118: The Queen's invitation! Tonight, it belongs only to you and me!

The corridor leading to the living quarters was dead silent.

It was so quiet that only the slightly hurried breathing and heartbeats of the two, intertwined, could be heard.

Lin Mo was holding Gu Zhixia's hand.

That hand, which always held cold killing implements and had been stained with the blood of myths, was now warm and soft.

Her palm even exuded a subtle film of sweat, a result of nervousness.

He watched her back as she walked ahead.

Still valiant, still graceful.

Only her earlobes, slightly flushed under the light, were like a flicker of flame, completely igniting and disturbing the calm lake in Lin Mo's heart.

Gu Zhixia's room was just like her.

Neat, efficient, and even carrying a hint of cold, stark killing intent.

It was a minimalist style of black, white, and gray, without any superfluous decorations.

The only exception was the custom-made weapon rack on the wall.

The high-frequency vibrating particle spear that had accompanied her through countless battles and drunk the blood of gods hung silently on it, its barrel polished spotlessly clean, reflecting a cold metallic sheen.

The door behind them clicked shut automatically.

Within the confined space, the ambiguous atmosphere instantly intensified to the extreme.

The queen who had been so proactive and bold outside now, in her own territory, became somewhat flustered.

She released Lin Mo's hand and walked to the window somewhat unnaturally, pretending to look outside.

But her slightly trembling fingertips and her gaze, which dared not meet Lin Mo's, completely betrayed her inner turmoil.

Lin Mo didn't speak, just watched her quietly.

He knew that this woman, who always encased herself in a hard shell, was now revealing her softest, most vulnerable side to him.

He stepped forward.

From behind, he gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, which he could span with one hand.

Gu Zhixia's body stiffened abruptly.

Then, she slowly relaxed, leaning into his broad and firm chest.

“You...”

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her voice terribly dry.

“I am here.”

Lin Mo's chin rested lightly on the top of her head, inhaling her unique scent, a blend of faint gunpowder and a cool, natural body fragrance.

His voice was deep and magnetic, like the most effective tranquilizer, instantly calming all the unease and hesitation in her heart.

Gu Zhixia slowly turned around.

She looked up, her phoenix eyes, shimmering with moisture, gazed at him adoringly.

She stretched out her arms, proactively wrapping them around his neck.

“Lin Mo.”

“Hmm?”

“Take me.”

There were no superfluous words.

Lin Mo lowered his head and kissed her again.

This time, the kiss was no longer filled with possessiveness and tentative exploration as before, but was tender, lingering, carrying a yearning to completely melt into each other.

Clothes, without their knowing, lay scattered on the floor.

When the two stood before each other, unadorned, when that perfect body, always encased in a cold combat suit and sculpted like top-grade white jade, was revealed without reservation before Lin Mo, he felt his breath stop.

He scooped her up in his arms and walked towards the wide, soft bed.

Moonlight filtered through the porthole, casting a silvery glow.

It illuminated the intertwined, rising and falling figures on the bed.

It also illuminated a tear that slipped from the corner of her eye.

He didn't know if it was pain or extreme pleasure.

That night, there were no words.

Only the most primitive rhythm and the resonance from the depths of their souls.

On this lonely ark of the apocalypse, two solitary souls finally embraced tightly in the most fervent way, with no more gaps... The next morning.

When the first ray of sunlight passed through the porthole and shone on Gu Zhixia's peacefully sleeping face, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

There was no headache from a hangover.

Instead, there was a feeling of soreness and exhaustion throughout her body, as if she had been run over by a heavy truck.

And next to her, there was the warm, firm, and reassuring male body.

Everything from last night flooded into her mind like a tide.

Her face instantly turned crimson, burning hot.

She cautiously turned her head and saw that Lin Mo was still fast asleep.

When he was asleep, he lacked his usual calmness and restraint; his brows were relaxed, like a big boy who had let down all his guards.

Gu Zhixia's heart softened for no reason.

She reached out a finger, wanting to trace the strong contours of his face, but her fingertip stopped just as it was about to touch him.

Just then.

Lin Mo's eyes opened without warning.

Their gazes met.

The air seemed to freeze.

“Morning.”

Lin Mo's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but a mischievous smile played on his lips.

“Morning...”

Gu Zhixia's cheeks grew even hotter; almost instinctively, she pulled the quilt over her head, like a startled ostrich.

Seeing her adorable appearance, so different from her usual self, Lin Mo couldn't help but chuckle softly.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

Just then, an unwelcome knocking sound rang out.

Followed by Gu Nianqiu's energetic, clear voice.

“Sister! Brother Mo! Time to get up for breakfast! I made your favorite ‘Life Omelets’!”

Gu Zhixia jolted, springing up from the bed!

She fumbled frantically for her clothes scattered on the floor by the bed, her movements as panicked as a fawn discovered by a hunter.

“It's over, it's over... Nianqiu knows...”

“I... I can't face anyone...”

She muttered to herself, her beautiful face filled with a doomsday-like terror.

Gone was any trace of her usual composure and sharpness as an ice-queen.

Lin Mo was also amused by her; he quickly dressed, walked to the door, and opened it a crack.

“Nianqiu, we'll be right there.”

“Huh? Brother Mo, why are you in Sister's room?”

Gu Nianqiu outside the door tilted her small head, her pure, innocent big eyes full of naive confusion.

“Uh...”

Lin Mo lied without changing his expression.

“Last night, your sister and I discussed the upcoming sailing route, and we talked too late, so I just slept in the guest room.”

“Oh, I see!”

The simple Little Girl immediately believed him, and with an admiring look, she said, “Brother Mo and Sister are so hardworking! Then I'll bring breakfast to the Bridge, you two come eat quickly!”

With that, she hummed a little tune, carried the tray, and skipped away.

Lin Mo closed the door and turned to look at Gu Zhixia, who was already fully dressed but still blushing and flustered, not daring to even glance at him; he shrugged helplessly.

Half an hour later.

Inside the refreshed Bridge, the three sat around the dining table, enjoying a delicious breakfast.

Gu Zhixia ate with her head down the entire time, as if trying to bury her face in the bowl.

She dared not look at Lin Mo, and even less at her sister, fearing that any hint would be noticed.