Ke Xue: The thief Cao is actually myself

Chapter 715 Kudo Yusaku: Maru, my house has been raided! (Seeking monthly votes!)
Before we knew it, night fell like a giant black ribbon, quietly enveloping the world. The twinkling stars, like sparkling gems, reflected on the surface of the hot spring pool, creating a shimmering, dreamlike scene.

As Yukiko Kudo gazed at the beautiful and tranquil night view, a sense of emotion welled up within her, and her thoughts drifted away, as if she had temporarily forgotten her previous troubles and worries.

Bai Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, and in the misty steam, he suddenly spoke softly, his voice deep and magnetic, deliberately tinged with a rare gentleness: "Yukiko, I've always admired you. Not just as a dazzling actress on stage, but also as the real, vibrant, and charming person you are in real life."

He paused, gazing intently at her. "I know my previous actions were too forceful, even despicable... but I was just afraid. Afraid of missing you, afraid that this incredible attraction, this special destiny, would slip through my fingers."

Yukiko Kudo's heart stirred slightly. She slowly turned her head, her gaze meeting Bai Ye's, and caught a rare, almost devout light in his eyes. This softened her already wavering defenses even more, and she softly retorted, but it sounded more like a futile struggle: "But we all have our own established life paths, and we can't ruin everything because of a momentary impulse."

“I understand…” Bai Ye gently reached out and tenderly stroked her cheek, his thumb lightly caressing her pink lips like a feather, the gesture full of tenderness. “But feelings are sometimes so elusive, making people involuntarily fall into them.”

His face slowly drew closer, their breaths mingling as if they were one. "Just like my feelings for you, from the first moment I saw you, a special feeling began to grow in my heart. And this feeling has become so profound without me even realizing it."

This affection dates back to the moment I first met Yukiko Kudo in "Detective Conan" in my past life. It was etched into my heart like a brand, and it has only grown stronger with time.

Perhaps Yukiko Kudo still harbors some doubts and anxieties, but Byakuya firmly believes that as long as he is sincere enough and proves his deep affection with his actions, one day he will be able to make Yukiko Kudo completely let go of her concerns and willingly fall into his arms.

That is, they may face some criticism in the future, such as some people who have close ties with Yukiko Kudo having opinions about him.

If you have opinions, then so be it!

True love can withstand the test of time. As long as they understand each other and walk hand in hand, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles they encounter, they are just minor episodes on the road to happiness.

Yukiko Kudo's breathing quickened slightly, and her heart pounded harder, as if it would burst from her chest. She knew she should decisively push him away and distance herself from this dangerous distance. But her body felt as if it were being gently dissolved in a hot spring, or as if it were being entangled by invisible vines, unable to move at all.

That fleeting, inappropriate stirring of the heart is quietly eroding the last vestiges of reason.

A complex and subtle emotion spread through her heart, a mixture of fear of this forbidden feeling and a touch of indescribable excitement.

These two emotions intertwined, plunging her into a deep dilemma.

Bai Ye leaned down slightly, his breath gently brushing against her ear, and whispered, "Yukiko, tonight, I hope we can be honest with each other, put aside all our worries and anxieties, and enjoy this precious time together, instead of being suspicious and defensive towards each other."

Yukiko Kudo was jolted; she never expected Byakuya to say such a thing. Beside the tranquil yet intimately intimate hot spring, under the silent witness of the stars, her firmly held inner defenses began to falter.

Bai Ye gazed deeply into the complex light flickering in her eyes, a light that held hesitation, fear, and a faint, unwanted flame. He caught that flame, his voice as soft as a sigh, yet carrying an undeniable expectation: "Yukiko... give each other a chance to start over, let's rediscover each other here and now, okay?"

Yukiko Kudo gazed at his handsome face so close to hers. Those eyes, usually filled with a playful and controlling air, now seemed so sincere, making it hard to refuse. A thousand thoughts swirled within her, but ultimately, that faint flame of emotion overwhelmed her reason, and, almost unconsciously, she nodded gently.

This barely audible response had already pushed her to the edge of the abyss—she decided to let go of her heavy guard against Bai Ye and, on this night destined to be special and unforgettable, risk touching this dangerous fate to see where it would lead them...

In the time that followed, the two sat quietly by the hot spring pool, surrounded by the rising steam and the twinkling stars in the night sky, and began to open their hearts to each other.

Byakuya enthusiastically recounted the wonderful and thrilling stories he had experienced in Beika Town, his words filled with unique and profound insights into the city;

Yukiko Kudo then recounted unforgettable moments from her acting career, from the nervousness and anxiety of her first stage appearance to the joy and pride of receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. Every detail was filled with her deep love for acting.

As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious. They seemed to have forgotten all the previous conflicts and misunderstandings, and were completely immersed in this rare opportunity to understand each other.

At that moment, it seemed as if the world consisted only of the two of them, the warm hot spring, and the dazzling starry sky.

As time passed, the night deepened.

The steam from the hot spring pool continued to rise, like a dreamy veil, casting a mysterious and romantic hue over the surroundings.

Yukiko Kudo and Byakuya remained quietly seated by the pond, enjoying the tranquility of the night and each other's company.

But before they knew it, the distance between them had quietly disappeared.

Yukiko Kudo leaned slightly, as if she had shed all her weight, and nestled softly into Byakuya's arms. Her posture was like that of a docile little bird that had found a warm nest.

Bai Ye's arms naturally and skillfully wrapped around her waist, tightly embracing her soft and graceful body, as if he wanted to integrate her into his own life.

Ambiguous intimacy, silently, quietly replaced deliberate distance.

“Yukiko…” Bai Ye’s deep voice sounded above her head, with a satisfied sigh, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, “I really enjoyed chatting with you tonight…”

Yukiko Kudo shifted slightly in his arms, not resisting the overly intimate embrace. A relaxed smile even appeared on her lips, the previous wariness and worry fading away considerably. "Me too. It seems... it's been a long time since I've... chatted with someone so unguarded." Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of weariness after letting down her guard.

"I never expected we could hit it off so well!"

"Yes, I really didn't expect that either..."

“Then, I should keep my promise.” Bai Ye moved his arm slightly, without letting go of her, and used his free hand to precisely pull a cell phone from the clothes folded to the side, handing it to her. “It’s all in there. Everything you were worried about is now returned to its rightful owner.”

Yukiko Kudo took the cold metal cube, her heart filled with mixed emotions, as if a huge boulder that had been hanging over her heart had finally been lifted. Feeling the edges of the phone against her fingertips, she clearly realized that this absurd interlude, filled with struggle and this strangely tender yet relieved ending, might truly be coming to an end.

A sense of relief, almost like exhaustion, swept over her, followed by a slight emptiness that she herself was unaware of.

"Thank you, Bai Ye." She looked up into his eyes, her voice sincere, her eyes indeed shining with gratitude and relief.

"No need to be so polite." Bai Ye looked down at her face, which was even more charming after she relaxed. His smile was pure and warm enough to make one let down their guard. "I hope... we can still meet in this 'frank' manner in the future and share our lives with each other." He deliberately emphasized the word 'frank,' carrying a subtle but profound meaning.

Yukiko Kudo nestled quietly in his warm embrace, feeling his steady and powerful heartbeat, and his young and strong arms.

Bai Ye—not only is he exceptionally handsome and possesses an outstanding and refined temperament, but he also has a captivating and unique charm and skill in handling affairs. Even the thoughtfulness he displays at this moment is enough to make people involuntarily fall for him…

If... it would be nice to have such a special good friend?
This vague yet dangerous thought slipped into her mind when she was caught off guard and relaxed, surprising even herself.

In that moment of relaxation and the budding of that strange, dangerous affection, she didn't notice that Bai Ye's smile deepened beside her, and a predatory, naked possessiveness suddenly surged in his originally clear eyes.

His arms tightened around her waist, trapping her completely in his embrace with an undeniable force, almost suffocating her. His deep voice, tinged with a dangerous sweetness, pressed his lips almost against her earlobe: "So, as... a final farewell..."

He paused deliberately, his hot breath brushing against the skin behind her ear, "Can I... kiss you one more time?"

"Yukiko..."

The last syllable, with its seductive hook, fell gently, as if playing a subtle melody on the strings of her heart.

"Is it okay, Yukiko?"

As he spoke, his hand slowly caressed Yukiko Kudo's cheek, his thumb gently stroking her pink lips.

Looking into Byakuya's gentle yet passionate eyes, Yukiko Kudo felt her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of her chest, and her reason began to crumble little by little in that instant.

One more kiss? Should I refuse? Or say yes?
It's not like she and Bai Ye have kissed before, so what's the harm in doing it again?

And this is the last time.

After this kiss, it will all be over!

Once the dust settles, all the struggles and anxieties will be sealed away in this night, becoming nothing more than passing clouds.

By then, whether it's restraint or excitement, everything will be in the past.

“One last time…” she murmured softly, as if casting a spell on herself, or as if trying to persuade her heart, which was no longer at peace.

Then, as if possessed, Yukiko Kudo closed her eyes briefly, and a broken, almost inaudible sound escaped her throat: "...Mmm..."

Let's consider this a brief, chaotic, and absurd relationship filled with forbidden temptations and deadly dangers... a barely acceptable, warm ending.

This is the last time...

From then on, they became strangers, with no further entanglement.

However, beneath that feigned composure in her agreement, she herself was not fully aware that a hidden, inappropriate reluctance had quietly crept up like a vine, tightly binding her heart and causing her to taste a bittersweet feeling amidst her soft exclamation of relief.

He took in the wavering and struggle in her eyes, and the smile on Bai Ye's lips deepened, a glint of triumph flashing in his eyes. He leaned closer and, without hesitation, captured that soft, warm touch in his mouth.

Unlike his previous forceful kiss, this one was heartbreakingly tender. It was like a gentle breeze caressing flower petals, or moonlight gently stroking the earth, filled with endless longing and a deep, heart-stirring affection.

This extreme gentleness is another kind of invisible shackle, far more irresistible than cold coercion, eroding Kudo Yukiko's last remaining will to resist.

In that tender kiss that penetrates to the very bone, time seems to lose its meaning.

"Well……"

Yukiko Kudo's mind went blank; she could only feel the presence of Byakuya, his warmth, and the tenderness that seemed to melt her.

Her tense body gradually softened, her resistance eased, and her hands unconsciously climbed onto his shoulders, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

A faint voice still shrieked in her heart, commanding her to push away and escape, but her body had already completely betrayed her will, as if under a spell, unable to move.

What's frightening is that she actually started responding unconsciously.

The mist grew thicker and thicker, like a giant white curtain, completely blurring their figures, and also blurring the yesterday that Kudo Yukiko could never return to, and the path she had come from...

When everything calmed down, the entire hot spring pool was enveloped in a deathly silence.

Yukiko Kudo nestled against Byakuya's chest, burying her burning cheeks in his wet neck. Water droplets mingled with her own undried tears, silently sliding down and reflecting a faint halo in the hazy moonlight.

Bai Ye still held her waist tightly with one hand, holding her firmly in his arms, while his other hand gently and soothingly stroked her wet and messy long hair.

Water droplets slid down his strong arm and fell into the shimmering water, creating small ripples.

He lowered his head, gazing at the soft, tired body in his arms, feeling her every subtle tremor and rise and fall, and couldn't help but curl his lips into an extremely satisfied and meaningful smile.

Because he knew that from this moment on, this proud Teitan princess would never be able to escape his grasp...

(End of this chapter)