Chapter 155: Lingering Intimacy Before Parting

After leaving Qian Xiao, Qin Yu returned to Qing Li's room, where Qing Li was sleeping soundly and peacefully.

His right hand rested outside the blanket, lying across his abdomen. Looking at Qing Li like this, Qin Yu smiled slightly, and the gloomy mood caused by Qian Xiao instantly improved a lot.

She walked softly to Qing Li's side and extended her left hand to trace his facial features. Just as her fingers touched his lips, Qing Li suddenly opened his eyes, and his right hand simultaneously grabbed Qin Yu's wrist.

Looking at Qin Yu's face so close at hand, Qing Li gave a seductive smile and said, "What? Want to take advantage of me?"

Qin Yu's face flushed. Pulling her hand back, she said petulantly, "Who wants to take advantage of you? Don't flatter yourself! Have you been awake for a long time?!"

Qing Li sat up, reached out to pull Qin Yu into his arms, and gently rested his head on her shoulder. The breath he exhaled brushed against her neck, making her feel a bit ticklish.

"Yuer, I was woken up by your gentle caresses! You mustn't wrong me like that," Qing Li murmured in a low voice.

Qin Yu patted Qing Li's face with her right hand and found the texture exceptionally nice. After stroking it a couple more times, she said, "Fine, I believe you."

Qing Li chuckled softly, then asked in a lazy, lingering tone, "Yuer, I missed you so much. Did you miss me?"

"Yes, I was thinking about you all the time," Qin Yu answered honestly.

Seeming surprised by her such straightforward honesty, Qing Li paused for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.

The warm breath continued to puff against Qin Yu's neck, accompanied by Qing Li's deep, ambiguous laughter, turning her face instantly burning red.

Seeing Qin Yu like this, Qing Li felt a surge of joy in his heart. He gradually brought his face closer to hers and pressed his lips against her right cheek, gently rubbing them back and forth.

Qin Yu was so embarrassed by this gesture that her entire face turned scarlet red. They had shared the same bed, of course, but their physical contact had previously been strictly limited to her resting in his embrace—nothing more than that. No further intimacy had ever taken place.

Now, pressing his lips against her cheek and sliding them softly and coolly across her burning skin, she froze entirely, unable to move a muscle.

Seeming thoroughly pleased by her frozen reaction, Qing Li moved his lips away from her cheek, captured her earlobe instead, and nibbled gently with boundless tenderness.

By now, even Qin Yu's neck had turned red. Raising her stiff hand, she pushed against Qing Li's chest and stammered, "Don't be like this..."

"Oh? Not like this? Then how? Like this?" Qing Li suddenly captured her lips with his, launching a relentless assault on her mouth.

Qin Yu was so startled by the sudden action that she had no idea how to react. Very soon, her defenses crumbled completely under his onslaught.

Qing Li extended his right hand to cradle the back of her head while wrapping his left arm around her waist, deepening the kiss intensely.

Knowing she could not resist, Qin Yu finally wrapped her arms around his waist as well, offering a shy, inexperienced response to his kisses.

After a long while, Qing Li finally pulled his lips away. Qin Yu took in huge gulps of fresh air, casting a reproachful glance at him.

Yet in Qing Li's eyes, that look was brimming with infinite tenderness. Feeling a sudden tightening in his lower abdomen, he pressed his lips together and pulled Qin Yu completely into his arms.

With a hint of hoarseness in his voice, he whispered, "Yuer, give yourself to me, will you?" His tone carried a faint plea.

Qin Yu froze. Sensing the profound sense of insecurity hidden within the man holding her, she nodded and replied in a voice no louder than a mosquito's hum, "Okay."

Overjoyed, Qing Li showered her face with fierce kisses before pressing a devout, reverent kiss to her forehead, and slowly slipped off her clothes.

With the reverence of a devout believer, Qing Li kissed the beloved woman who belonged entirely to him. Blushing deeply, Qin Yu turned away, presenting her back to him. Her entire body glowed with a soft pink hue, making her look exceptionally alluring.

As Qing Li shed his own garments, he paused briefly upon seeing Qin Yu turned around, a flicker of unreadable emotion flashing through his eyes.

Leaning over her, he whispered against her ear, "Yuer, I love you."

Freeing her face from the blanket, Qin Yu looked at him and said with shy yet unwavering determination, "I love you too."

Qing Li smiled with utter satisfaction, then reverently kissed her lips once more, to which Qin Yu slowly responded.

His hands wandered over her body, eliciting a soft, restless moan from her lips. Qing Li chuckled softly in the dark and began his labor of love.

Inside the room, the intimate entanglement lasted for a long time.

Meanwhile, in another villa, Zhao Jun was relaying Qin Yu's instructions and discussing matters with the others.

"I've said so much. Is there anyone willing to go?" Zhao Jun asked, looking around the room.

The others exchanged glances. Feng Ji was the first to speak up, declaring, "I'm going!" His tone carried an unyielding determination that brooked no refusal.

The others were slightly startled by his tone, assuming he was simply afraid of being left behind since everyone naturally wanted to earn achievements and merits.

Yet Feng Ji alone knew that he cared nothing for merit or glory. He wanted to go to the city for one reason only: there was a chance she might be there! The woman he had once failed—he wanted to see her and tell her just how deeply, truly he loved her.

Zhao Jun scanned the circle again and asked, "Anyone else going? Sign up quickly! We won't wait forever!"

Feng Ke and Xue Qi exchanged glances, then answered in unison, "Count us in!"

Zhao Jun nodded, then turned her gaze to Murong Yi and Ouyang Jue, asking, "Are you two going?"

After exchanging a quick look, Murong Yi replied, "Well, we need to discuss it a bit more. Can we give you our answer tonight?"

Zhao Jun nodded and replied, "Of course! Anytime before tomorrow morning is fine."

Murong Yi nodded and said, "Then we'll be leaving first to go discuss it."

"Go on, go on," Zhao Jun waved her hand, then turned her attention to Wang Bing, Chen Mo, and the others, eagerly awaiting their response.

After a moment of deep thought, Wang Bing said, "My abilities are limited, so I won't go and cause trouble. I'll stay right here and wait for your triumphant return!"

The others quickly expressed the same sentiment, sharing Wang Bing's view. After a brief consideration, Zhao Jun felt it made complete sense. Besides, the base certainly needed to keep some capable personnel behind.

With that thought, Zhao Jun waved her hand and said, "Alright then, that makes five of us temporarily confirmed: Feng Ke, Xue Qi, Feng Ji, Xia Cheng, and myself. As for the rest of you, stay behind to manage other matters. Oh, right, I just went to the mission release hall to post a bounty; some of you can handle that."

Everyone nodded. Afterward, Zhao Jun briefed them further on the bounty tasks, while those confirmed to go bid farewell to the others and headed back to pack their necessary supplies.

Hearing Zhao Jun's explanation, Wang Bing and the others' eyes lit up brightly, and they promised to complete the mission flawlessly! Zhao Jun nodded, patted their shoulders encouragingly, and then departed to prepare her own gear as well.