### Chapter Two: The Dazzling Yellow-Haired — True Life Mentor
Lin Zhongyu had never seen Yun Zhonghe before, not even during this so-called “chance encounter.” Thanks to the love poison clouding her judgment, she didn’t dare to sneak a peek at his appearance.
However, a sudden glance revealed to her that this person was definitely not a villain.
Yun Zhonghe seemed to be genuinely focused on helping her expel the poison, and he was very cautious, as if afraid to touch her at all.
Even the areas where contact was permissible, he was avoiding like the plague.
Is he… overly cautious or what?
Yun Zhonghe had no idea what Lin Zhongyu was thinking. Right now, all he wanted was to clear his name and maintain a safe distance from this female lead, so he could enjoy his carefree life as a Young Master in this world.
He had to hurry up and push the poison out before he got pulled into the maelstrom of the original plot.
Fortunately, Yun Zhonghe had reincarnated rather than simply transferred his soul, so he still retained the skills from his past life. Swift and steady, he continued to administer needles along Lin Zhongyu’s stunning back, changing the original acupuncture method into a poison expulsion technique.
With that hand speed, you wouldn’t get it without twenty years of solo practice!
In just a moment, the love poison within Lin Zhongyu was expelled successfully.
“Pfft!”
Suddenly, Lin Zhongyu coughed up a mouthful of black blood, with the countless needles from her back clattering to the ground.
The black blood splattered onto the ground and released swirling pink gas — the seductive aftereffects of love poison.
With one hand propped against the ground and the other clutching her shirt, Lin Zhongyu gasped, her petite lips slightly parted, her delicate face returning to its normal color. Her long hair hung down, and in that moment, it seemed that a pair of rabbits were poised to make a grand escape.
Yun Zhonghe: “!!!”
Lin Zhongyu was only fourteen, yet she had the kind of figure that could make a sculptor weep — while her bust might not compare to many eventual “big character” types, she was nonetheless the epitome of the slender, idealistic, enchanting young maiden of the Eastern fantasy genre.
When he had been working on her back, Yun Zhonghe had also been startled by her tiny waist, which triggered a flood of Lin Zhongyu CG images from his past life’s visual novels in his mind.
Admittedly, real-life charm surpassed that of the 2D kind.
“No, no, no, am I really spending time admiring Huang Aotian’s women? I’m asking for my own demise!”
Yun Zhonghe slapped himself back to reality.
After a quick adjustment, Lin Zhongyu felt her spiritual energy stabilizing and instantly shot a grateful look at Yun Zhonghe.
“Young Master Yun, you really pushed all the poison out of my body!”
With that, she shifted closer to him.
Yun Zhonghe: ???
What the heck? Don’t repay kindness with malice, okay?
I just expelled your poison! So how about you back up a little?
The longer you linger near me, the more peril I’m in.
Yun Zhonghe felt like he was on high alert; historically, yellow-haired characters and female leads do not coexist peacefully, so it was better to keep plenty of distance.
Feigning humility, Yun Zhonghe said, “Miss Lin, no need for formalities. As cultivators, we should lend a helping hand to those in need. If one only cultivates for oneself, such a narrow-minded person will limit their own path.”
Upon hearing Yun Zhonghe’s words, Lin Zhongyu’s expression froze.
Only pursuing self-interest while cultivating… wasn’t that exactly what she used to do?
In her past, she was gifted and trained hard, solely for the praise of her parents and the admiration of others.
She was always thinking just about herself.
Perhaps it was due to this self-centered mindset that her innate talent was taken from her by the heavens.
Arrogant and selfish people do not deserve such power.
Yes, as cultivators, we must uphold justice and assist the weak. As for how one’s cultivation level or abilities stack up, that’s mere trinkets.
She had cared too much about her own strength, which had led her to this downfall.
At that moment, Lin Zhongyu experienced an internal upheaval, as if enlightenment had struck her like a lightning bolt. Yun Zhonghe couldn’t possibly have imagined that mere denial of her gratitude would ignite such a transformative thought process in her mind.
In that instant, Lin Zhongyu felt enlightened, as if a lock within her was opened, and her mind cleared.
She felt that Yun Zhonghe’s previous comments were aimed at awakening her, especially since the entire Cangzhou City knew about her recent humiliation of being jilted.
Ever since she had become a waste, everyone, except for Xue’er, treated her with sarcasm. However, Yun Zhonghe not only offered her assistance but did so with consideration for her pride, providing gentle guidance.
This was the first time she had received help from someone other than Xue’er.
Now, looking at Yun Zhonghe, who stood backlit by the sunset, the remnants of the sun’s rays radiated from his head, making his shining golden hair sparkle.
Ah~ that dazzling yellow hair!
“Young Master Yun, you… are completely different from the rumors!”
Yun Zhonghe turned his head, “Hmm? What do you mean?”
Lin Zhongyu’s previously furrowed brow finally relaxed, revealing a youthful and charming smile full of whimsy.
“Many people in Cangzhou City say you are cold-hearted and cunning, but now I feel it is all slanderous and unjust!”
As she spoke, she clenched her fists in righteous indignation, looking like she was ready to clear Yun Zhonghe’s name.
Yun Zhonghe: ???
Come on, I’m just a yellow-haired dude! Please don’t shower me with unsolicited favor, female lead!
Yun Zhonghe felt the narrative was straying a bit off course, but it wasn’t completely awful; at least he wouldn’t start off getting killed.
He kept counting in his head, measuring the time until Huang Aotian would show up, and then bowed to Lin Zhongyu. “Miss Lin, since the poison has been expelled, I shall take my leave. Farewell.”
Time to shove off! The longer I stay, the more trouble I might bring upon myself when Huang Aotian arrives.
With that, Yun Zhonghe took off, his spiritual energy ramped up to max, leaving the scene without a backward glance.
Watching Yun Zhonghe’s departing figure, Lin Zhongyu opened her mouth, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Ever since losing her cultivation, Lin Zhongyu had seen the coldness of the world. Now that she had a benefactor, her gratitude was bubbling over, but his swift departure left her feeling oddly empty.
Lin Zhongyu’s graceful hand clutched her chest, a peculiar feeling stirring in her heart: “What is this faint sense of loss?”
She was still young and didn’t fully understand, but she secretly vowed that when she got the chance to rise again, she would definitely repay Yun Zhonghe.
Meanwhile, Yun Zhonghe was relieved he had left quickly because as he exited the forest, he sensed another exceptionally powerful aura charging toward the woods at breakneck speed.
That aura was intimidating enough to make him break a sweat. With his current Qi Refinement Level 9, he still felt an unresisting pressure emanating from that presence — one that only a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator could possess.
Clearly, this aura must be from the true **Destined Female Lead**, who was storming over after hearing about Yun Zhonghe’s supposed nefarious plan against Lin Zhongyu.
From his experience playing the visual novel, he knew that the plot involving Huang Aotian slicing up yellow-haired characters didn’t even offer a choice branch. Upon believing the yellow-haired dude was trying to defile his precious childhood sweetheart, Huang Aotian would kick into unreasonable mode, making a swift attack without even a second glance.
