Chapter 10

Chapter 10

In Bai Qi’s memory, he had rarely been treated with such care. From the moment he could remember, every day was a struggle for survival. Many looked down on his frail frame, mocking him as an omega with no strength, suggesting he might as well find someone to be a kept lover.

Each time Bai Qi heard these words, he would see red, often ending up in brawls with those people. He’d emerge battered and bruised, but at least they stopped saying such things to his face.

Bai Qi’s house was a scavenged dwelling, and for all these years, he had been utterly alone. No one ever held him—they only bullied him.

"Say something, please." Bai Qi rarely whined, but perhaps his discomfort was overwhelming, his consciousness hazy.

Qi Heyan shifted his grip on Bai Qi, his expression softening instantly at the omega’s words. He murmured gently, "Alright. From now on, wherever you want to go, I’ll carry you."

Bai Qi fell silent. Qi Heyan glanced over and saw that the omega had already lost consciousness. The alpha couldn’t understand why his condition had worsened so quickly. He called Bai Qi’s name twice, but there was no response.

"Goddammit."

Qi Heyan cursed under his breath. He stopped a random person to ask for directions. The man had been about to crack a joke, but the look on Qi Heyan’s face made him reconsider—this alpha looked like he could easily pummel him.

"Thanks." Qi Heyan didn’t have time to think. He hurried in the direction he was given. The houses in the slums were low and cramped, the alleys winding. The weather was foul, and a cold wind immediately whipped through the narrow passages. Qi Heyan pulled Bai Qi tighter against his chest.

The alley was littered with trash, tiny insects crawling all over the ground. Qi Heyan frowned as he pushed on, suspecting he’d been misled—the stench was overpoweringly pungent.

"Anyone here?"

Qi Heyan called out, moving further in until he noticed a small, low door—so short he’d have to bend down to enter.

The alpha hesitated for a moment before knocking. "Anyone there?"

"Who is it? I could hear you from a mile away." The door was opened by a woman who scowled up at Qi Heyan. She had been about to snap at him, but the moment she met the alpha’s gaze, she faltered. "Uh…" She pursed her lips and waved him in. "Come in."

Qi Heyan hunched inside. The interior was spacious compared to the outside, though dimly lit. The room was packed—a long bench, shelves lined with medicine bottles, and a few people sitting on chairs receiving IV drips.

"Hello, my friend is sick." Qi Heyan gently laid Bai Qi down on the bench, his voice laced with urgency. "He was fine last night, but this morning he woke up with a fever."

The doctor, a male beta, adjusted his glasses before checking Bai Qi’s pulse, then called for someone to bring a thermometer. The beta frowned. "He’s probably had a low-grade fever for days. That’s why no one noticed."

"Ah…"

Qi Heyan went still, pressing his lips together before crouching beside Bai Qi. "Is it life-threatening?"

"No." The beta studied the two of them, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Let’s start with an IV and see how it goes."

"Alright."

Qi Heyan sat beside Bai Qi, worry etched on his face. He took the omega’s hand. "Bai Qi?"

Bai Qi seemed to stir, his face flushed, his voice hoarse. "Is it over?"

"Not yet." Qi Heyan answered gently. "You’ll get an IV first. Once you’re a little better, I’ll go find work, okay?"

Bai Qi didn’t respond. His mind was too foggy to process anything. After a long pause, he gave a weak nod.

"Are you two a couple?" The doctor approached with an IV bag, gripping Bai Qi’s hand and tapping it firmly to find a vein. "Four bags in total. It’ll take a while. I suggest you stay with him. I’m busy—can’t keep an eye on him. Wouldn’t want his blood flowing back into the tube."

Qi Heyan’s eyes widened slightly. He took a deep breath, thinking it over before deciding Bai Qi’s well-being came first. Just as he was about to speak, the omega abruptly woke up. "No!"

"I won’t sleep."

Bai Qi struggled to sit up, his vision blurring, yet he kept fighting. "Go earn money."

"Stop moving!" The beta snapped. "What’s more important—your life or money? Keep this up and you’ll damage your brain. Then you’ll truly regret it."

Bai Qi froze at the reprimand, watching silently as the needle went in without another word.

Qi Heyan realized Bai Qi was feeling a little wronged. He ran fingers through the omega’s hair soothingly. "It’s alright."

"But if we don’t work, we won’t have money. Did you even ask how much this costs?"

Bai Qi cared deeply about money. He lowered his head, his expression downcast. "I wish I hadn’t gotten sick…"

The alpha drew a sharp breath, pressing his lips together. "Bai Qi."

"Hm?"

Bai Qi turned to look at him, his gaze still unfocused. "What?"

"Everyone gets sick sometimes. You can’t avoid it." Qi Heyan held Bai Qi’s hand—chilly even with the fever. "Money can always be earned later. Getting better is what matters most now."

"You’ve already worked so hard."

Qi Heyan soothed Bai Qi, offering the omega a small smile. "Tomorrow, I’ll go work—do lots of jobs. We’ll make big money, okay?"

Bai Qi stared at him with a beseeching look, the hurt in his eyes clear as day. "...Fine."

Only then did Qi Heyan relax. He sat back down next to Bai Qi, staying quietly by his side.

The small clinic was busy. The beta doctor worked nonstop before finally finishing. He glanced at the sleeping omega, then approached Qi Heyan. "Are you two together?"

"No."

Qi Heyan kept his voice low. Bai Qi was asleep against his shoulder, his breathing heavy—clearly still unwell.

The beta said "Oh." He looked fairly young, but his eyes held a shrewd calculation. "Are you looking for work at Mama’s place now?"

"Yeah."

Qi Heyan wasn’t sure why the beta was asking so many questions, so he gave short answers to avoid being led into a trap.

"I’ve got a job here if you’re interested."

The doctor leaned down to meet Qi Heyan’s eyes, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Good pay. You two seem like you need the money."

"What kind of job?" Qi Heyan lifted his gaze, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Tell me first."

The doctor sighed, spreading his hands. "Working at a casino. You’ve got the looks—could deal cards."

"Easy work. Start right away. Two hundred star coins a day, done by five in the evening. What do you say?"

Qi Heyan barely reacted. He asked softly, "Just dealing cards?"

"Of course. But if you want something else, that’s possible too." The beta knowingly winked at Qi Heyan. "You know how it is."

The alpha gave a dry chuckle. "I’ve never worked in that industry. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be suited for it."

"Your friend here has experience. Used to work at a casino. Too bad he was too stubborn—got kicked out."

Qi Heyan’s eyes flickered imperceptibly. He glanced at Bai Qi, his tone casual. "Is that so?"

"He didn’t tell you? Well, let me—"

The beta was cut off as Bai Qi suddenly spoke up, his face pale. "What are you trying to say?"

He grabbed the beta’s wrist, his gaze sharpening. His voice was icy. "Why don’t you tell *me*?"

"Maybe if something’s wrong, I can help… correct it—"