"Declaration"

Gu Yansheng clutched the thermos, which was no longer scalding hot, his fingertips icy cold. Jiang Lin's gaze was like a physical chain, locking him tightly, leaving him nowhere to hide. He knew that all his unusual behavior tonight would be exposed under these eyes. Struggle and shame surged in his chest, but in the end, a deeper exhaustion and an urge to avoid such scrutiny prevailed.

He lowered his head, avoiding Jiang Lin's overly sharp gaze, staring at the smooth metal shell of the thermos, as if it held the answer he needed. His voice was dry and a little hoarse, like he was being forced into a corner. He tried to make his tone sound calm and objective, as if he was stating a fact that had nothing to do with him:

He took a deep breath and forced himself to continue, speaking faster, trying to use rational analysis to cover up the turmoil in his heart. "When I went home for dinner, my sister-in-law also mentioned it... She said that her best friend's sister, Dr. Shen... is in cardiac surgery... and she is also very good..." He paused, feeling his throat tighten. "They... they all seem to think... that you should..."

"Then... while waiting outside the restaurant," he began with difficulty, each word like gravel rolling through his throat, "I heard two doctors talking in the corridor... saying... Director Liu wants to introduce his daughter to you... she just finished her regular training... and we have something in common..." He repeated those harsh keywords, but his heart tightened uncontrollably.

But considering his gay identity, he was afraid that Jiang Lin would overthink it, so he hurriedly explained, "...I just...I just didn't expect this day to come."

His voice was soft, with a fragility that even he couldn't convince himself of. "We...we've always been like this...we're used to it. Hearing this suddenly...maybe...maybe we're just a little...uncomfortable." He searched hard for words, and finally chose the one that seemed the safest and most understandable. "...I'm a little uneasy. Afraid...afraid that things will be different in the future. So...I lost control a little just now. I'm sorry."

Just when Gu Yansheng thought that this silent scrutiny would last indefinitely and he was almost crushed by the invisible pressure, Jiang Lin moved.

He took a step forward, his tall figure instantly intruding into the edge of the lamplight's halo, completely enveloping Gu Yansheng in his presence. The mixture of disinfectant and his own uniquely cold, oppressive feeling made Gu Yansheng involuntarily hold his breath.

Jiang Lin did not touch the annoying thermos, but stretched out his hand and grabbed Gu Yansheng's chin with unquestionable strength!

The force was stronger than in the dining room, and with an enraged ferocity, it forced him to raise his head and once again meet those bottomless eyes, now surging with a storm.

Gu Yansheng was forced to look up, slamming into the cold, raging abyss of Jiang Lin's eyes. There wasn't a single ray of comfort in them for his "unease," only a sense of utter offense, like a dangerous beast whose territory had been invaded.

Jiang Lin looked down at him, his thin lips pursed tightly, his jawline as sharp as a knife. His voice was terrifyingly low, like the sound of ice colliding. Every word struck Gu Yansheng's heart with unwavering clarity, leaving no room for negotiation:

"Gu Yansheng, listen carefully." He pinched his chin with his fingers and pressed hard to prevent Gu Yansheng from looking away.

"I, Jiang Lin,"

“I won’t start a family.”

"I won't fall in love with anyone else."

Every word was like a hammer tempered with ice, smashing all of Gu Yansheng's carefully constructed excuses for "habits" and "uneasiness", and also smashing all the panicky imaginations in his heart about "Dr. Shen" and "Director Liu's daughter".

This declarative denial, cold, hard, and unyielding, yet carried with it a strange, absolute power of control. It wasn't a soothing gesture, it wasn't an explanation; it was a declaration! It drew a line in the sand! It was a sharp blade that cut through all external delusions!

Jiang Lin's gaze, sharp as a knife, locked onto Gu Yansheng's instantly bewildered eyes, as if carving his unquestionable resolve into the depths of his soul. That look said: Your "anxiety," your fear of "change," are simply self-inflicted. Because from the very beginning, there was only one option, one outcome—in Jiang Lin's world, there was no room for "others."

Gu Yansheng was completely stunned. His jaw was pinched so hard it hurt, but he couldn't feel it at all. His mind was blank, with only Jiang Lin's cold and resolute words echoing in his mind.

Not going to start a family... Not going to date anyone... What... What does this mean?

A huge shock and an indescribable, weightless confusion swept over him.

Jiang Lin looked at his dazed expression. The storm in his eyes seemed to subside for a moment, but the sharp gleam of absolute control remained undimmed. He suddenly released the hand that had clamped Gu Yansheng's chin, the action carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

Then, he snatched the troublesome and pitiful thermos from Gu Yansheng's arms and casually placed it heavily on the table next to him with a "bang", making a dull sound.

Before Gu Yansheng could react, Jiang Lin's big hand, which was covered with thin calluses and slightly cool, had already grabbed the back of his neck forcefully and irresistibly!

The force was immense, with an unquestionable control and a hint of subdued anxiety.

"Now," Jiang Lin's voice was still low and cold, but it carried a commanding finality. He grabbed the back of Gu Yansheng's neck, forcing him close to him, their breathing almost mingling. "Bring out the soup. I'm hungry."

The tone of his voice was as if the earth-shattering declaration just now was just a statement of a very simple fact, and at this moment, the only thing he needed to care about was to deal with the soup that Gu Yansheng brought, which belonged to "home".

Gu Yansheng was controlled by the force on the back of his neck, his body was stiff and his mind was in chaos.

Jiang Lin's cold declaration still resonated in his ears, and the warmth and strength on the back of his neck felt so real and overbearing. Like a puppet, he reached out, bewildered and obedient, to open the lid of the thermos he'd held and protected all the way. His fingertips trembled slightly.

The warm aroma of chicken soup finally spread throughout this cold office filled with an atmosphere of absolute control.

"Jiang Lin...don't be angry..."

Gu Yansheng extended his index finger and cautiously poked the arm covered in disinfectant. Jiang Lin snorted coldly and said, "Take a look at the several tourist destinations I sent you on your phone and choose one for our summer vacation."

“Ah…Okay!”

The thing they look forward to most in a year is the mid-year trip, which they have been doing since college, and they have traveled to many places...

"Can we go to the beach?"

I really want to go to the beach this year...

"Okay, then we don't have to go far."

After drinking the chicken soup, Jiang Lin took a shower, changed into his own clothes and prepared to take him back. At this time, Director Liu had just returned to the department and they met face to face.

"Xiao Gu, you're here?"

"Hello, Director Liu."

Gu Yansheng nodded politely in response, his usual gentle smile plastered on his face. However, the thorn in his heart regarding "Director Liu's daughter" still made him subconsciously tense.

Jiang Lin's reaction was completely different. He didn't even offer a perfunctory smile, merely responding to Director Liu's first words with a short, almost nasal "hmm" in a very cold tone.

His eyes passed directly over Director Liu and fell on the slowly opening elevator door. The lines of his stern profile were tense, and he exuded an icy aura of "strangers stay away, and acquaintances should not get close either."

Director Liu's smile faltered for a moment, clearly sensing Jiang Lin's undisguised coldness and aura of indifference. He opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something like, "I heard your surgery was successful," or "Young people should take care of their health, too."

But Jiang Lin didn't give him any chance at all.

The elevator door dinged open. Jiang Lin didn't even glance at Director Liu. He held the thermos in one hand, and with the other, he naturally and with irresistible force, grabbed Gu Yansheng's wrist and strode into the elevator. His movements were smooth and powerful, as if Director Liu were nothing but air.

"Goodbye, Director Liu." Gu Yansheng was dragged and staggered. In a hurry, he only had time to turn around and say it quickly. The elevator door closed quickly in front of Director Liu's slightly embarrassed and surprised expression.