Chapter 800

Lin Yuan raised his eyes, staring intently at Qin Bore, who was right before him, his eyes full of doubt, and he instinctively asked.

Why?

Qin Bore withdrew her gaze from the bowl and slowly set down her spoon.

Her expression lost its earlier playful charm, gaining a touch of solemnity and helplessness.

Her soft, gentle voice sounded slowly, carrying the thoughts she had hidden for a long time.

I have never concealed my identity as the Phoenix God's helmsperson just to deceive you.

I simply didn't want you to get caught up in the conflicts of the Divine Phoenix Group and the Underground Jianghu.

I only wanted to bear all the danger myself, not involve you.

She let out a soft sigh, a flicker of weariness crossing her eyes, and slowly revealed the hidden trouble behind it.

Over these years, the Phoenix God has developed too quickly—its foundations are solid, its power vast, and it has made countless enemies.

Du Jie of Shanghai and his Upper Pure Underground Group have always regarded me as a thorn in their eye, a spike in their flesh.

Moreover, the newly emerged local underground factions and various long-hidden old powers all covet the Phoenix God's resources. Countless people watch my position, waiting to catch my weakness and seize the chance to drag me down completely.

The moment my identity is exposed will be endless fighting, scheming, and a dead end.

I'm just afraid that once you know everything, you'll be completely dragged into these dirty, dangerous conflicts.

Listening to her heavy explanation, Lin Yuan's gaze remained calm, showing no reaction.

He slightly furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of clear-headed obstinacy, and he softly countered.

Do I really make a difference knowing your identity or not? I've been by your side from start to finish, walking close to you every day. Your enemies, those underground forces, have long seen me as part of your group.

If they ever want to deal with you, they'll never let me go—I'll inevitably be dragged in.

So this really can't be a genuine reason, right?

Lin Yuan stared unblinking at Qin Bore's eyes, his gaze clear and sharp.

The depths of his eyes seemed to hold scattered light, determined to see through all her hidden thoughts.

In the quiet bedroom, silence lingered for several seconds, and the tense atmosphere gradually eased.

The heaviness between her brows and eyes faded completely, and her tone softened.

Qin Bore suddenly let out a light laugh, the smile faint, tinged with a hint of helplessness at being exposed.

She lowered her eyes and lightly pinched her fingertips, as if setting aside the little thoughts she had kept hidden for a long time.

As expected, nothing can be hidden from you.

Actually, the true reason I concealed my identity as the Phoenix God's helmsperson isn't fear of you getting into trouble.

Her originally cold voice now carried a hint of fragile softness.

You should know that the name 'Phoenix God' is truly too prominent.

I'm afraid that if you learn how powerful I am and how intimidating my background is, you'll instinctively distance yourself from me.

In this circle, everyone either fears me or wants to use me; no one dares to get close to me sincerely.

To outsiders, I appear lofty and decisive, my whole being exuding distance. I simply want to keep you as a friend—nothing more. All this time, you have been one of the few friends I can relax with.

Lin Yuan listened quietly, his doubts and obstinacy quietly fading away for the most part.

This sincere, detailed explanation shed all pretense and dominance.

But he still bore an unsolvable doubt in his heart, unable to let go for a long time.

Seeing the rare anxiety and carefulness in her eyes, he had already decided to believe her largely.

「That Vital Energy Loan matter—why did you deliberately set a trap to pit me? 」

Lin Yuan pressed his lips lightly, fell silent for a moment, then lifted his gaze to look at her again and pressed her for an answer seriously.

The moment his words fell, the previously gentle and relaxed atmosphere instantly stiffened.

This question was blunt and sharp, precisely hitting the biggest crux between them.

Qin Bore's smile froze suddenly, and she was momentarily speechless.

She opened her mouth, but for a long time could not utter a word of excuse, her eyes full of panic and helplessness.

The quiet bedroom was eerily still, the air seeming to solidify somewhat.

Qin Bore lowered her eyes, silent for a long while, her fingertips lightly clutching the hem of her clothes, repeatedly weighing her words in her heart.

She knew this question could not be avoided, and she knew that her earlier actions had indeed deeply hurt Lin Yuan's heart.

After a few seconds, she suddenly lifted the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a faint, helpless and bitter smile.

That smile was very faint, without a trace of jest, hiding much forbearance and bitterness.

She lifted her gaze, blinking her clear, bright eyes, staring straight at Lin Yuan who was watching her intently, and began to explain slowly.

「The Vital Energy Loan scheme—from start to finish, I never intended to trap or harm you. 」

「I know your nature too well—you are extremely competitive, your pride unyielding, never willing to bow your head. What you despise most is accepting others' charity and help, especially mine. 」

「If I had straightforwardly helped or relieved you, you would have refused immediately, even deliberately distancing yourself from me. 」

「So I deliberately set up that loan scheme, deliberately letting you fall into difficulty. I just wanted you to truly owe me a favor, to truly owe me a debt. 」

「Only if you owe me can I justifiably stay by your side. 」

「Only then can I openly protect and manage you, not letting you bear all storms alone. Besides, that scheme was also a private test of my feelings for you. 」

「I have been in the dark abyss, and have seen too many people reveal their ugly nature in desperate circumstances. 」

「I wanted to see whether, under the pressure of enormous debt, you would be crushed by reality. I wanted to confirm whether your character, your bottom line, and your pride could withstand the world's wear and tear. 」

「The facts prove you never disappointed me—you are forever pure, stubborn, and upright. 」

After saying this long‑held heartfelt confession, Qin Bore's panic faded, leaving only a heart full of guilt.

She lowered her head slightly, her voice much softer, heavy with self‑blame and regret.

And the thing you've always held a grudge about—I always said those words of playing with you, teasing you. That too was never my true words.

I never found you amusing, and I never had the slightest intention of playing with you.

My identity is special; I carry too much burden, with enemies in both the light and the dark, every step a pitfall. I dare not reveal my true feelings lightly, nor openly treat you too well, for fear that my closeness would draw my enemies' attention and bring disaster upon you.

I could only resort to this frivolous, joking manner to deliberately draw closer to you. I could only act nonchalant, pretend I was just teasing you, to conceal all my care and fluttering heart.

I feared that my identity and my ties would drag you down.

But I never imagined that these protections and disguises I thought were clever,

In the end they all turned into sharp knives, ruthlessly stabbing into your heart and deeply wounding you.

I am selfish, I am cowardly, I dare not be honest—I have let you down.

A few simple, candid words of apology fell in the quiet bedroom, ringing especially clear.

Lin Yuan stared blankly at the woman before him, a feeling of disbelief rising in his heart.

The high-and-mighty, decisive leader of the Phoenix God, Qin Bore, actually lowered his head to sincerely apologize to him.

All the past awkwardness, grievances, and displeasure from being teased quietly eased at this moment.

After hearing all her hidden grievances and frankness, Lin Yuan's wounded heart inexplicably softened completely.

He lifted his gaze and quietly took in her appearance; the hostility in his heart faded away completely.

Usually arrogant and domineering, Qin Bore, who naturally exuded sharpness, now shed all his dominance.

She lowered her brows and eyes; her face was absolutely beautiful yet filled with deep grievance, making her whole person seem fragile, unlike herself.

That pitiful, grievous demeanor made Lin Yuan's hard heart almost completely melt.

Her long eyelashes trembled lightly, like the wings of a startled butterfly, fragile yet moving.

Crystal-clear watery mist slowly gathered in her clear, beautiful eyes.

Fine tear droplets faintly lodged at the bottom of her eyes, about to fall, yet she stubbornly held them back.

Clearly it is the utmost expression of grievance, yet she remains stunningly beautiful, heart‑stirring and endearing.

Lin Yuan had never seen Qin Bore so fragile and helpless; his heart instantly panicked.

He ignored the faint pain from his unhealed wounds; his movements were clumsy yet urgent.

He slowly raised his hand; his fingertips carried a slight coolness as he gently approached her eye sockets.

His fingertips gently wiped away the misty tear light at the corners of her eyes; the motion was as gentle as possible.

His tone was flustered and clumsy, obviously at a loss, and he hurriedly spoke to soothe her.

You, you don't cry.

I don't blame you—I truly have never blamed you.

Qin Bore lifted her wet eyes, gazing pitifully at Lin Yuan lying on the bed.

The watery mist in her eyes lingered, her soft demeanor lacking half of her former strength.

A faint nasal tone wrapped in cautious probing, she softly asked.

Then… are you still angry?

Lin Yuan quietly gazed at her reddened eye sockets, watching her hold back tears, especially fragile.

He unconsciously lowered his head to scan over his body's crisscrossing new and old wounds; his heart was a mix of emotions.

The stinging pain from the flesh, compared to the grievances accumulated in his heart, is no longer worth mentioning.

He eased his tone; his voice soft and steady, he slowly spoke his innermost true thoughts.

I really don't blame you anymore.

My previous anger was never because you set a trap or teased me.

What I'm angry about is that you always treated me as an outsider, shouldering great danger all by yourself.

You have no idea, when I learned you were besieged by forces and trapped in a desperate situation.

My mind went blank; I didn't think of any pros and cons, any safety or danger.

At that moment my heart held only one thought: to spare no effort to go save you.

Even if the enemies were many and powerful, even if I was alone, even if I would die in that battle, I never hesitated even a bit.

After speaking the words pent up in his heart, Lin Yuan raised his hand and felt for the phone beside the pillow.

His fingertips deftly operated; he silently undid all the ways he had previously blocked Qin Bore.

Then he extended his slightly cool palm, gently taking hold of Qin Bore's slender, soft hand.

The helplessness and awkwardness faded from his eyes, leaving only pure determination and earnestness.

From now on, I will take on all your dangers.

From now on, your affairs will be my affairs.

A few brief promises, each word resounding, fell in the quiet bedroom, especially moving.

The grievances, unease, probing, and defenses piled up in the heart for a long time collapsed completely at this moment.

Qin Bore could no longer sustain her feigned strength; all her suppressed endurance completely collapsed.

Her body lunged forward slightly, without hesitation she dove into Lin Yuan's thin embrace.

Her warm, soft body pressed tightly against his chest; she finally allowed herself to cry out loud.

This is Qin Bore, who wields the Phoenix God and has slaughtered for half a lifetime, showing complete vulnerability for the first time before others.

Formerly high and mighty, impeccable female leader, now she cries like a little girl suffering a great grievance.

Warm tears soaked Lin Yuan's chest clothing, scalding and real.

Lin Yuan felt the trembling body in his embrace; his heart softened utterly.

The ferocious wound on his chest was fiercely pulled, sending waves of piercing pain.

But he didn't loosen his grip at all, nor dodge even a bit.

He endured the pain all over his body, slowly raised his arm, gently embracing and firmly protecting the person in his arms.

His movements were gentle yet forceful, blending all his tolerance and favoritism into this steady embrace.

All past misunderstandings, suspicions, estrangements, and cautious probing.

All of it vanished completely in this frank confession, in this blood-soaked rush to redemption.

The distance between their hearts instantly dropped to zero, and the long-suppressed feelings burst forth.

The originally ambiguous, tugging relationship broke the ice at this moment, and their feelings heated up rapidly.

Warm light in the bedroom gently fell, quietly enveloping the embracing couple; the atmosphere was gentle and healing.

Lin Yuan's whole person froze slightly, a surge of waves rising in his heart.

The goddess who used to only dare to gaze from afar, secretly moved, now leaned completely into his arms.

This was the first time in his life that the girl he constantly thought of and revered as a deity tightly embraced him.

Qin Bore's unique gentle aura completely enveloped him.

Threads of clean, sweet body fragrance wound around his nostrils, more moving and intoxicating than any floral scent.

His mind was blank; he had no idea what he should do at this moment.

Lin Yuan's body went stiff; he stood frozen, at a loss for what to do with his hands and feet.

At the moment he was dazed and distracted, Qin Bore in his arms suddenly uttered a soft voice.

The stabbing pain in his chest wound had long been overridden by the throbbing in his heart, leaving only a burning heat.

"Idiot, what are you staring at? Hold me."

She spoke with a lingering nasal tone, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of coquettishness.

He dared not exert force that might pull at his wound; his movements were extremely gentle, slowly tightening his arms around her.

The gentle reminder pulled Lin Yuan's wandering thoughts back, bringing him to his senses instantly.

Feeling his restrained, gentle embrace, Qin Bore remained unsatisfied.

With cautious force, he gently protected the emotionally collapsed girl in his arms.

"Hold me tightly..."

She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, carrying a hint of stubborn soft longing.

He endured the surging pain in his chest and held her firmly in his arms.

Hearing her request, Lin Yuan no longer restrained himself, gradually increasing the force of his arms.

In the quiet bedroom, their breaths intertwined; the gentle atmosphere was thick and impossible to dispel.

He poured all his heartache, guilt, favoritism, and cherishing into this forceful embrace.

She gazed at Lin Yuan, who was within reach, her lips parting slightly as she uttered a heart-stirring sentence.

Moments later, Qin Bore slightly lifted her tear-streaked, exquisite face, her eyes glistening with moisture.

The sudden, blunt request caused Lin Yuan's brain to crash instantly, leaving him completely stunned in place.

"Kiss me."

"Ah??"

His pupils dilated slightly, his face full of surprise, his throat tightened a bit, and he involuntarily made a sound of astonishment.