Heavenly Mandate Philanthropist!

The camera focused on Xia Qiange, her tearful expression perfectly executed.

She walked with a faltering gait toward Lin Ao, extending trembling hands as if wanting to touch him.

Hearing the movement behind him, Lin Ao turned around and was startled to see Xia Qiange wearing that expression.

His face showed surprise, a bit of bewilderment, and panic.

What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do right now? What am I acting?

"Yes, yes, yes, yes! Just like that, excellent! That's the exact natural state I wanted."

The director shouted excitedly into his walkie-talkie. Because giving Lin Ao specific instructions would only make his expressions stiff, the director had intentionally told him nothing—not even when filming started—just to keep his reactions as natural as possible.

When Xia Qiange saw Lin Ao turn around, she covered her mouth with both hands, tears spilling from her eyes, unstoppable.

"Qiange's acting is truly incredible."

The entire crew was moved by Xia Qiange's performance, their own eyes welling up.

Lin Ao felt even more at a loss, his hands hovering in panic, unsure whether he should touch her.

"Mr. Lin is playing off her perfectly here too!"

The crowd praised him from the sidelines, unaware that Lin Ao wasn't "playing off her" well—he was genuinely confused and panicked.

Xia Qiange tremblingly reached out both hands and placed them gently on Lin Ao's face, her expression full of heartache, her small lips quivering.

"I finally found you~"

Looking at Xia Qiange, Lin Ao was completely blank. Am I supposed to say something?

He was just about to speak.

"This is the moment, it's all on you, Qiange!"

The director watched the monitor nervously from the side.

Just as Lin Ao's lips parted, as if to speak, Xia Qiange suddenly stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, hitting the mark perfectly on his about-to-speak mouth.

Lin Ao's eyes widened; that look of bewilderment, surprise, and shock appeared naturally on his face.

The setting sun fell right between the two, and the sea breeze gently brushed past, stirring their hair.

"Cut!!!!! Perfect!!!! One take! Absolutely perfect, Qiange and Lin Ao were both amazing!"

The director danced with excitement; this shot was exactly what he had envisioned.

Just as he was about to run over to tell them they were done, he stopped halfway, stunned—the two of them were still lost in a passionate kiss.

The director made a quiet gesture to retreat, tactfully signaling the others to leave the scene silently.

Lin Ao went from his initial confusion and surprise to finally becoming fully immersed, until both of them felt breathless and slowly pulled apart.

They were both breathing heavily. A sliver of the setting sun remained, and the sea breeze made Xia Qiange feel a bit cold, causing her body to shiver involuntarily.

Lin Ao gently turned Xia Qiange around and wrapped his arms around her from behind, shielding her from the sea breeze.

Resting his chin on Xia Qiange's shoulder, Lin Ao whispered a thank you in her ear.

Thanking her for appearing, thanking her for letting him know he wasn't alone, and thanking her for letting him pour out all his pent-up emotions.

"You're welcome. Remember to repay me later, okay~ Young Master Lin~"

Xia Qiange closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth of Lin Ao's embrace.

Everything was understood without a word.

The sun set completely, and night fell.

Lin Ao and Xia Qiange slowly returned to the crew's camp. Everyone's faces were full of teasing, and Lin Ao scratched his head, feeling awkward under their gazes.

"It seems Mr. Lin and Qiange got a little too deep into character. Hahahaha."

"That's professionalism for you. I never knew Mr. Lin was such a good actor."

"That kiss scene made my heart race~"

"Exactly, exactly~"

The director and the crew teased them from the sidelines.

"Alright, you lot, what if you scare Mr. Lin? Can't you see he looks like he's about to turn and run?"

Xia Qiange covered her mouth and laughed, watching Lin Ao, who was indeed about to flee. Was this man really so thin-skinned?

The group ate dinner in a joyful atmosphere, and Lin Ao gradually began to blend in. Unlike last time, his entire demeanor had relaxed.

He began to enjoy these moments, a smile subconsciously tugging at the corner of his mouth. Xia Qiange looked at Lin Ao in that moment and smiled as well.

After dinner, everyone went back to rest.

The shoot, originally scheduled for two days, had been completed in just one.

Xia Qiange's team prepared to return to Jianghai City to finish the MV editing as soon as possible.

Lin Ao and Xia Qiange strolled along the beach.

"Lin Ao, are you really not coming back with us?"

Xia Qiange had originally wanted to invite Lin Ao to return to the center of Jianghai City with her, but Lin Ao refused.

"You go back first. I still have some things to do, and I'll head back on my own in a few days."

Xia Qiange suddenly thought of something, stopped in her tracks, and turned her head to look at Lin Ao.

"Lin Ao, don't do anything stupid."

Xia Qiange was worried that Lin Ao would immediately rush off to risk his life now that he had achieved some success in his cultivation, which would be a total suicide mission.

"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 last time, so why would I run off to seek revenge alone now that I'm only at the Grandmaster level? I have my own plan."

Lin Ao felt a warmth in his heart. Although Xia Qiange couldn't help him with much, having someone by his side to confide in and care for him was already enough.

"Tch~ I'm just afraid that I'll have to start all over again. I don't even know if I'd be able to break free from those damn shackles like I did this time."

Watching Xia Qiange's cute, insincere expression, Lin Ao smiled softly and gently took her hand.

"Thank you, Xia Qiange. I'm not the same Lin Ao I used to be. I'm very confident about dealing with Xiao Fan when I go back this time."

Lin Ao looked at Xia Qiange with deep affection, and the atmosphere shifted in an instant.

Xia Qiange slowly closed her eyes, and Lin Ao leaned forward, eyeing those alluring lips, ready to savor them properly.

"Ding--!"

"Ding--!", "Ding--!", "Ding--!".

Xia Qiange suddenly opened her eyes, her face flushing with embarrassment, and she walked to the side.

Lin Ao's body stiffened. Who was sending messages to interrupt his good time right now?

Xia Qiange remembered that Lin Ao had a fiancée, and she couldn't help but feel like she was acting as the "other woman."

Although Lin Ao said this engagement wasn't something he wanted, thinking about it now still made her feel uncomfortable.

"It's probably your... fiancée looking for you. You two talk; I'll head back first."

After saying that, Xia Qiange hurried away.

Lin Ao felt like crying. He was so close to succeeding; this was the first time he had ever wanted to take the initiative to get close to a girl.

He took out his phone to check.

There were messages not only from Gu Wanqing but also from Qin Yun.

Am I a scumbag? Lin Ao felt like he was acting like a scumbag. Although he was passive at times, he was still enjoying it.

He fell into a mental conflict. He had said he wanted to pursue his own "white moonlight" and stay away from those women, but it seemed things weren't turning out that way.

He had gone off track himself, so should he pull back and correct his course...

Heavenly Mandate, residing within Lin Ao, pursed its lips and smiled. Oh, Lin Ao, Lin Ao, I gave you the chance, but you didn't know how to use it!

It smiled inscrutably. Let me give you a hand and let you indulge yourself properly.

A very faint surge of emotional energy circled through Lin Ao's mind and then vanished.

It slightly nudged Lin Ao to face his true inner thoughts; sometimes, having too many concerns was actually bad for oneself.

As for the specific decision, it would still depend on what Lin Ao chose.

Lin Ao lowered his head and pondered for a while, then shook his head. A scumbag?

No, I should be a great philanthropist. Isn't this me saving them? If it weren't for me, they would have been deceived by those people long ago.

Once this thought appeared, Lin Ao couldn't stop it.

Like a fierce tsunami, it invaded his entire mind.

His aura changed abruptly.

Why should a person live their life in fear, especially when I have more than one life?

A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes.

His fingers tapped rapidly on his phone.

He clicked send on multiple messages one after another.

Then, he looked back in the direction Xia Qiange had left, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

The emotions within Lin Ao were constantly amplified, and he took a deep breath.

He slowly began to walk in the direction Xia Qiange had left.

Heavenly Mandate nodded secretly.

[It seems you have made your choice. I support you!]