He finally asked this question that may have been deep in his heart.
Rebirth gave him prophecy and decisiveness, but also pushed him into the abyss of loneliness.
He can face any enemy, but he is afraid of seeing shrinkage or alienation in front of this unique warmth without any calculation.
She stood up and walked to him.
Su Wantang stretched out his hand, without any extra words, just gently took his head over and leaned it in front of her.
This is a protective and accepting gesture.
Her palms gently stroked the tight back of his neck and short hair.
"Silly Xiao Chen." Her voice came from above his head, soft but extremely firm,
"How could I be disappointed in you? It's too late for me to feel sorry for you."
She felt his body stiffen slightly, and then slowly released Panasonic, giving her weight to this warmth.
"Xiao Chen." Her voice was gentle but powerful,
"Tell me, what drives you to do this? Is it greed? Is it the desire for power?"
Zhao Chen Under her comfort, his lips moved, but no sound came out.
Deep in the eyes, those forcibly suppressed, final images of Previous Life——
The cold iron window, the betrayal's sinister smile, the despair of having his life's work easily taken away and trampled upon - surged up violently, almost breaking through his pupils.
That is not the memory of this life, but it is the entire cornerstone that made him who he is today.
Su Wantang held his head and faced him face to face.
She saw the huge pain flashing in his eyes for a moment. Although she didn't know the specific reason, she could really feel the deep despair and unwillingness.
Her heart was stabbed severely.
"You're not that kind of person." She said decisively, gently stroking his slightly frowned eyebrows with her thumb.
"If you are really motivated by greed and power, there are countless easier and more glamorous paths you can take.
Instead of choosing this most difficult, loneliest, and even the most infamous road."
Her voice lowered, like a warm current pouring into his frozen heart:
"Although I don't know what you have experienced that makes you so decisive, I trust your judgment.
I believe you have a strong balance in your heart and know what is right, what is wrong, and what is the bottom line that must be defended.
What you do is not to take the initiative to hurt, but to take back, to protect, to make the person who deserves to be punished pay the price, and to prevent the same tragedy from happening to you or even more people."
She let go of her hand and hugged him gently, pressing his head on her shoulder, as if to shield him from all wind, rain and scrutiny.
"So, don't use 'ugly' to describe yourself. You are just fighting to protect everything you value in the way you can.
Being kind to those who really deserve to die is the greatest cruelty to kindness."
Her voice was close to his ear, her words clear,
"I will never be disappointed in you, Xiao Chen. No matter what methods you use, no matter how outsiders see you, to me, you are just Zhao Chen.
I will always be by your side, not because you are always right or bright, but because you are you."
Zhao Chen's body slowly softened from the initial stiffness.
He didn't hug her back, but gently pressed his forehead against her shoulder and closed his eyes.
Previous Life The cold memories and the heavy burden of this life, at this moment, seem to be separated by this hug.
He is not alone.
After a long time, he slowly stood up. His eyes were slightly red, but his eyes were clear again, even more determined than before.
That fragility is carefully contained and transformed into a deeper strength.
He took Su Wantang's hand, without saying thank you, but shook it hard, and all the unspoken emotions were contained in this hold.
The coolness and delicate touch of her skin came from the palm of his hand. This real warmth pulled him steadily back to the shore of reality from the deep pool of emotional excitement just now.
Meeting Room The light from the overhead lamp fell on her face, outlining her gentle yet firm outline.
Zhao Chen looked into her eyes, there was no pity or worry, only a clear tranquility and support.
He suddenly felt that those heavy calculations and cold plans no longer seemed so suffocating under her gaze.
He let go of his hand and turned to use his fingertips to gently brush a stray hair on her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
This action is natural and intimate, with a kind of dependence that needs no words.
"The water is cold." He whispered. His voice had returned to its usual stability, but it was a little softer and softer than usual.
Su Wantang was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head to look at the almost untouched glass of water on the table, with a shallow, genuine smile on his lips.
"Well, I'm just talking." Her tone became lighter, as if she wanted to dispel the last bit of solemn air.
"I'll make you some tea when you get home. I saved some good Pu'er, which is just right for drinking at night in winter to soothe your nerves."
"Okay." Zhao Chen responded, and followed her words, imagining the scene--
It is no longer this empty and cold Meeting Room, but a home with warm yellow lights. The air is filled with the mellow aroma of Pu'er tea, and perhaps a simple midnight snack she prepared in advance.