Chapter 137: Hurry, Baby

Chapter 137: Hurry Up, Darling

Song Yuqing pulled away, and Ye Siling stared at the direction he left, lost in thought for a long time.

Song Yuqing had softened towards him.

Despite his sordid thoughts, Song Yuqing hadn't immediately pushed him away or banished him from his world.

Didn't that mean Song Yuqing harbored some feelings for him after all?

Song Yuqing had given him a chance.

...: "This is hilarious. Are you really not tempted? If you weren't, why didn't you expose me and instead gave up Zhou Yongnian?"

...: "I know you're tempted. How about I help you get rid of all the alphas around Song Yuqing, leaving only you?"

...: "Your hands will stay clean. Song Yuqing won't turn against you over the deaths of those alphas."

Su Quan sneered. Of course, Ye Siling wouldn't agree to Zhou Yongnian's terms—to possess Song Yuqing by force—because Ye Siling had never been tempted by Zhou Yongnian's offer.

He was far greedier than Zhou Yongnian or Song Yuqing could imagine.

He wanted Song Yuqing himself, but even more, he wanted Song Yuqing's heart.

He wouldn't drag Song Yuqing down from his pedestal. He wanted Song Yuqing to remain there, lofty and untouchable, yet still love him. He couldn't bear even a hint of Song Yuqing's hatred, nor would he tolerate Song Yuqing's affection being shared with anyone else.

Ye Siling said nothing and blocked "..." again.

88: "Qingqing, Ye Siling actually thought about betraying you. How could you still forgive him?"

Song Yuqing closed his eyes, his exquisite features showing a trace of weariness. "I haven't forgiven him."

But then again, Zhou Yongnian's offer couldn't have tempted Ye Siling anyway.

What kind of person was Ye Siling? No matter how you looked at it, Ye Siling had the Ye family behind him. Was their influence really smaller than Zhou Yongnian's? If Ye Siling truly wanted something, would he need Zhou Yongnian to achieve it?

His confrontations with Ye Siling were more about winning his heart.

What he really wanted to know was who had truly bewitched Ye Siling.

Could it be... him?

He still remembered where he had shot him and the biting cold of the seawater. Under normal circumstances, even if the shot wasn't fatal, falling into such icy water would cause rapid hypothermia and loss of life.

If he wasn't dead, that bastard was truly hard to kill.

88 could feel the rise and fall of Song Yuqing's chest. Clearly, if that Hakimi wasn't dead, Song Yuqing would be furious.

Under Song Yuqing's arrangements, the first production line for Prometheus-1 had been completed, and Prometheus-1 was officially put into production.

At the same time, Song Yuqing's lab released reports from hundreds of volunteer drug trials.

Each report indicated that Prometheus-1 had extremely low side effects and could effectively control alpha psychic outbreaks.

Moreover, its price was only half that of "Jingxi No. 10." Over the years, the Tan family had monopolized the market for drugs controlling psychic outbreaks.

"Jingxi No. 10" had risen from its initially low price to a drug most people could no longer afford.

Lower-class alphas could only endure their psychic outbreaks or turn their aggression toward vulnerable Omegas and betas, resorting to abuse or venting their frustrations.

Song Yuqing looked down at the survey report from before the trials.

The questionnaire asked: During your sensitive period of psychic outbreaks, how do you choose to alleviate the pain? Fifty percent of alphas in Xinzhou chose "with a partner's assistance."

Only a mere ten percent of alphas chose to endure the period alone.

The remaining forty percent opted for the "Jingxi series," but this forty percent of the market had allowed the Tan family to amass enormous profits.

—Is one production line enough?

—Add a few more production lines. This isn't nearly enough. If we can all afford the medication, social risks would decrease significantly.

—Are you insane? Affordable medication can't compare to free assistance. It's only natural for one's own Omega or beta to comfort their alpha.

—I say, instead of wasting time on this, Song Yuqing should just... post more photos to benefit the broader alpha community.

Song Yuqing was with Shen Shu, monitoring public opinion.

He saw all these vulgar comments.

Shen Shu also disliked some of the remarks. "President, don't pay attention to these. These dogs can't spit out ivory—disgusting alphas."

Calling Song Yuqing "President" was a habit Shen Shu had from their school days. She had tried to break it over the years but never quite managed.

Song Yuqing: "It's fine. I don't mind."

It was all because the legislation favored alphas, making them arrogant enough to believe that free was best.

Song Yuqing's fingers tapped idly on the desk. If they couldn't control themselves, then coercive measures should be used to restrain them.

Song Yuqing: "Shen Shu, do you also think Xinzhou's laws are insufficient to protect the rights of Omegas and betas?"

His voice was soft, but Shen Shu was momentarily stunned by his words. Her heart began to race as she looked at him.

Song Yuqing wouldn't bring this up without reason. If he mentioned it, the timing was right—change was possible.

Song Yuqing: "Pay close attention to related news during this period. Spreading righteousness is the best tool, don't you think?"

"They shouldn't have more excuses to inflict violence on the vulnerable."

Shen Shu abruptly looked up at Song Yuqing, who was seated in his chair. His cool, calm eyes met hers.

His face was still exquisitely beautiful, his skin pale and cold. Yet, alongside that fragile appearance was a decisive and resolute demeanor.

Shen Shu's throat tightened. "That's right."

She quickly assured him, "I'll handle it, President. You can count on me."

Over the years by Song Yuqing's side, she had increasingly found meaning in her work. Song Yuqing never suppressed her; instead, he guided her step by step to where she was now.

He helped her find purpose in her job.

Song Yuqing was her faith.

Song Yuqing didn't realize that a few simple words had led Shen Shu to see him this way.

In truth, he simply couldn't stand the injustice, and since he had the ability to change it, why shouldn't he?

He's a beta too. If he doesn't fight for the rights of betas, should he instead fight for a bunch of arrogant, self-righteous alphas who don't know how to respect others?

Moreover, society consists of 20% Omegas, 50% betas, and 30% alphas.

Even in political games, one should go after the 70%, rather than letting the 30% run wild.

The previous parliament's inaction and indifference toward the 70% were simply because they were all alphas—what helped alphas helped them.

Taking a step back, those who want freebies will only become buyers of Prometheus-1 once they realize the greater cost, making him even more money.

This situation is already highly advantageous for him—why wouldn't he go for it?

He's not a fool.

Three days later,

"North City's unfinished building. Come find me."

Song Yuqing didn't reply. Tan Shu stood on the staircase of the unfinished building, where there were no railings. With every step upward, he felt a nerve-wracking fear, as if he might slip and fall to his death at any moment.

Tan Shu stood there, looking down, then suddenly curled his lips into a faint smile. So petty.

Now he's ignoring me.

"Song Yuqing, my dying here isn't important, but don't you want your evidence?"

The evidence wasn't easy to obtain. Even he, the so-called "Tan family heir," was blindfolded and brought here. His phone had been confiscated, and only the communicator Song Yuqing had given him still had some signal.

SY: "Are you crazy? Didn't you check in with Gu Ling?"

Tan Shu: "..."

"When did you ever tell me to check in with Gu Ling? And who is Gu Ling? Pei Huai isn't even dealt with yet, and now there's another Gu Ling?"

Tan Shu sent a voice message instead, still able to laugh at this point. "He didn't check in with me—he must have gone to investigate on his own. It's too late now; my people have been detained. Do you still want me to live or not?"

"That's what you get for ignoring me and not replying. Now look what's happened."

Song Yuqing: "..."

SY: "Get lost."

"If you don't want me to live, I'll jump from here right now."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing expressionlessly stowed his gun, bullets, small bombs, and the reagents he had made, his tone cold. "Go ahead and jump. I'll come get your body."

"Hurry up, darling. We've got an hour before their shift changes." Tan Shu's voice was gentle. "If my old man finds me, he'll definitely have me killed and pickled in formaldehyde."

He had used up everything Song Yuqing gave him. If Song Yuqing didn't come, he might really die here.

This hellhole was designed to be a death trap—once in, there was no way out. Only someone from the outside could give him a chance to survive.

Only then did Song Yuqing say, "Find a place to hide."

Song Yuqing hopped in his car and contacted Gu Ling. "North City district, the unfinished building. Hurry. Also, find the building plans for the North City unfinished building and send them to me."

Even with good traffic, it would take at least an hour and a half to reach North City.

Meanwhile, deep within the unfinished building in North City, which loomed like a giant skeleton in the darkness, in a dusty corner littered with discarded steel bars...

The alpha leaned against a cold, rough concrete pillar. Tan Shu wore a faint smile.

He listened to the dial tone coming from the communicator, then looked up at the bare framework of the floors above, which seemed capable of swallowing everything, and the faint, dancing flashlight beams belonging to the patrolling guards in the distance.

If Song Yuqing came alone to find him, it would be perfect if he could take Song Yuqing back to Westland Continent.

Westland Continent was his territory now. Taking Song Yuqing back and implementing a strategy to surround Newland Continent before targeting Sri-Land Continent—wouldn't that be perfect?

Then he could become Song Yuqing's only alpha.

Song Yuqing: "Why can't you get out?"

Tan Shu replied with a laugh, "There's an electric grid, darling. The entire perimeter is covered, no gaps—high voltage."

Boxing someone in a confined area to kill them, leaving no chance of escape.

Song Yuqing: "How many people are in the second shift?"

Tan Shu: "About a hundred. Right now, there are around ten patrolling the perimeter. The first hundred were knocked out by the reagent you gave me—they'll be out for a while."

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "Swallow the evidence and kill yourself. I'll come collect your body."

Tan Shu: "..."

Tan Shu opened his mouth but didn't say another word.

Because he knew Song Yuqing was fully capable of doing such a thing. He was nothing more than a disposable asset—once he helped Song Yuqing take down the Tan family, he'd be of little use.

If Song Yuqing told him to die now, he probably wouldn't even bat an eye.

Tan Shu could no longer laugh. Quietly, he said, "I don't want to die."

Author's Note:

Song Qingqing: I think you could stand to die for a minute.