Chapter 86

Chapter 86

A mere half hour later, Xi Siyan appeared at the end of the corridor.

He seemed to have anticipated that Chen Mo had something on his mind and strode over, glancing at the door of the intensive care unit before turning to Chen Mo with a frown. "What's wrong? Did the doctors say something?"

"No," Chen Mo said, hands in his pockets as he shook his head. "I just realized something when I brought Yang Shule here."

"What?" Xi Siyan asked softly.

Chen Mo pressed his fingers to his brow and looked up at him. "Actually, Grandpa and I have discussed this issue many times over the past few years. He said that if one day his health fails, he doesn't want aggressive treatment or to suffer. He knew his children well and wanted me to step in and make decisions for him when the time comes. When he was admitted to the hospital, I had a premonition, and I thought I could handle any consequences. But it wasn't until these days, when doctors both domestic and international gave their diagnoses and asked the family to consider removing life support, that I realized how difficult some decisions can be."

Difficult enough that he felt it was worse than anything he had experienced before the age of seventeen.

Xi Siyan remained silent for a few seconds.

Finally, he reached out and pulled Chen Mo close, enveloping him in the chill air from outside.

"It's okay. Grandpa won't blame you," Xi Siyan said, gently rubbing his neck.

Chen Mo closed his eyes calmly.

In his previous life, the elder's passing had been sudden, and it was the only time Chen Mo had lost a loved one.

Even though his familial ties were shallow, and his closeness to the elder was not as strong as in this life, Chen Mo still felt a lingering regret and pain years later.

So he went against the elder's wishes and contacted numerous doctors both domestically and internationally, but never disclosed the final diagnosis to anyone.

It felt like a judgment.

He knew once the verdict was given, there would be no turning back.

As long as he knew the elder was still lying there, he could imagine him waking up one day and saying, "Xiao Mo, why haven't you come home for dinner these days? Don't just work all the time; live your life too."

Those everyday reminders and trivialities were Chen Mo's ultimate understanding and anchor in this life.

They were the most luxurious gains from his second chance at life.

So he hoped for slower days, longer times, and a later farewell.

Until just now.

If he had any lingering doubts before Xi Siyan returned, the moment he embraced him, Chen Mo knew it was time.

Chen Mo stepped back slightly and said to Xi Siyan, "I suddenly realized that human desires are endless, and reluctance is often self-deception. But before I call the Yang family, I want you to go in with me to see Grandpa."

Xi Siyan took Chen Mo's hand and nodded. "Okay."

That day, everything was calm.

Chen Mo stood by the elder's bedside and openly told him about getting back together with Xi Siyan.

And in his heart, he said: "Grandpa, I still choose to be with this person."

The missed opportunity in his previous life left a regret.

But if missing out in this life would cause pain someday, he couldn't bear it.

If losing someone was inevitable,

at least for now and in the future, he didn't want to lose such a person.

Xi Siyan came out of the ICU after Chen Mo.

Chen Mo guessed he must have had something to say to the elder, but he didn't ask.

Chen Mo was still recovering from his illness, having just recovered from a fever.

Xi Siyan accompanied him back to his room.

It was late afternoon, and they passed through the garden below the hospital building. Xi Siyan tightened Chen Mo's coat around his shoulders. "It's getting colder. You should wear more clothes when you go out."

"It's fine," Chen Mo said, looking at the sun that had yet to set in the west. "This year doesn't feel particularly cold."

Walking side by side, Chen Mo finally asked, "Did I delay you?"

"No," Xi Siyan said, shielding him from the wind. "Ren Xiansen has fled. His involvement in the entire affair was the least severe. He's good at exploiting loopholes and managed to avoid any critical evidence linking him to arson or murder. Now he's hiding somewhere, and the police can't do much about it."

Chen Mo said, "We'll keep an eye on him. Without funding, he won't be able to stir up much trouble with Chuanxing. With Lunaer captured, losing this major ally means CM has a great opportunity to expand."

Xi Siyan stopped.

Chen Mo followed suit and looked at him questioningly. "What's wrong?"

Xi Siyan's gaze swept across his face. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

Chen Mo was puzzled. "What else?"

Xi Siyan seemed a bit exasperated. "Mr. Chen, you know I'm not just your business partner, right? I'm also your boyfriend."

"I know," Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

Xi Siyan continued, "As your boyfriend, you should understand that my role isn't just about the company's development or competitors. You can fully rely on and trust me. You don't need to worry about whether you're delaying me when you're struggling with tough decisions."

Xi Siyan had been running around for a day and night, showing little sign of exhaustion.

But Chen Mo could clearly see the faint fatigue under his eyes. In this situation, hearing those words made him feel a mix of emotions.

He stepped forward, straightened his collar, and responded to the earlier address with a low call: "Mr. Xi."

"What is it?" Xi Siyan looked down, resting a hand on his waist.

Chen Mo's gaze wandered, and he leaned in closely, saying, "This is my first time being someone's boyfriend. I'm used to being alone, so bear with me?"

Xi Siyan chuckled softly, "Are you trying to deny that we were together five years ago?"

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, "Alright, second time then."

At that moment, a voice called out from nearby, "Mr. Chen?"

Chen Mo and Xi Siyan turned their heads simultaneously.

Then Chen Mo noticed that the entire R&D department of Xinrui was standing on the stone path.

Their eyes held surprise, curiosity, and intrigue.

After all, in their eyes, Mr. Chen was a young tech guru who buried himself in research, a decisive leader during project decisions, and also the typical young representative who embraced various wellness practices outside work, often seen carrying an old thermos.

At least, no one had ever seen him this close to anyone before.

From their angle, the two seemed almost about to kiss, speaking in a way that clearly indicated a close relationship.

However, no one voiced their doubts openly.

"Brother Mo!"

"Boss!"

The group rushed over.

Chen Mo was briefly surprised but took a step back, smiling, "Why are you here?"

Yuan Hao was the first to squeeze next to Chen Mo, perhaps trying to cover for him, his voice a bit loud, "Master, you scared us half to death. We wanted to come as soon as we heard your place caught fire, but the boss didn't allow it, said no visitors, so we came late."

Others chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Mo, how are you?"

"Are you hurt?"

"I was already at the hospital when the fire started; I had a fever," Chen Mo said, hands in his pockets, looking around. "I told Old K not to let you guys come; it's not a big deal."

Seeing Chen Mo unharmed except for a slightly pale face and loose hospital gown, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Old K walked up from the end of the path, having parked the car, the last to arrive.

His first notice upon arrival was the person beside Chen Mo.

"Mr. Xi," Old K showed a hint of surprise. "Chen Mo said you brought him to the hospital. Have you been here the whole time?"

Xi Siyan subtly signaled his guards to step back and denied, "No, I left the hospital to handle some matters and just arrived."

Old K did not suspect otherwise.

Yuan Hao whispered to Chen Mo, covering his mouth, "Master, your relationship with Mr. Xi probably can't be hidden anymore. Someone in our department has seen him."

Chen Mo glanced at those who recognized Xi Siyan, some uncertain, others probing, and raised an eyebrow, saying to Yuan Hao, "Take them out for dinner later and have... Mr. Xi pay for it."

Yuan Hao was taken aback, "Ah?"

Chen Mo calmly replied, "It doesn't matter whether he pays or I do."

An hour later, everyone who had crowded into Chen Mo's ward was led out by Yuan Hao.

Flowers, gifts, and fruits piled up by the bedside.

Xi Siyan and Chen Mo sat on the sofa. Xi Siyan said, "I thought you planned to keep it a secret."

"They might gossip privately, but they won't ask directly. There's nothing to hide anyway." Chen Mo peeled a banana, adding casually, "I just think it's simpler to handle issues without mixing personal relationships, given Xinrui and CM's indirect cooperation. But it doesn't matter if they know, unless you want to keep it hidden?"

Chen Mo fed the peeled banana to Xi Siyan.

Xi Siyan took a bite, gesturing for him to eat, "Do you think I care about this?"

Chen Mo wasn't too hungry either, putting the banana aside and patting his leg, "Then rest for a while. You haven't slept in a long time; even the best body can't handle that."

Xi Siyan nodded, took off his coat, and lay down.

The ward fell silent again. Chen Mo, lost in thought, ran his fingers through Xi Siyan's hair.

His hair was stiff, pricking his palm.

Xi Siyan slept for about half an hour when Old K sent a series of voice messages.

Distracted, Chen Mo clicked open the messages.

The voice was clear, unaware that Xi Siyan was still there: "I just went to the bathroom, and guess what I heard? Your R&D department is talking about you and the boss of CM. Did Xi Siyan take a liking to you? Is he gay?"

The second message played automatically: "Several times before, I found it odd. He's a big company's CEO, an heir of the Xi family in Sui City. Even if you're old classmates, your relationship shouldn't be this close. What's he playing at? Just messing around? I don't know much about Xi Siyan's character, but with his status, he's surrounded by people. Don't get yourself into a situation where even Xinrui can't save you."

The sky outside was getting dark.

Xi Siyan had opened his eyes at some point.

Hand on his forehead, he asked, "Is he the one you helped financially in high school?"

Chen Mo looked down at him, not questioning how he knew, and said, "Old K likes things orderly and has a somewhat radical attitude towards the wealthy."

Xi Siyan lowered his hand, "He thinks I'm just playing around?"

Chen Mo chuckled. "How many men and women are there around President Xi?"

In the next second, Xi Siyan pressed Chen Mo down by his neck.

Pressing against his lips: "There are quite a few men and women, but I only want you."

Chen Mo dropped his phone, cupped Xi Siyan's face, and deepened the kiss.

Soon, at the entrance of the restroom in a Cantonese restaurant not far from the hospital.

Old K, holding his phone, received a picture.

It was a casual shot taken through the glass window of a hospital room, clearly showing the silhouette of someone in a patient gown pressing a tall man onto the sofa, like a tyrant forcing himself upon him.

Along with the picture was a message that revealed his lazy and arrogant demeanor as he typed: "I didn't tell you for so many years, but I knew I was gay back in high school. Oh, we dated back then, and I broke it off."

Old K was stunned. The image of the teenage prodigy Chen Mo, who appeared before him under eighteen during that summer vacation, crumbled. Even his current image as a steady anchor and core link was shattered.

Trembling, he replied: "Damn, you were still the top dog?"