The name felt strangely familiar to Silphiel, stirring up memories buried for sixteen years.

No way, no way—could he be that top donor I scammed out of all his coins?

Internet usernames often overlap; it’s probably just a coincidence.

Silphiel’s pupils narrowed slightly, but she pretended calmness, sipping tea leisurely. “…What does that username mean?”

So Gao Ying had to start from scratch explaining “the internet.” Silphiel feigned amazement. “I see—a social space where people interact, entertain, and trade without meeting? Sounds wonderful.”

Gao Ying was surprised. “Silphiel, you understood all that?”

They’d never discussed such things in past lives. To Gao Ying, grasping 21st-century concepts should’ve been hard for medieval-like folks.

Silphiel patted her chest confidently. “I’m brilliant! Besides, this world has an illegal group called the ‘Eternal Slumber Cult.’ They build dream worlds through sleep for interaction—I think the internet’s similar.”

Her explanation made sense. Gao Ying didn’t suspect and continued recounting his past.

At first, Silphiel responded half-heartedly. But as she listened, her expression shifted. Why did these “couple memories” sound so familiar?

Wasn’t this exactly the scam she’d pulled on that foolish top donor?

Damn it, it really was him!

Silphiel’s gaze at Gao Ying turned strange.

Could this be why he distrusted her completely? She sighed softly—anyone scammed that badly would lack trust.

Yet his tone held little resentment toward his past “self,” almost nostalgic.

“Silphiel, you remind me of her a little…”

Those words made her turn pale. She choked on tea, coughing desperately.

Such a strong reaction confused Gao Ying.

“Silphiel?”

Catching her breath, she thought: If he learned his past-life scammer was actually a boy—and that boy planned to scam her again this life—Gao Ying would snap. Old and new grudges would collide. Damn it, wasn’t that the nightmare scenario?

Silphiel said seriously, “Gao Ying, I understand your nostalgia for home and that unseen lover. But that’s just spiritual comfort—I won’t be her substitute.”

She gently held his hand, eyes locked on his. “Treat this world as your second home. I’ll be your best partner—rely on me freely.”

Wagging a finger, she winked. “But don’t see me as someone else’s shadow—I get angry too!”

Gao Ying felt those words were rude.

That “Eastern Snow Lotus” girl was his pure first love—how could Silphiel compare?

Yet both shared a strange, similar aura that drew him in. That’s why his past self obsessed over her.

Seeing Gao Ying nod understandingly, Silphiel cheered up. She led him to the side room’s piano. Moonlight bathed her as she played—passionate, then tender—notes flooding Gao Ying with five years of memories—

Unconsciously, his eyes grew moist.

Who’d imagine their life-and-death bond, their clinging closeness, was all woven from lies?

“Gao Ying, what’s wrong?”

The music stopped abruptly. Silphiel turned, puzzled.

Had her superb skills moved him to tears?

Gao Ying said casually, “Just thinking of family.”

Silphiel’s eyes narrowed slightly. She lowered her gaze, feeling rare homesickness. Returning to that original world was impossible—

For the first time, she showed genuine emotion.

She exhaled softly, gathered herself, and the piano resumed.

—

By the time Silphiel returned to the church compound’s side courtyard, it was deep night.

She slept soundly, dreaming sweetly of her past life. Ordinary days glowed beautifully, tinged with memory’s hue.

Next morning, blinding sunlight pierced the stained-glass windows.

Silphiel opened sleepy eyes, yawned, and scanned the familiar room. A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.

“If only this transmigration was a dream—waking back in my own room.”

After Stella and others left to serve Gao Ying, Silphiel hired no new servants. Alone, she preferred the quiet.

Moreover—

Since that “nightmare,” she’d felt a strange craving. It surged strongest when alone, especially at dawn and midnight.

Like now—

(Fast forward)

Again, she couldn’t control herself. All that jerk Gao Ying’s fault!

As she thought this, about to change clothes, a knock sounded. “Silphiel, I’m here to see you! Open up!”