Evil lives for a thousand years, and by naming me as the insurance beneficiary, you’ve certainly made your death worthwhile.

Lin Baizhi was indeed keeping a close eye on Ye Cheng, but since Ye Cheng had gone to the Shen family—a household with tight-knit solidarity—it was impossible to infiltrate.

So, Lin Baizhi decided to step out for some fresh air, quite literally. She wandered aimlessly, letting her feet take her wherever they pleased, just like when she used to zone out alone as a child.

She would squat on the steps, tilt her head up, and quietly watch the blue sky and white clouds, feeling the gentle breeze brush against her face.

"Hey! You there, little dummy—yeah, I’m talking to you! Dinner’s about to start, and I know a secret spot for the best scoop. Consider yourself lucky today—follow me, and you’ll get the first serving!"

The frail young girl stared blankly at the boy who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her eyes filled with confusion. She glanced around, realizing she was the only one nearby. So… was he talking to her?

But they didn’t even know each other…

The boy had a clean, bright look about him, his eyes sparkling with an indescribable energy.

Compared to the other odd, misfit kids in the orphanage, he stood out like a crane among chickens—healthy, good-looking, and seemingly normal.

Why would parents abandon a child like him?

That was the first thought that crossed the frail girl’s mind when she saw this inexplicably vibrant boy. Why would someone so full of life end up in this "dump" of a place, just like the rest of them?

His vitality was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the other children in the orphanage.

It was something the sickly girl could never comprehend. As the saying goes, people chase after what they lack, trying to fill the void.

The girl was no exception. Without thinking, she reached out toward the boy, wanting to get closer—only for him to grab her hand and pull her into a run.

"Damn, you’re quick! A real pro at timing, huh? Come on, let’s eat!!!"

With a whoop, the boy dashed off, dragging the girl behind him. It was a sensation she had never experienced before. Due to her weak heart, she had never been allowed to engage in strenuous activities, let alone run.

This was a first.

It was uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to stop. If she did, she’d lose him in an instant. For some reason, the girl who had always been obedient now wanted to be "selfish" for once.

Even if it cost her life.

This existence was too painful.

Unlike the dull-witted, slow children in the orphanage, the girl was sharp. Time and again, outsiders would come to pick children for adoption.

The odd-looking ones were always the first to be rejected, as if they were failing an interview—eliminated in the first round just for their appearance, or simply because someone took a dislike to them.

No reason. The world had always been this cruel and arbitrary.

Compared to the others in the orphanage, the girl seemed fortunate—no visible physical flaws, a face that charmed, and a temperament that won over many couples who visited the welfare center.

Yet, every time they reviewed her medical report, their expressions would twist with regret before they walked away, abandoning her. Some didn’t even bother to hide their disdain or contempt.

Over and over, her heart was pricked, and she grew sensitive.

She felt like a commodity, picked over and discarded. She often lamented the unfairness of fate—why her? Why couldn’t it have been someone else?

But when she saw the other children in the welfare center, those with far worse fates, she fell silent. Perhaps... she was still lucky. At least compared to them, she was.

If she was so "lucky," what right did she have to be unhappy?

The girl seemed to accept it—or at least, she appeared to on the surface. She stopped agonizing over whether she was unwanted or rejected, focusing instead on living each day as best she could.

Who knew when her illness might take her? Or when she might close her eyes one night and never wake again.

So she resolved to cherish the present. Yet, she couldn’t help longing to experience life’s beauty like others did. But she was too weak, too sickly—it was an impossible dream.

Now, time catches up to the present.

The girl clenched her teeth against the pain flaring in her chest. Her face was ghostly pale, her forehead slick with cold sweat, her lips bloodless. Yet, she refused to stop.

Instead, she stubbornly trailed behind a little boy.

She could feel it—the vibrant, overwhelming life force radiating from him, something she’d never known. Just once, she wanted to grasp it.

Thud.

In the end, she couldn’t hold on. The pain spread like wildfire, searing through her body until her fingers loosened from his. The world darkened, turning icy and distant, and her legs gave way beneath her.

Was she... incapable of even one final moment of brilliance?

How pathetic. In her next life, she hoped not to be so useless. Living like this was exhausting. Maybe dying here wouldn’t be so bad.

After all, no one in this world would mourn her. Her parents had abandoned her long ago. What was left to cling to?

Beep... beep...

As her vision blurred, so did her consciousness. Faintly, she thought she heard someone calling her name. The words were indistinct, but the emotion was clear—concern, worry.

It made her inexplicably happy. So this was what it felt like to be remembered. How nice.

Beep... beep...

Beep... beep... beep...

The rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor. A sound she knew too well. Her frail body had landed her in hospitals countless times, each time revived by that same sterile electronic pulse.

So... she’d survived again?

But why did she feel no relief? Only regret. Wouldn’t death have been the kinder outcome? Why...?

Click.

"Damn, you’re finally awake, you little dummy! You know, you were paler than a corpse that’s been floating in the water for three days. I honestly thought you were a goner. But hey, looks like bad weeds grow tall—somehow you pulled through!"

The young boy walked in carrying a tray of food, muttering to himself the whole time. It was probably his way of showing concern, but… something about his phrasing felt off. "Bad weeds grow tall"? Was that supposed to be a compliment or…?

The girl stared blankly at the boy before her, suddenly feeling a wave of self-loathing. "Someone like me would be better off dead. At least then I wouldn’t be a burden to everyone around me."

She expected the boy to comfort her, but instead, his next words hit like a bombshell.

"Tell you what, buddy—hang in there for a couple more years. I’ll get you an insurance policy with me as the beneficiary. That way, when you kick the bucket, I can cash in and get a taste of that sweet, sweet blood money. You’d be dying for a good cause, right?"

As he spoke, he grabbed a steamed bun from the plate and took a big bite, chewing with gusto. Mmm, delicious. Couldn’t get enough.

The girl: "???"