Chapter 104: Kitten

Chapter 104: The Kitten

Song Yuqing lay on the bed, his fingertips tracing the waist chain. The emerald, nestled against his skin, made his complexion appear even fairer, like snow.

Suddenly, Song Yuqing heard a faint sound. He pulled on his robe, tied the sash, and walked out of the bedroom. There, in the guest room, he found a kitten, its eyes still closed, meowing weakly, each cry trembling—frail and pitiful.

Qi Zhengqing, drawn by the commotion, arrived to see Song Yuqing standing motionless, staring intently at the tiny creature.

The kitten was so small it seemed it could be crushed with a single squeeze. Song Yuqing didn’t touch the little black ball of fur, merely observing from where he stood.

Qi Zhengqing chuckled softly at the sight of "Qingqing" staring at the kitten.

The next moment, Song Yuqing shot him a puzzled look. "Did you bring it here?"

Qi Zhengqing nodded, stepping forward to embrace Song Yuqing. "I found it on my way to see you. I fed it just yesterday."

Qi Zhengqing added, "Hold it."

Song Yuqing resisted slightly. Such a fragile life seemed as if it could be accidentally crushed just by picking it up. His expression remained cold. "No."

Song Yuqing had kept Pei Huai’s snake, raised stray dogs, and even built sturdy robots, but he had never cared for something that seemed like it could stop breathing at any moment.

To Song Yuqing, powerful things were a challenge—something to tame or train, creatures that would survive with just a little food or care. But something this delicate was difficult for him; he had never considered raising such a fragile being.

As soon as Song Yuqing finished speaking, Qi Zhengqing scooped him up, placed him on a stool by the wet bar, and then gently put the kitten in his arms.

"Just hold it. It likes you," Qi Zhengqing said, his gaze fixed fondly on Song Yuqing. The alpha’s deep voice softened, as if coaxing him.

Song Yuqing’s tone was stiff. "How do you know it likes me?"

Just as Song Yuqing retorted, the kitten’s damp nose brushed against his palm, sending a jolt like an electric current through him—a strange sensation flickering in his heart.

"Meow!"

Qi Zhengqing’s narrow eyes met Song Yuqing’s. "Do you like it?"

Song Yuqing didn’t respond, holding the kitten coldly but not letting go.

A while later, while Qi Zhengqing was washing vegetables in the kitchen, he heard Song Yuqing call out from the living room. Though the young man tried to maintain his usual aloof tone, a faint trace of excitement was detectable. "Qi Zhengqing, when did you last feed the cat? Is it time to feed it now?"

Qi Zhengqing replied, "I fed it once late last night. It’s about time. Should I do it?"

After asking, Song Yuqing ignored Qi Zhengqing again, fetching what he needed to feed the kitten himself. The kitten was too young, still needing to be bottle-fed.

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

He felt like a mere deliveryman—once the cat was delivered, Song Yuqing paid him no mind.

If he had brought the kitten out last night, he wouldn’t have needed to explain so much. But if he had given Song Yuqing the kitten yesterday, he might have lost his partner by morning.

Qi Zhengqing finished cooking. "Time to eat, Qingqing."

Song Yuqing shook his head. "You eat. I’ll just have a nutrient drink."

The alpha placed a hand on the young man’s nape. "Do me a favor? Try a bite. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it."

Song Yuqing reluctantly agreed and took a small bite.

He disliked strongly flavored foods, preferring bland ones. Yet even mild dishes lacked appeal, and Song Yuqing still didn’t enjoy eating.

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

It seemed Song Yuqing would never develop a love for food.

But perhaps he would learn to cherish life.

Qi Zhengqing deliberately asked Song Yuqing, who was always either working or thinking about work, "Should I take you to work after breakfast?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

He replied matter-of-factly, "I’m resting today, keeping you company, you lonely old man."

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

Was it him or the kitten that Song Yuqing intended to keep company?

Pretending not to notice that Song Yuqing had already accepted the cat, Qi Zhengqing asked, "Do you want to keep it? If not, I’ll take it to the company."

Song Yuqing said, "She’s too small. You don’t have time to care for her. I can look after her for you."

Qi Zhengqing looked up at Song Yuqing. "No need. I have time to take care of her. I think you’ll be busier."

"By the time you come home late at night, the cat would have starved to death several times over," the alpha stated calmly, slipping a piece of candy into Song Yuqing’s mouth while he was lost in thought.

"Alright, go play with the cat. Once I finish washing the dishes, it’s my turn—you said you’d keep me company, remember?"

Song Yuqing wanted to say he didn’t eat candy and to scold Qi Zhengqing for implying he’d neglect the cat. But with too many thoughts swirling in his head, he couldn’t get the words out, his mouth occupied by the candy. The sweetness spread across his tongue, leaving no room for refusal.

Qi Zhengqing heard the young man mumble, "I won’t let it die."

A slight smile tugged at Qi Zhengqing’s lips. His Qingqing kitten was unbearably adorable.

Everyone in the lab thought the sun must have risen from the west today—some even went outside to check multiple times. Their ever-punctual Teacher Song, who clocked in like clockwork every day, hadn’t shown up at the lab even by 10 a.m.

Having slept poorly the previous night and awakened by the kitten, Song Yuqing dozed off again, the kitten curled up asleep beside him.

This was the scene Qi Zhengqing encountered when he stepped out.

He intended to carry Song Yuqing back to bed, but Song Yuqing shook his head. Instead, Qi Zhengqing held him in his arms. The small sofa accommodated both the alpha and the beta, the alpha’s strong arms wrapped around Song Yuqing’s waist, letting him rest entirely against him.

The kitten nestled warmly against Song Yuqing’s wrist.

When Song Yuqing woke again, he felt disoriented. Sunlight filtered through the cotton curtains, casting a warm, cozy glow in the room.

Qi Zhengqing and the kitten were still asleep.

A peculiar feeling quietly spread within him.

He couldn’t quite articulate what he felt. He wanted to ask something but didn’t know how. The question felt strange, almost incomprehensible. In the end, Song Yuqing could only wonder to himself: Is this what they call happiness?

Before Qi Zhengqing even opened his eyes, he leaned down and kissed Song Yuqing’s forehead, as if sensing the warmth radiating from him.

The alpha's fingers combed through Song Yuqing's hair, sliding a hair tie from his wrist and deftly tying Song Yuqing's hair up.

Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing’s instinctive gesture without saying a word.

After a moment, he poked Qi Zhengqing’s cheek, his face pale and stern, and spoke in a hushed tone, "Stop sleeping. At your age, how can you sleep? Qi Zhengqing, if you never sleep, you can use your time fully—while others live five years, you’d live ten."

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

Qi Zhengqing opened his eyes, meeting a pair of overly serious ones, and lowered his voice to match Song Yuqing’s, "Mm, good idea, clever darling. If staying up doesn't kill me, it’s definitely feasible."

Song Yuqing: "Go back to the room. Keep your voice down."

Qi Zhengqing: "Mm."

Qi Zhengqing picked up Song Yuqing once more. The little blind kitten tilted its head and landed face-first on the sofa. Unfortunately, the sightless kitten couldn’t find its mom and could only sit there bewildered.

Qi Zhengqing closed the door and looked down to ask Song Yuqing, "In a good mood today?"

Song Yuqing didn’t speak, just quietly watched the alpha for a while, his fingers tapping lightly on the alpha’s gland.

Unintentionally seductive, he made the alpha’s Adam’s apple bob with extreme restraint.

Yet it still made an audible swallow.

Song Yuqing asked Qi Zhengqing, "Can I name her Coal Lump?"

Song Yuqing abruptly changed the subject to something completely unrelated to the current scene.

Qi Zhengqing raised an eyebrow slightly, "Sure."

Song Yuqing’s fingers moved down again, his fingertips toying with the tie of the alpha’s robe, as if with just a light tug, he could undo the alpha’s clothes.

"Next question, if we get divorced, who does Coal Lump go with?"

Qi Zhengqing’s Adam’s apple bobbed again, his voice hoarse, "No divorce."

"You want freedom? Just wait..." Before Qi Zhengqing could finish, he felt a sudden dizzying spin as the alpha threw him over his shoulder.

When they landed on the bed again, Qi Zhengqing held Song Yuqing down, "Wait until I’m dead to make room for others."

"Not now."

"No divorce now." Qi Zhengqing repeated his demand.

Song Yuqing blinked slightly, his long lashes casting a delicate, cool shadow, "Then what do you want to do now?"

The alpha lowered his head and answered honestly, "Kiss you, hold you close."

Song Yuqing turned his head, "Is that all?"

"Don’t you like this anymore?" Song Yuqing’s fingers hooked the waist chain that had been left by the bed unused yesterday, his tone lazy and casual.

The beauty’s dark hair spilled messily over the alpha’s arm. Song Yuqing slightly raised his eyes, his pale cheeks and amber eyes naturally revealing a hint of tenderness, as if seducing, making one understand the powerful effect of his charms on an alpha.

When he looked seriously at the alpha, it almost made the alpha’s heart stop.

Qi Zhengqing fully understood what it meant—it came down to whether Song Yuqing wanted to or was willing.

When Song Yuqing was in the mood to play, it wasn’t a simple game of cat and mouse; he lured the alpha until he was completely disoriented. It wasn’t about introducing a rival to throw the alpha into confusion.

Rather, without exposing a single inch of skin, just looking at you like that would make your heart race, make you willing to die for him.

"Like it," the alpha’s voice was extremely low.

"Then help me put it on, okay? Qi Zhengqing?"

Song Yuqing’s slender hand rested on the alpha’s throat, lightly squeezing.

So white—the extreme whiteness contrasted sharply with the alpha’s skin tone.

Like a handful of snow falling on mud, stained with dust, splattered with filth, dirtied.

Qi Zhengqing’s Adam’s apple bobbed again, their breaths mingling. The air was thick like honey, carrying an almost suffocating sweetness, making one drown in this syrupy sugar.

"Okay." The word almost escaped him, carrying a bewitched hoarseness.

The alpha’s fingers worked through the clasp, his head lowered as he seriously adjusted the chain’s length, placing each gemstone precisely on the beauty’s skin. His fingertips occasionally brushed against Song Yuqing’s waist, the alpha feeling the sensation of that thin, pale skin.

His hands were steady, but Song Yuqing could sense the alpha’s breathing reaching a certain critical point, only to be forcefully suppressed.

The cold metal chain, the sparkling gemstones, created a stark and impactful contrast with his snow-white skin and aloof demeanor.

These visual impacts once again disrupted the alpha’s rhythm, completely holding Qi Zhengqing’s attention on Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing, who seemed almost breathless, a cool, rational smile escaping the corners of his eyes and brows, "Feels like you’re weaving your own cocoon."

Qi Zhengqing gazed deeply at Song Yuqing, "Mm."

Thinking it was a reward for himself, but in reality, he was weaving his own trap, building his own prison.

More completely locking himself by Song Yuqing’s side, becoming a plaything for his amusement.

Xiao Jinshi opened the apartment door and walked inside step by step. Yesterday, Song Yuqing had suddenly told him not to visit, so he hadn’t come over.

But today, he could no longer resist coming to see Song Yuqing. Before heading to Song Yuqing’s apartment, Xiao Jinshi went to the lab, but Song Yuqing wasn’t there. His desire to see Song Yuqing grew even more urgent, especially since Song Yuqing wasn’t one to neglect work. On the way over, he’d even wondered if Song Yuqing was sick.

The curtains weren’t drawn, so the room was dim. Xiao Jinshi didn’t notice anything new in the apartment.

Taking quick steps, he headed straight for Song Yuqing’s bedroom. Considering Song Yuqing might be sleeping, Xiao Jinshi moved very quietly.

Song Yuqing was irritable when woken up; if disturbed, he’d get cold-faced, upset, and might even ignore people for days.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he heard sounds of urgent restraint, a few syllables escaping from lips.

Sunlight poured in through the large floor-to-ceiling window, and a breathtaking snow-white form filled Xiao Jinshi’s view.

Xiao Jinshi was immediately mesmerized. The green gemstones glittered brilliantly under the sunlight, the waist chain adorning the youth’s waist.

The cold metal chain outlined the most seductive curve of that snow-white waist, the green gemstone adornments perfectly accenting the small of his back and side, as if they belonged there from birth.

Xiao Jinshi could even clearly see the incredibly thin skin on the waist glistening with a fine layer of sweat.

Like dew forming on snow, carrying a subtle fragrance.

The chain swayed rhythmically.

Tinkling sounds reached Xiao Jinshi’s ears.

It was like watching a painterly film scene, a live shoot of a film filled with love and desire, each frame so perfect it could be exported without editing.

Xiao Jinshi's throat was parched and tight, a gush of blood rushed from his nose.

He didn't even have time to think about his nosebleed, his gaze fixed intently on Song Yuqing.

Qi Zhengqing raised his hand, shielding large areas of Song Yuqing's fair skin, his Alpha gaze cold and sharp, with an unyielding, dismissive intensity.

Song Yuqing also came to slightly, his eyes somewhat dazed as he tilted his head, looking at Xiao Jinshi with confusion, aloof yet alluring. "Why are you here?"

Noticing Xiao Jinshi's disheveled state, he added a reminder, "Your nose is bleeding. Go take care of it."

Xiao Jinshi had no intention of leaving, but he was afraid of dirtying Song Yuqing.

"I—I'll go right away," the alpha stammered, turning flustered, only to slam into the door with a loud thud the next second.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Clumsy dog.

Qi Zhengqing's fingers pressed into the small of Song Yuqing's back, nuzzling against his cheek, then twirling a lock of his hair. His tone was gentle as he asked, "Qingqing, am I that unnoticeable?"

Song Yuqing was suddenly overwhelmed.

By the time Xiao Jinshi returned, Song Yuqing had already put on clothes but seemed a bit out of it.

Xiao Jinshi: "Brother, is Qi Zhengqing mad? Did he just ditch you here?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

Xiao Jinshi's gaze fell on Song Yuqing's neck. "Are you uncomfortable?"

Biting back his frustration, he added, "I've heard that after sex, mood can drop quickly, leading to feeling down. If he won't comfort you, can I comfort you?"

Song Yuqing's eyes shifted to Xiao Jinshi's forehead, which was still red from the bump.

Song Yuqing: "I just need to rest a bit. I don't need your comfort."

Actually, afterward each time, Qi Zhengqing would help him clean up, hold him for a while, talk to him, or kiss him until he was almost asleep.

He'd never considered it like that before.

Xiao Jinshi felt uneasy and regretful—if he hadn't listened to Song Yuqing and come over yesterday, maybe he'd be with Song Yuqing now.

"Then, do you want me to help you with medicine?"

"No need," Song Yuqing replied, fingers idly playing with the removed chain.

Xiao Jinshi was so jealous he could almost writhe in envy. Qi Zhengqing must be thrilled—not only does he have a claim, but Song Yuqing rewards him this way.

Every jingle of that waist chain was a symbol of his own deepening longing; just thinking about it got him excited.

"I can do it too, brother."

Xiao Jinshi held back for a moment but couldn't resist offering himself. Song Yuqing lifted his gaze to look at him and replied softly, "Hmm."

Xiao Jinshi knew Song Yuqing wasn't agreeing to anything, but at least it wasn't a complete rejection, right?

Xiao Jinshi's hand rested on Song Yuqing's waist, rubbing it now and then.

The silk pajamas hugged his slender figure.

"Does it hurt?"

Xiao Jinshi pressed on, and Song Yuqing answered casually, "It's alright."

The warm, cool scent directly stirred up the alpha, making it feel like Qi Zhengqing was never there.

This was his and Song Yuqing's little home; this was the afterglow with Song Yuqing.

He had Song Yuqing's gentleness and coolness all to himself.

"Brother..."

Song Yuqing tapped on the screen, searching for how to raise a cat.

The alpha's fingers drifted to Song Yuqing's lower abdomen, his burning palm pressing against it—so thin, it felt like he could touch right through.

Just a slight touch made Xiao Jinshi tremble with excitement. "Brother."

Especially knowing that Qi Zhengqing was just in the bathroom next door, and could come out at any moment.

Song Yuqing pressed down on Xiao Jinshi's hand. "Why is your hand shaking?"

Xiao Jinshi, suddenly caught, guiltily lowered his head, meeting Song Yuqing's slightly puzzled gaze.

How could he dare tell him that he wanted Qi Zhengqing to watch them?

He quickly grasped for a topic to deflect. "I was wondering, brother, will you and Qi Zhengqing have children?"

Song Yuqing: "We already have one."

Coal Ball, the little cat. If he divorces Qi Zhengqing in the future, the little cat will go with him.

Xiao Jinshi, who had just been pondering, felt as if struck by lightning, kicked into an abyss by Song Yuqing's words. His palm still felt the warmth from Song Yuqing's soft waist—was there really a little life there?

Author's Note:

Song Qingqing: Such a little thing—I can raise it! My daughter!

Xiao Jinshi: It's over, it's over. With a child, Qi Zhengqing has brother tied down tightly.

Da Qi: Raising a cat, the little cat comes home on time every day after work.