After an almost endless bout of passion, the two bodies lay exhausted on the beach. It wasn't until the sun was nearly setting that they finally got up, returned to the hotel to freshen up, and went out for dinner.
That evening, Trần Ngọc Linh handed the menu to Hoàng Hải Vân, telling her to order whatever she liked. Looking at the menu filled with expensive dishes, she hesitated. She couldn't help but think that these luxurious experiences were funded by illegal money, which made her uneasy. So, she stood up and invited Trần Ngọc Linh to eat out instead.
"Let me treat you tonight. It'll be nice to eat outside," she suggested.
Trần Ngọc Linh gladly agreed.
The two strolled along a coastal path. This was a secluded island, so there weren't many tall buildings. Each time the ocean breeze swept in, it carried the pure scent of nature—the aroma of the earth, the trees, and the sea at night. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore created a soothing melody, putting their minds at ease, allowing them to momentarily forget the burdens they carried. In the vast horizon, twinkling lights flickered—whether they were stars or fishing boats setting out for the night, neither of them could tell.
Trần Ngọc Linh wrapped an arm around Hoàng Hải Vân’s waist as they walked under the dim glow of streetlights. She didn’t push him away. After all, she didn't find it bothersome. At this point, even her own body was being occupied by someone else—what part of her still truly belonged to her? She just never imagined that the one holding her now was someone from the underworld.
Somehow, they kept walking and walking, forgetting their original goal of finding a place to eat. It wasn't until their stomachs started growling in protest that Hoàng Hải Vân finally picked a restaurant by the beach and pointed at it.
"Let’s go in here. I checked Google Maps earlier, and it has pretty good ratings," she said.
Hoàng Hải Vân had her own savings. With just a phone and a banking app, she could pay for anything. She browsed the menu and placed an order.
As they waited for their food, Trần Ngọc Linh kept checking his phone, waiting for a message from Trần Anh Hùng. Any moment now, Hoàng Hải Vân would probably ask one of those simple yet oddly endearing questions, like: "Where are we going tomorrow?"
Truth be told, he had no idea. But hearing her ask always made him happy. It felt as if someone was willing to stay by his side, to follow him wherever he went, placing their trust in him.
However, things were unlikely to be that simple. A security officer and a mafia member?
Ever since he was a child, he had been the son of a crime lord. To him, the mafia wasn’t inherently evil. The underground world had its own rules. He had never killed anyone without reason. But Hoàng Hải Vân had a completely different perspective.
If she ever returned to her original body, she might leave him without hesitation.
Perhaps… this moment right now was the best time they would ever have together.
 
When the food was served, Hoàng Hải Vân eagerly took out her phone to snap a photo as a keepsake. Once done, she turned to Trần Ngọc Linh and said,
"Try it."
Then she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, savoring the flavors before exclaiming,
"It may not be as luxurious as the resort, but it’s really good!"
Trần Ngọc Linh temporarily set aside his thoughts about tomorrow, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite. It truly was delicious. Or perhaps, eating with Hoàng Hải Vân and seeing how much she enjoyed the food made it taste even better. He was simply affected by her positive energy.
At first, he noticed Hoàng Hải Vân because she was exactly his type—her beauty triggered something instinctive in him, compelling him to risk everything to protect her that night. Growing up, this was only the second time he had ever saved someone. Afterward, he found her intriguing. But for some reason, she kept rejecting him.
Ever since he was a child, he had known that he was incredibly attractive, often drawing the admiration of others—to the point where it became exhausting. And yet, Hoàng Hải Vân seemed completely immune. Was it just because he was in the mafia, or was there another reason?
Wanting to understand more about the woman sitting across from him, he asked,
"When you get back to your real body, what will you do?"
Without hesitation, Hoàng Hải Vân replied,
"I’ll just return to my simple life. It may be dull, but it’s peaceful. Only now do I realize how precious peace really is."
"Peace?" Trần Ngọc Linh said calmly. "Isn’t this peaceful enough?"
Hoàng Hải Vân gazed into the distant horizon. A gust of sea breeze swept in, tossing her hair and carrying the smoky aroma of grilled seafood from the nearby kitchen. The smoke stung her eyes slightly, making them water.
Seeing this, Trần Ngọc Linh picked up a wet napkin from the table and handed it to her. She took it from him, feeling a small surge of gratitude, and said,
"It is peaceful."
After a moment of contemplation, she added,
"I barely have any friends. I don’t even have someone to eat out with like this. Right now, not only is it peaceful, but it also feels refreshingly different."
Hearing her words, Trần Ngọc Linh decided to probe further.
"Is there a chance you might like me?"
Hoàng Hải Vân was in the middle of drinking water when she heard that. She immediately choked, turning her head just in time to avoid spraying the table. With a frown, she snapped,
"Are you delusional? I already have someone in my heart."
The moment he heard that, Trần Ngọc Linh leaned in and asked urgently,
"Who is it?"