Jiang Che did not press her further.
He reached out and quite naturally took the plain cloth bag from Dugu Linglong's shoulder.
Dugu Linglong froze for a moment.
"It isn't heavy."
"I know."
Jiang Che handed the bag to a Shadow Guard, his tone utterly matter-of-fact.
"I just wanted to carry it for you."
Dugu Linglong's pale lips moved slightly.
She seemed about to say something, but in the end, she did not refuse his effortless care.
Jiang Che opened the rear door for her.
Dugu Linglong adjusted her skirt slightly, then bent down and got into the car.
Once Jiang Che had settled beside her, the door closed again.
The escort vehicles ahead and behind set off first, with the Hongqi Guoli following closely. Soon, they were driving into the distance along the winding mountain road.
The vehicles gradually left Mount Zhongnan behind.
Outside the window, the quiet mountain forests gave way to broad, smooth city roads.
Dugu Linglong sat quietly in the back seat, her gaze fixed on the view outside.
Though she said nothing, she was keenly aware that Jiang Che was sitting less than half an arm's length away.
Yesterday morning, in front of the sect gates, they had shared their first real embrace and kiss.
Even now, that unfamiliar sensation remained vividly clear...
Dugu Linglong had thought that a full night of cultivation would restore her usual composure.
Yet now that she was alone with Jiang Che again, she realized she could no longer regard him as merely a trustworthy friend.
The warmth of his arms when he held her.
That brief, restrained kiss.
And her own admission that she could not bear to part with him...
For reasons she could not explain, she found herself longing for all of it.
Dugu Linglong's lashes