Chapter 144: Don’t Look at Other Alphas

Everyone looked at Song Yuqing, knowing full well that he hadn’t called them here just for troop movements.

If it were only about troop movements, Song Yuqing could have simply coordinated with the military districts directly—there would have been no need to call them in.

"This operation requires the cooperation of everyone present."

Song Yuqing added, "The enemy has also produced new combat robots, so our own robots must be continuously adjusted and enhanced."

"You’re in charge of this," Song Yuqing said, turning to Ye Siling.

Ye Siling responded, "Yes, sir."

"Tan Shu is responsible for the stable production of the new serum to ensure that alphas do not experience psychic outbursts or become a hazard during combat."

"The parliament will handle resource mobilization and maintain public morale in Xinzhou."

Song Yuqing laid out all matters systematically, and these arrangements largely aligned with the information provided by Zheng Kaiji.

Only then did Song Yuqing shift his gaze to Zheng Kaiji. "You will continue collecting intel from all states to ensure timely updates."

Zheng Kaiji quickly nodded in agreement.

"Everyone is free to express their opinions."

Though Song Yuqing said this, no one raised any objections throughout the meeting. Xinzhou’s voice in matters had been entirely consolidated by Song Yuqing.

The council members could only think to themselves—what opinions dared they raise? What could they say that wouldn’t displease Song Yuqing?

Previously, pushing back against Song Yuqing only ended up cementing his power time and again.

When the parliament refused to approve funding, Song Yuqing barged in with Unit Six, wrestling massive funds from the parliament to develop the military and turning the army into his own tool.

After surviving an assassination attempt, Song Yuqing overhauled the power structure so seamlessly that no one could find fault—even now, the entire Xinzhou Net still pities him, believing he suffered unjustly.

Sustaining minor injuries during a raid on the abandoned complex in the northern district only worked in his favor, allowing him to absorb the Tan family, restructure it, and turn it into his personal revenue stream.

And without anyone noticing, Song Yuqing’s clout had surpassed that of anyone else in Xinzhou.

Thus, Song Yuqing now had the military, political control, and wealth.

Nobody dared cross him when he spoke.

Even if Song Yuqing were to divorce Qi Zhengqing now, it would have no impact on him.

"This mission will take a long time—take care of yourself." Only after dismissing everyone did Song Yuqing give Pei Huai a look of genuine concern.

"If possible, bring back a robot from Sri Lan Province for me."

With their parting imminent, Pei Huai wasn’t in the mood to bring up Tan Shu.

This time was different from before. Pei Huai had undertaken numerous missions, big and small, but this one was a direct confrontation between two militaries of equal strength.

"I understand. Tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you."

"Don’t worry about me. Watch your own back and avoid taking risks. What you’ve given us is already enough."

"Now it’s our turn to defend Xinzhou—and you."

In matters of love, Pei Huai would rant that Song Yuqing was unfair to other alphas—just a few more kisses for someone else could drive him into a frenzy.

However, on a broader level, Pei Huai was all too aware of how much Song Yuqing had sacrificed for this military force.

Their massive funding was secured by Song Yuqing’s fierce negotiations, the robots were developed by Song Yuqing, and it was Song Yuqing who provided them with those robots. Even the new medication was developed by Song Yuqing.

It wasn’t that Song Yuqing was deliberately trying to seize the Tan family’s paltry scraps or crush them.

Rather, if he hadn’t developed the new drug, the Tan family would have become a ticking time bomb for Xinzhou if war broke out with Seriland. They would either threaten Xinzhou for profit or betray it outright.

Neither outcome was one any of them wanted to see.

Now, they were in the best possible position to confront Seriland.

Song Yuqing instructed, "Come back alive. Be flexible—don’t be too stubborn."

This time was different from before; death was a real possibility.

To be honest, Song Yuqing did not want to see Pei Huai’s body brought back.

Hearing this, Pei Huai's mouth habitually twitched into a slight smirk, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I’ll come back alive."

"I still have to outlive Qi Zhengqing and take his place."

Qi Zhengqing: "..."

Qi Zhengqing showed up after all, and the first thing he heard was Pei Huai’s brazen remark.

Song Yuqing tilted his head to look at Qi Zhengqing, a faint smile playing on his lips as if teasing Qi Zhengqing for being so unable to hold himself back, coming over just because of Pei Huai's vaguely suggestive remark.

Qi Zhengqing met Song Yuqing's teasing gaze, a slight smile also curling at the corners of his mouth.

Though not a word was spoken between them, the vibe between them was so tight that no one could break in.

Pei Huai: "..."

Watching the two of them in this wordless yet profound moment, Pei Huai felt a surge of irrational anger rising within him, clogged in his chest with nowhere to vent.

Why does Qi Zhengqing always snatch what's his?

Pei Huai: "You're bidding me farewell, so stop looking at other alphas."

Song Yuqing averted his gaze. "I wasn't looking. Alright, head out and get ready."

Pei Huai grew even more displeased. "As soon as he arrives, you rush me away. What am I, then?"

Song Yuqing looked at Pei Huai with a faint, soft smile in his eyes.

Pei Huai thought that perhaps it was because he was leaving, or perhaps because Song Yuqing was worried he might not return, that he was showing him a rare bit of warmth.

Then he saw Song Yuqing's pale lips utter a phrase: "The side piece."

Pei Huai: "..."

Pei Huai became even more unwilling to leave. "I'm not going out. I want to go home with you today and be with you."

Song Yuqing: "Suit yourself, but for now, get going."

Suspecting that Pei Huai wouldn’t comply, Song Yuqing added, "If you don’t leave, you’ll be returning to the military district today."

Qi Zhengqing found a seat for himself and waited for Song Yuqing to calm that idiot, his gaze fixed calmly and deeply on Song Yuqing.

In the end, Pei Huai gave in. He knew very well which he preferred—getting a taste or getting nothing at all.

He was no fool.

Pei Huai even began to wonder why such life-threatening situations hadn’t occurred more often in the past.

Perhaps if they had, he might have been able to go all the way with Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing asked, "Mr. Qi, what are you here for?"

Qi Zhengqing walked toward him. "You know exactly why."

Song Yuqing unfastened the cufflinks on Qi Zhengqing’s sleeves, placed them on the table, and pushed up Qi Zhengqing’s sleeves.

The wound had been stitched with several sutures and hadn’t yet healed. Song Yuqing dabbed ointment on Qi Zhengqing’s wound.

The cut on Song Yuqing’s wrist wasn’t deep, but the wound on Qi Zhengqing’s hand was deeper.

It seemed that when it happened, Qi Zhengqing had truly been furious.

The fresh scent of the ointment mixed with a faint trace of blood hung between them.

Song Yuqing’s gaze lingered on the stitched wound, his fingers brushing over it as though he could feel the alpha’s pain.

Qi Zhengqing allowed him to continue, his eyes slowly returning to Song Yuqing’s composed profile.

After applying the ointment, Song Yuqing set Qi Zhengqing’s hand down. "You really had it coming."

Once finished, Song Yuqing turned to put away the medical kit. The spot where it belonged required him to reach up, making his shirt ride up and reveal a slender, flexible waist.

The curve that followed was stunningly beautiful.

The alpha embraced Song Yuqing from behind, gripping the nape of his neck near the gland. "Open your mouth."

Song Yuqing tilted his head back slightly but didn’t open his mouth, simply watching Qi Zhengqing as if to ask what the alpha wanted.

He didn’t even open his mouth to speak, leaving the alpha no opening to take advantage of.

Qi Zhengqing leaned in. "Pei Huai said you kissed him. I'm going to check."

Song Yuqing: "…"

Though Song Yuqing couldn’t sense the alpha’s pheromones, he knew they were present in an alpha’s bodily fluids—a kiss would leave behind the scent.

Song Yuqing said, "There’s no need to verify—"

Before he could finish, the alpha pulled him close by the waist and kissed him, repeatedly wiping away the scent left by the previous alpha. No alpha could mark Song Yuqing; they could only leave their own scent on him over and over.

The increasingly intense kiss left Song Yuqing nearly breathless.

The fabric of his suit strained under uncontrolled pressure, creasing into messy wrinkles.

The young man’s fingertips whitened from the pressure, blushing a delicate pink from the friction of struggle.

As if the kiss alone weren’t enough, Qi Zhengqing hoisted Song Yuqing onto the table with one arm and continued kissing him.

Their teeth knocked together, drawing a hint of blood, which only ignited their desire further—taking each other's breath away, yet breathing as one.

After a while, they finally released each other.

Qi Zhengqing lowered his head, straightening Song Yuqing’s clothes with his usual calm demeanor.

"Pei Huai’s pheromones are disgusting." Taking advantage of Song Yuqing’s inability to sense alpha pheromones, Qi Zhengqing didn’t hesitate to badmouth Pei Huai’s scent.

Song Yuqing asked curiously, "What do Pei Huai’s pheromones smell like?"

Qi Zhengqing: "…"

A long silence followed. Song Yuqing knew full well that Qi Zhengqing didn't want to tell him.

Amused, Song Yuqing said, "Is yours any better?"

Qi Zhengqing gripped Song Yuqing’s neck. "Don’t you like it?"

Song Yuqing looped his arms around Qi Zhengqing’s neck, fingertips lightly brushing the back of his neck. "If I didn’t like your pheromones, would you cut out your own gland?"

A tingling sensation spread across Qi Zhengqing’s neck, especially since Song Yuqing wasn't doing it properly—just occasional, teasing brushes.

This area had as many as eight thousand nerve endings, rivaling or even surpassing other sensitive regions.

In their world, touching the back of the neck was one of the most intimate acts.

Song Yuqing, originally not from this world, had never realized this.

He never allowed alphas to be as forward as he was, unaware of how disruptive his actions were.

Every time he touched an alpha’s neck, it was like a kitten toying with its plaything.

Especially now, as he touched while telling Qi Zhengqing to remove his own gland.

Qi Zhengqing felt a strange feeling at the back of his neck.

He pinned Song Yuqing’s hand firmly against his neck. "Touch properly. No fooling around."

Song Yuqing: "…"

Unfazed, Song Yuqing continued his random, teasing touches. It wasn’t as if he were conducting an experiment.

He persisted in his own way, skimming lightly the alpha’s neck now and then.

Qi Zhengqing found himself completely powerless against Song Yuqing’s whims and could only give in.

Author’s Note:

Qingqing kitten: Toy!

Da Qi: Little toy.