The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1292: BAI ZE AND XIA LI'S MEET-UP (II)

Bai Ze rubbed the back of his neck, a bit thrown off balance. He glanced away for a moment to drag over the chair opposite her, then settled into it. "Have you been sitting here for a while? Apologies if I kept you waiting."

"No problem at all, really," Xia Li replied, dismissing it with a casual wave. "I only arrived a couple of minutes back." With a grin, she lifted her menu. "This place is one of my top picks for sketching. Their signature coffees are fantastic. Want to order? You absolutely need to sample their tiramisu—it's unbeatable."

"Alright, let me handle the ordering for us," Bai Ze suggested, rising swiftly from his seat. Heading to the counter would buy him a moment to steady his pounding heart. "What do you want?"

"Let me think," Xia Li murmured, pondering briefly. Then she beamed at him. "I'll take the red-cherry americano and a piece of tiramisu, if you don't mind."

Red-cherry americano? That sure rang like a house specialty to his ears. He nodded promptly and headed to the counter to put in their request. While waiting in the brief queue, he concentrated on drawing in deep, measured breaths. Gradually, his frantic heartbeat eased into a more even, regular pace.

He never imagined that encountering Xia Li face-to-face would strike him with such intensity. Any lingering uncertainty about his emotions had vanished entirely by now. The way his body responded served as undeniable evidence. Yet this awareness left him feeling superficial. After all, didn't it appear as if he'd only solidified his affection due to her physical appeal? Was he truly so superficial, so fixated on looks?

Of course not, he assured himself. Were that the case, he'd have developed crushes on every attractive individual he'd crossed paths with. And there had been no shortage of them. Given the elite circles his family frequented, stunning faces were commonplace. But his pulse had never raced like this upon spotting Xia Li, or when her smile lit up. That suggested his reaction stemmed from emotions that ran far deeper already. Her beauty merely added an extra spark to what he'd felt all along.

Arriving at that understanding brought Bai Ze a wave of relief. His tense shoulders loosened right as he stepped up to the counter.

A barista glanced his way from behind the counter, offering a courteous smile. "What can I get for you, sir?"

Lost in his reflections during the wait, he hadn't even glanced at the menu. Recalling Xia Li's choice, he opted to mirror it. "I'd like two red-cherry americanos and two slices of tiramisu, please."

"Right away, sir. Anything else?" the barista inquired. Bai Ze shook his head, and the barista entered the details into the system. "Your total comes to 190 RMB."

Bai Ze fished out his card and completed the transaction. As the payment cleared, the barista passed him the receipt plus a little wooden holder. The figure 9 stood out in white paint.

"Feel free to sit down. We'll deliver your items to the table when they're prepared," the barista added.

Bai Ze brought the wooden marker back to their spot. He eased into the chair facing Xia Li and positioned the number 9 holder squarely in the table's middle.

Now that he sat there, gazing straight at Xia Li once more, his heart thumped wildly in his chest anew. He attempted a subtle, deep inhale, though it offered little relief.

Man, I like this girl so much.

"The cafe's pretty empty at the moment, so our stuff should arrive shortly," Xia Li noted, surveying the serene space. Turning her eyes back to him, she questioned with evident interest, "So, what did you decide on?"

Bai Ze cleared his throat gently. "I went with what you picked." At his words, Xia Li shot him an odd glance. That mere expression stirred up his unease. "W-what is it?"

Xia Li chuckled, the tone carrying a hint of embarrassment. "The red-cherry americano boasts a rather... distinctive taste," she clarified. "It's something of a taste you grow into, frankly. Not certain it'll suit you."

"Oh," Bai Ze managed, momentarily at a loss. Then he flashed his typical mischievous smile. "No need to fret. If it's to your liking, it'll be to mine as well."

Xia Li arched a single brow in response. A spark of delight danced in her feline eyes. "If that's what you think."

Their order showed up without much delay. A server approached and set down the pair of tall red-cherry americano glasses alongside the two tiramisu plates with care. He wished them a good time before departing. Bai Ze peered at the deep, cherry-hued beverage before him.

Served in a slender glass, the drink featured a bold crimson layer at its base. Undoubtedly from the cherry syrup involved. Above that rested the intense, dark espresso, the layers distinct with a stark divide. Creamy white foam crowned the surface.

It appeared appealing, almost striking. But recalling the evident mirth in Xia Li's gaze before, he sensed it wouldn't prove as straightforward as its looks suggested.

"Make sure to stir it gently with the straw prior to sipping," Xia Li instructed, lifting her glass to show him. "That's the way to capture the optimal taste."

Bai Ze swallowed with a touch of apprehension. He then mimicked her motion. Carefully, he blended the dual layers until they formed a uniform shade. Raising the glass, he ventured a tentative sip.

As soon as the liquid touched his palate, his eyes widened in shock. An intense blend of tangy, sweet, and bitter assaulted his senses. He pressed his lips together to avoid spitting it out. His frame shuddered, forcing him to down the dreadful swallow in one go, which triggered a bout of harsh, sputtering coughs.