SSS-Ranked Surgeon In Another World: The Healer Is Actually OP! - Chapter 334: Welcome Home...

Chapter 334: Welcome Home…

As they kissed, their bodies moved in perfect harmony with the kiss, his hands roaming up and down her waist, squeezing the generous flare of her hips; hers sliding into his hair, tugging just hard enough to draw another low groan from him.

The world narrowed to the wet, heated glide of tongues, the soft smack of lips, the shared taste of gin and raw desire. Minutes stretched into an eternity of pure sensation, until finally, reluctantly, they broke apart.

Sophie’s lips were swollen and glistening, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she rested her forehead against his. Bruce’s eyes burned into hers, dark with promise, his own chest heaving. A single strand of saliva still connected their mouths for a heartbeat before it snapped.

Bruce and Sophie remained close for a moment longer after their lips parted.

The night air around them was cool, carrying the faint scent of winter pine and distant snow, but the warmth between them lingered. Sophie’s breath was still uneven, soft clouds of mist forming each time she exhaled in the cold.

Bruce’s thumb lingered briefly against her lower lip where he had brushed it moments earlier.

“Let’s not keep them waiting,” he said quietly.

Sophie smiled faintly at that, the teasing warmth returning to her eyes.

“Lily’s been waiting all evening,” she replied, smoothing a hand over the front of his coat as if straightening it. “You know how she gets when she’s excited about something.”

Bruce chuckled softly.

Yes.

He knew exactly how Lily got.

They began walking.

The path toward the Ackerman residence wound gently through the quiet district, lanterns casting warm pools of light along the snow-dusted stone road. The city had grown quieter as night deepened. Only the occasional carriage rolled by in the distance, its wheels crunching softly against frost-covered streets.

The gates of the family compound soon came into view.

Tall iron bars framed by sturdy stone pillars, the Ackerman crest engraved proudly at the center. Soft lantern light illuminated the front garden beyond, where frost glimmered faintly across trimmed hedges and carefully maintained pathways.

As they approached, the people at the area immediately straightened.

“Sir Bruce.”

They waved.

Bruce nodded once in acknowledgement and opened the gate.

He mentally noted their change of attitude towards him. Not that they’ve been against him before, but the way they treated him before and currently was completely different. Before they were treating him like air, but currently they were treating like as if he was some celebrity.

Unknown to Bruce, this was one of the effects of his popularity and his family popularity at the V-net.

Meanwhile Bruce walked through the door with Sophie. The moment they stepped inside.

A blur of movement shot across the courtyard.

“BROOOOTHERRR!”

Bruce barely had time to react before Lily crashed into him like a small hurricane.

She threw her arms around him in a fierce hug, nearly knocking the breath out of him as she squeezed tightly.

“You’re finally back!”

Her voice was bright and full of energy, practically bouncing with excitement.

Bruce laughed softly as he steadied himself, one arm naturally wrapping around her shoulders.

“Easy there,” he said, ruffling her hair gently. “You’re getting stronger.”

Lily beamed proudly at that.

“Of course I am! I’ve been training every day!”

She stepped back just enough to look up at him properly, her bright eyes shining as she inspected him from head to toe.

“You smell like alcohol,” she declared immediately.

Sophie snorted quietly beside them.

Bruce sighed.

“Guild gathering.”

“Hmm.”

Lily crossed her arms with exaggerated seriousness as if judging him.

Then her expression broke instantly as she grabbed his sleeve again excitedly.

“Come on! Come on! We have to hurry!”

Before Bruce could ask anything.

Another small blur of movement swooped down from above.

A tiny dragon cub darted through the air like an excited comet.

“Ash!”

The little dragon chirped happily as it circled Bruce and Sophie in rapid loops, its tiny wings beating enthusiastically as it flew around them. Its scales shimmered faintly in the lantern light, deep crimson mixed with hints of gold along its wings.

Its tail wagged enthusiastically as it flew, swishing back and forth like an overly excited puppy.

“Someone’s happy,” Sophie laughed.

Ash chirped again before diving downward and landing lightly on Bruce’s shoulder.

It nuzzled affectionately against his cheek.

Bruce chuckled softly and scratched beneath the dragon’s chin.

“Miss me too, huh?”

Ash responded by spreading its wings proudly and letting out another happy trill before leaping back into the air. It immediately began circling both Bruce and Sophie again, looping around them playfully as if escorting them forward.

“See!” Lily said excitedly. “Even Ash has been waiting for you!”

Ash swooped down again, briefly brushing Sophie’s shoulder this time before rising back into the air with another cheerful chirp.

Sophie reached up and gently tapped the dragon’s nose as it passed.

“You’ve gotten stronger too huh,” she said with a grin.

Ash puffed its tiny chest proudly at the compliment before performing another excited aerial loop.

Lily grabbed Bruce’s hand again and began tugging him eagerly toward the house.

“Hurry! Mum is almost done preparing, I can’t wait to watch it!”

Bruce raised an eyebrow.

“The movie?”

“Yes!”

Lily practically bounced as she walked.

“The Adventurer Trial movie version! The Thorne family released it today! Everyone’s talking about it in the V-net!”

Her excitement was contagious.

Ash darted ahead of them and began flying loops around the front entrance of the house as if guiding them home.

Warm golden light spilled from the windows of the Ackerman residence, the comforting glow contrasting with the cold night outside. The large doors opened as they approached, revealing the familiar warmth of home inside.

Lily tugged Bruce forward again impatiently.

“Come on!”

Bruce allowed himself to be dragged along with a small smile.

Sophie walked beside them, watching the two siblings with quiet amusement.

Ash continued flying circles overhead, its tail wagging happily as it chirped and fluttered around them like an excited little guardian welcoming its family home.