The lingering warmth remained.
After taking that most crucial step, Uzuki had finally received the reward she yearned for.
—See? You humans just love to complicate simple things, don’t you? This time, you’ve finally fulfilled your heart’s desire, meow.
In the depths of her mind, the little cat meowed sweetly and affectionately.
At first, her body was indeed controlled by the Cat Spirit inside her, but the duration of that control was actually very short. Uzuki had removed Gao Sijin’s clothes by her own will, and had embraced him and tangled herself with him by her own will.
Thus, together, they stepped through that forbidden door. She was intoxicated by the sensation of being connected to her beloved, perceiving the frequency of his heartbeat. Yet, at the same time, she deeply feared that Gao Sijin would despise her for it. If she were truly hated, life would be worse than death for Uzuki.
Her state of mind was like walking on a steel wire—the slightest lapse in attention would send her sliding into the Naraku Abyss.
“Uzuki, I love you.”
That soft whisper was like a pair of warm, broad hands, pulling Uzuki back from the edge of the cliff.
So this act was indeed accepted by Sijin. The gentle Sijin truly wouldn’t hate her because of something like this…
“Thank you.”
Uzuki hugged Gao Sijin’s body tightly, refusing to let go. Her slender legs were also firmly locked around his waist, her four limbs exerting all their strength, like an octopus capturing its prey. Her fair face pressed against his shoulder.
She was so happy.
Not only had she accompanied Sijin today and seen all his past memories, becoming one of the people who understood him best in the world, but Sijin had also accepted her, someone utterly worthless.
Tears soaked Gao Sijin’s shoulder as Uzuki wept with joy.
“Uzuki, why are you crying?” Gao Sijin gazed at her autumn-water-like eyes with concern and asked, “Did I do something wrong or hurt your feelings?”
“If only I had made up my mind earlier, I could have become Sijin’s lover sooner. But it’s still good. In the end, we’re together. This feeling is like a dream to me.”
“This isn’t a dream; it’s reality.”
Uzuki was petite and gentle.
No matter what negative emotions dominated Gao Sijin, Uzuki would always tightly grasp his hand.
Their lips entwined once more in lingering kisses.
Deep in his heart, Gao Sijin secretly vowed to become stronger without fail, so he could protect Uzuki from being bullied by others. Her life had already endured enough suffering; from now on, she only needed to become happy.
“Time is getting late. Cousin Rio should be arriving soon…” Uzuki silently reached out her hand again and hugged Gao Sijin tightly.
Rather than an embrace between lovers, it was more like two freezing animals huddling together for warmth.
Savoring what had just happened, Gao Sijin felt no real pain. The resistance in his heart was purely because Uzuki was Rio’s younger cousin, and he was a toy kept captive by Rio. At the time, what he considered first wasn’t the physical pleasure, but whether he could fulfill his responsibility and give Uzuki a future.
The girl had resolved to give him something precious, seeking nothing in return. Such resolve forced Gao Sijin to respond with all his effort.
“Sijin, I love you. Before long, we will definitely meet again.”
With a snap of her fingers, the clothes that had vanished from Gao Sijin’s body moments ago reappeared on him. The traces left from their indulgence with Uzuki also disappeared entirely, as if nothing had ever happened. But the unsteady gait Uzuki displayed after leaving the stone platform revealed she was enduring the pain of tasting the forbidden fruit for the first time.
Watching the slender silhouette of the girl five years his junior departing, Gao Sijin lowered his head.
In the future, he absolutely had to properly make it up to Uzuki and become the good husband in her heart.
Uzuki turned back, giving a radiant smile. Her delicate body began to gradually shrink, and she transformed back into the Black Cat. In the blink of an eye, she vanished before Gao Sijin’s sight.
It was all over.
After she left, the originally smooth stone platform became pitted and uneven, impossible to sit on properly.
Gao Sijin walked deeper into the cave. Even knowing his final fate was still to be captured by Rio, he still wanted to move his legs, to get as far away from her as possible.
In the hidden darkness, he could find a brief moment of peace.
He had now completely recalled all the names that appeared in his life.
It was already noon. The sunlight outside the cave was somewhat harsh and scorching. Gao Sijin remained motionless, pressing his body to the ground, lurking in the deepest part of the cave, using his ears to listen to the world outside—to Tokyo.
Someone seemed to be approaching outside.
Gao Sijin swallowed nervously, his fists involuntarily clenching.
He had fully recalled all the memories concerning Tsukiyuki Rio. First joining the reader group as a female fan, sending Yu Qingxue to Bincheng, advancing step by step with careful planning, and finally coming to Bincheng herself to kidnap him.
Those days when even going outside was restricted made Gao Sijin’s hairs stand on end.
He didn’t want to be captured. He definitely didn’t want to be kept like livestock until his death.
But escape was destined to be impossible.
The footsteps grew closer. He could hear the voice of a young girl humming a cheerful tune. Her agile, soft voice was charming just to hear. The pure vocal tone made it clear without even seeing her that she possessed a peerless appearance. But this voice, so familiar to Gao Sijin, was bizarre and sinister. The originally tranquil air was once again laden with a sense of heaviness.
Once captured, there would be no more dawn.
This twistedness in the name of love threatened to drive Gao Sijin completely insane.
“Gao-kun, are you home?”
She had finally reached the cave entrance. Gao Sijin, hiding in the deepest part of the cave, held his breath and focused his mind. He could certainly remain silent, but his heartbeat accelerated rapidly. The adrenaline in his blood surged turbulently, and his sweat glands secreted cold sweat.
He clearly heard her call.
Stay quiet.
Although he held little hope, he still hid his body within the shadows. Perhaps, after calling out and receiving no answer, she would leave in a hurry.
“Eh, no response? Could it be that Gao-kun isn’t here?”
The exaggerated tone made it clear to Gao Sijin that Tsukiyuki Rio was doing this on purpose. She wasn’t in a hurry for a quick thrill. She liked cutting flesh slowly with a dull blade. This was Tsukiyuki Rio’s unique malicious amusement.
“Young Miss, perhaps Sijin really isn’t here after all,” Yu Qingxue said to Tsukiyuki Rio in a teasing tone.
“What should we do then?” Tsukiyuki Rio said in feigned panic. “Without Gao-kun, I’ll die of loneliness…”
“No helping it, Young Miss. Let’s go somewhere else and continue searching.”
Their voices reached Gao Sijin’s ears. Even knowing they were putting on an act for him, Gao Sijin was still unwilling to surrender so easily, to walk into the trap himself.
For now, it was best to continue hiding like this, deceiving himself by covering his own ears while the bell still tolled.
