"Pfft"—

Lin Hai almost spat out the food he had just put in his mouth.

This... is too wild, isn't it?

Why are young people so open these days?

His worldview was obviously shaken quite a bit, and even after several deep breaths, he still felt aftershocks.

"Gratitude is a thing, you saved my life, helped me a lot, and even solved my emotional knots. It's only right for big sis to make you feel good a few times."

Yang Xinyi laughed mischievously, bringing her delicate little face closer to Lin Hai, and said.

"Gulp"

A mouthful of saliva was swallowed hard.

Lin Hai quickly pulled away: "Men and women should keep a respectful distance."

"Right, the next line is, if you kiss, you should get married." Yang Xinyi flicked her little tongue and gave Lin Hai a deliberate seductive wink.

"I'm an upright person!"

Someone stated righteously.

"I know, you're both upright and straight!"

"... Can I not enjoy a simple meal in peace anymore?" Lin Hai was on the brink of tears.

This little girl was just on the brink of life and death moments ago, and now she's enticing in every way. How is one supposed to hold back?

"Haha, just teasing you. I can see you're a good, honest man."

Yang Xinyi swept away her earlier allure and nodded seriously, while her gaze at Lin Hai showed even more appreciation.

"I've decided. From now on, I will pull myself together and realize all my fashion design ideas in my head, striving to surpass my mentor and show them that I, Yang Xinyi, am undefeated."

The young girl clenched her fist.

Lin Hai nodded: "Fashion design, huh? I have some thoughts on that. When I'm free some other day, let's discuss it deeply."

"Oh? You understand fashion design too?" Yang Xinyi was quite surprised.

Especially since Lin Hai was dressed like a construction worker, how could he possibly know about such high-level, elegant stuff?

No one would believe it.

Back in the day, during the seven years when he roamed the international underground world, Lin Hai wasn't a stranger to upper-class circles.

He had seen quite a bit of top-level fashion concepts.

Especially in European ladies' circles, where people pursued custom-designed brands.

Every noble gathering, even a gentleman's simple suit, would have inherently unique details and workmanship.

Domestic fashion design mostly focuses on appearance, while abroad, it emphasizes texture and temperament alignment, creating a seamless sense of atmosphere.

Of course, it's not that domestic designers don't have talent. There are quite a few geniuses.

It's just that sometimes education can lead people astray, forming naturally different concepts.

"Well, I know a little, maybe just showing off in front of experts like you."

Lin Hai smiled modestly.

"Well, I don't know why, but I feel like you're not the type to talk big and lie."

Yang Xinyi nodded, although it seemed unreasonable, she still chose to trust Lin Hai.

"Next Monday, if you're free, let's meet at a nice cafe and have a chat."

"Miss, today's Sunday..."

Lin Hai weakly teased.

"Oh, then see you tomorrow."

"..."

Lin Hai directly noticed that this girl's nerves were unusually thick.

"Alright, I've paid the bill, it's time to go home. I haven't been back for half a year, and I don't know how my family is doing." Yang Xinyi murmured.

"Oh? Where's your home? Out of town?"

"No, it's in Yanjing. Once I succeed in fashion design, I'll invite you over."

"Okay." Lin Hai nodded.

...

Taking some food from the food stall, Lin Hai caught a ride and returned to his rental apartment.

Five minutes after he left, a Hummer drove in under the curious eyes of passersby and parked in front of the food stall.

From the car, stepped down a young man with a solid build and quite a handsome face.

This young man exuded a spirit of sharpness that marked him as a soldier on assignment.

The young man walked up to Yang Xinyi.

At this moment, Yang Xinyi frowned upon seeing the young man.

"Did you almost commit suicide today?" The young man asked with a frown.

"Bro, I'm not dead, right?"

"But you almost died, was it that bastard Qin Fu?" The young man's brow furrowed more deeply, adding, "If you don't mind, I can have someone break his legs tomorrow."

"No need for now. Someone saved me today and also taught Qin Fu a lesson. I plan to use my fashion design skills to show him that plagiarizing my ideas won't get him the top spot in the Huaxia Fashion Design Newcomer Awards."

Yang Xinyi's face was full of determination.

The young man nodded: "Good, a small setback is just a minor episode in life's experiences. The Yang Family, at their core, never admits defeat."

"By the way, what's the name of the person who saved you?"

"You're not planning to investigate them, are you? I think he's a good person." Yang Xinyi looked warily.

The young man chuckled and awkwardly scratched his nose: "Not investigating Qin Fu last time already put you at a disadvantage. This time, I must find out."

"It doesn't matter if you don't tell me, I can still find out, just with a bit of effort." The young man added with a smile.

Yang Xinyi sighed, showing a helpless expression.

Her brother could indeed do it.

"Alright, I'll tell you, but don't scare him off. He's an honest man, named Lin Hai, from Huadu."

Yang Xinyi honestly shared what she learned in her conversation with Lin Hai.

"Huadu? Lin Hai?"

The young man showed a thoughtful expression, then frowned.

"He supposedly served in the military years ago. Do you happen to know him?" Yang Xinyi curiously asked.

The young man shook his head, seemingly remembering something, then turned to Yang Xinyi and said, "When do you plan to go home? Old Mr. Tao has been thinking about you for half a year. I often have to go on missions, and the old man needs us younger ones to accompany him more."

"I know, after I give it my all this year and win the Huaxia Fashion Design Newcomer title, I'll visit."

"Alright, have a chance to bring Lin Hai out, I'd like to meet him."

"Really? You, a Young Master Soldier, are suddenly interested in a construction worker?" Yang Xinyi asked in surprise.

The young man smiled mysteriously: "No reason, just simply want to thank the man who saved my sister."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay, let's talk about it later."

If the God of Healthcare Zhuge Jianguo or Lin Hai were here, they would surely recognize that the person in front of them was none other than Yanjing's Young Master Zhan—Yang Zhantian.

Back during the Viper Special Forces mission in Zhonghai, it was under Old Mr. Tao's orders that Yang Zhantian went to help Lin Hai out of trouble.

Ah, life can be such a bloody yet marvelously fateful journey.

...

"Hey, driver sir, don't look at me like that. I'm telling you, fifty cents is still money. You started the meter, give me my change."

Lin Hai chattered on as he put away his fifty cents under the taxi driver's disdainful eyes and headed home.

As he reached the alleyway's entrance, Lin Hai frowned.

He caught a faint scent of blood.

"Who's there?!"

A familiar head of red hair caught his eyes, leaning against the wall deep in the alley, seeming extremely weak.

"Xue Meigui? What's wrong with you?"