A young man in his early twenties lay reclined in his studio room, wearing a bored expression on his face. His living quarters consisted of a bedroom, kitchen, and living room, all combined into one large room without any walls to separate them. The dimly lit space was illuminated only by a single lamp as he lay on his small single bed, holding a novel suspended in the air with both hands.

"This novel is such a bore," he mumbled to himself.

His eyes began to drift, growing weary one after the other. Suddenly, he was startled by the abrupt ringing of his phone's ringtone, causing him to accidentally drop the novel onto his face.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed.

Removing the book from his face, he answered the call while reflexively rubbing his sore spot. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw that it was his younger sister.

"Hey sis, what's up?" the young man said with a yawn.

A childlike, yet angelic voice came through the speaker, "Brother Kai! Come meet me at Ding's Restaurant! I have something to give you!"

"But it's so late. You can give it to me tomorrow," Kai groaned.

The voice on the phone responded with a tantrum.

"No! No! Come right now! You really need to come right now!"

"What's so urgent that requires my immediate presence, Hua Xia?"

"Well, brother, if you really want to find out, you'll need to meet me at Ding's Restaurant! I'll see you here! No objections allowed! Hee-hee."

With that, Hua Xia abruptly hung up, leaving Kai with no choice but to go to Ding's Restaurant. Despite his initial objection, Kai could never turn down his dear sister's requests, even though they weren't blood-related.

Kai was adopted into the Thao family at the age of ten. Having grown up in an orphanage, he had no knowledge of his biological parents and no attachment to the ones who had abandoned him. Life in the orphanage was far from a safe haven, filled with complications and hardships. However, everything changed for the less fortunate Kai when he was taken in by the Thao family.

Hua Xia was born roughly a month after Kai's adoption into the Thao family. She gave Kai a sense of purpose and duty as an older brother. Besides spoiling and loving her, above all, he wanted to protect her.

Looking out the window of his room, Kai saw a perfect storm brewing with incessant rainfall. He grabbed his jacket, umbrella, and the novel Hua Xia had left on her last visit, and made his way out.

Kai and Hua Xia no longer lived together as they used to, since he now resided in an university dormitory. Due to his busy schedule, Kai rarely had the chance to visit Hua Xia and his parents. Returning the novel that didn't capture his interest seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Ding's Restaurant was just a few blocks away from Kai's dormitory, located in midtown. As he walked towards his destination, he could see the restaurant's sign glowing incandescently a few intersections away. At the city intersection, a strong gust of wind snatched Kai's umbrella from his grasp, leaving him defenseless against the downpour.

"Ugh, I hope I don't get sick from this. I have an exam tomorrow," Kai grumbled.

With the light turning green, Kai made his way to retrieve his umbrella, which lay abandoned in the middle of the crosswalk. As he reached down to pick it up, an unforeseen truck suddenly appeared, colliding with Kai.

His vision blurred, and all he could see was rain pouring down from the cloudy skies. Distant cries and yells reached his ears as his lifeless body lay on the cold, concrete pavement. A chill gripped him as consciousness faded away.

"I'm sorry, Hua Xia... Your brother won't be able to meet up with you…"

Kai awoke with a sense of unease, feeling a tightness around his neck. As he sat up in bed, his injuries sent waves of pain through his body, eliciting a groan. Taking in his surroundings, he found himself in a room adorned with opulent furniture, a luxury only the wealthy could afford. The bed he was on resembled an eastern four-poster bed, known as a shelf bed, with intricate bed supports and a canopy at the top. The air was heavy with the scent of agarwood spice incense.

"This is not a typical hospital setting... Where am I?" Kai muttered to himself. Suddenly, a throbbing headache seized him, causing him to instinctively reach for his forehead, only to find it wrapped in bandages.

Just then, a young maid entered the room, gently closing the door behind her. She had long, black hair and wore a simple green hanfu, the attire of a servant. When she laid eyes on Kai, awake and sitting up, she exclaimed in panicked concern, "My lord, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

Kai stared at the maid, a mix of confusion and bewilderment clouding his thoughts. Wanting to gather information without revealing his predicament, he calmly inquired, "I apologize, but who are you?"

The maid knelt before Kai and nervously replied, "I am your humble servant, Jie Yan, my lord."

The name Jie Yan sparked a flicker of recognition in Kai's mind.

"Jie Yan... And who am I to you?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"My lord, you are Xing Li, the third and youngest son of the Thor Clan," Jie Yan responded, her voice filled with fidgetiness.

In that instant, Kai's memory burst to life like a sudden illumination.

"Wait a minute... Isn't Xing Li the name of the villainous lord from the novel I recently read?" he exclaimed, surprise evident in his voice.

Observing Kai with a worried expression, Jie Yan witnessed his internal struggle as he grappled with his circumstances.

"I... I will go and inform the doctor!" Jie Yan quickly hurried out of the room.

After Jie Yan left, Kai realized that he had been transported to another world, where he now inhabited the body of Xing Li, the notorious antagonist destined to meet his demise at the hands of the novel's protagonist. Filled with frustration and outrage, Kai directed his gaze towards the ceiling and vented his anger, "Are you truly planning to kill me twice, God?!"

Kai's opulent room was a sight to behold, each nook and corner adorned with intricate designs that exuded an air of divine beauty and luxury. As he gradually calmed the raging turmoil within him, Kai's curiosity was sparked, compelling him to thoroughly explore the lavish space that surrounded him. With measured steps, he rose from the comfort of his bed, his eyes roving over the exquisite furnishings and delicate craftsmanship that adorned the room.

Among the luxuries that graced the room, Kai's attention was drawn to an oval, golden-framed mirror that hung elegantly on a wall adorned with intricate engravings of mythical creatures and celestial motifs. Approaching the mirror with a sense of trepidation, Kai was met with a surprising sight, the reflection of the infamous villain, Lord Xing Li. Standing tall and imposing, Lord Xing Li's remarkable features, from his piercing hazel eyes to his flawlessly chiseled visage, held Kai captive in a trance of mesmerization.

"By the heavens... the beauty of this man is truly transcendent!" Kai gasped in awe, his gaze unable to break free from the captivating reflection before him.

Unaware of Jie Yan's presence just outside the door, Kai was startled when she cautiously entered the room, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"My lord, is everything alright?"

Quick to compose himself, Kai reassured her, watching as her expression softened in relief at finding him unharmed. Following her was the doctor, who advised Kai to rest and refrain from exerting himself due to his still-healing condition.

As Kai settled back into the comfort of his bed, Jie Yan stood by his side, her gaze filled with worry and care. The doctor began a thorough health examination, and Kai, intrigued, felt a sudden wave of curiosity wash over him.

"Jie Yan, how old am I?" Kai inquired in a soft tone.

"You just turned 18 years old yesterday, my lord," Jie Yan responded.

Intrigued by thoughts of his family, Kai probed further about a potential visit from Lord and Lady Thor, only to be met with a hesitant and evasive response from Jie Yan, hinting at concealed truths lurking beneath the surface.

Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Lord Xing Li's tale, acquired through reading the novel, Kai discerned the true nature of Lord and Lady Thor. Understanding that they had neglected Lord Xing Li since young, Kai decided not to press further, choosing to change the topic instead.

"How did I sustain these injuries?" Kai queried, shifting the focus of the conversation.

Jie Yan hesitated momentarily, seemingly taken aback by the unexpected question. Nevertheless, driven by her unwavering loyalty to Kai, whom she had served since a young age, she answered honestly.

"It was Lord Ying. During a flower viewing session in the garden, Lord Ying and his servants pushed you into the water, causing you to hit your head."

Memories of that malicious encounter flooded Kai's mind, the image of the second son, Lord Ying's cruel smirk and disdainful demeanor etched painfully into his memory and Kai let out a groan as his head throbbed.

"It's all my fault! I left you there alone! I was incompetent!" Jie Yan cried, her voice choked with guilt.

"Are you experiencing a headache?" the doctor asked, concern etched on his face.

"It's nothing, Doc," Kai replied wearily. "I'm probably too tired. And Jie Yan, it's not your fault. It was mine for being too weak to stand up to them."

Jie Yan continued to weep, her guilt spilling over as she recalled the agonizing time when Lord Xing Li was unconscious.

After some time had passed, and once Jie Yan had calmed down, she and the doctor quietly left the room to allow Kai to rest for the night.

Kai's mind was consumed with thoughts of the future. The knowledge he had gained from the novel about Lord Xing Li's tragic fate weighed heavily on him. How could he avoid the same destiny? How could he navigate the treacherous waters of familial issues that threatened to consume him?

With renewed determination, Kai resolved to rewrite Xing Li's story. He understood that his path would be fraught with challenges and obstacles, but he refused to succumb to the same tragic fate as Lord Xing Li. Armed with knowledge, intelligence, and a loyal companion in Jie Yan, Kai felt a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounded him.

As the sun descended, Kai rose from his bed and settled by the door, peering out into the darkness. Each star, a tiny speck of light in the vast darkness, seemed to hold a secret waiting to be uncovered.

As Kai continued to gaze at the stars, a sense of tranquility washed over him. The weight of his questions and uncertainties dissolved, replaced by a calming peace that enveloped his mind. Exhaustion crept in, his eyelids growing heavy as a wave of drowsiness overtook him.

In his slumber, Kai found himself in a scorching desert under the blazing sun. Lost and disoriented, he trudged through the endless sands, each step a struggle against the oppressive heat. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he pressed forward.

Amidst the desolation, a haunting cry pierced the silence, filled with anguish and desperation that echoed through the emptiness. The voice called out to him, stirring a sense of recognition deep within his soul.

"Hua Xia!" Kai's voice rang out as he sprinted toward the sound, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and relief as he recognized the familiar cry. With each desperate step, the cries grew louder, carrying the weight of unspoken regrets and longing.

As he approached, Kai saw a figure in the distance, shrouded in sorrow. It was his younger sister, Hua Xia, tears streaming down her cheeks as she reached out to him in despair. Her pleas for him to stay filled the air, tugging at his heart with a mix of emotions.

Racing forward, Kai finally reached his sister, enfolding her in a tight embrace as if to shield her from the pain. The weight of their shared grief hung heavy in the air, their bond strengthening with each passing moment.

But as he held onto her, Hua Xia began to fade, her form dissipating like mist in the wind. Panic gripped Kai as he clung to her vanishing presence, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded for her to stay, unwilling to let her slip away.

"Brother, for all the kindness you have bestowed upon me, I only wish for you to discover joy in your new journey. Happy birthday, brother Kai," Hua Xia's fleeting words lingered in the air, as her form dissipated, leaving behind a void that weighed heavy on Kai's heart.

Awakening with tears in his eyes, Kai found himself overwhelmed by the emotions of the dream. He gazed out of the door, where the morning sky painted a canvas of blue and white clouds, a stark contrast to the desert of his dream.

"Happy belated birthday to me," Kai murmured softly, a tint of melancholy in his voice.

A soft breeze fluttered through the door, carrying the sweet scent of flowers and a single blossom gently descended and landed on Kai's lap. It felt like a tender touch from his sister, a gentle reminder of her love and presence.

Holding the flower close to his heart, Kai felt a surge of gratitude and determination. Wiping away his tears, he vowed to cherish the gift of life and live each day with purpose, knowing that Hua Xia was watching over him from somewhere beyond.

"I'll make the most of this chance, Hua Xia," Kai whispered, feeling a renewed sense of hope and strength as he embraced the new day ahead.