The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1300: WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE TWO (II)

Su Yuqi stared at him once more, holding the gaze for what seemed like forever. Luo Jin clenched his teeth in frustration. He nearly yelled at her to just come out with it. Yet, even in this moment, he couldn't muster the strength to snap at her. Instead, he held his patience. He endured until she would finally reveal this so-called 'proposal'.

Rather than replying right away, she posed a question instead. "Have I ever mentioned that I've always dreamed of becoming a tattoo artist?"

Luo Jin blinked in surprise, thrown off by the abrupt shift in subject. He shook his head on instinct. "No, you never have."

"It's a secret I've kept from everyone," she started, her eyes fixed steadily on his. "Up until recently, I've been trapped in indecision about whether to pursue it or not. You know my family well—they're all in the arts. My father is a renowned national painter. Everyone just expected me to take the same classic route. But that path never captured my passion. I don't wish to paint on canvas. My desire is to ink artwork onto skin. I want to craft something deeply personal for those who get it, a mark that lasts with them forever. This idea has haunted my thoughts for months, leaving me paralyzed. Then, after everything that transpired between us... I made up my mind. Screw the doubts. I'm diving in."

Luo Jin felt utterly stunned by this revelation. It marked the first occasion he'd heard Su Yuqi open up about such a personal conflict. A sudden pang hit him hard—an ache from realizing she'd concealed this vital piece of herself from him. It left him doubting how deeply he truly understood her. But he shoved that emotion aside and chided himself inwardly. This moment wasn't centered on him or his emotions. It revolved around her choices and her path. Why was he turning it inward?

"You absolutely should pursue it," he responded after a pause, his tone gentling. "You can't go astray by chasing what your heart truly desires."

Su Yuqi gazed at him briefly, then released a light laugh. "Yes," she agreed. "I'm beginning to see that's the approach I should have taken all along. Just like our situation. I ought to have trusted my heart instead of fretting over every possible fallout."

Luo Jin huffed sharply. "Damn right you should have," he replied, blending irritation with reluctant accord.

A faint, resigned smile tugged at her mouth. "That's exactly the problem. I couldn't simply act on impulse. Not when it concerns you and everything ahead for you."

"We're looping back around yet again," Luo Jin grumbled, voicing his exasperation with a groan.

"True enough. Let's return to that proposal," Su Yuqi suggested, steering the talk back to focus. "As I mentioned, I'm committed to following my heart. Come next year, post-graduation, I intend to head to Country M to launch my career as a tattoo artist. I'll likely need to remain there for some time to make my mark. It might span several years before I feel set to return."

A blow like a fist to the gut struck Luo Jin. Every bit of breath fled from his chest. He gaped at her in total disbelief. No further words from her were necessary. The direction of this discussion had become crystal clear.

"No," Luo Jin interrupted her, his voice gravelly. "Halt there. If your grand idea is for me to wait years for you, and that somehow validates my emotions... then you're delusional if you expect me to accept it."

A flicker of sorrow and letdown shadowed Su Yuqi's features. Her posture sagged slightly. She dropped her gaze and exhaled deeply. "Naturally," she whispered. "I get it."

A growl of annoyance rumbled from his throat. Because, hell, he could already read her thoughts perfectly.

"No, you don't get it," he countered firmly. "Hear me out. I'm not aiming to block your departure. I'll back your choice to chase those dreams fully. I'm prepared to wait as long as needed. But what I refuse is total silence between us. If you're going, then we'll maintain video calls on a regular basis. Daily, if possible, barring any scheduling conflicts. That's the one condition I won't bend on."

Su Yuqi's eyes widened in bewilderment. "But... wouldn't that defeat the purpose of testing whether your feelings hold true?"

"Why must we even 'test' if my love for you is genuine?" he retorted. "As if your absence is a trial I need to endure? And what of you? Why aren't you questioning your own emotions toward me?"

"I already know mine," she affirmed steadily. "I'm certain that even years apart without contact won't alter how I feel about you."

Her words silenced Luo Jin entirely. Then a flush of heat surged across his face, intense and sudden. He stared at the space between their feet, avoiding her stare. When he finally murmured, his voice came out soft and hesitant. "Why is it so hard for you to accept that I feel the same way?"

"Because you're still young," she replied softly, her tone resolute. "You'll encounter new faces and fresh adventures. In time, you might discover I'm not the ideal match for you. I won't bind you to me without you exploring that for yourself first. Imagine if you find someone superior en route? Someone who suits you flawlessly? That's precisely why distance and time could settle this for us."

Luo Jin's jaw locked tight enough to ache. He extended his hands and seized her shoulders, holding her firm. "There it is again," he said, anger straining his words. "Your infuriating self-centeredness. Quit choosing for me. Who decided I need someone superior? I reject that fictional ideal! The person I crave is you!"

Then he pressed his lips fiercely against hers.