Your sin

Due to the special nature of their work, Special Agent Z-class agents all have their own dedicated backup blood banks for unforeseen circumstances.

Because Steve's bone marrow donation time was approaching, all the blood in the blood bank had been replaced with irradiated blood that had been deprived of immune cells, to prevent regular blood transfusions from preventing him from being unable to donate effectively.

Meanwhile, because Steve donated a relatively large amount of bone marrow this time, he also underwent autologous blood storage in advance so that the blood could be reinfused later to accelerate recovery.

When Steve woke up, he saw Chen Chao standing outside the door arguing with Chen Fei through the glass of the hospital room.

Blood loss made him thirsty, and he wanted to drink water. But he didn't want to make a sound and disturb Chen Chao at this time. He knew that what could make Chen Chao and the old minister argue must be something very important.

Outside the ward, Chen Chao looked at Chen Fei, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, and said earnestly, word by word, "Dad, I absolutely do not agree to donate bone marrow at this time."

Chen Fei looked at Chen Chao with a deep gaze and spoke slowly and deliberately: "You know that Raman has offered us very generous terms this time, and we have always lacked influence in the desert region. If we can help Raman take over this time, not only will we have a voice in the desert region in the future, but Raman has also promised us the right to develop an oil field for 30 years."

"I know," Chen Chao replied with difficulty.

“Bone marrow donors also need to prepare in advance. Raman’s two sons have already entered the ward. Stopping it now will definitely affect those two children, and it will definitely cause Raman to rethink our cooperative relationship.” Chen Fei looked at Chen Chao, his tone calm, as if he was just stating a very clear fact.

"I know." Chen Chao lowered his head. He understood everything his father said; the gains and losses on both sides of the scale were so clear, but...

"The doctor said that extracting bone marrow now is indeed bad for his health, but it's not like it's impossible to recover. You should ask him what he thinks first."

“I don’t need to ask. I’m his superior, and I can make the decision for him.”

Chen Chao rejected Chen Fei's suggestion without hesitation. He knew it was pointless to ask Steve; Steve would definitely agree.

Chen Fei looked at Chen Chao, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

From a young age, Chen Chao has always been very good at controlling his emotions and has always understood the importance of prioritizing the big picture. Chen Chao is rarely this stubborn.

“You care about him a lot.” Chen Fei used a statement of fact.

"Yes." Chen Chao did not deny it.

"Alright." Chen Fei didn't press further. "This was originally a matter that required his own willingness. Te'an doesn't force people to go to war. The scheduled surgery time is tomorrow. I won't refuse Raman until the last minute, but if you really decide to give up, I respect your decision."

"Thank you, Dad." Chen Chao's back relaxed instantly, his tone carrying a hint of unspoken gratitude and a touch of guilt.

"Chen Chao, I told you not to push yourself too hard. You've done very well." Chen Fei left these words behind and turned to leave.

Chen Chao watched Chen Fei leave, and when he turned around and went back into the ward, he was surprised to find that Steve had already woken up.

"You're awake? Is anything bothering you? The doctor said you might be thirsty due to blood loss."

"I'm a little thirsty." Steve struggled to sit up, and Chen Chao helped him lift the headboard.

Steve took the water bottle Chen Chao handed him, took a couple of sips, and then said, "Boss, please stop the painkillers for me, I feel terrible."

Chen Chao paused for a moment upon hearing the request: "But the doctor said your leg wound is very deep, and it will hurt without anesthesia."

Steve put the water bottle aside, frowned, and leaned back, looking genuinely uncomfortable: "Pain is fine, but I can't stand the anesthesia. People like us are trained to tolerate anesthesia; when we're given anesthesia, we instinctively feel nauseous and would rather be in pain."

"Okay." Chen Chao reached out and turned off the pain pump, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes.

The pain pump was off, but the anesthesia hadn't worn off yet. Steve felt dizzy and his thoughts were foggy.

He was glad that Chen Chao was here with him, but he also felt that Chen Chao shouldn't have time to be here with him. After such a big thing happened, Chen Chao should be extremely busy.

"Boss, go ahead and do what you need to do, I'm fine."

"Okay, if you're feeling unwell, go back to sleep. I'll have Trott bring the documents over, and I'll stay here with you."

"Okay." Chen Chao's gentle voice made Steve unable to hold on any longer, and he fell into a deep sleep again as soon as his consciousness relaxed.

When Steve woke up again, Chen Chao was on the sofa dealing with something. He was wearing headphones and speaking in a low voice during the meeting.

Steve watched Chen Chao working diligently, and a slight smile unconsciously curved his lips. His boss always looked most attractive when he was working.

Chen Chao finished a meeting and habitually looked up. He saw that Steve was awake, so he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Boss, what time is it?" Steve used the remote to lift the headboard himself. The anesthesia had finally worn off, and he felt much better.

"Three in the morning," Chen Chao replied. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

Chen Chao noticed the fine beads of sweat on Steve's forehead.

"It is a little painful, but bearable." The stitches on their thighs felt like being pricked with needles, but it wasn't unbearable for people like them.

Hearing this, Chen Chao felt even more heartbroken.

"Tomorrow, no, it should be today, isn't it time to extract bone marrow?" Steve asked.

Chen Chao was silent for a moment before replying, "I refuse. Your current physical condition is not suitable for bone marrow extraction."

Steve looked at Chen Chao in surprise, a hint of disapproval flashing in his eyes: "Boss, I..."

“I know you’re willing.” Chen Chao interrupted Steve, knowing what he was about to say, “but I don’t want to risk you.”

"What did the doctor say?" Steve asked again.

"The doctor said it will have an impact on the body, but it can be treated with more time." Chen Chao didn't intend to lie to Steve.

Steve observed Chen Chao's expression and suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. Something was buzzing in his head, hurting more than the wound on his leg.

"Boss, were you arguing with the former minister about this?"

"Yes." Chen Chao did not deny it.

Steve closed his eyes in despair, and sure enough.

But this shouldn't be happening.

He was his soldier, his sword, and he should have charged forward without hesitation for him.

And he shouldn't hesitate because of him.

This shouldn't be the case.

"Boss, I'm sorry, it's my fault." Steve looked at Chen Chao and said earnestly.

"What?" Chen Chao didn't understand why Steve was suddenly admitting his mistake.

“Boss, I swore an oath to dedicate myself to the stability and prosperity of Nutag. I think you did too. If I hadn’t been so persistent in sticking with you, you wouldn’t have been so reluctant to push me out.”

Boss, we made a promise. You will always be my superior, and I will always faithfully carry out your every order.

Above all personal relationships, we have responsibilities and beliefs that cannot be ignored.

I can't let you become weak because of me.

Chen Chao understood what Steve meant. He stood up, turned his back to Steve, looked out the window, and his back trembled slightly.

"Lin Yu, don't you think your demands on me are cruel?"

Steve lay in bed, his fingernails digging unconsciously into his palms.

He knows.

He knew his request was indeed cruel.

But boss, you have to bear the weight of your position. I can be an outlet for your emotions, but I must never be a burden that weakens you.

“Boss, you looked really upset when you admitted that you argued with the old minister for my sake. You were struggling with this, weren't you? You wanted to protect me, but you also felt that you shouldn't be in your position to do so.”

"You're too perceptive." Chen Chao sighed, turned around, and patted Steve's hair.

Steve tilted his head back, squinted, and chuckled, "Because you're more honest with me, boss."

“Boss, you can’t let our relationship cloud your judgment, or it will become a thorn in your side. You won’t blame me, but you won’t forgive yourself. You won’t forgive yourself for putting personal feelings above national interests. I can’t let you do that; I can’t become your sin.”

Chen Chao looked at Steve, his hand stroking Steve's hair gradually tightening. He realized he really couldn't do anything about this person.

Steve could kneel at his feet without complaint, like a docile big cat, yet he could also stubbornly refuse his protection. His reasons for refusing were always so righteous and indignant that no one could refute them.

"The more you act like this, the less I want to push you out." Chen Chao pressed Steve's head and buried Steve's face in his chest.

“Boss, I’m Z0002 from T&A, you have to push me out.” Steve said with a smile, pressing his chest against Chen Chao’s.

"Okay." Chen Chao released Steve, took a deep breath, and finally agreed.

They were lovers, but they were more than just lovers. Before their personal feelings stood their faith.

Because of blood loss, obtaining a sufficient concentration of bone marrow was not easy. Steve underwent a lumbar puncture twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. The lumbar puncture required anesthesia, and Steve's weakness combined with resistance to the anesthetic made it extremely painful. After the first lumbar puncture, he couldn't help but vomit in bed.

After vomiting, the doctor glanced at the readings on the monitor with a blank expression and thoughtfully administered various supplements to ensure that a second lumbar puncture could be performed ten hours later.

Steve mustered his strength and asked the doctor if he could have the second puncture done without anesthesia, but the doctor refused. The doctor said that the pain was secondary; the main concern was that he might move around uncontrollably in pain, affecting the puncture's effectiveness.

Steve expressed his understanding with a sigh. Then, after the second puncture, he could no longer hold on and fell into a daze, his consciousness fading.

After giving the doctor the instructions to extract bone marrow, Chen Chao left the hospital. He didn't dare linger, afraid that seeing Steve's pale face would make him want to stop.

The attack is still under investigation, and Chen Fei forcefully assigned two people to follow him, but Chen Chao felt this was completely unnecessary.

There's a secret passage connecting Tean's hospital and office building. These past two days, he's either at the hospital or in his office; he hasn't gone anywhere else. No matter how resourceful the attacker is, they couldn't possibly infiltrate Tean's facilities.

Trot entered Chen Chao's office with the documents and reported: "A professor has spoken up. The Kingdom of Migal has promised to grant them citizenship, tenure, and generous research funding once the matter is settled."

"Foolish," Chen Chao muttered under his breath. These scholars only knew how to research and had no understanding of politics. Once the matter was settled, they would lose their value. Why should he believe that Migal would keep his promise?

“It’s understandable that scholars in their ivory towers would believe it; intellectuals are always naive,” Trott chimed in. “The police have informed us that the public outcry is too great, and they need to at least give the public an initial response.”

"There's no need to let the public know things that are too specific; it will only cause unnecessary trouble. Just give them an explanation they can accept."

“I understand.” Trott nodded and left the room.

After Trot left, Chen Chao threw himself back into his busy work, trying to use his busyness to forget the person who was having his bone marrow extracted at the nearby hospital.

He didn't want to feel the pain in his chest.