The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1301 1301: WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE TWO (III)

The instant their lips touched, his entire frame went rigid. His heart thundered against his ribcage, and for an instant, breathing escaped him completely. Her lips felt tender, even hotter than he'd pictured in his mind. The surroundings faded away entirely. No entrance gate, no bike, no upcoming schemes or quarrels existed anymore. Only her remained. Only this instant. All the bottled-up, throbbing emotions he'd held onto for weeks flooded into that one spot of connection.

Next, he sensed her body tense up against his. That abrupt stiffness yanked him back to the present. Alarm surged through his chest. He'd ruined everything. He started to draw back, ready to release her and offer regrets. Yet before he could shift, her arms lifted and encircled his neck. She drew him in tighter.

As her lips parted just a little, he went still once more. He had no clue what step to take next. But his instincts guided him regardless. His head tilted automatically, shifting to the side for deeper contact, seeking extra space. Then something gentle and heated slipped softly into his mouth. It took a moment for him to register it. Her tongue. That awareness sent a tremor racing down his back. It was unfamiliar, unlike anything he'd known, yet it seemed perfect. It seemed like her desire matched his own completely.

Luo Jin lost track of the time that elapsed. It might have been mere moments or longer stretches. When they at last separated, both panted heavily, their chests heaving rapidly. He was still struggling for air when he bent forward and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I feel like I should say sorry for just... kissing you out of nowhere like that," he murmured, his voice rough and unsteady. "But honestly, I don't want to at all. Not even slightly."

"Don't," Su Yuqi breathed softly. "Because I wanted it just as much."

"Now I hope you truly get how I feel about you," he added. His tone stayed low, yet each word rang out sharp and resolute. "You can still go if you have to. But I'm not allowing you to shut me out for good. And as long as you're around, we return to our old ways. No more dodging one another. No more awkward vibes. Got it?"

"You sound awfully commanding," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Luo Jin let out a snort. "I have to. Otherwise, you'll keep stuffing your mind with all those awful thoughts about us. Who can say where that might lead? Likely straight to us splitting up, that's what."

Su Yuqi fell silent. Then she responded, her words barely above a murmur. "What if, while I'm away, you run into someone--"

"Enough with this 'someone' nonsense," Luo Jin interrupted her. "I'm sure it won't occur. But if, by some wild chance, it does, I'll phone you and lay it out plain. I won't be the type to string you along pointlessly. And... if you find someone, I hope you'll extend me the same honesty."

Even the thought of Su Yuqi with some outsider twisted his gut into a hard, sour ball. His jaw tightened, and a burning, bitter sensation clawed up his torso. He hated it. Thoroughly. Still, he forced it aside. Nothing like that had occurred yet. He simply wished it never would.

Su Yuqi let out a gentle laugh. Then she lifted onto her toes and planted a swift, feather-light kiss on his lips. "How could I possibly consider anyone else," she whispered, "when I know full well no one else can kiss me like you just did?"

Her words made his heart jolt sharply in his chest. He gazed at her, and as their gazes locked, an invisible force seemed to draw them nearer. They held still for a beat. Then he inclined toward her, and she rose up to close the distance midway.

On this occasion, the kiss unfolded more leisurely, more tenderly. The pair savored each other without haste.

***

"Ah Jin?" Luo Yan called when his brother abruptly fell silent and gazed blankly ahead with a silly expression. "You still with me?"

Luo Jin blinked several times, jolted from his reverie by his brother's voice. A blush warmed his neck. He flashed Luo Yan a bashful, sorry grin. "Sorry about that."

Luo Yan arched an eyebrow. He pondered what could have caused his brother to space out so thoroughly. He reviewed his previous question mentally. He'd inquired about the arrangement Luo Jin and Su Yuqi had reached. And right after, Luo Jin had simply... wandered off with that dreamy face. He focused his gaze on his brother. Clearly, something significant had transpired between them. Something daydream-worthy.

"Ah Jin," Luo Yan drawled, a playful note slipping into his tone. "Did you and Sister Yuqi... you know, do it?"

Luo Jin's eyes widened, his cheeks turning a vivid crimson. "What? No way! What kind of talk is that?" He stammered, appearing utterly shocked. "We just... we only shared a kiss!"

"Oh," Luo Yan replied, his smile broadening. "So a kiss happened. Nice one, Ah Jin."

As awareness hit that he'd stepped right into the bait, Luo Jin released an irritated breath. "Not funny, Yan."

Luo Yan laughed lightly. "Fine, let's get real. Will you share what you and Sister Yuqi really decided?"

Luo Jin scratched the nape of his neck, embarrassment lingering on his features. "We're over with all the dodging each other. We'll proceed gradually from here. Step by step."

"That's the most unclear answer I've come across," Luo Yan noted, his voice carrying a mocking lightness. "But alright, so... are you two official now? Like, boyfriend and girlfriend status?"

"Not exactly," Luo Jin answered, his voice blending defeat with humor. "She's still hung up on that 'you're too young to be sure' idea. So we're paused, sort of. The agreement is, until one of us finds someone better, we're committed to each other. Just... not in an official sense."

Luo Yan blinked once. Then again. He parted his lips, shut them, and at last uttered, "How... progressive."