Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Stop right there!"

"Hold it! We've already—"

The leader of the group, the biggest and cleanest-dressed, glared at the Alpha who had stopped dead in his tracks, only now realizing he’d been played for a fool.

Qi Heyan showed no sign of panic. He stood his ground, observing the group, his tone surprisingly calm: "What do you want?"

"You tricked me?" The man spat, then motioned for his companions to close in. "I'm furious. Hand over the money, and I’ll let you off easy."

Qi Heyan let out a soft chuckle. "Why are you targeting Bai Qi? Do you think he’s an easy mark?"

"None of your business!"

The leader was enraged. They had chased him for so long only to be outsmarted—it was a blatant insult!

Just a scrawny guy. Did he really think he had backup?

"Enough talk!" The man lunged forward, teeth clenched, putting all his strength into the attack. Still, he was a head shorter than Qi Heyan.

Qi Heyan’s expression hardened. His lips pressed into a thin line, his defensive instincts flaring in an instant. The Alpha sidestepped, pivoted on his foot, seized the man’s arm, and drove his knee into the small of his back. In the next moment, the man was slammed to the ground, unable to move.

The Alpha walked over impassively, pressing his foot onto the man’s leg. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

Qi Heyan paused, then turned to the others who were shrinking back. "And you?"

"Eighteen."

"Fifteen."

"..."

After a quick round of questioning, he realized the oldest among them was barely an adult. But that was no excuse for bullying Bai Qi.

Qi Heyan withdrew his foot, narrowing his eyes. "Answer me. Why do you bully Bai Qi?"

The Alpha recalled the world-weary look on the Omega’s face earlier. This couldn’t go on—they needed stability.

The man groaned, still unable to get up, but his mouth remained defiant. "Because he’s an easy mark. Omegas are the easiest to control. But he’s gotten smarter lately—harder to catch."

Qi Heyan’s eyes flickered. Part of him wanted to escalate things further, but it didn’t quite fit his usual style. He’d considered crouching down to slap the man’s face, maybe dropping a few more arrogant remarks…

But how old was he again? Thirty?

Though his memories were hazy, he had a vague impression that he wasn’t exactly a good person. Yet, playing the victim in front of Bai Qi came surprisingly naturally.

Qi Heyan raised an eyebrow at the others. "What about you? Still want to fight?"

The moment he spoke, they took a step back. It seemed every man for himself was indeed true.

The Alpha smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Don’t mess with Bai Qi again. Next time I see you, I’ll beat you senseless. Understand?"

The man glared up at him, his face contorted with resentment. "You’re not from around here."

"Oh, who said? Born and bred."

Qi Heyan glanced at the darkening sky. Without another word, he swept his gaze over the group and walked away.

Spineless cowards.

His memory was sharp, but he still took a few winding detours before finding Bai Qi’s small house. Qi Heyan didn’t rush inside. Thinking back to the Omega’s reaction earlier, he exhaled, his posture slumping as he lowered his head, feigning weakness: "Bai Qi."

He was injured. He needed Bai Qi’s sympathy. The Omega had probably been upset with him all day.

Pale-faced, the Alpha pushed the door open, his voice barely a whisper, as if utterly fragile:

"I’m back."

.

The Alpha looked as if he’d been bullied, leaning heavily on the doorframe, his eyes brimming with a pitiful expression. "Are you okay?"

Bai Qi had been about to fetch water for a bath. Bucket in hand, he froze, staring blankly at the Alpha. He hummed in response, then after a long pause, managed to squeeze out: "You’re back way too late. The steamed buns are cold."

Qi Heyan: "..."

Not ready to drop the act, the Alpha pressed, "I’m hurt."

"I know." Bai Qi blinked his large eyes innocently, then gently nudged Qi Heyan. "But you look perfectly fine?"

The Omega even leaned in, sniffing for any trace of blood, only relaxing after confirming there was none. "You’re okay. Does it hurt anywhere?"

"Nowhere..." Qi Heyan’s hands dropped to his sides, but his gaze never left Bai Qi. The Alpha found the Omega’s lack of personal boundaries endearing, like a small animal—never annoying.

He took a deep breath. "I beat them all."

"Wow, you’re amazing." Bai Qi’s reply was a little distracted as he tilted his head. "Your dinner’s on the table. I’m going to get water for a bath. Do you want to wash up too?"

"Is it a hassle?" Qi Heyan straightened, reaching for the bucket in Bai Qi’s hand, but the Omega refused, frowning slightly. "I’ve got it myself. You should rest."

Before the Alpha could protest, Bai Qi was already out the door. Left with no choice, Qi Heyan went inside to eat. Bai Qi had left him a hardtack and a steamed bun. The plain white bun seemed like a luxury here. Perhaps the Omega had waited too long for him, as it was poked with several finger holes.

Qi Heyan found it amusing. He picked up the bun and wolfed it down in two or three bites. It was indeed delicious, much better than the hardtack.

Without a word, he quickly finished the hardtack too, though eating fast left him parched. Qi Heyan poured himself a cup of water and gulped it down.

"Why eat so fast?" Bai Qi returned quickly, hauling the bucket back, puffing. He clicked his tongue at the sight of Qi Heyan. "So uncivilized."

Qi Heyan accepted the criticism humbly. "Right. I’ll be more refined next time."

The Omega shot him a glance before his tone suddenly brightened. "Check if the water’s clean!"

The Alpha walked over and peered into the bucket. The water was clear, with no visible impurities. He hadn’t expected such good quality water in this environment. Qi Heyan’s gaze lingered on Bai Qi, then, indulging the Omega’s expectant look, he asked, "How did you manage this?"

"Heh heh."

Bai Qi didn’t stop moving, fishing out a slightly larger basin and scooping some water to rinse it. The Omega met Qi Heyan’s eyes, looking incredibly proud:

"There’s a pipe nearby connected to a few of the wealthier households in the slum. Their water is quite good. I tracked down the supplier and secretly tapped into their line. But I can’t use it every day, for fear of being discovered."

He licked his lips, then hummed a little tune. "No hot water, so you’ll have to make do. Be careful not to get your wounds wet."

After pouring out half the water, Bai Qi cocked an eyebrow at Qi Heyan. "I’ll go first."

The Alpha understood the hint, stepping outside and closing the door behind him.

Bai Qi was satisfied with Qi Heyan’s reaction. Shedding his clothes, he revealed his pale skin, his abdomen showing smooth, defined muscles from long-term labor, and a beautifully sculpted back. His shoulder blades rippled with his movements.

He was used to soaking in cold water, and he bathed quite frequently—every other day. The Omega squatted in the basin, slender and delicate, cupping water in his hands to wash his face before slowly cleaning the dirt off his body.

Bai Qi thoroughly enjoyed the process of washing up. He pulled out a set of clothes—though they looked old and worn, just putting them on made him feel much better.

"I’m done!"

The Omega flung the door open and ran directly into Qi Heyan, not expecting the Alpha to be standing right outside.

Qi Heyan hadn’t anticipated Bai Qi bursting out either. Instinctively, he steadied the Omega, about to say "Be careful" when his gaze met the other’s eyes. Bai Qi’s face was freshly washed, clean as a pearl wiped free of dust, radiating light anew...

He really was beautiful, wasn’t he?

Qi Heyan slowly released his grip. Bai Qi’s eyes were slightly red at the corners—perhaps from the cold water, or maybe he was just tired—his pupils glistening with tears. His features were striking: a small, delicate, yet well-defined nose, and a graceful face shape, as if naturally meant to draw attention.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Bai Qi touched his face, leaning slightly forward and squinting. "Do I look that bad?"

"No, you’re beautiful."

Qi Heyan chuckled softly, closing his eyes briefly before turning his head away. "You’re still dripping wet."

"Yeah, I know."

Bai Qi’s hair was still dripping, soaking a large patch of his clothes. His clothes were old and worn-out, no longer fitting properly, exposing the skin around his collarbones. Water droplets slid down his body, tracing a path downward.

"You—"

The Omega had just stepped forward when he caught the scent of lemon—Qi Heyan’s pheromones.

The Alpha had lost control again, but Bai Qi could.

Remembering what had happened that afternoon, he instinctively looked down, his lips parting slightly. "Qi Heyan, you’re getting hard."

"Yeah."

Qi Heyan admitted calmly, finally meeting Bai Qi’s gaze again. "You’re so beautiful. I... want you badly."

"That’s just how Alphas are." Bai Qi clasped his hands behind his back. He never bothered to dirty himself up quickly after bathing. The Omega sidestepped, knowing how these things went. "Go take a shower."

"I want to bite you—your neck. Bai Qi, you’re so pale."

"You sound like a complete pervert saying that." Bai Qi tugged at Qi Heyan’s clothes, pushing him inside. The Omega lowered his voice. "Too bad, I can’t let you mark me."

"Why not?"

Qi Heyan wasn't really going to do anything. He'd just felt like saying it.

Bai Qi didn't hesitate before scoffing lightly:

"Because I'm not into you."