I was reborn to protect him?

It wasn't that Lin Ao was unwilling, but he felt a bit awkward inside—a lingering side effect from having been reborn so many times.

He gritted his teeth and stood up. Whatever, the manor upgrade was complete, and he had just finished mastering the basics of the Sun God Art. As long as they didn't all gang up on him at once, he could handle them with ease.

Besides, he had only had a major conflict with Xiao Fan so far; the others hadn't even stepped onto the stage yet.

Xia Qiange's brows twitched involuntarily. Every expression on Lin Ao's face was captured by her keen eyes.

Are you really that reluctant? Huh?

And gritting your teeth? Do you think I didn't notice your jaw muscle move? Huh?

The little assistant and the others were egging them on; it was the first time they had seen Xia Qiange interact with a man like this.

Xia Qiange stood up, reached out her hands, and spread them wide—looking like she was waiting to be plucked.

The more resistant Lin Ao appeared, the more proactive Xia Qiange became.

That was just Xia Qiange's personality; she was a relatively stubborn person, and once her mind was set, ten oxen couldn't pull her back.

Once Lin Ao thought it through, he felt a sense of relief and let out a breath. There was no need for him to be so cautious anymore; he should just act as he pleased. With his mind clear, the flow of the Sun God Art within him accelerated, losing that previous sense of stiffness.

Hidden within Lin Ao, Heavenly Mandate nodded secretly. This kid, not bad.

But in Xia Qiange's eyes, Lin Ao's actions were a different story. You're actually sighing?

A great beauty like me is practically begging for a hug, and you're sighing?

A flicker of defiance sparked in the depths of Xia Qiange's eyes. Seeing that Lin Ao still hadn't moved, she impulsively lunged forward, wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, and jumped up.

Lin Ao felt a wave of fragrance wash over him, and as he looked up, he saw Xia Qiange's pure, delicate face. A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes.

Subconsciously, he reached out and caught her in a bridal carry.

Xia Qiange caught the scent radiating from Lin Ao; it smelled a bit like bamboo, very comforting, and his muscles felt just right, giving her a strong sense of security.

Just as she wanted to savor the moment, a faint electric current surged from him. Have I been struck by the lightning of love?

As Xia Qiange thought this, her vision suddenly went dark, and a flood of memories—both strange and familiar—rushed into her mind.

Meanwhile, Lin Ao began to spin slowly while holding Xia Qiange. Her body was so soft, she smelled so fragrant, and his chest was pressed against her fullness.

But it felt comfortable, like...

Just like that, time seemed to move fast and slow, and ten spins were completed.

However, Xia Qiange didn't seem to have any intention of getting down, remaining wrapped around Lin Ao without moving.

"Miss Xia... Miss Xia? What's wrong? I've finished spinning, you know..."

Lin Ao called out to Xia Qiange, feeling a bit awkward.

Only then did Xia Qiange suddenly snap back to reality.

"Oh... oh... right."

She stood on the ground in a daze, then sat back down and lowered her head, her face flushed with a rosy glow.

"Haha... is Sister Qiange shy?"

The other girls assumed Xia Qiange was just feeling embarrassed.

"Uh, yeah!"

Xia Qiange replied dismissively; her mind was a complete mess right now.

Lin Ao sat back down on the floor as well.

"Sister Qiange... the tents are all set up."

Just then, their staff member walked over, calling out from outside the door to inform them that they could rest whenever they were ready.

The little assistant seemed to have thought of something.

She gave the other girls a wink, and they nodded in tacit understanding.

Then, the group swarmed toward Lin Ao.

"Mr. Lin... can we stay at your place? You have so many rooms... just for two days... can we? Please... Mr. Lin..."

A group of people surrounded Lin Ao, acting coquettishly. Lin Ao couldn't handle it.

In a daze, he nodded and agreed.

"Yay! Thank you, Mr. Lin!"

They cheered loudly, and even snuck a kiss on Lin Ao's cheek.

They grabbed their things and ran out to pack up.

"Sister Qiange... we're going back to tell the director, then we'll pack our things. I'll bring your stuff over while I'm at it... you just wait here for us, okay?"

The little assistant said excitedly to Xia Qiange before heading out as well.

The scene was left with only Xia Qiange and Lin Ao.

Lin Ao felt a bit awkward, muttered something about going to the kitchen for a glass of water, and left the hall.

Xia Qiange was busy sorting through the images in her mind.

The Lin Ao that appeared in her mind was a stark contrast to the one before her; in her memories, his expression was gloomy, giving off a dangerous and lethal vibe.

Although the current Lin Ao was a bit awkward with his words, the feeling he gave her was completely different. While his appearance hadn't changed much, the aura he radiated made her feel at ease.

The events involving Xiao Fan also surfaced in her mind.

Every time, a crazed fan would appear at an autograph session, and Xiao Fan would suddenly swoop in to intercept them. She had also treated him to a few meals, and somehow, they had inexplicably grown closer and become friends.

Then, Xiao Fan would intentionally or unintentionally bring her to gatherings with his friends, showing her off. This was something she should have found repulsive, yet she had actually agreed to it back then? Was she sick in the head?

This Xiao Fan was also a lunatic; how could she have ever become friends with him? The version of her from back then must have been a total idiot.

Then there was the Lin Family annual gala, where she had been invited to perform. After the show, she received an invitation from Lin Ao to have a drink together. That should have been perfectly normal, but she had actually cried? Why did she cry?

It was just that the moment she saw Lin Ao, a wave of inexplicable fear washed over her, and she burst into tears. In Xia Qiange's eyes now, her past self was simply being unreasonable. The man hadn't even done anything yet—what the hell was she crying for!

She also remembered the flash of panic in Lin Ao's eyes at that moment.

This was completely unlike her; what on earth was all of that?

Lin Ao had someone take her to the backstage area to rest, and he even seemed to whisper an apology to her.

Xia Qiange's mouth twitched. Uh... actually, you weren't wrong; the one who was sick was me.

She continued to recall.

Upon returning to the backstage area, Xiao Fan would walk out, say coldly that he would avenge her, and then flip his hair and leave.

Did he think he was cool? And what kind of revenge were you talking about? Was there something seriously wrong with him?

Yet, the Xia Qiange of that time had actually thought Xiao Fan was very cool.

She hadn't questioned his behavior at all.

The current Xia Qiange couldn't help but clench her small hands into fists; she really wanted to slap her past self a few times.

The next day, she would see the news that Lin Ao had fallen to his death from the 28th floor.

Xiao Fan would then appear before Xia Qiange to brag that he had done it, claiming that anyone who bullied Xia Qiange would not have a good ending.

"What the f***!!! This guy is a pervert! And a murderer to boot!"

But ever since she returned for the first time, she had clearly felt a sense of dissonance. She would clearly not want to do something, yet her body would act on its own, saying things she didn't want to say.

Every time Lin Ao died, her vision would go black and she would return to the past, with events repeating themselves. There were always slight variations, but they were mostly the same, and every time, she would see how Lin Ao died on the news.

Sitting on the floor, Xia Qiange couldn't help but mourn for Lin Ao. Was the world messing with him? She couldn't help but feel a bit of pity for this tragic man. Was he going to die again this time?

Moreover, Xia Qiange discovered that things were different this time; that feeling of dissonance had completely vanished.

Previously, whenever Xiao Fan asked her out for a meal, she would push aside whatever she was doing to go, but this time, she didn't want to see Xiao Fan at all. She simply refused to keep the appointment, acting entirely according to her own will.

This... was this a perk she gained after being reborn? Could she finally change her own life?

A surge of excitement bubbled up in Xia Qiange's heart, her eyes shining. She looked up at Lin Ao, who was drinking water in the kitchen.

"Pfft!!!!"

What was this? Lin Ao's status panel?

Could it be that I've come back to protect this tragic man, Lin Ao?

Is this my mission for being reborn?

Xia Qiange's mind began to wander wildly!

It really went off the rails!