You can refuse.

Chen Chao was very busy; after dinner, he went to his study to work. Steve, having nothing to do, also took his computer and settled down on the sofa in the study to work on mission reports.

"You can go and rest first," Chen Chao thoughtfully reminded him, still somewhat worried about Steve's injury.

"It's okay, I want to stay with you a little longer, I'm not tired."

Steve nestled on the sofa in a very relaxed posture, his tone filled with endless laziness and dependence.

It was just writing a mission report; for him, that was a break. Right now, all he wanted was to stay by Chen Chao's side and not leave for even a moment longer.

"Okay." Chen Chao stared at him for a while, reluctant to leave, before finally returning to his work.

Steve nestled on the sofa, occasionally glancing up from behind his computer screen at Chen Chao. He watched Chen Chao behind his desk, sometimes gazing intently, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes frowning, and discovered that men who worked diligently always possessed an unusual charm.

Steve often lost track of time while working on his reports, causing them to be interrupted and progressed very slowly.

The room was so quiet that only the sound of typing on the computer and the occasional rustling of pages turning could be heard. Steve's gaze was fixed on Chen Chao, unwilling to look away, and he unconsciously lost himself in a world where only Chen Chao existed.

He completely forgot his physical exhaustion and the pain of his wounds. Gradually, only Chen Chao's shadow remained in his vision; everything else in the study ceased to exist in his eyes.

He suddenly longed for time to stand still, for this moment of tranquility to last forever.

After what seemed like an eternity, Chen Chao finally finished his work. He stood up, walked to the sofa, and patted Steve on the shoulder: "It's getting late, go to sleep. The report isn't urgent."

Steve finally snapped out of his daze, saved the report he had barely written, and shut down the computer.

When they went to sleep that night, Chen Chao unusually put his arm around his waist and fell asleep, while he stretched out his hand slightly and silently intertwined his fingers with Chen Chao's on the bed.

Despite being tired, Steve's biological clock still woke him up on time the next day. After washing up, he tiptoed downstairs and began making breakfast.

He never felt that cooking was a burden, especially cooking for Chen Chao. To him, chopping vegetables with a knife was far more comforting than killing someone with a knife.

He liked to clear his mind when he was busy in the kitchen, pretending that he and Chen Chao were just an ordinary couple with an ordinary daily life.

This was one of the few moments of peace he could enjoy in his life.

As usual, Chen Chao got up, washed up, and sat down at the dining table, silently watching Steve busy in the kitchen.

He also greatly enjoyed and cherished this moment of tranquility before the meal.

After breakfast, Chen Chao told Steve that he wouldn't be going to Tean this morning.

Steve instantly understood that Chen Chao had dedicated the entire morning to him.

"Shall we go to the study now?" he asked.

Chen Chao nodded and stood up.

For some reason, Steve felt that his boss's steps were much heavier and his pace was much slower than usual today.

Even at a slower pace, it only takes 2 minutes to walk from the restaurant to the study.

In the study, Chen Chao took out a document and placed it on the table. He looked at Steve and began to speak with some difficulty:

“I signed this document because I thought it was the best solution, and in my position, I had to sign it. But you know, the authorities don’t force people to go to war; you have the right to refuse.”

Steve looked at Chen Chao, not understanding his meaning. He couldn't refuse an officially issued order from Chen Chao, even if that order meant his death. And…

"Boss, refusing to carry out officially issued orders will result in forced suspension and reassignment."

"Yes, but being suspended and reassigned may not necessarily be a bad thing."

Steve noticed that Chen Chao's knuckles, which were gripping the document, were starting to turn white.

He understood Chen Chao's struggle, so he didn't say anything more, but silently took the document from Chen Chao's hand and began to read it.

This was the thickest mission document he had ever read. The number of personnel involved and the complexity of the structure far exceeded any previous mission.

He finally understood why Chen Chao was acting this way, and why Chen Fei had signed the A-level coordination order to save him. His gaze gradually darkened, his eyes revealing the same sorrow as Chen Chao's.

"My biological father really never brought anything good." After reading every word of the task sheet, he forced a joke.

But Chen Chao didn't reply. He just looked into Chen Chao's eyes and said, "I'm sorry."

“Boss, this isn’t your fault.” Steve denied it decisively. He wouldn’t blame Chen Chao for this, and he didn’t want Chen Chao to feel any remorse.

This is not Chen Chao's fault, nor is it anyone else's fault.

He was just unlucky.

A heavy weight pressed on his heart, making each breath difficult for Steve. He had long ago decided to give everything for this country; he was willing to die without hesitation. But what if what lay ahead was a living hell? Was he truly prepared?

"Boss, do you want me to refuse?" Steve seemed to see through Chen Chao's last struggle.

Chen Chao clenched his fist, and the veins on his hand bulged from the excessive force.

As his lover, he naturally hoped Steve would refuse, but...

Steve understood Chen Chao's predicament. He looked away and didn't wait for Chen Chao's answer any longer.

"Given my current status, being suspended and reassigned will permanently bar me from leaving the country. Moreover, if I'm transferred to an office job, I probably won't be able to stand by your side anymore, boss."

"Whether you stay by my side or not has nothing to do with what you do. I promise you, no matter what you choose in this order, you will always be by my side, unless you choose to leave." Chen Chao looked into his eyes, each word carrying immense weight. This was a promise he could absolutely keep.

Steve believed Chen Chao's words, but...

"But I can't accept standing next to you when I'm completely useless, boss."

Chen Chao's eyes darkened; he knew Steve had made his decision.

"Won't you give it a couple more days to think it over?" Chen Chao asked desperately.

"Boss, if I refuse this mission, you have no backup plan. And I agree with your view that this is the best option from a public perspective, and there is no reason to refuse from the point of view of national interests."

"But……"

"But I am destined to be sacrificed, and you can't bear to do that, boss."

Chen Chao looked at Steve, his heart aching, unable to speak. He knew perfectly well that Steve wouldn't refuse his orders; he knew perfectly well that Steve couldn't possibly say no. Yet he still signed the order and feigned concern as he asked him.

He felt incredibly despicable.

"Boss." Steve placed the mission briefing on the table, walked behind the desk, and gently hugged Chen Chao. "Boss, I'm scared too, really, I'm terrified, and I don't want to go either. But..."

But we swore an oath to dedicate everything to the stability and prosperity of Nutag.

Chen Chao understood what Steve was saying, which made his heart ache even more.

He closed his eyes in pain and hugged Steve tightly, as if he wanted to embed himself into his body.

"Why is your father Raman?" Chen Chao asked resentfully.

Steve gave a wry smile: "He was a disaster for me, but he gave Nutag an opportunity in this mission, so as always, I don't want to comment on him."

"Okay, let's not talk about him."

"Boss, before I leave, I want to be completely yours, is that okay?"

What do you want to do?

That afternoon, Chen Chao didn't return to Tean either. He and Steve did something that was just between them.

The next day, the sealed Special Security File Z0001 was unsealed, and Chen Jiu was recalled.

Six hours after the files were opened, Chen Jiu stood in Chen Chao's office on the top floor of Te An, his face pale.

"You forced him?!" Chen Jiu gripped the mission book, his voice not loud, but his tone was almost accusatory.

“I signed the order, and he did not refuse,” Chen Chao replied calmly.

"He won't refuse your orders, he likes you." Chen Jiu directly accused Chen Chao of using emotional blackmail.

“I know, we’re together.” Chen Chao didn’t refute it.

"Then you should pay!"

"Chen Jiu," Chen Chao called his younger brother's name, "Back then, Father agreed to set you free, but you didn't choose complete freedom. Why?"

Chen Jiu finally calmed down. He looked at Chen Chao and his voice became steady again: "My surname is Chen, his is not. He has no obligation."

“He likes me, and he likes this country.” Chen Chao’s answer carried a hint of pride.

Chen Jiu looked at Chen Chao, remaining silent. He understood Steve's choice, and he also understood the weight of faith.

He just couldn't bear it.

He couldn't bear to send Steve on such a cruel mission.

No one knew better than him what Steve was about to face; he had been through it. He knew the despair, he knew the unbearable pain. He was forced into it then, but this time, Steve…

“My skills have deteriorated. I need to find a master to retrain me. Give me two weeks.”

Chen Jiu finally gave in.

He knew that no matter how unwilling or afraid they were, they never had a choice when it came to their faith.

"I'm sorry, I promised to set you free, but I still recalled you." There was a hint of apology and reluctance in Chen Chao's tone.

Chen Jiu's mentor is Tang Lao, a legend in the history of special agents. But for Chen Jiu, Tang Lao's only obsession is to mold him into the most perfect weapon. Therefore, the training Chen Jiu received from childhood was far more brutal than that of orphan agents like Steve.

His training was relentless and eroded his humanity.

Chen Jiu shook his head upon hearing Chen Chao's words: "Brother, people like us have never had freedom. Choosing to retain the Chen family identity was my own decision; no one forced me. Besides, Steve saved me in West Africa, so I can't just abandon him."

"Thank you," Chen Chao said.

"Brother, don't let him down."

"I know."

“I’m going to see my master tomorrow, but I want to see him today first. I haven’t seen him since Sifests,” Chen Jiu said.

"He's at home. I'll go back with you later."

It took Chen Jiu a while to realize where Chen Chao was referring to as "home." Chen Chao wasn't talking about the main residence in the Central District, but rather the Meishan Villa.

The place where Steve is is Chen Chao's home.