Chapter 8: I'm Not On a Date, I'm Saving a Lost Soul!

And so, the two of them enjoyed a delightful dinner together.

Afterward, they took a leisurely stroll along the riverbank, simultaneously aiding digestion and appreciating the beauty of the riverside night view.

Lin Beifan was cracking jokes, eliciting from Song Yuqing soft and pleasant laughter.

She found that the young heir of the Lin family, who stood before her, seemed to understand her incredibly well. He always managed to strike up conversations about topics that intrigued her the most, lifting her spirits. Conversing with him felt effortless and comfortable.

As the clock struck 9 PM, Song Yuqing spoke reluctantly, "It's getting late; I should head home."

"I'll walk you back," Lin Beifan offered.

"And what about you? What are your plans? Heading straight back to rest?" Song Yuqing inquired.

"As a young man of affluence, it's too early for me to call it a night! The night has just begun. Some of my friends have invited me to Xintiandi for some fun."

'Xintiandi' refers to an entertainment hub replete with opportunities for dining, drinking, and all manner of amusement—a nightlife hotspot, so to speak.

For Lin Beifan, the scion of the wealthy Lin family, frequenting such places was a normal occurrence.

However, a sense of discomfort washed over Song Yuqing upon hearing this.

She wanted to advise him against it but realized she wasn't in a position to do so. Nonetheless, she spoke up, "Those places can be chaotic; it's best to avoid them if possible."

"Where else could I go?" Lin Beifan retorted, somewhat helplessly. "The nights are long, and I'm not one to cope well with loneliness. Being alone makes me incredibly uneasy."

Song Yuqing thought for a moment, "How about we watch a movie then? By the time it ends, it'll be about time to turn in."

Lin Beifan's eyes lit up, "Great idea!"

They headed to the nearest cinema, where a blockbuster romantic film centered around the story of lavender was currently showing.

At the theater, they encountered an enthusiastic saleswoman zealously promoting lavender specimens.

"Sir, your girlfriend is so beautiful! How could you not buy a bunch of lavender for her? Lavender symbolizes the anticipation of love; it means love is on its way!"

Lin Beifan shook his head, smiling, "You're mistaken; she's not my girlfriend…"

"Nonsense! Who would watch a romantic movie if they're not dating? You're clearly on a date! Even if you're not together now, you will be! So, go ahead and buy her the flowers; they'll bring you good fortune!"

Unable to fend off the pushy saleswoman, Lin Beifan ended up purchasing a bottle of lavender for Song Yuqing.

"The salesperson was so insistent that I had no choice but to buy it. Here, this bottle of lavender is for you. You can keep it on your desk; it'll lift your spirits during work."

"Mm-hmm," Song Yuqing nodded, her cheeks flushed.

She silently told herself that she was not on a date but rather, saving a misguided youth. Yet, her hands tightly gripped the bottle of lavender.

Just then, Lin Beifan abruptly turned his head towards the entrance.

"What's the matter?" Song Yuqing asked, puzzled.

"Nothing much, I thought I saw someone I know," Lin Beifan frowned. "I must be mistaken; let's not worry about it. The movie is about to start; let's go in."

After Lin Beifan and Song Yuqing entered the theater, a handsome man dressed in a security uniform appeared at the cinema entrance.

The handsome man in the security uniform pressed his hand to his chest, panting, "That was close! Almost got caught by Lin Beifan, the very devil who once defeated me!"

"Wait, why should I be afraid to encounter him?"

"I've been reincarnated; he shouldn't recognize me. What am I afraid of?"

A bitter smile spread across the handsome man's face, "To think that even after reincarnating, I still haven't shaken off my inner demons."

"But not this time!"

"Heaven has granted me a second chance at life, and I must seize the opportunity to redeem myself."

"Everything you took from me, I'll reclaim it piece by piece!"

"I'll even take back more than you took from me!"

"I'll take away your business, your women, everything!"

"I'll ascend to the peak, stepping over your corpse, and become the epitome of success!"

"Lin Beifan, wait for me; we'll meet again soon!"

Finally, he took one last glance at the movie theater and left with poise.

After the movie ended, it was already 11:30 PM. Lin Beifan escorted Song Yuqing back to her home, and he too returned to his own abode for some rest.

The next day, he didn't rise until noon.

Afterwards, he went to the hospital to visit the 'mummy protagonist'—a name he'd given to a particular individual—with a heart full of concern.

His primary motive was to keep a close eye on the man, all the while relishing the fact that though the man detested him, he was powerless to do anything about it.

This was because his adversary was a 'Chosen One', perpetually favored by destiny, turning trials into blessings and perils into fortunes.

Being a villain himself, Lin Beifan knew that he must stay vigilant; otherwise, he risked being countered by his opponent.

Even though he was currently winning, he knew it was crucial to maintain this alertness.

Upon arrival, he noticed that the protagonist's elder martial brother had already arrived.

The elder brother had brought a set of acupuncture needles, ready to administer an esoteric technique known as 'Guigu's Divine Needles' to heal the protagonist.

"Just in time, I haven't made my wish for today yet."

Lin Beifan smirked, clasping his hands in a devout prayer, "Great System, lend me your ears for my heartfelt wish. Today, I wish unto you…"