Aren’t you planning to help manage the company later?” Otherwise, why abandon the solid Finance major? She saw how brilliantly Qiqi was working under her supervisor—getting money and experience, and even earning a good reputation with the professor. It was clear Qiqi’s future achievements wouldn't be small; even finding a job would be excellent.

Zhang Yan sighed as Shi Hongrui pressed her relentlessly. “Think whatever you want.” Even if she told the girl she planned to start her own business, Shi Hongrui would probably assume JOHN was going to provide seed money. Since this person already believed Zhang Yan was only with JOHN for money, there was no point in continuing the conversation. As Wang Qiqi had said, when people are incompatible, even a few words are too many.

“I’m going back to my room to sleep. I have to go to the library tomorrow,” Zhang Yan announced, maneuvering around Shi Hongrui and exiting Wang Qiqi’s room. “Wow, what an attitude! Just because I guessed her true intentions, she doesn't need to act like that, right?” Shi Hongrui was very displeased with Zhang Yan’s demeanor. Hmph, she knew some people looked aloof but were calculating schemers inside. “I might just be bad with words, but my character is much better than some people’s; I don’t spout grand moral speeches…”

Zhao Rongrong, while Shi Hongrui was airing her views, kept her head down, thinking about something else. After a moment, she said, “I’m going back to my room too; I have things to do tomorrow.” Listening to Shi Hongrui spout what she considered self-evident truths was less productive than discussing things online with Zhang Yan back in her room. Honestly, Zhao Rongrong deeply regretted studying abroad and sharing a flat with her; she had never been this extreme before, and the current Ruirui made her feel increasingly like a stranger.

“I’m heading back too,” Shi Man said, rising to leave for her room.

Shi Hongrui watched as everyone left, leaving only Wang Qiqi in the room. “Qiqi…”

“I need to work to earn money. I have to cover my own living and tuition fees. I’m worse off than you; I’m a poor child with no parents,” Wang Qiqi made a gesture as if dismissing her, then hunched over her computer and ignored the girl.

Shi Hongrui watched the room, which had been lively ten minutes prior, become deserted. She knew they were rejecting her. Hmph, they were all snobs looking down on people. Especially Zhao Rongrong, who was supposed to be her good friend, but she was siding with them to bully her. Shi Hongrui decided that after going online later, she would report this to Zhao Rongrong’s mother. “Qiqi, don’t act so pitiful either. Everyone knows your cousins run big businesses, and your man is in the US earning big money. You earn money as a translator and run a side business as a purchasing agent.” Claiming to be poor, even though Qiqi had no parents, didn't she have plenty of gods of wealth backing her? Didn't she earn a lot herself? Did she have to mock her like this? Shi Hongrui expressed strong displeasure.

Wang Qiqi watched the sulking girl leave her room, slamming the door in frustration, and could only shake her head. She decided that even if Shi Hongrui did offer to treat them, she wouldn’t go. Of course, she didn't plan to treat her either. She was just too brain-dead, acting as if she were always right and everyone else wronged her, which made Wang Qiqi furious.

Furious, Wang Qiqi relayed her decision to Shi Man and the others online and received agreement from the other three. Wang Qiqi knew that the days when the five of them laughed and joked together wouldn't return; they were just observing formalities now. Besides, that person probably already held a grudge against everyone; why bother making a pointless effort to smooth things over?

“Morning,” Shi Hongrui said as she came downstairs and saw Wang Qiqi and Zhang Yan already heading out with backpacks. “Are you going to the library this early?”

Shi Hongrui found it strange. It seemed they had only just woken up, so how had breakfast been prepared so quickly? The speed was too fast.

“Yeah, bye,” Wang Qiqi grabbed her backpack and hurried out of the house, rushing to school. Although she had been quite angry yesterday about what that person had said, at the crucial moment, she chose avoidance.

Shi Hongrui rubbed her eyes, intending to grab something to eat in the kitchen before returning to her room to study. “Hey, why is there nothing to eat?” She found the rice cooker empty, and naturally, the dining table was bare too. A glance confirmed the stove hadn't even been touched. “No wonder they were so fast; they didn't prepare any breakfast at all.”

Shi Hongrui was furious. This was too much! Wasn’t the agreement that Qiqi cooked and the others cleaned? Now Qiqi wasn't cooking, and they weren't cleaning either—what was this? Before, when she was busy working, it made sense that she didn't cook, but now that she wasn't going to the studio, she still wasn't cooking? This attitude was simply unbearable.

Shi Hongrui concluded that she couldn't let Wang Qiqi continue like this. They needed to stick to the original agreement; otherwise, wouldn't the others suffer losses?

Zhao Rongrong, still snuggled warmly in her duvet, heard the knocking downstairs and rolled over, intending to ignore it, hoping the visitor would leave if no one answered. But the person outside was unexpectedly patient, knocking and knocking. Reluctantly, Zhao Rongrong got up to open the door.

“Who knocks this early? Couldn't this important matter wait until tonight?” Zhao Rongrong grumbled, irritated. She had stayed up late studying the previous night, only managing to fall asleep around 4 AM. It was just past 8 AM now, so naturally, Zhao Rongrong was annoyed.

Shi Hongrui looked at the person whose eyes were still hazy, immediately lecturing upon opening the door. “You stayed up late last night?” Otherwise, why did Rongrong look so sleepy?

“Just fell asleep,” Zhao Rongrong hoped that hearing this, the visitor would immediately leave and stop disturbing her sleep. “I still need to get up soon to work on a report.”

“Then get up. You have a class this afternoon, right?” Shi Hongrui seemed not to understand Zhao Rongrong’s intent, speaking very directly. “I have something major to discuss with you.”

Major? Zhao Rongrong looked at Shi Hongrui in surprise. What serious matter could there be so early in the morning? Zhao Rongrong figured the only "major issue" between them would be the purchasing agent business, but that was going quite well, wasn't it? “Come in.”

After ushering Shi Hongrui in, Zhao Rongrong retreated back into her warm duvet to listen to what major event she needed to discuss.

Shi Hongrui looked at the indifferent Zhao Rongrong, thinking that this very attitude of nonchalance was what allowed Wang Qiqi to become increasingly excessive. If someone had warned Qiqi earlier, would she have grown so lazy? The more Shi Hongrui thought about it, the more she felt she was the only one truly concerned about the household, so she recounted the morning's events. “It’s not about one breakfast. Think about it: starting from last November, how many meals has Qiqi actually cooked?”

“The agreement was that if Qiqi didn't cook, Shi Man would cook. Didn't Manman prepare the meal already?” Zhao Rongrong looked at the agitated girl, thinking that it was a good thing this girl had the sense to come to her first. If she had gone to Shi Man first, Zhao Rongrong guaranteed she wouldn't have received a pleasant reception.

“Manman is Manman; she’s different. It’s not like Manman cooked, so she can skip it too, right?” Shi Hongrui thought. She hadn't mentioned to Shi Man all the times Qiqi hadn't done her share, letting Manman cover it. Since Shi Man didn't care and said it was fine, what could Shi Hongrui do? But now, even Zhao Rongrong was saying this. “If she doesn’t want to cook, she can clean up.” Cleaning that large house was already tiring for just three people.

“Why don't you mention that Qiqi goes grocery shopping whenever she has time and prepares buns, dumplings, bread, and cakes? Haven’t you eaten those?” Zhao Rongrong looked at Shi Hongrui, who was so focused on Qiqi not cooking that she entirely forgot about the pastries she had made. Zhao Rongrong decided she needed to speak up; if this continued, Qiqi and the others wouldn’t worry about anything, and Shi Hongrui would be the only one taking the loss.

Shi Hongrui hadn't expected that an attempt to rally Rongrong against Wang Qiqi would turn into a reprimand against herself. She looked at Zhao Rongrong in disbelief. “Rongrong, what do you mean by that? You know I’m busy. I have to busy myself sourcing goods, and that money is earned by everyone.” Shi Hongrui felt deeply wronged; she wasn't intentionally slacking; she was just very busy.

“You need to source goods, and Manman needs to source goods too. During this time, Manman has helped clean the house and cook, and Qiqi helps clean the bathroom when she’s free. Think carefully about whether you really want to bring up Qiqi not cooking. If you insist, then think about your next move.” The others hadn't brought this up before because they understood the situation, but now… “You just had an unpleasant argument with Zhang Yan yesterday. Do you really plan to end up with no one on your side here?”

If this issue escalated, Zhao Rongrong knew Wang Qiqi and the others wouldn't be affected in the slightest. They could easily divide the chores: cleaning public areas in rotation, one person per day. In the end, Shi Hongrui would be the one most disadvantaged.

Shi Hongrui stared at Zhao Rongrong for a long time, with only one thought in her mind: “You’ve changed so much. You’re not helping me anymore; you only hang out with them. This is too much.” Shi Hongrui knew that if she confronted them alone, Shi Man wouldn't let her off easily. But if Rongrong joined her, even if Shi Man got angry, it wouldn't be catastrophic. She wasn't foolish; she knew exactly how they would retaliate if the focus shifted to Wang Qiqi.

Zhao Rongrong looked at Shi Hongrui, who wore the expression of a poor, victimized creature being bullied by everyone. Her head started throbbing. Since the girl felt she wasn't being supported, Zhao Rongrong saw no reason to act as the bad cop. Her tone became impatient. “Do whatever you want. You're a thinking adult; do what you think is beneficial for you. I'm tired; I’m going back to sleep.” With that, Zhao Rongrong burrowed back under her covers, intending to resume sleeping. As for how that person would feel, Zhao Rongrong decided she didn't care; whatever the outcome, it would be her own business.

Qiqi was right; they couldn't always indulge her. They owed her nothing, so why should they keep accommodating her? Zhao Rongrong thought that with the money her aunt left her, while she might not live extravagantly forever, she could comfortably manage in the UK for four or five years. Not to mention, her purchasing agent business had been doing quite well for the past six months. Her aunt even introduced clients—otherwise, how could the business have grown so fast? But Shi Hongrui seemed to view all that as expected, and perhaps letting Shi Hongrui stumble and suffer a bit would teach her right from wrong.

Shi Hongrui watched Zhao Rongrong turn away, clearly unwilling to deal with any of it. She stared at her body for a long moment, finally letting out a cold snort before leaving. Since Rongrong wouldn't back her, she needed to seriously rethink her strategy; the current situation was highly unfavorable.

Shi Man waited until Shi Hongrui stormed out of Zhao Rongrong’s room. Watching her retreating figure, she just shook her head. This girl had to stir up trouble early in the morning. Although Shi Man had only caught the last bit of the conversation, she understood that this ingrate was planning to target Wang Qiqi, which infuriated Shi Man. Qiqi hadn't exactly gone out of her way to care for her, but she hadn't neglected her either. For this girl to repay her this way—what was she if not an ungrateful wretch?

“Aren’t you leaving? I’ll repeat myself: if you’re going to say anything about Qiqi, you go tell her yourself. I will not stand with you. It’s not long until graduation anyway; if you think you can tolerate it, just endure it,” Zhao Rongrong heard the sound of the door opening and assumed it was Shi Hongrui returning. She was displeased. Did this girl never give up? Did she have to drag Zhao Rongrong down with her just to be happy?

It really was about Wang Qiqi. Shi Man thought, thank goodness she needed to use the restroom and overheard this. “It’s me. What was she planning to say about Qiqi?” Shi Man asked calmly, sitting on Zhao Rongrong’s chair.

Zhao Rongrong hadn't expected Shi Man to walk in. She sighed internally. She had initially planned that if Shi Hongrui didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t either, treating the incident as if it never happened. But now it seemed impossible to keep quiet. Since Shi Man already knew, Qiqi would find out soon enough. Zhao Rongrong’s expression shifted, and she decided to tell her after all. If Shi Hongrui actually went after Qiqi, at least they could prepare. Besides, the door hadn't been fully shut earlier; Shi Man might have overheard a lot. Thinking this, Zhao Rongrong felt somewhat better.

As Zhao Rongrong spoke, Shi Man's expression grew decidedly grim. She hadn't expected someone else to pick a fight before she even had the chance to lash out. A cold sneer crept into her heart. It seemed some people were just fools; the kinder you were, the more they assumed you were a pushover. Only when you showed strength would they finally fall in line, buttering you up instead. "If she doesn't make a scene about this, fine. But if she does, Rongrong, I won't let her off the hook." This put Zhao Rongrong in a terribly awkward spot, so Shi Man made sure not to burden her further. "But if she insists on courting death, I won't hold back either." If someone pushes the confrontation right to our door, and we don't push back, they'll truly think we're easy targets.

"Oh." Zhao Rongrong glanced at Shi Man's face. What more could she say? Since Manman had given her assurances, all she could do was pray that Shi Hongrui wouldn't be foolish.