Accused of watching a spectacle he never saw, Li Wei wasn’t pleased. Instead of arguing, he turned to Edith and asked,

“Miss Edith, has anything actually happened to bring me joy?”

Vivian: “?”

Her face flushed slightly, then froze—suddenly unsure whether to be angry.

Li Wei’s words were irritating, yet they hinted… he hadn’t come here just to target her?

Just then, she noticed a silver-haired little girl wearing a bowler hat standing beside Li Wei.

The sight stalled Vivian’s anger, leaving her momentarily dazed.

It felt like long ago… she’d once stood right there beside him too.

But the haze vanished in an instant.

Vivian didn’t dwell on the girl’s identity. She knew Li Wei’s nature—probably just helping a lost child he met on the road.

If this were years ago, she might’ve felt a flicker of jealousy. Now? The thought felt almost laughable.

Edith replied calmly, “Nothing serious, Mr. Li Wei. Miss Vivian and I simply had a minor communication issue.”

She stated facts plainly, no embellishment.

Li Wei frowned. “So you secretly applied for supplies to assault the Immovable Command Tier long ago? You’d already started planning against it back then?”

Vivian’s heart skipped under his gaze—but she remembered: he was no longer part of Dawn. Chin lifted, defiant: “So what if I did?”

“The warning I gave you—you forgot it already?” Li Wei said.

“I’ve said it: you have nothing to do with Dawn anymore, Li Wei,” Vivian shot back, arms crossed.

Li Wei ignored her, turning to Edith. “You haven’t given her the supplies yet?”

Edith nodded. “No. Miss Vivian hasn’t raised the 100,000 gold coins.”

“Even if she does, don’t sell to her.”

“On what grounds?! This is Dawn’s affair—why are you interfering?” Vivian’s chest rose and fell sharply.

“I’m not interfering with Dawn. Only with the Trading House’s decision.” Li Wei’s tone stayed even. “The supplies belong to the House.”

Edith spread her hands apologetically. “Sorry, Miss Vivian. We prioritize Mr. Li Wei’s requests.”

Trembling with rage, Vivian spun away. “You can’t stop me!”

*How annoying, Li Wei! Even after leaving, you’re still tripping me up from the outside!*

*Just clinging to past glory to bully me? Fine. Once I conquer the Demon King Citadel… I’ll become someone the Dori Trading House can’t even dream of reaching!*

“L-Li Wei, sir…”

Tiffany’s soft voice chimed in, hesitant.

Li Wei’s gaze flickered as the elf girl practically bounced to his side—her generous curves jiggling noticeably with each hop.

He offered a helpless smile. “Tiffany.”

Yue Lin had noticed the elf earlier. As Tiffany approached, she instinctively gripped Li Wei’s sleeve, eyes wide.

*How can she be so… big?*

*Not even a hundred “mothers” could compare!*

“I’m so glad you haven’t forgotten me, Mr. Li Wei,” Tiffany murmured, starry eyes glistening.

“I left Dawn. I didn’t lose my memory.”

“I heard people who leave their teams often become strangers…”

“Our bond with Dawn never sank that low,” Li Wei shook his head. His departure wasn’t born of hatred.

“So… is there still hope? Would you return to Dawn?”

Li Wei: “…Really not necessary.”

“Did Vivian hurt you deeply?” Tiffany’s voice wavered.

“Partly.”

He shook his head. At first, yes—a trace of sorrow at her gaze. But his choice to leave stemmed from reflection. Why had he reached this point? Not just himself… this world too. He’d tried so hard. Yet the returns…

The more he pondered, the heavier the disappointment. Until it settled into quiet resolve. The salvation path he’d walked these years… had gone astray.

“If you need comfort, I can be your emotional vessel, Mr. Li Wei. I may be a little slow, but… pour your feelings into me anytime,” Tiffany added, raising a delicate hand like a student eager for the teacher’s attention.

Beautiful, wealthy, radiating pure innocence—yet even Li Wei felt flustered.

*Do you think you’re a cream puff?* He wanted to correct her wording, but with his innocent daughter nearby, he sighed instead. “No, Tiffany. I don’t need comfort. I’m actually happy.”

*Kind-hearted girl… just never thinks things through.* A faint melancholy stirred. *With this pair of hopeless cases running Dawn now… does it even matter? Not my concern anymore.*

Unaware, Tiffany’s “clueless” act felt utterly genuine to him—like she was just being herself.

“Huh?”

Blink.

*Happy?*

*Something’s off.*

*Did grief scramble his brain?*

*He was kicked out by Vivian—the girl he raised, the guild he built!*

*Double debuff hit… and he doesn’t need comfort?*

*Sighing twice in one sentence?*

*Classic male pride masking pain.*

Tiffany’s clever little brain whirred. *Not as “brilliant” as Vivian… but I get it. Gotta guide this gently to protect his dignity.*

She never got the chance.

“What exactly are you here for?”

Yue Lin finally snapped. *That foolish adult human!* *Supposed to be handling business with me—yet shamelessly chatting with this abnormally developed elf longer than he ever talks to me!*

“Oh. Let’s talk another time. I have others to attend to,” Li Wei replied instantly, relief flickering. *Good thing my daughter’s here.* Alone with airheaded Tiffany? Stressful. If she were just… normal, it’d be easier. But her innocent clumsiness made even a glance feel guilty. *Wonder if Tsukika would feel inferior seeing her.*

Tiffany blinked in shock.

*Eh?! EH?!*

*Why am I being dismissed?! How can you obey this kid so readily?!*

*Shouldn’t a girl with a more generous chest have more sway?!*

*Is it because I’m not… openly displaying it while talking to you?!*