"If I can't complete that mission, I will die," she heard herself say.
The insistent kisses on the side of her neck abruptly stopped.
The man's body went rigid.
Xie Jinbai didn't move. He didn't raise his head, which remained buried in the crook of her neck. It was impossible to know what he was thinking.
Cui Lingyao waited patiently, not rushing him.
After a long moment, his muffled voice sounded in her ear.
Just as she had hoped.
"What is the mission?" he asked.
After laying the groundwork for so long, after all the half-truths and hurtful words, after expending so much emotional energy... they had finally reached this point. Yet Cui Lingyao felt no sense of relief.
It felt as if a large wad of cotton was stuck in her throat. Her voice was hoarse, she couldn't speak, and even breathing felt difficult.
"Hm?"
When she didn't answer, Xie Jinbai looked up, found her eyes, and met her gaze. "What is the mission?"
Cui Lingyao's expression was frozen.
