Chapter 380: Volume 1 Chapter 380   Chapter 379 I insist on tasting the bitterness of love

He stared fixedly at the hand gripping the umbrella handle, skin as white as a scallion segment that would snap at a bend, his thumb stroking the handkerchief at the corner of his eye embroidered with budding orchids, delicate as ice silk.

Cold rain trickled down his face, his hoarse throat letting out a few low, strained breaths, his whole body shaking violently.

"Really, really?"

The trailing tone trembled nonstop.

Jiang Zhi withdrew her fingers, the handkerchief half-wet half-dry, water droplets falling from its tip, she said unhurriedly, "If you agree to my demand, I'll tell you whether it's true."

Even drenched in rain, the youth showed no trace of embarrassment; his features grew deeper, calm and ruthless, a suit on him like a movie assassin about to raise a gun and kill, exuding a contradictory yet captivating charm.

His angular side profile displayed a handsome, cold‑white sheen, reflecting the lingering glow of the setting sun.

His pallid lips slowly curled upward, evoking a beauty like melting ice and snow.

Okay.

He held his back straight, listening attentively to her words.

Jiang Zhi thought for a moment, then continued: "First, no more random jealousy!"

Mm.

Second, don't restrict my freedom again!

Mm!

Third, you can't force me to do anything.

I won't.

Jiang Zhi lightly curved her lips: "Then I'll tell you now, it's true."

Ning Xun wanted to hug her, longing welling up in his eyes, but since he was soaked, he restrained himself and clenched his fingers.

On the quiet, peaceful path, raindrops pattered on the eaves; the dark clouds gradually dispersed, a shaft of sunlight poured down, splashing onto the water‑stained paved surface, scattering specks of fine light.

She asked, "How did you know I'm here?"

Ning Xun's naturally aloof, cold‑feeling black eyes drooped; he, not good at lying, spoke in a stiff, halting tone:

"Found."

Jiang Zhi countered: "Really?"

Ning Xun paused, then laid everything out.

He had someone tail her best friend Li Qianqian and found where she lived.

This was shortly after she disappeared, less than a year ago.

Jiang Zhi wasn't surprised; it was hard to completely hide her movements from the villain, especially since she often went out with Xixi.

"So you already knew I live here?"

Ning Xun thought she was angry and coaxed her gently: "Sorry, I missed you so much."

He rarely sweet‑talks, except in bed.

Jiang Zhi snorted and asked, "Why didn't you come find me?"

The youth's damp, slightly curled bangs were blown by the wind, fluttering upward like an antenna on a robot.

Strangely cute.

He spoke unnaturally low: "You didn't like me back then."

At eighteen he was young and impulsive, selfishly wanting to keep her by his side.

But that only made her run farther away.

So he strove to change, becoming what she liked.

Jiang Zhi stopped, turned to look at him: "Why do you think I like you now?"

Ning Xun lowered his gaze to his wet leather shoes, barely managing to speak after mustering all his strength.

"I don't think so."

Before coming, he was about to attend an important charity auction, but hadn't even stepped inside before rushing here.

Knowing she didn't want to see him, he still wanted to meet her, even just once.

Jiang Zhi studied him for a long time and realized that all villains across worlds are alike; despite differing personalities, the way they love her is the same.

She seriously pondered whether gradually changing him would let him understand human emotions like a normal person.

Rather than only knowing destruction and slaughter.

"Today is my birthday," she said.

Ning Xun raised his forehead, full of bewilderment and shock.

"Isn't your birthday March 5?"

Jiang Zhi lifted her pale chin and said, "My ID is fake; my real birthday is today."

Actually, today is her birthday in the real world, not the original host's.

She continued, "So I made a wish today."

Gazing into those dark eyes brighter than moonlight, Ning Xun instinctively asked.

"What wish?"

Jiang Zhi smiled brightly and said, "I wish you would appear before me~"

Ning Xun's breath caught; his long‑dormant heart gave a sudden thump.

Seeing his lack of reaction, she couldn't help raising her hand and waving it in front of his eyes.

"Did you hear it or not?"

Ning Xun's throat twitched slightly; his voice was hoarse and a little low.

"I heard it."

Jiang Zhi raised an eyebrow: "Then why didn't you answer me?"

The youth's cold-white complexion looked as if drenched in the evening glow, his entire face turned red.

He turned his face away in embarrassment, his voice grew even more hoarse.

"I, want to kiss you."

Jiang Zhi froze, then covered her mouth and laughed softly.

Still as dull as before.

We'll kiss when we get home.

Good!

The fully paid small Western-style house was built not far from the beach and ocean, decorated in the fresh summer style she liked, the curtains hanging from the ceiling by the window were bought by her in K Guo during her travels, exuding a strong exotic flair.

She placed the cream cake on the table, then took out a set of somewhat large women's pajamas from the cabinet.

While shopping online, she unintentionally selected the largest size, and after receiving it she was too lazy to return it, so it has remained tucked away at the bottom of the wardrobe.

"Go take a bath, otherwise you'll get sick." She said, then turned to look for a new towel and washroom supplies.

Ning Xun's gaze swept over the room, and he caught a faint fragrance at the tip of his nose.

On the cabinet by the wall were displayed her photos, all taken during her travels; he raised his slender fingers and placed them on the frame, feeling the cold glass.

From behind came her soft, clear call.

"Hurry up and take a bath."

Ning Xun's gaze lingered on the photo frame placed in the most conspicuous spot ahead.

It was a joint photo of Jiang Zhi and Li Qianqian.

His brows furrowed slightly as he reached out to cover the frame.

Feeling that covering it didn't dispel his resentment, the youth took out the photo inside, then tore it into pieces, rolled them into a ball, and threw it into the trash can.

After doing that, the curve at the corner of his mouth became unmistakable, and as he turned he completely restrained himself.

Night.

Since the guest room had remained closed, when opened a strong dust smell arose, and Jiang Zhi immediately shut it.

She had no choice but to take out a new quilt from the cabinet.

After Ning Xun came out of the bathroom, she said: "You can sleep on the floor tonight."

Ning Xun grunted, walked over, and spread the quilt.

After celebrating her birthday, Jiang Zhi lay on the soft big bed, glanced at the youth sleeping on the floor, and asked:

"Are you cold?"

Ning Xun shook his head: "Not cold."

After a while.

Jiang Zhi asked again: "If you're hungry, there's food on the kitchen table."

Ning Xun replied: "Mm."

The rain outside had stopped; silvery moonlight broke through the clouds and fell on the windowsill, making the night rather tranquil.

An hour later.

Still awake, Jiang Zhi listened to the regular, even breathing of the youth beside the bed.

Unable to resist, she quietly got out of bed and lay down beside him.

Taking advantage of his sleep, she boldly extended her finger to press against his thin lips.

Over the past six years, she hadn't not thought about finding a new boyfriend.

But she always thought of Ning Xun's face first.

He is so handsome and has such a good figure that probably no one in this world could surpass him.

Jiang Zhi also missed him a lot.

That guy Yun Jin had entangled her world for so long, yet only she remembered everything they had experienced together.

She leaned close to his face and gently kissed him.

Seeing no reaction, Jiang Zhi slightly opened her red lips and kissed the corner of his mouth.

At that moment.

The youth suddenly opened his eyes without warning, his obsidian-like pupils slightly dilating, reflecting her face close by.

Jiang Zhi froze for an instant, instinctively wanting to retreat, but Ning Xun didn't let her retreat and suddenly pressed her beneath him.

She felt no embarrassment at being caught, slightly tilted her head, stretched her long arms to wrap around his neck, her voice lowered, both coy and soft.

"Once you're at my house, you're mine~"

Ning Xun's eyes were dark and deep to an uncanny degree, as if a vortex madly churned within, possessing the power to devour darkness.

His breath was scorching, tinged with a hint of hoarseness.

"Mm, I am yours."

As soon as his words fell.

He lowered his head and captured her lips, kissing her gently and deeply.

The original Hatred Value of 100 points vanished completely at the moment of their kiss.

————

【End of this world】