Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Bai Qi was hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything yet. While the hospital examination wasn’t particularly expensive, the nutritional supplements were. The omega gritted his teeth and bought them anyway.

He counted the money he had—it was just enough for one meal.

Being new to the area, Bai Qi decided to ask a random person for directions. The doctor had told him that if he wanted to undergo surgery, he needed to be in good health, starting with meeting the weight requirement.

Bai Qi took a deep breath, then managed a faint smile, as if to comfort himself.

“Just a bowl of noodles…”

“Bai Qi?”

A familiar voice exploded behind Bai Qi like fireworks. The omega’s pupils trembled, and he froze, as if turned to stone. He whirled around, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Qi Heyan…”

The alpha had appeared.

“So you’re Bai Qi?” Qi Heyan ignored the look in Bai Qi’s eyes, his gaze sweeping over the omega. He didn’t believe he could be involved with someone like this, yet… the other gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

The alpha took two steps forward, looking down at Bai Qi, his voice flat. “We’re married, aren’t we?”

Bai Qi was confused, unsure why Qi Heyan would ask such a question. He glanced around, then at the alpha’s attire and the guards beside him. A strong sense of unease welled up inside him—he was starting to feel afraid.

“Yes.”

The omega slowly retreated, staring warily at Qi Heyan. “What do you mean? You abandoned me, and now you’re…”

Now he was looking at him with such an expression—no longer gentle or loving, but filled with scrutiny, as if he wanted to flay him alive to see if he truly was Bai Qi.

Bai Qi hated this scrutiny. He felt trapped in an inescapable net. Why couldn’t he breathe? Why did it hurt so much?

“Qi Heyan, what do you want?”

The omega stopped. The next second, he wanted to move closer to Qi Heyan, but he was immediately restrained. Bai Qi couldn’t break free, nor did he want to struggle; he simply had no strength left.

“I want to go home.” Bai Qi lifted his head to look at Qi Heyan, a flicker of mockery in his eyes. “I want to go home!”

The alpha didn’t move. He lowered his gaze, meeting Bai Qi’s eyes, taking in every emotion within them. For some reason, seeing the mockery in the omega’s eyes made his heart ache.

Perhaps they really did know each other, but if Qi Heyan didn’t remember, then it didn’t count.

“Take him.”

With a single sentence, Qi Heyan decided Bai Qi’s fate. He withdrew his gaze, adding, as if bestowing a favor, “Don’t hurt him.”

“Qi Heyan!”

Bai Qi’s eyes widened. He began to struggle. “Let me go! Let me go! This is a crime!”

The guard restraining Bai Qi spoke coldly. “Please show respect to His Highness, or we will be forced to take appropriate action.”

His Highness—

The omega’s breath hitched. His gaze fixed on Qi Heyan’s retreating back as he murmured, “His Highness…”

So he was a prince. No wonder he looked down on him now. They truly were from different worlds.

Bai Qi lowered his head. The guards forcibly pushed him forward, and the omega pressed his lips together. Just before being forced into the car, he finally erupted. “I said I want to leave!”

“What right do you have to hold me? So what if you’re a prince?” Bai Qi refused to cooperate, glaring fiercely at the alpha. “If you’re so capable, kill me! Go on, kill me!”

Qi Heyan seemed annoyed by Bai Qi’s outburst. He narrowed his eyes, raising his voice significantly. “Shut up!”

The omega froze instantly, a bewildered expression on his face. Qi Heyan had never spoken to him like that before—never.

Even when Bai Qi had been cursed or bullied by others, none of it had impacted him as much as Qi Heyan’s single command. An uncontrollable sense of grievance welled up in Bai Qi’s heart. He belatedly realized that this was what it felt like to be harshly treated by the person you loved.

Bai Qi was pushed into the car during that moment of distraction. The car’s interior was spacious, with a small refrigerator stocked with drinks and food, comfortable seats, and even a small projection screen in front. The omega had never ridden in such a luxurious car.

He was nervous, his fingertips constantly picking at the leather of the seat. Bai Qi pressed his lips together, reluctant to look at the alpha’s expression.

Qi Heyan had changed; he no longer seemed like his husband.

“How did we meet?” Qi Heyan had been in a foul mood lately. Waking up to a pile of unresolved issues, and now discovering he was married… it was simply absurd.

Bai Qi seemed startled. He turned to Qi Heyan, his eyes filled with suspicion. “You… don’t remember?”

The alpha found Bai Qi’s reaction amusing. He glanced at him sideways. “Should I?”

The omega’s face turned pale, his lips devoid of color. Hearing those words, his heart felt a sharp pang, and his nose stung. He had promised himself he wouldn’t cry, but the sadness was overwhelming.

“Qi Heyan, you’re so heartless.” The end of Bai Qi’s sentence was barely audible, like words shattered and slowly pieced back together. “You dragged me here just to ask that?”

The alpha was busy with his work, not even sparing Bai Qi a glance. “Of course not. We’ll talk more once we land.”

Qi Heyan was highly adaptable. Since the situation had occurred, he would find a way to resolve it, removing any obstacles in his path.

Bai Qi fell silent. He held back his tears, staring blankly out the window. The hovercar moved swiftly, and before the omega could drift into thought for long, it stopped.

“Get out.”

Qi Heyan exited first, not waiting for the omega behind him—or perhaps not caring. The guards would handle everything for him.

Bai Qi still hadn’t eaten. He felt weak all over, his legs turning to jelly after just a few steps. He managed to steady himself by grabbing a guard just in time. The guard spoke coldly: “Need help?”

“Thank you.” Bai Qi gasped, gritting his teeth as he straightened up, then followed Qi Heyan inside alone.

As expected of an imperial prince, the office was enormous, filled with various devices Bai Qi didn’t understand. The omega didn’t dare touch anything after entering; he truly was unworldly.

“Sit.” Qi Heyan took his seat, looking up at Bai Qi. Only then did the alpha notice the omega’s pale face. He narrowed his eyes, the sudden impatience making his tone sharp. “Are you unwell?”

Bai Qi sat on the sofa, letting out a sigh. “I haven’t eaten since morning. I’m afraid I’ll starve to death.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Qi Heyan ordered someone to bring some light food. The alpha scrutinized the omega repeatedly. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

Bai Qi gave a hollow laugh. “I thought you wanted me to die here.”

The alpha leaned back, hands clasped in front of him—a very relaxed posture. Qi Heyan wasn’t angry; he was simply stating facts. “I need to check if the child in your belly is mine.”

Bai Qi was so angry he almost laughed. He stared intently at Qi Heyan, and the longer he looked, the more it hurt. His voice was very low: “I don’t plan to keep this child.”

Qi Heyan’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze tinged with disdain. “Is that something you can decide?”

“I’ve checked. Our marriage is a fact. While I’m not sure what methods you used, it doesn’t matter now.” The alpha took a sip of water, still not showing any regard for the omega. “According to imperial marriage law, divorce can only be processed after six months of marriage. Even with my status, I cannot use special privileges.”

“If the child in your belly is mine, I hope you can give birth to it. It will save me the trouble of dealing with other heirs.”

Qi Heyan spoke with righteous conviction, seeing nothing wrong with his words. Bai Qi took a sip of porridge, not rushing to respond. He first filled his stomach, easing his discomfort, before beginning to consider Qi Heyan’s words.

It turned out the alpha had lost his memory again, this time forgetting him.

It was as if their time together had never begun. Qi Heyan was always meant to be a prince, and he shouldn’t have appeared here at all.

Bai Qi lowered his head, giving a bitter chuckle. “The child isn’t yours. When the time comes, we’ll divorce. Your Highness, how we met is no longer important. Would anything change if I told you?”

Qi Heyan chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on Bai Qi, his tone casual. “Indeed, nothing would change. But as for what you said, I don’t believe a single word of it.”

“The doctor will be here soon. The test results will be quick. All you need to do is wait patiently.”

“I said I don’t want this child!” Bai Qi stood up, walking step by step toward Qi Heyan, his agitation growing. “I’m going to abort it.”

“Qi Heyan—”

“Who do you think you are, calling my name repeatedly?” Qi Heyan’s patience wore thin, his brows furrowing. “What makes you think you can make any decisions?”

The omega’s lips moved, but no sound came out. Bai Qi looked at him like a stranger, his chest heaving violently, each word forced through gritted teeth: “Your Highness.”

“Can’t I decide about my own body?”

Qi Heyan ignored Bai Qi, not even bothering to respond. Seeing the alpha like this, the omega felt only irony: “You said you would treat me well.”

“But I don’t remember. Do things I don’t remember still count?”

As soon as Qi Heyan finished speaking, someone entered with a medical kit. Several people pressed Bai Qi onto the sofa. The omega didn’t struggle, but his gaze never left the alpha. He gritted his teeth, watching as the doctor drew his blood and hooked him up to instruments. In just a few minutes, the results were in.

It was Qi Heyan’s child.

Bai Qi had only ever been with Qi Heyan, and had only ever loved this one person.

“Qi Heyan!” Bai Qi pulled back his restrained hand, shouting, “I won’t give birth!”

“You don’t have to, then.” Qi Heyan waved his hand, dismissing the others. As if bestowing a great favor, he walked over to the omega. “But if you don’t, you won’t survive either. The imperial prince’s lover, pregnant—how many people are watching you right now? Do you believe that everyone in this building already knows?”

The alpha gripped Bai Qi’s face, giving him no chance to resist, pinning the omega’s legs with one knee. He left no room for negotiation: “I only want your child; I don’t want you. This child will solve many problems for me. I’ve been worried about the pressure to marry recently.”

“Bai Qi, right?”

Qi Heyan lowered his head, meeting Bai Qi’s resentful gaze. For some reason, he felt a hint of guilt, though he showed no sign of it. He continued, “Give birth to this child, and then we can divorce. A clean break. How about it?”

The omega slapped Qi Heyan’s hand away, turning his head and closing his eyes. His breathing was shaky. Bai Qi bit his lip, his voice so soft it was unclear who he was speaking to—whether he was too timid to look at the alpha or simply submitting. And all Qi Heyan could hear was Bai Qi’s almost inaudible single word:

“Fine.”