As the system notification sounded in his mind.
The smile in Jiang Che's eyes gradually softened.
He did not tease her any further.
He simply reached out and gently took Dugu Linglong's small hand, which was clutching his sleeve.
Warmth spread through their touch.
Dugu Linglong stiffened slightly.
She glanced down at their clasped hands, but ultimately did not pull away.
Jiang Che applied a little pressure, drawing her closer.
Dugu Linglong followed his pull and took half a step forward.
The distance that had separated them vanished completely.
Dugu Linglong tilted up her fair, delicate face.
Jiang Che's handsome, almost flawless features were now mere inches away.
She could clearly feel his steady breathing.
She could also smell the familiar, crisp scent on him.
"Jiang Che..."
Dugu Linglong called his name softly.
This time.
Jiang Che did not answer.
He merely extended his arms slowly and gathered her petite figure into his embrace.
Dugu Linglong's body instantly went taut.
In all her life.
She had never been this physically intimate with a man.
Reason told her she should push Jiang Che away.
Yet once she was truly enveloped in his broad, warm embrace, she felt no aversion at all...
Instead, that inexplicable sense of security became stronger than ever.
Dugu Linglong hesitated for a moment.
In the end, she raised her arms and gently wrapped them around Jiang Che's waist, then rested her cheek against his warm chest.
A steady, powerful heartbeat sounded beside her ear.
"Are you still leaving?"
Her voice was muffled as she asked.
"No."
Jiang Che chuckled.
"Since a certain venerable master has admitted she can't bear to part with me, how could I bear to leave?"
Dugu Linglong's ears grew hot.
The tenderness that had just welled up inside her was instantly diminished by