34. Moving In Together

Tara had always hated it when people threatened her.

Not let her pursue Killian?

She was definitely going to pursue him now!

Not only was she going to pursue him, but she was also going to kiss him and hold him just to spite her!

...

"Sorry, Killian, I'm back late."

After the delay caused by Cassidy, it was nearly two hours later by the time Tara returned to the hospital.

In the ward, she saw Killian sitting motionless on the bed, spacing out. She immediately put down the fruit and asked, "Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?"

Even as she asked, she had already considerately poured a glass and brought it to him.

But Killian didn't drink. Instead, he suddenly raised his hand and caught her other free hand. Under her surprised gaze, he folded it into his broad, firm palm.

"Tara, get the discharge papers ready for me," he said softly.

It was a very clingy gesture.

Tara paused, feeling the warmth from his palm. She asked softly, "Why do you suddenly want to be discharged?"

Her expression was worried. "Your injuries aren't healed yet."

The strength of Killian's grip on her small hand tightened slightly. His deep gaze was gentle yet left no room for argument. "I'll recover slowly at home."

Tara stared blankly into his eyes.

She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt that there was a faint layer of irritability and gloom surrounding his handsome features at this moment.

Was he unhappy?

Was it because he disliked the hospital environment?

"Okay."

After a moment of hesitation, Tara nodded.

It’s okay,

she thought.

As long as she stayed by his side and took good care of him, there wouldn't be any problems.

Two hours later, in the center of the city, at the Starry Nebula Residence.

Click.

"Mr. Killian, welcome home."

The moment the door opened, a cute little robot appeared in Tara's sight.

Tara, who was already surprised that Killian would live here, was now completely bewildered.

"Take the things inside and bring out another pair of slippers," Killian commanded flatly.

"Yes, sir."

The little robot blinked its large electronic eyes at the shocked Tara, then extended a mechanical hand and proactively took the bag from her.

"Beautiful sister, I'll take that inside for you."

"Ah... okay, thank you."

Tara was stunned by its level of intelligence. She dazedlly handed over her bag.

A moment later, she walked into the house, silently surveying the large, flat apartment that was low-key yet exuded luxury in every corner. She couldn't help but be amazed.

She hadn't expected Killian to have such a property.

He seemed to be more than just "ordinarily" wealthy.

They were both university students; how was he so incredible?

She suddenly felt even more like a loser.

While she was lost in thought, Killian led her to the sofa to sit down. "What would you like to drink?" he asked warmly.

Tara snapped out of it and smiled at him. "Thank you, just plain water is fine."

Killian nodded and looked at the little robot.

"Right away!"

The little robot immediately turned and headed toward the pantry.

The more Tara watched, the more amazed she became.

"Killian, where did you buy this? It’s so smart."

Killian leaned lazily against the sofa, his magnetic voice drifting out. "I didn't buy it. I built it myself."

"Built it yourself?" Tara's voice rose slightly.

"Mhm."

"Its name is Little X, a domestic housekeeping robot."

This was the first time Tara had seen anything like it. She couldn't help but be curious. "Then, can it do chores like laundry, cooking, or cleaning?"

Killian nodded slightly. "Yes."

"Of course," he lifted his eyes lazily, his dark gaze softening involuntarily. "In the future, if there's anything else you want it to be able to do, you can write it into its control system."

Tara didn't notice his use of the phrase "in the future"; she was too busy being impressed. "Really? Killian, you're amazing!"

She turned and leaned in close, her eyes sparkling. "You can make games and robots. That’s really wonderful!"

No wonder so many people at the university called him "God Killian"—he really was a legend!

Little X soon brought a cup of coffee and a glass of water, handing them steadily to Tara and Killian.

"Thank you." Tara took hers and took a small sip, finding the temperature to be perfectly controlled.

"Are you hungry? Should I have Little X make dinner?"

Tara actually really wanted to cook some nutritious meals for Killian herself, but she also really wanted to see how Little X's cooking was.

After a moment of struggle, she gave in to her curiosity. "Okay."

"Message received!"

The moment she nodded, an " ^ω^ " expression appeared on Little X's round face, and it immediately turned toward the kitchen.

Tara couldn't help but follow it curiously to see how it operated.

After watching for a while in amazement, she was drawn away by the dreamlike sunset outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Killian, the view from here is so beautiful!"

She pressed her palms lightly against the glass, sighing in admiration.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over her, casting a trailing silhouette of her graceful body, like a magnificent and exquisite oil painting.

Killian watched her from where she stood.

That spot should have a soft rug and some cute pillows.

He made a mental note of it.

Little X's meal was served shortly.

Tara fed Killian a bite of stir-fried lettuce before taking a bite herself.

"How is it?" Killian asked, watching her cheeks puff out like a little hamster.

"Mhm, it's good."

Tara replied with her mouth full, then gave Little X a thumbs-up. "Little X, great job!"

Hearing this, Little X's big electronic eyes blinked, and two shy red blushes unexpectedly appeared on its face.

Tara: "!!!"

It can get shy?

She got goosebumps and couldn't help but put down her utensils, leaning close to Killian's ear and whispering, "Killian, Little X doesn't have self-awareness, does it?"

"Like in those sci-fi movies, where they pretend to be obedient and then one day they're not satisfied with being confined and rebel against their master!"

She spoke softly, gesturing dramatically as if it were a serious matter.

Her warm breath brushed past his ear, and the faint scent of Begonia flowers from her body drifted into his nose.

Killian's gaze deepened. Meeting her eyes, he finally couldn't resist raising his hand to lightly scratch her dainty nose.

"No, don't overthink it."

His tone was flat. "Even if it did develop self-awareness, if it dared to have a single malicious thought, it would be destroyed immediately."

His calm tone carried an underlying sense of being in total control, which was chilling.

Tara stared into his eyes, deep as the vast ocean. For some reason, she felt a slight chill in her heart and couldn't help but look away. "Oh, okay."

She didn't think more of it and silently placed some food in his bowl. "Killian, this one is delicious."

The atmosphere became subtle for an instant, then vanished—too fast for one to grasp exactly what had been overlooked.

Little X blinked innocently. Being a machine, its cold electronic chip couldn't understand complex human emotions.

But it knew it should go clean now, so it turned and started working.

By the time dinner was finished, night had fallen. Through the massive windows, the sprawling, prosperous night view of the city was fully visible.

That meant it was time for Tara to go back.

But she didn't want to leave.

If she left, Killian was injured—what would he do alone?

Should she find a way to shamelessly stay?