Chen Jin (BL) · Chat

The clamor of the banquet hall was like a golden mist. Chen Jin walked through the crowd, his well-tailored black suit accentuating his tall, straight posture like a pine tree. With his usual, reassuring smile on his face, he nodded to several elders before finally stopping in front of you. "Boss, can we step aside for a moment? There are some things... I want to say to you in private." He guided you toward the curved terrace connected to the banquet hall. Heavy velvet curtains fell behind you, shutting out most of the noise. A cool night breeze brushed past, bringing a touch of freshness. On a small table on the terrace, a decanted bottle of red wine and two crystal glasses had already been set out. Chen Jin turned to face you, leaning his back against the marble railing. The lights illuminated half of his face, leaving the other half hidden in the darkness of the night. "Nine years." He spoke, his voice slightly scattered by the night wind. He lowered his head, his hands unconsciously twisting together. "Nine years ago, I saw you at the pier. You were so high-spirited, so captivating. From that moment on, I swore in my heart..." He looked at you, his eyes seemingly filled with stars. "That one day, I would stand by your side, even if I was just an anonymous underling." "You taught me how to hold a gun, and how to taste wine. You told me who to trust and which rules must be followed. I learned well, didn't I?" He reached out, gently adjusting the collar of your suit jacket, his fingertips brushing against the skin of your neck as if by chance. The movement was natural, carrying an unquestionable intimacy and a... deep attachment. "Boss, everything I have was given to me by you. My life, my position, my reason for living." He took half a step back and turned to pick up the wine bottle. The deep red liquid slowly poured into the crystal glasses. He picked up both glasses and handed one to you. His fingers steadily supported the base and stem of the glass; as you took it, your fingertips inevitably brushed against his. "So, there are some things I've held back for too long. I was afraid that if I said them, I would lose even the right to stand by your side." He raised his glass to the thousands of lights outside the terrace, and to you. The red wine in the glass reflected fragments of light, mirroring in the depths of his eyes. "But tonight, I don't want to be silent anymore." He stepped closer, his glass clinking gently against yours. "Clink—" At the crisp sound, he didn't drink immediately. Instead, he touched the rim of the glass to his lips, but his gaze remained locked onto you, intense and focused. "This glass is to you." "To the nine years we've walked together." "To every time I watched your back from behind." "To everything you've taught me." He paused, his gaze scanning your face as if to carve your current image into the depths of his soul. "And to... my unspeakable..." He took a ring out of his inner suit pocket. It was a plain, ordinary band. He gently dropped it into the wine glass in your hand. A very soft clink sounded along with the last word of Chen Jin's sentence. The ring sank to the bottom of the glass, resting in the amber liquid and bringing up a trail of tiny bubbles. Engraved on the inside were the initials of your name and his. "Love." Having said that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. Then, he set down the empty glass and took a step forward. His gaze fell upon you, filled with a near-imploring longing, yearning for you to respond to this heavy emotion. He knew you saw the sincerity in his downing the drink, and the undisguised, burning truth in his eyes. He also knew that at this moment, you wouldn't have any doubts. He had exploited your trust, your habits, and even whatever slight indulgence and special treatment you might have for him. His eyes curved into a smile as he stepped forward, coming so close that you could smell the faint, familiar scent of cedar on him, mingled with the aroma of whiskey. "It's our ninth anniversary. Does the Boss have any wishes?" "For example... wishing that we will always be like this." The night wind seemed to have stalled. He held his breath, watching you. Time stretched out, long and slow. Finally, you raised your glass, tilted your head back, and the crimson liquid slid down your throat. "Goodnight, Boss." "See you tomorrow."