Shallow Peace walked straight into the company lobby with two security guards. The reception staff watched her with curious eyes.

Under everyone's gaze, she stepped into the elevator and pressed the top-floor button.

As she waited, Shallow Peace gazed out at the bustling streets beyond the glass wall. She felt slightly restless and tired inside.

"Young Miss, we're almost there," the bodyguard beside her reminded. Shallow Peace turned as the elevator slowed to a stop. The doors opened, and the three walked straight toward the office ahead.

Pushing the door open, she saw a man about her age sitting beside the desk. He turned his head as if sensing her presence. Seeing Shallow Peace, he smiled. "Hey, Sister An, have a seat."

Shallow Peace glanced back. The two bodyguards stood guard outside without being told. She didn't stand on ceremony, following him to the tea table and sitting down.

"It's rare for you to visit in person, Sister An. I didn't get to welcome you properly," the man said while boiling water, his face beaming.

"Hmm, it has been a while," Shallow Peace replied expressionlessly, sweeping a glance around the spacious office. "Is the company idle today?"

"Pretty much. My dad is out on business," the man smiled, pouring her a cup of tea.

"Xin Qian... didn't come?" he asked tentatively.

Shallow Peace sipped her tea slowly. "Why should she come?"

"Uh..." The man flushed with embarrassment and sullenly refilled her cup.

"So, Sister An, what brings you here today?" he asked, setting down the teapot and taking a sip himself.

Shallow Peace looked at him with a faint, ambiguous smile. "Chen Haoxuan, I've mentioned it many times in texts. You should know."

"Uh... studying?" Chen Haoxuan ventured.

"...". Whether he was pretending stupidity or truly that dense, anyone could see Shallow Peace was here looking for trouble.

"I should have said... my little sister's studies are handled by me," Shallow Peace stated quietly, raising her teacup to watch him.

Chen Haoxuan silently refilled her tea. After a pause, he said, "Does Xin Qian reject me that much? I think I'm better and more excellent than most people."

"No one said you're bad," Shallow Peace replied noncommittally, her gaze fixed on his face. "But isn't the elders' joke a bit excessive?"

Chen Haoxuan closed his eyes in thought. "But... it's already set..."

"Just because it's set doesn't mean it can't change. If you're unwilling too, your family won't force you. Then this engagement can be canceled, right?"

"What does this engagement mean to you? Why are you so obsessed with it, with Xin Qian? Do you know how much harm it's causing her?!"

Chen Haoxuan fell silent for a long moment. Finally, he muttered, "I know."

"You..." Shallow Peace forcibly suppressed her inner anger. Knowing it causes harm but still doing it anyway—how could such a person not infuriate others?

"But I genuinely like Xin Qian. My character isn't bad. I believe with time, I can make her change her opinion," Chen Haoxuan insisted, his gaze firm.

"Xin Qian has always rejected you! You can't not know that! Can you even take good care of her? Impossible! So I absolutely oppose this engagement!" Shallow Peace's words struck like thunder. She stood up and looked coldly at him.

Chen Haoxuan flushed red, clenching his teeth. "But it's our parents' wish. We can't defy them. Canceling this would put you in a worse position. There's no free lunch—even as close friends, hundreds of millions isn't trivial!"

"Oh? Showing your true colors?" Shallow Peace said coldly, her stare sharpening.

"First, this isn't feudal times. 'Can't defy parents' is just an excuse. It boils down to whether you want to or not. Your answer treats Xin Qian as a transaction tool. People like you are truly terrible." She hadn't hoped much for this "negotiation." She just wanted to gauge how troublesome he was. His words instantly branded him an enemy.

Hearing her rebuke, Chen Haoxuan grew increasingly flustered and speechless. Shallow Peace added calmly, "If you insist on this path, as long as I breathe, I won't let you have your way!"

"Your parents chose the most competitive market. Even with our aid, they'll repeat past mistakes. Can they change course? You know them and the domestic market well—that's why you're in this position. I rely on my father; you're a true genius on your own. Yet even you can't fix their situation. So... isn't this set in stone?"

"They'll repeat mistakes, deepening their debt to us. How will they repay? Their company isn't like OFO Game Studio—less shrewd, yet still heading for disaster. Am I wrong? When they're deep in debt, it'll drag you down. Who else will help? Only us. But giving large sums free? Impossible. We have no obligation. This is just a 'transaction' between parents. Is that wrong? The best reconciliation is a 'marriage alliance.' Family doesn't speak of transactions. Then you'll have no financial crisis or future troubles. I truly believe I can care for Xin Qian and change her view. So, give me this chance, Sister An!" Chen Haoxuan exhausted his arguments, but his gaze remained fiercely determined.

Chen Haoxuan had business skills—Shallow Peace admitted that. But just as one exam can define a lifetime, isn't love the same?

Once ill feelings form, they cast a lifelong shadow. What meaning is there in a love filled with reservations?

Shallow Peace finished her last sip of tea. "I will never hand Xin Qian over to you! Someone who doesn't understand love can't bring her happiness," she said calmly.

She set down her cup and walked toward the door. Suddenly, she stopped, her back to Chen Haoxuan. "I said—"

"She is my sister!"

After this, Shallow Peace strode out. The bodyguards saw her stern face and knew the outcome. They asked nothing.

The three took the elevator down. Reception staff shrank back at Shallow Peace's slightly angry expression.

Back in the car, Shallow Peace covered her forehead with delicate hands. Solving this was extremely difficult...

Chen Haoxuan's persistence had surprised her...

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

...

Chen Haoxuan sat quietly by the tea table. He stood, walked to his desk, and sat again. Expressionless, he watched a car below fade into the distance.

"Not qualified... huh?" He sighed, unable to stay seated. He paced back and forth.

"Then how can I be qualified? What exactly is 'love'..."

...

In the hospital room, Churan didn't rush to use the computer. Nothing urgent in-game. He worried about covering the medical check-up fees.

The game... a source of income...

"Hmm?" Churan suddenly recalled. He played partly to be a "game merchant" for money. It wasn't just "taking orders"—mainly "selling items." He'd obtained five perfect costume weapon crafting scrolls. Used two himself, gave one to Lengjiang, one to Song Qian. He still had one left to sell.

But these scrolls were server-wide limited edition. The price must be high.

He hadn't heard of any sales records. What price range could it be?

Lengjiang mentioned over a thousand, but Lengjiang barely socialized and likely wasn't well-informed.

Ask Xiaoye? Was she online?

Anyway, this scroll must be extremely expensive. Even no-stat costume weapons, but with "custom-made," the price could jump tiers.

If the buyer couldn't design weapon models, he himself...

Churan's business sense kicked in. This sale would cover the check-up fees. Maybe even future medicine and treatment costs.

This way, he wouldn't rely on his aunt and uncle.

A faint smile appeared on his face. Then he frowned again.

His illness wasn't ordinary. Many treatments ended in futility. That was his biggest worry.

"Exercising a bit... should be fine, right?" Churan felt weak, but light exercise wouldn't hurt. Exercise is good for health.

"Sigh..." He sat up. Sneaking out to run was impossible—he'd be caught by doctors.

"Might as well start with push-ups..."

"I'll ask Xiaoye how to sell this scroll tonight if she's online..."