Chapter 31: Video Call

Chapter 31 Video Call

*Slap!*

Ye Siling was momentarily stunned by the slap, his face burning. It wasn't the first time the alpha had been hit; he'd been punished and struck by his father within the Ye family before.

But it was the first time he'd been slapped across the face, and with such ruthless force.

The alpha pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, the soft flesh bruised by his teeth. The taste of blood spread in his mouth. Ye Siling stared at Song Yuqing, his expression dazed and bewildered.

Yet, he couldn't help but replay the moment Song Yuqing’s hand had struck him—just a second before, that same hand had been cupping his face. By the time he registered what was happening, Song Yuqing had already backhanded him.

When he finally came to his senses, he wasn't sure whether the slap had brought pain or pleasure—perhaps first pain, then pleasure, with a lingering fragrance still on his cheek.

It was strange, a feeling he had never experienced before.

Humiliation mixed with an indescribable thrill.

“What are you doing? Isn’t this what you wanted?” Ye Siling looked at Song Yuqing. “I already said it’s not okay when the professor is here.”

“I’m not a promiscuous alpha. What I did just now cost me all my self-respect.”

He wasn’t that kind of alpha—he had never thought about getting married, let alone being someone’s other man.

But now, just as he had mustered the resolve to become Song Yuqing’s secret partner, Song Yuqing treated him like this.

Ye Siling didn’t take anything with him. As if unable to bear the humiliation, his face cold and dark, he left the lab.

Song Yuqing looked at his own hand, lost in thought, trying to figure out what had gone wrong.

Professor Lin had been staring in disbelief all this time. He shot Song Yuqing a questioning look: *Weren’t we supposed to scam him for money? How did it come to this?*

Song Yuqing: “……”

Song Yuqing, being straightforward, hadn’t yet grasped why Ye Siling had acted so strangely. “I don’t know either. I asked him for money, and and then he acted like that.”

Even now, Song Yuqing didn’t fully understand what “self-respect” Ye Siling had sacrificed. The dignity of placing his face in Song Yuqing’s palm?

That was a dignity just begging to be slapped.

Professor Lin: “Qingqing, it seems you have absolutely no talent for scamming money.”

Song Yuqing lowered his gaze, thinking seriously. “Professor, isn’t my skillset worth his sponsorship?”

*Shouldn’t it be?*

Professor Lin sighed. He remembered that the last time he hinted for Ye Siling to pay up, he just reached out his hand, and Ye Siling handed over the money.

“Probably not. Maybe he had some other idea. I don’t get it—why would he put his face in your hand? Does he think his face is that valuable?”

“Or was he hinting that you should sell him online for money?”

“……Sell him for money?” Song Yuqing’s tone was hesitant, growing more confused by Ye Siling’s thought process.

All he could say was that the files describing Ye Siling as obsessed with research, stubborn, and having a brain wired differently from normal people were spot-on.

88: “……”

*What a complete disaster. You two, master and disciple, need to stop overthinking. What kind of straight-man logic are you using? Are all robotics people this clueless?*

*Three people in the same research group, and not one of them has a fully functional brainwave.*

Ye Siling stood on the balcony, letting the wind cool his overheated mind.

But he still didn’t understand—wasn’t this what Song Yuqing wanted? Why was it not okay now? Had he placed his face wrong? Should he have used his left cheek to press against Song Yuqing’s palm?

Or had Song Yuqing gotten shy in that moment and slapped him out of embarrassment?

Just as Ye Siling was growing anxious, a few of his most sycophantic acquaintances suddenly added him to a group chat.

In a bad mood, Ye Siling frowned and was about to leave the group when he saw a set of photos.

Photos of Song Yuqing—walking on the road, attending class, and one taken outside the academic building. Two figures were blurry, but one was slender and graceful, unmistakably Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing was tilting his head up, his expression unclear, but the distance between the two suggested they were about to kiss, lips meeting.

Ye Siling had never seen such a scene before. The Ye family was strict, and he had been tightly controlled since childhood. The only way he had rebelled was by not pursuing the career they wanted for him.

Fortunately, he had an alpha older brother. Even after making that decision, his parents only punished him briefly—the Ye family could eventually be handed over to his brother.

His dullness, his rigidity—none of it mattered. In the end, he was destined to work with robots for life.

But now, seeing a photo where Song Yuqing seemed about to kiss someone, Ye Siling’s emotions surged wildly. It was as if he were standing before Song Yuqing, about to be kissed by him.

A beta with a messy private life, willing to give any alpha a long, deep kiss.

After their lips met, an alpha would inevitably push him against the wall, kissing him over and over, gently prying open his lips, making his slender neck arch like a dying swan, offering up his vulnerability and allure to be savored.

Ye Siling’s breathing grew ragged. What if it were at Song Yuqing’s home? On Song Yuqing’s bed, with his husband?

Maybe his husband would even discover them, watching as Ye Siling kissed Song Yuqing’s lips.

Right in front of his husband, licking away Song Yuqing’s outer coolness and restraint.

Ye Siling’s breath hitched. He reached up and grabbed his school tie, tugging it into disarray.

How could he think such immoral thoughts?

He must be going mad.

But then he looked down at the group chat messages.

“Whoever took this photo is a genius. So easy to imagine—Qingqing, kiss me.”

“Damn, the photographer’s position is so relatable too—sneaking a peek at the wifey kissing someone, jealous to the point of madness but unable to look away, even taking pics while relieving himself.”

“When Qingqing opens his mouth, the first thing that spills out is fragrance, then you taste his sweet, sweet nectar. I could finish him all by myself.”

“The icy young mistress—totally the icy young mistress. That dog alpha even grabbed Qingqing’s wrist to rub against his palm. Who understands that vibe? The alpha looks tall and in control, but he’s actually waiting carefully for Qingqing’s favor.”

It was early autumn, and the balcony breeze was cool, but Ye Siling felt hot. In the whistling wind, his heartbeat raced uncontrollably.

He actually shared the same thoughts as these morally bankrupt dog alphas.

Coveting the icy, married beauty.

Ye Siling returned to the lab. Song Yuqing was still there, but he didn’t even glance up at Ye Siling.

As aloof as ever, Song Yuqing was reviewing what had gone wrong, paying no attention to Ye Siling’s sudden return.

Ye Siling: "Let's start over, Song Yuqing."

Song Yuqing looked up, confused, wondering what he meant.

Before Ye Siling could say what he wanted to do, his ears flushed red. "I'm willing to."

"You're really willing?" Song Yuqing's pale eyes shifted slightly as he studied Ye Siling.

Like a cautious cat, a little hunting cat—Ye Siling didn’t know why he suddenly thought of that, but Song Yuqing seemed to be calmly observing his prey.

"Yeah, the professor's not here now. You can do whatever you want to me." Ye Siling was so tense his whole body went stiff, his Adam’s apple bobbed nervously.

Song Yuqing: "?"

What difference would Professor Lin’s presence make?

Was Ye Siling afraid that Professor Lin might use the situation to scam him?

No matter—if there was any scamming going on, Song Yuqing could help his professor with that.

Song Yuqing held out his hand. "Fifty thousand new dollars to teach you how to build a robot."

Ye Siling: "Okay."

Huh? Ye Siling suddenly snapped back to reality.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "What did you say?"

Song Yuqing was asking for a huge amount, not cheap at all, yet he wore a serious expression as if Ye Siling was getting a steal. "Fifty thousand new dollars to teach you—it’s already a bargain. No haggling."

The beta’s lips moved as he spoke about it being cheap, but Ye Siling felt as if he had been thrown into an ice bath. What? Didn’t Pei Huai say he was Song Yuqing’s side piece? Wasn’t Song Yuqing known for keeping many lovers?

Then why wasn’t he being made one too?

If he were Song Yuqing’s side piece, his money would belong to Song Yuqing as well.

A wave of frustration welled up inside him, making it hard to breathe. The alpha’s body tensed, his mind racing. So, Song Yuqing hadn’t meant that at all. The words "absurd" and "wishful thinking" echoed nonstop in the alpha’s mind.

But the alpha still couldn’t let it go. He muttered softly, "Is that all?"

Song Yuqing: "I’ll teach you with all I've got, holding nothing back."

But that wasn’t what he wanted.

Ye Siling was stubborn and persistent, especially when faced with the possibility that others could have what he couldn't. It made him all the more determined.

The alpha took a deep breath. "I’ll transfer you the money. Let’s just leave it at that for now."

He could take his time with it later.

"Are you going to teach me now?" Ye Siling asked casually.

It was already 9 p.m., but Song Yuqing wasn't planning on heading back yet. With so much going on lately, he had to put in extra hours.

Now that he was also making money off Ye Siling, Song Yuqing had even less reason to leave early.

Song Yuqing nodded slightly. "Yeah, I’ll go get the tools. Wait for me."

Song Yuqing kept the robots he had built but wasn’t currently using taken apart in a toolbox.

He would reassemble them when needed, and they were great for teaching.

But Ye Siling had been the one to put the toolbox away—on the highest shelf.

Song Yuqing: “……”

Song Yuqing looked down, brought over a stool, and stood on it to reach the toolbox.

Ye Siling’s gaze was fixed on Song Yuqing, noticing his slight hesitation in front of the shelf.

Ye Siling felt the feline resemblance even more strongly, as if Song Yuqing were sizing up the height, ready to leap up.

Ye Siling watched as the beta moved the stool, his eyes tracing Song Yuqing’s slender back as he bowed his head slightly.

Ye Siling couldn’t help but stare at Song Yuqing’s delicate spine, his beautiful shoulder blades, and the way his uniform lifted slightly with his movements.

His pale, narrow waist, even the strikingly attractive dimples above his hips—it made Ye Siling want to place his hands there and gently caress them.

Even more enticing was the curve that followed.

Ye Siling’s breathing grew uneven. He quickly averted his gaze but couldn’t stop thinking that Song Yuqing certainly had the charm to attract many lovers.

At the same time, he wondered why he, an alpha who had never been easily swayed by appearances, was suddenly so affected.

He didn’t understand what was happening.

It felt as if something indecent had been released into the air, causing him to lose his composure, his rationality, and revealing the most primal instinct of an alpha—to conquer.

The moment Song Yuqing stepped onto the stool, Ye Siling approached. The tall alpha didn’t even need to stand on his toes—he merely raised his hand slightly and grabbed the toolbox handle.

"Let me."

The alpha stood so close to Song Yuqing that he almost enveloped him, his strong chest pressing against Song Yuqing’s slender back. He breathed in Song Yuqing’s clean, crisp scent.

He could hear his own heart pounding like thunder.

His exhales tinged Song Yuqing’s pale ears with red.

Ye Siling thought, *This is really intimate now. Does Song Yuqing feel it too?*

Song Yuqing lowered his eyes, thought for a second, then sharply elbowed the alpha in the stomach. Ye Siling: "..."

Song Yuqing turned around, glaring coldly at Ye Siling, clearly wanting to hit him again.

Ye Siling fell silent. Once again, things weren’t going as he had imagined. Did Song Yuqing dislike his proximity? Did he think he wasn’t worthy of being his side piece?

Song Yuqing slapped away Ye Siling’s hand, which was still gripping the toolbox. "Move. I can get it myself."

Ye Siling: "You don’t like me being this close to you?"

Song Yuqing replied coldly, "No, I don’t. Get away."

Song Yuqing had already taken the toolbox and walked over to the workbench, leaving behind a displeased back of his head.

Ye Siling was even more confused. Was his closeness really that repulsive to Song Yuqing? He had only wanted to help.

Song Yuqing muttered to 88, "Alphas are all dogs."

88: “……”

*I can guarantee that Ye Siling didn’t intentionally place it so high just to show off his superior height when you went to get it, nor did he intend to laugh at you for not being as tall as him. Though, it’s possible he just wanted an excuse to hug you.*

Ye Siling didn’t dare say anything more to upset Song Yuqing, so he could only learn bit by bit as Song Yuqing taught him.

Song Yuqing: "Fifty thousand covers all my knowledge, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll master it. If you want a complete package with guaranteed learning and after-sales support, it’s just a hundred thousand—not expensive at all."

Ye Siling: "..."

This tactic felt strangely familiar.

Ye Siling was silent for two seconds, watching the beta with slightly lowered eyelashes; the light caught his face, giving him a jade-like complexion. Tentatively, Ye Siling said, "Agreed."

Song Yuqing’s expression finally softened a bit.

Ye Siling: "..."

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, it seemed he had to acknowledge that all Song Yuqing ever really cared about was money.

Ye Siling suddenly asked, "Are you so short on money?"

Before getting a response, he cautiously added, "Doesn’t your husband give you any money?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

His relationship with Qi Zhengqing was purely fake.

He didn’t recognize Qi Zhengqing, and Qi Zhengqing didn’t recognize him.

That was pretty much the extent of it. Qi Zhengqing was just a narrative tool, and so was he. Qi Zhengqing’s existence was only to explain Qi Ran having a father and a stepfather.

That way, the kinky scenes in the original storyline would have more impact.

He and Qi Zhengqing would inevitably divorce someday—unless Qi Zhengqing died early, in which case he could live as a wealthy beta, burning incense for Qi Zhengqing on holidays as a token of gratitude.

Song Yuqing mulled over his relationship with Qi Zhengqing but didn’t share any of this with Ye Siling. They weren’t close.

"Connect this wire here."

Song Yuqing indicated a connection point, guiding Ye Siling.

Ye Siling watched Song Yuqing, who had fallen silent. Didn’t Qi Zhengqing like him? He didn’t even give him money? But he’d never heard about Qi Zhengqing having another family outside.

Ye Siling didn’t press further on a topic Song Yuqing clearly didn’t want to discuss. "I understand. Go ahead and do your work."

If his junior didn’t want to discuss it, then so be it.

His junior didn’t really need a husband after all.

Song Yuqing didn’t refuse. When it came to technical work, practical experience was key.

You learn by making mistakes.

Song Yuqing was working on soldering electronic components late at night.

Suddenly, the phone next to Ye Siling rang—it was Song Yuqing’s. The screen lit up, and Ye Siling glanced over at the sound. The sender was—Qi Zhengqing.

Just moments ago, he’d been scornful of Song Yuqing’s husband, but now, seeing Qi Zhengqing’s message, Ye Siling’s throat felt dry. Their relationship was publicly acknowledged, out in the open—whereas he had no legitimate status himself.

*Ding!*

*Ding!*

Two more messages came through. Ye Siling stared at Song Yuqing, still so focused even this late. Recently, spending time with him, Ye Siling had seen how diligent and hardworking Song Yuqing was—a gifted and hardworking beta.

Song Yuqing shouldn’t be dragged down by such a husband.

He shouldn’t be entangled with someone like Qi Zhengqing.

Song Yuqing had a brighter future ahead, one where he should stand alongside Ye Siling at the pinnacle of their field.

Ye Siling: "Song Yuqing, Qi Zhengqing seems to have messaged you. Do you want me to reply for you?"

Song Yuqing could probably guess what Qi Zhengqing’s message was about: meeting begins, meeting ends, evening event, dinner, business trip, boarding, landing...

It was always just a few simple words. Song Yuqing didn’t understand why, since that day, Qi Zhengqing felt the need to notify him of every move he made. But if Qi Zhengqing wanted to send them, so be it—no point in stopping him.

Truthfully, what he really wanted was a message from Qi Zhengqing saying he’d collected his pheromones and sent them over.

Song Yuqing was busy and saw no need to hide this from Ye Siling. His fake relationship with Qi Zhengqing was well-known. If Ye Siling replied, he wouldn’t need to reply later.

"Reply to him. Just say 'Noted.'"

Ye Siling opened Song Yuqing’s phone, his heart raced at what he was about to do. But this was something he had to do.

If Qi Zhengqing treated Song Yuqing well, then it might be different—but he didn’t.

Qi Zhengqing: "Work’s over."

Qi Zhengqing: "I’m home."

T-T: "Qingqing is busy. No time to talk to you."

After sending the message, Ye Siling quickly retracted it.

On the other end, Qi Zhengqing leaned back in his chair, the alpha’s aura dark and heavy. He stared at the message—clearly not from Song Yuqing—without looking away.

T-T: "If you don’t like him, why keep him tied to you? You don’t even fulfill your duties as a husband to take care of him. Do you know the clothes he wears are faded from washing? Everyone else has someone bringing them meals, but he doesn’t—even his nutrient supplements are the most basic kind."

At first, Ye Siling just wanted Qi Zhengqing to understand that if he didn’t love Song Yuqing, he should let him go.

But the more he typed, the more he recalled what his professor had told him about Song Yuqing’s situation and what he’d seen himself—and it made him furious.

Because he was short on money, Song Yuqing had to live-stream tutoring sessions for students, repeatedly called "mom" or "wife" by those alpha dogs.

Harassed with suggestive comments by those alpha mutts.

In that moment, everything finally made sense. Song Yuqing wasn’t looking for affairs—he was just having a hard time, with no comfort in his life, seeking solace wherever he could.

Pei Huai was a despicable alpha, but when he liked someone, he gave them all his devotion. Qi Zhengqing’s treatment of Song Yuqing couldn’t even compare to that dog-like alpha Pei Huai.

Song Yuqing should be free, shining brightly in the field he excelled in.

Meanwhile, Song Yuqing, whom Ye Siling thought was having a tough time, was soldering circuit boards with a slight smile, admiring his own skill.

T-T: "Do you know what people say about him? A beta who got dumped by his husband. Do you know how they're putting him down? If you don’t like him, just get a divorce. He’s so young—how could you bear to have him play stepdad to some other alpha? You earn money but don’t spend it on him? What are you gonna do, take it to the grave?"

Ye Siling said everything he wanted to say in one breath, his emotions still running high, still fired up.

He took back all the messages he had sent and replied as Song Yuqing had requested.

T-T: "Got it."

The alpha, lounging in casual clothes, sat on the sofa with his eyes closed, recalling the messages that had been sent to him and then withdrawn one by one. Only the last message, which had not been withdrawn, sounded like something Song Yuqing would say.

When the alpha was deep in thought, his expression was indifferent, his jawline tight, looking both refined and distant.

Song Yuqing’s side piece had already confronted him.

It seemed the side piece cared deeply about Song Yuqing and was eager to take over his spot, hoping he would clear out faster.

Of course, there was also the impulsiveness and restlessness typical of an alpha of that age, pushing his luck by provoking him recklessly for the sake of the beta he cared about.

Song Yuqing wasn’t like that. At the same age, Song Yuqing was more rational and calculating, knew how to go after what he wanted.

He believed that if Song Yuqing wanted something from him, he would cleverly scheme to obtain it.

Song Yuqing was busy—busy with what up to? Conducting experiments? Solving problems?

In any case, it couldn’t be hooking up with some alpha or doing other things. Otherwise...

If the provocative alpha were to challenge his limits, it wouldn’t be with accusations but with a bed photo to make him understand his relationship with Song Yuqing and make him back off.

Just as Song Yuqing picked up his phone, a video call came through. He looked down and the caller ID showed:

—Qi Zhengqing

Author’s Note:

The hypocritical Ye Siling: Being with him holds him back, but being with me is destined to lead us to the pinnacle of the industry together.

Qingqing: Wait, what did you say to the old man? He’s come looking for me.