Yaoyao was silent for a moment, then asked, "Speaking of which, even though you mentioned wanting to see him last time, what exactly are you planning? Don't tell me you want to set him up with Lin Xiaoke. You should know what kind of relationship those two have, Hong Ling?"

Indeed, although the body currently belonged to Lin Xiaoke, the soul inhabiting it was Hong Ling's.

After a bout of weeping, Hong Ling calmed down and said, "Of course not. I haven't even dated anyone myself, so how could I try to pair up others? I just wanted to test him."

"Test?"

"Yes. Since he is about to awaken, naturally I need to confirm the extent of his awakening. This kind of thing can only be judged through direct contact. So, I borrowed Lin Xiaoke's body, pretending to admire him. That way, as soon as he reveals his true nature, it will be clear, and I can prepare a series of countermeasures," Hong Ling stated proudly.

"..." Yaoyao was speechless again. She finally understood the entire situation. Although during yesterday's conversation, it seemed Yi Ren showed the most emotional fluctuation upon learning Lin Luo was close to awakening, the one truly worried was Hong Ling, who appeared outwardly calm.

The talk about needing to prepare mentally beforehand was clearly Hong Ling telling herself that. Thinking of this, Yaoyao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although she felt Hong Ling was overreacting a bit, she still understood her emotionally. Given Hong Ling’s usually somewhat naive personality, she was the easiest to fool and the easiest to bully, having been tricked around countless times by that scoundrel, almost developing a psychological scar.

"But, won't doing this cause trouble for Lin Xiaoke?" Yaoyao asked.

"That’s nothing to worry about. I'll stop before it gets too far," Hong Ling replied dismissively.

Starting off by talking about marriage—was that stopping before it got too far?

Yaoyao felt awkward, then asked again, "So, did you manage to test anything just now?"

Hong Ling frowned. "Hmm, I haven't felt any signs of it yet. For now, he seems like a relatively decent person... Sigh, if only he could always be like this."

"No, no, you're wrong. He is not decent at all," Yaoyao immediately negated.

"Is that so?" Hong Ling paused, but quickly a sinister smile spread across her face, like a blackened fox. "If that's the case, then I must make him expose his true colors even more. Firstly, I can understand his current state, and secondly, I can get some revenge while I’m at it. It's killing two birds with one stone... Hey, Yaoyao, tell me what to do next."

"I really can't do anything about you," Yaoyao sighed helplessly. "Alright, then listen carefully. First, your acting must be convincing. The way you were just now was far too fake. He must already be suspicious of you and on guard. So, next you need to..."

Ten minutes later, their conversation ended. Lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, Yaoyao mused: According to her plan, as long as nothing unexpected happened, she could definitely trick Lin Luo. But Hong Ling was currently using Lin Xiaoke's body, and Lin Xiaoke and Lin Luo had such a relationship...

"It might turn into a very terrible situation. Oh well, it’s not my business anyway."

With that, Yaoyao resolutely stopped thinking about it and comfortably pulled the covers over her head to sleep.

Meanwhile, Hong Ling, having received the master plan from Yaoyao, the cunning advisor, finally returned to that private room. However, unlike before, she no longer acted so enthusiastic. Instead, she sat opposite Lin Luo with deliberate reserve, burying her head in her drink, bashful like a demure young wife.

What was this one trying to pull now?

Lin Luo was utterly bewildered by Lin Xiaoke's sudden change. During the time she stepped out, he had thoughtfully considered things, but no matter how he thought, he still couldn't figure out her intentions. But one thing was certain... Lin Xiaoke's ambition was clearly not focused on the tea.

"Why aren't you talking anymore?" After a moment, Lin Luo finally broke the silence.

Good, he initiated contact. Step one, success!

Hong Ling cheered inwardly, but outwardly, she replied, "I... I'm reflecting."

"Reflecting?"

"Mhm. I know my earlier abruptness caused you a lot of trouble, so I feel very sorry."

"Oh, that's nothing major," Lin Luo smiled indifferently. "It's just that such a sudden shift in your personality surprised me a little."

"You noticed!?" Hong Ling abruptly lifted her head and asked in shock.

It would be strange if I didn't notice! Lin Luo grumbled internally.

"Yes. The old you was quieter, but today you’re unexpectedly lively. It feels like two different people."

"So that’s how it is... Sigh," Hong Ling let out a low sigh, her melancholic expression hiding her inner excitement. "Actually, I have a secret. I originally didn't plan to tell anyone, but since you already discovered it, there’s no need for me to hide it anymore..."

Saying this, Hong Ling gazed intently at Lin Luo. "Actually, I have a split personality."

"Split personality?"

"Mhm," Hong Ling nodded. "Once upon a time, I was a normal person, but then one day, due to an accident, I suddenly developed a split personality. The quiet me you speak of is the primary personality, and the one now is the secondary personality. I always hid beneath the primary personality, but because we both love the same person, and the primary personality’s rigid nature prevented her from confessing her feelings, the pain of this longing accumulated until the secondary personality finally erupted."

Does this feel like I’m listening to a story?

Lin Luo muttered internally. His first instinct was to suspect Lin Xiaoke was deceiving him, but then he thought that the possibility of it being true was quite high. After all, the initial Lin Xiaoke wasn't a 'three-no' character; she was lively and intellectual. It was only after the sacrifice that she became the 'three-no' version serving Gaia. Thus, an increase in her cultivation realm potentially reviving, or even slightly altering, her original personality wasn't impossible... Moreover, this could explain the drastic difference between her previous and current demeanor.

"Then, the person you both like?" Lin Luo asked knowingly.

Good, he believes it. Step two, success!

Hong Ling felt smug internally but kept her expression neutral. With delicate steps, she used the atmosphere to her advantage, moving to sit next to Lin Luo, taking his hand, and gazing at him with deep affection. "Of course, it’s you. As soon as I gained control of this body, I couldn't wait to see you, but I've been too busy with official duties until today. Seeing you again made me incredibly excited. My long-suppressed feelings erupted, and I couldn't control my impulse, which is why I behaved so improperly before. Actually... I am quite ladylike."

After saying this, Hong Ling shyly lowered her head.

Lin Luo didn't see her being ladylike; he just felt she was a bit infatuated.

"But I'm still a little confused. If what you say is true, you... both of you have liked me for a long time. When exactly did it start?"

"The first time we met, love at first sight!" Hong Ling said without hesitation. She had just claimed to be ladylike, yet now she said this without a hint of blushing or shyness.

As for Lin Luo, he was slightly stunned when he heard that sentence.

He certainly wasn't a fool, nor was he easily swayed by emotion. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so guarded when beautiful women threw themselves at him earlier. But hearing Lin Xiaoke’s words, he instinctively recalled their very first meeting... Back then, Lin Xiaoke was the type who was graceful and proper among girls, yet facing him, she became extremely reserved in both speech and action. This contrast was quite incongruous.

At that time, he had pondered the reason for Lin Xiaoke's attitude, but a series of crises had left him no extra time to investigate. After that, they had almost no opportunity to interact until today, leaving it an unsolved mystery.

But!

If what Lin Xiaoke said now was true—that it was because she liked him—then the situation back then could be interpreted as a young girl's shyness.

Although love at first sight is rare, it clearly exists.

With plausible reasoning, Lin Luo somewhat believed Lin Xiaoke’s story.

However, how he should respond next was a matter of great significance. Setting aside the sudden rush of emotion, he still had to deal with numerous other hosts, with undercurrents swirling fiercely. If he got entangled with Lin Xiaoke, the King of this world, he would truly be thrown into a veritable Shura field.

It seems he no longer harbors much suspicion. Very good, then comes the decisive blow!

Hong Ling observed the expression on Lin Luo’s face, thinking, and before Lin Luo could respond, she suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it against her chest.

Lin Luo was instantly dumbfounded.

"Did you feel my heartbeat?" Hong Ling said softly.

Honestly, Lin Luo didn't feel her heartbeat; he only felt the soft, warm touch beneath his palm. The whole man was stunned.

But what shocked him even more was yet to come.

The 'Lin Xiaoke' who displayed her 'feelings' had clearly abandoned her ladylike restraint and acted wild and unrestrained. After being forcefully groped, and before Lin Luo could react, she leaned forward and pushed him onto the sofa, then pressed her crimson lips fiercely against his.

"Mmph...!!"

In that instant, Lin Luo's mind went blank.

He knew the secondary personality of Lin Xiaoke was bold, but he never expected her to be this audacious.

PS: I updated 20,000 characters yesterday, but the monthly tickets received are pitifully few. I understood when updates were sparse and tickets were few, but now, with such an intense burst of activity, I still can't get monthly tickets. I don't know what's going on? Now, there are only 13 hours left, and I still need 87 more monthly tickets. Among the 600-plus readers who follow the updates daily, only 87 readers need to cast just one vote each. Eighty-seven monthly tickets—is that truly impossible to get????