Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 384: You Still Want to Protect Him? Can He Be Protected?

Chapter 384: Chapter 384: You Still Want to Protect Him? Can He Be Protected?

Song Lianhe was completely baffled now. She looked at him in confusion. "You... What do you mean by ’Chosen One’? Does Prince Ling know what could happen if someone with ulterior motives were to hear you say that...?"

"I know what I’m saying!"

Zhou Junlin stared at her, his gaze so sharp it made one instinctively want to look away.

Song Lianhe felt a little uneasy, hoping he didn’t mean what she suspected.

But the thought grew stronger and stronger. ’If Song Xilan, the female lead, has already ’awakened,’ then it’s not impossible for Zhou Junlin, the male lead, to have done the same.’

She lowered her gaze, her eyes hardening. ’If that’s really the case, what should I do?’

’Come clean with him?’

Zhou Junlin stared at her and suddenly added, "To be honest, I was also very surprised that Imperial Uncle entrusted you to me. After all, between the two of us, I’m afraid one is destined for a bad end..." He smiled. "That is our fate, is it not?"

Song Lianhe’s head snapped up—

’He knows!’

Zhou Junlin continued to watch her with a probing gaze, completely unconcerned about whether she would guess his intentions.

"In that case, your bargaining chips don’t seem sufficient for a partnership."

Song Lianhe shot to her feet. "We’re leaving!"

Yin Huan and Ah Jun had already been watching the situation. Hearing Song Lianhe’s order, they both shot to their feet.

Seeing this, E Jintang also immediately put down his bowl and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

As Song Lianhe turned to leave, her hand was grabbed.

She looked down, her expression a little distant.

To be honest, she didn’t know what mindset to adopt when facing him now.

It felt as if everyone had been painstakingly maintaining a massive lie. Now that the lie had been exposed, as a part of that lie herself, she didn’t know where to go or what to do.

"Princess Consort!"

Yin Huan started to move forward but was blocked by Gu Ha’s outstretched arm.

Yin Huan glared at him. She held no goodwill for any of Prince Ling’s subordinates. Her adoptive parents had died at their hands. No matter how emotionally detached she might be, no one could expect her to give them a pleasant look.

"Looking for a fight?"

Yin Huan was afraid of death; that was instinct.

But to save her life, she would first have to risk it!

The moment Yin Huan’s expression changed, E Jintang slammed his hand on the table. With a CRACK, it split in two.

The terrified noodle stall owner didn’t dare make a sound and found a place to hide.

Neither Song Lianhe nor Zhou Junlin moved. They looked at each other, both finding the answer in the other’s eyes.

Gu Ha also stood up and glanced over with a helpless expression. "If my Prince truly intended to harm your Princess Consort, how could she have made it to the city gates safely?"

To avoid drawing attention, we’ve switched out the groups protecting her several times along the way.

Although Gu Ha didn’t understand why his master was doing this, he only knew that Princess Qing seemed like a decent person with no malicious intent.

Ah Jun, who had been silent the whole time, was the youngest but also the most sharp-witted. He glanced at the other table and said slowly, "Sister Huan, let’s just watch for now."

Yin Huan nodded and sat down again.

Seeing her sit down, E Jintang sat down as well, then turned his head. "Proprietor, another bowl of noodles!"

The proprietor peeked his head out. "R-Right away..."

With the table destroyed, the proprietor hastily set up another for them against the base of a wall with a wooden board, and the four of them sat there for the moment.

Song Lianhe took a deep breath, glanced at her companions, and sat down as well.

"I’ve suddenly remembered many things—scenes involving you," he said,

Song Lianhe lowered her eyes and said nothing.

"Heh, how truly magical!"

His laughter died abruptly, and he stared at her intently. "You were originally my betrothed."

Song Lianhe closed her eyes.

’I now find myself wishing I hadn’t been remembered...’

"Heh," he chuckled, picking up the simple teapot on the table and pouring a bowl of water. He looked down at it, his elegant and handsome face reflected on the rippling surface.

"So, my entire life was written by someone else."

Song Lianhe suddenly picked up her bowl of water and took a casual sip.

Putting down the bowl, she said in a relaxed tone, "And who isn’t? Every single person living in this world has their own ’story script.’ When it ends, and how it proceeds—it’s all predetermined."

"And you?"

His gaze burned into her again. "Your appearance here, is that also predetermined?"

"Me?" She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I am the ’variable’ among all that is predetermined. Or perhaps, the existence of a variable like me is, in itself, a form of ’predetermination’."

"A variable..." He smiled. "Yes. The one you were supposed to love was me. Yet you rushed to him, disregarding everything..."

Since they were laying all their cards on the table, there was no longer any need for Song Lianhe to hide anything.

"Since you already know who I am, you should also know that I’m not the person who was madly in love with you before. Since I’m not her, why would I choose someone who doesn’t love me, and even looks down on me?"

"Since you’re not her, you should also know that the person I detested back then wasn’t you!"

"But I remember everything that happened, and I feel it as if it happened to me. Besides, you and Song Xilan are the destined pair. Why should I be a moth drawn to a flame? That would just be making things difficult for myself!"

"Destined..."

Zhou Junlin scoffed. "And what about you and Imperial Uncle? What are the two of you?"

"We’re the ones who weren’t chosen. Naturally, we huddle together for warmth." She smiled, her words half-truth, half-lie.

She didn’t want to discuss this with him any further; it wouldn’t change the outcome.

"Zhou Junlin, now that you know everything, we have all the more reason to cooperate. We are not a threat to you. You can focus all your efforts on dealing with others! As for Zhou Cangqing’s side, you don’t need to worry. I will convince him."

Looking at the hopeful expression in her eyes, Zhou Junlin was silent for a long moment before slowly asking, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to protect him."

Zhou Junlin lowered his eyes and chuckled humorlessly. "You know what he’s planning to do, and you still want me to protect him? How? Is it even possible?"

"It is!" Her gaze was firm. "The person he wants revenge on isn’t you. If you help him, he will also help you at a critical moment!"

Zhou Junlin looked at her, saying word by word, "But the person he wants to deal with is my close relative."

"That’s because he hurt his close relative first! Zhou Junlin, let me ask you: if it were you, would you remain indifferent to the murder of your own mother?" Song Lianhe said seriously, "You are free to help Emperor Cheng Xiao, but you also know what war brings to the common people, especially with Nanchen waiting for an opportunity to strike!"

"Your life may have been scripted, but you are a living, breathing person! Just like me, just like everyone else here, you can still make your own decisions!" She took a step forward, staring into his eyes. "But if you make a move against him, then I will avenge him! Between you and me, only one will be left standing!"

Zhou Junlin watched her quietly. "You’re going to find him?"

"Yes," she said with certainty. "But before that, I need your help with something."

Zhou Junlin snorted. "You’ve gotten quite comfortable ordering this Prince around."

Despite saying this, he did not refuse.