Chapter 156: Reward You

Chapter 156: Your Reward

Song Yuqing said, "Since you want me to rest, then I'll rest."

Everyone was surprised that Song Yuqing gave in so easily.

It made them uneasy, especially Zheng Kaiji, who remained silent in the corner—they all suspected a trap.

Song Yuqing took in their reactions but paid them no mind.

His gaze shifted slightly, passing over those anxious faces, and settled on Qi Zhengqing, who remained calmly seated on the sofa.

The look was light, weightless, and showed no clear emotion—as if it were just a casual glance.

Qi Zhengqing’s fingers, resting on his knee, tapped almost imperceptibly. He met Song Yuqing’s gaze, a faint understanding flashing in his deep eyes, along with a sense of indulgent tacit agreement.

"I should also take some time to accompany Qi Zhengqing."

This statement eased most of their doubts.

After all, Song Yuqing had just failed a surgery, costing a life. It was unlikely he would perform another operation soon, especially not on Qi Zhengqing.

If Song Yuqing truly cared about Qi Zhengqing, he wouldn’t gamble with his life.

Qi Zhengqing’s time was inevitably limited.

The two had always appeared to have a good relationship. It made sense for Song Yuqing to want to spend time with him.

Zheng Kaiji’s presence remained weak.

Until someone spoke up—an alpha looked at Song Yuqing and said, "In that case, we should consider who will take over your position."

"Mr. Zheng has been your right-hand man lately and is familiar with various affairs. Perhaps…"

Zheng Kaiji’s eyes shifted slightly, and his fingers curled faintly.

He knew his words from yesterday had taken effect—these people wanted to join him in pursuing longer lives and greater benefits.

To wield power, to control everyone just as Song Yuqing controlled the parliament and the elites of Xinzhou. The mere thought was thrilling.

Yet, just as his anticipation peaked, Song Yuqing spoke lightly, "Is he fit?"

A blatant humiliation.

What made Zheng Kaiji feel even more humiliated was that no one present refuted it.

Frankly speaking, Zheng Kaiji was indeed unworthy of that position and incomparable to Song Yuqing.

For years, the only thing they could criticize about Song Yuqing was his beta status.

But beyond that, they knew no one could do better than Song Yuqing.

One alpha echoed this: "Zheng Kaiji is indeed unworthy of comparison, but Xinzhou cannot…"

Song Yuqing cut him off sharply, his gaze sweeping over the alpha who spoke, "If he’s unworthy, then shut up."

Under the table, Zheng Kaiji’s fingers clenched, curled, then relaxed.

Song Yuqing’s lips curved slightly as he looked at Zheng Kaiji. "What do you think?"

His tone was slow and deliberate, as if the earlier harsh belittlement hadn’t come from him.

Zheng Kaiji replied calmly, "I truly don’t have the capability yet."

Song Yuqing slightly lifted his chin. "Did you all hear that?"

Everyone: "…"

But what about the second half of his sentence? Wasn’t it customary to first humble oneself, then promise to work hard in the position? What was Song Yuqing doing?

He cut off any further discussion abruptly.

Now that Zheng Kaiji had spoken, there was no way to salvage it for him.

Zheng Kaiji was indeed a fool.

"Then what do you mean?"

Song Yuqing inclined his head. "I need to rest, but Qi Zhengqing doesn’t. He can assist me."

Everyone: "…"

So Qi Zhengqing would take over Song Yuqing’s work? How was that any different from Song Yuqing handling it himself?

Qi Zhengqing was merely a "middleman"—matters would be passed to him, and he’d hand them to Song Yuqing.

Ultimately, power would still rest in Song Yuqing’s hands.

Qi Zhengqing: "I can take care of it."

As others tried to speak, Song Yuqing coolly lifted his gaze. "You can go now. I’m not feeling well and need to rest."

His pale, beautiful face showed a trace of weariness, as if those few words had sapped all his strength, and he could hardly stand the sight of them.

This demeanor stood in extreme contrast to his earlier sharpness, when he casually demeaned Zheng Kaiji and transferred power to Qi Zhengqing, yet the two aspects strangely merged.

It was as if he were both the ruler of Xinzhou, holding power over life and death, and a delicate porcelain beauty who couldn’t endure the slightest fatigue.

There was nothing more they could say. They had to leave for now. After all, even if Song Yuqing had failed a surgery, his years of sway in Xinzhou weren’t insignificant.

They had to play the long game.

In the corner, Zheng Kaiji clenched his fist.

Su Quan, listening from the mine shaft’s depths, caught every word of the exchange.

Including Song Yuqing’s trust in Qi Zhengqing, including Song Yuqing saying he would stay by Qi Zhengqing’s side.

"What do you think?" Su Quan’s voice was slow.

Zheng Kaiji: "We’ll bide our time. Qi Zhengqing won’t live much longer. If Song Yuqing truly cares that much about him, after Qi Zhengqing dies, I doubt his frail body can last much longer."

Su Quan let out a cold laugh.

"That’s not enough. This punishment isn’t sufficient."

"Rather than letting Song Yuqing stand by helplessly, unable to save Qi Zhengqing, why not make him miss Qi Zhengqing’s final moments, and only realize after Qi Zhengqing is gone that he had the means to save him?"

Zheng Kaiji was somewhat startled but greatly taken with the idea.

Zheng Kaiji voiced another doubt, "But now, Song Yuqing can't leave the Central Special Zone. For the sake of Qi Zhengqing and power, he won't leave the Central Special Zone either."

Su Quan whispered his plan in a near-whisper.

After listening, Zheng Kaiji clenched his hand. "Would Song Yuqing really be that foolish, walking right into a trap?"

"Of course, your pretty councilman values loyalty deeply."

Su Quan continued, "Besides, even if he doesn't come, it's all upside, no downside for you. You'll have trimmed Song Yuqing's wings, leaving your own people on the battlefield."

Zheng Kaiji was still weighing the pros and cons. He would eventually take this step, betraying Xinzhou's loyal generals—but those were Song Yuqing's people, not his.

Zheng Kaiji: "I'll consider it."

Song Yuqing stood by the window, on a call with Ye Siling.

Ye Siling: "Can I come see you?"

Song Yuqing: "No need. I'm fine."

Ye Siling was not comforted by Song Yuqing's claim of being "fine"; instead, it made him feel worse. Song Yuqing had always been the type to share good news but hide troubles, bearing everything on his own.

Having collapsed right after leaving the operating room suggested Song Yuqing was not as "fine" as he claimed.

Song Yuqing: "What is it?"

Ye Siling: "Zheng Kaiji came today, discreetly asking about the combat capabilities of the Sri Lankan robots compared to Xinzhou's."

Song Yuqing lowered his eyes. "I see. Anything else?"

But Ye Siling went on, "Qingqing, you need to understand, as long as we control these black boxes, defeating Sri Lanka and Westland is only a matter of time."

"Just be patient, and you'll see final victory."

Song Yuqing listened quietly until the end, then asked pointedly, "Do you believe what you're saying?"

Ye Siling opened his mouth but ultimately couldn't bring himself to say he believed it.

"Alright." An attempt to soothe the alpha, but it did little to reassure him.

"Just focus on your tasks. Don't worry about the rest."

After hanging up, Song Yuqing stood on the balcony, gazing into the endless darkness.

He could no longer hold back.

From tampering with the surgery to now making moves against those loyal to him—it was all to make him understand that as long as he lived, nothing would go his way.

He couldn't accept Qi Zhengqing's surgery being tampered with, nor could he accept Qi Zhengqing dying on the operating table.

If that happened, he feared he would be trapped by nightmares for the rest of his life.

He wouldn't allow such a thing to happen again.

All this talk of waiting was nonsense. If killing one person could end the war, why not do it?

Qi Zhengqing wrapped his arms around Song Yuqing from behind, pulling his slightly cool body into an embrace with undeniable strength, his chin resting lightly on Song Yuqing's head. "Don't stand in the wind. Let's go back."

Outside, snow continued to fall, and the cold wind blew through the window, rushing into Song Yuqing's arms. The sharp, chilling air left him utterly clear-headed.

Song Yuqing came back to himself, relaxed his body, and leaned into the warm embrace behind him, murmured, "Okay."

Song Yuqing took Qi Zhengqing's hand. The alpha looked down at their intertwined fingers, a faint smile tugging at his lips—though if one looked closely, no one could see the bitterness hidden within that smile.

Song Yuqing walked to the medicine cabinet and began preparing medications. "You need to take your medicine on time."

"Your rut season is in just half a month."

Qi Zhengqing watched as Song Yuqing prepared more than just one dose of rut medication and replied, "I know to take them on time."

Qi Zhengqing took Song Yuqing's hand. "That's enough, Qingqing. You can prepare the next dose next time."

Song Yuqing looked up, leaning lightly against the counter, tilting his head back to gaze at the alpha. "I'm getting it all ready now. I won't always be around."

"Where are you going?" Qi Zhengqing asked.

Song Yuqing stared at Qi Zhengqing. "I'm going back to the apartment. I don't like staying here. It's gloomy, too spacious, and there are too few people. I don't want to live here alone."

Song Yuqing: "I miss Coalball, Qi Zhengqing."

Qi Zhengqing released his hand and didn't stop Song Yuqing from preparing two more doses of rut medication.

He heard Song Yuqing remind him again, "Take your medicine on time."

In the end, Qi Zhengqing simply nodded, his voice even. "Okay."

Qi Zhengqing agreed to take the medicine, as if agreeing to other things as well.

Then the alpha took Song Yuqing's hand again, his palm still warm.

"Let's go home to see Coalball."

The two returned to the apartment, but this time, Qi Zhengqing kept a close eye on Song Yuqing.

When Song Yuqing checked his messages, Qi Zhengqing would suddenly appear beside him, leaning over to look at his phone screen.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, his tone gentle but carrying an intense, possessive curiosity.

Song Yuqing scrolled through some blueprints Ye Siling had sent him, his voice calm. "Looking at blueprints. What are you doing? Anyone would think you're trying to catch me cheating."

Qi Zhengqing: "Catch me cheating?"

Qi Zhengqing: "When have I ever caught you? I thought in your mind, I was the kind of pathetic husband who would wait outside the door even if you went to see another alpha."

Song Yuqing found it amusing. He tilted his head back, the light spilling over the tip of his nose, his eyelashes, and revealing a delicate collarbone.

He was truly beautiful, lying there on the cashmere like an exquisite painting.

Enough to make any alpha want to kiss him, make him theirs, and win his favor. No matter what, just being near him was satisfaction enough.

"I thought you'd kick the door in."

Qi Zhengqing's hand gripped Song Yuqing's waist, squeezing lightly—both punishment and show of control. "I would kick the door in."

The alpha said carefully, though it was unclear what he meant.

"Planning to be more forceful?"

Qi Zhengqing took Song Yuqing's hand, pinning it above his head, and leaned down to kiss him. The young man's stunningly beautiful body was fully displayed before him, falling into a near-sacrificial pose. "Planning to..."

The alpha hooked his fingers under Song Yuqing's pajamas, then his rough fingertips rubbing the fair skin of the young man's abdomen. The alpha's hand almost—

His fingertips suddenly paused, with undeniable dominance, he lowered his gaze and spoke softly.

"Push here... and make you cry."

Song Yuqing didn’t want to be treated like that by the alpha, especially being completely restrained and being at the alpha's mercy.

But fleeing would make it seem like he'd lost.

Song Yuqing’s expression remained calm, his face composed as he kicked the alpha in the solar plexus and said coldly, "Let go. I haven’t fed Coal Ball yet."

Using all his strength, Song Yuqing broke free from the alpha’s embrace, walked out, and closed the bedroom door.

He scooped cat food and crouched beside Coal Ball, stroking the cat’s fluffy head. "Eat, baby."

Coal Ball was properly pampered, especially upon hearing his master's affectionate "baby," and didn’t want to eat—just wanted to lean against Song Yuqing and nuzzle him continuously.

As Song Yuqing was still petting the cat, Qi Zhengqing grabbed him by the waist. "Finished feeding?"

Song Yuqing: "..."

"What else is there to feed? Are you going to feed Pei Huai’s Lan Balun? Baby, if you’re scared, you can keep stalling." The alpha’s tone was as understanding as ever, as if he hadn’t just used provocation on Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing: "."

He expressionless, Song Yuqing grabbed Qi Zhengqing’s hand, pulled him into the bedroom, pushed him onto the bed, and looked down at him with long, lowered eyelashes.

"Your reward."

As if bestowing a favor, his pale lips uttered these words.

Late at night, the alpha was in deep sleep, thanks to the medication Song Yuqing had administered.

Only by drugging Qi Zhengqing could he fall asleep and not keep constant watch over him.

Song Yuqing remained wide awake, sitting at the bar counter holding Coal Ball, stroking the cat rhythmically. Coal Ball purred contentedly under his touch.

Yet Song Yuqing’s face showed little emotion, his eyes calm and detached.

His phone screen lit up.

Song Yuqing picked it up—it was a call from Pei Wei. As soon as he answered, an extremely weary alpha’s voice came from the other end.

"Pei Huai has been captured."

The ring on his ring finger digs uncomfortably into his finger.

Author’s Note:

Song Qingqing: Wishing everyone a happy Qixi Festival.

Pei Dog: Hey, honey, is Qixi really Qixi? Or is it actually my seventh day after death?

Song Qingqing: ...