"Hello, sir. Your appointment is set for the day after tomorrow." In the white hospital room, a doctor pushed the door open and spoke to Churan, who was staring blankly out the window.

"Oh... uh, okay." Churan snapped out of his daze and smiled slightly.

"Hmm, it's because many patients are scheduled for full check-ups lately, so..."

"Mm, I understand. Thank you." The doctor had planned to explain, but Churan cut in with a smile. He was glad for the extra time to prepare the fees.

In his inventory, he still had a perfect custom costume weapon scroll. That should cover the check-up costs. If the buyer couldn't design the model, Churan could help—for extra cash.

But Churan didn't know the scroll's max price. He'd wait to ask Xiaoye after she logged in.

Xiaoye rarely logged in early. After days as friends, Churan noticed she only played at night. By habit, she'd be online later.

So what to do now...

Beep... beep...

"Huh?" Churan's phone vibrated twice. Who'd call or text this early? That feature was obsolete ages ago.

He picked up his phone. At the email sender's name—Shen Junyao—his face instantly darkened.

Had his plan to target her new boyfriend been exposed? Was his identity leaked?

Churan knew someone like Lichou would turn violent if provoked enough. He worried about that, so he never shared real details.

Leaking his info now was impossible. If it happened, only big-mouthed Song Qian could be responsible.

Frowning slightly, Churan opened the email. The words were infuriating:

"Oh dear, you had Song Qian spy on our game info? Give up. This game isn't for trash like you. Dreaming of competing with us? Know your place—even recyclable waste has standards. As a man, ignoring women? Shameful..."

...

Churan skipped the rest. His biggest fear hadn't happened: she hadn't discovered his game ID was He Yucheng.

Yesterday's actions had humiliated Lichou. If she reported him, Churan might be in danger even here. Petty people killed over small slights.

Shen Junyao really was...

Churan remembered this provocation. Since she refused to end it, he'd drag it out. His budget lasted until the Sovereignty War ended. He'd prove his worth to her.

He hadn't wanted trouble, but her persistence meant no more courtesy.

Only the evening held plans today. Quests weren't limited to one. He might as well grind low-level ones to level up...

...

Just as He Yucheng expected, multiple quests were available. But the manor quest was a "high-level team quest." He wasn't suicidal enough to solo it. "Map-opening" quests were never easy—they looked brutally hard.

Fewer players rushed system quests in the morning. He Yucheng spent hours on low-level ones, gaining about five levels. Finally, at night, his friends list pinged: Your friend Nightingale is now online.

Private chat:

He Yucheng: Xiaoye, free?

Nightingale: Mm, what's up?

He Yucheng: At Eternal Night City Mercenary Guild. Need to ask something.

Nightingale: Okay, coming.

...

He Yucheng hadn't sat long on the wooden chair when Xiaoye's purple figure appeared at the guild entrance. She scanned the run-down interior, locked onto him, and walked straight over.

"Thanks for yesterday," He Yucheng said with a slight smile.

"Nothing. I knew that guy would pull something," Xiaoye replied calmly, waving a hand.

He Yucheng was curious how she'd survived, but it was over. No need to pry. He got to the point: "I have a top-tier costume weapon blueprint. Thinking of selling it, but unsure of the price."

"Oh? That's rare. Why not keep it?" Xiaoye raised an eyebrow.

"Ahem... life's pressures, lol." He Yucheng kept it vague. Xiaoye's eyes lit up. "My friend wants one. I'll mediate—deal?"

"I trust your pricing. Handle it all." In-game, Xiaoye seemed reliable and honest. He Yucheng trusted her.

Xiaoye smiled faintly. "I'm just the mediator. We'll negotiate until you're satisfied. Post-trade, share your account. I'll transfer the funds."

Outwardly calm, Xiaoye's mind raced. She craved He Yucheng's real identity. Any tiny detail—IP address, a slip—could trace him.

Meeting him IRL about that matter was risky. But if he helped? A sliver of hope was worth chasing.

He Yucheng only cared about covering check-up and medical fees.

"When to discuss price?" He needed it fast—the day after tomorrow.

"Now. My friend's loaded. No holding back." Xiaoye smiled, thinking of Jiren, her subordinate. She lied about the friend covering costs; she'd pay most herself. He Yucheng's need was a chance to make him owe her.

"Uh... the price..." He genuinely didn't know. It was just a costume.

"Finished item, semi-finished, or blueprint only?" Xiaoye explained: good skill bonuses meant finished; bad ones meant semi-finished. Blueprint-only skipped model design fees. He Yucheng designed his own, so he had skills. If desperate, he'd pick finished/semi-finished—but bonuses decided that.

"I'll design the model." Broke, He Yucheng seized every coin. This was a big fish.

Finished weapons sold for tens of thousands, depending on bonuses. Semi-finished fetched thousands—but relied on designer skill.

"Mm, my friend wants a sword. Pure blue blade, black hilt." Xiaoye described Jiren's weapon roughly. He Yucheng could handle details. She could help design, but he'd insist on paying her.

"A sword... fine. Making it now." He Yucheng pulled the blueprint from inventory and worked carefully. Evening had fallen; Lengjiang and others hadn't logged in. They'd likely appear around seven.

Xiaoye waited patiently. She had time. For safety, she'd kept Lengjiang in the living room longer. If parents called, Xiaoye answering might raise suspicion—ruining her act.

He Yucheng finished in under an hour. Experience and the sword's simplicity helped.

Xiaoye admired the handsome blue longsword. "The model's amazing!"

"Skill bonus?" The model passed. Value hinged on bonuses.

He Yucheng checked and chuckled wryly. "Bad luck. Tiny mana reduction. Useless." Late-game, with teammates, mana was never scarce. Such bonuses were worthless.

"Semi-finished, but good. With model design, ten thousand should work. My friend will buy it." Xiaoye considered this generous. Paying five figures for a no-bonus virtual costume was already a steal.

"Ten thousand? He'll accept?" He Yucheng was stunned. He'd expected two or three thousand.

"Mm, rich friend. Don't worry." As mediator, Xiaoye would handle the rest. He Yucheng handed her the weapon.

"Send your account. I'll contact him now." This was key—any detail could uncover He Yucheng's real life.

He Yucheng didn't hesitate. He privately shared his bank number and QQ. Xiaoye nodded calmly, stood, and said, "I'll settle it by tomorrow. Calling him first."

"Thanks." He Yucheng smiled. This covered not just check-up fees, but medical costs for a while.

...

Shallow Peace strode from the room, scanning the living room. The old butler noticed her tense yet controlled expression and hurried over.

Xin Qian sat bored on the sofa, watching TV. She saw her sister whisper to the butler but ignored it. Her sister was always busy—probably company news. Xin Qian turned back to the screen.

"Trace the IP and info. Fast," Shallow Peace murmured. The butler nodded grimly and left quickly.

Shallow Peace glanced at Xin Qian, bored stiff on the sofa, and sighed softly.

After the first step, every next step would be the hardest and most crucial...