Xia Qiange had lost the excitement she'd felt at the beginning.
She could feel the despair in this man's eyes, and his anger at Fate.
She shouldn't have told him so casually that she'd come to save Lin Ao.
Just as Lin Ao had said, what could she possibly do to save him? Were a few words really enough?
Looking back, she'd seen all sorts of different accounts in the news of how Lin Ao died.
It was hard to imagine what someone had gone through while holding on to their memories.
Her heart ached for him.
At the same time, her resolve hardened. She truly wanted to help Lin Ao.
Even if it was only a little.
"I'm sorry. I know this isn't your fault. It's just..."
Lin Ao apologized quietly in Xia Qiange's arms. He knew it wasn't her fault, but his emotions had surged up all at once, and he hadn't been able to control himself. Now that he'd let it all out, he felt much better.
Xia Qiange was the first person he'd ever confided in.
"I don't blame you. I understand."
Xia Qiange understood. If she were in his shoes, she'd have fallen apart even more.
"From now on, you can tell me anything. Even if I can't do anything for you, I can still listen."
Xia Qiange couldn't help tightening her arms around him again, gently stroking his hair.
Lin Ao didn't say anything. He just burrowed into her chest and held on tight.
The seconds ticked by.
Xia Qiange gradually began to feel that something was off. She glanced at Lin Ao's status panel.
[Character's current state/thoughts: Comfortable.]
[Character's affection: 80.]
[Character's heartbeat: 100.]
[Current goal: Keep lounging in her arms.]
[H-Index: 80.]
She rolled her eyes at Lin Ao. So you finally know how charming I am? Your H-Index is shooting through the roof!
"Is the national goddess's embrace comfortable? Aren't you going to get up?"
Lin Ao's body stiffened. With an awkward chuckle, he pulled away from Xia Qiange's embrace.
"Look at you. You've drooled all over my clothes."
Lin Ao froze. How could that be?
"Pfft! I'm teasing you!"
Xia Qiange made a little joke. Now they could have a proper talk.
The two sat on a rock by the beach, letting the cool sea breeze wash over them as they confided in each other.
"So this time, you feel like you've come back to life and can move around freely, right?"
"And you've been practicing a martial art here? So can you go beat up that piece of trash, Xiao Fan?"
Lin Ao nodded. He'd more or less mastered the divine art, but he wasn't sure whether that bastard would pull the same tricks as before when they fought—some unexpected disaster always seemed to crop up at the critical moment.
Lin Ao told Xia Qiange everything that had happened in his previous life. It turned out Xia Qiange had memories of the previous timeline, too.
"Me too! I realized I don't have to go near that disgusting Xiao Fan like some idiot anymore."
"Ugh!"
"Sorry. Just remembering him makes me feel sick. He's a psychopathic murderer!"
Xia Qiange ground her teeth, her face full of disgust.
"So this time, I want to live well."
"Actually, I should thank you. Thank you for listening to all that. You're the only one who knows I'm telling the truth. I feel so much better now. If Xiao Fan shows up, I absolutely won't let things go the way they did before."
He didn't know that several other women already knew, too. They simply hadn't laid everything out to him the way Xia Qiange had; they had too much to consider.
But Xia Qiange didn't mention the panel at all. She kept her own little secret.
Lin Ao smiled faintly, feeling as though a great weight had lifted from him. He breathed in the sea air; he'd never felt so at ease.
After hearing Lin Ao's story, Xia Qiange understood all the more why he'd been so desperate back then.
Anyone would have suffered in his place.
She watched him sit there, relaxed as he breathed in the sea air. A light had returned to his eyes—the light of hope.
She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her feelings came over her without warning, and she found herself kissing him.
It was the only thing she wanted to do right now.
Lin Ao's mind went blank at the sudden attack.
A little while later, Xia Qiange released his lips.
Her face was bright red.
"Um... I got carried away, hehe. But that was my first kiss, you know~ See you tomorrow~"
Looking at the dazed Lin Ao, Xia Qiange smiled faintly, unable to resist kissing him once more. Then she stood up and headed toward the villa.
She glanced at Lin Ao's panel and smiled with satisfaction. Looks like this lady's still got it!
This panel really doesn't lie. It updates in real time!
Lin Ao was dumbfounded. He really had no idea what went through a woman's head.
First she'd pinned him to the wall, and then she'd kissed him by force.
It reminded him of Gu Wanqing.
He shook his head hard. Gu Wanqing was much more ruthless than her. If he were still at Lin Family Manor, Gu Wanqing would have devoured him whole by now.
Lin Ao stretched and stood on the rocks, letting the sea breeze wash over him. So there really was someone else like him.
He hopped down from the rocks and walked toward the villa.
The next morning, Lin Ao didn't wake up until after ten.
He'd never slept so well.
After washing up and grabbing a bite to eat, he headed outside.
The crew was already busy.
Lighting, camera work, filming, makeup—
everyone was hard at work.
When they saw Lin Ao come out, they all greeted him warmly.
Lin Ao returned their greetings with an awkward smile. He still wasn't used to all that enthusiasm.
Xia Qiange sat in a chair while the makeup artist styled her hair.
When she saw Lin Ao come out, she greeted him with a radiant, energetic smile.
Lin Ao glanced at her, then immediately looked away. The tips of his ears were clearly red.
Damn it, Lin Ao! Is that all you've got? You got kissed, and now you can't even look her in the eye?
He cursed himself silently for being so useless.
Xia Qiange narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint in them. I smile at you, and you run away?
All right, all right!
I've got a little surprise for you later!
Xia Qiange called over the director and whispered with him for quite a while.
The director went from bewildered to shocked to thrilled!
He nodded vigorously, glancing toward Lin Ao now and then as his smile grew more and more unhinged.
Then he immediately called over the assistant director and screenwriter, asking them to join a quick meeting.
They wore the same expressions as the director.
From bewildered to shocked to thrilled!
"Director, do you think he'll agree? And if this airs, it'll definitely shock the whole country!"
The screenwriter was both worried and excited.
"Qiange said she'll talk to him. You just need to revise the script. With a hook like this, hehe..."
The three of them all looked toward Lin Ao at once, their gazes strangely intense.
Lin Ao shivered and glanced in their direction. They were all smiling at him, looking perfectly friendly.
Was I just imagining things?
Just then, Xia Qiange walked over.
Lin Ao felt a little awkward.
"You're a grown man. Why are you acting so bashful? It was my first kiss, and I'm not acting like you."
Xia Qiange spoke softly to Lin Ao, then suddenly broke into a smile.
"Lin Ao, since I gave you my first kiss, can you do me a favor?"
Lin Ao froze. You were the one who made the first move. Why do I have to do you a favor?
"Can I say no?"
Lin Ao muttered under his breath. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be anything good.
"You wouldn't dare! I haven't even told you what it is, and you're already refusing me. Don't you know that hurts a girl's feelings?"
Xia Qiange's expression changed, and there was a hint of menace in her voice.
Lin Ao was speechless. See? I knew it. These women only know how to bully people and ignore reason.
"It's fine if you won't help. I'll find another guy. Now, who should I give my on-screen first kiss to?"
Xia Qiange's attitude changed in an instant. She clasped her hands behind her back and turned to leave.
"I'll do it!!!!"
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