Chapter 115: Pinch the Kitten

Chapter 115: Pestering the Kitten

On the hospital bed, Song Yuqing hadn't woken up yet.

His lips were so pale they almost blended with his skin, pressed lightly together.

The oversized blue-and-white striped hospital gown made the young man appear even more frail, with a section of his slender wrist exposed, looking as if it could easily break.

A retained needle was inserted into the back of his hand, transparent medicine dripping silently into his weakened body.

White gauze was wrapped around his slender neck.

Only the slight rise and fall of his breathing remained, allowing others to sense his faint signs of life.

Qi Zhengqing walked in, reached out, and grazed his fingertips against Song Yuqing's face. The moment he touched Song Yuqing, Qi Zhengqing's expression finally shifted slightly.

The alpha's face was shadowed and unreadable, making it impossible to discern his emotions.

Qi Zhengqing kept vigil for three days. During this time, Xiao Jinshi and Ye Siling also came every day. When the three alphas gathered, they didn't speak but simply sat together, watching Song Yuqing.

Doctors passing by the hospital room shook their heads.

What was the point of so many people guarding him? He hadn't hit his head, and he certainly wouldn't lose his memory and imprint on the first alpha he saw upon waking as his mate.

It wasn't until the early hours of the fourth day that Song Yuqing finally woke up, meeting the alpha's dark, deep eyes.

Song Yuqing tilted his head slightly, pulling at the glass wound on his neck, causing some pain. He frowned lightly.

Almost at the same moment his brows furrowed, a large, burningly hot hand, with unquestionable firmness, firmly supported the back of his neck. "Don't move."

Song Yuqing allowed Qi Zhengqing to help him sit up. "Mm."

Song Yuqing: "How did things turn out?"

Qi Zhengqing passed him another cup of water. "A group of people were arrested. Many were involved—about half of the council members and those behind them. They're biting down hard; we can take a big bite out of them."

This wasn't just about Wei Yuan and the forces behind him wanting to eliminate Song Yuqing.

Half of the council members and the forces they represented wanted to kill Song Yuqing, control Ye Siling, and seize the results of Song Yuqing's efforts over this period.

They even tried to use him to take out their opposition.

These people's plans were interlinked, and if they had succeeded, Xinzhou would have quickly fallen into their hands.

Song Yuqing's method of provoking dissatisfaction in the meeting to smoke them out wasn't wrong. Rather than letting these people continue to cause trouble in the shadows, it was better to wipe them out in one go, eliminate the rivals, and let their own people take over.

He couldn't say Song Yuqing had done poorly, but the cost...

The alpha's gaze grew colder.

Song Yuqing wanted to nod but was stopped by Qi Zhengqing holding his chin.

Forced to halt, Song Yuqing's jaw was gripped by the alpha, his movements commanding and leaving no room for refusal.

"Fidgeting again."

Song Yuqing reached out to push Qi Zhengqing's hand away, but his hand was also pressed down by Qi Zhengqing. "You're getting an IV drip. Keep your hand properly placed."

Song Yuqing: "..."

"I won't move. Let go of me." Song Yuqing raised his eyes, his gaze studying the alpha intently.

Qi Zhengqing: "No."

Song Yuqing: "?"

A flicker of disbelief passed through Song Yuqing's calm eyes. He felt like Qi Zhengqing was purposely provoking him.

Song Yuqing's long, slender eyelashes trembled slightly. "Do you think I did something wrong?"

Qi Zhengqing: "I don't think you did anything wrong."

Song Yuqing: "Then what are you doing?"

Qi Zhengqing gently pinched Song Yuqing's cheek. Pale and fragile, his amber eyes resembled transparent glass beads, with only his dark eyelashes adding the most vivid touch to his face, giving off an exquisitely fragile quality.

Having his cheek pinched, Song Yuqing grew even more displeased.

Just as he was about to snap, he heard Qi Zhengqing speak. "Looking at you."

Qi Zhengqing's gaze was locked tightly on him, as steady and unreadable as before, yet somehow carrying an indescribable emotion.

"You've lost weight."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Was Qi Zhengqing talking nonsense? How could he have lost weight? Whether injured or not, he'd been on nutrient solutions. And Song Yuqing suspected that during the time he was asleep, Qi Zhengqing had definitely been giving him extra nutrient solutions, well beyond his normal portions.

"Seen enough?" Song Yuqing glanced sideways at Qi Zhengqing.

Qi Zhengqing pinched Song Yuqing's cheek again. "Not enough."

"Let go of me, Qi Zhengqing." Calling him by his full name showed the kitten's dissatisfaction, on the verge of bristling and wanting to hit someone.

Qi Zhengqing released Song Yuqing, but his fingers then moved to Song Yuqing's earlobe, gently rubbing it.

Once Qi Zhengqing let go, Song Yuqing asked again, "Pei Huai doesn't know, right?"

Qi Zhengqing: "No. He's in border training, completely cut off from all news for now."

Song Yuqing let out a sigh of relief. If Pei Huai found out, he would surely make plenty of trouble.

Song Yuqing then thought of Coal Ball and Lan Balun. "Did you feed my cat and snake for me?"

Qi Zhengqing's gaze never left Song Yuqing. Whenever Song Yuqing looked at Qi Zhengqing, he met those dark, abyssal eyes.

"Yes."

"They're both very obedient." Qi Zhengqing answered earnestly to each question Song Yuqing said.

"They sent photos to you. Did you have any issues?" Song Yuqing wanted to turn his head but remembered the wound on his neck and just kept his gaze on Qi Zhengqing instead.

He didn't think Qi Zhengqing would be so impulsive as to experience a mental power surge over a few photos.

At least, in his impression, Qi Zhengqing could approach most situations with rationality without letting his emotions affect his decisions.

Morever, during the time he was unconscious, Qi Zhengqing had already settled everything.

That's right...

Song Yuqing never believed that Qi Zhengqing's love for him was intense enough to make him lose his cool.

In other words, Song Yuqing knew Qi Zhengqing loved him, but he didn’t think Qi Zhengqing loved him to that extent.

He didn’t believe that Qi Zhengqing, fully aware it might be a trap and knowing he should control his emotions, would still lose it the moment he saw those photos.

Qi Zhengqing stroked Song Yuqing’s cheek with his thumb again, his gaze unwavering, almost as if trying to trap Song Yuqing in his gaze, refusing to let him leave.

"I'm fine. As you can see, I’m doing fine," Qi Zhengqing said.

"Don’t worry."

Qi Zhengqing did indeed seem to be in good spirits, but Song Yuqing still sensed something was off about him.

"You should go rest," Song Yuqing said. "I can take care of myself."

Qi Zhengqing: "No need. If you’re tired, go back to sleep. I’ll stay right here. I’ll feel better keeping an eye on you."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "When can I get out of here?"

He was bored. Not long after waking up, Song Yuqing already felt a bit bored.

"Depending on your recovery. You won’t be leaving anytime soon," Qi Zhengqing said, directly dashing Song Yuqing’s hopes of slipping away.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing. "I want to go home early. There’s nothing here."

"No. Be good. If you’re bored, I’m here anytime. Talk to me. You can’t leave the hospital early."

"Want me to peel you an apple?" Qi Zhengqing asked. "Want it shaped like a little cat?"

Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing for two seconds before finally saying, "Go ahead."

Since he was bored, Song Yuqing watched as Qi Zhengqing peeled the apple.

"Qi Zhengqing..."

Qi Zhengqing: "Hmm?"

"The ears should lie flatter," Song Yuqing instructed.

Qi Zhengqing: "Because you’re angry now, so the little cat has flat-back ears?"

Song Yuqing almost instantly realized Qi Zhengqing was calling him the kitten, and that little cats get flat-back ears when angry.

Song Yuqing retorted, "I am not."

Qi Zhengqing looked up and looked at Song Yuqing, extremely patient. "Then what kind of cat are you? A good cat?"

Song Yuqing insisted, "I’m not a cat."

Qi Zhengqing held the apple up to Song Yuqing’s mouth. "Open your mouth."

Song Yuqing bit off the little cat’s ear.

After he finished, Qi Zhengqing wiped Song Yuqing’s mouth. Song Yuqing really wanted to say he wasn’t that helpless he couldn’t take care of himself.

But Qi Zhengqing was acting strange, so Song Yuqing didn’t stop him.

Qi Zhengqing brought over some water. "Let me clean you up."

Song Yuqing had injuries around his waist and abdomen and couldn’t shower yet. During the days he was unconscious, Qi Zhengqing had been tending to him.

"Once the IV finishes, I’ll go to the bathroom and wash myself."

Qi Zhengqing: "I’ll carry you to the bathroom and help you wash. You still can’t let the wounds get wet. It’d be hard for you to do it alone."

In the bathroom, Song Yuqing leaned against the wall, a few buttons of his clothes undone, revealing fair skin flushed pink in some areas.

"Did you change my clothes these past few days?"

Qi Zhengqing lowered his head and continued unbuttoning the young man’s clothes. "Yeah. You’d have been uncomfortable otherwise."

Song Yuqing was a neat freak. Usually, if he got dirty, he’d want to wipe himself down with wet wipes.

His waist and abdomen were still bandaged, with a faint pinkish stain showing through the edges of the gauze.

"If you have no strength, press against me. I’ll hold you while washing you," Qi Zhengqing whispered soothingly.

The damp, soft towel touched his skin, and Song Yuqing’s eyes welled up.

Song Yuqing rubbed his cheek against Qi Zhengqing’s shoulder, finding a more comfortable position. His voice, soft and breathy, carried a tone of sheer exhaustion and reliance. "Qi Zhengqing."

His breath fanned against the skin of Qi Zhengqing’s neck. "Wipe my face later."

The young man’s exhalation carried a subtle, sweet scent that teased the alpha’s senses.

In this rare moment of vulnerability, this rare show of neediness, the alpha only wanted to keep Song Yuqing close at all times.

Qi Zhengqing couldn’t refuse Song Yuqing’s request.

Then he heard Song Yuqing’s breathing grow slightly uneven as he demanded, "Be gentler. It’s sore."

Song Yuqing’s clear eyes were now shimmering with unshed tears, the corners tinged with a delicate, flushed red.

Qi Zhengqing’s hand rested just below Song Yuqing’s waist, his fingers grazing Song Yuqing’s soft skin.

"I’ll be gentle," Qi Zhengqing said in a voice barely above a whisper, carrying a soothing tone. His arm around Song Yuqing’s waist tightened, firmly supporting the young man’s slumping body.

The alpha’s strong, solid arm molded tightly against the pale waist, leaving no gap.

Someone as standoffish as Song Yuqing had a body that contrasted with his cold exterior.

But he rarely allowed himself to be so docile, to let someone handle him like this.

All of this was enough to make it difficult for the alpha to hold back.

After finishing the sponge bath, Qi Zhengqing got him into fresh clothes. Song Yuqing said, "You can go now."

But Qi Zhengqing didn’t move. "What else do you need? I’ll help you."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "No need. I can manage myself."

"I’d rather stay. It puts me at ease. When you were unconscious, I took care of you then too," Qi Zhengqing said, his gaze falling on Song Yuqing’s slender neck. "When you weren’t unconscious, we did this together too. Today is no different."

Song Yuqing really wanted to say that today was different from before.

But the Alpha’s hand was already reaching over. "Enough, Qi Zhengqing, stop messing with me."

Song Yuqing tried to kick the Alpha, but his ankle was pressed down by the Alpha’s palm. Already weakened from his injuries, Song Yuqing completely lost what little strength remained to resist the Alpha’s dominance and was completely lifted into his arms.

Never in his life had Song Yuqing felt so humiliated. He didn’t even want to look, burying his face in the Alpha’s chest, his eyelashes damp as he snarled coldly, "Bastard."

After carrying Song Yuqing back, Qi Zhengqing went to take a shower. Having slept for three days, Song Yuqing found it hard to fall asleep again.

As soon as Qi Zhengqing returned, Song Yuqing looked at him discontentedly. "Aren’t you going back? Planning to sleep here with me?"

Qi Zhengqing: "Mm."

Song Yuqing: "..."

The bed in Song Yuqing’s hospital room was large enough for two. Qi Zhengqing adjusted Song Yuqing’s position before holding him and closing his eyes.

In the darkness, Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing for who knows how long.

88 suddenly spoke up, "Qingqing, you’re being so agreeable today?"

Especially earlier when Qi Zhengqing was helping him bathe—if not for Song Yuqing’s physical condition, the way he leaned against Qi Zhengqing and made demands would have likely provoked Qi Zhengqing to take things further.

Of course, 88 didn’t dare say any of this in front of Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing: "Qi Zhengqing isn’t acting right."

Although Qi Zhengqing seemed normal—taking care of him, answering his questions, coaxing him by peeling apples—the way he kept staring and his unconsciously revealed attitude made it clear he really wanted to teach Song Yuqing a lesson.

Given his current physical state, Song Yuqing knew he stood no chance against Qi Zhengqing. Even cursing at him made his lungs ache.

Once he recovered, if Qi Zhengqing wanted to pick a fight, he wouldn't necessarily lose, even in a physical confrontation. But not now.

Let Qi Zhengqing enjoy himself for a couple of days first.

When it came to arguing or fighting, he refused to lose to Qi Zhengqing.

88: "..."

So you think he wants to teach you a lesson, and you’re planning to fight him once you’re better.

88: "Actually, if you maintain this state and let Qi Zhengqing bathe you a couple more times, you could make him putty in your hands, Qingqing. At most, you’d just get a lesson in bed."

Of course, he believed Qi Zhengqing would never hit Song Yuqing outside the bedroom.

When Song Yuqing was injured, Qi Zhengqing was more worried than anyone.

88: "Qingqing, do you know why you’re thinking about how to pick a fight with Qi Zhengqing?"

Song Yuqing didn’t hesitate: "To prevent trouble before it happens. Strike first to gain the upper hand."

88: "..."

Wow.

Qingqing, you little schemer, using all your tricks on your husband.

88: "I think it’s because you know you’re not entirely in the right yourself. You feel a little guilty, so you plan to prove you’re right by winning an argument or a fight."

When you’re not justified, you resort to force.

Song Yuqing lifted his eyelids slightly and retorted, "I’m not wrong."

As Song Yuqing slowly pondered how to argue with Qi Zhengqing, he eventually drifted off to sleep.

Just as Song Yuqing closed his eyes and his breathing steadied, the Alpha opened his eyes again, staring at Song Yuqing as if his gaze could solidify.

His fingers gently brushed Song Yuqing’s neck, earlobes, and the tip of his nose, over and over again.

It was as if he were confirming something, or perhaps fearing something—afraid that if he let go, Song Yuqing would vanish before his eyes, leaving behind only lifeless photos and a cold body.

Finally, Qi Zhengqing leaned down, cupped Song Yuqing’s face, and kissed his lips, filling his senses with Song Yuqing’s scent, filling his very lungs with his scent, taking in every breath as his own.

They would not be separated.

Why let Song Yuqing take such risks? Why praise him again and again for doing well, trapping him by his side? At least that way, Song Yuqing wouldn’t have the chance to endanger himself.

Whatever Song Yuqing wanted, he could give it to him. Why let him take risks? Why let him obtain things in his own way?

Was Song Yuqing’s freedom and achievements more important than his life?

He should just lock Song Yuqing by his side, keeping him within sight every moment.

Once these crazy, obsessive thoughts took root, they instantly grew and flourished in the Alpha’s heart, becoming impossible to eradicate.

His breath stolen, Song Yuqing woke up and met Qi Zhengqing’s dark, intense eyes.

Before he could react, his lips were sealed again, kissed until his tongue went numb, every breath between them completely claimed by the Alpha.

Song Yuqing: "Qi Zhengqing..."

"Mm." Qi Zhengqing kissed Song Yuqing’s forehead, still holding his face. "Be good. Be obedient."

The Alpha’s gaze and demeanor were intensely possessive, his gentle tone and actions unable to conceal the madness and obsession beneath.

"How do you want me to be obedient?" Song Yuqing’s breath was still uneven as he slapped Qi Zhengqing across the face.

With a sharp sound, the Alpha’s face turned slightly, but Qi Zhengqing remained silent.

Qi Zhengqing didn’t just want obedience—he wanted to protect him, keep him by his side forever, never letting him escape his sight, even if he grew bored.

Song Yuqing stared coldly at the Alpha. "Was that good?"

"Are those few painless kisses enough for you? If not, why not just take me already? Will that satisfy your possessiveness?"

Author’s Note:

Song Qingqing: Domestic violence.

Da Qi: Hit me again.