The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1282: UNEXPECTED ANSWER

"ARE you sure I can't come in with you?"

Luo Yan shifted his gaze toward Shen Ji Yun as the question was posed. Having just parked the vehicle, Shen Ji Yun was wearing a hopeful, pleading expression, resembling a puppy desperate to follow its master. His desire to accompany Luo Yan into the cafe was written all over his face, likely without him even realizing it. Observing such an honest and longing look made Luo Yan find him even more charming.

He offered a slightly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Brother Ji Yun, but this conversation with Sister Yuqi needs to be private. Don't worry, though. I promise that once we're finished, the two of us can go on a real date."

Shen Ji Yun gave a hesitant nod, though a trace of worry remained on his face. Luo Yan let out a soft chuckle at the sight. Moving quickly across the center console, he gave Shen Ji Yun a light, comforting peck on the lips before stepping out and shutting the car door.

He headed toward the cafe standing before him. It was the final weekend before the official start of the new semester. His military training had concluded at last. Although he had eventually adjusted to the rigorous routine, he truly hoped he would never have to experience anything like it again.

A few days prior, he had messaged Su Yuqi to request a meeting. She had suggested this Saturday, and they had agreed on this particular cafe for a post-lunch talk.

Pushing the door open, he entered the establishment. The interior was cool, filled with the rich aroma of coffee. He paused near the entrance, scanning the room to locate his companion. Eventually, he spotted Su Yuqi. She was seated by herself at a small table tucked into a distant corner, shielded from the other patrons and the general noise of the shop.

He moved through the cafe, navigating around other tables until he reached her secluded spot.

"Hello, Sister Yuqi," he greeted, stopping by her side.

She looked up from her smartphone, her features softening into a faint smile upon seeing him. "Hey."

He acknowledged her with a nod and pulled out the wooden chair across from her. "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."

"It's no trouble," Su Yuqi replied, setting her phone down. "I suspected you would want to speak with me, so this isn't exactly a surprise."

Luo Yan arched an eyebrow. It seemed she had been anticipating this. Given her sharp intuition, she surely realized he had reached out specifically to talk about Luo Jin. This confirmed his suspicion: something major had indeed occurred between her and his brother.

He glanced toward the service counter before turning back to her. "Since we might be here a while, should we get some drinks first?"

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Su Yuqi agreed with a slow nod, appearing to appreciate the brief reprieve. "Let's do that."

Luo Yan signaled for a waiter. He placed an order for a matcha latte and a slice of blueberry cheesecake. After a brief look at the menu, Su Yuqi requested a single espresso. Once the waiter noted their choices and departed, they sat in a short, quiet silence while awaiting their order.

Su Yuqi was the one to eventually break the stillness. "So," she began, "how did the military training go?"

"To be honest? It was quite exhausting," Luo Yan admitted with a faint sigh, leaning back in his seat. "I'm just relieved it's finally over and that my first semester of Cultivation—I mean, university—is about to begin."

Su Yuqi nodded sympathetically. "Military training is the one experience I never wish to repeat."

"I feel exactly the same way," Luo Yan replied. This sentiment held even more weight for him, considering this was actually the second time he had endured the ordeal.

Minutes later, the waiter returned. He set the matcha latte and the blueberry cheesecake in front of Luo Yan before placing the small espresso cup before Su Yuqi.

Luo Yan lifted his latte and took a measured sip. The drink combined the sweetness of milk with the bitter, earthy notes of the matcha. Setting the cup down, he looked directly at Su Yuqi. "Sister Yuqi, can you explain exactly what happened between you and Ah Jin?"

He chose to be direct. There was no point in dancing around the subject, and he was certain Su Yuqi would value a straightforward approach over shallow small talk.

Su Yuqi remained quiet for a moment before exhaling a long, weary sigh. She took a slow drink of her espresso, her gaze turning serious. "I told him that his feelings, regardless of how intense they are now, might be temporary. I pointed out his youth. When he enters university next year, his entire world will expand. He will encounter countless new people and experiences. It is possible... even probable, that his outlook will shift. What seems vital to him today might change in a year or two. I admitted I was afraid he would simply... outgrow his feelings for me."

Luo Yan blinked, stunned. This was entirely unexpected. He had imagined a simple spat or a misunderstanding that could be easily resolved—perhaps a bit of jealousy or a missed date. He was not prepared for a conversation this heavy.

For the moment, he was at a loss for words.