"Chairman, Madam!"

The two imposing bodyguards saluted respectfully.

"Open the door."

The middle-aged man ordered in a deep voice.

The bodyguards quickly handed over the room card and opened the door. The couple hurried into the room, only to be stunned by the scene before them.

They saw Zhuge Xiyu curled up on the sofa, shivering uncontrollably.

A deep heartache rose in the couple's eyes, and they rushed forward. The middle-aged woman helped Zhuge Xiyu to her feet.

"Dad! Mom!"

A glimmer of hope reignited in Zhuge Xiyu's hollow eyes.

This couple was the true masters of Yan Shuiyu: Zhuge Haoran and Gongsun Yun.

Gongsun Yun's eyes filled with deep pain.

"Your condition has worsened."

Her voice was as thin and brittle as winter ice.

Like a wounded little bird, Zhuge Xiyu trembled and shook her head. "Mom, I'm sorry. I brought disaster upon Yan Shuiyu…"

Her tears fell like pearls from a broken string.

Gongsun Yun gently patted her daughter's back, her touch as comforting as a spring breeze. "It's all right, child. Don't cry. Tell us what happened."

Zhuge Xiyu forcefully swallowed the pain in her heart as if it were a bitter stone. It was a long while before she finally narrated the events.

Gongsun Yun and Zhuge Haoran listened quietly.

Once Zhuge Xiyu finished speaking, Zhuge Haoran sighed. "Alas... there are always people stronger than you and heavens beyond our own. Child, this time you were at fault. He made concessions multiple times, yet you pressed on relentlessly!"

He shook his head as he spoke. "This isn't his fault. Go and apologize. Perhaps he will still agree to save you."

Zhuge Xiyu did not argue. The biting cold of the previous night had cleared her mind.

She knew she was wrong; she shouldn't have threatened Chen Zheng that way. She should have sought treatment but had instead placed herself on a pedestal from the very beginning. She never tried to truly understand Chen Zheng, seeing him only as some greedy opportunist. Everything had gone completely off the rails.

With Gongsun Yun's help, Zhuge Xiyu cleaned herself up and followed her parents out of the grand hotel.

Before long, the Land Rover arrived once again before Chen Zheng's villa.

Alerted by the smart AI, Chen Zheng stepped out of the villa. He glanced indifferently at the haggard Zhuge Xiyu and asked, "What is it?"

At that moment, Zhuge Haoran took a step forward. "Grandmaster Chen, I am the helmsman of Yan Shuiyu, Zhuge Haoran."

Surprise flickered in Chen Zheng's eyes. "Oh? Have you come to assign blame?"

Zhuge Haoran hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, Grandmaster, you misunderstand! Yan Shuiyu got what it deserved. This is all our own doing!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Chen Zheng regarded the man with new respect.

A conglomerate with a market value of two hundred billion was reduced to nothing overnight, yet Zhuge Haoran maintains such composure. He is truly a man of rare caliber. He isn't seeking money or power, but redemption—a miracle that might allow his beloved daughter a new lease on life.

"Master Chen, we are not ignorant people. We came to your door only to seek mercy."

Zhuge Haoran's voice was low and hoarse, filled with helplessness and desperation.

Chen Zheng's gaze fell on Zhuge Haoran. His expression was cold and profound, as if he could see through everything.

"Tell me, why should I save her?"

His voice was calm and deep, making his inner thoughts impossible to read.

Zhuge Haoran and Gongsun Yun exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.

Could they truly find a reason for Chen Zheng to treat their daughter? They were his rivals. He was the one who had destroyed their company. But in the end, the fault lay with their own daughter. Given that, what reason could they possibly give him to help?

Watching Chen Zheng's silhouette disappear into the villa, Zhuge Haoran and Gongsun Yun felt a surge of panic. They immediately dropped to their knees, pleading.

"Master Chen, I earnestly beg you, please save my frail little girl."

At this moment, Zhuge Haoran was a father banging his head on the ground, his voice choked with sobs and tears streaming down his face.

"Master Chen, I implore you! Whatever the cost, please save her."

"Dad... Mom…"

Zhuge Xiyu's tears flowed like a breached dam as she knelt helplessly before her parents.

Chen Zheng's heart was deeply moved, his indifference shattered. He understood a parent's heart; even if their child was at fault, they wouldn't hesitate to protect them. He thought of his own parents, who had treated him the same way.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully triggering a choice mission!]

[Choice One: Heal Zhuge Xiyu and receive the following reward: Grandmaster Skill, Water Coagulating into Ice.]

[Choice Two: Refuse Zhuge Haoran's request and receive the following reward: The Heartless and Ruthless title.]

Just then, the system's voice sounded in his mind.

Seeing the scene before him, Chen Zheng heaved a deep sigh.

Alas! In the end, I just can't be completely heartless.

"Master Chen, I beseech you!"

Zhuge Haoran's voice was filled with desperate pleading, but as he watched Chen Zheng turn back, a flicker of hope ignited in his heart.

"Zhuge Haoran, you have two choices," Chen Zheng's words were like a cold winter wind, chilling and heavy. "The first is to save her. The second is for me to restore Yan Shuiyu to its former glory."

"Master Chen, I only ask that you save my daughter! I ask for nothing else!"

Zhuge Haoran's voice trembled, but his eyes were unwaveringly firm.

System, I choose option one.

Chen Zheng made his decision. His gaze was cold and profound as he turned to Zhuge Xiyu. "Zhuge Xiyu, you should feel fortunate to have parents who love you so much."

Zhuge Xiyu was deeply shaken by these words, her heart filling with guilt and self-reproach.

"Open the door," Chen Zheng stated flatly, then turned and walked back into the villa.

At the smart AI's command, the villa's main door opened instantly.

"Quick, child, let's hurry inside!"

Zhuge Haoran and Gongsun Yun, their hearts filled with joy, quickly helped Zhuge Xiyu toward the entrance.

"Dad, Mom... Thank you! Thank you so much," Zhuge Xiyu sobbed, her quiet crying as delicate as a spring rain, stirring one's compassion.

Zhuge Haoran and Gongsun Yun gently shook their heads. They knew a parent's dedication to their children never came with any expectation of reward.

The group stepped into the villa.

Chen Zheng was already waiting in the spacious living room.

"The two of you wait here," Chen Zheng said, his gaze lingering on Zhuge Xiyu for a moment. "You, come with me."

With that, he headed upstairs.

"Hurry, child, follow the Grandmaster!" Zhuge Haoran urged, his tone full of urgency.

Zhuge Xiyu nodded slightly and quickly followed behind Chen Zheng. The entire time, she kept her head down, not daring to look in his direction.

The two of them went up to the second floor and entered a room filled with a mysterious aura.

"Lie down," Chen Zheng commanded.

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