Chapter 65: What You Snatch Is What I Don’t Want

Chapter 65: What You Snatch Is What I Don't Want

Li Yijia left in high spirits. Meanwhile, Qin Qing sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning lazily against the sofa, engrossed in his smart device.

The device resembled a smartphone but was indispensable, containing personal identifications, educational certifications, work credentials, and more.

996 was sprawled on the sofa, hugging a large sachet of sardine-flavored nutrient liquid, enjoying every gulp.

"Ugh, this tastes awful!"

Having finished the liquid, it tossed the empty sachet into the trash bin, wearing a look of distaste.

Qin Qing chuckled softly, "If it's that bad, why finish it?"

"No sense in wasting it." 996 patted its round belly.

A large-headed, stubby-limbed robot was rummaging through the trash bin behind the sofa, its hands sticky from some residue. Eventually, it retrieved the apartment card that Qin Qing deemed worthless. After rinsing the card, it swallowed it, opened a nearby window, and took off using a little propeller on its head.

"Qin Gantang really thought you wanted that apartment. Whatever you want, he wants to snatch," 996 remarked, rolling its eyes in annoyance.

"Isn't that perfect?" Qin Qing replied with an amused and serene smile. "Now, I get to play a fun game with him."

"What kind of game?" 996 hopped off the sofa, its big eyes filled with curiosity.

Instead of answering, Qin Qing projected six holographic images from his device, each depicting a different, dashing man.

"Meow, I recognize these people. The first five are Qin Gantang's alphas. The last one is the scumbag who married the protagonist in the original plot, only to later abuse him to death," 996 pointed out, gesturing to the images.

Qin Qing, of course, knew their identities.

Each image was annotated with the individuals' basic information.

Qin Gantang had five alphas: Yin Bozhou, the general of the Central Army; Cain, the president of the Empire Trade Federation; Yan Yufei, the dean of the Central Research Institute; Song Yuanyang, the Empire's Chief Diplomat; and Kang Enstan, the Fifth Prince and also the Crown Prince of the Empire. They respectively controlled the military, economic power, cutting-edge technological prowess, foreign affairs, and the Empire's supreme governance.

The five of them, each in their domain, held vast influence.

The man who married and subsequently abused the protagonist to death, Ren Zehuai, was currently just a lieutenant in the Central Army. Coming from an ordinary background, his only remarkable trait was being an SS-tier alpha. Otherwise, he was quite ordinary.

Discussing the 996 workers, one remarked scornfully, "Your partner is utter trash!"

In reality, Ren Zehuai was not lacking in merits. He was tall and handsome, with eyes as fierce as a wolf's. His wild, aloof demeanor was incredibly captivating. Moreover, he was an SS-ranked alpha, with formidable combat prowess. Given a few more years, he would surely make a mark in the military.

His flaw, however, was his willingness to forsake all principles for power and status, crossing every conceivable moral boundary. The ways he tortured the protagonist in the story were so cruel that even the battle-hardened Qin Qing found them unbearable.

Not only did he torment the protagonist physically, but he also paraded prostitutes in front of them, even taking liberties with them right by the protagonist's bedside.

The protagonist's spirit and body were severely damaged, leading to an inevitable choice of death. All of Ren Zehuai's actions were merely to win a moment of appreciation from Qin Gantang.

Before the protagonist, he was a fierce wolf; but in front of Qin Gantang, he was nothing but a loyal dog.

Qin Qing looked up at Ren Zehuai's holographic image, his eyes growing colder. But when he turned to Yin Baizhou, his eyes warmed like spring.

996 stared at Yin Baizhou's holographic image, mouth agape.

"This man looks so familiar! Have I met him before?"

Qin Qing shook his head, remaining silent.

He knew why 996 found him familiar. Yin Baizhou's face was a blend of Ye Rongzhen's wildness and Mu Feiyan's elegance, resulting in a profoundly handsome and robust visage.

If the sun took human form, it would look just like this.

Dressed in a black military uniform, Yin Baizhou stood erect, one hand by his side, following the seam of his pants, and the other holding his cap, his gaze sharp as a drawn blade.

Behind him, a massive mech made of black metal stood, its chest adorned with a swirling pattern of mysterious glyphs. At the center of the swirl was a golden point, like the piercing eye of a deity.

This was the empire's most potent weapon - the "Eye of Thunder." It was also the only SSS-ranked mech in the entire galaxy.

Yet, standing before such a perilous weapon, the seemingly insignificant human, Yin Baizhou, radiated an aura that wasn't overshadowed.

A vast, intangible force emanated from him, restraining the mech behind him, dominating the sky and earth.

He was in control, both in the holographic scene and in reality.

Wherever his gaze landed, it belonged to him. This was an inherent strength.

An unshakable strength.

Qin Qing was drawn to the holographic image. He extended his slender index finger, tracing the strikingly handsome features of Yin Baizhou. When his finger reached those sharp eyes, warmth flooded his heart, and he couldn't help but smile softly in delight.

This was the one he had traversed time and space, reshaped worlds, and tirelessly sought after.

This was his deity.

Qin Qing took a step back and, with a smile, sank contentedly into a sofa, his hand covering his slightly curved eyes.

Out of five contenders, only one was truly his. Such odds pleased him. If faced with a multiple-choice question again, he'd be grateful...

Qin Qing chuckled behind his hand, exuding an air of relaxation.

996, not quite grasping the situation, remarked, "My, the drama this time is intense! Qin Qing, you have to give it your all, meow!"

"I will," Qin Qing replied with a nod and a smile.

Just then, a robot with a large head flew in from the window, sporting a "bamboo dragonfly" on its head. It approached Qin Qing, opened its mouth, and presented a magnetic card with its tiny arms.

Qin Qing examined the card with interest. He then sent a voice message to Qin Gantang via his smart device, "The apartment is yours now. Are you satisfied? Qin Gantang, must you always covet what I hold dear? When will you ever let me be?"

His tone was laden with fatigue, as though resisting this illegitimate brother was both a desire and a futile effort. But only 996 could see the lazy yet contented smile on his face.

Powerless? That was but a jest meant to tease Qin Gantang.

After a brief pause, a voice responded, "Brother, what are you talking about? I don't understand. Anything I desire is willingly offered to me as precious gifts; why would I need to take them? Are you joking?" With that, a few smug chuckles emanated from the device.

This wasn't genuine confusion. It was a blatant provocation. Qin Gantang, with an innocent tone, spewed the most infuriating words. He was toying with Qin Qing, wanting to see him broken and wounded.

In the past, due to his lowly status, he could only envy Qin Qing from afar. Now that he had risen to prominence, he naturally sought to overpower Qin Qing.

He relished taking what Qin Qing cherished. So what?

Qin Qing turned off his device and leaned back on the sofa, feigning rest.

996, enraged by Qin Gantang's arrogance, angrily scratched the floor.

Moments later, Qin Qing opened his radiant eyes and declared with enthusiasm, "Let's move. The game has begun."

"What game?"

996 asked curiously, only to receive a mischievous chuckle in response.

The next day, at the Central Military Corps' mech training grounds.

Qin Qing stood on a viewing platform twenty meters above the ground, observing through an energy shield. 996 perched beside him, nibbling on a bag of caviar-flavored nutrient fluid.

"Incredible, meow! That punch could probably shatter a universe! If we were ranking the contenders, Yin Baizhou would undoubtedly be number one," 996 commented while sipping the fluid.

Dressed in a crisp black military uniform, Qin Qing gazed down from the platform's railing.

Inside the training grounds, two mechs clashed.

Every punch from the black mech resulted in a whirlwind-like explosion on the ground, in the air, or on the opponent's exterior. Mechs were driven by the pilot's mental strength; the stronger the pilot, the more ferocious their attacks.

These cyclonic blasts obliterated the ground causing it to fracture; ignited the air causing it to combust; and disintegrated the sparring mech.

Massive chunks of metal debris fell like meteors, creating thunderous sounds upon impact.

The black mech landed gracefully, its colossal frame moving with the agility of a cheetah. What remained of the opposing mech was merely its protective sphere, which clanged as it hit the ground.

Surrounding mech pilots immediately rushed over, quickly dismantling the sphere to retrieve the person inside.

The hatch of the black mech opened, and a tall figure leaped from the great height, landing effortlessly.

Encircled by top-tier alphas, average height around two meters, each built like iron towers with muscles rippling across their bodies, this man stood out. As he began to walk, these towering figures swiftly made way, creating a straight path for him.

Dressed in army green training attire, he had a lithe and perfectly proportioned physique, more reminiscent of an artistic sculpture than a weapon.

Yet, no one could overlook his power.

A power capable of annihilating everything.

Ren Zehuai, retrieved from the protective sphere, was a sodden mess, his clothing and hair soaked with sweat as if he had been dragged from a lake. Lying prone, he gasped for breath, resembling a defeated dog. Slowly, a pair of polished boots came into his view.

The boots, so shiny they reflected his wretched face, led up to long, straight legs, a lean muscular waist, a broad-shouldered torso, culminating in an extraordinarily handsome, yet stern face.

"You're far from ready. Head to the gravity chamber for additional training," the owner of the face remarked indifferently.

A deep sense of humiliation crashed over Ren Zehuai like tidal waves. Gritting his teeth, he nodded in a seemingly respectful manner.

This man was an insurmountable force, unbeatable regardless of the strategies employed against him.

A soldier poured a bottle of icy water over Ren Zehuai's head and handed another to Yin Baizhou.

A few soldiers nearby stealthily glanced at the viewing platform twenty meters away, whispering, “That's the new military doctor, Qin Qing. Look!”

“I noticed him earlier. He’s strikingly handsome! I was utterly spellbound for a moment.”

“My heart raced faster than when I first stepped onto the battlefield!”

“I heard he doesn't emit pheromones.”

“Even if our compatibility were just 10%, I'd still want to marry him!”

“Hmph, I'd marry him even at 0% compatibility! I'd even endure a mental breakdown for him!”

The number of participants in the discussion grew, as did the intensity of gazes directed at the platform.

Yin Baizhou, sipping his water with a furrowed brow, turned his attention to the distant platform.

Ren Zehuai, wiping the droplets from his face, also looked towards the platform, the previous sense of defeat replaced by a chilling, wolfish determination.

996 sharpened its claws, excitedly exclaimed, “Qin Qing, the top contender is about to look your way! Meow, will it be love at first sight?”

Qin Qing slightly parted his thin lips, casting a fleeting glance before turning and departing, choosing to vanish even before Yin Baizhou's gaze found him.

Yin Baizhou thus caught only a retreating silhouette. As an SSS-tier alpha, his vision was unparalleled; even from tens of meters away, he could discern every detail of that receding figure.

This legendary Omega, rumored to lack pheromones yet irresistibly enchanting, had a rather slender physique.

Tall and lean, the pure black military attire draped over his rounded shoulders, straight back, and long legs. A broad belt cinched his slim waist, accentuating his well-defined buttocks.

His gait was cat-like; each footstep precisely overlapping the previous. As he moved, there was a gentle sway in his slender waist and hips.

Such a gait wasn't effeminate, but exuded a composed elegance. Without even seeing his face, he effortlessly captivated onlookers.

To ignore him when he passed was to defy human instinct.

The cold water in Yin Baizhou's mouth felt searing hot. He averted his gaze, took a swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly, sweat beading on his neck.

Even during the intense bout earlier, he hadn't perspired this way.

Loosening the top two buttons of his collar, he took another sip of water before commanding in a deep voice, “Shooting training begins shortly. Assemble!”

With lingering gazes on the graceful silhouette, the warriors let out a sigh of regret before gathering and forming ranks.

Having walked a distance, 996 curiously inquired, “Why didn’t you meet with Gongyi? Without pheromones, do you feel inferior? Using a love potion on him would be acceptable if it could change his fate, right?”

Qin Qing whispered with a soft chuckle, “Did you know? The best hunters often appear in the guise of their prey. If the prey immediately detects the hunter's intentions, where's the fun in the game?”

996, with a puzzled look, said, "What are you talking about? Are you the hunter or the prey? What game are you playing?"

Qin Qing looked down at it, smiling affectionately, though his answer only served to further confuse 996.

“I can be the prey, the hunter, or even a mere spectator. Whatever the plot demands, I can play that role.”

“Didn't we decide not to follow the script? Don’t tell me you're suddenly rebellious and want to go along with the plot! I'll bite you!” 996 was getting anxious.

“We will follow a script, but one that I’ve written.”

At this point, Qin Qing chuckled with amusement, his laughter light and free, echoing far into the distance.

Yin Bozhou, who was supervising the warriors' training, suddenly lifted his head, looking towards the now empty platform. His ears slightly quivered, and the depths of his eyes darkened.

The next day, Qin Qing still stood atop the platform, watching the mecha warriors train.

996, clutching a juicy grilled leg, gnawed at it with oil dripping from its mouth.

The legion's training regimen was consistent, so whenever Qin Qing visited at the same time, he would always find Yin Bozhou piloting a mech in combat.

Yin Bozhou seemed to have high hopes for Ren Zehuai, spending most of his time honing Ren's combat skills and only occasionally guiding others. Rumor had it that with the right Omega, Ren could easily rise to the SSS rank.

No wonder he was so subservient to Qin Gantang. By securing Qin Gantang, he could easily achieve the SSS rank under the influence of higher pheromones without rigorous training.

In this world, Qin Gantang was as coveted as the Monk's flesh in the "Journey to the West", sought after by countless top-tier alphas.

Just like the previous day, by the time Yin Bozhou looked up post-battle, Qin Qing had already turned and left, granting him only a glimpse of a fading silhouette.

On the third day, Qin Qing again silently departed before Yin Bozhou could cast a glance in his direction.

The fourth day, fifth day, sixth day... The pattern persisted. He always appeared during Yin Bozhou's combat and left as soon as the fighting ceased.

996 had an epiphany, exclaiming, “I get it now, you’re trying to whet Gongyi's appetite!”

Qin Qing shook his head, smiling silently. Twenty-one days later, he unexpectedly broke his routine, not appearing at his usual spot at the accustomed time to watch the battles.

However, for some unknown reason, Yin Bozhou delayed his training today. He climbed up the "Eye of Thunder" using the maintenance ladder, scanning the mech's elbow joint with a scanner to inspect for any component damage.

An inspection technician stood by his side, scrutinizing the scanner's readings.

As the regular time approached, Yin Bozhou would typically have already piloted his mech into the skies for fierce combat. But today, he merely glanced at the time displayed on the computer, then turned his gaze toward a specific spot on the platform.

Many warriors at the training ground did the same.

There was no one there.

At the platform, only a beam of sunlight filtered through the window, touching the ground. Absent was the radiant figure that had always been punctual.

"Why didn't he come? I wore a new uniform just for today," lamented one disheartened warrior.

Sighs of disappointment echoed one after another, thickening the air with a sense of longing.

Yin Bozhou shifted his gaze back, his extraordinarily handsome face still as resolute and calm as ever, as if he were entirely a weapon, unbeatable and undisturbed by the outside world.

"Hey, why do you think Military Doctor Qin comes to watch us train every day? Is he secretly in love with one of us?" whispered an excited warrior.

"Dream on, he's definitely not infatuated with you."

"I bet Military Doctor Qin has feelings for our Commander."

"Absolutely, the Commander. Every time the Commander fights, he watches intently."

"But the Commander has already bonded with an Omega. Military Doctor Qin stands no chance. If he confessed, he'd be thrown in jail."

"So, there's still hope for us!"

The previously dispirited warriors found their spirits lifted. They all once dreamt of finding a highly compatible Omega to bond with. But in front of Qin Qing, such dreams were overshadowed by their growing admiration.

Yin Bozhou looked again toward that specific spot, his dark eyes inevitably capturing a streak of golden sunlight.

"No issues found. Ready for activation," the inspection technician suddenly announced.

Yin Bozhou swiftly shifted his focus, entered the cockpit, and ignited the massive eyes of the "Eye of Thunder".

Ren Zehuai gritted his teeth and followed suit, entering his own mech and ascending into the sky.

The battle commenced. Today, Yin Bozhou's moves seemed gentler. The force behind his punches didn't spiral like raging flames, and his actions were notably slower, as if he had lost some enthusiasm.

Ren Zehuai adeptly dodged, capitalizing on openings for occasional counterattacks.

Mid-battle, a slender figure suddenly appeared on the previously empty platform.

The man approached gracefully, akin to a cat. Sunlight streaming through the window enveloped him, casting a golden halo around him. As usual, he delicately grasped the railing, lifting his clear eyes to gaze across.

Yin Bozhou typically remained unfazed during combat, but today was an exception. He cast his gaze toward that familiar spot.

A face, never before clearly seen, now appeared in pristine detail.

Just as a piece of clear glass refracts a rainbow under sunlight, a mesmerizing face can radiate captivating allure amid the sun's glow.

His deep, dark eyes resembled the night's expanse; his lips, delicate as flower petals. Even the hands gripping the railing seemed like exquisite jade sculptures. Beneath the overly pale back of his hand, blue veins surfaced, reminiscent of flowers frozen beneath a layer of ice.

It was a unique kind of fragility and a unique kind of allure.

The "Eye of Thunder," which had been aggressively dealing blows, suddenly halted.

Seizing the moment, Ren Zehuai fired his particle cannon. A radiant orb, embodying the essence of destruction, swiftly approached the massive black mech.

The "Eye of Thunder" stood motionless, seemingly oblivious to the looming threat.

996 hurriedly covered its eyes, exclaiming, "Meow, could it be that Gongyi can't even defeat this malevolent character?"

Qin Qing gripped the railing tighter, looking up and striving to maintain a calm demeanor.

Just as the radiant orb was about to engulf the "Eye of Thunder", it finally moved. No one saw how it dodged, but in a blink, it landed and then lunged behind Ren Zehuai's mech, delivering a devastating punch.

The once restrained Yin Bozhou channeled all his explosive power into this punch, taking down Ren Zehuai's mech with just one blow.

The impact created a deep crater, with fissures spreading like spiderwebs. Ren Zehuai's mech lay at the center, hands raised in a surrender gesture, before disintegrating into metal debris.

Yin Bozhou piloted the "Eye of Thunder" to land, turning his gaze to the platform. The sunlit spot was once again empty.

That fleeting glance, the momentary trance, and the dizzying sensation of heart-throbbing amazement seemed to be nothing more than a mirage.

Qin Qing didn't leave on his own – he was led away by Qin Gantang.

The two brothers stood in the dimly lit hallway, sizing each other up.

Qin Gantang took a few steps back, leaning against the wall, tilting his head to the left, revealing a smile that was both innocent and seductive: "Brother, I heard you've been visiting the training ground daily. Do you have a crush on someone there? Since childhood, you've been so proud. Who has caught your eye?"

He tilted his head to the right, his smile growing even more playful: "Brother, could it be that you're smitten with my protector, Yin Bozhou? Are you trying to steal him away? That could land you in prison, you know!"