Chapter 58: Mom is a Feeling

Chapter 58: A Mother's Feeling

Following Song Yuqing’s gaze to Pei Huai, Qi Zhengqing's expression turned cold and grim.

The top-tier alpha’s mental pressure surged once again, forcing Pei Huai to cough up another mouthful of blood. The oppressive force continued to press down, attempting to make him bend over and kneel.

But Pei Huai met Qi Zhengqing’s gaze with defiance, refusing to yield.

It was like a mature wolf king forcefully suppressing a rival coveting his position, while the next-generation wolf king remained arrogant and unyielding.

Only when Qi Zhengqing looked at Song Yuqing did his gloomy expression soften slightly.

Qi Zhengqing remained expressionless as he carefully checked Song Yuqing for any injuries—his fingers, neck, and face. When his thumb brushed over the spot on Song Yuqing’s cheek where the little robot had kissed him, his eyes darkened again.

“I’m fine,” Song Yuqing said, pushing Qi Zhengqing’s hand away.

That lunatic Pei Huai—he’d promised not to cause trouble in front of Qi Zhengqing, yet here he was, clearly stirring up a scene.

When Qi Zhengqing wasn’t around, Pei Huai could keep his composure. But the moment Qi Zhengqing appeared, Pei Huai would completely forget his place, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Song Yuqing averted his gaze, lowered his eyes, and spoke softly, “You don’t need to accompany me to the competition anymore.”

Panic surged in Pei Huai, stronger than when Qi Zhengqing had used his mental pressure to suppress him.

Song Yuqing’s eyes briefly landed on Qi Ran, who, despite being the farthest away, had been the first to reach his side when trouble broke out.

“Qi Ran, come with me to the lab.”

“You’ll go with me instead.”

Switching partners at the last minute meant they’d have to readjust and retrain, but Song Yuqing didn’t hesitate.

After all, he had already mastered the underlying logic of the robot’s design and understood every key point. At most, it would just take a little more time.

He had already invested so much effort. If he didn’t punish Pei Huai now, Pei Huai would only push his luck further. Beating him was useless—Song Yuqing hadn’t wanted to give Pei Huai the cold shoulder, but for Pei Huai, the greatest punishment was exactly that.

Without a word, Qi Ran followed Song Yuqing as they left.

The smile on Pei Huai’s lips froze bit by bit. He chased after them, wanting to explain that he hadn’t meant it.

Qi Ran stepped in front of Song Yuqing, guarding him like a young wolf, his eyes fixed warily on Pei Huai.

“Qingqing, I was wrong. I won’t do it again,” Pei Huai pleaded anxiously. But when he met Song Yuqing’s cold gaze, he realized he had once again forgotten his place and overlooked Song Yuqing’s true nature. Song Yuqing had been too lenient with him lately, so much so that Pei Huai had forgotten what kind of person he really was.

“I won’t do it again. At least let me go with you this time. Qi Ran can’t possibly control it.”

Blood still stained the corner of Pei Huai’s mouth, making him look utterly disheveled.

Pei Huai pointed at the little robot that had followed Song Yuqing out, as if he had found the key to persuading him.

“Only I can do it. If you don’t take me, what if it doesn’t work?”

Qi Ran clenched his fist. “Qingqing, I can do it too.”

Even if he couldn’t, he would train day and night until he could.

“Did you think I had no choice but to rely on you, and that’s why you acted out like this?” Song Yuqing’s eyelashes lowered slightly, his tone unusually calm.

It was even gentle, in a way.

The light from the training field softened Song Yuqing’s silhouette. The tall, elegant young man stood quietly before him, yet Pei Huai felt as though he couldn’t hold onto him.

Pei Huai couldn’t bring himself to smile, nor could he sense any warmth in Song Yuqing’s demeanor.

“Then you’re wrong,” Song Yuqing said, finally looking up at Pei Huai. “I can create a robot for you, and I can also make one suitable for Qi Ran.”

“Whether it’s you or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“I can give it to you, and I can take it back anytime.”

Song Yuqing was talking about the little robot, about that mysterious state of unity between man and machine. But it also sounded as though he was referring to his affection, his preference.

He could give it freely, and he could withdraw it just as easily.

Song Yuqing had never been the one in need in this relationship. It was Pei Huai who needed Song Yuqing, who longed for his love.

Pei Huai’s hands trembled, but Song Yuqing showed no intention of comforting him. Instead, he stepped past Pei Huai.

When Pei Huai reached out to grab him, Song Yuqing avoided his touch.

Once again, Pei Huai felt as if a part of his heart had been hollowed out, lost with Song Yuqing’s departure.

“Reflect on your actions. During this time, don’t come looking for me. I don’t want to have to consider your feelings while focusing on Qi Ran.”

Song Yuqing knew how to strike where it hurt—not only taking back what belonged to him but also pouring all his attention into another alpha.

Even though the little robot had been made for him, Song Yuqing was now giving it to another alpha.

Xiao Jinshi couldn’t resist making a sarcastic remark. “You really know how to ruin things. You’ve squandered all the goodwill.”

Good. This time, he would go with Song Yuqing.

He was no saint—not seizing an opportunity like this would be out of character.

Ye Siling didn’t say a word but had already decided not to pass any messages to Pei Huai during this time or let him cause trouble for Song Yuqing. After all, Pei Huai had been cast into the cold palace by Song Yuqing.

Ye Siling said, “I’ll go find Qingqing.”

Qi Zhengqing didn’t bother with Song Yuqing’s troublemaking “third parties” and left the scene.

A bunch of immature, yet desperate, fools vying for Song Yuqing’s attention.

Still, Song Yuqing had his reasons for keeping them around.

On the way,

“I won’t let you down. Don’t be sad,” Qi Ran struggled to find the right words to comfort Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I know.”

“And I’m not sad.”

Song Yuqing spoke calmly, “In fact, I’m in a pretty good mood. It’s impressive, isn’t it?”

“Its strength doesn’t come from Pei Huai. Any alpha can unleash its potential.”

Song Yuqing tapped the little robot’s head, and its expression instantly changed.

— Wow! (≧▽≦*)o

As if to say Song Yuqing was absolutely right.

It was even more impressive than he had imagined—not only had a creative concept become reality, but he now had another ace up his sleeve.

He thought to himself, Xinzhou's military wouldn't not want such a powerful weapon.

And this technology happened to be controlled solely by him.

In the near future, perhaps right after the competition, he would have a small foothold in Xinzhou.

A small one, yet enough for him to gradually establish himself.

Qi Ran eagerly expressed his sincerity, “Then I’ll work hard to adapt to it and replace Pei Huai.”

Even if he was just Song Yuqing’s backup, even if he was merely a substitute for Pei Huai, it didn’t matter.

“No need,” Song Yuqing replied without overthinking, simply responding to Qi Ran’s words. “I’ll make a new one for you. You’re not a substitute for Pei Huai. Pei Huai is Pei Huai, and you are you.”

Yet, Qi Ran felt a flicker of joy in his heart—he wasn’t Pei Huai’s replacement.

He was just himself, Qi Ran, an Alpha who was also useful to Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing said, “Come back with me to collect data.”

Returning to the lab, Song Yuqing first shut down and locked away the small robot made for Pei Huai before proceeding to collect data from Qi Ran.

Forcing it to work might be possible, but to get the most out of the robot, a custom design was best.

During today’s initial link and training, Song Yuqing had also identified an issue.

It was the final blow Qi Zhengqing had dealt to Pei Huai—an Alpha with a higher psychic ability level could forcibly cut the connection. If Pei Huai were to compete, it might not be a big problem. After all, Pei Huai was only weaker than Qi Zhengqing but still stronger than most other Alphas.

Very few people could suppress Pei Huai in terms of psychic power, but many could suppress Qi Ran.

Here, he needed to add a protective mechanism for Qi Ran.

After collecting the data, Song Yuqing didn't continue with the remaining work, planning to finish tomorrow.

“Are you going home?” Song Yuqing casually asked Qi Ran.

Qi Ran shook his head, “I’m not going back. Qi Zhengqing is waiting for you downstairs. Are you going home today?”

Song Yuqing: “Mm.”

Qi Ran could also sense that the relationship between Song Yuqing and Qi Zhengqing was no longer as distant as before. Qi Ran wanted to go back and intrude too—at least to prevent Qi Zhengqing and Song Yuqing from doing anything.

But he needed to train harder, to help Song Yuqing win this round first. Song Yuqing had worked hard enough; he couldn’t let the competition fail because his own psychic ability was too weak.

Qi Ran: “Xiao Dad, can you hug me? I’m feeling a bit unsure.”

Song Yuqing patted Qi Ran’s head. Qi Ran leaned in like a puppy, wrapping his arms around Song Yuqing’s waist and pressing his face against Song Yuqing’s soft, warm, flat abdomen.

“Xiao Dad, please don’t have a child with Qi Zhengqing, okay?”

Qi Ran was especially attached to this warmth. He selfishly didn’t want anyone else to steal Song Yuqing’s attention, selfishly didn’t want Qi Zhengqing to enter Song Yuqing’s reproductive system.

He hoped Qi Zhengqing would never be able to visit that place in this lifetime.

“I’m scared.”

Song Yuqing: “…”

Qi Ran was also asking for a beating—though worried about being abandoned, he was still asking for it.

Song Yuqing: “I won’t. I can’t.”

It was hard to imagine giving birth. Absolutely not. He was male; he could never give birth in this lifetime.

Qi Ran breathed in Song Yuqing’s scent. Sometimes, he truly felt he was going mad—wishing he were a child born from Song Yuqing’s womb, hoping he and Song Yuqing were related by blood, so he could be the closest person to Song Yuqing.

But at the same time, he also hoped that things would stay as they were. If Qi Zhengqing died, he would still have a chance.

They weren’t related by blood. If Qi Zhengqing died, he could sever ties with the Qi family.

They would no longer be bound by such a relationship, and he would have a legitimate chance to pursue Song Yuqing.

“Xiao Dad, do you like me? I mean, the kind of liking you’d have for a child?”

Having this rare opportunity to be with Song Yuqing, Qi Ran cherished every moment.

“I’ve never had a mother since I was little,” Qi Ran added.

Song Yuqing’s fingers gently brushed Qi Ran’s earlobe. In that moment, they were both people who had lost their mothers—a moment of empathy.

It made Song Yuqing comfort Qi Ran gently, “I like you.”

“Your mother would have liked you too. You’re well-behaved, driven, and different from other Alphas.”

In the quiet night, the glowing fireflies danced in the glass jar, leaving glowing trails. The fireflies had been caught by Pei Huai for Song Yuqing to watch when he was bored. Song Yuqing watched them for a while. Pei Huai was still too impulsive, too impatient, Song Yuqing thought calmly.

“Your mother would have liked you just as I like you.”

Song Yuqing’s voice was clear, carrying an indescribable tenderness.

It greatly amplified the Alpha’s longing for love, creating an illusion of being loved.

Qi Ran lowered his head, his nose lightly nuzzling the soft flesh of Song Yuqing’s abdomen. Song Yuqing’s school uniform got wrinkled under Qi Ran’s nuzzling. “Xiao Dad, I like you too.”

“Like… the way I’d love a mother,” Qi Ran added.

With these words, he rationally expressed all the love he couldn’t voice aloud.

A child’s love for their mother is natural.

His love for Song Yuqing wouldn’t be immoral either.

Song Yuqing: “…”

Is that how the analogy works?

Song Yuqing tapped the back of Qi Ran’s head. “Is that how you calculate it? I’m your Xiao Dad. You should respect and love me, not like you would a mother.”

“Qi Ran, you’re so foolish.”

Song Yuqing was very dissatisfied with Qi Ran's statement—a xiao ba is a xiao ba, and a mother is a mother. Is it really that hard to tell the difference?

Qi Ran suddenly laughed, tilting his head back to look at Song Yuqing. When the alpha smiled, the gloom that had clouded his brow vanished, revealing a hint of the youthful brightness he should have at his age.

"But 'mother' is a feeling."

"Mothers are great, selfless, gentle, and strong. You are like that too." In his heart, Song Yuqing was exactly that kind of beta.

Song Yuqing lowered his gaze, strands of hair falling with the movement, making his beauty even more ambiguous—or perhaps it was just that Song Yuqing naturally had an aloof, slightly feminine appearance.

Both icy and captivating, with occasional glimpses of tenderness.

Like a big sister, guiding yet restraining him, teaching yet scolding him.

Like a mother, yet also like a sister.

But Qi Ran didn’t dare say that aloud. He only allowed himself to secretly cling to the tenderness and sternness Song Yuqing offered when he held him.

"What you said is quite right—mothers are indeed strong." Song Yuqing rarely agreed with Qi Ran.

Not strong in the conventional, forceful sense, but strong in vitality and in that gentle, flexible strength.

Qi Zhengqing had been standing outside for a long time, listening to Song Yuqing and Qi Ran talk, watching Qi Ran hold Song Yuqing.

He heard Song Yuqing say that Qi Ran’s mother would have loved Qi Ran.

Every word, he heard.

That she would have loved Qi Ran.

What about him, then?

Song Yuqing looked up and noticed the alpha outside. He pushed Qi Ran away gently. "Your father and I are going home. You can stay here and play."

Song Yuqing left the laboratory empty-handed but then remembered what Qi Zhengqing had said earlier about setting a good example about relationships in front of Qi Ran. He reached out and took Qi Zhengqing’s hand.

Feeling the coolness of Song Yuqing’s palm, Qi Zhengqing paused for a moment before clasping his hand firmly. "Finished talking?"

Song Yuqing nodded. "Yeah, let’s go, Mr. Qi."

Qi Zhengqing’s large hand enveloped Song Yuqing’s completely. "You didn’t take your coat. It’s cold outside—I’ll get it for you."

It was already snow season, and the wind would feel bitterly cold.

Just as Qi Zhengqing was about to take Song Yuqing back inside to get the coat, he met Qi Ran’s gloomy gaze. Qi Ran handed Song Yuqing the coat himself. "Xiao ba, it’s cold outside."

The two alphas, father and son, locked eyes, neither acknowledging each other.

Song Yuqing took the coat, put it on, and left with Qi Zhengqing.

Qi Zhengqing attempted to tie Song Yuqing’s hair, his movements clumsy, resulting in a lopsided ponytail.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Once in the car, Song Yuqing took off his down jacket and expressionlessly removed the hair tie. "After the competition, I’m going for a haircut."

Looking at Song Yuqing’s deadpan expression and the crooked ponytail, Qi Zhengqing’s lips curved slightly.

Song Yuqing didn’t let Qi Zhengqing help. Using both hands, he tidied his hair, holding the hair tie between his lips.

As his fingers worked, the black hair tie against his lips accentuated his snow-white skin. The simple act of holding the tie gave off an aura that was both aloof and subtly sensual.

Like a young master who makes you want to hold him close and kiss him until he’s upset, only for him to reach out and hit you.

Even though he couldn’t tie it well himself and ended up with a messy, lopsided ponytail, Song Yuqing tilted his head slightly and accused Qi Zhengqing, "Your skills are terrible."

Song Yuqing had been too busy to get a haircut and had heard rumors about the school barbershop’s terrifying techniques—no one came out smiling. So, he never dared to go.

Song Yuqing didn’t care much about his appearance, but he didn’t want to walk around with a chopped-up haircut either.

Qi Zhengqing pulled the young man toward him. In the confined space, he leaned over, pinning the kitten beneath him, and removed the hair tie from Song Yuqing’s hair. "Don’t cut it. It looks good."

The alpha’s voice was low, coaxing his aloof kitten.

Song Yuqing: "I’m cutting it."

"If they mess it up, you’ll be stuck with a messy hairstyle..."

The alpha boldly "threatened" Song Yuqing, his fingers threading through Song Yuqing’s hair, gently massaging his scalp and smoothing the strands.

"Just like this." Qi Zhengqing lowered his head and kissed Song Yuqing’s hair. "It’s beautiful."

Song Yuqing relaxed under the soothing touch, almost wishing Qi Zhengqing wouldn’t stop at his head but massage other places too.

Qi Zhengqing seemed to understand Song Yuqing’s silent request.

He continued massaging and rubbing, his strong hands leaving Song Yuqing’s skin slightly flushed. Long lashes cast shadows over his eyes, the corners tinged with red.

His large hand wandered to the young man’s waist, resting on the graceful curve of Song Yuqing’s lower back.

"Does it hurt?"

Song Yuqing shook his head, then nodded, staring at Qi Zhengqing without a word.

The car’s dim, warm light fell into Song Yuqing’s eyes as he lay there watching him. A button had come undone earlier when Qi Zhengqing gripped his neck, revealing a pale collarbone.

Unaware of how enticing he looked, the young man fixed the alpha with a cool, direct gaze.

Qi Zhengqing’s Adam’s apple bobbed. In the end, he couldn’t resist.

He lifted Song Yuqing’s uniform, pressed against his soft, snow-white abdomen, and kissed him.

"Mmm..." Song Yuqing was sensitive to such gentle contact. A muffled groan escaped his throat, his amber eyes going hazy for a moment before he finally adjusted.

Song Yuqing’s fingers tangled in the alpha’s hair, slender digits brushing against Qi Zhengqing’s coarse strands. His cool fingerpads grazed Qi Zhengqing’s scalp. "What’s wrong with you, Qi Zhengqing?"

Author's Words:

Da Qi: Qi Ran is stealing my mom.