Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Qi Heyan was in a meeting when he received Bai Qi’s message. The Alliance was an emerging power, and the imperial family dared not act rashly against them. Gradually, a state of bipolar opposition had formed.

However, outward appearances still had to be maintained. Qi Heyan was the representative dispatched by the imperial family, specifically there to listen to their polite formalities.

With many media outlets filming, no matter how much he disliked it, he had to maintain a friendly demeanor.

Bai Qi’s message arrived just as he was about to take the stage. The alpha’s expression shifted upon reading it. He quickly messaged Rong Si, then apologized to the Alliance members without explanation, and left the meeting immediately.

By the time he rushed back, Qi Ying and Qi Yan had already departed, and Bai Qi was chatting with Rong Si. The two omegas seemed to be enjoying their conversation.

“I specifically hired a nutritionist to help regulate your health. Did you drink the soup this afternoon?” Qi Heyan took off his coat and sat on the sofa with his back to Bai Qi. “I’m guessing you didn’t.”

“So certain?” Bai Qi sat on the other side, curling up on the sofa before turning on the TV and randomly selecting a variety show.

It was his first time watching such a program. Bai Qi had a low threshold for laughter, and he started giggling almost immediately. When the omega laughed, his eyes would curve downwards, easily drawing the attention of others.

Qi Heyan was no exception. He kept glancing at Bai Qi, ignoring the flood of messages on his communicator as if completely captivated by the omega.

His gaze was far too obvious, and Bai Qi soon noticed Qi Heyan’s subtle actions. He frowned slightly: “Is there something on my face?”

“No.” Qi Heyan finally shifted his gaze, clearing his throat lightly. “You certainly look comfortable lying there.”

“Not allowed? Fine, I’ll sit up then.” Despite his words, Bai Qi didn’t move an inch. “I didn’t drink the soup. Your two brothers came over right after I woke up.”

“They said some rather unpleasant things.” Bai Qi chuckled again, resting his hands on the edge of the sofa and propping his head up. “They said you don’t genuinely like me—that you’re just using me because you’re rebellious.”

“And…” Bai Qi then cast a slow, meaningful glance at Qi Heyan. “They said you were originally supposed to marry Rong Si.”

“I don’t like him!” Qi Heyan immediately retorted, crossing his arms. He had no idea what was so amusing about the people on TV. “You don’t need to care about what they say.”

Bai Qi sighed. “But they were right about one thing—you really don’t like me.”

Qi Heyan: “…”

The alpha let out a dry chuckle. “No need for the sarcasm.”

“I’m not being sarcastic,” Bai Qi softly countered. “It’s the truth.”

Qi Heyan fell silent, walking aside to make a phone call. Bai Qi overheard snippets but didn’t understand.

“Eat more tonight.” Qi Heyan checked the time, then had the kitchen start serving. He pulled out a chair and sat down first. “You need to eat at least one bowl of rice and drink one bowl of soup.”

The omega’s good mood from watching the show had vanished. He frowned. “Am I a pig? That’s an awful lot of food.”

He hadn’t been eating little before, but recently he couldn’t eat much.

Bai Qi constantly felt nauseous, though the reaction wasn’t severe.

Qi Heyan glanced at him. “How else are you going to get well if you don’t eat more?”

The omega leaned back in his chair, not giving in to Qi Heyan. “Do you expect me to get fat in one sitting?”

“At least you don’t talk like you’re uneducated.” Qi Heyan abruptly changed the subject, making Bai Qi laugh in exasperation. The omega nodded. “You really are something.”

The alpha hummed in acknowledgment: “Thanks.”

Bai Qi decided to ignore Qi Heyan, lowering his head to focus on his meal. The imperial chefs’ cooking was truly excellent. The omega ate a bit more than usual tonight—though still not enough to meet Qi Heyan’s desired standard. Eating too much would make him sick, so he decided not to torture himself.

“I’m done. I’m going to take a bath.”

“You shouldn’t bathe right after eating.”

Bai Qi simply said “Oh,” then returned to the sofa to watch the variety show. He was completely engrossed, his eyes unmoving. Qi Heyan glanced at him occasionally, finally unable to resist speaking: “Watching too much TV isn’t good for you.”

“Then what is?”

Bai Qi retorted directly to Qi Heyan: “Staying in this big house and sleeping? Arguing with you? Dealing with strangers I don’t know?”

“When have we ever argued?” Qi Heyan suddenly developed selective amnesia. “We were just communicating. The doctor said you need to maintain a peaceful mindset.”

The omega scoffed, unwilling to even spare Qi Heyan a glance: “Right, we’ve never argued. How would a lowly omega like me dare to quarrel with His Highness? And I’m certainly not angry.”

Otherwise, he would have stood up and confronted Qi Heyan long ago.

The alpha listened to Bai Qi’s barbed words, clicking his tongue. “Can’t you speak properly?”

“I’m not arguing with you,” Bai Qi lightly parried Qi Heyan’s words. “I need to maintain a good mood.”

“Fine, do whatever you want.” The alpha also fell silent, focusing on his meal at the dining table, while the other watched TV for a while before heading upstairs to bathe.

After a while, Qi Heyan also went upstairs, just as Bai Qi finished showering. The omega was wearing a hooded pajama—someone had specifically chosen it—making Bai Qi’s face appear much smaller and incredibly cute.

“Don’t go to sleep yet,” Qi Heyan suddenly spoke, his gaze moving from Bai Qi’s ankles as if he had never seen them before.

“Now you’re dictating when I sleep?” Bai Qi sat cross-legged on the bed, displeased. “What’s the reason this time?”

“The doctor said you lack alpha pheromones.”

“Then give me some.”

Bai Qi sniffed, but didn’t detect Qi Heyan’s pheromones.

Qi Heyan patiently explained, “We can have intimate contact. Simple pheromone soothing might not be enough.”

The omega understood the alpha’s meaning. He gave Qi Heyan a deep look, then turned and burrowed under the covers, clearly resisting.

He didn’t want that. What was all this “the doctor said” nonsense? Did Qi Heyan do everything the doctor told him to?

If the doctor told Qi Heyan to divorce him, would the alpha immediately do it?

Why even wait until the child was born?

But Qi Heyan misunderstood. He recalled Bai Qi’s words from earlier that morning about needing respect. Fine, he would give it.

Bai Qi was pregnant now; he couldn’t lose his temper with him. Once this period passed… he wouldn’t be like this.

The alpha walked to the bed and tugged at the covers, but Bai Qi wouldn’t let go, so he couldn’t use force. Instead, he said, “Then let me rephrase.”

“May I kiss you?”