Chapter 135: The Traitor (19)

Lin Kang was impressed by his wife's brilliance, he found that quality of hers to be quite sexy. Lin Kang had always seen his wife as a diffident and weak individual but that day, she shone like a diamond. Confidence was a good color on Xiu Ling. There was an urge that grew within the man to carry her home and lock her up so he would not need to share her brilliance with anyone else.

While it was hard to suppress that selfishness within him, Lin Kang allowed Xiu Ling the stage to shine because he knew there was even more space for her to grow.

Slowly but surely, Lin Kang started to see Xiu Ling less as a thing attached to Lin Xi but an individual existing in her own right, one that deserved his respect and recognition.

Another person who was impressed by this change in Xiu Ling was Joann. Joann had always known her best friend has a knack in navigating issues involving interpersonal relationships but that day, Joann realized she had greatly underestimated her friend's true ability.

The naiveté that many, including Joann herself, saw in Xiu Ling was actually a lack of confidence, and for better or for worse, being around Lin Kang had managed to draw out the latent confidence within her best friend.

While Joann was happy for her friend, she did not know what to feel about Lin Kang being the influence that brought out the positive change in Xiu Ling. Joann still had her reservations about the man.

The meeting continued to iron out the details in Xiu Ling's plan. Even though it came at a great risk to some of the actors involved, all of them were confident that if everything go according to plan, things should end up perfect.

The meeting thus ended and everyone dispersed to do their job. Joann and Xu Jing were tasked to talk to Sylvia; Lin Kang was to find their company's legal team and marketing department; Lee Mu and Zao Ming had the easiest task of all but they also stood to lose the most. They needed to wait for other people to finish their job and take their places when it was their turn.

…

In the privacy of their own home, Zao Ming dropped his bag on the table before joining Lee Mu on the couch. He leaned into his boyfriend's sturdy embrace and sighed satisfactorily. This was how they used to unwind after a long day of work.

However, that day, no matter how hard he tried, Zao Ming could not remove the worry that was lodged in his heart.

He looked up at Lee Mu and he commented, "I'm worried."

"About the plan?"

"No, not the plan. The plan is amazing, definitely much better than we can come up with on our own and I have full confidence that it will work…" Zao Ming paused before continuing, "I'm worried about you."

"Me?!" Lee Mu asked with incredulity, "Why?"

"Why?! Because you are risking so many things for this plan!"

Lee Mu was silent for quite some time before shrugging. "You're over-reacting. It's not that serious."

"No, you're under-reacting! Your career, your life, your reputation, everything is on the line!"

"That's only because you place too much importance on those frivolous things."

"Frivolous things?! How can you say that? In that case, then tell me, what are the things that you consider important?" Zao Ming challenged. He could not understand why Lee Mu could still treat this whole situation with such ease. Did he not understand the gravity of the situation?

Without missing a beat, Lee Mu answered, "You are."

Zao Ming was dazed. However, he soon recovered. He assumed Lee Mu was still joking with him so he got even more riled up. "Listen to me, now is not the time to make jokes…"

"No, you listen to me," Lee Mu interrupted him with a firm tone. "I've never been more serious in my life."

Lee Mu hugged his boyfriend tighter and he sighed. "Zao Ming, I know you are willing to sacrifice everything for me but that is not worth it."

"But it is…" Zao Ming began to counter immediately.

Lee Mu shushed him. "Please hear me out first. The man you're willing to sacrifice everything for is not me. That man is not even brave enough to share with the world the happiness of his love so how is he worthy of your sacrifice?

"Zao Ming, I know you only have my best interest in your heart but are you sure that is the best for our relationship?

"How do you expect me to love you if you do not even allow me to be honest with myself? I'm done lying.

"When I was alone, I did not mind holding that secret from the world because it was no one else's business but now that I have you, I wish for the world to share in our happiness together.

"I did not want the world to know me, especially that part of myself that I was most ashamed of but Zao Ming, you've taught me otherwise. You've taught me that it is nothing shameful, you've changed me with your love.

"Listen to me, I'm proud, yes, I'm proud that I am in love with you and I refuse to let the world tarnish the purity of that love.

"Zao Ming, I'm not ashamed of myself and I'm definitely not ashamed of you so I can see no more reason to hide from the world.

"I'm done hiding and scurrying away from the spotlight.

"I do not want our love to wilt in the dark, I wish for it to glow in the light.

"Only by facing the world that I am able to face myself with full honesty and only by doing that, I will be able to love with everything that I am. Let me be honest with myself and I'll be honest with you because you deserve nothing less, my love."