The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1291: BAI ZE AND XIA LI'S MEET-UP (I)

Luo Yan gazed at his cousin, who was putting in a lot of effort to appear totally casual after Xia Li's name came up. Amusement bubbled up inside him, curving his lips into a smile. "Have you two even met up in person yet?"

The memory of that girl who adored sketching fan-art surfaced in his mind. Her skills were impressive, truly. To this day, he occasionally browsed her Weibo account to see what was new. Whenever she shared fresh YUNxNoctis fan-art, he found himself saving it to his collection.

The question made Bai Ze squirm with discomfort. Truth be told, they had encountered each other face-to-face, and he was certain he'd come across as a total idiot. Everything began at the celebration bash following the Arcadia Cup finals. As they talked, she casually revealed she lived in B City too. Conversations flowed naturally, and soon enough, they'd set a time to get together.

Recalling the entire ordeal now, his thoughts drifted straight back to the details of that encounter from two months prior.

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Bai Ze gave his reflection a final once-over in the rearview mirror of his car. He ran a hand over his meticulously arranged hair to ensure it stayed in place, then tilted his head side to side to inspect his profile. Satisfied at last, he drew in a steadying breath before exiting the vehicle.

His car sat in the modest parking area behind Voyage Coffee. This charming little cafe sat close to Sanlihe Park, boasting a pleasant outdoor section. Patrons could relax there with their drinks, taking in the gentle river and the lush greenery nearby. He'd chosen the place thinking it offered a laid-back atmosphere ideal for an easygoing initial hangout.

That final idea halted him in his tracks. A first hangout? He mentally berated himself. This wasn't any kind of romantic outing! He and Xia Li were simply planning to connect in reality. After all, this marked their very first real-life meeting. Why on earth had his brain jumped to calling it a date?

Bai Ze had long since acknowledged his affection for Xia Li. He wasn't blind to his emotions, not when they hit this intensely. Yet a tiny, resistant corner of his mind held back from full commitment. Their bond—the chats, the laughs, all those shared experiences—had unfolded entirely within the game. Could he truly trust that the spark would translate outside it? So this get-together wasn't merely about laying eyes on her. It served as a trial run, a chance to verify the depth of his emotions in the flesh.

He realized such reasoning might come across as self-centered, perhaps even superficial. It resembled turning their encounter into a lab test or assessment, rather than a simple chance to bond. He never intended it that way, but the notion lingered at the edges of his consciousness, stirring a pang of remorse.

Still, he had no control over it. His mind simply struggled with tangled matters like these. That very flaw explained his clumsiness and hesitation in specific interactions. Outwardly, he projected ease and charm, but inwardly, navigating personal sentiments left him hopelessly lost.

With a heavy sigh, Bai Ze shoved aside the swirling doubts. He balled his hands into tight fists in a surge of resolve. No matter the mess of his inner turmoil, that burden belonged to him alone. He refused to let any hesitation spill over onto Xia Li. His goal was clear: ensure she left with fond memories of the day.

The cafe door swung open under his push, triggering a soft bell overhead. Entering, he swept his gaze across the space. Almost instantly, it locked onto a lone girl at a compact table by one of the expansive windows.

Petite in build, she sported glossy black hair in a tidy bob, accented by straight bangs across her brow. A soft yellow clip held those bangs aside neatly. Her button-like nose was adorable, and her lips and cheeks carried a gentle pink flush. She donned a crisp white blouse with short sleeves, featuring a delicate embroidered bloom at the neckline, paired with a pale blue skirt that pleated softly. A slender silver chain with a minuscule star charm hung lightly at her collarbone. Her big brown eyes, warm and tilted upward at the edges, formed a striking, feline allure.

No introduction was needed for him to recognize her. Those signature cat-like eyes gave it away completely. What caught him even more off guard, though, was how far she exceeded his expectations in cuteness. Sure, her in-game character had always seemed endearing to him. But the living, breathing version before him radiated an extra layer of charm.

Beyond her outfit or the subtle touch of makeup, it was her overall aura that captivated. A vibrant, effervescent glow emanated from her, adding an irresistible sparkle. She outshone every mental picture he'd conjured up.

Bai Ze's steps carried him toward her table, his pulse quickening with each one. The rapid drumming in his chest showed no signs of easing as he approached. It hammered fiercely even as he came to a standstill next to her spot.

"Xia Li," he said.

Xia Li glanced up from her phone. Spotting him, a flicker of surprise crossed her features. Her eyes grew a tad wider. Then, in a hesitant tone, she ventured, "Bai Ze?"

He aimed for a warm, easy smile, but sensed his facial muscles twisting oddly. It likely appeared downright strained. "Yup. It's me."

The shock on Xia Li's face softened into a radiant, sincere grin. It lit up her cat-like eyes, creasing them at the edges. At the sight of that expression, Bai Ze experienced a fierce, warming jolt in his chest, as if an arrow had struck true to his core.