Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Not an ounce of emotion—

Hmph.

Bai Qi averted his gaze. He neither cried nor made a scene, simply stating, "You certainly know how to make yourself sound righteous."

"It's time to eat." Qi Heyan sidestepped the topic, instructing Bai Qi to retrieve his smart device. Casually, he asked, "Do you understand it? If not, I can spare some time to teach you—"

"I understand," Bai Qi sighed, then sneered. "No need to trouble Your Highness."

The alpha fell silent. He rose first and had the meal brought in. Only after the servants had departed did he speak again. "I'll give you a temporary bond mark tonight."

Bai Qi had barely settled into his seat. At these words, he lifted his gaze, his voice icy. "Did you ask me?"

"Your body needs my pheromones right now."

"I never wanted this child." The omega set down his spoon, glaring intently at Qi Heyan. "You—you’re the one who wanted it. You should have asked for my opinion."

The alpha chuckled softly. Having been revered for years and holding such a high position, this was the first time anyone had dared to speak to him like this. For all his patience, he couldn't help but snap. "So, was it also my deception that got you into bed?"

"Did I force myself on you?"

"Why didn’t you take contraceptives? Did we plan for a child back then?" Qi Heyan frowned, his tone significantly darker. "I asked you—what exactly happened between us? You acted all pure and refused to tell me. So, can I also assume you drugged me, just to—"

"Qi Heyan!"

Bai Qi sharply cut him off, clutching the spoon so tightly his knuckles turned white. The omega suppressed his fury, never expecting the alpha to utter such hurtful words…

How the child came to be—if they didn’t love each other, if… There were no ifs.

"Is it so difficult for me to ask for respect? If it’s that hard for Your Highness, then I won’t bring it up again."

Bai Qi picked up his bowl and drank a large mouthful of porridge, barely filling his stomach before heading straight upstairs, ignoring Qi Heyan’s repeated calls.

The alpha clicked his tongue in frustration, a vague sense of regret creeping in—whether for his harsh words or for failing to stop Bai Qi, he wasn't sure.

The omega had barely eaten, taking only a sip before leaving. Qi Heyan recalled the doctor’s words about Bai Qi’s malnutrition. Eating so little, so thin—no wonder he was so frail.

"Have some soup made for him later and take it upstairs. Make sure he drinks it, no matter how much. Understood?"

Qi Heyan’s residence still had servants, though they rarely entered the main house. The alpha was fiercely possessive of his space, so he usually summoned them when needed.

He had to leave in the afternoon and couldn’t stay with Bai Qi—not that the omega likely wanted his company anyway.

Qi Heyan set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and rose to leave. Then, hesitating, he added, "Ask him later if he needs anything."

"Yes."

The servant bowed as Qi Heyan departed. Originally a gardener, he now listened for any sounds from upstairs.

He had yet to meet the omega everyone was talking about, curious about who could possibly win over His Highness.

Unaware of the events downstairs, Bai Qi lay in bed, his mind churning. Though Qi Heyan’s words might have been careless, they still stung deeply.

He had taken contraceptives, yet the unexpected still happened.

The omega sighed, his thoughts a tangled mess. Slipping in and out of sleep, he couldn't tell how long he had dozed off.

Left undisturbed—Bai Qi finally felt a sense of relaxation.

"Your Highnesses, Mr. Bai is resting. The Crown Prince has given strict orders—no one is to enter without permission."

The servant stood firm before the two intruders, his tone polite but unyielding. Yet the pair seemed determined, likely seizing the opportunity while Qi Heyan was away.

"Then we won’t go in. But surely you can ask him to come out?"

The voices downstairs were far from quiet. Bai Qi frowned, rising to approach the window. As if by coincidence, the moment he looked down, the two men below looked up…

They bore some resemblance to Qi Heyan but gave off a distinctly sleazy vibe.

The omega pointedly looked away, absentmindedly fiddling with his device before sending Qi Heyan a voice message:

"Does Your Highness know?" "Your brothers want to take me away. They say I’m not suited for you—that they are—"