Chapter 99: The Miss Can’t Endure Hardship

Chapter 99: The Young Master Just Can't Handle Hardship

Bang!

The gust of wind from the slammed door hit the Alpha squarely in the face. "No—"

"Hey."

All three Alphas were shut outside by Song Yuqing.

Xiao Jinshi, who had just arrived only to be kicked out immediately: "..." *Why can't I cook for Song Yuqing, but everyone else can? This double standard is ridiculous.*

Ye Siling, who had just confessed his feelings to Song Yuqing before being thrown out, could barely suppress the smile at the corner of his lips. "So I’m getting the same treatment as you two now? Am I also the other man?"

Xiao Jinshi looked at the two Alphas with disdain. "One has a low IQ, the other has a low EQ. We're doomed. Obviously, my brother and I are the best match."

At this, Pei Huai and Ye Siling surprisingly formed a united front. "You fucking creep, stop being so shameless!"

Xiao Jinshi: "What’s wrong with being a pervert?"

"We’re all homewreckers here, and you still care about face? You're hilarious," Xiao Jinshi remarked sarcastically.

The graduation party was Song Yuqing’s last official duty in his position.

Such an important milestone as graduating and coming of age was a reason to celebrate for all students.

As student council president and an outstanding graduate of Viktor, Song Yuqing stood, as per tradition, in the spotlight.

Countless eyes were fixed on him.

The students of Viktor, whether scholarship students from the slums or the once-carefree rich kids, all eagerly awaited what Song Yuqing would say next.

When Song Yuqing stood there after just one year, in a position they never dared to imagine, their previous resentment and disdain had long since vanished.

Shattered light caught in his eyes, the cool glow making his skin appear porcelain-pale and translucent.

Song Yuqing’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he calmly raised his eyes to all the students present. "May everyone here have a lifelong passion, always cherish great aspirations, and honor starlit promises. May you ride the wind forth from here, and may the world welcome you."

His tone was lingering, and beneath his cool demeanor lay boundless tenderness.

It seemed…

In this moment, Song Yuqing paused for them, too.

He stood there, gazing at their future.

And at his own.

"Feels like the president is graduating today, so he decided to give everyone a kind look."

"Actually, the president is really gentle—when no one provokes him, that is."

"Nice save."

"Hard to say goodbye. Never thought graduation would bring such strong separation pangs. But honestly, I’m so fucking over this school. Feeling this reluctant makes me think I’m a masochist."

"Just realizing you’re a masochist? I’ve long accepted I’m worthless. If the president’s graduation speech had been, ‘All you fools here…’ I would’ve been so turned on I’d have jumped up right then."

"You sure know how to reward yourself."

At this moment, they stood at a point between ending and beginning, emotions all mixed up.

There was anticipation and nostalgia, a new start and an end.

Song Yuqing stood in a corner of the banquet, as always, like an outsider.

He had experienced such beginnings and endings countless times, and he knew there would be countless more.

The liquid in the glass swirled. Qi Ran watched Song Yuqing from afar, wanting to approach but not daring to.

*Has Qi Zhengqing told Song Yuqing about his background?*

*Does Song Yuqing know how disgusting he is?*

*He shouldn’t exist in this world. His mother fell ill because of him, died because of him—he should die too.*

*He inherited that person’s disgusting bloodline, falling for his own Xiao Dad.*

*Qi Zhengqing was right to curse him; his blood is filthy, a stain to Song Yuqing.*

*A moon like this should never belong to him.*

Just as Qi Ran was about to turn and leave, Song Yuqing turned and noticed him. "What are you doing over there?"

Ice-pale fingers gripped the base of the glass, sloshing a bit of wine. The sickly-sweet liquid dampened Song Yuqing’s pale knuckles.

This cocktail was specially mixed for the graduation party—lime cutting through the sweetness of lychee syrup, tangy yet sweet.

Qi Ran’s gaze fell on Song Yuqing’s damp fingers. *His Xiao Dad's fingers must carry a light, sweet fragrance now.*

But as he looked at Song Yuqing, all he could taste was boundless bitterness.

Qi Ran’s dark eyes seemed capable of pulling one in, his hair slightly shading his brow, making him look even more like when they first met—brooding and self-hating.

Song Yuqing: "..."

*Back to the starting line?*

But it was understandable. Sometimes, the more lively it gets, the more one feels out of place, as if abandoned by everyone, isolated by everyone.

Song Yuqing spoke to Qi Ran, "Come here."

Qi Ran obediently stepped closer. Song Yuqing casually picked up a glass of wine and handed it to Qi Ran, tapping it against Qi Ran's.

"Happy graduation, Qi Ran. From now on, you’re an adult."

Qi Ran stared fixedly at Song Yuqing. When Song Yuqing’s slightly raised eyelashes met his gaze, a hint of newly sharpened aloofness flickered at the corners of his eyes, his profile ice-pale and radiating cool elegance.

Qi Ran seemed to want to memorize every hair.

"You can be free now."

*He would never be free.*

A faint smile gleamed in Qi Ran’s eyes. "Yeah."

Song Yuqing: "I have a graduation gift for you. Remember to come find me for it when you get home."

Qi Ran nodded, his gaze lingering on Song Yuqing. He hadn’t even left yet, but he was already beginning to miss him. "I know. The wind's chilly, Xiao Dad. Go home early and don’t get chilled."

"Catching a draft can make you sick."

"Little Dad, I'm heading off first."

Song Yuqing watched Qi Ran leave. The alpha's posture grew more and more erect, and he could increasingly see Qi Zhengqing's shadow in him.

Truly brothers, yet also father and son in name only.

Similar looks, two alphas both tormented by the previous generation's entanglements.

Song Yuqing understood more and more why his mother wanted him to start over, because what had happened was like a sharp knife piercing the heart, sapping life away in an instant, like nearing death.

Recalling it over and over was like a dull knife cutting flesh, a slow, torturous death, with pain spreading throughout a lifetime.

But letting go isn't that easy.

Song Yuqing wondered if the eighteen-year-old Qi Zhengqing had also been overwhelmed by all these emotions, almost suffocating.

Song Yuqing finished the wine in his glass, tapped the rim lightly with his fingers, placed the glass on the table, and left the gathering.

Qi Zhengqing had already come today but left again because something came up.

"Take me home, then go back. Don’t stay longer." Song Yuqing simply instructed Pei Huai, who was driving him home.

Pei Huai: "..."

Being the other man to this extent was truly demeaning enough.

Not only did he have to help Qi Zhengqing take Song Yuqing home, but the scenarios other affair partners have were things like sending photos from bed to the husband while Song Yuqing was showering, or answering the husband’s call and saying Song Yuqing was in the shower.

"I’m such a pitiful affair partner."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing tilted his head slightly, a hazy glow lingering at the corners of his eyes, and leaned closer.

A burst of cold fragrance mixed with the fresh scent of lime filled Pei Huai's nostrils. Pei Huai stared fixedly at Song Yuqing, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest.

"You..."

Pei Huai gritted his teeth, "No kissing or hugging, yet you lean in so close."

"Do you really think I’m some sort of noble alpha?"

"You can kiss." The troublemaker said airily, bewitching without even realizing it.

It made Pei Huai want to kiss Song Yuqing senseless.

"I..." Pei Huai’s Adam’s apple bobbed slowly, restrained, but he didn’t kiss him. Instead, he brushed against Song Yuqing’s nose. "Are you in a bad mood?"

"You didn’t drink last time, but you’re drinking now. You must be in a bad mood." Pei Huai spoke with increasing certainty.

"If I’m in a bad mood, what are you going to do to cheer me up?" A slight smile played at Song Yuqing’s eyes and brows, his voice calm and detached, clearly not holding much hope that Pei Huai could actually comfort him.

Song Yuqing just looked at him, smiling quietly as he looked on. Pei Huai also stared straight at Song Yuqing, seeming a bit embarrassed, the tips of his ears turning completely red.

"I’ll bark like a dog to make you happy, okay?" His voice was husky and low as he asked.

He still remembered last time, when Song Yuqing stood there drunk before him and told him to bark like a dog.

He could do it now.

"Woof!"

As soon as he barked, Pei Huai’s ears were already flushed red. He barked a few more times.

Song Yuqing was slightly stunned, then lifted a hand to touch Pei Huai’s ear with his fingertips. "Stop barking, good dog."

Good dog.

Like a spark falling into an alpha’s heart, instantly igniting a wildfire, making his whole heart burn with fervor.

Such a humiliating yet addictive term.

"I’m going to sleep for a bit. Remember what I just told you?"

Pei Huai grumbled, "I remember."

Drive him home and then leave.

He remembered but wasn’t happy about it. But he was Song Yuqing’s good dog, after all.

He had to listen to Song Yuqing to be Song Yuqing’s good dog.

The wind howled past the car window. Pei Huai occasionally looked over at Song Yuqing in the passenger seat.

Before looking at Song Yuqing, the alpha’s gaze was focused and intensely aggressive. When his eyes fell on Song Yuqing and then slowly returned to the road, his expression shifted from hidden pleasure to open joy.

The alpha held the steering wheel with one hand, while the other touched his burning ear tip. He muttered a low curse.

"Fuck."

He suddenly laughed. "I’m really a goner."

Being hooked on Song Yuqing meant his life was over.

He wished he could go to the battlefield right now to earn military merits, wished he could charge through seven battles for Song Yuqing, to help Song Yuqing solidify his position in the parliament.

Pei Huai didn’t wake Song Yuqing, who had closed his eyes to sleep. Instead, he leaned in and lifted him out from the passenger seat.

He even slyly draped Song Yuqing’s hand around his own neck. "Hold onto me, baby."

Song Yuqing didn’t refuse. As the alcohol set in, his thoughts grew hazy.

Song Yuqing’s not refusing, his not scolding him, gave Pei Huai greater encouragement.

If Song Yuqing didn’t slap him, it meant he was open to closeness. If he didn’t slap him, it meant he was fine with being called baby.

Pei Huai smirked and pressed close to Song Yuqing’s ear, his voice deep and raspy. "Baby, Qingqing."

"Do you want me to have you?"

Song Yuqing gave no response.

Pei Huai continued deceiving himself. "Good, it seems baby wants me to have him. But it’ll have to wait till next time. After all, this time you told me to leave as soon as I drop you off. Next time, I’ll take good care of you."

Song Yuqing just found it too noisy. He slapped Pei Huai’s face lightly, frowned slightly, his cool, dense long lashes trembling, forming a delicate curve.

"Shut up."

Pei Huai: "..."

Then how about halfway?

Pei Huai lowered his gaze to stare at Song Yuqing's strikingly exquisite face—pale and delicate, with a fragile quality, radiating vulnerability.

Halfway would’ve been fine too.

Song Yuqing definitely couldn't handle an alpha knotting in his breeding cavity. He was even afraid he might make Song Yuqing cry. But given Song Yuqing's temperament, even if he were shaped by an alpha, he’d probably slap him twice, coldly stare at him, and tell him to get out.

The young master just can’t endure hardship—can’t even handle a few strokes.

Pei Huai placed Song Yuqing on the sofa, draped a blanket over him, then bent down, took Song Yuqing's hand, and nuzzled his own face against it a couple of times. "I'm leaving, Qingqing. Goodnight."

Qi Ran didn’t return home until midnight. The night’s cool breeze did little to clear his head.

Love, hatred, and self-loathing intertwined, nearly consuming him.

It wasn’t until he entered the Qi family home and saw that familiar figure that Qi Ran felt his heart finally find its place.

Qi Ran knew it was wrong, knew he should stay away from Song Yuqing as Qi Zhengqing had advised.

Yet, he still couldn’t help but move closer to Song Yuqing.

After five or six hours, most of the alcohol’s effects had worn off, leaving only a lingering numbness in his nerves.

Song Yuqing heard footsteps. His long lashes fluttered slightly as he cracked open his eyes. In the darkness, a familiar, tall, and broad figure came into view.

Song Yuqing closed his eyes again.

Qi Ran drew closer, looking down at Song Yuqing, at the man he called Xiao Dad.

One last look—just one last time. Who knew when he’d see him again after this.

He was truly shameless, truly despicable, to harbor such shameful desires about him.

But he couldn’t control it.

Qi Ran bent down. He remembered the closest he’d ever been to Song Yuqing—he’d almost been able to kiss him, but he hadn’t.

Now, he wanted to indulge himself—just this once—his only indulgence.

The alpha lowered his head, his lips gently grazing the young man’s cheek—a soft, cautious kiss, fleeting and gone in an instant, like an illusion, a dream that never was.

But it was all seen by the alpha standing outside the door.

"Why are you back so late?" Song Yuqing asked softly.

Qi Ran’s voice was strained. "I... went for a walk."

They shared similar features, but the voice was unmistakably different. Song Yuqing opened his eyes. "Qi Ran?"

Just that one question sent Qi Ran into an icy abyss, the color draining from his face in an instant.

Song Yuqing wasn’t asking about him—Song Yuqing thought he was Qi Zhengqing.

Qi Ran was stunned, not knowing what to do, what to say, or how to explain.

His one moment of indulgence had become the evidence that condemned him.

His shameful desires could no longer be hidden—they were exposed before Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing clearly understood what had just happened—something no son should ever do to a father. He had never imagined Qi Ran felt this way about him. He thought Qi Ran was just without parents, desperately clinging to any affection within reach.

Song Yuqing spoke coldly, "You should leave."

Perhaps he should have asked when it started, or why Qi Ran felt this way, but…

Seeing Qi Ran falling apart, he couldn’t bring himself to shatter the gloomy mushroom he had nurtured, to force him to relive the shame of his desires over and over. Let it be.

Qi Ran: "Okay."

No more words were needed. By now, they both knew nothing could be undone, and there was nothing left to say.

He would leave Song Yuqing, go to the most remote military zone in Xinzhou, and completely cut all ties with Song Yuqing.

Outside the door, an alpha held a cigarette, its tip glowing. In the wind, smoke curling into the wind. The alpha remained silent until Qi Ran emerged and left.

Qi Zhengqing stubbed out the cigarette. "You should have left sooner."

"That way, at least, he wouldn’t blame himself for how the child he raised turned out."

"Your uncontrollable emotions will only hurt him."

Anyone else would be fine—but not Qi Ran.

Because Qi Ran was raised by Song Yuqing’s own hands.

Qi Ran halted but ultimately didn’t argue. He was wrong; he shouldn’t have done it.

"I’m sorry. Take care of..." The word "him" lingered in his throat, but what came out in the end was, "Xiao Dad."

"He is my lover. I don’t need you to remind me to take care of him."

Two figures, with similar stature, went their separate ways again, heading toward futures that were no longer shared.

One walked toward his lover; the other was cast out forever.