The first obstacle had been broken.
Luo Bingyan stomped her foot in frustration and snapped at the short-haired woman standing by the door.
"Yan Zi, go downstairs and stop him. Tell him to wait in the living room."
"Yes, Miss."
Yan Zi responded crisply and hurried down the stairs.
She was the personal bodyguard assigned to Luo Bingyan by the old master of the Luo family—a fighter trained by the family since childhood, with quite impressive combat skills.
Lin Han, followed leisurely by Kui, strolled into the villa's living room and called out casually,
"Bingyan? Where are you?"
"Young Master Lin, my lady says you should wait here in the living room. She'll be down shortly," Yan Zi said expressionlessly.
"Oh?"
Lin Han glanced at the newly assigned bodyguard. Her combat power was at A-rank—quite a top-tier fighter.
Once upon a time, that might've been enough to make him behave. After all, his strongest bodyguard, Lao Liu, was only B+.
But now? She wasn't even worth his attention.
Behind him stood Kui—an SS-rank powerhouse. Even Lao Jiu and the others, after drinking the genetic enhancement serum, had reached A+. Any one of them could crush this Yan Zi easily.
She wasn't like the other bodyguards outside. Sweet talk wouldn't work on her. If he wanted to go upstairs, he'd have to force his way through.
Lin Han ignored Yan Zi's words and continued walking forward as if she didn't exist.
"I'll go check if she's done getting ready," he said lightly.
"Young Master Lin!"
A cold gleam flashed across Yan Zi's eyes. She immediately stepped in front of him and raised a hand to block his path.
"Please show some respect. My lady instructed you to wait in the living room."
If he insisted on going up, she would attack without hesitation. Her orders came only from Luo Bingyan.
To her, this infamous Lin family young master was nothing more than a spoiled waste who hid behind his family's power. He didn't deserve to marry her lady!
"You sure you want to stop me?"
Lin Han lowered his head slightly, his gaze shifting.
"You—"
Yan Zi only managed to utter one syllable before the next word froze in her throat.
Just one look into Lin Han's eyes, and she felt a chill seep into her bones, making her entire body tremble.
That aura… it wasn't something a useless playboy could possibly emit! His power was above hers—very likely S-rank!
The thought exploded in her mind like thunder.
The gap between A-rank and S-rank was an insurmountable chasm—like the difference between heaven and earth. But why him? How could he possibly be this strong?!
She had trained relentlessly for over thirty years just to barely reach A-rank. S-rank was something she never dared to dream of.
"Still not moving?" Lin Han said faintly.
Hesitation and conflict flickered in Yan Zi's eyes. She stood there trembling under his overwhelming pressure, struggling to make a decision.
Before she could, Kui stepped forward from behind Lin Han.
The girl looked ordinary enough—mask and sunglasses covering her face—but the instant her gaze met Yan Zi's, Yan Zi's mind went completely blank. Her legs gave out, cold sweat pouring down her body as she collapsed to the floor without even the strength to resist.
This was what it meant to be crushed by a difference in class.
When one reached S-rank, the aura itself became tangible. To someone weaker, it was like a puppy facing a full-grown tiger. Not peeing itself was already impressive—resisting was out of the question.
Lin Han didn't spare a glance at the trembling woman on the floor. With Kui at his side, he ascended the stairs.
Luo Bingyan, hearing the silence below, was just about to check when she saw Lin Han coming up.
"Ah!"
She gasped and hurried back into her room, slamming the door shut.
Leaning against the door, she felt utterly exasperated. How could even Yan Zi fail to stop that damn bastard?
Knock, knock, knock.
Lin Han rapped lightly on the door, his voice returning to its usual lazy tone.
"Luo Bingyan, your boyfriend's here to see you. Ready yet?"
"Who told you to come up? Didn't I say to wait in the living room?" she snapped coldly.
"Let me in first, then we'll talk."
"No! I'm changing!"
Lin Han raised a brow. "Your bodyguard's about to come upstairs. If you don't want to blow our cover, better open the door."
Luo Bingyan didn't respond, but her sharp mind quickly pieced it together.
Yan Zi was her grandfather's agent. If she found anything suspicious, she'd report back immediately.
A little squabble was fine, but if they kept arguing too long, Yan Zi would start doubting their relationship—and that would be hard to explain.
Reluctantly, she unlocked the door.
The moment Lin Han saw her, his eyes lit up.
She wore a modest knee-length dress, yet her graceful curves were still perfectly outlined.
A hint of her pale calf peeked out beneath the hem, her ankle adorned with a diamond anklet and black crocodile heels—an elegant, regal beauty through and through.
"Forget it. Let's go."
Too lazy to argue, she turned to leave.
"Wait."
Lin Han extended his arm invitingly.
Luo Bingyan rolled her eyes. Again with this act.
Still, to keep up appearances, she looped her arm through his—only to notice his muscles felt even firmer than last time.
They descended together. Yan Zi was already back on her feet but dared not speak.
Wasn't her lady furious just a moment ago? Why did she suddenly look so affectionate—and smiling so brightly too? Something felt… off.
Lin Han frowned slightly and muttered under his breath, "Your smile's too forced. You're overacting. Just don't look at me like I'm your mortal enemy."
"Mind your own business!"
She shot him a fierce glare and adjusted her expression. The exaggerated smile faded; her face returned to its usual frosty composure. Still, her fingers pinched his arm viciously, digging in mercilessly.
When they got into the car, the original seven-car convoy had grown to ten, three more belonging to her security team.
The luxurious motorcade rumbled toward the restaurant.
Inside the Maybach, Lin Han pressed a button to raise a soundproof divider between the front and back seats.
He ignored Luo Bingyan, opening his laptop to review Lingxiao Corporation's financial reports.
Push and pull, warmth and coldness, tease and distance—that's how you play the emotional game.
According to the reports, the executives had already returned ten times the embezzled funds. The company's account now showed an extra five billion.
Luo Bingyan glanced at him, a little thrown off by how quiet he was.
Sure, they were fake lovers—but something about his calm focus made her oddly uncomfortable.
The silence grew heavy. Finally, she couldn't take it.
"Should I post something on my Moments?" she asked.
"…What?" Lin Han frowned.
"You know, a photo of us together, maybe captioned 'Us'. Wouldn't that make it more believable?" she said, gesturing animatedly.
"No need. That'd feel just as forced as your smile earlier. Emotions aren't that simple. Besides, posting something like that wouldn't fit your personality."
Luo Bingyan huffed, annoyed. "You talk like you're some kind of expert! Fine, forget it. Like I'd want a photo with you, ugly bastard!"
Lin Han chuckled, not bothering to reply.
Her anger felt like a punch into cotton—frustratingly soft.
But she quickly understood what he meant. Too much enthusiasm would only seem fake; a little tension, a bit of push and pull, would make their relationship seem far more real.
For some reason, she suddenly found him… interesting.
He no longer resembled the brainless troublemaker she'd known. There was something sharper in his gaze now—a hint of a strategist, even a touch of dominance.
And that face… too handsome for its own good.
"Why did you used to act like that?" she asked suddenly.
"Act like what?"
"A mad dog."
Lin Han laughed softly. Instead of answering, he asked, "So do you prefer the old me or the current me?"
"Of course—"
She started to reply, then caught herself. Damn it, he almost tricked me again!
"Of course, both are awful! As long as you're you, I'll find you annoying!" she snapped.
"Hahaha!"
Lin Han laughed. "That's the Bingyan I know—sharp as ever. Can't even fool you with a few words."
"Tch."
Though she kept her cold face, her chin lifted proudly, a little smirk tugging at her lips.
"Don't try your cheap tricks on me! Sweet talk won't work—I'm immune!"
Lin Han nearly burst out laughing. If only you knew how much your face is giving you away.
Women really were creatures of contradiction.
Half an hour later, the convoy arrived at the Lipska Grand Hotel—a dual-rated establishment: five stars and three Michelin. The go-to dining spot for the capital's elite.
Lin Han stepped out first, opening the car door for Luo Bingyan himself.
She maintained her usual composed expression, but as she took his arm again—her favorite spot to pinch—her mood brightened noticeably.
Around them, bodyguards formed a protective perimeter. Kui and Yan Zi stood just behind their respective charges.
Yan Zi still felt uneasy, remembering the suffocating aura from earlier. Standing next to that girl made her feel utterly insignificant.
Just as they were about to enter the hotel, Lin Han suddenly stiffened.
A chill crawled up his spine.
Killing intent!
It was his villain's instinct.
He might have died tragically in the novel, but he'd lived to the finale. His intuition for danger was razor-sharp—almost like a protagonist's.
Kui sensed it next. "Be careful!" she barked.
In the same instant, Lin Han wrapped an arm around Luo Bingyan and dove to the side.
Yan Zi didn't even have time to react.
Bang!
A gunshot shattered the glass door where Lin Han had been standing.
Had he moved a second later, the bullet would've hit him. Even with S-rank durability, a wound to the wrong place could be fatal.
Luo Bingyan froze, about to scold him for being so forward—until the gunfire snapped her back to reality.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before the echoes died, Kui had already drawn her twin pistols and fired five precise shots in one direction.
The other bodyguards scrambled, forming a human wall around Lin Han and Luo Bingyan.
Eight hundred meters away, atop a tree canopy, Ye Fan cursed under his breath as his first shot missed.
But the moment he adjusted his aim, his pupils shrank—the girl beside Lin Han had already spotted him!
Cold dread surged through him.
He dove aside just as the bullets screamed toward him. Two hit—one in his thigh, one grazing his arm and tearing flesh.
"Damn it! A top-tier fighter!"
Gritting his teeth, Ye Fan fled, blood splattering the leaves.
More bullets followed, whistling through the air. He barely dodged, adrenaline pushing his body past its limits, though two more rounds grazed him.
Finally, he limped into a blind spot and disappeared into the distance.
Back at the hotel, Lin Han held the trembling Luo Bingyan close as they took cover in the inner hall.
For the first time, she felt completely safe—wrapped in his arms, she could almost forget the fear.
Some bodyguards pursued the attacker, but when Kui moved to follow, Lin Han stopped her.
He knew Ye Fan too well. Cornering him now could provoke a desperate counterattack.
No need to tempt fate—villains who underestimated protagonists always died first.
For now, injuring Ye Fan severely was already a victory.
"It's over. Don't be scared," Lin Han murmured, gently patting her back.
Moments like this were perfect for deepening emotional bonds—it would be a waste not to use them.
Luo Bingyan steadied her breath and subtly pulled away, her face pink.
Their tumble just now had been… far too intimate.
"That was Ye Fan, wasn't it?" she asked.
Lin Han nodded. "Yeah. He came for you. If I hadn't reacted fast, you'd be gone."
"Liar!"
Her cheeks flushed. "He was clearly after you!"
"Doesn't matter. He's not a threat anymore. I'm pretty sure I hit him four or five times—he won't live."
It was a harmless lie. Ye Fan wouldn't die that easily, but she didn't need to know that.
"Really?"
Her eyes brightened instantly.
At that moment, she didn't care why Ye Fan had attacked—only that he was gone.
Lin Han sighed inwardly.
So pitiful… the novel's original heroine, now wishing the protagonist dead. If Ye Fan knew, he'd probably cough up blood.
"Of course. If I'm lying, I'm a puppy," Lin Han said solemnly.
"You already are a dog!" she shot back.
He laughed, unconcerned.
And just like that, the tension melted away.