Chapter 34: Outlaw

Chapter 34 Outlaw of the Law

Ye Siling snapped back to reality, disbelief etched on his face, and stared at Song Yuqing, speechless.

"Little Dad?"

*This* was Qi Zhengqing's son?

Not some mistress Song Yuqing was keeping.

Feeling a pang of awkwardness from his earlier assumption, Ye Siling seriously pondered whether he should speak nicely to this alpha. After all, as Song Yuqing's son, he knew many high-society Omegas in second marriages had to win over the children.

Since this was Song Yuqing's son, shouldn't he also try to curry favor to have a better chance than Pei Huai?

Not that he wanted to steal Pei Huai or Qi Zhengqing's lover.

He was strong, gentle, considerate, and could even take care of Song Yuqing's son. It would only be natural for Song Yuqing to choose him.

Yet, Ye Siling glanced at the alpha and found it hard to like him, furrowing his brows.

He always felt this damn alpha was acting pitiful.

Why call him "Little Dad" for no reason? Did he want everyone to know Song Yuqing had such a deadweight?

Song Yuqing looked up at Ye Siling and introduced him to Qi Ran, "Little Dad's junior."

Both "Little Dad" and "junior" hit right on Song Yuqing's preferences.

Song Yuqing smiled faintly.

Ye Siling was once again dazzled by Song Yuqing's faint, gentle smile.

Ye Siling lowered his head. Song Yuqing actually liked that old man's adopted son so much, smiling so softly in front of him.

Ye Siling felt a never-before-felt sense of crisis, and the words he couldn't say before no longer seemed so difficult to utter. "I wanted to say, I was wrong."

Only then did Song Yuqing look up seriously at Ye Siling. "What did you say to Qi Zhengqing?"

To be honest, Song Yuqing was quite curious about how Ye Siling had managed to anger Qi Zhengqing—that dog—enough to make him video call. Qi Zhengqing seemed like the type of alpha who didn't care about anything. If he really cared about face, he would have intervened when Qi Ran was bullied at school. After all, other families hitting his son would also be a slap to Qi Zhengqing's face.

Ye Siling's mind was quite sharp; he repeated word for word what he had said to Qi Zhengqing.

Afraid Song Yuqing might be angry, he added at the end, "I bought you that batch of materials you had your eye on. It's already shipped. Will arrive tomorrow."

Song Yuqing glanced at the order Ye Siling showed him.

Fine. For the sake of that batch of special metal materials.

He could pretend nothing had happened.

Just another discontented rebel—well, he could... deal with him next time he offends again.

Song Yuqing nodded slightly. "You're not wrong."

Ye Siling: ?

Song Yuqing slowly added, "Next time, just curse him in your mind. Don't say it to his face."

Ye Siling could barely hold back the smile at the corner of his lips. So, Song Yuqing wasn't blaming him.

Professor Lin observed the situation and Ye Siling took the opportunity to message him.

ysl: "Professor, I bought you the equipment you wanted."

Professor Lin was so happy he could cry.

He messaged Song Yuqing.

A laughing old man has good luck: "Finally, we've managed to fleece this sheep."

T-T: "Thumbs up.jpg"

A laughing old man has good luck: "These rigid, simple-minded ones are the easiest to trick. By the way, did Qi Zhengqing really get angry with you?"

T-T: "Probably not. We don’t have much emotional foundation."

A laughing old man has good luck: "We can have Ye Siling message Qi Zhengqing more often. We'll just reap the benefits."

T-T: "Professor, your cleverness scares me."

While Song Yuqing was writing code, Qi Ran sat beside him doing homework. The nearly six-foot-three alpha almost completely blocked Ye Siling's view of Song Yuqing.

Moreover, Qi Ran occasionally asked Song Yuqing for help with problems he couldn't solve.

Their interaction was perfectly proper, but Ye Siling still found it irritating.

Ye Siling deliberately asked Song Yuqing, "Qingqing, can you show me where to put this tracker?"

This was a robot they were currently working on together, equipped with positioning functionality—compact and agile, capable of inspecting hazards in mines or used for clearing mines.

Its main purpose was to address hazards left along the border during the chaotic conflicts of the Four Continents era. The initial concept was for the robot to use radar to locate bombs, followed by manual or robotic disposal of the hazards.

It was also a project assigned by Professor Lin for their training.

Professor Lin's projects were often like this—not focused on upper-class society but more dedicated to improving the livelihoods of those in the slums of the Fifth District.

The Fifth District was now the outermost part of Neo-Zhou, closest to the border. Its residents did the hardest work but received the fewest resources.

Naturally, the Fifth District couldn't provide research funding for Professor Lin's projects. Coupled with the difficulty of getting investments, without a pushover like Ye Siling, their projects would have a hard time moving forward.

Song Yuqing looked down, adjusting the placed equipment. The robot's tracker was tiny—even if placed on a person, it wouldn't be easily detected.

Such a tracker could reduce the robot's weight, freeing up space for other functional modules.

"Like this," Song Yuqing demonstrated by installing one.

"Install the other seven."

Ye Siling: "Alright."

Song Yuqing's slender fingers lightly fiddled with the tracker in his hand, asking softly, "Can I have this one?"

Staring at Song Yuqing's pale, distinct-knuckled fingers casually toying with the tracker, Ye Siling stammered, "Sure."

Song Yuqing took one tracker and, as he passed Qi Ran, attached it to the inner side of Qi Ran's school uniform hem.

He had been keeping Qi Ran close lately, but he still didn't trust him completely.

Worried the plot was at work, and also feeling that Qi Ran wasn't as obedient as he'd imagined.

He looked very well-behaved and would affectionately call him "little dad."

But Qi Ran wasn't exactly reassuring.

Professor Lin suddenly asked, "After the next monthly exams, there will be a break. Will you all go home?"

Ye Siling glanced over at Song Yuqing, waiting for Song Yuqing to respond.

He wasn't planning to go home; he preferred to work on his project in the lab. It would be even better if Song Yuqing could stay too.

Not just for that reason, but also... if Song Yuqing went home, would he get to see that old man?

One at school, one at home—even if they met, it would mostly be over video chat. Being apart like that, they couldn't do anything.

Song Yuqing finished typing the last line of code and said calmly, "I'll go back."

Qi Ran's hand trembled, and Ye Siling's face also fell.

They could only pray that the old man wouldn't go home, or...

Ye Siling sent a message to Pei Huai.

ysl: "As a good friend, here's some news: after the next monthly exam break, Song Yuqing is going home."

In the monitoring room,

Song Yuqing pulled up the footage from the places he had recently passed, checking each location one by one. This was also within his authority as the student council president.

Earlier, after finding the surveillance device, he had checked the footage.

However, the footage from a certain period showed nothing but black screen—the camera had been covered, not deleted, so it couldn't be restored through technical means.

Song Yuqing seriously doubted that the person appearing at this plot point was really just a random bystander?

Whether it was counter-surveillance skills or tracking skills, it didn't seem like something a random bystander could do—tracking someone without being noticed at all.

Song Yuqing even began to doubt the plot details 88 had given him.

Song Yuqing glanced over at Qi Ran beside him; thankfully, Qi Ran was still by his side.

All he could do now was try to find that person before anything happened and remove any threats as much as possible.

For now, he could only use the most primitive method: searching frame by frame.

My Heart Towards the Moon: "You're checking the footage in the monitoring room? Should I come help too?"

T-T: "Come."

Pei Huai came, but what Song Yuqing didn't expect was that Pei Huai brought Xiao Jinshi along too.

Xiao Jinshi's eyes were bright, gazing intently at Song Yuqing, "Brother."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Weirdo.

Pei Huai couldn't stand Xiao Jinshi's fawning demeanor and lashed out, "So shameless, no one asked you to come, yet you followed on your own. Pathetic simp."

Xiao Jinshi, however, didn't care at all what Pei Huai said. He sat down next to Song Yuqing, revealing two small fangs, smiling with a bright, innocent smile, "I'll help you, brother. My memory is pretty good; if I've seen someone, I can draw them."

Song Yuqing finally glanced at the little weirdo, "Mm."

Everyone sat down and carefully reviewed each segment of the footage. Song Yuqing had Xiao Jinshi check the surveillance of Qi Ran's movements that he had pulled up.

Xiao Jinshi, however, watched half-heartedly, even frowning in dissatisfaction, his eyes constantly straying toward Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing was really focused. The screen's light fell on his face, the interplay of light and shadow making every feature appear exquisitely defined. The curve of his brows and the corners of his eyes were just right—a little more would seem too soft or alluring, a little less would seem too bland.

And the curve of Song Yuqing's eyes was perfect. When focused on the screen, they carried a touch of coolness. With a slight blink, they resembled... Xiao Jinshi tapped his pen.

Like a little cat.

A kitty sheriff solving cases.

Xiao Jinshi's hand kept moving, sketching a few swift lines to outline Song Yuqing with cat ears, seriously sitting intently before the screen, wearing nothing but a white shirt—a little kitty sheriff in just a white shirt.

Hearing Xiao Jinshi's soft scratching of his pen and the slight smirk on his lips, Song Yuqing turned to look at him, "Did you find something?"

Xiao Jinshi immediately froze, his hand going stiff, his back tensing up—it felt like being caught by the teacher in class.

He managed a stiff smile, still grinning widely at Song Yuqing, "No, brother."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "Then what are you smiling for?"

Suddenly scolded by Song Yuqing, Xiao Jinshi choked up, his fingers pressing down on the drawing paper, gently stroking the little cat's face on the page.

As if caressing Song Yuqing's face.

"Brother, don't be angry, I'm looking carefully now."

Pei Huai, however, couldn't stand Xiao Jinshi's attempt to flirt with Song Yuqing and sneered, "Useless dog. Qingqing and I have already narrowed it down to a few people, and you're still so worthless."

Pei Huai not only wanted to insult Xiao Jinshi but also wanted to expose his lack of focus in front of Song Yuqing, to let Song Yuqing know that he was the only alpha truly useful to him.

He snatched the drawing paper from Xiao Jinshi, "Let me see how you've been..." slacking off.

Seeing the drawing of Song Yuqing with cat ears, long hair, perky fuzzy ears, a serious expression, and a tail only half-sketched peeking out from under his shirt.

Pei Huai's remaining words stuck in his throat, his ears turning bright red.

So low, so shameless, actually drawing something like this.

Sneaking a drawing of Song Yuqing without pants, and even with a tail.

Glancing at Pei Huai's expression, Song Yuqing didn't need to look to know Xiao Jinshi hadn't been up to any good. He turned to look at Xiao Jinshi, who still wore a cheeky grin.

Song Yuqing: "..."

The last one who grinned like that was Tan Shu.

He really wanted to punch him; now it was Xiao Jinshi, and he really wanted to punch him too.

Song Yuqing reached out to Pei Huai, "Hand it over."

"...Is that really a good idea?" Pei Huai glanced at Song Yuqing, avoiding his gaze, "I'll hold onto it for you."

Pei Huai started to roll up the drawing to keep it for himself—if he gave it to Song Yuqing, he’d end up with nothing.

Song Yuqing’s tone grew even colder. “Pei Huai, give it to me.”

Xiao Jinshi, however, didn’t seem to care and smiled at Song Yuqing. “Brother, do you want it? I can draw many more for you.”

Xiao Jinshi’s peach-blossom eyes looked especially charming when he smiled, but then Song Yuqing slapped him.

“No, you damn dog. Come and work on this.”

Xiao Jinshi: “…”

Scolded, hit, and now forced to work for free—Song Yuqing was so entitled about it. Xiao Jinshi lightly ran his tongue over his back teeth, the side of his face still numb and stinging from the slap.

Yet, Xiao Jinshi meekly sat down in the seat Song Yuqing had just vacated. Song Yuqing, now holding the drawing Xiao Jinshi had made, tore it up without a word.

Xiao Jinshi’s gaze fell on the person Song Yuqing had pointed to, but his tone whined with grievance. “Brother, you’re breaking my heart. You have no respect for my hard work.”

Song Yuqing: “…”

Song Yuqing lowered his head to look at the curly-haired dog in front of him, who had dyed his hair back to black. “You talk too much. Shut up.”

Pei Huai reached out a hand. “I’ll help you throw that away.”

“No problem—it wasn’t torn too badly. I can still tape it back together and hang it by my bed to look at while falling asleep.”

Of course, Song Yuqing had no idea what Pei Huai was thinking. He casually handed the torn pieces to Pei Huai and shot a glance at Qi Ran, who was still watching the surveillance footage nearby.

He wasn’t obtrusive, but he was still there. Song Yuqing nodded, satisfied.

Xiao Jinshi finished his drawing, calculating the height based on body proportions.

6’3”. Likely an alpha.

Song Yuqing checked the latest real-time surveillance footage. The person had last been spotted: at the school gate.

Also leaving around the same time was Qi Ran, who had scaled the wall next to the school gate.

Song Yuqing looked up and realized the little brat was no longer in the surveillance room.

Song Yuqing let out a long, exasperated sigh. He knew it would come to this.

88: “…”

You little brat, you’re going to be the death of your old man.

Song Yuqing turned and left without another word. Pei Huai, knowing exactly what Song Yuqing was about to do, immediately followed.

He was both jealous and resentful—jealous that Qi Ran kept capturing Song Yuqing’s attention like this, and resentful that Qi Ran always caused trouble that forced Song Yuqing to handle the fallout.

Xiao Jinshi was stunned for a moment, then a faint smile tugged at his lips. Brother.

Brother today felt even more intriguing to him.

Xiao Jinshi also took off after them.

Song Yuqing watched the moving red dot on his phone, calculating the shortest route to intercept the two. He headed straight for the northeast corner of the wall.

He, too, climbed over the wall.

The wind fluttered through Song Yuqing’s school uniform. From atop the wall, Xiao Jinshi watched as Song Yuqing leaped down without hesitation, his silhouette appearing especially slender.

While climbing, a sliver of Song Yuqing’s waist had been exposed—slim, resilient, and pale.

At that moment, Xiao Jinshi thought Song Yuqing looked like a butterfly.

Falling to the ground in an instant, only to take flight again just as gracefully.

Meanwhile,

In a dark alley, Qi Ran, his face shadowed with gloom, had slammed the alpha who had been stalking Song Yuqing to the ground and was beating him relentlessly.

The alpha, wearing a black cap and mask, was wide-eyed with fear as he scrambled backward, trying to escape. The young man before him seemed like a demon risen from hell, striking without restraint, as if intent on killing him.

“*What* are you doing?” the alpha rasped.

The narrow alley was illuminated only by the bright moonlight, casting elongated shadows on the ground. In such a confined space, every sound was amplified. Qi Ran held a knife, its blade glinting coldly under the pale light.

Heavy breathing was gradually drowned out by approaching footsteps.

“You dare to lust after him? You deserve to die.” Qi Ran’s hair fell over his brows, making him appear even more sinister and terrifying.

How dare he? How dare he send those things to Song Yuqing? How dare he soil Song Yuqing’s personal belongings?

Didn’t he deserve to die?

Just as the blade was about to plunge into the alpha’s abdomen, frantic footsteps drew closer. Song Yuqing’s breathing was a little uneven.

“Qi Ran.”

Qi Ran clearly hadn’t expected Song Yuqing to find him so quickly. He had intended to kill this alpha who dared to desire Song Yuqing.

Snapping back to reality, Qi Ran grabbed the alpha’s hands and forced the knife into his own abdomen.

Warm blood spurted out instantly. The moment Song Yuqing entered the alley, he saw Qi Ran apparently stabbed by the alpha.

Song Yuqing’s expression turned icy as he immediately seized the alpha.

The alpha’s eyes lit up with excitement the moment he saw Song Yuqing, showing no trace of the confusion he’d felt facing Qi Ran’s bizarre actions.

Song Yuqing swiftly dislocated the alpha’s shoulder and coldly broke two of his ribs with a kick, yet the alpha was still turned on.

“*So* good at fighting?”

Another punch landed on his face.

He spat blood, but he still looked up at Song Yuqing. “Did you get so angry after receiving those things?”

When Xiao Jinshi arrived, he was met with this scene. The damp, moss-covered walls intensified the visual impact. Song Yuqing’s breathing had grown slightly heavy from the exertion, carrying a light, breathy sound.

This slender, beautiful beta showed no mercy in his strikes, each blow delivered with the intent to cripple.

Xiao Jinshi felt no fear—only excitement. In such an alley, the stretched senses transformed violence into something beyond mere brutality, evoking a startling, haunting beauty.

Every movement was exquisite, each step resonating along Xiao Jinshi’s nerves, sending tremors through his body.

He replayed the scene in his mind, especially the image of the beta’s long, pale fingers, blood slowly dripping from his knuckles.

Drip.

A drop fell onto the moss growing on the stone slabs of the alley, soaked in, and vanished.

The alpha had been beaten to the point of completely losing mobility, no longer a threat to anyone. Only then did Song Yuqing go to check on Qi Ran. Seeing that Qi Ran's clothes were intact, with no signs of being violently torn, Song Yuqing relaxed slightly. But then he noticed the knife stuck in Qi Ran's abdomen.

Song Yuqing's gaze turned icy.

Qi Ran weakly called out, "Dad."

The alpha sounded like he'd been wronged, pitifully calling out to him.

Song Yuqing gave Qi Ran a cold glance. "Have you had enough of this drama?"

The knife Qi Ran had used to peel an apple for him was now lodged in Qi Ran's own abdomen. Did the pervert steal the knife just to stab Qi Ran?

Qi Ran stiffened. "I... I..."

Pei Huai and Xiao Jinshi had been standing by the whole time without stepping in to help. Pei Huai knew Song Yuqing could handle it himself and didn't intervene, while Xiao Jinshi was simply appreciating the violent artistry of Song Yuqing's fighting.

Qi Ran hung his head, his eyes reddening. "I... I was wrong."

"But the way he treated you—I couldn't bear it. Even if he were caught red-handed, he wouldn't face any serious punishment."

"He'd have to nearly kill me to... be convicted."

"Dad, don’t worry, I called the police."

In truth, he wanted to kill him outright.

Xiao Jinshi chuckled, his tone mocking. "You’re utterly useless. What good will calling the police do?"

In his opinion, it would be more straightforward to take the alpha back to the Xiao family, kill him, and preserve him in formaldehyde.

"Such a lack of foresight. Then again, Qi Zhengqing never taught you these things."

Xiao Jinshi's tone was sarcastic.

Song Yuqing: "..."

A bunch of outlaws.

But Song Yuqing had nothing to say. In this society, these upper-class people had always been this audacious and unafraid.

Unless the parliament caught them in a mistake and genuinely wanted to target one of their families, otherwise, no matter how rampant they were, it was just an extension of their inherent privilege.

Because Qi Ran had called the police, the stalker alpha was arrested. Earlier, surveillance footage showed the alpha had disguised himself, looking plain and ordinary. It was only in prison that he revealed his true face—a rather handsome one.

The fluid tests didn’t yield a match because this alpha was from the Fifth District, where information wasn't fully recorded. However, the alpha didn’t deny what he had done. The only point he contested was that he hadn’t lured Qi Ran into the alley to ambush him; instead, he claimed Qi Ran had tried to kill him.

But due to the influence of these powerful figures, and the absence of knife wounds on the alpha, the final ruling was that the alpha had attempted to murder the student.

Song Yuqing still felt something wasn’t quite right.

Suddenly, Song Yuqing's phone rang.

Song Yuqing looked down.

.: "Sweetheart, you’re amazing. You caught the nasty rat