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That night in the hospital felt like a profound watershed. Though the fear of "loss" within Siqi was temporarily soothed by Shao Wei's steady breathing and heartbeat, it didn't disappear. Instead, it dormant deeper, transforming into an almost obsessive desire to protect.
After Shao Wei was discharged from the hospital, Si Qi turned down all non-essential evening social engagements and strictly limited his work to eight hours. He hired a top-tier personal nutritionist and rehabilitation therapist to tailor a regimen for Shao Wei. Sticky notes were scattered throughout the house, reminding him to take his medication, drink water, and rest. He even started learning acupressure massage, and every night before bed, whenever he was home, he would give Shao Wei a relaxing massage.
Shao Wei felt somewhat helpless about this, but he didn't refuse. He understood Si Qi's frightened mood, and he also enjoyed the feeling of being cherished. Only occasionally, when Si Qi showed excessive nervousness because of an insignificant overseas call, he would calmly hold Si Qi's hand, look him in the eye and say, "Si Qi, I'm fine."
His voice was not loud, but it was like a magic needle that could always pull Si Qi back from the brink of anxiety.
The success of the merger brought Siqi greater prestige, but also a heavier workload. However, he clearly defined the boundaries, with weekends and holidays completely belonging to him and Shao Wei. Their most frequent destination was still the Jiangnan courtyard.
As autumn deepened, the maple trees in the courtyard took on a vibrant crimson. One Saturday afternoon, Si Qi was in his study, processing an urgent email, while Shao Wei sat on a reclining chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun and reading. The sun was warm, and as Shao Wei read, the book slipped from his hands and he fell asleep.
When Si Qi finished work and came out to look for him, this was the scene he saw. Shao Wei's eyes were closed, his long lashes casting a faint shadow. The sunlight cast a warm hue on his pale skin. A few red maple leaves quietly fell on his shoulders and the pages of the open book. He was sleeping soundly, his breathing even, and his expression was completely relaxed.
Si Qi's heart instantly softened. He walked over quietly, not waking him, but carefully brushing the fallen leaves off him. Then he squatted beside him, watching quietly. The sun, the fallen leaves, and his sleeping companion formed a picture that could soothe all fatigue and anxiety.
He took out his cell phone and secretly took a picture of the scene.
When Shao Wei woke up, the sun was setting. He opened his eyes and saw Si Qi sitting on the stone bench next to him, a book on his lap, his eyes fixed on him tenderly.
"Awake?" Si Qi closed the book, stood up and walked over, naturally reaching out to touch his forehead. "Are you cold? It's almost evening, and there's a wind."
Shao Wei shook his head, sat up, and stretched his stiff neck. Si Qi immediately took over, massaging his neck with moderate force.
"Did I sleep for a long time?"
"Not long." Si Qi smiled, "Just enough time for me to finish reading that boring report."
That night, Si Qi cooked a few light Jiangnan dishes. At the table, he casually mentioned, "There's a charity auction dinner next Wednesday. The organizers have sent an invitation. Do you want to go?"
Shao Wei picked up a piece of stir-fried water shield with chopsticks and looked up at him: "You want to go?"
Si Qi poured him a bowl of soup and said, "It's up to you. If you want to go, we'll go. If you don't want to go, I'll postpone it."
Shao Wei drank two mouthfuls of soup in silence before saying, "Go ahead. You've been in the limelight lately, and showing up appropriately will be good for the Si family's image. Besides..." He paused, "Keeping yourself away all the time isn't a solution."
Si Qi understood what he meant. Ever since the hospital incident, they had almost completely refused to socialize publicly, which inevitably led to speculation. Shao Wei was telling him that he didn't need to be overly protected; they could face the outside world side by side.
"Okay." Si Qi nodded, "Then let's go."
That evening, Si Qi and Shao Wei appeared together. Si Qi, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, exuded a calm and distinguished air; Shao Wei, in a dark blue velvet suit, accentuated his fair complexion and gave him a cool and distinguished aura. The moment they appeared, they immediately captured the attention of the entire audience.
They exchanged pleasantries with each other, their manners graceful and their understanding complete. Si Qi no longer shielded Shao Wei behind him as before, but now stood shoulder to shoulder with him, occasionally tilting his head to whisper in a natural and intimate manner. The pair of obsidian cufflinks gleamed in the light, a discreet yet harmonious radiance.
A female entrepreneur who has worked with Si said to Mr. Shao with a smile, "Mr. Shao looks really good. It seems that he has recovered well. Mr. Si really treats you like the apple of his eye."
This was said with a kind of teasing. Si Qi smiled, said nothing, and just reached out and gently put his arm around Shao Wei's waist. Shao Wei's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly to the female entrepreneur: "Thank you for your concern, it's all right now."
His response was graceful and appropriate, neither denying Siqi's love nor making it clear that he was not a fragile piece of glass. The people around him exchanged admiring glances.
The dinner entered the auction, and a mid-Qing Dynasty white jade carving of a Ganoderma lucidum and a Ruyi ornament was on the auction block. It was in excellent condition. Knowing Shao Wei's fondness for such antiques, Si Qi whispered, "Do you like it?"
Shao Wei looked at the album and nodded: "The carving is good."
Si Qi immediately raised his bid. After several rounds of bidding, he finally won the auction at a considerable price. When the waiter brought the item over, Si Qi didn't even glance at it, but simply gestured for it to be passed to Committee Member Shao.
Shao Wei picked up the smooth white jade Ruyi and played with it in his hand for a while. He looked up at Si Qi with a slight smile in his eyes: "Mr. Si, thank you for your money."
"It's worth it if Mr. Bo Shao smiles." Si Qi leaned close to his ear and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear. His tone had a bit of the teasing of a dandy, but his eyes were serious.
Shao Wei lowered his eyelashes, and the curve of his lips deepened slightly.
This scene, in the eyes of many, became further evidence of the couple's deep affection. No one remembered the rumors of a few years ago about their relationship cooling off and their separate pursuits, and no one questioned Siqi's decision to leave her career behind. Strong, successful, and in a stable relationship—this was the image they presented to the outside world today.
After the dinner, they returned to the penthouse. Shao Wei felt a little tired and went to wash up first. Si Qi poured a glass of water and walked to the French window in the living room. He looked at the dazzling night view of the city below, and his heart was at peace.
Shao Wei came out of the bathroom, wiping his hair. Seeing Si Qi standing in front of the window, he walked over.
"What are you looking at?"
Si Qi turned around, took the towel from his hand naturally, and helped him wipe the slightly damp hair: "Nothing. I just feel that it's good like this now."
Shao Wei let him move, feeling the strength of his fingertips. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Si Qi, you don't have to be so nervous all the time."
Siqi's hand paused.
Shao Wei turned around and faced him, his eyes clear and calm. "I know what you're worried about. But I know my own body. That was an accident, and it won't happen again." He raised his hand and smoothed Si Qi's slightly furrowed brow. "We are partners, people who walk side by side, not guardian and ward. If you do this, I'll get tired too."
His voice was gentle, but it was like a warning bell ringing in Siqi's heart.
Yes, his almost paranoid protection these days was a kind of invisible pressure. He projected his own fear onto Shao Wei and almost went to the other extreme.
Si Qi looked into Shao Wei's calm eyes, which showed understanding, tolerance, and a toughness that could not be ignored. He took a deep breath, pulled Shao Wei into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of his head.
"I'm sorry..." Si Qi whispered, "I'm being too picky."
Shao Weihui hugged him and patted his back gently: "I know you are doing this for my own good."
The next day was Sunday, and Si Qi didn't plan any other "health-preserving" activities. Instead, he took Shao Wei to a newly opened extreme sports center on the outskirts of the city. There were various activities there, including simulated flight, rock climbing, and racing.
Shao Wei looked at the facilities and raised his eyebrows at Si Qi: "What are you doing...?"
"Prove that Mr. Shao is not only capable of strategic planning at the negotiation table, but can also dominate these projects." Si Qi smiled, a challenging glint in his eyes. "Would you dare to have a competition? Rock climbing."
Shao Wei looked at the simulated rock wall that was more than ten meters high, then looked at Si Qi, and raised the corner of his mouth slightly: "Bet?"
"The loser will be responsible for breakfast next week." Si Qi was full of confidence. His physical fitness has always been better than Shao Wei's.
"make a deal."
The result was beyond Si Qi's expectations. Though thin, Shao Wei possessed immense core strength, his movements precise and effortless, and his climbing speed wasn't much slower than his. In the end, Si Qi reached the summit first, with a slight advantage. But as he descended, looking at the beads of sweat on Shao Wei's forehead, his cheeks flushed from exercise, and his bright eyes, ignited with a rare desire to win, he felt that winning or losing didn't matter at all.
"It seems I still have to make breakfast." Si Qi handed over the water with a smile.
Shao Wei took the water bottle and took a sip. He was still a little breathless, but his eyes were full of joy: "I'll beat you next time."
"At your service any time."
On the way home, the setting sun dyed the clouds a gorgeous orange-red. Si Qi drove, and Shao Wei sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery fly by outside the window.
"Thank you." Shao Wei said suddenly.
Si Qi looked at him doubtfully.
"Thank you for bringing me here." Shao Wei paused, "It's been a long time since I felt so... happy."
Si Qi understood what he meant. He reached out and took Shao Wei's hand, interlocking their fingers.
"From now on, we can do whatever we want." Si Qi looked at the road ahead and said firmly, "As long as you are happy, as long as I am with you."
Shao Wei looked at the two people's clasped hands, feeling the warmth and strength coming from Si Qi's palm. The last trace of subtle stagnation in his heart caused by being overprotected also quietly dissipated.
He knew Si Qi had finally truly understood. Their relationship wasn't one of dependence or protection, but rather two independent, powerful individuals, shining in each other's realms while nestling together in a shared world. Like two trees standing side by side, their roots tightly intertwined, their crowns each reaching toward the sky.
As the night deepened and the lights came on, the city's light streamed through the car window, illuminating the two of them. The car moved steadily on the way home, and their future, like that road ahead, was clear, warm, and full of infinite possibilities.
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