Thump thump thump… Xin Qian wasn’t wearing headphones. She was gaming on her computer in her room, but the strange footsteps outside were unmistakable.

Her sister had gone out—Xin Qian knew she wouldn’t be back early. If it wasn’t her sister, who else would stomp around the house so boldly?

The butler wouldn’t dare. Not with her sister gone.

…

Xin Qian was still pondering when a violent knock jolted her. Her door rattled, shaking the whole room. She froze, barely breathing.

“Open up!” A deep, furious male voice boomed from the hallway. Xin Qian recognized it instantly. Her sister had only warned her to watch the fancy landline phone—a device the old butler usually managed. Everyone knew Xin Qian rarely used her own mobile.

“Are you opening it or not?!” Qian Jingzhen roared again. Tears welled in Xin Qian’s eyes. She fumbled to hide her computer, trembling as she crept toward the door.

Click… The lock turned. The doorknob twisted immediately after, making her stumble backward. She landed hard on the floor.

The door swung open. Two menacing figures glared down at her. Xin Qian couldn’t move, paralyzed with fear.

Qian Jingzhen scanned her messy room. Pillows and stuffed toys lay scattered everywhere, as if untouched for weeks. It hardly looked like a girl’s space.

He stood rigid in the doorway, eyes locked on Xin Qian. “How long have you been like this?” His voice was ice-cold.

Xin Qian’s gaze dropped in terror. She snatched the nearest plush toy, shielding her face with it—as if that could divert his anger.

…

She stayed silent. She hated her parents most, yet feared them most too—especially when they were this furious. They’d never beat her with a bamboo stick, but their verbal lashings cut deep enough.

Silence filled the room. How could she answer? Any reply would only fuel his rage. What if they snapped completely?

“I’ve had it!” Qian Jingzhen snapped. He stormed forward, snatched the toy from her hands, and hurled it across the room.

“Wah…” Xin Qian scrambled backward, tears streaming down her face.

“Haven’t you skipped school for ages?!” He jabbed a finger at her, voice thunderous.

…

Xin Qian’s heart ached. She stayed mute, wishing this would end. But how?

“Answer me!” Qian Jingzhen bellowed. Xin Qian flinched, lips trembling. “Y-yes…” she choked out.

Qian Jingzhen’s heavy breathing filled the room. Xin Qian curled into a ball, desperate to vanish.

“Xin Qian,” Liu Qiao stepped forward, glaring down at her daughter on the floor. Qian Jingzhen’s eyes never left Xin Qian. “How many times must we tell you? You never learn.”

“Why can’t you be like your sister? Shallow Peace never gives us trouble!” Liu Qiao’s words stabbed like knives.

Xin Qian wanted to be like that. But school was full of people she hated. Transferring? They’d never allow it. How could anyone focus when isolated like that?

And Shallow Peace… she was an unscalable mountain. Xin Qian could never stand beside her.

“Tomorrow, you’re going back to school. Understood? Where’s your computer?” Qian Jingzhen’s voice shook with rage. He strode to her bed, tearing through drawers.

Xin Qian sat frozen on the floor, too scared to breathe, let alone stop him.

“I… I don’t want to,” she finally stammered.

“What?!” Qian Jingzhen whirled around, eyes blazing.

“Xin Qian, just be sensible! Stop making us worry!” Liu Qiao’s voice rose sharply.

“No! I won’t go!” Xin Qian blurted it out—her first defiance. She knew it’d ignite their fury, but the words escaped. That school held bullies, people she loathed. How could she ever want to return?

“Think of us! Who earns money for you?” Liu Qiao shouted, fists clenched.

“And did you ever think of me?” Xin Qian’s voice cracked with tears. She was terrified, but the injustice burned. “You only care about your company! Money, reputation, status—you ignore us! You never consider my feelings. ‘For us’? That school is hell. You’re not me—you don’t know how it feels. You’re the ones at fault, shifting blame. No wonder your company’s failing!”

Slap! Liu Qiao struck first. A bright red handprint bloomed on Xin Qian’s left cheek.

Xin Qian clutched her stinging face, sobbing quietly.

“Say that again!” Qian Jingzhen grabbed her arm, yanking her upright.

Tears fell freely. She’d only spoken truth. She wasn’t wrong. But arguing further was unthinkable.

Why had she snapped today? Usually, she endured silently. Maybe the pressure had finally burst.

But her outburst only invited harsher scolding.

“You eat our food, wear our clothes—who do you owe?” Qian Jingzhen released her. She crumpled to the floor, knees drawn to her chest, sobs louder now. “You’re my daughter. I won’t let you disgrace this family. In this house, you obey me. No excuses. Everything we do is for your good. School is fine! Tomorrow, you go. Understood?”

“I don’t want to!” Even cornered, Xin Qian fought back.

“Then get out! Leave this house forever!” Qian Jingzhen was livid. He’d never seen her so defiant. His failing company was stress enough—now this ungrateful daughter.

What was wrong with school? It was just for learning. University would be arranged later—if she met their targets. A simple bar Shallow Peace had cleared effortlessly. Why was Xin Qian so different?

“Fine! I’m leaving!” Xin Qian shot up and bolted out the door, racing down the stairs.

“M-Miss?” The old butler stood anxiously in the hall. He gasped at her tear-streaked face, reaching out—but she dashed past too fast.

Bang! She slammed the front door open and vanished into the night. Upstairs, Qian Jingzhen and Liu Qiao rushed out, spotting her fleeing figure. “Find her! Now!” they screamed at the butler.

The butler hurried to the foyer, signaling nearby bodyguards. “Bring Miss Xin Qian back!”

The guards snapped to attention. They’d hesitated when she fled, but now they sprinted after her.

“Unbelievable!” Qian Jingzhen stormed downstairs, face flushed purple. He collapsed onto the sofa, gasping. Liu Qiao massaged his shoulders.

The butler frowned. If they brought Xin Qian back now, things would worsen.

Best to let her hide out until Shallow Peace returned.

Shallow Peace had predicted this—Xin Qian actually running away! The meek girl had truly defied them.

After a long wait, a guard rushed in, pale-faced. “Miss… she’s gone!”

“What?! How? She just left!” Qian Jingzhen shot up, voice trembling.

“We’ll widen the search!” The guard bowed low. Qian Jingzhen waved him off, sinking back down.

The butler exchanged a look with the guard and retreated.

“Is she really lost?” the butler pressed. Unsupervised, Xin Qian was in danger.

“Yes… truly. We lost her the moment we stepped outside.” The guard sounded ashamed. The butler rubbed his temples. “Find her. Just watch over her—don’t bring her home.”

“Yes, sir!”