Chapter 53
“What are you doing here?” Bai He tilted his head up slightly, Qin Yao’s face reflected in his eyes.
“Just passing by to grab a coffee.” Qin Yao held up the packaged cup in his hand. He glanced at Bai Lu, who was standing behind Bai He, his expression neutral. “What’s the topic? Mind if I join?”
Bai He’s gaze shifted from the coffee to Qin Yao’s face. “Is your insomnia cured? Coffee isn’t exactly good for sleep.” He let out a soft breath. It wasn’t quite a sigh, but the complicated weariness on his face was impossible to hide. “It’s nothing.”
Qin Yao’s narrow eyes crinkled. His arm rested naturally on Bai He’s shoulder as he stepped around him to stand directly in front of Bai Lu. He didn’t bother to lower his voice. “Bai Lu? I remember you.”
Tears still clung to Bai Lu’s eyelashes. He looked at Qin Yao, trembling, before his gaze darted back to Bai He, as if pleading for help. It was obvious he was terrified of Qin Yao.
Qin Yao’s expression was indifferent. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear. But from the sound of it, you want Bai He to help you, and hide the fact that you’re pregnant from everyone? Let’s be blunt: you just want Bai He to take care of you through your pregnancy, don’t you?”
Qin Yao gave a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile. “You know your brother has a boyfriend, right? It’s not convenient to have people staying over. Besides, hiring a full-time caregiver costs thousands a day. A pregnancy lasts months. Are you planning to just freeload off your brother?”
Bai Lu’s eyes were red. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean?” Qin Yao tilted his chin at Bai Lu. The smile on his face didn’t fade, but his eyes were icy.
“I should tell you something. Being pregnant with a beastman alpha’s child… without that alpha’s pheromones to support you through the pregnancy, it’s going to be incredibly difficult.” Qin Yao’s fingers gently squeezed Bai He’s shoulder, a reassuring gesture, but his words to Bai Lu remained ice-cold. “This is between you and Guan Jiayu. You should go find him. If you come bothering your brother again, I won’t be this polite next time.”
Qin Yao was still smiling, though it didn’t reach his eyes. Bai He, still held by the shoulder, quietly watched the alpha’s side profile, finding the whole thing strangely fascinating.
They left the cafe, Qin Yao leading Bai He by the hand. They chatted idly about recent happenings, neither of them bringing up Bai Lu again. When they reached the parking spot, Bai He asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be heading home?”
Qin Yao, holding the car door open for him, just hummed. “I’m bringing you with me.”
Bai He’s expression froze. His hand slipped from the car door as he looked around. “I should go buy some gifts.”
Qin Yao almost said it wasn’t necessary, but he stopped himself. He leaned against the car door, watching Bai He’s conflicted expression. “They’ll love whatever you get. My family has been hoping you’d visit for a while now.”
He bought a bouquet of flowers, a brick of tea, and a bottle of wine. He also picked out a stuffed doll. He put everything in the back seat. Bai He sat in the passenger seat, twisting around to look at the pile of gifts, his nervousness and worry plain on his face. “What do you think of these?” he asked, looking over at Qin Yao.
He realized Qin Yao was staring at him, his gaze strangely mournful. Then, Qin Yao suddenly broke into a smile. He cupped Bai He’s face in both hands and gave his cheeks a squeeze. “Don’t worry, they’ll absolutely love them. Trust me.”
Bai He gave a soft “oh.” But Qin Yao didn’t let go, and he seemed to be leaning even closer.
There was almost no space left between them, but Qin Yao held himself back. They stared at each other for a long moment, until Bai He reached out, his fingertips lifting Qin Yao’s chin, and leaned in to kiss him.
It was just a brief press of their lips, nothing more. The kiss felt like reassurance, and also like a gift. Bai He pulled back slightly, staring at the stunned Qin Yao in silence.
After a long moment, Qin Yao finally snapped out of it, his arm tightening around Bai He’s waist. “I want another one.”
Bai He: “…No.”
“Just one more.” Qin Yao nuzzled his head against Bai He’s cheek, his breathing turning ragged. “Just one, Little Bai He. We’ve been together for days. If we keep this up, I’m going to break.”
Bai He leaned back, and Qin Yao missed. He reached out and gently pulled Bai He back in. His warm fingertips brushed over Bai He’s gland, sending a jolt of pleasure through him. Bai He melted into his embrace.
He had only been teasing Qin Yao; he never intended to deny him. He let Qin Yao hold him and kiss him for several minutes until he finally patted the alpha’s shoulder. They separated, and Bai He could finally breathe properly. His face was flushed, especially his lips.
In this department, Qin Yao seemed to be a natural. He wasn’t even breathing heavily when they finished, his gaze still burning as he watched Bai He catch his breath.
“…”
Bai He glanced at Qin Yao’s sparkling eyes. His throat bobbed, and he turned his head away. “Your tail is out.”
He had no idea when that big tail had appeared. Qin Yao wasn’t surprised, just hummed in acknowledgment, tucked his tail away, and started the car.
They didn’t talk much at first. After they’d been driving for a bit, Bai He’s breathing evened out. He suddenly thought of a question: Where exactly did Qin Yao’s tail grow from?
Bai He subconsciously glanced at the man beside him. Feeling a little ridiculous, he quickly looked away. The tailbone, probably?
He mulled over a dozen random things, lost in thought, until Qin Yao noticed he was spacing out. “What are you thinking about?”
“Hm?” Bai He’s thoughts snapped back. He paused for a moment, then shook his head. “I forgot.”
“Really?” Qin Yao smiled. “Then can I ask a question?”
“Go ahead,” Bai He nodded.
“Anything at all?” Qin Yao’s tone was suggestive.
Bai He was quiet for a beat, then nodded again. “You can.”
“Bai Lu… does he bother you a lot?” Qin Yao kept his attention on the road, the question sounding perfectly casual.
Bai He shook his head. “I wouldn’t say ‘a lot’.”
“So he only comes to find you when he’s in trouble?” Qin Yao cut straight to the point.
Bai He didn’t deny it. And as they spoke, he suddenly felt that something was very strange.
It wasn’t just strange.
From the moment he had transmigrated here, Bai Lu really only ever came to him when he was in trouble. Otherwise, he never showed up.
As soon as Bai Lu needed something, he remembered him. When he didn’t, he was forgotten. What was that, if not a plot trigger? A chill ran down Bai He’s spine. He was still trapped in the story, and what’s more…
He slowly lifted his head, his dazed gaze landing on Qin Yao. A terrible thought began to surface. In the original novel, the main gong was Guan Jiayu. As a member of one of the other three great families, what role did Qin Yao play?
The original text had barely mentioned Qin Yao, at least in the parts Bai He had read. But what about later? This was later.
If he was just a tool to advance the plot and the relationship, then…
“Bai He.”
Qin Yao’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. Bai He looked over. “What?”
Qin Yao glanced over from the driver’s seat. “Spacing out again?”
The chill was still on Bai He’s back. He shook his head. “Just thinking about something.”
“What about?” Qin Yao asked. “If you don’t want me to talk about Bai Lu, I’ll drop it. Sorry.”
“It’s not that.” Bai He’s brow furrowed, then smoothed out. After a long pause, he turned to study Qin Yao’s profile again. That handsome face only made his panic feel more real. “Qin Yao,” he called out softly.
“I’m here.”
After a long silence, Bai He closed his eyes. “If… and this is just a hypothetical… what if this world came from a novel? What if everyone’s destiny was already written, and our ending isn’t as good as we hope? What would we do?”
“Then we’d tell that shitty ending to go to hell.” Qin Yao rarely spoke like this in front of Bai He, but his voice was still gentle. He slowed the car, tilted his head to wink at him, and said, half-joking, “Or we could just die together.”
Bai He stared for a second, then reached out and turned Qin Yao’s face back to the road, an amused smile touching his lips. “Focus on driving.”
Qin Yao just smiled. After a moment, he added, “Don’t be upset, Little Bai He. Even if that were true, I’d still like you. Besides, who can say what the future holds? As far as I’m concerned, no future is set in stone.”
He’s right, Bai He agreed silently. He looked out the window, spotted a shop nearby, and asked Qin Yao to stop. He was out of the car for less than a few minutes before he returned. He didn’t immediately get back in. Instead, he stood by the open door, leaned down, and handed Qin Yao a beautifully wrapped bouquet of red roses. A small bell was tied to the ribbon, and it jingled softly. “A gift for you.”
Bai He’s smile was gentle and beautiful. Staring at him through the roses, Qin Yao was completely mesmerized.
Bai He got back in the car, fastened his seatbelt, and turned to meet Qin Yao’s deep gaze. Bai He had a reasonable suspicion that if Qin Yao’s tail were out right now, it would be wagging furiously.
He thought for a few seconds, then raised his hand and stroked Qin Yao’s head. The alpha, despite being much taller, ducked his head to meet the touch, a picture of willing submission.
Bai He thought Qin Yao’s hair felt nice, too. Suddenly, cat ears popped out, standing straight up, looking very excited.
“Little Bai He, I want a kiss—”
“No. Drive home.”
“…Then next time.”
The car started moving again. Qin Yao’s pointed cat ears didn’t retract. Bai He glanced at them, noticing they were still standing perfectly straight.
He looked away, glancing at the hand he had used to pet Qin Yao.
“Qin Yao, does petting your head make you excited?”
It was such a direct question. Bai He regretted it the second it left his mouth, his ears burning. He glanced at Qin Yao, who, sure enough, was looking at him with a knowing expression.
“There are plenty of spots that can get a feline excited,” Qin Yao said, his eyes on the road, a smirk playing on his lips. “My head just isn’t one of them.”
“Then why were your ears…?” Bai He’s gaze flickered up to Qin Yao’s still-perked cat ears. They looked like a child desperately begging for praise.
“It’s not because being petted there feels good,” Qin Yao explained, his voice dropping a little. “It’s because you were the one petting me. That’s why I was excited.”
Bai He slowly processed Qin Yao’s meaning. He turned his head away and gave a muffled “oh.” His face felt hot enough to evaporate.
During the drive, Qin Yao got a call. His phone connected to the car’s Bluetooth, and Zhang Wenyi’s piercing voice filled the cabin. “Qin Yao, where’d you go? You left again?!”
Qin Yao turned the volume down a bit. “It’s after hours. Why wouldn’t I leave? You like working overtime?”
“You’re the one who likes overtime!” Zhang Wenyi scoffed. “Someone came by the company looking for you. I told him you’d left, and he said he’d come back tomorrow. The front desk just told me that guy’s been here looking for you a few times this week.”
Qin Yao narrowed his eyes. “Who?”
“I didn’t get a name,” Zhang Wenyi said. “Hold on, I’ll go ask the reception desk.”
Bai He stayed quiet. A moment later, Zhang Wenyi was back. “The front desk has him registered. Name’s Zhang Yao. You know him?”
“Nope.” Qin Yao’s expression was calm. “Tell the front desk not to let him in next time. Have security keep an eye out.”
After hanging up, Qin Yao noticed Bai He watching him. “That Zhang Yao,” he explained, “submitted a resume to FREE a while back. Got cut in the first round. Ever since, he’s been trying to find a way to contact someone inside FREE.” He smiled at Bai He. “Little Bai He, guess what he sent me?”
Qin Yao didn’t bother being mysterious. His fingers tapped the steering wheel, and he looked to be in a good mood, a sly glint in his eyes. “He sent me the entire revised story script for Tiandi—the one your group worked on. The whole thing.”
Bai He watched Qin Yao quietly, his heart sinking with understanding. So that’s what it was. Zhang Yao really did want to get into FREE. His qualifications weren’t good enough, so he decided to take a shortcut, using dirty tricks to create an opportunity.
Zhang Yao just never counted on Qin Yao’s connection to Bai He. Bai He was disgusted by his behavior, but he was grateful to Qin Yao. “Thank you for telling me.”
“How are you going to thank me?” Qin Yao smiled.
The car was already parked in the garage, the engine off. It was quiet. In the dim light, Bai He met Qin Yao’s eyes, then slowly raised his hand and rested his palm on Qin Yao’s head. “Like this?”
“Is this the reward?” Qin Yao’s heart tingled at the touch.
“Does it not count?” Bai He countered.
“It counts.” Qin Yao lifted Bai He’s other hand—the one holding the roses—and pressed a kiss to the back of it. The bell tied to the bouquet swayed, letting out a soft, clear jingle, like a secret, intimate sound.
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