Chapter 88: Meet the Parents

Chapter 88 Meeting the Parents

The light stretched the alpha’s tall silhouette.

Song Yuqing glanced sideways, then lost interest, his gaze cold as he turned to leave.

Devoid of any emotion, as if the alpha were already an unimportant person.

Yet it was precisely this indifference that deeply stung the alpha.

The alpha stepped sideways to block Song Yuqing’s path. "I came to congratulate you."

Song Yuqing was forced to stop but did not look up at the alpha. His aloofness, however, provoked the alpha’s mental energy to flare uncontrollably, carrying an undeniable aggressiveness—less like a congratulatory gesture and more like a provocation.

"Thank you," Song Yuqing’s voice was soft, like a thin sheet of ice falling on a still lake, producing no ripples and revealing no emotion.

"Now move aside."

Song Yuqing was simply too indifferent—so indifferent that if he didn’t want to be associated with him, he wouldn’t hesitate to change mentors.

Severing all ties between them.

He had waited for Song Yuqing to admit his mistakes, to willingly become his caged songbird.

But after months of waiting, what came was Song Yuqing winning an award from the Sri-Lan Continent—an achievement the New Continent had never imagined possible. An award alone might not mean much, but anyone with foresight could see that Project Six held significant importance for any of the Four Continents.

Song Yuqing suddenly became the most prominent figure on the New Continent, a genius in everyone’s eyes.

Even the elite circles’ admiration for Song Yuqing’s research achievements subtly inspired many prospective students to follow in his footsteps and consider pursuing robotics.

Song Yuqing was a pioneer; he walked a path no one had taken and achieved both fame and fortune in the process.

Unknowingly, this beta before him had begun to gain his own followers, completely breaking free from his control and thriving in another field.

It felt like a sharp slap to his face, telling him that without him, Song Yuqing would only do better.

"You gave up on the pheromone specialty? It’s not a bad decision… Better than later—"

Song Yuqing: "?"

No, he planned to pursue both. Qi Zhengqing’s life still needed saving, and his relationship with Qi Zhengqing was progressing steadily. Qi Zhengqing was a decent partner, and he had no intention of letting him die so soon.

And as for those dog alphas, he still planned to give them a gift.

But these were all his plans, and he had no intention of sharing them with Gu Jingtang, this madman.

Gu Jingtang: "Don’t you have anything to say to me?"

Song Yuqing’s gaze fell on the cufflinks on Gu Jingtang’s sleeves. "How much did those cufflinks cost?"

Looking down at Song Yuqing’s thick eyelashes and pale face, Gu Jingtang was momentarily stunned and replied honestly, "They cost several hundred thousand New Dollars."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "That's expensive."

With that, Song Yuqing didn’t give Gu Jingtang another glance and turned to leave.

Leaving Gu Jingtang standing there, bewildered. So expensive—and then what?

That's all you're going to say to him?

Under the starry sky, the thick darkness outlined Song Yuqing's slender figure.

88 asked Song Yuqing, "Qingqing, aren't you going to shred his pride and stomp on it?"

Song Yuqing cast his eyes down. "I don't hold grudges."

88: "..."

Song Yuqing doesn't hold grudges, he could hardly believe it.

Song Yuqing: "Let's go to the lab."

88: "It's so late, and you're still going to the lab?"

Sometimes 88 felt that Song Yuqing had a bottomless well of energy. Others only saw Song Yuqing holding trophies and exuding confidence in his research achievements.

But few knew that, for over a hundred nights, Song Yuqing would only sleep for three hours.

All his achievements were the fruit of Song Yuqing's labor.

As soon as Song Yuqing entered the lab, he was pulled into a hug. The alpha buried his face in Song Yuqing's neck, his hot breath against his neck. "Brother..."

"Why are you here so late?"

Song Yuqing reached out to turn on the light. "You're not sleeping either. What are you doing here?"

Xiao Jinshi nuzzled into Song Yuqing's neck again, full of affection and dependence. Just holding Song Yuqing like this made him feel that no matter how hard things got, it was all worth it. "Waiting for you, brother."

He had guessed Song Yuqing would come.

Xiao Jinshi had dark circles under his eyes. Seeing this, Song Yuqing couldn't resist smiling and teasing him.

"Panda dog."

Xiao Jinshi: "..."

Teased as soon as he arrived, called a dog by Song Yuqing.

Xiao Jinshi complained softly to Song Yuqing, "It's just that I have to learn everything these days. I’ve never worked this hard before. Being head of the Xiao family—I really don't want it. I’d rather paint."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Total nonsense.

Song Yuqing: "Then go back to sleep."

Xiao Jinshi tagged along behind Song Yuqing, watching him get his things. "No."

As Song Yuqing searched through things, Xiao Jinshi’s gaze lingered on him, a smile he couldn't suppress tugging at his lips, his eyes filled with obvious affection.

He wanted to paint.

He wanted to paint Qingqing as a kitten with a tail, tiptoeing while rummaging through a cardboard box, most of his body reaching inside.

Seeing Song Yuqing reaching for a box on a higher shelf, Xiao Jinshi walked over and smiled. "Let me get it, brother. Which one do you need?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "No need to help, I'll get it myself."

As soon as Song Yuqing finished speaking, Xiao Jinshi lifted two boxes at once and brought them all down from the shelf for him.

"Should I stuff them back?" Xiao Jinshi looked innocently at Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing’s pale face stayed tense as he tapped the desk with his fingertip. "Put them here."

Xiao Jinshi couldn’t suppress his smile again—he was so adorable, he loved it so much.

Xiao Jinshi quietly watched Song Yuqing draw the design. It was shaped like mechanical gears—a large gear overlapping a smaller one, offset but interlocking. The teeth of the gears were designed to mesh perfectly, showing a sense of rational control and industrial beauty. Just looking at these patterns made him think of Song Yuqing working busily in the lab.

When Song Yuqing finished the full sketch, Xiao Jinshi recognized it—it was a pair of cufflinks.

Xiao Jinshi smiled. Was this a reward for him?

He and his brother were like interlocking gears, a perfect match. Neither could do without the other.

As Song Yuqing polished, Xiao Jinshi handed him tools from beside him.

Shaping, polishing, assembling—soon, a pair of designer yet subtle cufflinks was completed.

Song Yuqing: "Do they look good?"

Xiao Jinshi: "They look good."

Song Yuqing: "If I sold them to you for hundreds of thousands, would you buy them?"

Xiao Jinshi played along with Song Yuqing's joke. "Priceless treasures."

Satisfied, Song Yuqing found a box to store the cufflinks but still remarked, "What a sucker."

Xiao Jinshi laughed too. "I thought you didn’t remember anything, but it turns out you have quite a sense of ceremony."

Song Yuqing: "?"

Song Yuqing was puzzled, but he pretended that he was indeed that kind of person.

Xiao Jinshi: "Exchanging gifts during Bonding Festival is really nice. You’re so thoughtful, brother."

Song Yuqing understood the festival Xiao Jinshi was referring to. Bonding Festival was equivalent to Valentine’s Day in his original world.

Bonding Festival, a time for harmony and union, had existed since the differentiation of ABO genders.

In the primitive era of this world’s setting, on Bonding Festival, Alphas would give gifts to Omegas, requesting to mark them and seeking the Omega’s voluntary submission to the Alpha.

A willing, chosen submission.

For some Omegas or Betas, it was considered an outdated tradition.

Of course, for those seeking unconventional excitement, it was a kind of… more public, more exciting game.

Some gifts might even include soft whips, low-temperature candles, or dog leashes.

More subtle, wearable items could be chokers, ankle chains, etc. Of course, the normal practice was for partners to exchange gifts.

Song Yuqing: "You’re right."

Xiao Jinshi had already decided—on the day Song Yuqing gave him the gift, he would tell him that he would forever submit to Song Yuqing.

The council members gathered for another meeting.

"What does he mean? Leaving us hanging like this. With all due respect, he’s got some skills, but that doesn’t mean all of us have to pander to him."

Everyone looked at each other.

Was it just "some skills"? Initially, they had hoped Ye Siling also mastered the core technology and could cooperate with the council.

But from Ye Siling, they had to accept that the project was entirely led and controlled by Song Yuqing—he was the core of the project.

They had even considered causing an accidental death, having the council step in to legally obtain Song Yuqing’s manuscripts and core data, then take ownership of Number Six (the AI) and train a group of capable researchers.

Previously, that was how they dealt with those who didn’t cooperate.

But from Ye Siling, they learned that Song Yuqing had destroyed the data after Number Six’s successful development. Ye Siling said Song Yuqing had memorized everything in his head. Moreover, Number Six’s programming was set to be loyal only to Song Yuqing. From the competition records in Sri-Lan Zhou, they could already see this, and Ye Siling further confirmed it.

Of course, with all the half-truths Ye Siling spoke, it was hard to judge.

Qi Zhengqing had also made it clear that he didn’t have many years left to live, and if Song Yuqing died, he wouldn’t mind sending these old men to their graves along with him.

Qi Zhengqing had been quiet these years, but that didn’t mean he was easy to provoke.

They… didn’t want to share the same fate as those from the Qi family, who were wiped out by Qi Zhengqing on trumped-up charges.

"If you’re so capable, you do it," someone suddenly spoke up.

"Fine, I… can’t."

The room went quiet again.

After two minutes of silence, someone slammed the table, the sound echoing loudly as they vented their fury. "Will the Qi family ever stop? Controlling the economic lifeline is one thing, but the finances of Xinzhou are supposedly in our hands—yet in reality, Qi Zhengqing has us in a chokehold."

"And now, his wife is leaving us hanging. Does Song Yuqing want to join the council too?"

"Turn Xinzhou into the Qi family’s private domain?"

A group of Alphas began fuming, swearing and complaining loudly.

"I might as well quit and step down."

"Song Yuqing shouldn’t even think about entering the council…"

"Our council won't give in."

Suddenly, a knock sounded outside the meeting room. The council members instantly fell silent and called out, "Come in."

"Mr. Song has gone to meet with Mr. Pei."

Everyone who had just vowed never to compromise immediately fell silent, their faces creased with worry.

If the Qi family and the Pei family reached a deep cooperation, would their council even have a say anymore?

Pointing guns at their heads, overturning the council would be extremely easy. Even if they didn’t overthrow it, decisions would be made with guns pointed at them.

Song Yuqing had undoubtedly become the biggest trouble these council members had ever encountered—impossible to obtain, impossible to destroy, and most importantly, they feared he might fall into the hands of the powerful families.

Someone suddenly added, "Qi Zhengqing is so magnanimous, cooperating with the Pei family even while his wife is unfaithful to him. He seems quite happy about it."

"If it really comes to it, just bring him in. Having him under our watch is better than letting him join forces with others against us."

"If Song Yuqing joins the council, maybe Qi Zhengqing won’t keep holding up our funding all the time."

"Once Qi Zhengqing dies, won’t it just be a matter of time before we get even with Song Yuqing?"

The council members continued discussing animatedly, and the more they talked, the more they felt bringing Song Yuqing in would actually benefit everyone.

Once Song Yuqing arrives, he’ll realize this circle isn't so easy to break into.

They have countless subtle tactics, hidden knives and open arrows waiting for Song Yuqing. They hoped he wouldn’t run back crying to Qi Zhengqing after just a few days, saying they were picking on him.

Qi Zhengqing: "Want me to come get you?"

Qingqing: "No need, I’m going with Pei Huai."

Qi Zhengqing: "Got it."

Qi Zhengqing closed his eyes briefly, then opened them to see pairs of alphas, omegas, and betas walking together along the roadside.

Many omegas and betas wore tokens around their necks or ankles.

It was only then that Qi Zhengqing realized today was the Bonding Festival, a day for partners to spend together. But Song Yuqing probably wouldn’t remember such a holiday or plan to spend it with him. Qi Zhengqing couldn’t ignore the shift in his own feelings—having feelings for someone really made dates that never mattered before mean something.

Pei Huai was looking at his phone, sending a message to Pei Wei.

My Heart Leans Toward the Moon: "Be polite to Song Yuqing today."

Pei Wei: "I know."

My Heart Leans Toward the Moon: "I mean really polite—deferential and accommodating. Keep your bad temper in check."

Pei Wei: "Deferential and accommodating? I'm not marrying into his family, why should I act humble around him?"

Pei Huai: "Just be respectful. Song Yuqing has a good temper, so don’t provoke him."

Pei Wei: "…"

Pei Wei: "Son, I suggest you watch your tone with me. After all, I’m the one helping you graduate with that awful GPA of yours."

Pei Huai: "Just be polite to him. We're going to be family eventually."

As the time for his meeting with Song Yuqing approached, Pei Huai grew so anxious his ears turned red. Resting his hand on the car window, his stomach was in knots.

Was he nervous?

He had never been this nervous in his life. Bringing his significant other to meet his dad—he just hoped Qingqing would make a good impression and that his father wouldn’t cause trouble.

Song Yuqing was wearing a white T-shirt and black trousers. Even in simple clothes, he carried his usual distant, unapproachable vibe.

Pei Huai glanced over out of habit, but his gaze lingered, fixed on Song Yuqing’s fair complexion and clear amber eyes.

He didn’t snap out of it until Song Yuqing walked up to him and asked, "What's there to stare at? Open the door."

Song Yuqing’s hand rested on the door handle as he leaned slightly toward the open car window. A faint, cool fragrance drifted over, and Pei Huai suddenly came to his senses. Unable to resist, he asked, "You smell amazing. What did you put on? Or is it your body wash? What kind do you use? Let me borrow some too."

As he spoke, Pei Huai leaned in like a dog, sniffing near Song Yuqing’s waist. His tall nose accidentally brushed against a spot it definitely shouldn't have.

Pei Huai froze again. Seeing that Song Yuqing didn’t react, he thought about pretending not to notice and sneaking in another touch, but Song Yuqing grabbed his hair and pulled him away. "Pei Huai, cut it out."

Pei Huai’s head was yanked back, his sharp, striking face tilting upward. His strong brow arched slightly, giving him a cocky look—though his bright red ears gave him away. "I’ll open the door for you."

Pei Huai got out, opened the other door, then got back in. He wanted to help Song Yuqing with his seatbelt, but Song Yuqing had already fastened it himself.

Pei Huai was still flustered. "Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?"

Song Yuqing didn’t even look up. "I have hands."

Pei Huai’s gaze drifted uncontrollably to that soft part of Song Yuqing.

Just as he was staring, Pei Wei called. "Yeah?"

Pei Wei’s voice was loud. "What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re messing around with Song Yuqing? Did I raise you to be someone’s side dish?"

Author’s Note:

Song Qingqing: "Your dad didn’t know you were being a homewrecker out there?"

Da Qi: "My wife is bringing resources to the council."