At the first sight of Gu Yingxi, Wen's description of Song Qingyun's heart that had remained silent for over twenty years suddenly came alive again. It began to race with a sudden, frantic rhythm as he practically fell in love at first glance with this girl pure as water. The previous life's Ning Yunhuan witnessed his secretly pining for Gu Yingxi while watching her from afar - starting from the beginning when Song Qingyun watched his son openly pursuing his beloved, heart-wrenching in secret, to finally receiving rejection yet unwilling to let go.

Gu Yingxi pitied his unwavering devotion and was moved by his quiet care. Amid several dominant men's aggressive claims on her, Song Qingyun's gentleness became particularly precious. As described in the previous life, Gu Yingxi developed an inexplicable affection for this older man. Under those love-struck men's unrelenting protection to ease her distress, came the melodramatic decision to let both Song Qingyun and his son share her.

But these events shouldn't have occurred now.

As Ning Yunhuan, Gu Yingxi's former companion in the previous life, was well aware of her family situation. This moment was precisely when Madam Gu Xian's illness had worsened most severely, with no money at hand yet needing to support two daughters and a son through school. In the previous life, moved by pity for Gu Yingxi, Ning Yunhuan once provided hundreds of thousands to treat Gu Xian. Later, under the guise of "self-reliance" to repay debts, Gu Yingxi requested Ning Yunhuan's help finding work at his company. She then forgot both their initial camaraderie and her vow of gratitude toward Ning Yuncheng, ultimately not only taking those hundreds of thousands but also far more!

Recollecting these past events, Ning Yunhuan's face darkened. No matter how Gu Yingxi had entangled with Song Qingyun now - none of it concerned her. Yet poor Du Ling, Song Qingyun's wife, was even worse off: not only did she lose both son and lifelong childhood sweetheart to this woman, but the gentle Song Qingyun finally left her in heartbreak, transferring their decades-long savings and investments before divorce to amass wealth for his new love - leaving middle-aged Du Ling completely destitute.

In the previous life, Ning Yunhuan had sympathized with Du Ling until she herself suffered gravely from Gu Yingxi's machinations. After dying on an experimental table, she was unaware of Du Ling's fate. One could imagine the anguish of a woman losing both beloved son and husband to some bewitched obsession, coupled with the humiliation of having her assets stripped away by Song Qingyun.

Were it not for Ning Yunhuan's eventual death indirectly caused by Gu Yingxi, who proved more tragic remained uncertain.

Gu Yingxi was an ill omen - wherever she appeared misfortune followed. Men were lured into losing their souls, reduced to beastly, deranged states through misplaced affection; women fared worse still. This girl claimed purity and virtue while committing no virtuous act, obsessively coveting others' men. Given the slightest opportunity, she'd steal husbands from under everyone's noses.

Engaging in shameless deeds yet donning a victim's mask, making true victims suffer!

None knew Gu Yingxi's true nature better than Ning Yunhan who had lived twice and suffered greatly at her hands!

What Ning Yunhuan hadn't expected was this rebirth offering an early reunion with Song Qingyun. Now that she'd distanced herself from the ill-fated Gu Yingxi, if given chance to also help Du Ling - adding a few more obstacles to Gu Yingxi's endless pursuit of handsome men - would truly justify her role as the tragic heroine in her previous life.

At this thought, Ning Yunhuan couldn't suppress a smile. Lanling Yan observed her with contemplative eyes. Watching her furrowed brows shift suddenly into laughter, he found himself uncertain about her mercurial expressions.

Recalling their limited encounters with that screen woman, Lanling Yan's excellent memory retained even minor details often overlooked. Though puzzled by Ning Yunhuan's particular focus on this woman, it was clear she'd captured attention so completely - drawing her gaze even when he stood nearby. As soon as the mysterious woman appeared, all his presence vanished from her awareness. Lanling Yan narrowed his eyes - that woman was called Gu Yingxi? The name took root in his mind.

After encountering Gu Yingxi by chance, Ning Yunhuan lost appetite for lunch. Mentally stabbing Gu Yingxi again and again, Lanling Yan had the car turned around to follow their direction.

Meanwhile, blushing Gu Yingxi remained unaware she'd already been mentally assaulted twice. She now languidly leaned against Song Qingyun's chest. Lately Xie Zhuoyin inexplicably treated her brutally, summoning her whenever his mood soured for relentless abuse. Today she was particularly drained after enduring his latest torment, and as she crossed the street worried about her mother's condition, nearly collided with Song Qingyun's car.

Though clearly at fault for jaywalking, Gu Yingxi's naturally vulnerable aura transformed her plain beauty into irresistible charm. Instead of blaming her, Song Qingyun lavished care upon her - first taking her to the hospital for checks, then insisting on making amends through dinner.

In his prime forties, Song Qingyun exuded scholar-like elegance and mature charisma that immediately endeared him to Gu Yingxi. His impeccable etiquette made her feel cherished despite her clear wrongdoing. This mature stability - qualities she'd long craved as an orphan raised solely by her mother - now overwhelmed her senses.

Nearby stood a renowned Japanese restaurant in the imperial capital. As Song Qingyun half-supported Gu Yingxi toward it, Lanling Yan tugged Ning Yunhuan from their car. The two drivers disappeared mysteriously nearby while Ning Yunhuan clutched his coat anxiously, watching the heroine ahead with conflicted eyes.