Churan lay quietly on the hospital bed. The entire ward was silent, with only his breathing audible.

A pattering sound came from the window. Churan turned his head and saw droplets of water—rain was falling.

Thud!

The ward door swung open suddenly. A couple in their forties rushed in. Their black hair was soaked with rain, faces weary but etched with anxiety. Their clothes were drenched, yet they paid no heed.

“Aunt, Uncle,” Churan called out, forcing a light tone.

“Aran, can this illness be cured? Quick, how? Aunt will find a way immediately! No matter the cost!” The middle-aged woman hurried to Churan’s side in a few strides, her voice urgent.

Churan saw his aunt panting heavily; she looked utterly exhausted.

No wonder. From the airport to the hospital was several miles; they must have run all the way.

“Aran, whatever you need, just say it. Your treatment comes first! Money is trivial; I’ll borrow any amount for you!” Uncle was calmer than Aunt, but Churan still detected a trace of anxiety in his voice.

“Aunt, Uncle, don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after some rest,” Churan said with a smile, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Aran, speak up if there’s anything. Your health is paramount! Your parents… we must take good care of you, so they can rest in peace!” Aunt grasped Churan’s hand emotionally. He felt her trembling, icy fingers, yet his heart warmed.

“Aunt, Uncle, really, it’s fine. Don’t believe Song Qian’s nonsense. He just causes trouble; you know that,” Churan said with a bitter smile, dragging his best friend into the blame.

“Really?” Aunt and Uncle were skeptical. Churan saw Uncle’s stern face, beads of sweat on his forehead, fearing exposure.

Truth be told, though Uncle doted on Churan and his cousin, he was inherently strict. When he got stern…

At this thought, Churan felt a chill down his spine, cold sweat on his back.

“Aran, are you saying this report is fake?” Uncle pulled out a hospital report and waved it. Churan could only see the top line: “Patient Name: Churan.”

“Ah… Uncle, how did you get this?! I kept the report under…” Churan quickly reached under his pillow, felt a small slip of paper, and pulled it out.

But what he held was a note reading: “Churan, hiding things isn’t good. Hahaha.”

…

Churan’s face darkened instantly. He’d been hospitalized nearly a week; the report had been under his pillow daily. He had few friends, so no relatives visited except Song Qian today.

Wait, Song Qian?!

This guy had shared classes from elementary to high school, only separating in college. His home wasn’t far, and they often went out together. If anyone knew Churan inside out, it was Song Qian!

Yes, he must have stolen the report when Churan wasn’t looking! And the news to Aunt definitely came from him!

This damn unreliable teammate—I’ll get him back someday!

“Aran,” Uncle said meaningfully. Churan’s mind raced; hearing his name, he was utterly startled.

“This illness…” Churan looked up abruptly. Seeing Uncle’s red, swollen eyes, he froze.

Right, it was said to be incurable. Anyone would feel that pessimism…

“Aran, tell us whatever you need. We’ll contact top hospitals nationwide to cure you!” Aunt was in tears. Uncle took a deep breath, turned his back, and stared out the window.

“Aunt, Uncle, relax. The doctor said I might recover on my own. Why be so pessimistic? I’m not as dramatic as you. See?” Churan smiled foolishly, showing his childish side only to family.

“Sigh, true. Aran, rest well. Call me anytime. If you need money, just say it. Don’t keep hiding things, understand?” Uncle turned around.

Churan kept smiling, nodded slightly, and said, “Understood.”

“We won’t disturb your rest. Sleep early!” Aunt stood up, took a stack of cash from her handbag, and placed it in Churan’s hands. Despite his refusals, she insisted, so he tucked it under his pillow.

“Sleep early, okay?” Aunt said finally. Churan nodded helplessly. She turned off the light and left with Uncle.

Lying on the bed, Churan could still hear Aunt’s sobs outside. He rubbed his face. A few days ago, he might not have spoken so lightly. Did he truly not care about the illness, his life? Impossible. He just didn’t want his family wasting effort on futile things, worrying over him.

Churan was filial. With his cousin abroad, Aunt and Uncle worked tirelessly for them—how could that not move him?

“Sigh.” Churan lay quietly, his arm covering his eyes, not wanting to think anymore…

.

.

In a grand, aristocratic room, a beautiful girl stretched. Hearing footsteps outside, she frantically closed her laptop. Seeing stuffed toys scattered everywhere, she hurriedly pretended to tidy up.

Click…

The brass double doors opened. A woman entered, similar in age to the young beauty, with a similar face shape but more mature charm.

The newcomer saw Xin Qian guiltily tidying toys. Hearing the door, she looked up and called affectionately, “Sister.”

“Xin Qian, have you done something wrong?” the sister asked suspiciously.

“Eh, no no! Baby’s so well-behaved, how could I do bad things~” Xin Qian placed toys on the shelf, then skipped to her sister, holding her hand and cooing playfully.

Seeing her little sister—a head shorter—with that expression, Xin Qian’s sister gave a Mona Lisa smile. “Little sister, have you skipped school again? While I worked overtime, you’ve been playing on the computer, haven’t you?”

Xin Qian flushed, eyes darting around. “No way! Baby’s been going to school; Sister just didn’t see me.”

Seeing Xin Qian’s evasive gaze, the sister smiled lightly. But to Xin Qian, that smile was terrifying.

“I see. Then I’ll keep the computer for you. Rest well. Don’t worry, I’m on leave; I’ll watch over you.” She moved toward the laptop. Xin Qian’s face changed; she lunged to grab it first, but her sister snatched it away.

“Little sister, lying is wrong. Even if you hate seeing that person, prioritize your studies,” Sister said, hiding the computer behind her back as Xin Qian stared longingly.

At these words, Xin Qian’s cute face darkened like a lit fuse. Tears welled up, and she cried out, “Sister, it’s me forced into this engagement! Me! Don’t be like those heartless people! I don’t like him! I hate him! They’re doing it for money and status, ignoring my feelings! I’m not a commodity; I’m a person! If Mom and Dad don’t understand me, does even Sister not understand me?”

Xin Qian pushed her sister out, slammed the door shut, and locked it.

Outside, Xin Qian’s sister stood holding the computer, staring at the door. Her smile had vanished; only guilt remained.

“Little sister, you probably haven’t eaten. Sister will cook noodles for you,” she said softly. She placed the computer gently by the door, sighed heavily, and walked downstairs with vacant eyes.

Xin Qian lay on the wide, soft bed, wrapped in blankets, sobbing continuously…

…

“Little sister, I’ve left everything by your door. I’m returning to my room. Remember to eat; it’ll spoil if cold.” After who knows how long, Xin Qian’s sister appeared again at the door, knocked gently, and spoke inside.

She placed the bowl of noodles down and truly walked back to her own room.

Xin Qian’s sister sat alone on her large bed, staring blankly at the rain outside. After an unknown time, she snapped out of it. She stood up, sat at a nearby computer desk, turned on the computer, and stared idly at the desktop.

Finally, finding nothing else to do, she opened the OFO game on the desktop and logged in.

System Announcement: Server-wide Red Name Rank #1 player “Nightingale” is online. Current Red Name Value: 4410. Location: Radiant Imperial City (197,436)

…

“My sister used my account again…” Xin Qian’s sister chuckled self-deprecatingly. She saw a message icon in the center of her screen and clicked it.

Drowned Fish: “Xiaoye, He Yucheng has charmed away Lengjiang.”

A simple message. Xin Qian’s sister paused, then replied expressionlessly, “Who is He Yucheng? How long ago?”

Drowned Fish: “A new player back from beta testing. Started today, used a limited edition wedding ring to pledge with Lengjiang.”

…

Xin Qian’s sister’s face darkened. A new player who just started today charmed her sister away? How ridiculous! Who was Lengjiang? The server’s undisputed #1 milk loli!

Drowned Fish: http://XXXXXXXXXXX, check it out. It’s probably Lengjiang using your account. But this guy is strong; he might rival top 50 PvP players.

Xin Qian’s sister clicked the link. It was a combat video of players “He Yucheng” and “Nightingale”. The video had millions of views. She glanced at the comments; all praised “Long live the Queen” and “He Yucheng is pretty strong.”

Xin Qian’s sister watched the video carefully. Then her crescent brows furrowed in thought…