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The plane broke through the clouds and began to descend. Through the window, the familiar yet unfamiliar outline of the city gradually became clear. Shao Wei quietly looked at the densely packed buildings below, and his hand holding Si Qi unconsciously tightened a little. Si Qi noticed it, gently stroked the back of his hand with his thumb, and whispered: "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
The people who came to greet them at the airport were Si Qi's special assistant and several confidants. The lineup was low-key but comprehensive. Seeing Si Qi and Shao Wei walking out of the corridor side by side, the special assistant was obviously relieved and hurried to greet them: "Mr. Si, Mr. Shao, the car is ready."
Si Qi nodded and habitually moved sideways to protect Shao Wei, blocking out the sporadic curious glances from not far away.
A few months was enough time for rumors to ferment in the upper circles. Speculations about Shao Wei being seriously ill, Si Qi abandoning his career to be with him, and even about power shifts within the Si family never ceased. Si Qi didn't care about any of this, but he had to ensure that Shao Wei wasn't disturbed by any unnecessary disturbances.
The car drove directly back to their penthouse apartment in the city. When they opened the door, the room was spotlessly clean and the air was fresh, as if the owner had only been away for a short time.
But some things were different. Before, this place felt more like Siqi's own residence: cold, luxurious, and lacking a sense of life. But this time, Siqi had arranged for many additions: a soft couch and reading lamp, Shao Wei's favorite, in the corner of the living room; a perfectly positioned desk in the study; and even a few vibrant pots of green plants on the balcony.
Shao Wei looked around, his gaze lingering for a moment on the newly added space that clearly belonged to him. He said nothing, but his tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Take a break first and adjust to the time difference." Si Qi helped him take off his coat. "What do you want to eat? I'll ask Auntie to make it."
"Just something light." Shao Wei sat down on the sofa and rubbed his eyebrows. The long flight still made him feel tired.
Si Qi gave the order, then sat down next to Shao Wei, naturally placing his hand on the back of his neck and releasing a very light soothing pheromone. The scent of cedar, with a hint of rain, permeated the familiar home, weaving a reassuring atmosphere.
Shao Wei closed his eyes and let himself lean back on the sofa, feeling the warmth on the back of his neck. This intimate pheromone interaction had become the norm during treatment, an important way to maintain the special balance between them.
After a night's rest and adjusting to the time difference, reality set in.
Si Qi needs to return to the Si family immediately to deal with the affairs that have been piling up for months and face the changes in the power structure that will inevitably arise due to his long absence.
Although Shao Wei's health has stabilized, he still needs to undergo the regular checkups and maintenance treatments that Dr. Anderson has instructed him to do. He also needs to gradually take over the businesses under his name that were originally managed by professional managers and some affairs of the Shao family.
Life seemed to be pulled back to the fast-paced track all of a sudden, but it was completely different from before.
Siqi is no longer the workaholic he used to be.
He strictly follows the work and rest schedule and never works overtime unless in extremely special circumstances. He goes home on time to have dinner with Shao Wei.
His office and home study are both equipped with the highest-standard air filtration and pheromone monitoring systems to ensure that the environment is absolutely friendly to Mr. Shao.
Before each susceptible period, he would arrange his work in advance and work entirely from home during those days. He and Shao Wei were inseparable, relying on each other's pheromones to get through it smoothly.
Their susceptible period has become synchronized and mild due to the symbiotic balance. It is no longer the torment it once was, but a special period for deepening their bond.
Shao Wei followed his rehabilitation plan step by step. He went to a private rehabilitation center three times a week for consolidation training, saw a psychologist regularly to relieve his emotions, and spent the rest of his time working at home.
He no longer does everything himself as he did in the past. Instead, he has learned to delegate and let go, which has made him more efficient.
He didn't deliberately avoid socializing, occasionally attending necessary, relaxed occasions, remaining calm and composed, his manners appropriate, and the rumors of his serious illness were self-defeating. However, Si Qi, seemingly nonchalant but actually vigilant, always remained by his side.
At a business reception, a boss who competed with the Si Group, with a hint of tentativeness and perhaps unintentional offense, raised his glass to Committee Member Shao and said with a smile, "Mr. Shao, are you feeling much better? Thank goodness. I heard you were in trouble, but Mr. Si gave up his kingdom to be with you. This gesture of friendship is truly touching."
The words implicitly placed Shao Wei in the position of "a beautiful woman who brings disaster".
Before Shao Wei could speak, Si Qi stepped forward and casually put his arm around Shao Wei's waist. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were as cold as ice: "Mr. Li, you're joking. Shao Wei is my legal spouse, and saving him is my duty. As for the Si family..."
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the attentive crowd. His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable force. "As long as I'm here, nothing can change the situation. But Mr. Li, I heard there's been some trouble with that piece of land in the east of the city lately."
Mr. Li's face suddenly turned ugly, and he found an excuse to walk away awkwardly.
Si Qi looked down at Shao Wei, his eyes softening instantly, a questioning expression in them. Shao Wei shook his head slightly, indicating he was fine, but a faint smile curved the corners of his mouth. This feeling of being so blatantly favored and protected wasn't bad.
The days flowed through busyness and quiet. They were like an ordinary couple, yet possessed a most extraordinary bond. They would discuss trivial matters like what to have for dinner, and exchange opinions late into the night on complex business decisions. Si Qi had learned to memorize all of Shao Wei's preferences and taboos, and Shao Wei would quietly brew a cup of coffee at the perfect temperature and place it by his side when Si Qi was stressed.
However, the shadow of the past has not completely disappeared.
One rainy night, Si Qi was awakened by a nightmare. It depicted Shao Wei struggling in agony in the isolation pod, his vital signs plummeting. He sat up abruptly, sweat dripping from his face, his heart pounding. He instinctively reached for his side, but it was empty.
Panic gripped him instantly. He stumbled out of the bedroom, the living room, the study, the balcony... but there was no sign of Shao Wei. Finally, he found him in the bathroom of the guest room.
Shao Wei was wearing pajamas, standing in front of the sink, his face a little pale under the light. He was looking at himself in the mirror with empty eyes, his fingers unconsciously pressing on the upper left chest - there was a faint scar left there due to multiple emergency rescues.
"Shao Wei!" Si Qi rushed over and hugged him tightly from behind, his voice filled with lingering fear. "Why are you here? Are you feeling unwell?"
Shao Wei's body stiffened at first, then relaxed. He looked through the mirror at the panicked Si Qi behind him. After a few seconds of silence, he whispered, "I had a dream. I dreamed... I can't hold on any longer."
Si Qi's heart felt like it was being yanked. He turned Shao Wei around, held his face, and forced him to look into his eyes: "It's all over! Look, you're fine now, and I'm fine too. We're both here, and no one will leave the other!"
His pheromones fluctuated slightly due to his emotional fluctuations, carrying a sense of unease. Shao Wei raised his hand, covered the back of his hand, and slowly released his own calming and steady cedar scent, as if soothing a frightened partner. "Yeah. I know. It's just... I think about it sometimes."
Si Qi hugged him tightly in his arms, his chin resting on the top of his head, and said in a muffled voice: "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." It was for the neglect of the past three years and for the pain he had endured during the treatment.
Shao Wei gently shook his head in his arms: "It's all in the past." He paused and added, "Besides, if it weren't for those things, perhaps we would never be like this now."
They embraced each other in the quiet rainy night, listening to each other's heartbeats and the sound of rain outside the window, and healed the wounds deep in their hearts that had never fully healed. Those scars might still be there, but they were no longer the source of pain, but instead became the proof of their close connection.
Six months later, Shao Wei's reexamination results were stable, and Dr. Anderson announced their "official graduation" with a smile over a video call. It was also at this time that Si's father made a rare personal visit to their apartment.
Father Si looked a little older, but still dignified. He looked around the apartment, which had clearly become more lively, and his eyes swept over Si Qi and Shao Wei, who were standing side by side. Finally, he landed on the ring on Si Qi's ring finger and snorted almost imperceptibly.
"It seems everything is fine." Father Si spoke. His tone was not warm, but it was no longer as harsh as before.
"Thank you for your concern, father. I'm fine now." Shao Wei nodded slightly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
Father Si looked at Si Qi and said, "The board of directors will be changing next month. You should prepare. We can't let outsiders steer the ship of the Si Group all the time."
This statement was almost a clear statement that power would be returned to Si Qi. Si Qi was a little surprised, as he had thought it would take more time and more means to regain power.
Father Si seemed to see his confusion and turned his eyes away abruptly, looking out the window: "The Shao family has done well in recent projects. You... didn't choose the wrong person." This was probably the highest level of recognition he could express.
Si Qi and Shao Wei exchanged glances, each seeing understanding in the other's eyes. Si's father's compromise was not only due to Si Qi's determination, but also to Shao Wei's demonstrated values and abilities, undestroyed even through life and death. In this real world, strong strength is always the foundation for earning respect.
Si's father didn't stay long. He drank a cup of tea and got up to leave. After seeing his father off, Si Qi closed the door, turned around and looked at Shao Wei, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Shao Wei walked up to him and raised his hand to straighten his collar, which was not actually messy, with a natural and intimate gesture: "Nervous?"
Si Qi grabbed his hand and smiled: "A little. But..." He put his arm around Shao Wei's waist, brought him into his arms, lowered his head and rubbed his nose, "Thinking that Mr. Shao is here to protect me, it seems that there is nothing to be afraid of."
Shao Wei let him hold her in his arms, a faint smile in his eyes.
Outside the window, the lights begin to come on, the neon lights of the city outlining the bustling skyline. In this home, there is no longer any cold estrangement or silent devotion, only two souls who were once lost but ultimately found each other through the test of life and death, clinging to each other.
Their story, full of ups and downs, began with a rain, and after going through the test of life and death, they finally found the most solid home in this ordinary world.
There may still be storms in the future, but if we walk hand in hand, we will have nothing to fear.
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