inherit

Chen Chao sighed softly, fiddling with Steve's hair with his fingers.

"First of all, my choice of who my other half is a private matter for the Chen family, and other families have no right to interfere. Secondly, let alone the possibility that Chen Xi might be willing to have children, it doesn't matter even if she doesn't."

Steve looked up at Chen Chao with a puzzled expression.

"What a family inherits is the will, not blood ties. Whether it's a collateral branch or an adoption, as long as someone can inherit the will of the Chen family, that's fine."

Chen Chao's words stunned Steve.

What a family inherits is will, not bloodline.

Throughout human history, the rise and fall of dynasties have been invariably linked by blood ties. Even in modern society, where the concept of family has faded considerably, the transfer of wealth and power still largely depends on blood relations.

But now, this man standing at the pinnacle of family power says: "What a family inherits is will, not bloodline."

Chen Chao smiled gently at Steve's shocked expression and explained softly, "Song Zifeng is Song Qin's biological son, but so what? If he's useless, he's still unusable."

It's reasonable to raise your own child from a young age, know their background and feel secure before entrusting them to your family. But this doesn't mean it has to be your own biological child.

We all have responsibilities to the country, and the most important thing in choosing a successor is to pass on that responsibility.

Steve put the ice pack aside and unconsciously hugged Chen Chao tightly around the waist. He felt some intense emotions surging within him with Chen Chao's words, urgently needing an outlet.

He suddenly realized that he loved this man hopelessly, and every word and action of this man could always touch the softest part of his heart.

Like him, Chen Chao had dedicated himself to the country long ago without hesitation.

That's why Chen Chao could say so matter-of-factly that what a family inherits is will, not bloodline.

The difference is that he had nothing from the beginning, while Chen Chao had everything.

This man, standing at the pinnacle of power, rejected fine clothes and sumptuous food, rejected the bright lights and bustling nightlife, and disciplined himself to stay within the confines of his office, solely to fulfill his responsibility to the country.

This man was as rational as a machine, extremely strict with himself, yet he wavered when it came time for his bone marrow to be extracted.

Steve felt the ice that had been pressing down in his heart for years melt away with a surge of warmth. He held Chen Chao tightly, their skin rubbing against each other in the water, as if it were never enough.

Years after losing his mother, he finally found his true home again.

"Chen Chao, I love you, I love you so much! You will always be my boss, always."

Tears slid down his cheeks, disappearing into the water. Chen Chaosheng extended his tongue, licking away the saltiness from the corner of his eye, and gently stroked his back.

"Fool." Chen Chao whispered in his ear, tightening his arms around him.

Lin Yu, you are my miracle.

After I surrendered everything to my faith, God gave you to me, so that I no longer need to be alone and helpless in the dark night.

It's tiring to walk alone in my position.

Now, thankfully, I have you.

The Chen family's main residence in the central district is a three-story white granite building with a simple appearance, which appears quite ordinary among the many luxurious villas in the central district.

But as Steve stood before the heavy wooden door, he felt the mere three-story building was so towering that he couldn't look directly at it. This was the Chen family's main residence, a place that everyone in TeAn had to look up to.

"Nervous?" Steve's tense muscles betrayed his current mood, and Chen Chao couldn't help but ask.

“Yes,” Steve admitted.

No matter how much Chen Chao told him that he was there as her boyfriend, not as her subordinate, he couldn't change the instincts ingrained in his body over the years.

"It's alright." Chen Chao took Steve's hand and stepped inside.

The heavy wooden door was pulled open by a servant, and Steve and Chen Chao walked into the entrance hall side by side.

"Brother, you're back!" Chenxi's voice came from the living room. She ran out as she spoke, and appeared in front of Chenchao as soon as she finished speaking.

She was taken aback when she saw Steve standing side by side with Chen Chao.

Steve and Chen Chao were almost the same height, but Steve was more muscular. Years of training had given him an excellent physique, making him a perfect clothes hanger. Combined with his handsome mixed-race features, Chen Chao's bespoke suits looked almost like something out of a century-old blue-blooded family.

Steve, dressed in a navy blue suit with subtle patterns, stood next to Chen Chao, who was wearing a gray suit. The scene was harmonious and pleasing to the eye, so beautiful that even Chen Xi was a little surprised.

"Wow! Steve, you look so handsome today. No wonder my brother likes you." Chenxi couldn't help but praise.

Steve blushed at Chenxi's praise and wanted to say something, but he was unsure how to address Chenxi.

"You can just call her Chenxi," Chen Chao said, helping him out of the awkward situation.

Upon hearing Chen Chao's words, Chen Xi blinked at Steve and asked, "Then, big brother, what should I call him? Brother and sister-in-law?"

Brother and sister-in-law? Chenxi's words made Steve's face turn even redder, almost to the point of bleeding.

"Stop fooling around. Just call him Steve." Chen Chao led Steve to sit on the sofa in the living room, interrupting Chen Xi's joke.

"Steve is a code name, right? Can't we call him by his real name?" Chenxi asked.

“His real name is classified as a Level 3 secret,” Chen Chao replied.

"Oh," Chen Xi responded, then smiled and said to Steve, "Welcome to the Chen family."

Chenxi's cheerful smile and carefree playfulness eased Steve's tension somewhat. The flush on his face subsided, revealing a clean, white complexion. He looked at Chenxi and smiled back, saying, "I hope we can get along well in the future, Chenxi."

"The restaurant is almost ready, you can go ahead. Dad is upstairs, I'll go get him."

"Mm." Chen Chao responded, watching Chen Xi happily run upstairs and lead Steve to the restaurant.

Chen Fei quickly came downstairs. He was wearing a black Tang suit, and his steps were steady, exuding an air of authority.

"Minister." Upon seeing Chen Fei, Steve's back stiffened, and he addressed him with a respectful title.

“Call him Uncle at home.” Chen Fei glanced at Steve and spoke in a friendly tone.

"Yes, Uncle."

"Pfft!" Steve's formulaic tone, coupled with the address of "uncle," made Chenxi burst out laughing.

Steve was so embarrassed that he scratched his toes on the ground for a moment, and looked helplessly at Chen Chao, only to find that Chen Chao also had a smile on his face that he couldn't suppress.

Steve was frustrated.

"Let's eat." Chen Fei glanced at Steve, finding it somewhat amusing, but he said nothing and took his seat first, followed by the others.

The Chen family has a professional chef, and the dishes are exquisite. After Steve took a few bites, he immediately felt that what he usually cooked for Chen Chao was simply not presentable.

"How is your recovery going?" Chen Fei asked him during the meal, his tone filled with the concern typical of an elder.

"It's almost fully recovered and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. It will soon be in its best condition."

Chen Fei nodded upon hearing this and said, "Taking care of Chen Chao is not an easy task. Now that we're together, don't be reserved outside of official business. Let him take care of what he needs to take care of, don't be polite."

Upon hearing this, Steve glanced at Chen Chao, only to see the other man looking at him with a gentle smile in his eyes. A warmth spread through him. "I understand, Uncle, thank you."

Chen Fei nodded, then turned to ask Chen Xi about her recent situation. Chen Xi talked at length about her and Kevin, and thanked Steve for helping her get the doll last time.

The meal was more relaxed than Steve had expected, and his tense nerves naturally eased in the casual, conversational atmosphere. Something called warmth quietly spread through his fingertips.

It feels so good to be home.

After several rounds of meals, the atmosphere was just right when Chen Chao's emergency communication device suddenly rang. Everyone present, except for Chen Xi, tensed up.

Chen Chao got up and greeted Chen Fei before going upstairs to his study to answer a call. Chen Fei anticipated that Chen Chao would leave after receiving the call, and seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, he had the servants clear the table and moved to the living room with Chen Xi and Steve.

While listening to Chen Fei and Chen Xi's conversation, Steve kept glancing towards the stairwell, preoccupied with the communication device.

Chen Chao came down quickly. When he came down, his gaze lingered on Steve's face for a moment before turning to Chen Fei.

"Are you leaving?" Chen Fei asked.

"Yes, I have something to take care of when I get back."

What level?

Level 5.

A Level 5 incident isn't particularly urgent, but Chen Chao's insistence on rushing back to handle it struck Steve as odd.

Chen Fei didn't ask any further questions, but simply took a sip of tea and said, "Go ahead."

Steve stood up, greeted Chen Fei, and then followed Chen Chao out the door.

The servants had already driven the car out at the door.

"Boss, what's up?" Steve drove towards Tean at breakneck speed. When discussing business, he still habitually called Chen Chao "Boss".

Chen Chao glanced at Steve, his brows furrowing slightly: "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."

Steve shut his mouth. As a special agent of the Special Security Service, not asking questions he shouldn't ask is a basic quality.

There was a moment of silence in the car. After looking at the scenery outside the window for a while, Chen Chao suddenly spoke up: "Trott told me before that the domestic abuser we taught a lesson on our date has been imprisoned, and the mother and daughter have also been rescued."

Steve paused for a moment, recalling what happened that night. So many things had happened since then that he had almost forgotten about it, never expecting Chen Chao to still be involved.

“Really? That’s great. That child was so innocent, ruined by those parents.” Steve thought of the little girl who tried to defend them in front of the police.

“I instructed my staff to keep an eye on her for a while. It would be best if her mother could take good care of her, but if not, we would take custody of her and send her to a welfare institution.”

"Hmm. Actually, orphanages aren't necessarily bad. I was very happy training at T&A when I was a kid." The car smoothly drove into the T&A building, and Steve parked it in front of Chen Chao's private elevator.

Steve realized why Chen Chao had suddenly brought up the domestic abuser, knowing that Chen Chao didn't want his earlier refusal in the car to cause embarrassment. So he turned to Chen Chao and said, "Boss, you don't need to worry. No matter what you promised or what I agreed to, above all relationships, you are my superior, and that won't change. I understand the rules of the Special Security Bureau. There are many things you can't tell me, and I understand. You don't need to feel guilty."

Chen Chao looked at Steve with relief. Steve really understood him best, could easily see through his emotions, and gave him just the right amount of comfort.

That was true at the beginning, and that is true now.

"I understand." Chen Chao kissed Steve. "I won't call a bodyguard today. You can pick me up later."

"good."

Steve watched Chen Chao walk into the elevator, then stepped on the gas again and drove the car toward Meishan Villa.

Outside of their missions, he and Chen Chao were lovers. But within official duties, Chen Chao was always his most respected superior, and he trusted Chen Chao implicitly, faithfully carrying out every order Chen Chao gave. If Chen Chao didn't want him to know something, then he wouldn't know it.

They were lovers, but they were more than just lovers; they had both dedicated themselves to the country long ago.