Chapter 43: Qi Ran, It’s Dark

Chapter 43 Qi Ran, It's Getting Dark

Qi Ran froze, tightly bandaged the wound on his hand, put his clothes back on, turned the water on full blast, splashed his face, and made sure he looked presentable so as not to alarm Song Yuqing. Only then did Qi Ran open the door.

Qi Ran didn’t know why, but the moment he saw Song Yuqing, a wave of grievance and helplessness washed over him.

"Why did you come back?"

Song Yuqing’s gaze swept past Qi Ran and into the bathroom. Finding nothing amiss, his eyes returned to Qi Ran’s face.

That face was pale, with black hair covering his brows and eyes, giving him a somewhat gloomy and somber appearance.

"What were you doing? I smelled blood. Did someone bully you again?"

Qi Ran lowered his head, as if avoiding Song Yuqing’s gaze, yet his peripheral vision greedily lingered on Song Yuqing.

The fingers of his left hand twitched slightly.

"No, no one bullied me. I just had a nosebleed and was cleaning up." As he spoke, Qi Ran pointed to the tip of his nose. "It’s stopped bleeding now."

Song Yuqing still felt that Qi Ran seemed off, but since Qi Ran said so, he couldn’t find any evidence to prove he was lying.

"Are you feeling unwell? Are you sick?" Song Yuqing placed a hand on Qi Ran’s forehead. "Qi Ran, no matter what happens, you should tell me."

"I can help you deal with it."

It wasn’t discomfort or sickness—he just missed Song Yuqing terribly.

Qi Ran’s eyes reddened, not daring to meet Song Yuqing’s gaze. "Xiao Dad, can you hug me?"

"Come here." Song Yuqing spoke to the tall alpha in front of him, his tone somewhat resigned.

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Qi Ran enveloped him in a full embrace. The alpha rested his head on Song Yuqing’s neck, nuzzling against him clingily.

Song Yuqing felt a little ticklish and tilted his head away, but the next second, the alpha leaned in again, nuzzling and pressing closer.

Like a little puppy.

Song Yuqing recalled the first time he found Qi Ran, and the times he came home to find Qi Ran bruised and battered...

Each time, Qi Ran was like a stray puppy, waiting for affection, waiting for someone to take him home.

Song Yuqing didn’t push him away. Instead, he patted Qi Ran’s back and comforted him gently, "Don’t be upset anymore."

"Xiao Dad’s here."

Song Yuqing’s embrace wasn't exactly warm, but being held by him, Qi Ran felt inexplicably at ease. Inhaling the crisp, cold fragrance of Song Yuqing, Qi Ran felt his heart come back to life.

Xiao Dad.

He would behave.

As long as his feelings remained hidden, Xiao Dad wouldn’t despise him and would hold him.

Xiao Dad would always be his Xiao Dad.

The emotions in the alpha’s eyes were obsessive and frenzied, but in the end, they all melted into intense attachment.

His long-suppressed emotions shattered by Song Yuqing’s embrace, only to reignite and grow wildly once more.

"Xiao Dad, let me peel you an apple, okay?" Qi Ran nuzzled Song Yuqing’s neck again.

Song Yuqing: "Mm."

Qi Ran peeled another apple into the shape of a little cat and handed it to Song Yuqing. Watching Song Yuqing take small bites, a faint smile finally touched Qi Ran’s lips.

"I’m going to the lab. If anything comes up, remember to reach out. Don’t overthink things alone."

Before leaving, Song Yuqing instructed the alpha once more.

Qi Ran nodded obediently. "Mm, I’ll look for you, Xiao Dad, as long as you don’t hate me."

Song Yuqing: "I won’t hate you."

As Song Yuqing walked away, he spoke to 88, "Qi Ran’s emotions aren’t quite right."

88: "No, they're not. He’s overly sensitive."

"A character like Qi Ran was originally downtrodden and resigned to his fate. Perhaps because of your arrival, he’s gained a bit of hope for the future."

"It makes sense that he’d be repeatedly overwhelmed by his emotions. He probably thinks everyone hates him."

From others’ disdain for him, it evolved into self-loathing.

Song Yuqing massaged his temples. Qi Ran’s personality was indeed quite extreme, as evidenced by the time he chased after someone just to ensure they got a longer sentence and even stabbed himself in the process.

Song Yuqing didn’t want anything bad to happen to Qi Ran, nor did he want Qi Ran to be consumed by those emotions.

Even if you pick up a stray dog and raise it for a long time, you’ll develop feelings. You’d hope to see the dog wagging its tail and happily running toward you every day, not reopening its wounds until they bleed.

Especially since he’d raised this grown "son" of his for a while.

Others might not know, but Song Yuqing treated Qi Ran like his own son.

Just like how his mother raised him, he was now carefully raising another wounded puppy.

This was Song Yuqing’s way of reenacting his mother’s love, and also a way to prove that his mother had once existed.

88: "Qingqing, snuggle."

88 pressed against Song Yuqing’s palm. Qingqing, don’t be sad.

Song Yuqing stroked 88’s head. "Snuggle."

Song Yuqing turned around and started back. Qi Ran had just stepped out and bumped into Song Yuqing again.

"I’m not going to class today." Song Yuqing said, "I’ll take you..."

Qi Ran’s gaze fixed on Song Yuqing, his eyes reflecting the beta’s slightly cold expression.

Before Song Yuqing could finish, Qi Ran spoke first, "Mm."

Song Yuqing stepped on Qi Ran’s shoulder, grabbed the wall, climbed up, and then reached out a hand to Qi Ran.

Qi Ran was stunned for a moment. He looked up at Song Yuqing’s outstretched hand, then at Song Yuqing’s expressionless face.

"Give me your hand. What are you staring for?"

He extended his right hand and, with Song Yuqing’s help, climbed over the wall.

The two of them moved fast. Right after they hopped the wall, Xiao Jinshi emerged from the corner. Someone happened to be passing by, but Xiao Jinshi didn't look the least bit guilty.

He just said to the person, "Come here, crouch down by the wall."

The student didn't dare say a thing and obediently crouched by the wall, letting Xiao Jinshi use him as a step to climb over.

The student: "..."

So much for reinforcing this wall. Those who wanted to get out would always find a way.

Qi Ran didn't know where Song Yuqing was taking him, but just being with Song Yuqing was enough.

They kept walking, leaving the center of the First District.

It wasn't until they passed a roadside pet shop that Song Yuqing took Qi Ran inside and came out carrying a big bag of dog food.

Qi Ran: "Are we going to feed dogs?"

Song Yuqing: "Yeah."

He often came to this scrap recycling station to look for materials. Once, while passing by, he encountered a little dog—a dirty little thing that rubbed up against his pant leg.

It was looking for a handout.

Every time, it would grab a bite and run off.

After a while, the little dog brought other puppies, likely from the same litter, and they all took a liking to him.

The puppies grew up and learned to find food on their own, but he still occasionally brought them something to eat.

"Are these dogs you raised here?"

Song Yuqing: "No, they raise themselves."

"I just bring them some food occasionally."

The sound of their footsteps faded as they entered the abandoned complex. As if recognizing familiar steps, a bunch of dogs came running up, barking excitedly. Their proud, fluffy coats swayed as they moved.

Tongues lolling, they were clearly thrilled.

They crowded around Song Yuqing, rubbing and nuzzling up to him, actively pushing their heads into his hand, their whole bodies saying, "Pet me, pet me."

Song Yuqing reached down and petted the white dog, a hint of a laugh in his voice, "You're so clingy."

The white dog seemed to take this as praise and got even more clingy, its rough tongue licking the back of his hand.

The coarse tongue tickled Song Yuqing's hand, making his fingertips turn pink. He pushed the big dog's head away, "Enough licking."

Qi Ran watched the smile on Song Yuqing's lips, and the gloom in his eyes lightened a little. Song Yuqing was happy.

That was enough for him.

Song Yuqing grabbed Qi Ran's wrist and put a handful of dog food in his palm, "You feed them."

"Me?" Qi Ran looked down, "They..."

Song Yuqing reached out, palm open toward the big white dog, who wolfed down the food in his hand in a flash, "Like this, Qi Ran."

Qi Ran hesitantly held out his hand. The white dog bared its teeth at Qi Ran, but Song Yuqing gave its ear a pinch, "Be good, Big White. None of that."

Big White lay on the ground, letting out little "aroo" sounds, its eyes fixed on Song Yuqing as if trying to sweet-talk him.

The big-boned dog, usually so majestic and full of energy, now lay obediently at Song Yuqing's feet, acting sweet.

Qi Ran: "They all really like you, Qingqing."

He liked him a lot, too.

The big dogs could openly show their affection for Song Yuqing, but he couldn't.

The smile in Qi Ran's eyes slowly faded into dejection.

Song Yuqing took his hand, guided his wrist, and extended it toward Big White, saying seriously, "Big White, eat."

Finally, Big White ate the dog food from Qi Ran's palm.

"See, Big White likes you too."

Qi Ran looked at Song Yuqing, his eyes held nothing but Song Yuqing. His slightly drooping hair half-covered his face, and the beautiful, aloof little snowman seemed to be melting, surrounded by all the fluff.

To Qi Ran, looking at Song Yuqing was like looking at the whole world.

"Will you like me too, Xiao Dad?" Qi Ran didn't know how he managed to ask that, but after saying it, he suddenly caught himself and hurriedly added, "I mean, like me the way you like the dogs."

If Song Yuqing liked him even half as much as he liked the dogs, that would be enough.

He didn't need more.

Song Yuqing: "I do like you."

"You have to like yourself too, Qi Ran. You need to learn to like yourself, understand?"

Song Yuqing's tone carried a serious note, as if explaining something to a child who didn't understand.

When Qi Ran didn't answer right away, Song Yuqing didn't push it.

Song Yuqing continued feeding the dogs. After a while, he tilted his head and said, "You're also my little dog."

"Xiao Dad likes you too."

The corners of Qi Ran's mouth turned up in a slight smile. He nodded vigorously, then leaned in, he ducked his head and nuzzled against the nape of Song Yuqing's neck like a puppy, "I'm Xiao Dad's little dog."

Qi Ran: "Xiao Dad."

"If I ever do something wrong, will Xiao Dad forgive me?" Qi Ran asked nervously. If one day Song Yuqing discovered his shameful feelings, would he forgive him?

Song Yuqing: "That depends on what you did."

If a child makes a mistake, first, you give them a talking-to, then reason with them.

As long as Qi Ran didn't stray onto the original plot's path, Song Yuqing didn't think he would be too harsh on him.

Qi Ran couldn't even bring himself to look Song Yuqing in the eye as he said this, "Liking someone I'm not supposed to..."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing missed a step on the stairs.

Then, acting like nothing was wrong, he kept going upstairs.

Qi Ran also followed Song Yuqing upstairs. From the rooftop, they could see the ruins of the old city—remnants of past eras buried within the urban landscape, now taken over by resilient life and turned into a new home for a group of stray cats and dogs.

Song Yuqing spent half the day mentally preparing himself: his stepson probably hadn’t been taken advantage of, otherwise his mission would've failed immediately.

Could something like developing feelings for someone else really happen to Qi Ran?

According to the original storyline, Qi Ran would eventually go down a dark path and develop feelings for those who bullied him.

But that was a kind of self-delusion born from hopelessness.

Song Yuqing felt frustrated. "...I knew it. When a child is quiet, they’re definitely up to no good."

And this time, he’d gone and caused major trouble.

88: "..."

Song Yuqing sat on the rooftop, gazing at the distant scenery. "Who do you like?"

Qi Ran didn’t speak, just looked at Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing took a deep breath, sounding defeated. "Do you like an alpha?"

Qi Ran: "No. Not an alpha."

It was a beta.

Not an alpha-alpha relationship.

"You said alpha-alpha relationships aren’t good. I didn’t fall for an alpha."

Song Yuqing’s lingering worry completely vanished. "Then it’s fine. As long as it’s not an alpha, I’ll support who you like."

Qi Ran’s fingers tightened slightly. Support anyone?

He knew Song Yuqing wouldn’t support just anyone, but for now, he wanted to believe that Song Yuqing would support him.

In the original storyline, those who posed a threat to Qi Ran were all alphas. As long as it wasn’t an alpha, Song Yuqing had no objections to who Qi Ran liked.

Puppy love—well, it wasn’t exactly puppy love anymore.

Qi Ran was already an adult, old enough to take responsibility for his actions.

"Is this what’s been bothering you?" Song Yuqing propped himself up on his hands, not looking at Qi Ran but tilting his head up toward the distant sky.

The autumn sky seemed especially high, faded to soft blue at the horizon. The light was gentle, enough to brighten one’s mood.

Qi Ran looked at Song Yuqing. "Mhm."

Song Yuqing: "Mhm."

Great. He’d raised a hopeless romantic. Just perfect.

Song Yuqing didn’t plan to ask anything else. As long as the threats were eliminated, the kid didn’t die under his care, didn’t develop psychological problems, and wasn’t ruined by the original plot...

There was nothing Song Yuqing couldn’t accept.

So what if he was lovesick? Let him be lovesick.

Song Yuqing stayed with Qi Ran a while longer. It was quiet—so quiet that Song Yuqing began to feel drowsy.

Qi Ran: "Are you sleepy? You haven’t been resting well lately."

"Want to lean on me and sleep for a bit?"

Qi Ran spoke with restraint, "If I’m upset, Little Dad can hug me. I can also let Little Dad lean on me to sleep."

Song Yuqing: "Mhm."

Song Yuqing had indeed been quite tired lately. That was why, after resolving Qi Ran’s emotional issues, he hadn’t planned to go back immediately but instead stayed there, lost in thought.

He got tired too. He wanted to rest as well. But most of the time, he couldn’t afford to.

"I’ll sleep for half an hour. Wake me then."

Qi Ran: "Do you have plans today?"

Song Yuqing gave Qi Ran a look like he was an idiot. "No, but if I lean on you the whole time, won’t your arm go numb?"

Qi Ran looked at Song Yuqing with restraint, his tone serious. "It won’t go numb. Just lean on me."

Song Yuqing closed his eyes. "Then wake me whenever your arm goes numb."

The breeze drifted gently, the temperature just right.

Song Yuqing fell asleep quickly. Qi Ran kept his shoulder still. The clouds in the distant sky drifted slowly, and Qi Ran cherished this time together immensely.

He turned his head to look at Song Yuqing countless times. Once, when he turned, his nose almost touched Song Yuqing’s. Qi Ran’s breath hitched. The sleeping Song Yuqing radiated peace in every way—his eyelashes slightly lowered, delicate and beautiful like a china doll, yet with a touch of vulnerability.

Their breath mingled. He could smell the scent on Song Yuqing and feel his warm exhales.

At this moment, he and Song Yuqing were so close—close enough that leaning in just a little would allow him to kiss Song Yuqing’s lightly colored lips.

But Qi Ran didn’t kiss him. Instead, he gently nuzzled against Song Yuqing’s nose with his own prominent one.

In his eyes were uncontainable affection and love.

"Qingqing..."

"The one I like is—"

The rest of his words were carried away by the wind, disappearing completely.

His feelings were too shameful to put into words, and he couldn't speak them aloud.

He would do as Song Yuqing said and learn to love himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to love himself most.

On the opposite rooftop, Xiao Jinshi watched the scene, finding it deeply aggravating. First Qi Zhengqing, now Qi Ran...

This father-son duo really did want to have Song Yuqing to themselves.

What a disgusting bunch.

Soon, Xiao Jinshi regained some composure. It must be Qi Ran’s own shamelessness, sneakily seducing Song Yuqing. There was no way Qi Zhengqing would ever be willing to share Song Yuqing with Qi Ran.

Xiao Jinshi sent Qi Zhengqing the location.

XJS: "Your adopted son's here, holding your wife while she sleeps."

XJS: "This time it's really different. You need to see this for yourself. You're not actually going to trust Song Yuqing over your own son, are you?"

Qi Ran reached out to shield Song Yuqing from the daylight. When Song Yuqing slept fitfully, he would whisper softly, "Qingqing, you... you don't need to be afraid either."

"I'll protect you as well."

Song Yuqing’s lightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, as if soothed by those words.

Qi Ran felt a bittersweet ache in his heart. He was trying to comfort Song Yuqing with the same words Song Yuqing had once used to comfort him.

He just thought that if Song Yuqing knew how to comfort others, surely someone must have comforted him in the same way.

And now, it seemed that was indeed the case.

Even in his sleep, Song Yuqing responded to those words.

Song Yuqing slept for a long time, peacefully, as if he had returned to the home he once shared with his mother. He pushed the door open, and his mother turned to him with a gentle smile.

She shook a little cat-shaped apple at him.

The house was dilapidated and broken-down, and even the apple was rotten and spoiled. But his mother would cut away the bad parts, shaping the spoiled apple into a little cat before handing it to him.

His mother patted his head and said, "Qingqing, eat."

"Qingqing, don’t be afraid. Mom is here. Mom will protect Qingqing."

What followed was chaos and disorder. A woman told him to leave with her, saying it would allow mother to live a better life.

He didn’t go. Instead, he ran back to find his mother, only to discover she had died in their home. In her hand, encased in pale, withered skin, she still clutched the little cat-shaped apple she had made for him.

The apple had oxidized and rotted, permeating the air with the smell of decaying fruit.

The spoiled apple emitted an alcoholic scent, causing brief dizziness... a fleeting numbness that briefly relieved hunger, unlike other rotting foods that evoked nausea.

The dream ended abruptly. Song Yuqing opened his eyes, dazed, and clutched Qi Ran’s hand, which was still shielding him from the light. "Qi Ran, it’s dark," he said.

A tear fell from Song Yuqing’s pale chin.

It landed on Qi Ran’s bandaged wrist, where slight bloodstains showed through.

Author's Note:

Qingqing: I miss Mom.

Da Qi: Baby, don’t cry. How about I build you a lab?

Qi Ran: Little Dad, don’t cry. Should I carve an apple for you?

Pei Huai: How about you hit me instead? Qingqing, hit me, and you won’t feel so bad.

Ye Siling: Qingqing, want to make a robot? I'll make you a mother.

Xiao Jinshi: I-I'll draw your mom for you. Please don’t cry, Qingqing.

Tan Shu: I’ll pluck out my eyes for you to play with. Qingqing, don’t feel so bad.