SHEN JI YUN met his uncle's gaze. And he said without even a bit of hesitation, "Yes, I'm willing to go on this path. And no, I won't be pulling Yan Yan with me. If I would be lucky enough to be accepted by him, then I will be his shield. I will protect him from all kinds of storms that would come our way. And if he doesn't want to just be protected, then I will hold his hand and we will face everything together."

He now knew why his uncle suddenly confessed to him about his sexuality and why he told him about his and Uncle Yue's story. They met, fell in love, and became lovers. Their relationship lasted for a decade and yet it still wasn't able to withstand the problems that any couple would face. 

Shen Ji Yun understood that his uncle wanted to make him understand the struggles that a same-sex couple would face. That being part of the minority was no laughing matter. His uncle spent that ten-year relationship hiding and fearing. He couldn't even proudly tell everyone who the person he loved was. They probably couldn't even go to dinner together without fearing that people who saw them might think more.

Not being able to do all that could cause dissatisfaction to anyone. Maybe that dissatisfaction piled up in Uncle Yue's heart as years passed-by. And then it just simply burst out. One day finding out that he was already tired of the relationship.

Shen Ji Yun remembered a period of time seven years ago when his uncle was simply out of it. He was always in a daze and he couldn't really talk to him properly. That was probably the time when Uncle Yue left. 

He was only 12 then, turning 13. He was socially awkward and emotionally handicapped. It never even crossed his mind that the reason why his uncle was like that was because he was heartbroken. He just thought that he might be tired from his job. 

So, one night, he decided to make him a bowl of hot noodles. 

When his uncle saw that bowl of noodles, he suddenly hugged him. He vaguely remembered something wet falling on his shoulder and his uncle's trembling body. Now that he thought about it, his uncle was probably crying at that moment. He remembered how he just stood there motionless, not saying anything.

Suddenly, he wanted to go back in time and smack his younger self for being unfeeling. He should have said even a small word of comfort back then. Just to alleviate whatever pain his uncle was feeling. 

Shen Yi Mu, on the other hand, was quite surprised hearing his nephew's answer. He didn't even hesitate when he said those words, showing how much determined he was. But it's not just determination. He could see that Ji Yun truly thought about his relationship with Luo Yan. Which meant that he was really serious about the boy. That his feelings were not some puppy love that he might get over with easily as time passed.

No, Ji Yun was indeed in love with Luo Yan.

But he still wanted to make sure.

"Do you think you could handle the pressure? That you won't crumble at the middle? That if Xiao Yan accepted you, you can make him happy until the end?"

"Yes," Shen Ji Yun answered again without hesitation. "I know what Uncle is worried about. But I'm not in the same situation as you back then. You and Uncle Yue were alone then without any family elder to support you. But I'm different. Because I have Uncle. I know that you would not hate me for loving someone of the same gender. Whether Yan Yan would accept my feelings or reject it, I know Uncle will be behind my back and support. That's why I dare to have this courage." 

Saying Shen Yi Mu was shocked after hearing that was the understatement of the year. Although Ji Yun still looked as expressionless as ever, he could feel the other's sincerity in his words. He couldn't believe that he would hear his nephew say these things. It showed just how much trust he put in him.

He suddenly felt emotional for no reason. He even wanted to cry. How could he not when his ever expressionless and EQ deficient nephew was saying all these things? It's almost like he just witnessed his nephew turning from a boy to a man in that instant. 

He felt proud and thankful. Proud of the man Ji Yun had become and thankful that he didn't go wrong in his guidance of him. 

"You kid," he said. He stood up and sat beside Ji Yun, patting his shoulder. "Good. Uncle will definitely support you in whatever decision you made in your life."

"I know. And for that, I'm truly grateful," Shen Ji Yun said. "Grateful that Uncle is my guardian."

"You- do you plan to make your uncle cry?" Shen Yi Mu said, feeling that his eyes was turning sour.

"Uncle can cry. I will try to comfort you."

Shen Yi Mu stopped, he didn't know if he should laugh or cry after hearing that. At the end, he chose to laugh.

"If Xiao Yan agreed to be with you, then you have to face the wrath of the Luo family for abducting their baby," he said, changing the subject. "From what I witnessed in Chengdu, they're really, really, really, overprotective."

Shen Ji Yun became silent for a moment. 

"I know. But I have a feeling that as long as I show them my sincerity, they would accept our relationship."

Because he could see that the Luo family was not prejudiced and would definitely not look down on homosexual relationships. They just simply care about Luo Yan too much. Which was very understandable. If he was in their position, he would also try to put Luo Yan on the palm of his hand and spoil him to no end. 

"I also think so," Shen Yi Mu said, agreeing to what his nephew said. "That's why I will try my best to have a good relationship with Brother Shen," he added, talking about the investment that Tianhua Group would give to Moonlight Media. "After all, he might be your future in-law."

In-law… Shen Ji Yun showed a small smile. He kind of liked the sound of that.

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