Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Bai Qi cried for a long time, as if releasing all the pent-up grievances he had endured. His omega eyes were swollen, the area beneath them flushed red, and a dull ache came and went.

He sat on the sofa, pressing an ice pack to his swollen eyes. Qi Heyan sat beside him, silent for what felt like ages before finally speaking. "I won’t do this again. I had no idea it would hurt you this much."

"Mm."

Bai Qi didn’t say much either. He turned his head to look at Qi Heyan, his tone flat. "Do whatever you want. I couldn't care less. Since I’m already trapped here, what else can I do?"

He couldn’t leave, thrust into this world like an outsider. Since he was here, he might as well roll with it.

Bai Qi’s airily dismissive tone only made Qi Heyan feel worse. When he had decided to use Bai Qi to weather the media storm, he had anticipated that Bai Qi would be hurt—but he had done it anyway.

And the omega was smart. Qi Heyan had to keep him in the dark, afraid of any mishaps during the press conference. As it turned out, Bai Qi had been obedient—too obedient. Now, it only left Qi Heyan with a gnawing guilt. When he had gone upstairs earlier, he found Bai Qi crying, weeping his heart out. It seemed the omega had been crying a lot these days.

Had he always cried this much before?

"I’ll be busy starting tomorrow. I’ll have Rong Si stay with you. I might be gone for a while." Qi Heyan carefully observed Bai Qi’s expression. The omegas in his life—or rather, the people he had treated this way—were few. With no experience, he had likely made many mistakes.

"The Alliance is eyeing the royal family with hungry eyes. My own family wants to shut me out of politics completely. And then there are threats from abroad." At this, Qi Heyan paused, trying to explain. "I don’t have much time left."

"I understand." Bai Qi gave a wan smile and dropped the ice pack carelessly. "Save your breath."

Explanations were useless. Nothing would change.

"Will you come back to sleep tonight?"

Bai Qi stood up, made to go upstairs. He hadn’t showered yet—the press conference had left him soaked through with nervous sweat, his body sticky. Crying had also drained him.

Qi Heyan was silent for a few seconds before lowering his head. "I don’t know."

"Then how long will you be gone?" Bai Qi stood in front of Qi Heyan, his breath coming hard, his weariness written plain on his face. "It’s nearing the four-month mark."

Their child—almost four months now.

But his belly still wasn’t very noticeable.

Every time Bai Qi said he wanted to abort the child, he had meant it. Yet, claiming he felt nothing would be a lie. He felt like a bundle of contradictions, unable to even figure out what he truly wanted.

The alpha’s eyes flickered. He bit his lip, understanding the implication in Bai Qi’s words. "I'll do everything I can to get back."

"Okay."

That was all the answer Bai Qi needed. He stood there a moment longer before asking, "Will you go to war?"

"Not anytime soon." Qi Heyan gave him a reassuring reply. Seeing Bai Qi about to leave, he quickly added, "Why do you ask?"

"Ah…" Bai Qi blinked and shook his head. "Nothing. Just… watch your back. Don’t get hurt."

The thought of injuries terrified him. The scar on Qi Heyan’s waist from before still looked gruesome even now.

Qi Heyan hadn’t expected that response. He answered woodenly, "Okay. I won't forget."

"Then I’ll go to sleep."

This time, Bai Qi didn’t stop. He went upstairs and scrubbed himself clean. He hadn’t expected the child in his belly to be so resilient—it hadn't given him any trouble yet.

"You must feel sorry for me, don’t you?"

Bai Qi lay in bed, gently stroking his abdomen. "But I can’t stay with you. I won’t be a good father."

His omega eyes were full of uncertainty. He closed them and murmured, "What will you be like in the future?"

Will Qi Heyan treat you well once he becomes a father?

He would... no, he had to.

.

Qi Heyan was true to his word and left. On the first day, Bai Qi still felt the absence keenly. He lay alone on the sofa, not even watching TV. It wasn’t until Rong Si arrived that he had company for a while.

But the omega could barely keep his eyes open. The first day blurred by in a haze, and Qi Heyan didn’t send him any messages that night. Bai Qi didn’t reach out to the alpha either.

By the second day, Rong Si probably thought he was too bored and decided to make desserts with him.

Bai Qi was all thumbs, though. He balked at getting started. "I don’t cook much."

"Neither do I. Let’s learn together." Rong Si pulled him over. He had brought along a quiet, patient chef who wasn’t worried about them failing.

Bai Qi was a natural at picking things up, but due to circumstances, he had never had the chance to study anything systematically.

The omega believed he had talent. He lifted his rabbit creation and showed it to Rong Si. "Isn’t it cute?"

Rong Si nodded. "Very."

"Am I amazing?"

"Yes."

Bai Qi was delighted by the praise. He got carried away making many more little animals, even earning compliments from the chef.

The omega happily accepted their admiration.

Since they had made so many, he carefully packed away the cookies, thinking he’d share them with Qi Heyan when he returned.

And he would definitely tell Qi Heyan, "You’re not allowed to say they’re bad."

Everyone needs encouragement to keep going.

In the following days, Bai Qi didn’t bake as much. He mostly chatted with Rong Si, and the days passed just like that.

Then came the day for his prenatal checkup—the first time Bai Qi had ever marked the days off.

It felt surreal. He was going to see his little baby. He had looked it up on his terminal—the baby was still very small at this stage.

Throughout this time, Qi Heyan hadn’t sent him a single message. There was no news of him online either. It was as if the man had vanished without a trace.

Only once, in the middle of the night, had Qi Heyan called him—but Bai Qi hadn’t answered. By the time he tried to call back the next day, he couldn't get through.

Rong Si accompanied him to the checkup as well. Bai Qi just went through the motions, not needing to do anything himself.

After having his blood drawn, the omega sat primly in a chair, waiting for his number to be called. He wore a mask as he observed the people coming and going.

Rong Si stayed by his side, silent.

"Do you think my belly will get that big later?" Bai Qi’s tone wasn't fearful at all, only curiosity. "It’ll be my turn soon. Can you come in with me?"

But no one answered. Bai Qi frowned. "Hey, are you...?"

He turned his head—and saw someone he hadn’t met in days. The alpha looked exhausted, dressed not in his uniform but in casual clothes, his hair slightly tousled. Somehow, he had taken the seat beside Bai Qi.

"I can."