But as time passed, the old traditional Chinese doctor's medicine could no longer suppress the chill within her body. How she wished she could just end her life in the cold, yet fate always seemed to offer her a sliver of hope.

Enough… perhaps it's that sky-high price of ten billion.

Like a wounded bird, Zhuge Xiyu huddled in a dark corner, her heart brimming with endless questions. What she couldn't understand was why Chen Zheng refused to treat her.

「」

Dawn broke, bathing the earth in the light of the morning sun.

Zhuge Xiyu finally broke free from the biting cold. Trembling, she stood up to greet the sunlight. It took a full half hour before her body gradually returned to normal. She bent down to pick up the phone from the floor, opened the call log, dialed a number, and then held the phone, waiting quietly.

CLICK!

The door was pushed open, and two bodyguards entered.

"Miss!" they greeted, bowing respectfully.

"You have one hour to find out everything there is to know about Chen Zheng—everything you can possibly dig up," Zhuge Xiyu said.

Yesterday, she had learned some basic information about him, but that wasn't enough. She needed more.

They answered, "Yes!" and promptly left.

Zhuge Xiyu returned to the sofa and sat down quietly, seemingly lost in thought, her eyes flickering with a resolute light.

Time flew by, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The two bodyguards re-entered the room, holding a thick stack of documents. This was a detailed file on Chen Zheng, though it was limited to his activities in Jiangzhou. Zhuge Xiyu had been unable to obtain information about him from any other location.

Zhuge Xiyu took the documents and read through them carefully. After reading everything, she stood up.

"Let's go," she said, her voice calm yet firm.

The two bodyguards immediately fell into step behind her. They drove the Land Rover back to the garden villa.

Meanwhile, Chen Zheng had just returned from the food court. He took out his phone and frowned at the name that popped up on his smart AI.

"Is there something wrong with this person?" Chen Zheng muttered, then decided, "Reject her access request!"

"Understood, Master," the smart butler responded.

At that same moment, on the path just outside the villa, Zhuge Xiyu heard the voice of the smart AI, its tone clearly one of rejection.

"The master has politely declined your visit. We ask for your understanding."

Zhuge Xiyu's heart froze for a moment. Then she turned, her steps firm as she got back into the Land Rover.

"Find him," she whispered, leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes.

The two bodyguards immediately got to work; one made a call while the other focused on driving.

"Miss, we have something!" the bodyguard's voice cut through the silence in the car. He handed her a tablet, which clearly displayed Chen Zheng's current location.

"Go there directly," Zhuge Xiyu ordered with a casual glance at the screen.

The Land Rover shot forward like an arrow, speeding toward the food court.

By this time, Chen Zheng had already entered the food court, changed into a custom-made uniform, and begun to play the part of a waiter. The food court offered a variety of snacks and breakfast foods. Although it wasn't in a bustling commercial district, it was only a few minutes away from one. Many white-collar workers and other employees from nearby offices would come here for breakfast or to grab takeout.

Even though it was still early in the morning, the food court was already a hive of activity. The daily revenue was a constant source of excitement for Li Hao and the others.

Chen Zheng failed to notice Zhuge Xiyu and her two companions arriving. He was carrying a bowl of pearly-white rice congee, about to deliver it to a customer. When he saw who it was, however, his brows furrowed instinctively. But he quickly regained his composure, placed the congee in front of Zhuge Xiyu, and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Zhuge Xiyu suddenly said.

Just then, two bodyguards in black suits appeared before Chen Zheng, blocking his path.

Zhuge Xiyu said nothing more, simply lowering her head to start eating her congee.

Chen Zheng's gaze turned icy. "Scram," he said coldly.

With that one word, a powerful aura erupted from him. The two bodyguards felt as if they had been violently shoved, their bodies stumbling backward uncontrollably. They looked at each other in surprise, each seeing the raw astonishment in the other's eyes.

Sensing something was wrong, Zhuge Xiyu raised an eyebrow. She set down her congee and fixed her gaze on Chen Zheng's retreating back.

She then called out, "Chen Zheng!"

At the sound of his name, Chen Zheng's steps came to an abrupt halt, and his gaze shifted to Zhuge Xiyu.

A chill crept deep into Zhuge Xiyu's heart, like a winter wind that made her tremble slightly. However, she was a woman who had weathered many storms. She quickly suppressed her inner turmoil and introduced herself in a calm, composed tone.

"Chen Zheng, I am Zhuge Xiyu, the CEO of Yan Shuiyu, the nation's top cosmetics company."

Chen Zheng didn't respond. He knew nothing about cosmetics.

Just then, Li Hao walked by, stopping in his tracks when he saw Zhuge Xiyu. He sized her up with a curious look. "Yan Shuiyu is a two-hundred-billion-dollar company! She wouldn't be interested in you, would she?"

Li Hao chuckled mischievously, then turned to get back to work.

"I'm not interested," Chen Zheng said impassively.

Zhuge Xiyu wasn't surprised. She continued, "I've had a strange illness since childhood. Every night, my entire body feels like it's freezing. No matter how many blankets I use or how high I turn up the heat in my room, nothing helps."

"Master Zhao told me you might have a way to cure me. I'll be direct, Chen Zheng. If you can cure me, I am willing to give you five percent of the shares in Yan Shuiyu."

Yan Shuiyu was worth two hundred billion, so five percent of its shares was an astronomical sum. For any ordinary person, this would be a tempting offer.

But who was Chen Zheng? How could he be tempted by a mere ten billion? Moreover, he had been displeased with Zhuge Xiyu's attitude from the very beginning.

Who was that high-and-mighty act of hers for, anyway?

DING! Congratulations, Host, for triggering a selection mission.

[Choice 1: Reject Zhuge Xiyu. Reward: 30% of the shares of the top cosmetics company, Lanluozi.]

[Choice 2: Cure Zhuge Xiyu. Reward: An additional 5% of the shares in Yan Shuiyu.]

Chen Zheng asked directly, "Five percent of the shares in Yan Shuiyu. Is that supposed to be a lot?"

Before Zhuge Xiyu had a chance to reply, he turned and left without another word.

Zhuge Xiyu stood frozen, her mind reeling with confusion.

Wasn't ten billion enough to satisfy him? Just how greedy was he?

At that moment, a fierce anger ignited in Zhuge Xiyu's heart. Ripples disturbed her usually placid expression.

Zhuge Xiyu was proud. She had never submitted to anyone. But today, she felt she had already humbled herself and shown more than enough sincerity.

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