The improved female villains regained their memories.

"Because I have you as a friend."

Song Panning patted her head: "I have you as a friend, and I will not give up. I will persevere and do my best to do this well. So, I will definitely defeat her."

"Ok!"

Their friendship truly began at that time.

That day, Song Panning's words entered Lin Wanjun's heart like sunshine, warming her and letting her know for the first time the charm of the word "friend".

"friend……"

Now, Lin Wanjun is squatting on the tree, watching the three people's backs, her fingers gripping the tree trunk so hard that she scratches deep marks, her innocent face contorted with rage.

"Why did you and her become friends...?"

"As expected, Song Panning, you are a sycophant and a schemer."

"I really... wanted to kill you."

Chapter 221 Zhong Ai

"If the Ling family and the Song family join forces, let alone revenge, I'm afraid I won't even be able to take the position of Goddess."

Night fell in the familiar Lin family mansion. Lin Wanjun hid in her room, contemplating the current situation.

There can only be one Goddess, but that doesn't mean that these competitors will be hostile to each other from the start. The Goddess Trial is not something that can be completed overnight. There are many people who form cliques from the beginning, and some vassal forces will even try their best to send the main force's candidate into later stages.

Before the follower test, the goddess candidates often help each other because they cannot recruit followers. A trustworthy companion is an important condition for passing the previous test. If they don't have one, they can arrange for someone to escort them through a family deal.

"In the competition for the position of Goddess, interests can certainly drive people, but such interests are the most unsettling. Looking at the candidates for Goddess throughout history, there are countless traitors. In my previous life, I trusted Song Panning so much, yet she still betrayed me. Not to mention others who are bound by interests. In this life, if I cooperate with others, it will be even more risky."

Lin Wanjun frowned deeply, pondering a way to break the deadlock.

“Now that Song Panning and Ling Shuxin have gotten together, they will definitely form an alliance in the early stages. What if I try to sow discord between them? No, that won’t do. I don’t know the relationship between them. If I’m exposed, my disguise will be ruined.”

"I was reborn, which is my advantage, but because of the butterfly effect, many things have changed. So what I know may no longer be my advantage, or even my disadvantage. I must figure out the exact relationship between those two people—are they true friends or just pretending to be acquaintances? But how should I begin..."

She slapped her forehead, thinking to herself, "How stupid of me! That mysterious man said Yang Pingsheng is the key. I should have gone to contact that guy!"

Revisiting the information about the Yang family, Lin Wanjun gradually came up with an idea.

"The mysterious man is right. Perhaps I should start from here."

--

I'm taking a day off from school today and will not be attending classes.

Yang Pingsheng was enjoying a rare moment of leisure at home. Outside the courtyard, the mountain breeze stirred the flowers, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Looking at the gray sky, Yang Pingsheng got up, stretched, and went outside.

Ling Shuxin and Song Panning both received extra training as goddesses, as did Yang Pingsheng. His future goal was to become a goddess's bodyguard, so he was learning swordsmanship today.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Lin Wanjun stood behind a tree, peeking out with her small head and staring at him.

The servant beside him held a broom, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

"Young master, this little girl somehow got in here, and she seems to be looking for you."

"It's nothing." Yang Pingsheng walked over. "She's my friend, she came to visit me."

"But young master, you should practice your sword."

"My tutor isn't here today, so I'll practice by myself."

"Then, young master, I'll go down now."

The servant left with his head down. Yang Pingsheng looked at the little girl blinking and couldn't help but smile, then waved to her.

"How did you sneak in?"

"By using a VPN, nobody will know."

Their innocent eyes met hers, and Lin Wanjun smiled, offering the fruit in her hands: "Here you go."

Yang Pingsheng smiled and accepted it, saying, "Thank you."

"I know what 'fiancée' means now."

"Really."

"I agree."

"so."

"Will you marry me?" the little girl asked seriously. "My mother says that a husband will protect his wife. Will you protect me?"

"Yes, if I marry you, I will."

Lin Wanjun then smiled happily again.

At the tender age of ten, she was playful. After finishing his homework, Yang Pingsheng saw her climbing a tree and waving at him.

Wow, that's so tall!

She chuckled, which made Yang Pingsheng feel a little dazed.

Once upon a time, there was a courtyard with a big tree. A lively girl, equally playful, climbed up the tree and waved to herself.

"Sir, look!"

Yang Pingsheng smiled helplessly. Why are you thinking about the third life again? Xu Anlu is a very lovely child. I just wonder how she is doing now.

"Want to go to the market this afternoon?" Yang Pingsheng called out from under the tree. He didn't have any classes that afternoon, and the system had asked him to help the female lead develop a relationship, so he came up with this idea.

"A market?" Lin Wanjun's eyes lit up. "Great!"

After the intense midday sun subsided, Lin Wanjun had lunch at Yang Pingsheng's house, and in the afternoon, she went out with him.

The arrival of Miss Lin caused a sensation in the entire Yang family. Yang Pingsheng's uncle pondered for a long time at the table, not saying much, but maintaining only the most basic etiquette. When his aunt heard that Yang Pingsheng was going to the market with Lin Wanjun in the afternoon, she specially found Yang Pingsheng after the meal, gave him a bag of money, and told him not to be stingy.

So, Yang Pingsheng, carrying a bulging money bag, walked through the market hand in hand with Lin Wanjun.

The progress was good, even exceeding his expectations. He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. So, the next step was to follow the system's instructions, solidify and cultivate their relationship, and eventually become husband and wife.

People in this mountain city tend to get married early, usually around sixteen, though some might marry as late as twenty.

Even if we take the earliest possible timeframe, considering Lin Wanjun's age of ten, Yang Pingsheng would have six years to prepare.

During this time, in addition to cultivating his relationship with Lin Wanjun, he also had to overcome obstacles between families. After all, the Yang family had always followed the Song family, and the Song family's daughter was on good terms with the Ling family. Now, the Yang family's son wanted to marry the Lin family's daughter, and it was hard to guarantee that the political landscape of the temple would not be disturbed.

Although Yang Pingsheng was an adopted son, he still had to prioritize the interests of the family. However, considering that he had the system backing him up, Yang Pingsheng was not too worried about these issues.

He looked at Lin Wanjun, who was holding his hand, and at her innocent and naive appearance.

I've schemed to make this child my wife when she's so young. Thinking about it, I'm such a bastard.

With a helpless smile, Yang Pingsheng pulled himself out of his thoughts and began strolling through the market with Lin Wanjun.

The temple's power base is located on the mountain, with its own market, so there's no need to leave the temple.

Most of the people in the market are members of powerful families, and the things they sell are different from those down the mountain. Everything related to food, daily necessities, and clothing is related to spiritual energy.

Yang Pingsheng casually picked up a piece of women's clothing. He felt that the fabric was light and thin, and it was slightly cool to the touch. He could also see a slight spiritual energy circulating within it.

"This is a fine Qingyun robe, children's clothing, perfect for your younger sister." Someone came up and introduced it to Yang Pingsheng with a smile.

In the temple market, no one would easily look down on someone based on their clothes or age. After all, no one knows who is behind you. The buyer was like that. Although Yang Pingsheng and Lin Wanjun were only eleven or twelve years old, he did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly introduced them to the buyers.

“Our clothing has been blessed by a special talisman master. It can take care of the skin, moisturize, whiten and so on. Your sister is so beautiful, wearing it will definitely have a better effect.”

“Not my sister.” Lin Wanjun suddenly looked up and emphasized, “She’s my wife.”

The man gasped, then looked at Yang Pingsheng with admiration.

Yang Pingsheng felt a little embarrassed. Seeing that Lin Wanjun really loved it, he dropped the money and said, "Keep the change," before taking Lin Wanjun's hand and leaving in a hurry.

"...Don't say that in front of outsiders."

"Why?" Lin Wanjun tilted her head and looked at him. "I promised you, so I will naturally keep my word. Therefore, I will be your wife from now on."

Yang Pingsheng felt a rare blush creep down his spine. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a familiar voice:

"Wife, whose wife?"

Yang Pingsheng's heart skipped a beat. He looked up and saw Song Panning and Ling Shuxin standing there with their things.

Song Panning's face remained expressionless, while Ling Shuxin wore an expression of pure amusement, like someone watching a show.

"Ah, Xiao Ning."

"What are you doing?"

"I am here……"

"Let's go to the market," Lin Wanjun suddenly said, tightening her grip on Yang Pingsheng's hand. "I'll go with her."

All three of them turned their gazes to Lin Wanjun. Yang Pingsheng was somewhat surprised, not expecting this little girl to have such courage.

Song Panning's gaze lingered on the two clasped hands, then shifted to Yang Pingsheng: "Is there anything you want to say?"

"Um, aren't you in class?"

"Our mentor sent us out to buy some healing herbs to prevent us from twisting our ankles." Song Panning smiled slightly, a sinister smile in her eyes. "Are these your last words?"

"...Why is it described in such a terrifying way?"

After twelve years of being together, Yang Pingsheng knew his childhood sweetheart's personality well and was familiar with her every move. Just as he was about to say something, he saw her walk over and grab his ear.

"Pain Pain!"

"Then let go!"

"I'm loosening up, I'm loosening up."

Lin Wanjun watched Song Panning and Yang Pingsheng interact and fell silent.

She could tell that Song Panning liked Yang Pingsheng.

But, but, it shouldn't be like this.

Song Panning shouldn't like other people.

Her memories drifted back to her previous life.

.........