The Advance of Xia Qiange

Xia Qiange no longer felt the excitement she had at the very beginning.

She sensed despair and rage against Fate in this man's eyes.

She shouldn't have spoken so lightly about coming here to save Lin Ao.

It was just as Lin Ao had said; what did she have to save him with? Was a few words really enough?

Looking back, the ways she had seen Lin Ao die in the news were varied and bizarre.

It was hard to imagine a person experiencing so much while retaining their memories.

Her heart ached at the thought.

At the same time, her resolve hardened; she truly wanted to help Lin Ao.

Even if it was just a little bit.

"I'm sorry, I know this isn't your fault, it's just..."

Lin Ao apologized in a low voice while in Xia Qiange's arms. He knew it wasn't her fault, but his emotions had surged, and he couldn't control himself. After venting it all out, he felt much more at ease.

Xia Qiange was the first person to ever listen to his grievances.

"I don't blame you, I understand."

Xia Qiange truly understood; if it were her, she would have suffered an even greater breakdown.

"In the future, you can tell me anything. Even if I can't do much for you, I can at least be a listener."

Xia Qiange couldn't help but hug the man tighter, her palm gently stroking his hair.

Lin Ao didn't speak, remaining buried tightly against Xia Qiange's chest.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Xia Qiange gradually felt something was off and glanced at Lin Ao's status panel.

[Character Current Status/Thoughts: Comfortable.]
[Character Affection: 80.]
[Character Heart Rate: 100.]
[Current Goal: Linger in her embrace.]
[H-Index: 80.]

She rolled her eyes at Lin Ao. So, you finally realize this young lady's charm? Your H-Index is skyrocketing!

"Is the embrace of the Nation's Goddess comfortable? Aren't you going to get up yet?"

Lin Ao's body visibly stiffened, and he sheepishly pulled away from Xia Qiange's embrace.

"Look at you, you've gotten my clothes all covered in drool."

Lin Ao was stunned; how could that be possible?

"Pfft~ I'm just teasing you!"

Xia Qiange cracked a small joke; now they could have a proper conversation.

And so, the two sat on the beach rocks, letting the cool sea breeze blow over them as they confided in each other.

"So, you feel like you've 'come alive' this time and can act freely, is that it?"

"And you cultivated a technique here? Does that mean you can go beat up that piece of trash Xiao Fan now?"

Lin Ao nodded. He supposed he could call it a successful cultivation, but he didn't know if that bastard would be the same as before, with accidents always happening at critical moments when he fought Xiao Fan.

Lin Ao told Xia Qiange everything about the past; it turned out that Xia Qiange also possessed memories of the previous timelines.

"Me too! I realized I don't have to act like an idiot and interact with that disgusting Xiao Fan anymore."

"Ugh~"

"Sorry, I feel a bit nauseous just thinking about him. He's a psychopathic murderer!"

Xia Qiange gritted her teeth, her face full of disgust.

"So, this time, I want to live properly."

"Actually, I should thank you. Thank you for listening to me. Only you would know that I'm not lying. I feel much better now. If Xiao Fan comes, I definitely won't be like I was before."

He didn't know that several other women already knew, but unlike Xia Qiange, they hadn't laid their cards on the table with Lin Ao; they had too many concerns.

However, Xia Qiange didn't mention the panel at all, keeping her own little secrets.

Lin Ao smiled faintly. He felt a sense of relief, and as the sea breeze blew, he had never felt so at ease in his heart.

After listening to Lin Ao's account, Xia Qiange could feel even more deeply why he had been so desperate back then.

It wouldn't be easy for anyone in his position.

She watched him now, enjoying the sea breeze with a look of contentment, and a new light was rekindled in his eyes—it was called hope.

She gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and overcome by a sudden surge of emotion, she couldn't help but kiss the man.

She only wanted to do this one thing right now.

Lin Ao's brain short-circuited from the sudden attack.

After a moment, Xia Qiange let go of Lin Ao's lips.

Xia Qiange's face was flushed red.

"That... just a moment of impulse, hehehe. But that was my first kiss, you know~ See you tomorrow~"

Watching the dazed Lin Ao, Xia Qiange smiled slightly, couldn't help but kiss him again, then stood up and walked toward the villa.

Looking at Lin Ao's panel, she revealed a satisfied smile. It seems this lady still has plenty of charm!

This panel truly doesn't deceive me; it updates in real-time!

Lin Ao was stunned. He really had no idea what was going on inside a woman's head.

First she pins him against the wall, then she forces a kiss.

This reminded him of Gu Wanqing.

He shook his head vigorously. Gu Wanqing was much more ruthless than her; if he were still at the Lin Family Manor, he would have been devoured and wiped clean by Gu Wanqing long ago.

Lin Ao stretched, stood on the rock, and let the sea breeze blow over him. So, there was someone else just like him.

He jumped off the rock and walked toward the villa.

The next morning, Lin Ao didn't wake up until past 10 o'clock.

Last night was arguably the most comfortable sleep he had ever had.

After washing up and grabbing a quick bite, he headed out.

The film crew was already busy at work.

Lighting, cinematography, video recording, and makeup.

Everyone was working with great intensity.

When they saw Lin Ao come out, they all greeted him enthusiastically.

Lin Ao returned an awkward smile; he still wasn't quite used to this kind of warmth.

Xia Qiange was sitting in a chair while a makeup artist styled her hair.

Seeing Lin Ao emerge, she gave him a smile full of energy.

Lin Ao took one look and immediately looked away, the roots of his ears noticeably red.

Damn it, Lin Ao, is this all the backbone you have? You got kissed and now you can't even look her in the eye?

He cursed himself inwardly for being so pathetic.

Xia Qiange's eyes narrowed slightly with a hint of danger. I smile and you run?

Fine, fine, fine!

I have a little surprise for you later!

Xia Qiange called the director over and whispered to him for quite a while.

The director went from astonishment to shock, and then to excitement!

He nodded vigorously, glancing toward Lin Ao from time to time, his smile becoming increasingly twisted.

Then, he immediately called the assistant director and the screenwriter over for a quick meeting.

Their expressions mirrored the director's.

From astonishment to shock, and then to excitement!

"Director, will he agree to this? And if this airs, it will definitely shock the whole country!"

The screenwriter was both worried and excited.

"Qiange said she'll handle him; you guys just make the changes. Once this gimmick drops, hehehe."

The group of them looked at Lin Ao simultaneously, their gazes extremely strange.

Lin Ao couldn't help but shiver. He looked in their direction and found their smiles to be full of "kindness."

Was that just my imagination?

At this moment, Xia Qiange walked over.

Lin Ao felt slightly unnatural.

"Why are you acting so coy, you big man? That was my first kiss, and even I'm not acting like you."

Xia Qiange said softly to Lin Ao, then suddenly beamed.

"Lin Ao, for the sake of my first kiss, can you do me a favor?"

Lin Ao was stunned for a moment. You were the one who initiated it, so why do you need me 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 dare? I haven't even told you what it is yet, and you're already refusing me. Don't you know that's very hurtful to a girl's feelings?"

Xia Qiange's expression shifted, carrying a hint of a threat.

Lin Ao was speechless. See? He knew these women were nothing but unreasonable.

"If you won't help, that's fine. I'll just find another guy. Who should I give this first on-screen kiss to, I wonder?"

Xia Qiange suddenly changed her attitude, clasping her hands behind her back as she turned to leave.

"I'll do it!!!!"