The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1288 1288: BE MY FAMILY

Luo Yan felt he'd absorbed plenty already. From the beginning, he'd chosen silence, simply observing the exchange between Shen Ji Yun and the unfamiliar man. Their familiarity was plain right away. That's why he kept listening, piecing together the stranger's identity and his bond with Shen Ji Yun. What emerged for Luo Yan was that they were relatives—cousins, to be exact. The fellow seemed to be the child of Shen Ji Yun's alternate uncle. Their strained tones during the talk left no doubt: the pair clashed fiercely.

Luo Yan understood well that Shen Ji Yun shared little warmth with the Shen household, apart from Uncle Yi Mu and his grandmother, obviously. Yet, watching Shen Ji Yun's features harden and shut down further with each word to this relative stirred an ache deep in Luo Yan's heart. A fierce, unexpected rush of guardianship surged through him then.

Following the death of Shen Ji Yun's father, his mother spiraled into despair. She immersed herself in mourning, abandoning the son who might have sparked some will to endure. Based on what Shen Ji Yun had confided, Luo Yan suspected she battled a grave psychological affliction. Even without direct words, Luo Yan sensed his partner had endured agony in those days—not merely heartfelt wounds, but probable bodily harm too.

Rather than shielding him, the mother's kin offered zero support. Thankfully, Uncle Yi Mu arrived in time, extracting young Shen Ji Yun from that dire mess before deeper harm struck. The boy must have brimmed with optimism, anticipating the broader Shen clan to embrace him warmly, much like Uncle Yi Mu had done. Luo Yan could only picture the sharp letdown that crushed his youthful spirit when reality proved utterly reversed.

Luo Yan caught that same letdown flickering over Shen Ji Yun's features amid the cousin's words. He refused to let it linger. Reaching over, he clasped Shen Ji Yun's hand, offering a soft, comforting press.

Shen Ji Yun glanced downward at him, his rigid look easing slightly. Luo Yan gazed up with a gentle smile, eyes full of warmth. "Come on, let's get out of here, Brother Ji Yun?"

Shen Ji Yun blinked once. The fury and lingering bitterness ebbed gradually, displaced by the reliable heat from Luo Yan's grip in his own. Indeed, they ought to depart. Why linger in this futile chat with Shen Xin when escaping alongside Luo Yan beckoned?

"Yes," Shen Ji Yun replied, tone steadier now. He returned a light squeeze to Luo Yan's hand. "Let's go."

As they pivoted to exit, Shen Xin shouted behind them, voice laced with incredulity. "What, you're just going to walk away like nothing happened?"

Shen Ji Yun nearly spun back with a biting reply, but Luo Yan's palm rested softly on his chest, halting him.

Luo Yan faced Shen Xin steadily, composure intact. "Yes, we are. There's nothing more to talk about, so we're leaving now. Just like Brother Ji Yun told you, you can tell the Shen patriarch about our relationship. If he's worried about your family's reputation, he can just disown Brother Ji Yun. It's not like it would be any real hardship, since you people were never a real family to him, anyway. Your loss, by the way. Because you will never get to know just how amazing of a person he really is. Which is fine, because it's my gain. I will stay by his side no matter what happens. So, you can tell your grandfather he can give it his worst. I will be right here with Brother Ji Yun to face it all."

Shen Xin's face froze in shock at Luo Yan's declaration. Shen Ji Yun couldn't fault him for it—he mirrored the reaction. Beyond astonishment, though, a powerful tide of warmth flooded his heart. It stemmed from total embrace and unyielding support. For an extended instant, words escaped him entirely.

Absorbed in that sensation, he barely noticed Luo Yan tugging his hand lightly, steering him decisively from the alley and toward the shooting range's exit.

His words returned only after they reached the lot outside. He halted, facing Luo Yan directly. "Thank you, Yan Yan."

Luo Yan tilted his head up. "There's no need to thank me. I only said the truth," he murmured gently. His fingers brushed Shen Ji Yun's cheek with care. "You are an amazing person, Brother Ji Yun. Anyone would be lucky to have you as family."

Shen Ji Yun pressed into the contact, nestling his head against Luo Yan's hand. He shut his eyes briefly, savoring the tender feel of that skin on his face. Upon reopening them, a mischievous, yearning gleam sparkled in his blue gaze. "Then, can you be my family?"

Luo Yan's grin broadened, eyes folding at the edges. His thumb traced softly along Shen Ji Yun's cheek. "Aren't I already your family?"

Those words triggered a deep wave of serenity and joy through Shen Ji Yun, enveloping him like a firm embrace.

"Yes," he answered, voice husky with feeling. "You are."

He bent forward, touching his forehead to Luo Yan's in a light rest. A silent, steadfast longing rooted in his core. One day, he yearned to declare this man his spouse before the world.