The madness of that night

The rock climbing competition at the Extreme Experience Hall was a silent declaration, quietly adjusting the strained relationship between Si Qi and Shao Wei. Si Qi no longer viewed Shao Wei as a fragile object to be carefully handled, and Shao Wei regained the sense of freedom that they could stand shoulder to shoulder, even rivaling each other in certain areas.

Life returned to a healthier, more resilient rhythm. Si Qi still cared about Shao Wei's health, but he no longer micromanaged. Shao Wei, in turn, accepted Si Qi's care but made clear his preferences and boundaries. They were like two finely tuned gears, spinning at high speed on their respective tracks yet seamlessly intersecting, propelling each other's lives forward.

At the end of the year, Si Qi's annual meeting and industry summit was held with great fanfare. This was the first time Si Qi had presided over such a large-scale event since returning to power, and it was of great significance. As his spouse and important partner, Shao Wei naturally attended the entire event.

The banquet hall was buzzing with celebration, filled with celebrities. As host, Si Qi navigated the various guests with ease, his demeanor imbued with the composure and dignity of a long-time leader. Shao Wei, on the other hand, was much quieter. He wasn't keen on socializing, exchanging pleasantries with only a few familiar partners. He spent most of his time standing in a relatively quiet corner, occasionally exchanging a few words with those who approached him. His aloof demeanor was undeniable, yet no one dared to disdain him.

During the intermission, Si Qi made his way through the crowd and precisely located Shao Wei. Holding two glasses of champagne, he handed one to Shao Wei and naturally positioned himself slightly in front of him, forming a subtle protective posture.

"Are you tired?" Si Qi asked in a low voice, his eyes sweeping over Shao Wei's slightly pale face. Even after recovering, the long hours of standing and noisy surroundings still took their toll on him.

Shao Wei shook his head, took the wine glass, and lightly touched his fingertips with Si Qi's: "Not bad."

At this moment, an elderly man with gray hair and an elegant demeanor approached, accompanied by others. Si Qi's expression became solemn, and he immediately stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Mr. Chen, your presence is a great honor to our humble home."

Mr. Chen is a leader in the industry and has long been semi-retired. Being able to invite him to attend is itself a great recognition of Siqi's status.

Elder Chen smiled and shook hands with Si Qi. His gaze then fell on Shao Wei standing behind him, a subtle flicker of admiration in his eyes: "Is this Mr. Shao? I've heard a lot about you. I heard you were a little unwell a while ago, but now it seems you're even more impressive than before."

Shao Wei stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Mr. Chen, you are too kind. It's just a minor ailment, nothing to worry about."

Elder Chen nodded, his eyes shifting between Si Qi and Shao Wei, and with the gentle teasing of an elder, "It's great to see you young people like this. A united mind can cut through metal. Si Qi used to be like a work machine, but now he's finally showing some signs of humanity. It seems President Shao deserves a lot of credit."

Si Qi felt a little embarrassed by what he said. He touched his nose and looked at Shao Wei with undisguised pride.

Shao Wei's lips curled slightly, but he didn't respond. He just raised his glass with an elegant posture.

After Mr. Chen chatted with Siqi for a few more words about industry trends, he was helped to rest. His actions undoubtedly reaffirmed the status and weight of Siqi and Shao Wei in front of everyone.

As the annual meeting drew to a close, it was time for the dance. Soothing music played, the lights dimmed, and many couples embraced as they took to the dance floor.

Si Qi looked at Shao Wei with a questioning look in his eyes. They rarely had such intimate actions in public, especially dancing.

Shao Wei looked at the swaying figures on the dance floor, then looked at the implicit expectation in Si Qi's eyes. He was silent for a few seconds, put the wine glass in his hand on the waiter's tray, and then nodded lightly at Si Qi.

Si Qi's eyes instantly lit up with surprise. He extended his hand, palm facing up, in a standard dance invitation gesture.

Shao Wei placed his hand in his palm.

The two stepped onto the dance floor. Si Qi's steps were steady and commanding, while Shao Wei's were light and precise. They weren't the most flamboyant couple on the dance floor, but they were undoubtedly the most eye-catching. Si Qi's hand rested elegantly on Shao Wei's waist, while Shao Wei's hand rested on Si Qi's shoulder. They maintained a perfect distance, their eyes never leaving each other.

The lights flickered, the music lingered. Amidst the envious and inquiring gazes of those around them, they felt as if they were in a separate enchantment. Si Qi could smell the crisp cedar scent of Shao Wei, faintly blending with his own, and could feel his body temperature and steady heartbeat through the thin fabric of his clothes.

"Good dancing." Si Qi praised in a low voice. He remembered that Shao Wei didn't seem to be good at this before.

Shao Wei raised his eyes to look at him. The light fell on his eyes, like broken stars. "I learned a little when I was free."

Si Qi chuckled: "It seems that Mr. Shao has many surprises that I don't know about."

The dance ended, and applause broke out. Si Qi took Shao Wei's hand and walked out of the dance floor, their palms touching, a warm and moist feeling.

It was late at night when they returned to the apartment. After shedding their formal attire, they both felt a little tired, yet strangely exhilarated.

Si Qi pulled a bottle of fine red wine from the wine cabinet, poured two and a half glasses, and handed one to Shao Wei. The two sat side by side in front of the wide French windows in the living room, gazing at the still-bright city nightscape below. Neither spoke, but quietly sipped their wine, enjoying the tranquility after the bustle.

"Thank you...today." Si Qi suddenly spoke, his voice sounding particularly low in the silent night.

Shao Wei turned his head to look at him with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Thank you for dancing with me." Si Qi looked at him with deep eyes, "Thank you for always being there."

Shao Wei swirled the wine in his glass, leaving a winding trail of red liquid on the sides. He didn't look at Si Qi, his gaze fixed on the endless lights outside the window. After a long pause, he whispered, "Si Qi, you don't have to thank me all the time."

He paused, as if trying to form his words. His voice was calm, yet it carried a piercing power. "Between us, it's no longer about who owes whom, nor who depends on whom. I do everything simply because I want to, because I want to stand with you."

He turned his head and looked directly at Si Qi, his eyes clear and honest: "Just like everything you did for me, it wasn't out of compensation or responsibility, right?"

Si Qi's heart was struck hard by these words. He looked at Shao Wei, the man he had once ignored and hurt, but whom he had fought so hard to save in the face of life and death, and who now stood shoulder to shoulder with him, a soulmate. A surge of scorching emotions pounded his chest, making it almost impossible to breathe.

He put down his wine glass, reached out and cupped Shao Wei's face, gently stroking his slightly cold cheek with his thumb. His voice was a little hoarse from his emotion: "Yes. It's not compensation, it's not responsibility."

He leaned closer, resting his forehead against Shao Wei's forehead, rubbing his nose against Shao Wei's nose, and their breaths mingled.

"Because I love you, Shao Wei." Si Qi spoke each word clearly and solemnly, "Just because I love you. So I want to give you the best, want to protect you, want to share everything with you, the good, the bad, the glorious, the ordinary... everything."

This was the first time he revealed his inner feelings so frankly and without reservation, not because of guilt or fear of loss, but simply because of love.

Shao Wei's eyelashes trembled violently, and tears seemed to flash across his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't dodge, nor did he respond to the words of love. He simply raised his hand, covered the back of Si Qi's hand that was holding his cheek, and gently held it.

Then, he raised his head slightly and kissed Siqi's lips.

This kiss was unlike any other before. It was no longer a test, no longer a comfort, no longer a congratulatory gesture of survival. It carried a mature, affirmative, even resolute sense of surrender. It was a question and response from soul to soul.

Si Qi was stunned for a moment, then responded passionately. He put his arm around Shao Wei's waist, pulling her deeper into his embrace, taking the initiative and deepening the kiss. The mellow aroma of red wine spread between his lips and teeth, mixing with their familiar scent, intoxicating.

Outside the window was the cold, bustling city, inside was the warmth and intertwining of breaths. This kiss seemed to have exhausted all their strength, yet at the same time, seemed to have injected them with endless energy.

When the two finally separated breathlessly, there was an unfading passion and something deeper in their eyes.

Shao Wei's breathing was a little unstable, and his cheeks were flushed with a rare blush. He looked at Si Qi and said in a hoarse voice: "I know."

I know you love me.

Just like you know I love you.

No more words were needed. Si Qi looked at the crimson corners of his eyes and the clear and resolute eyes that reflected his own reflection. The land in his heart, once barren due to fear and uncertainty, was now completely filled with a huge, stable happiness.

He picked up Shao Wei and carried him sideways.

Shao Wei exclaimed and subconsciously hugged his neck: "Si Qi!"

Si Qi looked down at him, his eyes filled with undisguised, aggressive tenderness and possessiveness: "Don't go back to the guest room tonight."

Shao Wei looked at him for a moment, then buried his face in the crook of his neck and agreed.

The lights in the master bedroom were off, leaving only the neon lights of the city outside the window, filtering through the slits in the curtains, casting shifting specks of light on the walls and floor. In the darkness, the rustling of clothes, suppressed breathing, and the uncontrolled flow of pheromones, their fierce collision and eventual gentle fusion, formed a secret and passionate melody.

This time, there is no more loss of control during the susceptible period, no more panic about life and death, only two individuals who love each other deeply and whose souls are compatible, confirming the deepest belonging in the most primitive intimacy.

The night is still long. And their story, after enduring misunderstandings, separations, life-or-death trials, and a long period of adjustment, has finally truly and completely merged, entering another inseparable new chapter. The future remains promising.