Why Had I Been Reborn? To Protect Him?

Lin Ao wasn't actually unwilling. He just felt a little awkward about it—a lingering side effect of having been reborn so many times.

He gritted his teeth and stood up. Whatever. The Manor had finished upgrading, and he'd just mastered 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'd only had a serious clash with Xiao Fan so far. The others hadn't even entered the picture yet.

Xia Qiange couldn't help raising an eyebrow. She had caught every last detail of Lin Ao's expression.

Were you really that unwilling? Huh?

And you gritted your teeth, too? Don't think I didn't see your jaw muscles move. Huh?

Little Assistant and the others started egging them on. It was their first time seeing Xia Qiange interact with a guy.

Xia Qiange stood up and held out her arms, palms open—a picture of someone waiting to be picked like ripe fruit.

The more Lin Ao seemed to resist, the more forward Xia Qiange became.

That was just the kind of person she was: stubborn to a fault. Once she got carried away, not even ten oxen could drag her back.

Once Lin Ao had made up his mind, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders and let out a breath. He didn't need to be so careful anymore. He could just do as he pleased. With his thoughts clear, the Yang God Art flowed through him a little faster, no longer feeling as sluggish as before.

Heavenly Mandate, hiding inside Lin Ao, gave an approving nod. This kid was pretty good.

But Xia Qiange saw Lin Ao's action differently. He'd even sighed?

A gorgeous woman like me was practically begging for a hug, and you sighed?

A hint of defiance flashed in Xia Qiange's eyes. When Lin Ao still didn't move, she charged at him herself, wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, and leaped up.

A fragrant breeze swept over Lin Ao. When he looked up, he saw Xia Qiange's pure, pretty face. A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.

He instinctively reached out and lifted Xia Qiange into his arms.

Xia Qiange caught the scent of Lin Ao. It reminded her a little of bamboo, and it was wonderfully soothing. His muscles were just right, and he made her feel safe.

She was about to take her time and enjoy the moment when a faint current passed through him. Was I just electrified by love?

As Xia Qiange wondered this, her vision suddenly went dark, and a flood of strange yet familiar memories poured into her mind.

Meanwhile, Lin Ao began slowly turning in a circle with Xia Qiange in his arms. Her body was so soft, and she smelled so sweet. Her full chest pressed against him.

But it felt really nice, like—

Time seemed to speed up and slow down all at once. He finished ten turns.

But Xia Qiange didn't seem to have any intention of getting down. She just kept hugging Lin Ao without moving.

"Miss Xia? Miss Xia? What's wrong? I've finished turning now."

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

Only then did Xia Qiange suddenly come back to her senses.

"Oh... oh... okay."

Dazed, she got down, then sat back on the ground and lowered her head, her face slightly flushed.

"Haha~ Is Qiange blushing~?"

The other women thought Xia Qiange was embarrassed.

"Uh, yeah!"

Xia Qiange gave them a perfunctory answer. Her mind was a complete mess.

Lin Ao sat back down on the ground, too.

"Qiange, the tents are all set up."

Just then, one of their staff came over and called from outside, letting them know they could rest whenever they were ready.

Little Assistant seemed to think of something.

She gave the other women a look, and they nodded knowingly.

Then they swarmed over to Lin Ao.

"Mr. Lin~ Could we stay here for a couple of days? You have so many rooms~ Just let us borrow them for two days~ Please, Mr. Lin~"

They all crowded around Lin Ao and pleaded sweetly. He couldn't hold out.

In a daze, he nodded and agreed.

"Yay~~~~~ Thank you, Mr. Lin~"

They cheered loudly, then each sneaked a kiss onto Lin Ao's cheek.

They grabbed their things and ran outside to pack up.

"Qiange~ We'll go tell the director, then pack our things. I'll bring yours over, too~ You just wait here for us~"

Little Assistant excitedly told Xia Qiange, then headed out as well.

That left only Xia Qiange and Lin Ao in the room.

Feeling awkward, Lin Ao said he was going to the kitchen for a glass of water and left the hall.

Xia Qiange was sorting through the images in her mind.

The Lin Ao in her memories was completely different from the one before her. The one in her mind had a gloomy expression and gave off a dangerous, deadly air.

The Lin Ao here wasn't very good at talking, but he made her feel completely different. His appearance hadn't changed much, yet his aura put her at ease.

Memories of her and Xiao Fan had appeared, too.

Every time, a crazed fan would show up at a signing event. Then Xiao Fan would suddenly appear and stop the fan. She'd invited him to dinner a few times, too, and somehow, for no apparent reason, she'd gradually grown close to Xiao Fan and become his friend.

Then Xiao Fan would casually take her along to gatherings with his friends, showing her off whenever he got the chance. That should have put her off, but she'd agreed? Was she out of her mind?

Xiao Fan was crazy, too. How had she ever become friends with him? Had her past self been a complete idiot?

Then there was the Lin Family's annual gala. She'd been invited to perform, and after the show, Lin Ao had asked her to join him for a drink. That was perfectly normal, but she'd actually cried? Why had she cried?

The moment she saw Lin Ao, an inexplicable wave of fear had washed over her, and she'd burst into tears. Now, Xia Qiange thought her past self had been utterly unreasonable. He hadn't even done anything yet, and she'd started crying. What the hell was she crying for?

She had also seen the flash of panic in Lin Ao's eyes back then.

This wasn't her at all. What on earth had all that been?

Lin Ao had asked someone to take her backstage to rest. It seemed he'd even quietly apologized to her.

Xia Qiange's mouth twitched. Uh... actually, you hadn't done anything wrong. I was the one with the problem.

She continued remembering.

When she returned backstage, Xiao Fan would come out from inside and say coldly that he would avenge her. Then he'd toss his hair and leave.

Did he think he looked cool? And what were you avenging me for? Was there something wrong with you?

But back then, Xia Qiange had actually thought Xiao Fan was cool.

She hadn't questioned anything he did.

Xia Qiange clenched her little fists. She really wanted to slap her past self a few times.

The next day, she'd seen the news that Lin Ao had fallen from the twenty-eighth floor and died.

Xiao Fan would then show up in front of Xia Qiange and brag that he'd done it—that anyone who bullied her would meet a bad end.

"Holy crap!!! This guy's a psycho! He's a murderer!"

But after coming back the first time, she'd clearly felt that something was off. She didn't want to do those things, yet her body would act on its own, and she'd say things she didn't want to say.

Every time Lin Ao died, her vision would go dark and she'd return to the past. Everything would happen all over again, though there'd always be a few small changes. More or less, she'd see the news each time and learn how Lin Ao had died.

Sitting on the ground, Xia Qiange couldn't help mourning for Lin Ao. Was the world out to get him? She couldn't help feeling sorry for this tragic man. Was he going to die again this time?

And Xia Qiange realized this time was different. That feeling that something was off had completely disappeared.

Before, whenever Xiao Fan asked her out to eat, she'd drop whatever she was doing and go. This time, she didn't want to see Xiao Fan. She simply didn't want to meet him. She was acting entirely according to her own wishes.

Could this... be a perk she'd gained after being reborn? Could she finally change her own life?

Excitement bubbled up inside Xia Qiange. Her eyes lit up as she glanced at Lin Ao, drinking water in the kitchen.

"Pfft!!!!"

What was this? Lin Ao's status panel?

Was I brought back to protect this tragic man, Lin Ao?

Was this the mission I'd been reborn for?

Xia Qiange's thoughts ran wild.

They really had run wild!