Chapter 54: Being a Mistress is Immoral

Chapter 54: Being a Third Party Is Immoral

T-T: "Tie's dirty. Send it for cleaning."

Qi Zhengqing: ……

Qi Zhengqing: "You make a valid point."

Qi Zhengqing: "The lab has been approved and will begin construction soon. Just keeping you updated on the progress."

T-T: "Mm, got it. I’m going to run experiments now."

The light on the phone gradually dimmed, indicating an even colder and more distant atmosphere than before.

Song Yuqing had never acted this way toward him in the past.

He wasn’t sure if Song Yuqing had remembered something, but he knew Song Yuqing was very sensitive about this issue.

Thirty seconds after ending the conversation with Qi Zhengqing, Song Yuqing felt dazed and confused. While installing a component, he even ruined one part.

Ye Siling had been keeping an eye on Song Yuqing's hands. After reading the message, Song Yuqing seemed distracted, and Ye Siling noticed his hand nearly scrape against the sharp corner of the component.

The Alpha quickly grabbed Song Yuqing’s wrist. Song Yuqing instinctively jerked his hand away, causing Ye Siling’s hand to scrape against the sharp corner instead. The corner cut a long, bleeding gash across his skin, with flesh torn open and blood streaming out.

Only then did Song Yuqing suddenly come to his senses.

Ye Siling watched the arc of Song Yuqing’s hand as he pulled away, feeling somewhat bitter.

Song Yuqing hated his touch, yet Qi Zhengqing could touch him freely—even Pei Huai could.

Ye Siling composed himself. "I’ll go take care of this."

His gaze lingered on Song Yuqing’s hands. "Stop working. You’re not focused today. Don’t hurt yourself."

Song Yuqing knew his reaction had been too intense, but his mind was still filled with the scenarios 88 had described.

He took a deep breath. At most, he could only ask Qi Zhengqing for help.

He tried to make himself accept it but still couldn’t. He wasn’t sure whether it was the excessive intimacy with Qi Zhengqing or the specific circumstances that bothered him.

Perhaps it was both.

Given how everyone remained silent, it was likely he had been the one to initiate it. He couldn’t blame Qi Zhengqing.

The thought of what might have happened made Song Yuqing gasp.

Something like that must not happen again.

He needed to keep his distance from Qi Zhengqing.

Ye Siling had a first aid kit nearby. After cleaning the wound with alcohol, he lowered his eyes, biting one end of the bandage as he wrapped it around the injury.

It was impossible not to feel disappointed. He knew he shouldn’t—shouldn’t have feelings for Song Yuqing. He also knew Song Yuqing’s behavior toward him was perfectly normal.

But he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

His hand had been injured, yet Song Yuqing hadn’t shown any concern or even asked about it.

The difference between liking and not liking someone was truly obvious. How he envied Pei Huai, who could boldly remain by Song Yuqing’s side.

He should keep his distance from Song Yuqing and interact with him only as a normal senior and junior lab mate.

As Ye Siling was deep in thought, a pale, slender finger appeared in his line of sight.

Startled, he looked up, the bandage still clenched between his teeth. The youth's complexion was pale, his dark eyelashes slightly lowered, appearing calm and detached.

The youth lifted his gaze slightly. "Let go. I’ll bandage it for you."

Those simple words made Ye Siling’s heart that had sunk begin to beat again.

Song Yuqing: "Sorry."

Ye Siling also lowered his head to look at Song Yuqing, who was bandaging him. Hearing the apology, he averted his gaze momentarily. "There’s no need to apologize."

"We’re both the teacher’s students. Helping each other is only natural."

"You’ve helped me many times too."

Song Yuqing had often held his hand to keep him focused.

Ye Siling: "Are you upset? Did Qi Zhengqing bully you again?"

He asked casually, "Didn’t Pei Huai say anything?"

Song Yuqing thought it was ridiculous. "Why would Pei Huai need to say anything? What happens between Qi Zhengqing and me has nothing to do with Pei Huai."

Pei Huai is your third party.

How could he stay silent when you’re having conflicts with Qi Zhengqing?

Shouldn’t Pei Huai stand up for Song Yuqing and take his side?

But Ye Siling didn’t voice these thoughts.

After tying the bandage, Song Yuqing fastened it into a bow. "All done. Keep it dry for the next couple of days. Ask your roommate to help you with the bandage."

Ye Siling stared intently at Song Yuqing, only looking away when Song Yuqing raised his head. He brought up casually, "My relationship with my roommates isn’t great. They won’t help me."

Song Yuqing: " ……"

"Shixiong, can I ask for your help?"

Song Yuqing reminded him disapprovingly, "I’m the senior here."

"You’re the junior here."

Ye Siling looked directly at Song Yuqing, his gaze unwavering, waiting expectantly for a response. "Will you help me?"

Song Yuqing nodded. "Come to the lab tomorrow. I’ll change it for you."

Ye Siling couldn’t help but smile. All those thoughts about keeping his distance from Song Yuqing or Song Yuqing not caring about him were just his own overthinking.

Since Qi Zhengqing and Pei Huai were ineffective, it was only natural for him to look after his junior.

Before Qi Zhengqing got off work, he received another anonymous communication.

"If you can’t handle being his husband, make way early. Don’t distract Song Yuqing. Do you know he almost hurt his hand today? Don’t be so selfish. Know when to let go. You clearly can’t care for him properly."

Qi Zhengqing read the message word by word.

The assistant entered, "Mr. Qi, it's time to leave."

Qi Zhengqing: "Got it."

Qi Zhengqing picked up the tie from the desk—the one Song Yuqing had chosen for him that morning—which now had an intentional coffee stain. He had originally intended to use the tie as a conversation starter with Song Yuqing, hoping to lay some emotional groundwork before Song Yuqing remembered, making it easier for him to accept.

Now, however, it seemed unnecessary.

Qi Zhengqing carefully folded the tie and put it away.

Professor Lin offered Song Yuqing an invitation to participate in a robotics competition in Srilan Continent. Such continental competitions could significantly boost one's chances for university admissions. While Song Yuqing might not need such an advantage to secure admission to Central University, as Professor Lin pointed out, it was important to avoid isolated work and to observe others' methods and perspectives.

Srilan Continent's high-tech industry is highly developed, and their competitions reflect their emphasis on valuing strength and power. The event features one-on-one robot battles to determine the winner, with other criteria also considered, though battle performance remains the primary focus.

Professor Lin showed Song Yuqing and Ye Siling robots from past competitions and shared information about the region.

"New Continent's technology is no match for Srilan Continent's. In recent years, New Continent has focused on pheromone research and lifespan extension."

"But in Srilan Continent, their alphas are always prepared to sacrifice, to fight, and to illuminate the entire continent with their lives."

"They are practically military fanatics. Their alphas have shorter lifespans compared to those in New Continent. They long ago proposed maximizing the value of an alpha's life through the integration of machinery and alphas..."

Professor Lin paused on one page. "Qingqing, look at this. This robot shares a similar concept to your idea—it also attempts to use mental energy to control the robot and execute simple commands."

"However, it suddenly malfunctioned during the competition, was overturned and crushed in the first round, and the alpha controlling it suffered backlash. It was considered a failure, leading many with similar ideas to abandon the concept."

Humanity has always been full of imagination and vitality.

Song Yuqing's eyes shone as he gazed at the crushed robot, not seeing it as a failure but rather as a major leap in human history.

Ye Siling glanced down at Song Yuqing, observing the light in his eyes.

Ye Siling made his decision. "Qingqing, let's work on this project together, okay?"

If they succeeded and won an award in Srilan Continent, both Ye Siling and Song Yuqing would have a major continental competition achievement, aiding their university admissions. Conversely, if they failed, Ye Siling, having paused his own project to help, would lose more than he gained, potentially delaying his academic progress.

Song Yuqing: "Are you sure?"

Ye Siling: "I'm sure. I also want to see and try. Without challenges, there's no point in doing it. What do you think?"

Song Yuqing smiled. "I think so too."

"We won't return empty-handed," Song Yuqing said with certainty.

Ye Siling met his gaze and smiled back. Song Yuqing had always been like this—confident in his abilities.

Unlike the arrogance brought by aristocratic alpha status or innate talent, Song Yuqing believed in his capabilities and would give his all to achieve them.

Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, Professor Lin continued, "However, you still need to find a highly capable alpha with strong mental energy to make controlling the robot easier."

Song Yuqing: "Yeah, I'll look for one."

In reality, Ye Siling's mental capacity wasn't weak either—he could manage it. But since he was already doing it, Song Yuqing intended to perfect every detail.

A result where one plus one is greater than two was exactly what he aimed for.

After the meeting, Ye Siling and Song Yuqing both went to prepare. Professor Lin leaned back leisurely, looking perfectly relaxed.

Suddenly, another old professor bumped his shoulder. The man stared at Professor Lin, "So you just poached Song Yuqing like that? What about my experiment? Is it not going to happen anymore?"

Professor Lin: "..."

"It is, it is," Professor Lin's voice trailed off. "Once he gets tired of working on the robot, he'll go back to your experiment."

Professor Fu: "...Say that again while looking me in the eyes."

He had finally managed to recruit an exceptional student, yet Professor Lin and that blasted student council kept fighting him for Song Yuqing's time.

Professor Lin cleared his throat lightly, "Don't worry, Qingqing can handle it. He can manage everything."

Who in their right mind packs projects so tightly? Changing mentors had already delayed progress, and now Professor Lin was sending Song Yuqing off to compete. He didn't believe Song Yuqing could finish everything.

As soon as Professor Lin finished speaking, Professor Fu received a progress report from Song Yuqing. Professor Fu: "..."

What a natural-born research machine.

After reading Song Yuqing's progress report, the wrinkles on Professor Fu's old face practically smoothed out—the progress was back on track.

But when he turned to Professor Lin, he snorted coldly, "Go easy on him. If you exhaust Qingqing, I'll scratch up your old face."

Professor Lin covered his wrinkled face—he couldn't afford to get scratched up. His skin might be a bit thick, but it could still get scratched up.

Professor Fu: "But it is necessary to look beyond our borders. The four continents may seem peaceful on the surface, but if that superficial peace is torn apart, another war will break out."

"New Continent's military strength truly can't compare to Sri-Lan Continent's. If Alpha-controlled robots are sent to the battlefield, New Continent would be doomed."

Professor Lin covered his ears and fled, leaving Professor Fu still rambling on about and analyzing the world situation.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ye Siling noticed the contact name on Song Yuqing's phone.

—Professor Fu, the one with the poorly chosen name.

Ye Siling: "Why did you set that as Professor Fu's contact name?"

Song Yuqing said with a pale, straight face, "His name might not have been chosen well—he's still only an associate professor."

After working with Professor Fu for a while, he felt the professor's abilities were beyond expectations.

He shouldn't just be an associate professor.

Ye Siling hesitated, "He likes to analyze the world situation in class instead of teaching the actual course content. He's been reported, and his teaching evaluation is only satisfactory."

Song Yuqing: "..."

He changed the contact name, editing it again.

—Professor Fu, the one who can't stick to the syllabus.

Song Yuqing sought out Pei Huai. Naturally, Pei Huai agreed to come.

Ye Siling, Song Yuqing, and Pei Huai were meeting up, but Song Yuqing hadn’t arrived yet.

As soon as Pei Huai saw Ye Siling, he snorted.

“Isn’t being a homewrecker immoral?”

“Isn’t that Qi Zhengqing’s wife?”

“You’re chasing after a married person—have you no shame?”

Pei Huai gritted his teeth and repeated everything Ye Siling had said to him before.

“I thought you were my bro, and you’re after my wife? Who’s the one without shame here?”

Ye Siling stayed calm. “I didn’t like him because I knew he was Qi Zhengqing’s wife. Don’t put it that way.”

Whether Song Yuqing was Qi Zhengqing’s wife or not, he would have noticed Song Yuqing. Only knowing Song Yuqing was married and still liking him would count as going after someone else's partner. If he didn’t know Song Yuqing had a husband and still liked him, it wasn’t the same. He just liked Song Yuqing, and it just so happened that Song Yuqing had a husband.

“Who are you trying to fool? Everyone knows Victor is married.”

Ye Siling couldn’t be bothered to argue with Pei Huai, this mutt, and he didn’t want Pei Huai to know about Song Yuqing’s secret identity. That was his Song Yuqing alone, not someone’s wife.

Ye Siling sneered, “That’s not your wife—that’s Qi Zhengqing’s wife. You’re the one acting like a self-righteous homewrecker.”

“You’re not even qualified to be one,” Pei Huai shot back.

Song Yuqing: “What are you two talking about?”

The two instantly fell silent. Ye Siling said, “Nothing, just that my hand hurts. I haven’t changed the bandage today.”

Song Yuqing glanced at Ye Siling’s hand. It had been several days; it should have healed by now, but every time the bandage was removed, it was still bleeding.

Song Yuqing: “Let me see.”

Ye Siling held out his hand for Song Yuqing to examine. As Song Yuqing leaned in to look, Pei Huai got jealous again. “My hand hurts too. Look at mine as well.”

Then Song Yuqing playfully smacked Pei Huai’s palm. “Stop fooling around. Don't be a dog.”

After being smacked, Pei Huai actually grinned, especially since Song Yuqing only glared at him and spoke only to him. “I am a dog—I’m your dog, babe.”

Song Yuqing: “…”

Pei Huai sat on a nearby chair, his eyes shining as he stared at Song Yuqing.

“No need for you to check his hand. If it hasn’t healed after so long, he should see a doctor,” Pei Huai quickly jumped in. “After we finish discussing what needs to be done, I’ll take Ye Siling to the hospital myself.”

Pei Huai emphasized the word “personally.”

Ye Siling: “…”

What a jerk.

Song Yuqing: “Alright, that injury really should be properly examined.”

Song Yuqing still planned to use the octopus idea. He wasn’t planning to build a large, powerful robot, but the control challenge of the octopus’s main and secondary brains posed a challenge for him, Ye Siling, and Pei Huai alike.

They also needed to collect Pei Huai’s mental energy recently to analyze the commands represented by each bit. Sampling would be quite complicated.

After all, mental energy is a weird, almost magical thing—the closest form to thoughts made real. Just collecting it would be difficult, and the workload would be huge, requiring a lot of effort. Fortunately, during their nightly training sessions recently, Song Yuqing had been studying it with Pei Huai, so they had some foundation.

An alpha’s mental energy is inherently a powerful weapon, and linking it with a robot would make it an even greater force.

As an alpha, Pei Huai naturally is into strength and fighting. Hearing Song Yuqing’s idea, he couldn’t help but ask, “Can you make one of those super-large robots? I want to pilot one.”

Song Yuqing: “…”

Song Yuqing: “Not now, but maybe in the future.”

Once the first step is done, the second, third, fourth, and even thousands or billions of steps become possible.

Pei Huai grinned widely.

Song Yuqing was willing to build a robot for him—how could that not count as affection? Had Song Yuqing ever built a robot for Qi Zhengqing?

Ye Siling found the vibe between Pei Huai and Song Yuqing irritating.

Noticing Song Yuqing’s phone light up, he promptly jumped in.

Ye Siling: “Qingqing, your husband seems to have sent you a message.”

Author’s Note:

Daily life of the suit guy.

When there’s no threat from other guys, he sends messages telling Da Qi to split up with Qingqing.

When he sees other rivals getting further ahead, the suit guy: Qingqing, remember you’re married, right?