Li Huo leaned against the corner of the grand hallway, away from the bustling crowd. His fingers toyed with the rim of a glass as he lazily nibbled on some snacks. Sha Li, his occasional companion at these tiresome events, stood beside him, equally bored.
His gaze swept the room, taking in the finely dressed guests. The chatter was background noise until a familiar figure caught his eye in the distance.
Li Huo's hand froze mid-air, and a groan escaped his lips as he pressed a hand to his forehead. Why is she here again?
---
Fei Ran's POV
Fei Ran stepped into the room, her calm demeanor concealing the turbulence within. Her mind flashed back to earlier that day.
After returning home, she had retreated to her room, sitting in silence as the weight of her reincarnation bore down on her. Why have I come back? What is my purpose? She searched through her fragmented memories for an answer, but the effort left her head pounding.
Collapsing onto her bed like a lifeless doll, she muttered bitterly, "Is this what depression feels like? I never thought I, the majestic immortal empress, would experience such weakness."
Her bleak thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization. Fei Ran sat upright, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's start small. First, I need to forgive myself for my past mistakes. Then, I'll begin making amends to those I've wronged. Perhaps, my purpose will reveal itself along the way."
She had barely hardened her resolve when a knock sounded at the door.
"What is it?" she asked, already guessing it was one of her father's servants.
A voice from the other side confirmed her suspicion. "Miss, the old master requests your presence."
"I'll be there in a moment," she replied curtly.
After tidying herself and heading downstairs, she found her father seated in the living room, watching news footage of recent destruction caused by a so-called terrorist group. Fei Ran silently sat beside him, her expression neutral.
Her father turned to her and said, "We'll be attending the governor's daughter's wedding tonight. Dress appropriately. I'll introduce you to Jiang Chen, the second son of the Jiang family. Make sure you get along with him."
Her fists tightened, but she forced a smile. "Of course, Father."
Inside, however, her thoughts burned with resentment. "Selling me off again to further your ambitions. And all for my useless brother. Do you only see me as a tool?"
Her memories from her past life resurfaced, sharp and painful. "It was satisfying to kill you in my last life, Father, but this time I'll take a different path. I'll make up for my mistakes and live peacefully, away from your schemes."
---
Now, Fei Ran found herself at the wedding party. Her gaze swept the opulent hall until it landed on a quiet figure in the corner, casually enjoying snacks.
Her breath hitched. "Mad Demon," she muttered under her breath.
Her father raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Did you see someone familiar?"
"No, just talking to myself," she quickly replied, shaking her head.
Her eyes lingered on Li Huo, conflicted. Should she approach him? After all, their pasts were intertwined in ways he couldn't yet imagine. But her hesitation kept her rooted in place.
After several minutes of indecision, an opportunity presented itself. She spotted Hua Rong—her former martial arts instructor—near Li Huo. Fei Ran took a deep breath and approached her.
"Long time no see, Teacher Hua," she greeted warmly.
Hua Rong, dressed elegantly in a black one-piece dress, smiled at her. "Fei Ran, it's been a while. How's your martial arts training?"
"Going well, Teacher Hua," Fei Ran replied smoothly before gesturing to the group near Hua Rong. "Who are they? Your students?"
"Yes," Hua Rong nodded, motioning to them. "Li Huo, Sha Li, introduce yourselves."
---
Li Huo's POV
Li Huo's sharp gaze landed on Fei Ran as she spoke with Hua Rong. His jaw clenched. "Does she think she's clever, trying to approach me indirectly?"
The system's voice chimed in his mind, as if amused.
[She might've succeeded in fooling you if you didn't know about her rebirth.]
"Shut up," he muttered inwardly.
Hua Rong's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Li Huo, Shang Fei, introduce yourselves."
Shang Fei stepped forward, grinning. "I'm Shang Fei, a student of Instructor Hua. I'm about to enter the Bone Tempering Martial Arts realm."
Fei Ran barely glanced at him, her focus fixed on Li Huo. Shang Fei faltered, his enthusiasm turning awkward.
Li Huo stepped forward, his tone clipped. "Li Huo. Just Li Huo."
Fei Ran smiled warmly. "You're not much of a talker, are you? Don't worry, I was once a student of Teacher Hua, too. I suppose that makes me your senior. Here, take my contact information in case you ever need help."
Li Huo raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, but I don't have a mobile phone."
Fei Ran's smile faltered briefly before she turned to Hua Rong. The instructor's face was flushed with embarrassment.
"You can message me instead," Hua Rong interjected quickly. "I'll pass it along to Li Huo."
Their conversation ended as a commotion swept through the room. The bride and groom entered the hallway.
The groom exuded charisma, his dark suit gleaming under the lights, a subtle smile on his face. His eyes, however, held an unsettling charm.
The bride, in stark contrast, looked lifeless, her hollow eyes and robotic movements hinting at a sinister story.
Li Huo observed them quietly. "That guy looks like an aristocrat," he remarked inwardly.
The system confirmed his suspicions.
[He is.]
"And?" Li Huo asked.
[He's the villain.]
Li Huo's eyes narrowed. "What?"