LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 601: His Embrace was her safe place!
"Shien, leave the interrogation to us. You've been going nonstop for two days now without even a nap. Pushing yourself like this isn't healthy. You should take a break," HK urged, his voice laced with concern as he looked at her tired face.
Sia shook her head dismissively, a slight frown tugging at her lips. "I'm fine, HK. Two days isn't that long. It's not going to hurt me," she replied with an indifferent shrug, brushing off his worry.
But HK wasn't convinced. Stepping closer, he reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle, and spoke more seriously. "Shien, you shouldn't take your health so lightly. Don't you remember what happened last time when you refused to rest? You went three days without sleep and ended up collapsing. Not to mention…" His voice softened, and he glanced down. "Your friends will worry if they find out you're pushing yourself like this again."
The officers around them continued with their tasks, barely noticing the low conversation between the two. But Sia understood the weight behind HK's words. Unlike most people, HK knew more about her than just her stoic exterior. The others saw her as a lone wolf, a tireless force who never needed rest. But HK knew she had limits and, more importantly, people who cared about her—people she didn't want to trouble with her burdens.
It had been two exhausting days since the incident, two days filled with tension, and Sia hadn't spoken to her close friends or even her family since her last call to them. They had no idea about the intensity of the case she was involved in. If she continued this way, she realized they might soon notice her absence, and she couldn't bear the thought of worrying her parents or friends.
With a reluctant sigh, Sia finally gave in. "Alright," she said quietly. "You guys handle the interrogation. I'll head back and rest. But if anything urgent comes up, call me immediately."
HK nodded, relief evident in his eyes. "Don't worry. We've got this covered. Just focus on resting. We'll keep you updated if anything happens."
As she waved goodbye to her team, Sia walked out of the station, feeling the weight of exhaustion descend upon her like a heavy cloak. The moment she stepped outside, she became acutely aware of how tense her body felt, as though every muscle was stretched to its limit. Looking up at the night sky, she took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air, trying to calm the storm of thoughts still swirling in her mind.
She walked slowly toward the parking lot, her footsteps echoing faintly in the stillness. But just as she reached her car, she froze, sensing something—or someone—watching her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a figure leaning casually against a nearby tree, the faint glow of a cigarette illuminating his face.
Turning her head fully, she saw a familiar face step out of the shadows. He was tall, with sharp features, dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark pants, the cigarette held loosely between his fingers. In the dim light, he looked calm, almost serene. Sia's eyes widened slightly as she recognized him, and suddenly, the tension she'd been carrying began to melt away.
"Mu Jun…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
In a moment that felt instinctual, she took a step forward, crossing the space between them, and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Resting her head against his chest, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting his familiar scent ground her. "I missed you," she said softly, her voice tinged with weariness.
Mu Jun's gaze softened, his hardened expression melting into something tender. He dropped the cigarette to the ground, extinguishing it with his shoe, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I missed you too," he replied, his voice gentle.
After a moment, he pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a small, comforting smile. "Come on, let me take you home. You need some rest."
Sia shook her head, her fingers clutching his shirt as if afraid to let go. "No," she whispered. "Take me to that place. The place you took me the first time on your bike. I want to go there."
Mu Jun's gaze softened further. "Alright. Let's go."
They drove up the winding road to the mountain viewpoint in comfortable silence. The city lights below sparkled like stars, the sprawling landscape creating a breathtaking scene. Mu Jun instructed the driver to give them privacy, allowing him and Sia to sit alone in the backseat of the car.
The driver left quietly, leaving them in the peaceful silence of the mountain. Mu Jun looked at Sia, who was leaning against him, her head resting on his shoulder, eyes half-closed. She looked more at ease than she had all evening, her usual guarded expression softened by fatigue.
"Do you want to go outside and get some fresh air?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Sia shook her head slowly. "No," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to stay like this… with you."
Mu Jun smiled, a warm expression that held all the affection he had for her. "Alright. Whatever you need."
For a few minutes, they sat in silence, the quiet night settling around them like a comforting blanket. Mu Jun occasionally looked down, watching her closed eyes, her breathing steady as she leaned against him. After a while, he broke the silence gently. "Are you okay? You seemed… off earlier."
Sia hesitated, then sighed. "When I first arrived at the scene, I was overwhelmed. The images… the brutality… it made me feel angry, frustrated, helpless. And as the hours passed, I started to feel trapped, like I was being weighed down by it all. But…" She looked up at him, her eyes softening. "Seeing you here, waiting for me, it was like I could breathe again. I finally felt… safe. Like I'd come home."
Mu Jun's gaze softened, and he reached up to caress her cheek, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The simple gesture filled her with a warmth that dispelled the lingering chill of the last two days. She looked up at him, her heart fluttering as their eyes met.
She shifted slightly, moving onto his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her eyes held a glint of mischief, a spark he hadn't seen in her for days. "That kiss wasn't enough," she murmured, her voice a mix of playfulness and longing.
Mu Jun chuckled, a low sound that reverberated through the quiet car. "Then how would you like me to make it up to you?" he asked, his tone matching hers.
Without another word, Sia leaned in, pressing her lips against his in a deep, lingering kiss. Her fingers trailed down from his collar, carefully unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time. Her hand slipped beneath the fabric, feeling the warmth of his skin, tracing over the hard lines of his chest and abdomen. Each touch grounded her, soothing her more than any words could.
Mu Jun let her set the pace, simply holding her close as their kiss deepened, sharing a quiet, intense moment that was both tender and full of longing. Under the canopy of stars, hidden away in the car on a silent mountain road, they lost themselves in each other, finding solace and comfort.
Eventually, the exhaustion took over, and Sia's head drooped as she drifted into a peaceful sleep in his arms. Mu Jun smiled down at her, gently adjusting her so she'd be comfortable. He straightened his shirt, combed his hair back, and called the driver to bring them home.
The next morning, a sudden ringtone jolted Sia from her slumber. Still half-asleep, she reached for her phone, blinking at the screen until she recognized HK's name. Clearing her throat, she answered. "HK? What's going on?"
"Shien, sorry to disturb you so early, but something's come up at the station. We need you to get here as soon as possible."
Sia rubbed her eyes, already feeling the rush of adrenaline waking her up fully. "What happened?"
There was a brief pause before HK replied, his voice laced with urgency. "It's... important. You'll understand when you get here."