After hearing Mo Hei's slightly theatrical retelling, Mo Bai felt he had his answer about Mo Hei's future.
"I know you want to hear me say it myself. My answer is what you think it is. The future meant for me is right here."
As he spoke, Mo Hei rose, walked up to Mo Bai, and pointed at him.
"Honestly... I remember thinking for a while that you'd finally become independent..."
Mo Bai sounded as though he was complaining, but there was no hint of blame in his voice for the decision Mo Hei had made.
"Oh? So you really wanted me to spread my wings and leave you?"
Mo Hei raised an eyebrow, then folded his arms and gave Mo Bai an appraising look.
"All right. Honestly, I didn't."
Mo Bai meant every word.
After everything that had happened in Lahai Luo, Mo Hei had still chosen of his own free will to stay by Mo Bai's side. Mo Bai could no longer think of a reason to turn him away.
The reason he had refused him before was that he wanted to see what Mo Hei would choose after experiencing freedom.
Put plainly, Mo Bai had forced his own idea of "what's best for you" onto Mo Hei.
Looking back, Mo Bai even found it a little sickening.
He had grown used to having Mo Hei beside him. If Mo Hei really left, Mo Bai might be the first one to struggle with it.
"See? That's all you had to say. Deep down, you don't want me to leave, and I've never wanted us to go our separate ways either."
Seeing Mo Bai finally admit it after so long, Mo Hei couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"I told you before: don't think you can shake me.