You loved men who weren’t afraid of softness. Who didn’t flinch at emotion. Who could wield strength without letting it wield them.

And Jiyan?

He was exactly that.

There was no arrogance in the way he stood. No performative masculinity in his posture or tone. He didn’t need to puff his chest or raise his voice to be respected — respect simply followed him, naturally, like the wind through the trees in Jinzhou.

You noticed it in the small things first.

Like how he didn’t pull away when you reached for his hand in public. He didn’t stiffen. Didn’t glance around to see who was watching. He just laced his fingers through yours, thumb brushing over your knuckles.

Like how he listened. Really listened. Never talked over you. Never rolled his eyes when you got passionate about something “silly.” To him, if it mattered to you, then it wasn’t silly.

He was strong — undeniably so — but it wasn’t the kind of strength that sought control. It was protective. Patient. Quiet. You once teased him for having a prettier skincare routine than yours, and he only raised an eyebrow and said, “You like my face. Why wouldn’t I take care of it?”

Fair point.

When he cooked for you (which he often did), he’d hum softly under his breath, wearing a half-apron like it was nothing. “Some people say men shouldn’t fuss in the kitchen,” you once remarked.

He looked over his shoulder, calm. “Then they’ve never eaten well.”

There was no fragile ego to manage. No fear of looking “less than.” When you told him you were proud of him, he didn’t brush it off. He accepted it. Quietly. With a soft “thank you” that made your chest warm.

And once, when you kissed his forehead in the middle of a long day, he leaned into your touch like he needed it.

You remember telling him, casually, “You know… I love that you’re not afraid of tenderness.”

He blinked once, a little surprised. Then his voice dropped, deep and sincere: “I’d be a fool to fear the very thing that makes life worth living.”

You didn’t reply. Just wrapped your arms around him and held him there — your not-at-all-fragile, fully-formed, beautifully grounded man.