Chapter 107: Bad Dad

Chapter 107 The Awful Father

"Damn it!" The alpha cursed under his breath, his fury reaching its peak.

Song Yuqing sprayed a little more water on the newly planted seedlings.

The alpha's furious, threatening curses filled his ears.

"Song Yuqing, so what if I leaked a bit of news?"

"You're the one who wanted to have a child with an alpha, you…"

Song Yuqing offered Zong He no further explanations, nor did he say anything more; he simply hung up the phone.

Zong He grew even more furious. At this point, he couldn't retract the news about Song Yuqing.

Moreover, if the matter were investigated deeply, he wouldn't escape unscathed.

He had, of course, frequently used the guise of promotion to secretly investigate Song Yuqing's experiments and his core technology.

This was something all members of their council did together.

The problem was, the others had kept their hands clean, while his were not.

Now, besides confirming the news that Song Yuqing was truly pregnant, he had no other choice but to explain that he was merely digging for information about Song Yuqing's pregnancy.

Under Zong He's further manipulation, the news of Song Yuqing's pregnancy spread even more widely through his efforts, even leading to public speculation about the child's paternity.

Even Qi Zhengqing was cornered by reporters.

As Qi Zhengqing stepped out of the office building in the special economic zone, a sudden flash of white camera lights pierced his eyes.

Reporters rushed forward, pushing microphones almost up to the collar of his suit.

His assistant and two bodyguards immediately stepped in, trying to hold back the surging crowd, but the reporters pressed on with urgent questions.

"Mr. Qi, did you know that Mr. Song is pregnant?"

Qi Zhengqing paused mid-step, as if hearing about Song Yuqing's pregnancy for the first time.

The surroundings fell into an eerie silence for a few seconds, broken only by the frantic clicking of camera shutters. All eyes were fixed on Qi Zhengqing's face, searching for the slightest change in expression.

Qi Zhengqing slowly turned his head toward the reporter who had asked the question. There was no panic in his gaze, only an overwhelming sense of authority, as if he were scrutinizing an ant.

The reporter instantly felt a chill, as if being stared down by a predator, and instinctively shrank back, looking for cover.

Then Qi Zhengqing spoke, "He isn't pregnant."

Two words, firm and decisive, settling the matter once and for all.

But one persistent reporter, boldly gathering courage, pressed further, "Perhaps you just don't know. If the child isn't yours, of course you wouldn't have the right to know."

Qi Zhengqing coldly stared at the reporter, his presence growing even more intimidating and unyielding. "I am his partner. I have more right to know than any of you."

With that, the alpha turned away, and his bodyguards immediately cleared a path. This time, no one dared to make a sound, watching helplessly as Qi Zhengqing walked away.

In the car,

the alpha's sharply defined features were half-hidden in the darkness. Qi Zhengqing lowered his eyes, toying with a lighter in his hand. His thumb slowly rubbed against the smooth, cold metal surface.

Click.

His thumb gently flicked open the lid.

Click.

The lid snapped shut again, perfectly aligned.

The alpha showed no expression, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.

Qi Zhengqing carefully recalled every encounter he had with Song Yuqing. Every time, precautions had been taken meticulously. Song Yuqing couldn't be pregnant.

Unless...

He didn't want to entertain unfounded thoughts. They had agreed—no children, whether his or anyone else's.

But if Song Yuqing were pregnant, he should at least hear the truth from Song Yuqing himself.

Qi Zhengqing dialed Song Yuqing's number. "Do you need me to come over?"

Song Yuqing understood immediately why Qi Zhengqing was calling. "No need."

Then he added, "Pei Huai is here. I'm safe."

Qi Zhengqing's knuckles turned white as he gripped the lighter.

His voice remained steady and deep, even carrying a soothing warmth. "Hmm, what about the pregnancy rumor?"

Song Yuqing explained calmly, "It's not true."

"It's Meiqiu."

Song Yuqing found himself sharing a bit more with Qi Zhengqing about recent events.

"Not focusing on work really leads to trouble. If I take half a month off next time, maybe people will say I've given birth."

Song Yuqing understood this world and had adapted to it, but he still couldn't accept the idea of being able to get pregnant and give birth.

The beta's voice showed little emotion, but Qi Zhengqing could sense a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Hearing Song Yuqing complain lightly about the unscrupulous media made Qi Zhengqing feel reassured and closer to him.

"When did Pei Huai get here?"

Song Yuqing briefly explained what had happened, holding little back from Qi Zhengqing. He even shared some of his plans for the future.

Even though Qi Zhengqing and Pei Huai were rivals,

he had to admit that Pei Huai would drop everything and rush back without a second thought over a mere rumor. Pei Huai was truly willing to give everything for Song Yuqing.

It was no surprise that such love made Song Yuqing's heart skip a beat, even if just for a moment.

Qi Zhengqing knew all too well that emotions often hinged on fleeting moments of attraction.

At least in that moment, every other alpha had lost completely to Pei Huai.

"Hmm."

"Be careful with Pei Huai. He's impulsive."

Qi Zhengqing was silent for a few seconds before emphasizing, "Use protection."

Song Yuqing: "..."

88 couldn't help but speak up, "The official partner sure has magnanimity. Only Pei Huai acts like a side piece with his brothel antics."

Song Yuqing lowered his eyelashes slightly. Did Qi Zhengqing really have magnanimity?

He never thought Qi Zhengqing was the tolerant type. Qi Zhengqing allowed other alphas around him, but if he actually got involved with one, he believed Qi Zhengqing would lose his mind more than anyone else.

Qi Zhengqing wouldn't harm him, but he would get jealous.

Outwardly, he seemed like the dignified main partner, acting the part, but in reality, he was probing while making strategic retreats.

Each had their own quirks: Pei Huai openly disparaged people, Qi Zhengqing had some principles but was shrewd and scheming, Xiao Jinshi sneakily fanned flames behind the scenes, and Ye Siling acted like a gentleman but loved stirring the pot.

From a certain perspective, alphas were nothing good.

To be honest, his favorite among them was probably Pei Huai.

Brainless—interacting with Pei Huai required no thinking.

Song Yuqing: "Don't worry, I'll use protection. After all, our Coal Ball is an only child, right?"

Qi Zhengqing fell silent for a long time before slowly replying, "Yeah."

These words were a rejection of his testing, a hope that he would stick to his earlier promise not to interfere with his emotions.

Almost the moment Song Yuqing said this, Qi Zhengqing knew his test had been discovered.

Pei Huai's presence in Song Yuqing's life had made him lose his usual restraint.

At this point, he couldn't make a scene like some jealous husband, demanding that Song Yuqing remain loyal in heart and body.

Song Yuqing lay on the sofa in the same position he had rested in with Qi Zhengqing that day, with Coal Ball by his side.

His fingers unconsciously stroked Coal Ball's furry head as Song Yuqing let his thoughts drift back to the lingering warmth from not long ago.

The love was real, the tenderness was real, the hope for his well-being was real.

But the jealousy was real too.

Humans were such complex and contradictory beings, and it was these contradictions that made up a complete, genuine person.

Song Yuqing wasn't particularly angry, just...

He patted Coal Ball's head. "Your dad isn't honest at all—he's testing me."

88 tsk-ed beside him. Qi Zhengqing was a bit anxious today, but he had reason to be. If he didn't hurry, his wife might run off.

Perhaps no one had expected that they might lose to Pei Huai, that dumb husky.

"Bad dad," the young man breathed out lightly, the words slipping from his lips like little barbs, casually teasing.

88: "If Qi Zhengqing heard you call him that, he'd be thrilled to death."

Song Yuqing insisted, "That's not what I meant."

88 tilted his head. "It doesn't matter. When he hears it, he'll think you're calling him 'daddy.'"

Song Yuqing: "..."

When Pei Huai returned after debriefing someone, he saw Song Yuqing holding Coal Ball while working on the sofa.

Coal Ball was sleeping on her back, while Song Yuqing focused intently, his fingers tapping on the keyboard. The lines of his profile were sharply outlined by the cold light of the screen.

The light cast faint shadows on his face, giving the young man an air of focused detachment.

Tch.

An icy little kitten.

Pei Huai watched for a moment before walking over and asking Song Yuqing, "Are you sure she's not yours?"

Song Yuqing was like a pretty, refined cat—sometimes lazy and proud.

It wouldn't be too surprising if he had a silly little kitten.

Song Yuqing lifted his eyelashes and stared at Pei Huai for a few seconds. "What do you think?"

Pei Huai scratched his nose, feeling guilty but still bold.

He lowered his voice. "She's definitely yours."

Pei Huai moved Song Yuqing's laptop aside, pressing down forcefully. His gunpowder-scented pheromones carried an aggressive edge as he wrapped an arm around Song Yuqing's waist, closing the distance between them.

His searing breath reddened Song Yuqing's fair skin as Pei Huai murmured hoarsely, "Let's have another one. Okay, wife?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing replied coldly, "No."

As soon as he refused, Pei Huai kissed his cheek. Pei Huai seemed to have been waiting for this rejection and said, as if it were the most natural thing, "Fine, no babies then. Let's just have fun. What flavor do you like?"

Pei Huai pulled out a handful of colorful wrapped condoms from his pocket and asked Song Yuqing to choose.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Even Pei Huai was starting to play tricks with him.

Song Yuqing: "No. Go to sleep."

Song Yuqing didn't understand where Pei Huai got all this energy—never sleeping, and as soon as he returned, he was kissing and hugging.

And now he wanted to engage in more physical activities.

"If you can't sleep, go for a run," Song Yuqing said, maintaining his half-cradled, half-pinned position. His aloof profile seemed faint in the dim light as he lifted his long lashes and glanced calmly at Pei Huai.

Pei Huai had endless energy, but he had no intention of going for a run.

He scooped Song Yuqing up decisively. "Then let's sleep together. You didn't sleep well in the early hours last night—let's get to bed early tonight."

If they couldn't do it, so be it.

If Song Yuqing actually agreed to it, hell would freeze over.

Holding Song Yuqing while sleeping was pretty good too.

"Cat," Song Yuqing said flatly.

Pei Huai reached out with his long arm, casually scooping up Song Yuqing's cat and placing it in his arms. "Can we go to sleep now?"

Song Yuqing held the kitten and didn't continue the conversation with Pei Huai.

Pei Huai glanced down, the corners of his lips twitching as he fought back a smile. A beautiful, cat-like wife holding a kitten.

He was living the dream of having a wife, child, and a warm home.

He didn't want to go back, but it wasn't possible.

Mei Qiu was still a bit dizzy. Together with Song Yuqing, they went to bed and started looking for a warm and safe spot.

In the middle of the night, Pei Huai reached out, planning to quietly move Mei Qiu away so he could sleep in his wife's arms. "What was he thinking?"

Pei Huai felt around for a moment but couldn't find it, so his hand continued to move upward.

His fingertips brushed past the abdomen, followed the curve of the ribs. Finally, in a warm and soft area, he touched a fluffy, slightly moving creature.

Pei Huai's fingers froze.

Fluffy, warm, breathing, positioned right at...

The clothing there had already been pushed aside by Mei Qiu, who was sleeping pressed against Song Yuqing's snow-white skin.

Time seemed to freeze.

Pei Huai froze for one second, two seconds, three seconds.

The alpha's hand didn't move away.

"What are you doing?" Song Yuqing's cold voice suddenly rang out, slightly husky from the contact of the alpha's rough fingertips.

Pei Huai's mind went completely blank, his voice hoarse and throat tight, "Qingqing, I think there's something here..."