Yuan Chen fell briefly silent, inscrutable emotions stirring faintly in his deep eyes.
His tightly pressed lips did not readily release a word. After a moment's thought, he rose from his chair.
That immaculate, crisp shirt, without a wrinkle in sight, drew closer.
Yuan Chen spread his arms and braced his hands on the edge of the desk on either side of Shen Yi, enclosing him in his embrace.
His warm breath, carrying a hint of pleasure, brushed lightly over the tip of Shen Yi's nose as he stood trapped between his arms.
"Perhaps... I may not make a particularly outstanding father." His voice was low and clear. "But I'm confident I can be a good enough partner."
As his words faded, he pressed a brief but resolute kiss to Shen Yi's lips, pulling away almost at once.
That, in itself, was a promise.
The corners of Shen Yi's mouth curved upward of their own accord.
"I can hardly believe... those words came from President Yuan, the man who insisted he'd never marry."
"Because..." Yuan Chen's gaze never wavered. "I found something that could change my mind."
Their eyes met, and Shen Yi's heart settled too.
"If... no matter what happens, I have to choose between you and anyone or anything else," Yuan Chen said, his voice calm but carrying unquestionable weight, "I'll choose you without hesitation."
"...I thought you would."
Shen Yi laughed softly.
At that moment, he no longer doubted that he came first in Yuan Chen's heart.
Yuan Chen's lips also curved into a broad, gentle smile.
Their lips met again, melting away all the feelings they had yet to put into words.
"If possible... I'd like to keep working."
"You're so good at it. Who would dare stop you?"
Yuan Chen had no objections to that