Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Qi Heyan hadn’t expected Bai Qi to say such a thing. He blinked rapidly, but before he could speak, Bai Qi withdrew his hand. The alpha froze. "Bai Qi…"

"I guess it’s possible."

Bai Qi was merely curious for a moment. He sat back down on the bed, then remembered he hadn’t bathed yet and slowly climbed off, patting the quilt. "Go take care of it somewhere else. No one usually comes here."

His earlier words had been like a fox luring its prey, and Qi Heyan had nearly fallen for it. Even now, the alpha was still reeling. He reined himself in, but still asked, "Didn’t you say you’d help me?"

Now Bai Qi was genuinely baffled. He let out a flat "Hah?" "Why would I help you? Don’t you think touching someone’s lower half is disgusting?"

"Yes, it is disgusting." Qi Heyan dropped his gaze and gave a dry laugh. He had actually thought the omega might help him—but that wouldn’t be Bai Qi.

Still, the alpha asked another question: "How did you get through your heat cycles?"

"Suppressants." Bai Qi picked up a bucket to fetch water but was immediately stopped by Qi Heyan. The alpha, having just been scolded, now carried a quieter demeanor. The omega glanced at him, his expression equally unamused. "You don’t think I’d… take care of it myself, do you?"

"I’m worn out daily. I don’t give myself time to rest. Even during my heat, I work half a day. Tell me… why is the difference between omegas and alphas so huge?"

Qi Heyan’s eyes widened slightly at this. "That’s unfair—"

"There’s nothing unfair about it." Bai Qi walked out and sat on a small wooden stump. His posture was primly straight, legs pressed together, body curled forward as he hugged himself. Resting his face on his arms, he lifted his gaze to Qi Heyan. "There’s also the gap between the rich and the poor. I was just mentioning it in passing."

His expression darkened, his voice deliberately low. "You said you’d fetch water for me. That’s your penance."

Only then did Qi Heyan come to his senses. He gave an awkward laugh and quickly took the bucket to get water.

Bai Qi’s gaze followed Qi Heyan’s retreating figure. Suddenly, a thought struck him—wouldn’t fetching water so frequently draw attention?

If they were caught, they’d definitely have to pay.

Bai Qi felt like a bad omega, but he had no choice.

"God, this sucks." He tugged at his own hair, closed his eyes, and steeled himself. He was angry—at himself and at Qi Heyan. When the alpha returned, he’d make sure to run him ragged.

Exploit him!

Having made up his mind, Bai Qi immediately put his plan into action. He didn’t give Qi Heyan a single pleasant look all afternoon, even after the alpha heated water for his bath and washed his clothes. The omega refused to smile at him…

Qi Heyan was truly wrapped around Bai Qi’s finger. After changing into clean clothes and finishing the chores, he cautiously sat on the edge of the bed, perched precariously so he could bolt at any moment.

"Are you asleep?" Qi Heyan didn’t dare touch Bai Qi, whispering instead, "Bai Qi."

The omega had his back to him. Bai Qi coughed. "I’m asleep."

Qi Heyan chuckled softly, choosing his words carefully. "There’s no way I can cut ties with Wen Si completely. I’ll talk to him—when he comes, I’ll help him, but nothing beyond that."

"He bullied you. I know. So I won’t let him off. But give me some time. I don’t have any power. If I confront him recklessly, it won’t end well."

The "sleeping" Bai Qi turned around, eyes wide open. He narrowed his gaze. "What are you planning?"

"I want… his life." Qi Heyan’s voice was dangerously calm, as if discussing something trivial. He carefully took Bai Qi’s hand, his tone firm. "I’ll avenge you."

"You…" Bai Qi didn’t think Qi Heyan was lying. His gaze flicked downward, but he didn’t pull his hand away. He scoffed. "You’re seriously messed up, spouting cringey crap like that. You look way older than me."

Qi Heyan: "..."

Was the difference really that obvious?

The alpha resisted the urge to touch his face, clearing his throat instead. "I mean it."

Bai Qi clicked his tongue. Qi Heyan’s palm was too warm, making his own hand sweat. He yanked it back and stuffed it under the blanket, shutting him out. He didn’t care either way. "Do whatever you want."

"But I’ve thought about Wen Si too. Since you’re already involved, there’s no escaping it." A trace of worry crossed Bai Qi’s face. He sighed. "How will you explain things at the casino? You’ve made enemies, and Wen Si isn’t even here long-term. How are you supposed to live peacefully?"

The omega sat up abruptly. He wasn’t stupid—he was the overthinking champion. He’d been chewing on this for days but still couldn’t find a solution. Unconsciously, he began worrying at the bedsheet. "Have you thought about it?"

"I have. Let me handle it, okay?" Seeing Bai Qi’s concern, Qi Heyan pivoted sharply and changed the subject. "Looks like you do care. I was scared you’d really abandon me."

Bai Qi opened his mouth, then swallowed his words. Qi Heyan’s diversion tactics were embarrassingly obvious.

Idiot.

Bai Qi had no choice but to play along. He glared at Qi Heyan and continued, "Also, we’ve been fetching water every day. If we’re too frequent, someone might notice."

"If we’re caught, we’ll have to pay. And if they decide to scam you, there’s no way to argue."

The omega flopped back onto the bed, covering his face with a jaded grumble. "Life’s so hard."

"Ah…" Qi Heyan hadn’t considered that. He reached out to ruffle Bai Qi’s hair, only for his hand to be smacked away. The alpha pressed his lips together. "Let me think about it tomorrow. There’s always a way."

"Oh, right." After a long buildup, Qi Heyan finally broached the topic he’d been preparing for. He slid his hands under Bai Qi’s arms and lifted him like a child. The omega, caught off guard, stared blankly at him, letting out a confused "Huh?"

Qi Heyan, sensing Bai Qi’s anger had mostly subsided, pulled out a stack of 1,000 star credits like magic.

"All I’ve seen before were coins, but this time we’ve got paper bills." He placed the ten notes into Bai Qi’s palm, watching closely as the omega’s eyes lit up at the sight of money. Qi Heyan smiled silently. "Consider it a bonus. I’d never do anything to betray you."

"And about why I gambled… I don’t know. Maybe I learned it before?" Qi Heyan mimicked Bai Qi’s earlier gesture, running a hand through his hair. He grinned. "Everything will work out. Don’t worry too much, and don’t be mad."

"Who’s mad?" Bai Qi slumped back with an exaggerated huff, then shuffled away to the side of the bed. His voice was still gruff and thick. "Don’t get too close at night. You’ll get sick."

"Okay."

Qi Heyan had successfully earned his spot on the bed. After turning off the light, he climbed in quietly, pulling just a corner of the blanket over himself. He turned his head and whispered, "Goodnight."

No response. Qi Heyan didn’t push it. Just as he closed his eyes, he heard a quiet murmur beside him:

"Night—"

.

Recovery was slow. Bai Qi was in much better shape today, even able to go through some fake kung fu motions after waking.

The omega was dirty again. He and Qi Heyan each picked at a protein bar. The 1,000 credits from yesterday had Bai Qi riding high, but remembering how they’d been obtained dampened his mood slightly. Qi Heyan had spent the morning reassuring him before he finally agreed to keep the money.

"Are we meeting Wen Si today?"

Bai Qi had initially planned to find work at his mother’s place, but then it occurred to him—Qi Heyan was a fish out of water here. What if he got jumped?

Not that Bai Qi could do much, but he could at least help him escape. He was a pro at fleeing.

"He’s so annoying." Bai Qi ground his heel as if crushing Wen Si underfoot. "Are you ready? Or is this just all talk no skill?"

Qi Heyan gave him a wry grin. "That’s impossible."

"Wow, so sure of yourself." Bai Qi jabbed a finger at Qi Heyan’s sternum. He still wasn’t keen on letting the alpha touch him today—his hands were always wandering, always trying to grab his. As if!

The omega cocked his head, backpedaling a couple of steps. "Cocky alphas get laughed at, you know."

"Oh wow, I’m shaking." Qi Heyan feigned fear, clutching imaginary pearls in exaggerated alarm.

A tough guy acting cute?

Bai Qi felt a wave of disgust, shuddering all over as he silently turned away from Qi Heyan. So gross, just...

"Fine, I still hope you can resolve everything properly." Bai Qi wasn't a pessimist. He held onto the mindset of getting by however he could, even when things were tough. After some thought, he suddenly said, "There's a saying, how does it go again? 'After darkness comes light...'"

"'And then a village appears.'"

Qi Heyan finished Bai Qi's sentence, reining in his alpha behavior. He hadn't missed the omega's exasperated expression and didn't hold back his praise. "Damn, you're good at this."

"No big deal."

Bai Qi had barely finished speaking when he froze mid-step, his smile vanishing without a trace. He muttered under his breath, "Disgusting."

"Ugly people are always the most troublesome..."

Qi Heyan didn't respond, simply walked up to Wen Si. He spoke calmly, "Good morning."

"Boss Wen—"