Qiao Zhi exhaled slowly, then gently lifted her head from Gu Yangjin's embrace. The warmth of it still lingered, reluctant to leave her skin. But she stepped back, deliberately retreating from that rare moment of intimacy, pulling her walls back up brick by brick.
"Don't take what I said just now to heart, Miss Gu," she said, her tone even, her eyes no longer misty. "Anyway, we haven't caught the wanted criminal yet. Let's hurry—he might slip through our fingers if we waste time."
Gu Yangjin stared at her, her brows drawing together slightly. She felt… unsettled.
Just moments ago, Qiao Zhi had been leaning into her like something broken. And she had held her—instinctively, protectively. Not out of obligation, but because she couldn't bear to let her fall.
Why did she pull away so quickly? Did I do something wrong?
"Miss Qiao, I…" she began, trying to untangle her thoughts, unsure what exactly she wanted to say.
