After being reborn, the villain comes with a spoiler tag.

The second phase of the carnival route is completely different from the first phase, as if you have instantly transitioned from one carefully arranged scene to the next.

Before Huo Yu lay a lake, not a large one, upon which floated delicate lanterns. They drifted slowly across Huo Yu's view, then followed the current, eventually flowing into the babbling river downstream.

The light from the lanterns reflected on the lake surface, creating a shimmering effect, as if countless tiny silver scales were swimming leisurely in the water, forming a dreamlike world of light and shadow.

On this lakeside where light and shadow intertwine, Huo Yu finally saw other people. They were all in pairs, wearing masks, some looking at each other in silence, extremely reserved, others whispering and laughing, talking in hushed tones.

Each woman carried a lantern emitting a soft glow, which, together with the surrounding lights, created a warm and romantic atmosphere.

However, the exit where Long Yucheng was located was directly opposite Huo Yu, with the entire lake separating the two. Huo Yu could only rely on his divine sense to remotely locate Long Yucheng's position in the crowd.

It was nearly midnight. The night was as dark as ink, the sky hung low, and countless stars dotted the heavens like fine silver sand, silently scattered across the deep, boundless sky.

The moonlight gently fell, like a thin veil, softly enveloping the lake.

In the heart of the lake, a pavilion stands quietly, its four corners upturned, like a bird about to take flight. Several red lanterns hang under the eaves, swaying gently in the slightly cool night breeze, casting dappled light and shadow.

Unlike the tranquility of the first phase, the organizers arranged a play in the pavilion, seemingly to ease the awkward atmosphere among the temporarily formed companions. This allowed these originally unfamiliar men and women to break the ice or watch the play together to relieve their discomfort.

At this moment, a young actor dressed as a male lead is performing a solo act. His clear voice penetrates the tranquil lake surface and clearly reaches the ears of every couple strolling along the lake.

"Walking along, I was filled with joy; my classmates had unexpectedly become husband and wife."

"As I walked, I thought about how my friendship with her, who was my classmate and I studied together, has lasted a long time."

The willows by the lake swayed gently in the soft night breeze, their branches drooping as if they too were pausing to listen. A faint floral fragrance filled the air, mingling with the moist scent of the lake, creating a truly refreshing atmosphere.

Along the lakeside railings, lanterns hang high, their reflections shimmering on the lake's surface, creating a warm and enchanting scene, like a dream.

As the upbeat accompaniment music intertwined with the young male lead's affectionate and melodious singing, the atmosphere among the initially somewhat reserved temporary companions gradually relaxed. They began to chat with each other, and several couples even stopped by the lake to enjoy the opera together.

"The scene before my eyes is the same as before. Recalling the past brings both joy and surprise. She once revealed the spring with plum blossoms, but I was just a clay sculpture and a wooden carving, completely ignorant of her voice."

However, in this slightly romantic atmosphere, Huo Yu and Shen Xinyue seemed out of place, maintaining a distance of several steps between them, neither of them making a move to speak.

Huo Yu had little interest in the incomprehensible opera, but he was not in a hurry to reach the exit of the garden party. His consciousness remained fixed on the two figures on the opposite bank.

Bai Xue had clearly sensed Huo Yu's divine sense, but she did not react at all. She simply carried the lantern and walked quickly toward the exit.

Long Yucheng followed closely behind, keeping a few steps away from Bai Xue. He looked preoccupied and had no interest in looking around; he simply followed Bai Xue's footsteps unconsciously.

Although they were further from the exit than Huo Yu and Shen Xinyue, at this speed, they would undoubtedly leave the park much earlier than Huo Yu and Shen Xinyue.

"Ah Xue will not lay a hand on Young Master Long."

Shen Xinyue suddenly spoke softly beside Huo Yu. Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, or as if she were murmuring to herself, yet it clearly reached Huo Yu's ears.

Huo Yu said calmly:

"She didn't dare."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xinyue smiled slightly and, for the first time, turned her gaze to Huo Yu's face:

"Young Master Huo and Ah Xue really do look alike."

Huo Yu did not respond, as he did not believe that he and Bai Xue had anything in common.

Seeing Huo Yu remain silent, Shen Xinyue didn't mind and continued:

"Ah Xue has revealed her identity to me, and also told me your identity. Young Master Long doesn't seem to know yet."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yu turned his head to look at Shen Xinyue for the first time. His face remained calm, but he was already thinking about the consequences if he killed Shen Xinyue.

Shen Xinyue didn't care at all. She raised her hand to tuck the strands of hair that had been ruffled by the night wind behind her ear and said softly:

"I didn't tell Young Master Long."

The atmosphere between the two froze for a moment, as if even the air itself had become heavy. A gentle breeze from the lake brought a touch of coolness, but it couldn't dispel the subtle and tense atmosphere between them.

Shen Xinyue remained calm and composed, showing no fear of the Demon Lord beside her. She simply turned her gaze to the distant stage, recalling the question Long Yucheng had just asked her, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.

This was the first time in ten years that she hadn't actively avoided Long Yucheng's presence.

For the past ten years, she had deliberately led Bai Xue to avoid all possible opportunities to meet Long Yucheng, but today, she was taking the initiative to wait for Long Yucheng to come to her.

Because she wanted Bai Xue to know that she and Long Yucheng were no longer the Shen Xinyue and Long Yucheng written on the stone tablet.

"Four-Nine, hurry up and travel, I wish I could sprout wings and fly to her dressing table."

In the distance, the young male lead on the stage had finished singing the last line. To the accompaniment of the interlude, he quickly left the stage, and the actors for the next scene were ready to go on stage.

Shen Xinyue slowly withdrew her gaze and sighed softly.

She and Bai Xue had already watched the entire play at a theater in Yue Kingdom, and she already knew the final fate of the male and female leads.

However, a play starring her and Bai Xue is currently being staged, and the script is not yet finalized, so the future is full of uncertainties.

She hoped that after tonight, Bai Xue could let go of her obsession with the old script and completely extricate herself from this play that had long since become irrelevant to them.