Chapter 38: Come Here

Chapter 38: Come Here

Everyone turned to look, only to see Song Yuqing still in the cotton pajamas from last night, the collar slightly askew.

His strikingly beautiful face was ashen, his breathing shallow and uneven, radiating an air of fragile vulnerability.

Song Yuqing’s cool gaze swept over the crowd, and silence fell.

Regardless of the alphas' intentions, they now feared upsetting Song Yuqing and hindering his recovery.

Qi Zhengqing said, "Go back to rest for a bit."

Song Yuqing replied, "No need."

Qi Zhengqing said, "I'll call the doctor to check on you again. They can wait in the reception room."

Song Yuqing nodded.

After spending yesterday together, Song Yuqing held no strong opinions about Qi Zhengqing. Both were adults, and their straightforward interactions left little room for overthinking.

System 88: "..."

How did you put yourself on the same adult footing as Qi Zhengqing? 88 still felt that despite being an adult, Song Yuqing retained a certain naiveté.

Qi Zhengqing cast a downward glance. The quiet, seemingly composed beta lowered his head slightly. Watching Song Yuqing maintain his pale, composed expression, Qi Zhengqing's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Was Song Yuqing trying to act like an adult?

Previously, his understanding of Song Yuqing was of an aloof, beautiful beta who took what he wanted.

But now, after their limited interactions, Qi Zhengqing had begun to understand Song Yuqing a little better.

He wouldn't be taken advantage of; he demanded equal standing and dialogue.

If you underestimated him, Song Yuqing would make sure you learned the consequences.

There was still a touch of childishness to him.

Pei Huai followed closely behind Song Yuqing, his heart inexplicably aching, especially at the sight of Song Yuqing's weakened state.

Song Yuqing didn't stop Pei Huai from following him until they reached the window.

Unable to resist, Pei Huai yearned to embrace Song Yuqing. The thought became action.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Before Song Yuqing could scold him, what was Pei Huai doing?

Before Song Yuqing could speak, the alpha's tears, large as beans, fell, dampening Song Yuqing's neck. He asked, his voice laced with concern, "Does it hurt terribly?"

Completely enveloped in the alpha's embrace, Song Yuqing's spine tingled from the scorching heat. "Let me go."

"You're too hot," Song Yuqing said, his tone flat, merely stating, "I'm uncomfortable."

At this, Pei Huai quickly released Song Yuqing, though his eyes remained red-rimmed as he stared. "I'm sorry, I..."

"I'm so sorry. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been bullied by that bastard."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing looked at Pei Huai in confusion, not quite grasping what he had supposedly done for Pei Huai.

"Did he really hurt you?"

Song Yuqing remained silent, simply watching Pei Huai, listening to his rambling.

"He's an absolute animal! How could he do such a thing while you're sick?"

But after Pei Huai ranted about Qi Zhengqing for a long time without hitting the mark, Song Yuqing interrupted him, "What exactly did Qi Zhengqing do? Why are you calling him an animal?"

Song Yuqing leaned against the windowsill. Illness seemed to drain all his strength, and finding this support made him feel slightly more comfortable.

Qi Zhengqing approached from the corridor. The Qi family estate's layout allowed access everywhere; one could go down from the left and come up from the right to reach the same destination.

Qi Zhengqing waved off the doctor behind him, who retreated a considerable distance.

Qi Zhengqing stood at the corner, listening to their conversation. He was no perfect gentleman.

Qi Zhengqing twirled the ring on his finger, recalling Song Yuqing's previous defense of Pei Huai, admitting Pei Huai was his "outside dog" and that Qi Zhengqing had no right to interfere.

"Isn't he an animal? You're still sick, and he forced himself on you." Pei Huai's voice suddenly rose, trembling with overwhelming emotion.

Song Yuqing’s expression went blank for a moment.

Qi Zhengqing’s hand, twisting the ring, also paused.

Song Yuqing beckoned to Pei Huai, "Come here."

The previously furious Pei Huai, hearing Song Yuqing's invitation, eagerly approached, only to be slapped by Song Yuqing.

"You're like a mad dog."

Too ill to put much force into the slap, and with his voice too low, it sounded less like an insult and more like flirting.

Pei Huai's heart ached again. In the past, Song Yuqing's blows truly hurt; this was different.

"Qi Zhengqing and I didn't do anything. Even if we did, it's none of your business."

"Have you forgotten what I said last time?" Song Yuqing's tone was faint.

The young man's eyelashes lowered slightly, too indifferent to observe Pei Huai's reaction, thus missing the fleeting joy in Pei Huai's eyes.

"You told me not to provoke Qi Zhengqing, that he's your husband, and not to flaunt myself in front of him."

Song Yuqing: "?"

It sounded like what he meant, yet not quite.

Song Yuqing: "What I meant was, he and I are a married couple. Whatever happens between us is normal, do you understand?"

Qi Zhengqing lifted his gaze, looking toward the painting at the end of the corridor. Were they a married couple? Was everything between them normal?

Pei Huai's heart filled with bitterness. He lowered his head and admitted his mistake, "I understand. I was wrong. I was impulsive today."

"Don't be angry."

Anger was detrimental to Song Yuqing's health.

Normally, he would relish Song Yuqing's anger, even a slap across the face.

But now, he prioritized Song Yuqing's recovery.

Song Yuqing wasn't truly angry; at most, he was initially puzzled, then utterly bewildered. The slap to Pei Huai was merely to convey his stance.

Perhaps, to Qi Zhengqing, he was an excellent shield.

Similarly, Qi Zhengqing was a useful shield for him. Whatever he did, he could invoke Qi Zhengqing's name. Even if he kept "dogs," he wouldn't need many excuses for why things never went further.

Song Yuqing: "Fa Fa, I'm such a scumbag."

88: "..."

He had a conscience, but he still deceived, coaxed, and confused people when necessary.

Qi Zhengqing waved to the doctor behind him, signaling that he could approach.

Qi Zhengqing's sudden appearance clearly surprised both Pei Huai and Song Yuqing. However, Song Yuqing showed little reaction, while Pei Huai clenched his fists, struggling to restrain himself from confronting Qi Zhengqing again.

Qi Zhengqing walked to Song Yuqing's side, bent down, and lifted him with one arm, using his other hand to feel Song Yuqing's forehead.

"You still have a slight fever. I'll carry you back to your room."

Song Yuqing pinched Qi Zhengqing, his gaze coolly sweeping over Qi Zhengqing, then past Pei Huai.

The moment their eyes met, Pei Huai was again stung by the coldness in Song Yuqing's gaze. What hurt even more was that Song Yuqing didn't refuse Qi Zhengqing's embrace.

After they had walked a short distance, Song Yuqing spoke coldly, "Put me down."

Qi Zhengqing continued walking, holding the light figure in his arms, and replied calmly, "Didn't you say that between husbands, anything is acceptable?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

Qi Zhengqing wasn't a decent person either.

Decent people don't eavesdrop.

"I'll carry you back and help you decide which of the 'dogs' you keep outside is more worth keeping."

"That way, after I die, you'll have more options, won't you?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing was too tired to move or explain to Qi Zhengqing that he was merely using them. Given their superficial relationship, excessive explanations were unnecessary.

Song Yuqing: "You're right. After you die, I'll take the 'dog' you choose to cry at your graveside. Which one do you like? How about Pei Huai?"

Qi Zhengqing first carried Song Yuqing back to the room and casually shut the doctor out.

Doctor: "..."

"Mmm…" Song Yuqing fell onto the bed, still a bit disoriented. He tilted his head slightly to look at Qi Zhengqing, an action that revealed the beta’s beautiful, delicate features. Strands of hair fell beside his face, and the alpha's fingers brushed them back, staring at the beta on the bed. The dark duvet made Song Yuqing's skin appear even fairer, like a drift of snow on the soft bed.

The alpha, still in his suit, knelt between the beautiful young man's legs, leaned down, and asked Song Yuqing, "Is Pei Huai the most obedient 'dog' you've raised?"

The alpha's hand gripped Song Yuqing's slender waist, and Song Yuqing breathed lightly, coughing hard enough to make his chest heave.

The alpha's gaze drifted downward, lingering on the delicate curve of his waist, trembling slightly from the cough, his eyes darkening.

After the coughing subsided, Song Yuqing spoke, "What's wrong? Don't you like the ones I've trained? Do you think he's unworthy to take your place after you die?"

The young man's eyes held a faint smile, but it seemed more like a provocation.

As if to tell him that even as his husband, he had no control over him.

"I actually think he's quite good."

Words meant to infuriate—most alphas would be enraged by such remarks from their partners.

Qi Zhengqing reached out to touch Song Yuqing's face. The stark contrast in their skin tones made Song Yuqing appear even more snow-white, as if touching him would taint him. "Then I suppose I should thank them for taking care of my partner."

Song Yuqing grew tired and pushed Qi Zhengqing away, reversing their positions and sitting on top of him. The young man sat boldly on the alpha's waist, without a care. Qi Zhengqing narrowed his eyes, watching Song Yuqing's every move.

Song Yuqing grabbed Qi Zhengqing's tie, the tightness constricting his neck and cutting off his air. Yet, Qi Zhengqing remained motionless, his eyes following Song Yuqing's actions, allowing him to do as he pleased.

"Fine, go thank them then."

His voice was faint, tinged with weariness, indifferent and casual.

Yet it was strangely alluring.

Song Yuqing climbed off Qi Zhengqing, ignoring him entirely as he pulled up the covers and went to sleep, seemingly forgetting that his husband was still lying on the bed.

Song Yuqing's earlier words sounded exactly like those of a flighty beta, taking advantage of the fact that he couldn't be permanently marked by an alpha.

Qi Zhengqing stood up, his veins standing out as he adjusted the tie Song Yuqing had pulled. His fingers brushed lightly over the spot Song Yuqing had touched.

Song Yuqing glanced coolly at Qi Zhengqing's actions and silently judged him: poser, wearing a suit and tie even at home.

88: "..."

Qingqing, open your eyes and look—he took care of you all night and hasn't even had time to change his clothes.

Wasting charm on someone who doesn't appreciate it.

Qi Zhengqing left the room and called the doctor in.

After examining Song Yuqing, the doctor came out. "Mr. Song still has a slight fever. Some medicine and plenty of rest will help him recover."

The doctor then glanced cautiously at Qi Zhengqing and, seeing no change in his expression, added, "However, Mr. Song is a bit malnourished. It would be best to maintain a balanced diet."

As Qi Zhengqing listened to the results, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth "dogs" arrived.

Qi Zhengqing cast a cold glance at them, recalling Song Yuqing's earlier words about thanking these "dogs." His gaze grew icy.

Qi Zhengqing: "Have some nutritional supplements prepared suited to his condition. He doesn't like eating much."

The doctor finally understood why the examination showed long-term malnutrition—it was due to picky eating. He had initially suspected Qi Zhengqing of mistreating his spouse.

Clarifying this, the doctor added, "Does Mr. Song have any preferred flavors? We can adjust the supplements accordingly."

Before Qi Zhengqing could respond, Qi Ran spoke up, "Apples."

Qi Zhengqing's gaze immediately shifted to him. Qi Ran ignored it and said, "Little Dad likes apples. Since Father is often away and doesn't care about Little Dad's preferences, you might not know."

Qi Zhengqing: "You remember your Little Dad's preferences quite well."

Qi Ran said calmly, "It's only natural."

Of course, he should remember the matters concerning Little Dad clearly.

The doctor: "..."

The doctor: "Mr. Qi, I will go prepare the nutritional supplements now. They will likely be divided into three phases: one for Mr. Song during his illness, one for his recovery period, and one for his long-term needs afterward."

Qi Zhengqing gave a slight nod to indicate he understood.

"Mr. Qi, you cannot indulge Mr. Song's misbehavior. Mr. Song's constitution is very frail, and you must not use spiritual pressure on him either..."

The doctor was sweating profusely as he spoke. Seriously, using spiritual pressure on a beta—if that isn't domestic abuse, then what is?

Pei Huai was a bit flustered. "Is that not allowed? Isn't that just sparring?"

Only then did the doctor notice the alpha he had just seen on the roadside. What the hell? Wasn't it Mr. Qi who used spiritual pressure on Mr. Song?

The doctor also fell silent. "...Sparring is possible, but be mindful of the intensity."

"Mm." Qi Zhengqing called for the butler and instructed him to go with the doctor to fetch the medicine.

Qi Zhengqing turned to enter the room. The alphas simultaneously stepped forward to follow but were all stopped by Qi Zhengqing outside.

"Get out. He needs rest. Butler, please see these gentlemen out as well." With Song Yuqing not present, Qi Zhengqing unceremoniously told these nuisances to scram.

Xiao Jinshi sneered. He really thinks of himself as Song Yuqing's husband. Song Yuqing gave him a little kindness, and Qi Zhengqing is already overstepping.

Fifth District Mining Area.

The mining area of the Fifth District could be considered a small-scale town, inhabited by a group of mining workers from the Fifth District. The living conditions of these miners were considerably better than those of the residents outside the mining area.

Although they were engaged in the most exhausting and arduous work, at least their daily necessities weren't so scarce, unlike other parts of the Fifth District, which were filled with violence, bloodshed, hunger, and death.

Outside the mine shaft, an alpha dangled a cigarette in his mouth as he scooped water to wash his hands.

Suddenly, someone patted him on the back. "Weren't you supposed to leave yesterday? Why are you still here?"

"My computer broke, and my phone broke too. I can't leave for now," the alpha replied calmly.

His mind, however, was filled with the image of that delicate, slender figure. Song Yuqing certainly didn't hold back—the first proactive response he gave was a virus. An utterly blatant virus. Song Yuqing knew that, given his nature, he would open it.

All the data on his computer had been hacked, his computer was frozen, and his pledge had been utterly destroyed by Song Yuqing.

Now, penniless, he could only continue working in the mines, saving up to buy a new computer and phone, and prepare his pledge all over again. His departure from the Fifth District would have to be postponed once more.

The alpha suddenly laughed at the thought. Quite an impressive beta.

Really, looking forward to meeting Song Yuqing again next time.

Qi Zhengqing changed his clothes and wrapped Song Yuqing in his arms. Initially, he thought he wouldn't be able to sleep, but as he breathed in the cold fragrance from Song Yuqing, drowsiness grew heavier.

Song Yuqing woke up to a dimly lit room, with only faint, swaying shadows of light.

In the gloom, he could only make out the outlines of people. As he turned, he came face to face with Qi Zhengqing. Qi Zhengqing's features were strikingly aggressive—a tall, straight nose and a sharp jawline.

Song Yuqing stared for two seconds. "The dog alpha is asleep. I thought he was something special."

88: "..."

"How about I kick him awake?"

88: "..."

My advice is don't. If you kick him awake, he might just kiss you.

The alpha's large hand tightened around Song Yuqing's waist, pulling him closer. His eyes remained closed as his hand moved to feel Song Yuqing's forehead. Seeming to confirm that Song Yuqing no longer had a fever, he absently stroked Song Yuqing's cheek with his thumb.

"Sleep properly. You're like a wriggly worm."

Always moving.

Song Yuqing: "..."

"Fa Fa, he called me a wriggly worm."

88 pulled up the footage of Song Yuqing sleeping earlier and said indignantly, "How is that a wriggly worm? It's clearly a squirming kitten."

Song Yuqing had no idea how adorable he was when he unconsciously nuzzled the blanket with his face—his eyelashes drooping, not speaking or cursing, only occasionally pushing the covers aside when he felt too warm and uncomfortable.

It made people forget how much his slaps hurt.

So adorable it could make one broody—enough to make one want to be his mother.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Thank you, but no.

In reality, 88 didn't think Song Yuqing was wriggling. Song Yuqing was very well-behaved. It was probably that dog alpha Qi Zhengqing's problem—every little move Song Yuqing made, Qi Zhengqing thought he was being restless and not sleeping properly.

Song Yuqing still couldn't resist and kicked out.

Qi Zhengqing reacted quickly, catching Song Yuqing's ankle in an instant, his thumb instinctively stroking the delicate bone.

Song Yuqing, defiant, kicked at Qi Zhengqing again. This time, caught off guard, Qi Zhengqing was struck.

Song Yuqing really knew how to deliver a critical hit.

Qi Zhengqing rubbed his temples. Really... only when asleep is he quiet. Song Yuqing slapped Qi Zhengqing on the face.

Qi Zhengqing turned his head, suddenly meeting Song Yuqing's gaze. Song Yuqing glanced at him coolly, showing not a hint of guilt for what he'd done.

Completely unbothered.

Qi Zhengqing tilted his head. Neither of them noticed how close they were, their breaths mingling, the scent of dark ebony entwining with Song Yuqing's unique cold fragrance.

It felt somewhat too intimate.

Especially when Song Yuqing leaned in closer, Qi Zhengqing's eyes darkened.

He could clearly see the slight tremble at the corner of Song Yuqing's eyes. Then he heard Song Yuqing ask, "Did you say thank you to my dogs?"

Author's Note:

Song Qingqing: Tell the dogs at home that I like the dogs outside, and tell the dogs outside that I like the dogs at home. That way, I don't have to take responsibility for any of them.

The dogs: ...