"I want to show you something." He finally separated from her, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind the ear of the girl whose cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, and spoke gently.
Then he took her hand and led her to the study.
Su Yue had been to the study many times and was a little puzzled, obediently following him.
In a corner of the bookshelf, there was a door, not very conspicuous, and it was locked. Su Yue had never noticed it before.
He reached into the drawer of the desk and pulled out a key.
As it opened, Su Yue blinked in surprise.
There, placed quietly, were four medals.
"I'll tell you the stories behind these." He pulled up a chair, sat down, and then pulled her onto his lap.
Just as he had recounted Feng Jingjing's story that day, he told three other stories in a slightly solemn manner.
She became quite absorbed in listening.
When the last story was finished, he finally stopped, looking at her earnest expression, and smiled.
"Was it good? If you liked it, I'll tell you one every day."
"You... why are you telling me these stories?" She finally came back to her senses, remembering what she had learned about his father's identity today.
His smile gradually faded, and he became serious, his gaze fixed on the medals.
Su Yue remained silent, waiting for him to speak.
"I've always told you, with me here, you have nothing to fear, haven't I?"
His deep voice resonated, his eyes still focused on the medals.
"Mm." Her heart fluttered slightly, and she responded.
He had indeed said it many times.
Yet, each time, she still instinctively felt a sense of apprehension.
"I'm telling you these stories to make you trust me more," he finally met her eyes.
His gaze was filled with infinite tenderness.
Su Yue paused, not quite understanding what he meant.
Seeing her confusion, he smiled again, pinched her cheek, and said:
"Yueyue, no matter who my father is, I am still me. Perhaps I will leverage his influence in certain matters, but that is also part of my capability.
"What I say is not just empty talk."
"If I can fulfill my promises to the people, then I can also fulfill my promises to you."
"Today, I make this promise to you in front of these medals."
"With me, you have nothing to fear."
The night had deepened, and the light in the study cast a glow, falling into his eyes.
His eyes, as gentle as flowing water, also held a resolute conviction.
So, he knew she still couldn't fully trust his words, and that's why he brought her to see these honors he had earned.
Nothing could be more convincing than these gleaming medals.
All her fears dissolved in that instant.
The girl's eyes reddened, but she did not cry. She simply looked at him, deeply moved by his words.
"Of course, there's another reason too," he said, his smile deepening as he saw her reaction.
"What?" she asked softly.
"The remote arrest operation I just told you about, it happened when I was on a business trip after I met you, remember?"
Seeing her momentarily lost, he reminded her:
"It was that time when you thought I was trying to keep you as a kept woman when I gave you my card."
A familiar sense of unease washed over her.
As expected, the next second, he continued:
"Although it happened before, the award ceremony was only this Wednesday."
He reached out his long arm, picked out the newest medal, and placed it in her hand.
The solid weight of it left Su Yue momentarily bewildered.
"Just showing off to my baby, see how amazing I am?"
Su Yue: …
"Are you trying to ease the atmosphere this way again?"
Even with his superior experience, after so many repetitions, Su Yue could recognize some of his tactics.
Indeed, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by a pleased surprise as he said:
"My baby is getting smarter, just as I've trained you."
"..."
She couldn't help but laugh at his cheekiness, but her hand gradually tightened around the cool medal.
His promise to her was so sincere, so reliable.
And the fear brought on by his father's identity had vanished like smoke.
Just as she was contemplating these thoughts, the man holding her waist suddenly frowned.
He took her wrist in his hand, the red mark on it clearly visible.
"What's this?"
His deep voice held a hint of confusion and displeasure, and his eyes, carrying a question, looked at her.