"Miss, do you know where Miss Xin Qian has gone?" Downtown wasn't far from the villa. The bodyguards assumed Xin Qian had run to the seaside after bolting out. Most manpower was scattered there. They never expected she'd bypass the hedge and slip through the "back door."

The old butler felt deeply guilty for his lapse in failing Shallow Peace's duty. But he knew words were useless now. It's never too late to mend—as long as Xin Qian returned safely, all would be forgiven.

He dared to ask because Shallow Peace knew Xin Qian inside out—she even knew this hidden path. No one else in the family understood her like that. Plus, Shallow Peace looked so confident; she always left people in awe with her actions.

"I don't know," Shallow Peace replied bluntly. Her answer made the driver in front nearly slam into the steering wheel.

"..." The butler froze dumbfounded. How vast was the city? Searching every street was nearly impossible. Shallow Peace had pointed to a clear direction yet claimed ignorance? Bluffing? No—she wasn't one for pranks.

"Young Miss, so are we... putting up missing person posters?" Since she dismissed searching, flyers seemed the fastest solution—the most efficient plan now.

"What do you think my father will do after they're posted?" Shallow Peace said leisurely. Qian Jingzhen valued face above all. Missing posters for this family issue would bring brutal scolding. And if Xin Qian was found afterward, things would worsen. So Shallow Peace vetoed it outright.

The butler was at a loss. The driver slowed entering downtown, clueless where to steer.

"Just drive randomly. We won't find my sister on these streets," Shallow Peace said confidently. She leaned against the window, silently watching the bustling city.

"..." Both the butler and driver were flustered. Shallow Peace usually doted on Xin Qian. Why act so indifferent now?

These two had always followed Shallow Peace closely; she trusted them deeply. They never doubted she'd hide things. Yet she'd clearly said she didn't know Xin Qian's whereabouts. Why that expression?

Harboring deep suspicions, they watched the luxury car wander aimlessly. Hours passed, alley after alley—just as Shallow Peace predicted. No trace of Xin Qian appeared.

"Miss Shallow Peace, aren't you worried?" the butler finally blurted. Shallow Peace smiled faintly. "How could I not worry? But worry won't help. If even I can't find her, how could my parents?"

"This..." The butler and driver exchanged glances. Her behavior today was truly unexpected.

Seeing their puzzled faces, Shallow Peace's smile faded. Expressionless, she said, "What if my father sent people to tail me? Could I keep my sister hidden then? To protect her, she must hide where even I can't find her. I worry she might be in trouble, but as long as she's safe, it's fine—even if we never find her."

"I see... Truly worthy of being Miss Shallow Peace," the butler sighed admiringly. Her apparent indifference was to avoid Qian Jingzhen tracking her. Finding Xin Qian and keeping her hidden would be impossible once reported. Shallow Peace would have to face Qian Jingzhen again.

"Well, Miss Shallow Peace, with your ability, you could support Miss Xin Qian. Why not..."

"Why not take her away to another city, right?" Shallow Peace cut him off with a wry smile.

The butler nodded—that was his question. Shallow Peace was exceptionally capable, her salary enough for two. Running away with Xin Qian would spare her Qian Jingzhen and Liu Qiao's pressure.

"But with the current situation, my parents' company might collapse, facing debts. What would happen to them then?" Shallow Peace fixed her gaze on him. He froze, thoughtful.

"Remember, without them, I wouldn't be who I am. No matter how harsh they are to my sister, we're family. Why force us apart? It's not the end yet!"

"My parents aren't indecisive. They judge my sister by my standards. They miss her unique talents. What I excel at, she may not. Her passions might seem like 'crooked paths' to them. But all roads lead to Rome. How many parents support e-sports or 'silly' dreams?"

"No one knows the outcome until the end. Every parent dreams of their child sipping tea in an office. That leisurely life is paradise to them—but not to us. We have our own pursuits. They force their 'perfect life' on us, unaware it means nothing. A life without chasing dreams is flawed. Their misunderstanding caused this rift."

Shallow Peace spoke slowly, her face devoid of expression—only bewilderment. What path did she truly want? She didn't know anymore. Her life was stable; changing it was nearly impossible.

"Heh... This position was arranged by them too. Without them, I wouldn't be here," she chuckled self-deprecatingly. At the company, she was second only to the CEO, a pillar of the firm. Giving up her status now? Simply impossible.

If the pillar holding up the sky collapses, can the sky stay the same?

To chase your dream, why not gamble your life? Even with regret, at least you won't regret not trying. Someday, you can look back proudly: "I had this foolish dream. I came so close—just lacked the luck."

At least you won't regret it. Because you challenged it. You had the courage. You tried...

Watching Shallow Peace lost in thought, the butler stayed silent and turned away. Compared to Xin Qian, Shallow Peace had so many advantages. Yet she envied Xin Qian—for those four years of college freedom.

"Miss, time to go back? It's been over an hour..." Aimless driving wasn't working. Shallow Peace had rushed home weary, then dashed out searching for Xin Qian. She had to be exhausted. Her job was tough; this rare day off was wasted. The driver couldn't bear to watch.

"No need. We'll search all night. As expected, Dad sent someone to tail us," Shallow Peace said suddenly, glancing at the rearview mirror. The driver and butler looked too. A familiar car followed from a distance.

"Miss, shake them off?" The driver pressed the accelerator. She shook her head lightly. "No point. It'd raise suspicion. Stick to main roads. If tired, pull over and rest—I won't mind. This way, they won't suspect."

The driver nodded, maintaining speed. Xin Qian would hide in alleys. Main roads reduced the chance of spotting her drastically.

Two cars, one trailing the other, cruised the streets all night. Still, they found nothing...

The next morning, back home, it went without saying what happened. Qian Jingzhen scolded the bodyguards again and sent half to the city.

For two days, Xin Qian vanished as if evaporated. After stepping out, she disappeared. Calling her was impossible—she rarely used her phone. It lay untouched on her bed.

In a vast city, finding one person among thousands is no easy task. No matter how poorly Qian Jingzhen treated Xin Qian, she was still his daughter. He couldn't abandon her.

Worry? What good would it do?

If Xin Qian returned now, what would happen? It wasn't hard to guess.

So even if found, Xin Qian would rather die than come back...

But no matter what, Shallow Peace had to find Xin Qian's whereabouts. Just knowing she was safe would be enough.

Shallow Peace hadn't slept all night; dark circles shadowed her eyes. She yawned, about to head out again, but the butler grabbed her arm. She frowned. He gave a meaningful look. She didn't quite get it but led him out of the villa.

"Miss Shallow Peace, do you think Miss Xin Qian might be online?" the butler asked tentatively. Shallow Peace's expression flickered. She feigned calm, glancing around to ensure no bugs were nearby. Then she said, "Don't take finding my sister too seriously. This afternoon, I'll ask Churan."