As they strolled along the riverside, enjoying the night scenery, Lin Beifan cracked a joke that elicited a soft, sweet laugh from Song Yuqing.
She realized that Lin Beifan seemed to have an intuitive understanding of her, always able to engage her in conversations that brought her joy. Their interaction felt effortless and enjoyable.
Eventually, as it approached 9 pm, Song Yuqing reluctantly remarked, "It's getting late; I should head back."
"I'll walk you home," Lin Beifan offered.
"Once you drop me off, what will you do?" Song Yuqing inquired.
"For someone like me, it's too early to call it a night. The nightlife is just beginning! I've been invited out by some friends to go to Xintiandi," Lin Beifan replied with a grin.
Xintiandi, known as an entertainment hub that offers a mix of dining, drinking, and recreational activities, was on Lin Beifan's agenda for the night.
As the eldest son of the Lin family, Lin Beifan's plans made Song Yuqing feel inexplicably uneasy. Despite her attempt to dissuade him, she realized she lacked the authority to sway his decision.
Nonetheless, she persisted, "Those places can be quite chaotic. It's best to avoid them if possible."
With a hint of helplessness, Lin Beifan responded, "Where else can I go? The night is long, and I'm uncomfortable being alone. It's especially hard when there's no one to accompany me."
After a moment of contemplation, Song Yuqing suggested, "Why don't... we go see a movie together? It's a good way to pass the time, and afterwards, it'll be time to rest."
Lin Beifan's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "That's a great idea!"
The two made their way to the nearest cinema to catch a movie. As luck would have it, a popular romantic film was playing—a tale centered around love.
Inside the theater, a saleswoman seized the opportunity to peddle lavender specimens. "Sir, your girlfriend is stunning! Why not buy her a bunch of lavender? Lavender symbolizes awaiting love—it's a sign that love is on the horizon!"
Lin Beifan chuckled and shook his head. "You've got it all wrong; she's not my girlfriend."
"Stop fibbing! Who else but a couple would come to watch a love movie together? Even if you're not dating now, it's only a matter of time! Hurry up and buy her some flowers; they'll bring you good fortune!" the persistent saleswoman insisted.
Unable to decline, Lin Beifan relented and purchased a bottle of lavender, presenting it to Song Yuqing. "She was so insistent—I had no choice but to buy it! Here, this bottle of lavender is for you. Keep it on your table; it'll help lift your spirits after a long day at work."
Blushing slightly, Song Yuqing accepted the gift with a nod. Internally, she reassured herself: I'm not dating; I'm simply saving a lost youth. However, she couldn't help but tightly grip the lavender in her hand.
At that moment, Lin Beifan abruptly glanced toward the entrance.
"What's the matter?" Song Yuqing inquired, puzzled by his sudden change in demeanor.
"It's nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew..." Lin Beifan furrowed his brow. "It's probably a mistake. Don't worry about it! The movie's about to start; let's head in."
As Lin Beifan entered the movie hall, a handsome man in a security uniform emerged at the theater's entrance.
The man pressed his hands to his chest, breathing heavily. "Almost! I almost blew my cover! That's Lin Beifan for you, the chaos demon who once bested me!"
"Why am I so anxious to see him?"
"I've been reborn; he shouldn't recognize me. Why am I afraid of him?"
A bitter smile crept onto the handsome man's face. "I never imagined that even in my rebirth, the shadow in my heart still haunts me."
"But not this time!"
"God has granted me a second chance at life, and I won't squander it!"
"I will reclaim what you stole from me, piece by piece!"
"I'll make sure to get it all back and then some!"
"I will take everything—your career, your women!"
"I'll climb to the pinnacle and become a master, even if it means stepping over your corpse!"
"Lin Beifan, wait for me. We'll meet again soon!"
With a final glance at the theater, he departed gracefully.
After watching the movie, it was already 11:30. Lin Beifan escorted Song Yuqing home before heading back to his own residence to rest.
The following day, he woke up around noon. With a compassionate heart, he headed to the hospital to visit the injured protagonist.
His main focus was to keep a watchful eye on each other, while also admiring the resilience of someone who harbored animosity towards him yet couldn't defeat him. After all, the protagonist was deemed the chosen one by destiny, often favored by the gods, and capable of turning misfortune into fortune.
As a villain, it was crucial to remain vigilant, as any negligence could result in a counterattack from the protagonist. While Lin Beifan had achieved a temporary victory, he understood the importance of maintaining caution.
To his surprise, he found the protagonist's senior brother had arrived, equipped with a set of needles prepared to administer treatment using the Guigu Shenzhen technique.
"This is fortuitous; today's wish has yet to be fulfilled!" Lin Beifan grinned, clasping his hands together in prayer. "Great system, please heed my request! Today, I wish for..."