Halfway through their meal, the conversation finally turned to the main topic.
Song Yuqing set down her utensils and looked at Lin Beifan, a hint of hope and pleading in her eyes. "Young Master Lin, I invited you out today for an important matter. I was hoping you could help me."
"What's going on? Tell me, if I can help, I will," Lin Beifan said as he also put down his utensils, his attention fully on her.
"It's like this..." Song Yuqing began to explain the troubles she was facing at the hospital.
"Our hospital is currently facing a financial strain. The amount we need to purchase for this batch of medical equipment is quite large, about 120 million! If we pay upfront, it'll severely affect the normal operation of the hospital. So, we were hoping to buy the equipment on credit.
I'm asking if Young Master Lin can help us with this—arranging for some flexibility with the terms. We promise to repay the account within six months, and we can also pay interest according to the bank's current loan rates."
Song Yuqing spoke earnestly, her tone sincere.
Lin Beifan nodded. "Alright, leave it to me."
Without further hesitation, he picked up his phone and swiftly began typing a message. After a few moments, he put the phone down and looked at her with a reassuring smile.
"I've already contacted the director of the marketing department, and they said there's no problem. Tomorrow, just bring your documents to our group and follow the necessary procedures."
Song Yuqing was momentarily stunned. "That's it?"
"Of course, it's not difficult!" Lin Beifan smiled.
"You didn't... ask for anything in return?" Song Yuqing couldn't believe it.
Lin Beifan chuckled. "What do you expect? Everyone goes through tight times. You help me, and I'll help you. Isn't that what business is all about? I believe with your leadership, Song Hospital will survive and thrive. And when that happens, don't forget to take care of our business!"
"Definitely! I'll raise a glass to you, Young Master Lin!" Song Yuqing beamed as she lifted her wine glass.
Lin Beifan raised his own glass with a smile. "Cheers!"
With the important matter resolved, Song Yuqing finally relaxed.
She gently swirled her wine glass, her gaze turning back to Lin Beifan, her smile widening.
"Mr. Lin, I've realized something—you're not at all like the rumors say."
"Rumors? What do they say about me?" Lin Beifan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Well..." Song Yuqing hesitated, her voice playful. "The legend says you're just a rich second-generation who's ignorant, spends all his time partying, and only asks his parents for money. But now, you seem completely different. You give off the vibe of a refined gentleman, a learned scholar, even a wise old man who sees through everything…"
Song Yuqing shook her head, amused. "It's just so strange! Can you tell me... which one is the real you?"
Lin Beifan smiled, his expression calm and confident. "They're all me."
Song Yuqing blinked, clearly taken aback. "All of you?"
"It's all me! I'm the ignorant rich second-generation, the gentle gentleman is me, the learned scholar is me, and the wise old man who sees it all—yep, that's me too! Basically, whatever I need to be, whatever makes me happy, I can be anyone I choose! As for what others think? I don't care. I don't live for them!"
Song Yuqing's heart fluttered slightly.
So, he was a man who lived for himself, who didn't follow others' expectations!
For some reason, as she looked at the man in front of her, she felt a subtle stir in her heart.
With a hint of embarrassment, she spoke up.
"Young Master Lin, please don't call me Miss Song. It feels too formal. Just call me Yuqing, or even Sister Song! After all, I'm older than you!"
She gave a small, playful chuckle, hoping to ease the tension.
"Then don't call me Young Master Lin. Just call me by my name, or Xiaofan works too!"
"Okay! Let's add each other on WeChat for easier contact in the future!"
"I'll scan you!"
And so, their relationship took a step forward, from strangers to friends.
They continued chatting and laughing over dinner.
However, Lin Beifan couldn't help but glance at the door of the restaurant from time to time.
Where was the male protagonist, Xiao Chen? Why hadn't he shown up yet?
At that moment, a handsome man wearing sunglasses and a hat stood at a distance, his eyes burning with jealousy.
"You two are hooking up again! Especially you, Song Yuqing—you're mine, but here you are, acting all friendly with him! What kind of woman behaves like this? In this life, I'll make sure you regret it!"
This man was none other than Xiao Chen, the male protagonist.
He was also the descendant of the infamous Ghost Doctor, and, in this timeline, Song Yuqing's fiancé.
Yes, he too had been reborn.
Xiao Chen's rebirth had sent him back to the beginning of the story, when his medical skills were just starting to take shape, and he had been planning to seek refuge with his fiancée.
Although they hadn't seen each other since childhood, the moment he laid eyes on Song Yuqing, he had claimed her as his. Seeing her out and about, he followed her to see who she was with.
To his fury, he found her laughing and talking with a handsome man, far too close for his liking.
Enraged with jealousy, Xiao Chen couldn't hold back his anger.
He believed that, with his ability and his identity as the descendant of Ghost Valley, he could easily deal with any rival, but this man—Lin Beifan—had completely outmatched him!
In every confrontation, Lin Beifan had crushed him, leaving him with nothing.
Even more maddening, his woman, Song Yuqing, slowly began to drift away from him, turning her affection toward this man.
Xiao Chen couldn't understand it.
How could an ignorant rich second-generation like Lin Beifan be so terrifying?
But then, fate had given him a second chance.
Rebirth. The ultimate privilege of the protagonist!
Now, with knowledge of the future, he was determined to take Lin Beifan down.
He swore to make him pay for everything.
"I swear on my life!"
"In this lifetime, I will make you, Lin Beifan, pay the price!"
"I'll ruin you, make you bankrupt!"
"I'll drive you to the streets to beg for your survival!"
"And when that happens, I'll make you swallow your pride, only to have you spit it back tenfold!"
"And Song Yuqing... she can only be mine!"
After making the vow, Xiao Chen's expression grew even more serious.
This was a pivotal moment in the story.
In this part of the plot, the two characters—Song Yuqing and Lin Beifan—had reached a cooperation after their dinner, and their relationship was progressing rapidly.
But for Xiao Chen to secure his place and break their bond, he needed to intervene.
The key to stopping this cooperation was to make Lin Beifan sick—preferably gravely ill.
If Lin Beifan fell ill, the Lin family would naturally blame Song Yuqing for it. And with the cooperation dissolved, Song Yuqing and the Song family would be in turmoil.
Xiao Chen, with his incredible medical skills, could swoop in and save the day. He would earn the gratitude of Song Yuqing, win her heart, and gain the full support of the Song family.
Now, with both sides still unfamiliar with each other, it was the perfect time to strike.
The plan was flawless—an opportunity he couldn't afford to waste.
His thoughts were interrupted as a small, silver needle appeared in his hand.
Doctors could save lives... but they could also take them.
All he had to do was inject that needle into Lin Beifan's skin, and everything would be over.
With the plan set in motion, Xiao Chen staggered toward them, pretending to be a drunk guest.
The noise caught Lin Beifan's attention, and he turned his head, slightly surprised.
"The protagonist, Xiao Chen, is here. How did he end up like this?" Lin Beifan thought, but then dismissed the thought.
"Whatever. Since he's here, it's the perfect opportunity to test the effect of my wish!"
Lin Beifan's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"System, I make a wish..."