The camera cut to Xia Qiange, her tearful expression perfectly capturing the moment.
She stumbled slowly toward Lin Ao, reaching out with trembling hands, wanting to touch him.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Lin Ao turned around. Xia Qiange's expression startled him.
Surprise, uncertainty, and panic all flickered across his face.
What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do now? What should I act like?
"Yes, yes, yes! That's it. Perfect! This natural, just like that!"
The director shouted excitedly into the walkie-talkie. He'd deliberately avoided discussing the scene with Lin Ao, knowing that giving him directions would only make his expression stiff. So he hadn't told him anything—not even that filming had started. He'd simply let Lin Ao stay in his most natural state.
When Xia Qiange saw Lin Ao turn around, she covered her mouth with both hands. Tears spilled from her eyes, and once they started, they wouldn't stop.
"Qiange's acting is really good."
The entire crew was moved by Xia Qiange's performance, their eyes growing moist.
Lin Ao was even more flustered. His hands shook, and he didn't know whether he should reach out to her.
"Mr. Lin's reaction is great too!"
Everyone praised him from the sidelines. But Lin Ao wasn't acting well—he was genuinely confused and panicked.
Trembling, Xia Qiange reached out and gently placed both hands on Lin Ao's face. Her expression was full of tenderness, her lips quivering.
"I finally found you~"
Lin Ao stared at Xia Qiange, completely at a loss. Am I supposed to say something?
He was just about to speak.
"This is it! It's all up to you now, Qiange!"
The director watched the scene on the monitor, tense with anticipation.
Lin Ao's lips moved as if he were about to speak. Suddenly, Xia Qiange rose onto her toes and kissed him, landing squarely on the lips he was about to part.
Lin Ao's eyes widened. The bewilderment, surprise, and stunned look on his face came naturally.
The setting sun slipped between them. The sea breeze brushed by, stirring their hair.
"Cut!!!!! Perfect!!!! One take! That was absolutely perfect! Qiange and Lin Ao, you were both amazing!"
The director danced around in excitement. The scene had matched exactly what he'd envisioned.
He was about to hurry over and tell them they'd nailed it, but halfway there, he froze. The two of them were still kissing, lost in each other.
The director quietly motioned for everyone to retreat and tactfully ushered the crew away from the set without a sound.
Lin Ao went from confusion and surprise to losing himself in the kiss. They only slowly parted when they could hardly breathe.
Both of them were panting. A final sliver of sunlight remained, and the sea breeze made Xia Qiange feel cold. Her body shivered despite herself.
Lin Ao gently turned Xia Qiange around and wrapped his arms around her from behind, shielding her from the wind.
Resting his chin on her shoulder, Lin Ao whispered his thanks in her ear.
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for letting Lin Ao know he wasn't alone. Thank you for giving him the chance to pour out all his feelings.
"You're welcome. Just remember to repay me someday, Young Master Lin~"
Xia Qiange closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Lin Ao's embrace.
Everything was understood without a word.
The sun sank below the horizon, and night fell.
Lin Ao and Xia Qiange slowly returned to the crew's camp. Everyone had teasing grins on their faces, and Lin Ao scratched his head, embarrassed under their gaze.
"Looks like Mr. Lin and Qiange really got into character. Hahahaha!"
"That's what you call professionalism. I never knew Mr. Lin could act so well."
"That kissing scene had my heart pounding the whole time~"
"Exactly~"
The director and crew teased them from the sidelines.
"Alright, you guys. What if you scare Mr. Lin? Can't you see he's about to turn around and run?"
Xia Qiange covered her mouth with a laugh as she watched Lin Ao turn to flee. Was this guy really that thin-skinned?
The crew ate dinner in a cheerful mood, and Lin Ao gradually joined in. Unlike last time, he finally relaxed.
He began to enjoy the moment, a smile unconsciously tugging at the corners of his mouth. Xia Qiange glanced at him and smiled too.
After dinner, everyone returned to their lodgings to rest.
The shoot had originally been scheduled to take two days, but they'd finished it in one.
Xia Qiange's team was preparing to head back to Jianghai City to finish editing the music video as soon as possible.
Lin Ao and Xia Qiange strolled along the beach.
"Lin Ao, you really aren't coming back with us?"
Xia Qiange had wanted to invite Lin Ao back with her to downtown Jianghai City, but he'd refused.
"You go back first. I still have some things to take care of. I'll head back on my own in a few days."
Xia Qiange suddenly thought of something. She stopped and turned to look at Lin Ao.
"Lin Ao, don't do anything stupid."
She was worried that now that his cultivation had improved, he'd rush off to fight someone and get himself killed. It would be like delivering himself right to their doorstep.
"What, worried about me? Don't worry. I'm not that stupid. I couldn't kill them even when I was at the True Martial Realm. Now I'm only a Grandmaster. Why would I go after him alone? I have a plan of my own."
Warmth filled Lin Ao's heart. Xia Qiange might not be able to help him with anything, but having someone by his side who would listen and care was already enough.
"Hmph~ I'm just afraid I'll have to start all over again, and I don't know if I'll be able to break free of that damn constraint like I did this time."
Watching Xia Qiange act all tough while clearly caring, Lin Ao gave a soft laugh and gently took her hand.
"Thank you, Xia Qiange. I'm not the same Lin Ao I used to be. I have every confidence I'll deal with Xiao Fan when I go back this time."
Lin Ao looked at Xia Qiange with deep affection, and the mood between them shifted.
Xia Qiange slowly closed her eyes. Lin Ao leaned toward her too, gazing at those tempting lips, ready to savor them again.
"Ding—!"
"Ding!", "Ding!", "Ding!"
Xia Qiange suddenly opened her eyes, her face flushed, and stepped aside.
Lin Ao stiffened. Who would send him a message and interrupt him at a time like this?
Xia Qiange remembered that Lin Ao had a fiancée. Why did it feel like she was knowingly becoming the other woman?
Though Lin Ao had said the engagement wasn't something he'd agreed to, just thinking about it still made her feel uneasy.
"I'm guessing that's your... fiancée looking for you. You two talk. I'll head back first."
With that, Xia Qiange hurried away.
Lin Ao felt like crying. He'd almost gotten there! This was the first time he'd wanted to take the initiative and get close to a girl.
He took out his phone and looked at it.
There were messages not only from Gu Wanqing, but also from Qin Yun.
Could I be a scumbag? Lin Ao felt as though he was turning into one. Even if some of it happened against his will, he was still enjoying it.
He was caught in a contradiction. He'd said he would seek out his own moonlight and stay away from women, but things didn't seem to be going that way anymore.
He'd gone off course too. Should he rein himself in and set things right...?
The Heavenly Mandate smiled to itself. Lin Ao, Lin Ao, I gave you a chance, and you couldn't make use of it!
It smiled mysteriously. Let me give you a hand, then. Go on—indulge yourself for once.
A faint wisp of emotional energy circled through Lin Ao's mind and vanished.
It only nudged him to face what he truly felt. Sometimes, worrying too much did more harm than good.
The final decision was still Lin Ao's to make.
Lin Ao lowered his head and pondered for a while, then shook it. A scumbag?
No. I should be a great benefactor. I'm saving them, aren't I? If it weren't for me, they'd have been tricked by those people long ago.
Once that thought took hold, Lin Ao couldn't stop it.
Like a raging tsunami, it swept through his every thought.
His aura shifted in an instant.
Why spend a whole lifetime living in fear? Besides, I have more than one lifetime.
A glint flashed in his eyes.
His fingers flew across his phone.
He tapped send on message after message.
Then he turned to look in the direction Xia Qiange had gone, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
The emotions within Lin Ao continued to swell. He drew a deep breath.
Then he slowly walked in the direction Xia Qiange had gone.
The Heavenly Mandate nodded to itself.
[Looks like you've made your choice. I support you!]
Before you continue