Lin Yuer was leaving school, exhausted but oddly satisfied with his mission completion, when a black Mercedes pulled up beside him.
The window rolled down.
And Lin Yuer's blood ran cold.
Because staring at him from the back seat was a face he knew.
A face from his previous life.
Xie Yunlan.
The man who'd held him as he died.
The man who'd promised to find him.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck.
"Excuse me," Xie Yunlan said, his voice exactly as Lin Yuer remembered—smooth, controlled, devastatingly calm. "Are you Lin Yuer?"
Lin Yuer's mind raced at a thousand miles per hour.
Act normal. You're a normal student. He can't possibly recognize you. You're in a completely different body. Just be cool.
"Y-yes?" His voice came out squeaky. Damn it.
Xie Yunlan studied him with those intense dark eyes.
"I'm Xie Yunlan, CEO of Xie Corporation. I'm considering becoming a sponsor for St. Amadeus Academy. I'm conducting student interviews. Would you have a moment to chat?"
LIES.
All lies.
He's investigating me.
[HOST! Your heart rate is spiking! (ﾟοﾟ人))]
[Calm down!]
I am VERY calm, Lin Yuer thought, which was absolutely a lie.
"I... I have to get to work..." Another lie. He didn't have a job anymore.
"I'll pay you for your time. ¥500 for thirty minutes."
That's more than I make in a week.
"...Okay."
What am I doing?!
The car door opened. Lin Yuer got in.
And came face to face with the man who'd loved Phantom.
The man who'd promised to find him across lifetimes.
Xie Yunlan smiled—polite, professional, giving nothing away.
"Shall we get coffee, Lin Yuer?"
I'm so screwed.
Okay. Don't panic.
You're a trained assassin.
You've infiltrated terrorist organizations.
You've seduced arms dealers for intel.
You've been tortured and gave up nothing.
Lin Yuer sat across from Xie Yunlan in an upscale café, trying very hard not to have a breakdown.
The café was exactly the kind of place Xie Yunlan would choose—expensive, private booths, classical music playing softly. The kind of place where a sixteen-year-old scholarship student absolutely did NOT belong.
Everyone was staring at them.
Or more accurately, staring at Xie Yunlan.
Of course they are.
Xie Yunlan at twenty-eight was somehow even more devastating than Lin Yuer remembered. Sharp jawline, perfectly styled black hair.
He looked like he'd stepped out of a CEO drama.
Which, technically, he had. He WAS a CEO.
"Order anything you'd like," Xie Yunlan said smoothly, pushing the menu toward Lin Yuer.
Lin Yuer glanced at the prices and felt his soul leave his body.
¥85 for a coffee?! I could eat for three days on that!
"I'll just have... water?" he squeaked.
Xie Yunlan's lips twitched. "I'm paying. Please, order properly."
"Um... caramel macchiato?" Lin Yuer said, picking something random.
"Make that two caramel macchiatos," Xie Yunlan told the hovering waiter. "And the strawberry cake."
The waiter nodded and disappeared.
Xie Yunlan studied him with an intensity that made Lin Yuer want to crawl under the table.
"So," Xie Yunlan began, "tell me about yourself, Lin Yuer."
"There's not much to tell," Lin Yuer said, trying to sound humble and boring. "I'm just a scholarship student. Second year. I study hard and try to stay out of trouble."
Lie. The original Lin Yuer barely passed. And trouble found him daily.
"Hmm." Xie Yunlan's eyes flickered to the bruises on Lin Yuer's arm, partially hidden by his sleeve. "Those injuries. Do you play sports?"
"I... fell," Lin Yuer lied. "I'm clumsy."
"I see." Xie Yunlan didn't believe him. Lin Yuer could tell. "What do you do in your free time?"
Plot revenge? Remember my past life? Talk to a sarcastic system?
"I read. Study. Help at the... library sometimes."
"What subjects interest you?"
"Um... literature? History?"
Actually, weapons manufacturing and advanced cryptography, but we can't talk about that.
The coffee arrived. Lin Yuer gratefully took a sip.
Oh. This is actually really good.
He'd drunk coffee in forty-three countries. This ranked in his top ten.
"Good?" Xie Yunlan asked, watching him.
"Very good," Lin Yuer admitted.
"I'm glad." Xie Yunlan took a sip of his own coffee, never breaking eye contact. "Lin Yuer, have we met before?"
Lin Yuer's heart stopped.
"I... I don't think so?" Lin Yuer said, making his voice uncertain. "I would remember meeting someone like you, Mr. Xie. You're kind of... famous."
Deflect with flattery. Classic technique.
"Hmm." Xie Yunlan set down his cup. "It's strange. You seem... familiar somehow."
"I have a common face?" Lin Yuer offered weakly.
Not anymore, actually. Thanks, System.
"No," Xie Yunlan said softly. "Your face is quite memorable."
What.
[OMG HE THINKS YOU'RE CUTE! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ:・゚✧]*
That's NOT what he meant!
Xie Yunlan leaned forward slightly. "Lin Yuer, I'm going to be direct with you. I saw a video last month. A student defending others from wild animals with what appeared to be professional combat training. That student was you, wasn't it?"
"I... that was just adrenaline," Lin Yuer said, the rehearsed excuse ready. "Fight or flight response. Anyone would—"
"Not anyone." Xie Yunlan's voice was soft but firm. "Your technique was precise. Efficient. Trained. Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Lin Yuer's mind raced through options
"I..." Lin Yuer looked down at his coffee. Time to play the sympathy card. "I get bullied a lot. I took some self-defense classes online. YouTube videos. I practiced in my room. That day... I just reacted. I was scared."
Xie Yunlan studied him for a long moment.
Then his expression softened. "I see. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."
Did that work?
"The bruises," Xie Yunlan continued, his voice dropping to something dangerous. "Who did that to you?"
Oh.
He's angry.
Lin Yuer recognized that tone. It was the same tone Xie Yunlan had used right before he'd destroyed an entire criminal network that had threatened Phantom once.
"It's nothing," Lin Yuer said quickly. "Just... school stuff."
"School stuff." Xie Yunlan's jaw tightened. "Does the school know you're being physically assaulted?"
"I... it's complicated."
"Uncomplicate it for me."
Why does he care so much?
Lin Yuer looked up and was startled to find genuine concern in Xie Yunlan's eyes.
Is this about me, or about Phantom?
Does he see me, or is he looking for someone else?
"The teachers don't care," Lin Yuer admitted quietly. "I'm a scholarship student. The others are from rich families. If I complain, it gets worse. So I just... endure."
Xie Yunlan was silent for a moment. Then he pulled out his phone.
"What's the name of your principal?"
"What? Why?"
"Because I'm about to become the largest donor to St. Amadeus Academy." Xie Yunlan's smile was sharp. "And I'm going to request a thorough review of their bullying policies."
Wait, what?
"You don't have to—"
"I want to." Xie Yunlan looked at him seriously. "No student should have to endure that. Especially not..."
He trailed off.
"Especially not what?" Lin Yuer asked.
Especially not someone who might be Phantom reincarnated?
"Especially not someone as interesting as you," Xie Yunlan finished smoothly.
[SMOOTH! SO SMOOTH! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و]
[He's definitely interested in you!]
For investigative purposes! Not romantic ones!
[Are you SURE about that? (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
"I'm not interesting," Lin Yuer protested. "I'm really, really boring."
"You say that." Xie Yunlan took another sip of coffee. "But in the last thirty minutes, you've exhibited: advanced situational awareness, trained observation skills.
...
FUCK.
"That's... a lot of big words for 'nervous teenager,'" Lin Yuer tried.
Xie Yunlan smiled. Actually smiled. "You're clever too. Good deflection technique."
"I learned from the best," Lin Yuer said without thinking.
WAIT—
Xie Yunlan went very still. "What did you say?"
SHIT SHIT SHIT.
"I mean—I learned from YouTube!" Lin Yuer backtracked frantically. "The best YouTube tutorials! For self-defense! And social skills! Because I'm bad at social skills! Obviously! I'm rambling! I should stop!"
Xie Yunlan was staring at him with an expression Lin Yuer couldn't read.
Then, slowly, he reached across the table.
And gently tucked a strand of Lin Yuer's hair behind his ear.
Lin Yuer froze.
What is happening.
"You have a cowlick," Xie Yunlan said softly. "Right here. It never stays down."
How would he know that unless—
"Phantom had the same one."
All Lin Yuer could hear was his own heartbeat thundering in his ears.
Xie Yunlan's hand lingered near his face, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sure it's a coincidence," he said quietly. "Many people have cowlicks."
Say something. Anything.
"I... don't know anyone named Phantom," Lin Yuer managed.
"No," Xie Yunlan agreed. "I don't suppose you do."
He withdrew his hand.
"I apologize. That was inappropriate. You must think I'm insane."
I think you're too perceptive for anyone's good.
"It's okay," Lin Yuer said, his voice barely a whisper.
Finally, Xie Yunlan spoke: "Lin Yuer, I'd like to make you an offer."
Here it comes.
"I'm starting a scholarship program. Full ride to any university of your choice, plus a living stipend. I'm looking for promising students with unique backgrounds. I think you'd be perfect."
He's trying to keep tabs on me.
But also... that's life-changing money.
"Why me?" Lin Yuer asked suspiciously.
"Call it intuition." Xie Yunlan's smile was mysterious. "I invest in people who interest me. And you, Lin Yuer, are very interesting."
"I... need to think about it," Lin Yuer said carefully.
"Of course. Take your time." Xie Yunlan handed him a business card. Expensive, embossed, with gold lettering. "My personal number. Call anytime. Day or night."
Lin Yuer took the card with shaking fingers.
"I should go," he said. "Thank you for the coffee, Mr. Xie."
"Yunlan," Xie Yunlan corrected. "Call me Yunlan."
"Mr. Xie," Lin Yuer insisted, standing up.
Xie Yunlan stood as well. "Let me drive you home."
"No! I mean—no thank you. I like walking. Exercise. Healthy."
I don't want you to see my terrible apartment.
"Then let me walk you to the station at least."
He's not taking no for an answer.
They walked in silence to the subway station. People stared at them—or rather, at Xie Yunlan. And then at Lin Yuer, confusion evident on their faces.
What's a beautiful CEO doing with a random student?
At the station entrance, Xie Yunlan stopped.
"Lin Yuer," he said seriously. "If anyone bothers you at school, call me. I mean it."
"Why do you care so much?" The question slipped out before Lin Yuer could stop it.
Xie Yunlan looked at him with an expression that made Lin Yuer's chest tight.
"Because," he said softly, "someone I cared about once couldn't ask for help. And I lost him. I won't let that happen again."
Oh.
This is about Phantom.
He still—
"I'm not whoever you think I am," Lin Yuer said quietly.
"I know." Xie Yunlan smiled sadly. "But you remind me of him. So let me help you. Please."
Lin Yuer wanted to say so many things.
I'm sorry I died.
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you how I felt.
I'm sorry you're still looking for me.
Instead, he said: "Okay. Thank you, Mr. Xie."
"Yunlan."
"...Thank you, Yunlan."
Xie Yunlan's expression brightened. "Better. Now go home. And Lin Yuer?"
"Yes?"
"Your face is healing nicely."
What?
Lin Yuer touched his face. The acne was almost completely gone. His features more defined. His skin clearer.
The beauty points were really working.
"Thanks... I guess?"
Xie Yunlan's smile turned knowing. "There's something different about you today. You look... more yourself."
That's ominous.
Lin Yuer fled into the subway station before Xie Yunlan could say anything else.
Lin Yuer collapsed on his bed, emotionally exhausted.
[THAT WAS INTENSE! (ﾉﾟ0ﾟ)ﾉ]
"You think?!"
[But you did well! You didn't blow your cover!]
[Mostly!]
[KIND OF!]
"He definitely suspects something!"
[But he has no proof! (｀・ω・´)ゞ]
[And hey! Good news!]
[You gained +15 Beauty Points just from that interaction!]
"What? How?"
[Emotional sincerity increases beauty! ✧.]*
[When you were genuinely vulnerable with him, your inner beauty showed!]
[CURRENT BEAUTY LEVEL: 47/100!]
Lin Yuer checked the mirror and gasped.
He looked... actually kind of cute?
His face had lost all its chubbiness. His features were balanced and pleasant. His skin glowed. His eyes were large and expressive.
He still wasn't magazine-model handsome.
But he was definitely attractive now.
"Huh," he muttered. "Not bad."
[NOT BAD?! You're almost halfway to gorgeous! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ:・゚✧]*
[Keep this up and you'll be stunning by next month!]
Lin Yuer's phone buzzed.
Unknown number: [Did you get home safely? - XY]
He gave me his real number.
He's checking on me.
This is... actually kind of nice?
Lin Yuer typed back: [Yes. Thank you again for coffee.]
The response was immediate: [Anytime. The offer stands. For anything. I mean that.]
Lin Yuer stared at the message.
He really hasn't moved on.
After three years, he's still looking for Phantom.
Still feeling guilty.
Still...
Another message: [Sleep well, Lin Yuer.]
And then: [I'm glad I found you.]
Lin Yuer's hands shook.
What does that mean?
Does he know?
Or does he just sense something?
He put the phone down and stared at the ceiling.
"System," he said quietly. "Does he know it's me?"
[...Processing query...]
[Analysis: Uncertain.]
[He suspects. But suspects what? That's unclear.]
[Human emotions are complicated! (╥﹏╥)]
"Yeah," Lin Yuer agreed. "They really are."
Meanwhile: Xie Corporation Headquarters
Xie Yunlan sat in his office, staring at a photo on his phone.
It was a surveillance shot from today. Lin Yuer, caught mid-smile as he talked to Wei Feng at school.
Xie Yunlan had seen that exact smile a thousand times.
He pulled up another photo. Phantom, three years ago, caught by a security camera during a mission briefing. Same slight upturn of lips. Same way the eyes crinkled just barely at the corners.
"It's impossible," Xie Yunlan muttered to himself.
His phone rang. Kai Zhen.
"The background check is done," Kai Zhen said without preamble. "Lin Yuer. Age 16. Parents died when he was eight—car accident. Raised in an orphanage until fourteen. Scholarship to St. Amadeus. No criminal record. No suspicious connections."
"Too clean," Xie Yunlan said.
"I thought the same thing." Kai Zhen paused. "There's something else. I requested his medical records."
"And?"
"There aren't any. The orphanage claims he was always healthy. Never sick. Never injured. Not even a common cold."
Xie Yunlan sat up straight. "In eight years?"
"In eight years."
"That's impossible."
"Unless he had training," Kai Zhen said slowly. "The kind of training that teaches you to hide injuries. To never show weakness."
Silence.
"I'm coming to Shanghai," Kai Zhen finally said. "I need to see this kid myself."
"Kai Zhen—"
"Yunlan. If there's even a chance..." He didn't finish the sentence.
If there's even a chance Phantom is alive.
"I'll send you the address," Xie Yunlan said quietly.
After hanging up, he returned to the photo of Lin Yuer.
"Who are you?" he whispered. "Really?"
His intercom buzzed.
"Sir, you have a visitor. He says it's urgent. Name: Shen Rui."
Xie Yunlan's eyes widened.
Shen Rui. Underground king. Information broker. One of the few people who knew about Phantom.
"Send him in."
The door opened. Shen Rui walked in—tall, elegant, with silver-white hair and eyes like a predator.
"Yunlan," Shen Rui said, his voice smooth as silk. "I heard something interesting today. You had coffee with a student from St. Amadeus Academy."
Word travels fast.
"So?"
"So." Shen Rui pulled out his phone, showing a photo. "This student moves like Phantom."
Xie Yunlan said nothing.
"I want to meet him," Shen Rui said.
"No."
"Yunlan—"
"No." Xie Yunlan's voice was firm. "He's a child. And he's scared. If you show up with your underground king routine, you'll terrify him."
"Or," Shen Rui smiled dangerously, "I'll confirm what we're both thinking."
"Which is?"
"That Phantom didn't die." Shen Rui leaned forward. "That somehow, impossibly, he came back."
"That's insane."
"Is it?" Shen Rui's smile widened. "Or are we just afraid to hope?"