Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Appearance!”

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Qin Ran receives a crumpled paper ball from the old “Master Thief” prisoner. After leaving the cell block, he unfolds it and finds two notes written by different people, both offering him a better life or freedom in exchange for giving up something valuable.
• The prison is severely understaffed because the warden has transferred guards elsewhere; only two guards remain at key gates instead of full squads.
• The surveillance control room explodes, killing Numbers 1 and 2. Lawless survives and carries Stanbeck out of the blast, signaling to Qin Ran that he is okay.
• Qin Ran realizes the explosion is a planned scheme by Old Tom’s accomplices, and deduces their next target: the infirmary on the third floor.
• A prison riot alarm goes off; all available guards rush to the western cell block, leaving the third floor nearly empty.
• Qin Ran uses the chaos to sneak to the third floor, picks the lock to the warden’s office, and begins searching the desk.
• Meanwhile, a figure races toward the infirmary intending to kill Old Tom before the riot is suppressed. As he reaches for the doorknob, Qin Ran reveals himself and exposes him: “Jack Ben, so it really was you! 2567!”

2. Character Developments

• Qin Ran: Observant and opportunistic. He notices the reduced guard numbers, correctly predicts the next target, and uses the riot as a distraction to search the warden’s office. He also acknowledges that Lawless’s strength is far beyond his own.
• Lawless: Shows veteran-level skill and composure by surviving the explosion and rescuing Stanbeck.
• Jack Ben: Revealed as the traitor/inside man, intending to kill Old Tom to silence him.

3. Significant Themes

• Betrayal from within: A trusted guard is secretly working against the prison authorities.
• Chaos as opportunity: The riot and explosion create openings for Qin Ran and for Old Tom’s accomplices.
• Information and bargaining: The two notes highlight how valuable secrets are in the prison’s power struggles.
• Survival and strength: Qin Ran measures himself against more experienced operatives like Lawless.

4. Character Interactions

• Qin Ran politely dismisses himself while the guards are distracted, maintaining his cover.
• Lawless gives Qin Ran an “OK” gesture amid the smoke, confirming his survival.
• The chapter ends with Qin Ran confronting Jack Ben outside the infirmary, having anticipated his move and caught him red-handed.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran confronts Jack, the prison guard, who admits to being Old Tom's accomplice and the warden's and deputy warden's accomplice.
• Qin Ran discovers that the warden and deputy warden have been extorting valuable items from prisoners, with Jack's help.
• Qin Ran completes the side quest [Hidden Accomplice!] and prepares to hand Jack over to the warden.
• Qin Ran realizes that the warden is also part of the problem that needs to be resolved, as mentioned in the main quest's background.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his keen observational skills and deductive reasoning, piecing together the conspiracy.
• Jack reveals his greed and desperation, showing that he has been driven mad by the allure of money.
• The warden and deputy warden are exposed as corrupt officials, abusing their power for personal gain.

Significant Themes

• Greed and its corrupting influence on individuals.
• The struggle between maintaining one's free will and becoming a slave to money or power.
• The consequences of abusing one's position of authority.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Jack's confrontation highlights the difference in their values and principles.
• Qin Ran's interaction with the warden (not yet occurred) will likely reveal the extent of the warden's corruption and his response to being exposed.
• Qin Ran's team (Players 1 and 2) are mentioned to have died, which may affect Qin Ran's approach to dealing with the warden.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran activates [Tracking] due to the warning from his [Woven Amulet] about ghost-type creatures.
• He encounters Intangible Wraiths, which are blurred, faint shadows that lunge at him.
• Qin Ran fights back using his [Lightning Knuckles], dealing 100 HP damage to each Wraith (50 HP base damage doubled due to the Wraith's intangible nature).
• The Wraiths' attacks stack, causing 5 HP damage to Qin Ran each time they touch him.
• Qin Ran struggles to dodge the swarming Wraiths, which deal increased damage when stacked.
• He manages to kill some Wraiths with his [Lightning Knuckles] but realizes that his Stamina is depleting rapidly due to using [Tracking] and fighting.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his combat skills and adaptability in facing the Wraiths' unique attack method.
• He shows resourcefulness in trying to find a way out of the situation.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding and adapting to new threats in combat.
• The balance between offensive power and defensive capabilities.
• The role of Stamina management in prolonged battles.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran interacts with the Intangible Wraiths, learning their attack patterns and weaknesses.
• He does not encounter any other characters in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran encounters Intangible Wraiths on the third floor of Alcatraz Prison, which are afraid of sunlight.
• He uses sunlight to his advantage, activating the skill [Prus's Carapace] from his bracer to push the Wraiths into the light, destroying them.
• Qin Ran fights the Wraiths, earning [Shattered Soul Crystals] as they dissipate.
• He finds that the prison guards in the infirmary have died, and decides not to risk saving them.
• Qin Ran escapes through a window and meets Lawless and Stanbeck, who explain that the warden and other guards rushed into the prison and were killed.
• Lawless reveals that the magic array is a 'Demon Big Dipper', which enslaves the souls of the dead within its range.
• Lawless destroys the prison cell holding Gilfen Hodge using a rocket launcher, revealing Hodge's face.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his combat skills and resourcefulness against the Intangible Wraiths.
• Lawless shows his experience and knowledge about the Demon Big Dipper.
• Qin Ran shows compassion for the innocent but accepts that he can't save everyone.
• Qin Ran and Lawless's expressions change when they see Gilfen Hodge's face, suggesting they recognize him or are surprised by his appearance.

Significant Themes

• The power of sunlight against the supernatural.
• Qin Ran's resourcefulness and adaptability in combat.
• The consequences of underestimating one's enemies (as seen with the warden and prison guards).
• The enslavement of souls and the power dynamics at play.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless discuss the Demon Big Dipper and the main quest.
• Qin Ran and Lawless work together to destroy Gilfen Hodge's prison cell.
• Qin Ran and Lawless share information and experiences, showing a level of trust and camaraderie.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Wei, Qin Ran's temporary teammate, dies and becomes a 'Half-Dead Man', a monster that borrows a dead body to come back to life.
• The Half-Dead Man resembles Kilfen Hodge, a known criminal from Qin Ran's past.
• Lawless, the veteran player, engages with the Half-Dead Man, leaving Qin Ran behind to follow their trail.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates resilience and curiosity in the face of danger, eager to uncover the secret behind the Half-Dead Man.
• Lawless displays his strength, skill, and confidence in handling the Half-Dead Man, reassuring Qin Ran.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing danger head-on and uncovering secrets despite the risks is emphasized.
• The concept of 'Half-Dead Men' introduces the idea of monsters using human bodies, raising questions about identity and mortality.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless work together, with Lawless taking the lead in dealing with the Half-Dead Man.
• Qin Ran's curiosity and Lawless's confidence in his abilities foster a sense of trust between them.
• The Half-Dead Man's actions and appearance provoke Lawless, hinting at a past encounter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran discovers that the "Demon Big Dipper" magic circle has changed, with three symbols altered and a pair of footprints (Zhang Wei's) at the center.
• He deduces that Zhang Wei activated the magic circle, leading to his transformation into a Half-Dead Man.
• Qin Ran finds no exit footprints for Lawless and the Half-Dead Man, suggesting they disappeared together.
• Stanbeck arrives, and Qin Ran agrees to let him join after Stanbeck offers additional payment.
• Qin Ran instructs Stanbeck to stay calm and close, but Stanbeck screams when he sees something behind Qin Ran.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his keen observation skills and deductive reasoning.
• Stanbeck reveals his extreme timidity and fear of strangers, animals, monsters, and even corpses.

Significant Themes

• The danger and uncertainty of the Underground Game.
• The importance of caution and preparation in facing the unknown.
• The contrast between Qin Ran's calm and Stanbeck's timidity.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Stanbeck: Qin Ran is initially reluctant to let Stanbeck join but agrees after Stanbeck offers more payment. Qin Ran gives Stanbeck instructions to ensure his safety but fails to prevent Stanbeck's scream.
• Qin Ran and the Half-Dead Man/Zhang Wei: Qin Ran's deductions about Zhang Wei's actions and the magic circle's change imply a connection between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran encounters Intangible Wraiths and defeats them with ease.
• Stanbeck's screaming attracts more Wraiths, causing Qin Ran to reprimand him.
• Qin Ran and Stanbeck follow Zhang Wei's footprints to the first floor, where they discover a hidden door and secret passage.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his combat prowess against Intangible Wraiths and his strategic thinking in tracking Zhang Wei.
• Stanbeck shows fear and inexperience in combat, but he learns to control his screaming after Qin Ran's warning.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and dependence between Qin Ran and Stanbeck is established, with Qin Ran expecting Stanbeck to follow his instructions for their survival.
• The theme of hidden secrets and unknown dangers is reinforced with the discovery of the hidden door and secret passage.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Stanbeck's relationship is tense due to Stanbeck's initial recklessness, but they begin to work together after Qin Ran sets clear expectations.
• Qin Ran shows impatience with Stanbeck's screaming but also demonstrates understanding and tolerance, indicating a complex dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points

• Qin Ran discovers a thin wire picking the lock of the "Master Thief's" cell.
• The "Master Thief" reveals he can leave Alcatraz Prison at will and has ignored the Intangible Wraith.
• Qin Ran realizes he might have been used by the "Master Thief" to cause a conflict.
• The "Master Thief" opens his cell door brazenly, confirming he knows everything that happened inside Alcatraz.
• Qin Ran points a gun at the "Master Thief" and demands an explanation.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran shows increased suspicion and assertiveness, using force to extract information.
• The "Master Thief" reveals he has a protective magic array tattooed on his body, but his motives remain unclear.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and ulterior motives: Qin Ran suspects the "Master Thief" has been using him, and the "Master Thief" is hiding his true purpose.
• Power dynamics: Qin Ran's use of force to extract information shows the shifting power balance between him and the "Master Thief."

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and the "Master Thief" have a tense standoff, with Qin Ran using physical threats to pressure the "Master Thief" into revealing his purpose.
• Stanbeck is mentioned but does not interact with the "Master Thief."

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran interrogates a man known as the "Divine Thief" to learn about Kilfen Hetch and Alcatraz Prison.
• The Divine Thief reveals that Hetch has Transcendent abilities and infiltrated his followers, passing through a solid wall to warn the Divine Thief not to meddle in his affairs.
• Hetch turned himself in to Alcatraz Prison, which the Divine Thief believes is part of a larger plan.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his ruthless and cunning nature, using pain to extract information and altering his plans based on new information.
• The Divine Thief shows resilience and a desire for self-preservation, bargaining with Qin Ran despite the pain he's enduring.

Significant Themes

• The power of information and knowledge, with both Qin Ran and the Divine Thief seeking it to gain an advantage.
• The theme of self-preservation and survival, with both characters prioritizing their own lives above all else.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and the Divine Thief engage in a tense interrogation, with Qin Ran using pain and threats to extract information, and the Divine Thief trying to bargain for his life.
• Qin Ran's thoughts reveal his suspicion and caution towards anything unfamiliar, which drives his actions and decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran suspects Zhang Wei was set up and killed by an accomplice of Kilfern Hetch.
• Qin Ran deduces Zhang Wei was controlled and forced to serve as Kilfern Hetch's "body."
• Qin Ran pieces together the events leading to Zhang Wei's death and realizes the "psychic" and the "oath" were part of Kilfern Hetch's deception.
• Qin Ran discovers the man before him is Kilfern Hetch's accomplice and the true mastermind behind the events.
• Qin Ran kills the accomplice, who drops a book upon death.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates analytical skills and caution, learning from Zhang Wei's fate and vowing not to let greed cloud his judgment again.
• The accomplice reveals himself as cunning and manipulative, using Zhang Wei and others for his own gain.

Significant Themes

• Greed and its consequences, as seen in Zhang Wei's fate and Qin Ran's self-reflection.
• Manipulation and deception, shown through the accomplice's actions.
• Trust and vigilance, emphasized by Qin Ran's realization of his past carelessness.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran interacts with the accomplice, deducing his role in the events and ultimately killing him.
• Qin Ran reflects on his past actions and vows to be more cautious in the future, learning from Zhang Wei's fate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran obtains a special-grade skill book, [Mysterious Knowledge], which grants him knowledge of obscure fields like theology, religious doctrine, and special symbols.
• He also acquires a magical item, [Deceiver's Key], a hair-thin wire with extraordinary properties.
• Qin Ran encounters and defeats Kapo, a modified human with high Constitution and knowledge of [Mysterious Knowledge].
• Qin Ran and Stanbeck find a hidden entrance leading to a passage beneath Alcatraz Prison, with a mysterious door at the end.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his calm, decisive, and brave nature, showcasing the traits of a veteran player.
• Stanbeck, despite his wealth and family background, feels inferior to Qin Ran and other veteran players, relying on his resources to survive in the game.

Significant Themes

• The game's harsh nature and the struggle for survival among players.
• The importance of knowledge and skills in the game.
• The contrast between Qin Ran's exceptional abilities and Stanbeck's reliance on resources.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Stanbeck work together, with Qin Ran leading the way due to his superior skills and knowledge.
• Stanbeck follows Qin Ran's instructions without question, showing trust in Qin Ran's abilities.
• Qin Ran does not share details about his new skill or equipment with Stanbeck, maintaining a level of secrecy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran discovers an unopened door in the Secret place, with no footprints leading to it, suggesting an unusual method of access like flying or being in soul form.
• Qin Ran and Stanbeck investigate the door using pebbles to check for traps, finding none.
• Qin Ran opens the door, revealing an enormous, empty hall with a floating, bronze giant coffin bound by thirteen iron chains. The coffin pulses with a heartbeat-like rhythm.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates caution, strategic thinking, and exceptional eyesight in investigating the door and the coffin.
• Stanbeck shows timidity and a desire to help, despite Qin Ran's initial skepticism.

Significant Themes

• Curiosity and the desire to uncover secrets drive Qin Ran's actions.
• The theme of hidden dangers is present, as Qin Ran must consider potential traps and the mysterious coffin.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Stanbeck work together to investigate the door, with Qin Ran taking the lead due to his skills and experience.
• Qin Ran shows concern for Stanbeck's safety, instructing him to stay outside the door.
• Stanbeck's timidity is evident in his hesitation to enter the hall with the coffin, and his stammering when he sees it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran encounters the Half-Dead Man, Kilfin Hodge, who had taken Zhang Wei's body.
• Qin Ran engages in a gun battle with Kilfin Hodge, using Blessed Bullets that deal extra damage to negative-energy creatures.
• Kilfin Hodge uses the Power of Binding to restrain Qin Ran, but Qin Ran uses a Gold Attribute Point to increase his Strength, allowing him to break free.
• Qin Ran and Kilfin Hodge engage in a close-quarters fight, with Qin Ran using Prus's Carapace to defend against Kilfin Hodge's punch.
• Qin Ran delivers the final blow, killing Kilfin Hodge.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his combat skills, resourcefulness, and determination in the face of danger.
• Kilfin Hodge shows its power and ruthlessness, but underestimates Qin Ran's capabilities.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against overwhelming odds and the power of determination.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Kilfin Hodge engage in a tense, life-or-death battle, with Qin Ran using his skills and resources to outmaneuver Kilfin Hodge.
• Qin Ran's actions and words show his resolve and defiance in the face of Kilfin Hodge's attempts to instill despair.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran shoots Kilfen. Hetch with 'Blessed Bullets', dealing significant damage but not killing him.
• Kilfen. Hetch enters a crazed state, increasing its ferocity and power.
• Qin Ran uses [M1905], [T1 Bulletproof Vest], and [Prus's Bracer] to defend against Kilfen. Hetch's powerful punch, surviving but suffering severe wounds.
• Qin Ran uses [Deceiver's Key] to evade Kilfen. Hetch's attack and throws grenades, which bounce back towards him.
• The Bronze Giant Coffin's heartbeat intensifies, causing Qin Ran severe damage and entering 'Severe Wound Status'.
• Qin Ran attempts to escape but is blocked by Kilfen. Hetch, who is now weakened but determined to fight to the death.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates quick thinking and adaptability in using his equipment defensively and evading attacks.
• Kilfen. Hetch enters a crazed state, increasing its ferocity and power, but also suffering significant damage.

Significant Themes

• The theme of survival and adaptability is emphasized as Qin Ran faces overwhelming odds and must use his resources creatively to stay alive.
• The theme of madness is introduced through Kilfen. Hetch's crazed state, suggesting a loss of control or reason.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Kilfen. Hetch's interaction is one of intense conflict, with Qin Ran trying to survive and Kilfen. Hetch determined to kill him.
• Qin Ran's interaction with his equipment is highlighted, showing his resourcefulness and quick thinking in using them defensively and for evasion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran activates [Prus's Bite], feeling immense power and seeing a phantom of Giant Crocodile Pulus.
• He battles Kilfen Hetch, dealing significant damage despite the enemy's skills and constitution.
• After six or seven seconds, Qin Ran defeats Kilfen Hetch, who had around 150 health remaining.
• Qin Ran retrieves a ring from Kilfen Hetch's corpse and exits the magic array, ending the [Sacrifice] effect.
• He decides not to investigate the Bronze Giant Coffin further, choosing to leave the dungeon instead.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates growth in his ability to adapt to new powers and strategize in battle.
• He shows restraint by not pursuing the secret of the Bronze Giant Coffin, prioritizing his safety.

Significant Themes

• Greed vs. Restraint: Qin Ran's desire for rewards is balanced with his self-preservation instincts.
• Power and Adaptation: Qin Ran's newfound abilities allow him to overcome formidable enemies, but he must learn to control and adapt to them.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Kilfen Hetch engage in a brutal, close-quarters battle, testing each other's limits.
• Stanbeck watches Qin Ran's actions, relieved when Qin Ran decides not to provoke the secret within the Bronze Giant Coffin.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran returns to his in-game room after leaving Alcatraz Prison, carrying two W-22 light machine guns.
• He obtained the Half-Dead Man's Gaze ring, which has powerful Mental Attribute-based skills.
• Qin Ran reviews his instance rewards, including a special instance called "Psychic Partners."

Character Developments

• Qin Ran's determination and risk-taking are evident in his decision to retrieve the light machine guns despite his severe injuries.
• He shows strategic thinking in choosing equipment that suits his attributes and planning to improve his Mental Attribute.

Significant Themes

• Risk vs. Reward: Qin Ran's willingness to take risks for potential gains.
• Character Progression: Qin Ran's focus on improving his attributes and skills.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran interacts with the in-game system, reviewing his instance rewards and making decisions (e.g., choosing to heal from the Severe Wound Status).
• He briefly considers the private messages he receives but ignores them, focusing on his new equipment and instance rewards.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran obtains a 'Special Instance: Psychic Partners' after his SSS evaluation in the previous instance.
• The Special Instance allows Qin Ran to serve as an assistant to a Spirit Medium on the West Coast, resolving troublesome incidents together.
• Qin Ran understands the benefits and potential difficulties of the Special Instance, including the possibility of encountering unforeseen changes due to his previous actions in the instance.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran becomes more determined to increase his strength through Points and Skill Points to uncover the truth behind the Bronze Giant Coffin in the Special Instance.
• Qin Ran accepts the remaining payment from Stanbeck and decides to sell the two light machine guns and four Shattered-grade [Soul Crystals] in the Secret Market for a better price.

Significant Themes

• The theme of strength and its importance in the game world is emphasized, with Qin Ran's desire to improve his skills and abilities to face the challenges in the Special Instance.
• The theme of opportunity and its potential consequences is explored, with Qin Ran acknowledging the risks and rewards of the Special Instance.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran interacts with Stanbeck, who expresses his gratitude and hopes to cooperate again in the future.
• Qin Ran interacts with Lawless, who provides information about the Secret Market and the current state of the game, including the ongoing war between Steam City and Steel Chariot.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran leaves his room, experiencing the game's city for the first time.
• He takes a unique, slow-moving train to meet Lawless.
• They go to a seemingly ordinary two-story building, where a robot guard named Jason demands an admission fee of 10 points.
• Inside, they find a hidden door in an oil painting, leading to the Secret Market.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran shows curiosity and caution in exploring the new environment.
• Lawless exhibits his familiarity with the game's mechanics and his friendly, albeit talkative, nature.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the game's initial dungeon-like setting and the vast, diverse city.
• The importance of exploration and discovery in the game.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless reunite, with Lawless attempting to engage Qin Ran in conversation, but Qin Ran maintains a distance.
• Qin Ran and Lawless work together to find and enter the Secret Market, showing a level of trust and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran is sucked into a painting and transported to the Secret Market.
• He meets Lawless, who guides him through the market.
• Qin Ran encounters Broker Mo Nian, who is friendly but gives Qin Ran an unsettling feeling.
• Qin Ran and Lawless explore the market, finding good but not exceptional items.
• They join the line to register items for auction, with Qin Ran successfully registering two [W-22] light machine guns and four [Shattered Soul Crystals].

Character Developments

• Qin Ran remains cautious and observant, noting the market's dynamics and the Broker's strange behavior.
• Lawless shows concern for Qin Ran's safety, warning him about the Broker's manipulative nature.
• Broker Mo Nian is introduced as a charismatic yet unsettling figure, with a mysterious past hinted at through Lawless's warnings.

Significant Themes

• Caution and Trust: Qin Ran remains wary of the Broker despite his friendly demeanor, highlighting the theme of not trusting appearances.
• Value and Worth: The Secret Market showcases the value of items, with the auction platform representing the highest value, and the shops and stalls offering goods of lesser value.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless interact as a mentor-mentee duo, with Lawless guiding Qin Ran through the market and warning him about the Broker.
• Qin Ran and Broker Mo Nian have a tense interaction, with Qin Ran feeling an inexplicable sense of danger and disgust.
• Qin Ran and the Registrant have a brief, business-like interaction, with the Registrant appraising Qin Ran's items and setting their starting prices.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran sells four Shattered-grade Soul Crystals to a Registrant at the Secret Market for 27,500 Points and 6 Skill Points.
• Qin Ran plans to auction two W-22 light machine guns separately, following the Registrant's advice.
• Qin Ran calculates his Points and Skill Points, considering how to allocate them for optimal growth.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his negotiation skills and understanding of market values by selling the Soul Crystals at a fair price.
• Qin Ran shows strategic thinking in planning his skill and attribute growth.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding market values and negotiation skills in the game's economy.
• The strategic planning of character growth and development.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran interacts with the Registrant, negotiating the price of the Soul Crystals.
• Qin Ran and Lawless work together, with Lawless supporting Qin Ran in the negotiation.
• Qin Ran's internal dialogue reveals his thought processes and plans for growth.