Chapter 100: Long Journey

Chapter 100: A Long Journey

Song Yuqing: "How long have you been standing out there?"

"I heard and saw everything." Qi Zhengqing knew Song Yuqing wasn't asking about the actual time, but rather how much he had witnessed.

Song Yuqing: "Hm."

Song Yuqing's head was still a little muddled, unsure if it was the lingering effects of the alcohol or the profound impact of Qi Ran's actions.

Jumbled, hazy memories kept overlapping, weaving themselves into a coherent, yet traceable, dream.

Love?

Did Qi Ran even understand what love was?

He preferred to believe that Qi Ran's feelings were a misdirected projection—mistaking familial affection for romantic love.

As for Qi Ran, Song Yuqing had never felt even a hint of romantic affection, not once, from start to finish.

He still thought of Qi Ran as that somewhat extreme yet dependent alpha who would always be by his side.

His cheap, clumsy son.

Qi Zhengqing sat quietly beside Song Yuqing, waiting for him to sort out his thoughts.

In the dim light, Song Yuqing gently lifted his eyelashes, revealing a flicker of despondency. "It seems I'm not very good at raising children."

Qi Zhengqing: "Not entirely."

Song Yuqing turned to look at Qi Zhengqing. Their eyes met, as if piercing through each other's bodies to glimpse the other's soul.

"You raised him too well."

"People often develop special feelings toward those who rescue them from the abyss."

"It's a normal psychological response. There's no need to blame yourself."

Of course, aside from abnormal psychological factors, falling in love with Song Yuqing wasn’t hard to explain.

His strikingly beautiful appearance, aloof like a flower on a high peak, perfectly satisfied an alpha's desire to conquer.

Yet occasionally, he would reveal a vulnerability that triggered an alpha's protective instincts.

Beyond that, the dominance and need for control in his personality created a further contrast, drawing alphas deeper into his orbit.

These were likely the reasons Song Yuqing was so loved.

Song Yuqing’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Is that so? Then I hope that by the next time we meet, he will have matured enough to distinguish his own emotions."

Qi Zhengqing: "He will."

At the very least, Qi Ran will hide his feelings well.

As long as Song Yuqing believed he had changed, that would be enough.

Song Yuqing’s fingertips brushed Qi Zhengqing’s eyes, the bridge of his nose, and his lips. After a quiet moment, Qi Zhengqing tilted his head and grasped Song Yuqing’s wrist. "Qingqing, I’m not him."

"Don’t look at me and see him." It was the first time the alpha had been so assertive.

He wanted Song Yuqing to love him, not to project his guilt or pity for Qi Ran onto him.

Song Yuqing withdrew his hand and gazed at Qi Zhengqing, his eyes calm and patient. "I wasn’t. I was just thinking how hard it must have been for you all these years alone."

The words struck the alpha’s heart like a piercing blow.

All the festering, infected wounds were cut away by Song Yuqing’s words. Humans are like that—no matter how painful or difficult things get, they can always endure. It’s only when they feel someone else’s love and care that their emotions unravel, and they become vulnerable.

A long silence stretched between them once more. An alpha should be strong enough to swallow all his emotions. But at this moment, Qi Zhengqing wanted to lay himself bare before Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing: "No need to say anything. I understand."

The Qi family estate was deathly silent, devoid of life year-round. Even when he stayed there, no one ever appeared at the wrong time.

Qi Zhengqing had only taken these measures to prevent a recurrence of what happened years ago. He was leaving room for everyone, not wanting a scandal to erupt that would strip them all of choice.

It was hard to imagine the psychological pressure Qi Zhengqing’s mother had endured when the truth came to light, or how much gossip she had to bear.

In the end, those people and those events were buried in this place that devoured souls without leaving a trace.

Including Qi Zhengqing’s mother, the most innocent of all, who was also swallowed and buried here, her remains scattered beyond recognition.

"My situation with Qi Ran must have brought back bad memories for you."

"I..."

Before Song Yuqing could finish, Qi Zhengqing spoke firmly and decisively: "There are no bad memories. You are different from them."

"Even if you had fallen for Qi Ran, I wouldn’t have forced you apart."

"I would never want you to get hurt."

Whether emotionally or physically.

The alpha’s dark eyes were cold and intense. "I’m not some rigid, rule-bound alpha."

"What matters to me is that there’s no coercion, no forced submission."

If his mother had met an alpha who cherished and respected her, he wouldn’t have interfered.

The same applied to Song Yuqing.

"If it’s mutual, I won’t interfere."

"But if it’s not, I will firmly defend my partner’s safety and freedom." Each word was spoken with conviction.

Song Yuqing tilted his head slightly and studied Qi Zhengqing seriously. "You’re not like other alphas..."

He possessed an alpha’s strong possessiveness but lacked their inherent flaws.

He always respected him, as well as other omegas or betas.

Qi Zhengqing’s strength wasn’t just in his mental power and control.

What made him even stronger was that he never preyed on the weak or vented his pain and resentment on those less powerful.

Instead, he competed with alphas of equal strength.

"Mr. Qi, you are a remarkable alpha."

The corners of Qi Zhengqing’s lips finally lifted slightly. "Mm, you’re also a remarkable Song Yuqing."

Not just as a beta, but as Song Yuqing himself.

Song Yuqing had shown him another possibility for life.

All confusion and uncertainty dissipated at this moment, as they leaned into each other, drawing closer.

"Time to rest, baby."

Song Yuqing casually hooked his hand with Qi Zhengqing's, leading him up the steps.

"Qingqing."

Just as they entered the room, Song Yuqing heard Qi Zhengqing call him and tilted his head slightly, as if asking what was wrong.

Qi Zhengqing glanced down again at the fingers held by Song Yuqing. It was like...

He was the little cat's trophy, a fish the little cat was pleased with and had brought home.

At this thought, Qi Zhengqing couldn’t resist, his low voice tinged with a hint of laughter. "Qingqing, baby."

Qingqing meant 'baby'.

He was his beloved.

His Qingqing.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing lifted his head to look at the alpha, slightly displeased. "Why do you keep calling me?"

Almost instantly, the alpha made a decision, stepping forward to pull Song Yuqing into his arms. "I realized you’re picky."

"So I found it quite amusing."

The kitten doesn’t eat rotten "fish."

He should be grateful that, during those years, he hadn't completely let himself become a monster.

That’s how he was able to wait for the little cat who would scoop him up with a paw.

"I think you're a bit boring..." Song Yuqing wasn’t having any of it, fully aware of what Qi Zhengqing was implying but refusing to let him continue.

Qi Zhengqing wanted to pinch Song Yuqing's ear and say something more.

But the next second, Song Yuqing looped his arms around Qi Zhengqing's neck and kissed his lips. His cool voice carried little emotion, as if the kiss itself was devoid of passion.

It was simply a way of telling the alpha to skip the chatter—if he wanted to kiss, just kiss.

After kissing, he released the alpha and turned to leave.

Qi Ran left the next day without waiting for Song Yuqing to see him off. Instead, he only received a gift from Song Yuqing, delivered by Xiao Jinshi.

That—reagent for alpha secondary differentiation, which he had failed to obtain during his underground fight.

Qi Ran held the reagent, stored in a cryo-container. So, Song Yuqing had gone there for him.

Xiao Jinshi looked at Qi Ran mockingly. "What did you do that Song Yuqing didn’t even want to see you one last time?"

Qi Ran felt as if a knife had stabbed his heart again.

The pain was unbearable.

If not for the past, without his past recklessness, perhaps he could still see Song Yuqing in his role as an adopted son.

"Still, Song Yuqing has done enough for you. Any alpha would envy you for having so much of Song Yuqing's love, for having him scheme and plan on your behalf. You'd better use the reagent only when you need it. Don't expose yourself prematurely and cause trouble for Song Yuqing." Xiao Jinshi's tone was filled with bitterness.

It was both envy and a reminder—Qi Ran should not bite the hand that feeds him.

He didn't like Qi Ran, this damn mutt, but he had no intention of letting Qi Ran misunderstand or resent Song Yuqing.

He wasn't a particularly noble alpha, but no one had the right to hate Song Yuqing.

Well, except for Hakimi, who had long died in the bone-chilling sea.

He might have hated Song Yuqing—or more likely, felt both love and hate for him.

Qi Ran's gaze was cold and sharp. "I know."

He knew Song Yuqing had once liked him—Song Yuqing had said it himself.

Qi Ran boarded the train leaving the First District, the scenery whipping past.

In his mind, images rushed past quickly—

Song Yuqing pulling him up, patting his head, under the sunset, Song Yuqing telling him—"I like you," teaching him that he should like himself too...

They flew by too fast to grasp or hold onto.

When he looked back again, Song Yuqing wasn’t there behind him.

Xiao Jinshi had also returned, though he had no idea what that dog Qi Zhengqing had done to wear Song Yuqing out the night before.

When Song Yuqing called him in the morning, his voice still carried a hint of hoarseness. Xiao Jinshi suspected Song Yuqing hadn't slept at all, having been up with Qi Zhengqing that late.

If only he could send Qi Zhengqing away too.

Preferably forever. He'd definitely prepare a lavish funeral for Qi Zhengqing, piling ten meters of dirt on him and packing it down, ensuring he could never crawl out of the grave in this life or the next to find Song Yuqing.

Xiao Jinshi called Song Yuqing.

As soon as the call connected, he said cheerfully, "Brother, I sent Qi Ran away. Are you happy?"

Song Yuqing had been asleep for less than an hour. Upon answering, he heard Xiao Jinshi's excited voice.

Whether he was happy or not didn't matter—but clearly, Xiao Jinshi was thrilled.

Song Yuqing closed his eyes, his lashes casting a faint, cold shadow. "Got it."

His voice was cool, with a strange rasp, lazy and casual.

Even though he had just heard Song Yuqing's voice moments ago, hearing it again left Xiao Jinshi momentarily speechless. By the time he recovered, he heard an intrusive noise.

The alpha, who had just returned from outside, still carried the chill of the outdoors. He drew Song Yuqing into his embrace. "Time to apply medicine."

Song Yuqing's tone was calm, his eyes cold as he stared at the alpha, his fair face expressionless. "I won’t."

With his exquisite, icy features slightly softened by disheveled strands of hair, Song Yuqing pressed his hand against the alpha's chest, pushing back against the alpha's advance.

Aloof yet accessible.

It only made one want to hold him, comfort him, beg him to break down his distant demeanor once more, to grant another intimate moment, to reward with another kiss.

Qi Zhengqing snapped out of his thoughts and said resignedly, "Just sleep. I’ll be gentle."

Song Yuqing’s back tensed slightly, guarded toward Qi Zhengqing, like a cat that had been tricked before, arching its back and its fur puffing up, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

"Just behave. This isn’t a negotiation—it needs to be treated."

Song Yuqing looked at Qi Zhengqing. "I’m not negotiating with you."

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

A flat-out refusal to negotiate.

"If it’s not handled properly, you’ll suffer."

Xiao Jinshi let out an angry laugh upon hearing this. "If it’s not handled properly, he’ll suffer? How about you keep your damn dick away from him, then he won’t suffer."

Song Yuqing lowered his gaze, paying no attention to how Xiao Jinshi cursed at Qi Zhengqing. It was hard for him to speak up—after all, when it wasn't so rough, he had enjoyed it too.

But it was fitting for Xiao Jinshi to curse.

Qi Zhengqing lowered his gaze and spoke coldly, "You’re right. Let’s just sign an agreement—no one is allowed to touch Qingqing."

"I’ll abide by the agreement."

Though Qi Zhengqing’s words were directed at Xiao Jinshi, the meddling third party, his dark eyes were fixed on Song Yuqing, leaving him no room to refuse.

Xiao Jinshi: "..."

How can you eat your fill and then flip the table? Is Qi Zhengqing nuts?

Author's Note:

Xiao Jinshi: Am I just a part of your play? Can’t you just let me join in?