The next day, Shallow Peace rose early again. Churan had already informed her that Xin Qian was doing well, so the heavy weight on her heart finally lifted.

But to keep up the act, she pretended to head out to recruit more people. As she descended the stairs, she pondered how to tell her parents about Churan and win their acceptance.

After reaching the bottom, Shallow Peace entered the living room. Qian Jingzhen and Liu Qiao lay on the sofa, their faces etched with gloom. Their company’s turnaround was nearly impossible, and this visit wasn’t truly about Xin Qian—it centered on Chen Haoxuan’s affairs. Only his connections could slow the company’s decline.

Thus, the elders had returned to discuss "aid," but any corporate cooperation would indirectly involve Xin Qian.

Watching their turned backs, Shallow Peace fell into thought. Even if Churan’s matter settled temporarily, how could she bring Xin Qian home? Her return might detonate this bomb anytime—the elders’ main goal was "cooperation."

Qian Jingzhen, seated on the sofa, spoke as if he had eyes in the back of his head. "Xiao An, what is it? Why stand behind us?"

Shallow Peace paused briefly, then walked over and sat opposite them.

"Xiao An, any news about Xiao Xin?" Liu Qiao asked with concern. For two days, Shallow Peace had rushed out after resting, but today she lingered behind them. Truthfully, she had something to say—she just didn’t know how to start.

Hearing this, Shallow Peace’s eyes dimmed slightly. She said softly, "No. I just couldn’t bear to tell you each time I saw you like this."

"Sigh, if only Xiao Xin were as sensible as you," Qian Jingzhen muttered. Since Xin Qian ran away, he’d sighed daily. Given their tempers, this outcome was inevitable. Shallow Peace regretted not foreseeing their return; she could’ve taken Xin Qian away, avoiding their interference.

What’s done is done. Dwelling on missed escape routes was pointless. Now, introducing Churan mattered most—but speaking up risked implying she cared more about him than her missing sister, exposing her knowledge of Xin Qian’s whereabouts. Balancing both was tricky, and she’d wrestled with it all morning.

"By the way, Xiao An, you claimed Xiao Xin’s condition improved—is that true?" Qian Jingzhen recalled her past words. Though she’d lied during work calls, face-to-face scrutiny left no room for falsehoods.

His sudden question startled Shallow Peace. Liu Qiao noticed her expression flicker and fade, sparking suspicion. "Xiao An, what were you thinking just now?"

Shallow Peace forced a bitter smile. "I was lost in thought about where my sister might be—that’s why I jumped."

Liu Qiao’s suspicion eased as she sighed. "That girl can be trying, but she’s our daughter. I worry she’s gone hungry... Xiao An, rest too. Don’t exhaust yourself."

Shallow Peace nodded slightly. Qian Jingzhen’s question had actually relieved her—she’d planned to bring up Churan. If they asked first, she could hide Xin Qian’s location while introducing him. A win-win.

"Xiao An, tell us your plan. You’re reliable, but we deserve to know—is that unreasonable?" Qian Jingzhen trusted her, yet their anger had forced Xin Qian to run, ruining Shallow Peace’s "plan." Still, Xin Qian remained a shut-in, showing no growth.

Shallow Peace replied calmly, "Days ago, I mentioned my sister’s progress—in socializing. She has a second person she can talk to normally."

"Oh?" The elders knew Xin Qian’s reclusiveness, so news of a friend surprised them. Yet it changed nothing; she was still a shut-in.

"You mean having someone she knows intervene?" Qian Jingzhen wasn’t foolish. Despite company troubles, he retained some sense.

Shallow Peace nodded, poured tea for them, and continued, "I intended for that person to tutor her. He may lack professionalism, but given my sister’s mindset—"

Qian Jingzhen cut her off, frowning. "How can an amateur teach?! One misstep could lead her astray—I won’t allow it!"

Shallow Peace stayed expressionless. She knew his strict standards; Churan might fail this test. Her goal was to lower the bar.

Qian Jingzhen frowned deeper at her blank face, then sighed. "Continue."

Shallow Peace nodded. "Many can’t handle jargon-heavy lessons until basics click. For my sister’s progress, simpler methods work best. I contacted her friend—he agreed to try."

Qian Jingzhen sipped tea, eyelids lifting slightly. "A tutor can teach anything. Why hire an unskilled trainee over a professional?"

"Dad, you know her personality," Shallow Peace countered calmly. "Would she listen to a stranger? Would she even pay attention?"

"Lock them together for days—they’ll bond," Qian Jingzhen said flatly. It might work, but wasn’t guaranteed.

"Seriously... you again!" Shallow Peace feigned annoyance, turning away. Liu Qiao shot Qian Jingzhen a glance. He rubbed his temples, sighing. "I’m setting conditions. He must meet my standards to be hired."

"Dad, if we follow all your rules, no one will satisfy you and reach my sister," Shallow Peace said seriously. His standards were too high; anyone meeting them would clash with Xin Qian.

"Sigh, nothing works... How did he meet Xiao Xin?" Qian Jingzhen guessed Xin Qian never left home—he knew where this "friend" came from.

Seeing his darkening expression, Shallow Peace hesitated. Admitting it was from the virtual net would spark his disapproval.

"Never mind. I’ll assess him personally later. Finding Xiao Xin comes first." Qian Jingzhen gave up—he trusted Shallow Peace’s judgment, even if the person’s background was dubious.

Shallow Peace nodded slightly, stood, and headed for the door.

Outside, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. All that talk only secured Churan an "interview." She couldn’t lower standards—not with her "sister missing." Pushing for leniency would imply the tutor mattered more than Xin Qian, revealing her secret.

After a few steps, she turned back into the living room. "Dad, I have an idea. We might get my sister to return herself."

Qian Jingzhen set down his teacup, stood abruptly, and stared at her. "Speak quickly!"

"Calmly, Shallow Peace said, "Let her friend interview first. Since they’re close, she might hint at her location or plans."

"Then bring him now?!" Qian Jingzhen urged eagerly.

Shallow Peace stood motionless, face blank. "Dad, you must accept him as tutor. She’ll return for him. If you fire him later for falling short, she’ll run away again."

They locked eyes for a long moment. Finally, Qian Jingzhen said coolly, "Just lock her in. She escaped once—she won’t escape twice."

Shallow Peace’s expression hardened. Genuine anger flared, overriding respect. "Dad, if you do that, forget him—even if I find her, I won’t bring her back."

Her words hung in dead silence.

After a pause, Qian Jingzhen exhaled heavily, sat back down, and waved a hand. "Fine. But the interview happens—to keep thieves out, understand?"

"Mm. I’ll keep searching for my sister and contact that friend."

"Mm."

Shallow Peace left the living room. Inside, Qian Jingzhen let out another heavy sigh...