Lin Wanning sat quietly in Shen Sihan's office, her gaze locked with his deep, unreadable eyes. The storm in her heart was slowly settling, though a lingering heaviness still pressed on her chest like a thick fog. Shen Sihan's heartfelt confession had stirred something inside her—a confusion she couldn't ignore. His sincerity was undeniable, and it made her realize how long she'd been avoiding her own feelings.
Yet, fear still lingered. The wounds from her past hadn't fully healed. Especially the shattered marriage—like a scar that never closed, it throbbed with pain at the most unexpected times.
"What are you thinking about?" Shen Sihan finally broke the silence. His voice was low, threaded with subtle worry. "Wanning, I know you've been through a lot over the years. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I'm asking for a chance."
Her eyes met his, and in that moment, all her suspicions and defenses melted away. There was no calculation in his gaze—only sincerity and hope. She sighed softly and gave a faint smile. "Sihan, do you think I didn't understand? You never really hid anything from me. It's just… I didn't have the courage to face my own emotions."
Shen Sihan didn't respond. He simply looked at her, the depth of his gaze saying more than words could.
"But you know something?" Lin Wanning's tone softened. "Everything you've done… none of it was wrong. The real problem was me. You kept holding yourself back, afraid to tell me the whole truth because you didn't want to hurt me. But you didn't know—I've been waiting all along. Waiting for you to tell me everything, to let me see the real you."
A faint, wry smile touched Shen Sihan's lips. He was silent for a moment, then said, "I always thought I hadn't done enough. There were so many moments I could have been more honest, but I chose silence instead. I was afraid… afraid that the distance between us would grow wider."
Lin Wanning shook her head gently. "You weren't wrong. I was just afraid—afraid of everything. You don't have to keep pushing yourself, Shen Sihan. I understand why you held on so tightly. And now… I understand your choices too."
Their eyes locked again, and the tension in the room seemed to dissolve into something gentler, warmer. Lin Wanning stood up and slowly walked over to him. Her voice was soft but firm. "You know… I always thought I'd lost the ability to love. But now, I'm beginning to realize that maybe love didn't disappear. Maybe it just hadn't found its new beginning yet."
Shen Sihan stood too, turning to face her fully. His eyes shimmered with warmth. "So… are you willing to give me a chance?"
She paused for a breath, then gave a small, peaceful nod. "My heart is willing."
In that instant, his eyes lit up. He stepped closer and gently pulled her into his arms. Her presence, her warmth—everything about her soothed the storm inside him. Lin Wanning, too, felt the fog lift from her heart. She had made her choice. And that choice would change everything.
Just then, the office door swung open, breaking the tender moment. Shen Sihan's assistant rushed in, his expression flustered.
"President Shen, there's something urgent that needs your personal attention," he said hurriedly.
Shen Sihan frowned slightly and glanced at Lin Wanning. Seeing that she wasn't upset, he nodded. "Alright. I'll take care of it."
The assistant gave a slight bow and left quickly. Shen Sihan turned back to Lin Wanning, his voice full of apology. "I'm sorry. Today has been a bit overwhelming."
"It's alright." Lin Wanning smiled faintly. "You should get back to work."
He looked at her for a long moment, then gently patted her shoulder. "Thank you, Wanning." With that, he turned and walked out of the office.
Lin Wanning stood at the window, a mix of thoughts stirring in her chest. She knew Shen Sihan was a strong, charismatic man, but behind that strength was the weight of family pressure that never really went away. And she herself hadn't completely healed from her past wounds.
Perhaps the road ahead wouldn't be easy—but for the first time in a long time, she believed she had found the right direction.
Meanwhile, Shen Sihan stepped out into the hallway and answered an incoming call. A calm but firm voice came through the line.
"Do you remember what I told you? Has she started to accept you now?"
Shen Sihan's brow furrowed slightly, his expression sharpening. "I know what you're trying to say, but I won't let you interfere in my life anymore."
"You can ignore me," the voice on the phone said coldly. "But you can't ignore the interests of the Shen Group. Everything you have now—your position, your power—is all thanks to the family. If you want to keep it, you'll have to play by the rules."
Shen Sihan gripped the phone tighter, his jaw clenched. His voice was cold and resolute. "I know exactly what I'm doing. And I won't let anyone else dictate how I live my life." With that, he ended the call without hesitation.
Back in his office, Shen Sihan returned to his standing desk and stared at the documents on the screen. His heart was filled with a turbulent mix of emotions. Today had been a breakthrough—a fragile but hopeful step forward with Lin Wanning.
But the pressure from the Shen family, from the boardroom politics and invisible shackles of legacy, still loomed like a shadow he couldn't fully escape.
He knew one thing for certain—he wouldn't give up Lin Wanning. Not for the company, not for the family, not for anything. But how to strike a balance between love and responsibility? That would be the greatest challenge of all.