Ren Fei's mind raced. Since they had chosen to negotiate, they had to adopt the right attitude for it.

However, after coming to an agreement with Chen Pingchuan, Ren Fei didn't immediately deactivate the protective shield around the gene serums. Instead, he turned to his own people and said, "We have a problem. We need their help to open the ventilation duct, but their condition is that we deactivate the protective shield on the gene serums."

"Does anyone know the password to deactivate the shield? If you do, tell me, and I'll go make the trade."

Silence fell over the crowd as everyone exchanged glances. Just as Ren Fei thought no one knew, the same female bank employee with the faint light power—the one who had been the first to break down—stood up, her eyes flickering uncertainly.

"I... I know the password," she said softly.

Ren Fei was delighted. "Great! Tell me quickly so we can complete the deal and fight for our chance to survive."

However, the young employee hesitated. Using the faint light from her hand, she looked around at the desperate crowd, then at Chen Pingchuan in the distance, whose gaze was seemingly calm but held a deep, hidden meaning. At this life-or-death moment, she began to waver.

"Ren Fei, I don't think we should hand over the password so easily," one of the male bank guards tried to stop him. "What if they get the serums and turn on us? We'll be helpless!"

Ren Fei frowned. "We don't have many choices right now. If we don't make this deal, we'll all be trapped here to die."

His companion suddenly raised his voice. "No, I don't mean we shouldn't give it to them. I'm saying we can give them part of the password first. Once they've helped us with our problem, we can give them the rest."

Ren Fei hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

He then turned and shouted toward Chen Pingchuan's group, "I can give you some of the gene serums first, but you have to help us open the metal mesh on this vent!"

"If you can do it, we'll give you the rest. If not, then we'll all die here together."

Ren Fei's words were firm and resolute, letting Chen Pingchuan feel his determination. He turned his gaze to the vent on the ceiling, his mind racing. He could have Porcupine try to widen the duct's opening while Lilia and Wei Hao figured out how to use telekinesis and gravity manipulation to help open the external metal mesh.

He quietly muttered his plan to the three of them, and his subordinates agreed to give it a try.

Ready to proceed, Chen Pingchuan didn't immediately have them act. Instead, he watched as the female bank employee from the other group repeatedly deactivated the protective shield and took out the gene serums stored inside. After about ten minutes, the serums were neatly arranged in front of Chen Pingchuan. He had never imagined that gene serums could be stacked like Federation Coins into a small mound.

Just as the bank employee was about to return to her group, Chen Pingchuan suddenly called out to her.

"Miss, please wait!"

His voice made the woman pause. She didn't understand why he was stopping her, but his imposing presence meant she had no choice but to turn around and see what he wanted.

Ren Fei heard the commotion and strode over to stand behind the woman. "What do you want?" he demanded angrily. "Are you trying to go back on your word?"

Facing Ren Fei's accusation, Chen Pingchuan raised his hands in a gesture of innocence, though his words were merciless. "Easy there, friend. Are you paranoid? I only have one reason for asking her to stay."

"You want us to open the metal mesh at the vent, but you don't expect us to do it with our bare hands, do you? Moreover, it seems neither of our groups has any proper tools. So, these will have to be the perfect substitutes."

As he spoke, Chen Pingchuan stepped aside, revealing the specialized metal weapons behind him one by one. His meaning was obvious: he wanted the woman to deactivate the protective shields on the weapon displays.

Ren Fei was reluctant to agree. After all, without weapons, Chen Pingchuan's group posed a limited threat, and his own people still had the courage to fight. But if they got their hands on weapons, his group would be at a clear disadvantage. However, refusing to let them have tools also seemed unreasonable. Their own makeshift tools had already broken trying to pry open the metal mesh, which proved its strength. Without tough weapons, not even the strongest person could force it open.

Left with no choice, Ren Fei had to accept. He cautiously instructed the female employee, "Only deactivate the shields on the cases with melee weapons they can use to pry open the metal mesh. Nothing else. Otherwise..."

Ren Fei didn't finish his sentence, unsure how to even describe the consequences. But this gave the woman a false impression.

The temporary leader of the bank guards is afraid!

"Okay, I understand," the woman replied softly before walking toward Chen Pingchuan's group.

Using the faint light from her hand, she saw Chen Pingchuan's handsome face and was momentarily captivated, so stunned she was lost in a daze until she heard his voice, as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

"Miss, may I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"Ah..." the woman gasped softly, like a startled rabbit.

"I'm so sorry, did I scare you?" Chen Pingchuan's voice became even gentler.

Hearing this, the woman quickly shook her head and waved her hands. "No... it wasn't... It has nothing to do with you."

Chen Pingchuan responded with an "Oh" and then fell silent, quietly leading the way. The woman followed closely, her expression anxious, as if she had done something terribly wrong. After a few steps, she suddenly remembered his question. With a unique feminine gentleness, she said meekly, "Li Yan."

Hearing her name, a faint smile touched Chen Pingchuan's lips.

In my past life, there was a similar concept: compliance testing and the push-and-pull dynamics of dating. It looks like things are off to a good start.

Over the next ten-odd minutes, Chen Pingchuan didn't lead Li Yan directly to the display cases with usable weapons. Instead, he had her check them one by one. In that time, the two went from strangers to acquaintances, their conversation growing broader. When Li Yan's faint light flickered out, unable to sustain it any longer, Chen Pingchuan became her support. During the breaks she took to recover her Spiritual Power, he began to tell her interesting stories about the outer districts, casting himself as an adventurer. Li Yan listened, captivated, asking curious questions from time to time. In the silent, pitch-black environment, a subtle rapport began to form between them.

"Then why did you break into the bank?" Li Yan asked, blinking her large eyes, but she regretted the words the moment they left her lips.

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