RBNR Ch3: What brother?

Taking a shortcut, it still took Qin Bao half an hour to reach the banquet venue.

Seeing him arrive with his limbs intact, Shan Yiming, who was waiting at the door, felt his legs go weak and his back break out in a sweat. “Brother, my dear brother, please don’t play with me like this next time.”

“What are you afraid of? If there’s a crash, it’s me who gets hurt.”

The young man took off his helmet and shot a light dagger-like glance. His fair face was flushed with a lively red, sweat from the heat hanging on his forehead, looking incredibly vivid.

After a long while, Shan Yiming managed to squeeze out three words: “It’s illegal!”

Throwing the helmet and keys at Shan Yiming, Qin Bao got out of the car.

Qin Bao didn’t care: “I’ll turn myself in later if you want.”

He stood there, not much shorter than Shan Yiming, with his hair messy and a white T-shirt soaked with sweat on the back. He opened his mouth and asked, “Where are the clothes you brought for me?”

“Upstairs, I booked a room for you,” Shan Yiming replied, adding emphatically, “Qin Bao, you can’t ride my bike randomly in the future.”

Qin Bao was a bit impatient: “Cut the crap. Your bike is heavy as hell. If it weren’t for the rush, I wouldn’t have used it.”

Though it was the back door of the banquet, there were still many people coming and going due to the number of guests.

Afraid of being seen in his messy state by acquaintances, Qin Bao didn’t waste any time and had Shan Yiming lead the way to the room.

On the way, they encountered Shan Yiming’s sister, Shan Yike.

Shan Yike, with a lollipop in her mouth, informed Qin Bao, “Brother Bao, Uncle Qin is looking for you.”

“Okay.”

Shan Yike added, “I told him your room number.”

Shan Yiming: “…”

Qin Bao replied, “Thank you very much.”

Who knew which side she was a spy for?

This kid had just turned twelve; she was also an Alpha, just entering the gland development stage, and she was probably a bit silly.

“You’re welcome.” She was wearing a floral dress, flitting around Qin Bao like a butterfly. “Brother Bao, did you put on makeup? It looks good, the false eyelashes are so natural. I’ve been learning makeup recently. Can you send me a link?”

The three of them swiped their cards to enter the room. Qin Bao threw his backpack on the ground and began to undress. “I don’t have a link for the eyelashes. If you really want it, ask my mom.”

Shan Yike said, “Didn’t Uncle Qin divorce your mom? I didn’t see Auntie Rong today.”

Little sister was, as usual, dancing on Qin Bao’s minefield.

He turned his head, his molars already clenched: “Shan Yiming.”

The young man, growing into adulthood, had noticeably broader shoulders than in his childhood, a slim waist, and a chest covered with a thin layer of muscle.

Shan Yiming responded with an “oh” and reached out to cover his sister’s eyes, consciously saying, “I’ll take her away right now.”

Shan Yike didn’t understand: “Brother, what are you doing?”

Shan Yiming dragged her out.

“AOs should maintain proper distance.”

“Huh? What’s wrong with Brother Bao? We used to see each other all the time.”

The three of them used to take swimming lessons together every summer when they were kids.

“…You’re not allowed to see now.”

“Why?”

“No reason.” Shan Yiming rolled his eyes. “Just not allowed.”

The two quickly disappeared at the door, and Qin Bao was stunned for a moment before realizing what they were avoiding. He was used to changing clothes at fashion shows with people of all genders around, he didn’t even realize there was anything inappropriate.

Differentiation is really troublesome, he thought, tearing off the gland patch on the back of his neck. Even Shan Yike started to recognize the difference between AOs.

The formal suit Shan Yiming brought was placed at the end of the bed.

A proper suit set with a black bow tie.

After taking a shower, Qin Bao resignedly took off his earrings and, just in case, used foundation to cover the tattoos on his forearms and ankles. Then he combed his hair, cleaned of temporary dye, back to reveal his smooth forehead.

Next, he put on the shirt and suit, buttoning the shirt collar to the top, and then tying the bow tie.

Layer by layer, in an event like today, he had to play the role of a goody-two-shoes.

Mr. Qin might have arrived on the dot.

Upon entering and seeing him like this, Mr. Qin swallowed all the reprimands he had prepared: “Are you ready?”

He didn’t mention the incident of tearing Lin Nanyue’s pass.

“Ready,” Qin Bao said. “Where’s Grandpa?”

Mr. Qin: “He’s outside talking to guests. He just mentioned you. I’m keeping your solo trip abroad a secret for you this time, but you can’t be so reckless and run off next time. Today is Grandpa’s birthday, so go along with everything he says. It’s okay if he wants to say a few words. Don’t throw a tantrum.”

Qin Bao: “Got it.”

Mr. Qin nodded reassuringly and then asked with concern, “Have you changed your gland patch?”

Qin Bao: “I have.”

“And the inhibitor? Did you bring it?”

“I brought it.”

Mr. Qin was still worried: “There will be a lot of people at the banquet. Do you want to take a few puffs first?”

Qin Bao was speechless: “Dad, I’m not that fragile.”

The father and son entered the elevator.

Qin Bao’s height was almost equal to his father’s. In recent years, they hadn’t spent much time together and always ended up arguing about Qin Bao’s modeling career. Every time they met, Mr. Qin would have issues with Qin Bao’s “avant-garde” fashion choices. It was rare for them to have a peaceful conversation.

Seeing him dressed so properly and obediently, Mr. Qin’s heart melted.

Although being a model or a celebrity wasn’t a great career path, this child was still so young, pampered, yet so hardworking and ambitious. Climbing high wasn’t easy, and Mr. Qin felt a pang of sympathy.

So Mr. Qin asked gently, “Going out alone this time, without anyone to assist you, must have been tiring, right?”

“Not too bad.”

The bow tie made Qin Bao feel constrained.

He tugged at it uncomfortably, “It wasn’t much different from before. Without Brother Lu nagging in my ear, it was quieter. He talks too much.”

The supposedly refined and meticulous Mr. Qin fell silent: “…”

*

The banquet hall was bustling with guests, a lively scene with notable figures from all walks of life.

Old Master Qin, his temples gray but his spirit vigorous, despite using a cane due to a leg injury from his youth, still bore the demeanor of an imperial general who had been on the battlefield. Even from behind, he almost looked like a young man.

When Qin Bao arrived by his side, the old man happily introduced him to the distinguished guests, saying, “His grades aren’t very good, he was at a tutoring class, so he’s late.”

Qin Bao: “…”

His grades weren’t top-notch,

but he didn’t need tutoring classes. At most, he occasionally missed classes due to work and had teachers give him extra lessons periodically. Who knew Shan Yiming had made up such a lousy excuse? His face was flushed with embarrassment.

Where was Shan Yiming?

He searched with his eyes, determined to eliminate him.

Enduring the “affectionate” looks from the guests while accompanying his grandfather, Qin Bao stood for half an hour before finally escaping under the pretense of needing the restroom.

Upstairs, a group of his friends had been eagerly waiting.

As soon as Qin Bao slumped onto the sofa, they swarmed around him, massaging his legs and shoulders.

“Long time no see, supermodel! I heard you’re doing great lately!”

“Brother Bao, you’re looking better and better!”

“Take me with you next time! I’ll be your assistant!”

“Brother Bao, you’re in the industry. Can you get me Jojo’s contact info?”

It had indeed been a long time since he had seen this group.

It seemed like after starting high school, they had drifted apart. After all, each of these Alphas had family responsibilities, unlike ordinary people. They either went to military-managed schools or training centers filled with strong Alphas.

Additionally, as they gradually completed their differentiation and their understanding of gender became clearer, a group of Alphas couldn’t hang out with Qin Bao like they used to.

This gathering was a social occasion for the elders and a place for them to relax.

The biggest advantage of Qin Bao entering the modeling industry was that he could take them to fashion shows, where they could admire Omegas they wouldn’t encounter in their daily lives up close. Seeing him, these teenage Alphas were eager, as if entering an early mating season.

“What would you do with someone’s contact info?” Qin Bao asked curiously. “She’s a native of the Alliance, and your Alliance language is so bad, you have trouble speaking on the phone.”

The one who asked was Tu Yisen, from a military family and famously illiterate.

Tu Yisen wasn’t offended: “I’m so handsome; body language is enough.” He gestured a few times.

Someone asked: “What does that mean?”

Tu Yisen said: “It means I have muscles, chest muscles, abs, and a V-line. Come on, touch while you can.”

Qin Bao: “Alright, alright. Embarrass yourself abroad, huh?”

The group burst into laughter.

As they were talking, Shan Yike squeezed in. She was addicted to playing spy and hurriedly reported: “The Feng family is here!”

The scene fell into an inexplicable silence.

The Feng family was an even more prestigious guest than the imperial family.

A few hundred years ago, during the constant wars between the Alliance and the Empire, a Feng family member emerged as an iron-blooded marshal. Under his persistence, imperial scientists used the element Rydium as a driving force to successfully create mechas. The war was brutal, but with mechas, the Empire achieved victory and was established, bringing long-lasting peace to Aera Star.

As time passed, a few hundred years later, due to occasional interstellar wars, the Feng family still held significant influence in the Empire and had considerable sway in the Alliance. The Empire’s power was deeply entrenched, and the Feng family’s roots were firmly planted within, like a colossal hidden force. Holding most of the Rydium mining rights on Aera Star, they controlled the lifeblood of the Empire. It’s no exaggeration to say that when the Feng family stomped their feet, the Empire would tremble.

Old Master Feng was sworn brothers with Old Master Qin during his lifetime; they shared a life-and-death bond. Old Master Feng had three children. The eldest did not enter politics and, along with his wife, teaches at Imperial Capital University. The second son was once a marshal of the Empire but has since retired due to injury. The daughter is the deputy head of the National Security Department. After Old Master Feng passed away, although the two families rarely interacted, they would certainly appear at occasions like this.

“The Feng family…”

“Did they really come? Can we see the marshal?”

“Of course, isn’t that him right in front?”

Everyone flocked to the railing to look down.

Even though they were speaking on the second floor and couldn’t be heard below, they unconsciously lowered their voices, only daring to whisper.

At some point, the crowd below had parted, leaving a wide path for that group.

Leading the way was a middle-aged Alpha male, familiar to everyone in the Empire, often appearing on the news. Although his demeanor wasn’t as fierce as when he piloted his mecha in his youth, he still commanded respect effortlessly. Beside him was a female Alpha, also a frequent figure in defense news, bearing a strong resemblance to him.

These were the Feng siblings who currently held power.

Tu Yisen quietly asked, “Who’s that on the far right?”

A childhood friend replied, “That’s the eldest son of the Feng family, the most idle one, Professor Feng. Shan Yiming even takes his wife’s class, right Shan Yiming?”

Shan Yiming nodded, his gaze fixed on the young man beside the Feng couple.

Someone asked, “Is that Alpha beside the couple their son?”

Shan Yiming also noticed the person, squinting slightly.

He stood out too much.

No one could ignore him.

After a while, Shan Yiming shook his head, “I haven’t seen him before, not sure, but he probably is. I heard Professor Lin say her son was sent abroad to study at a very young age.”

Anyone who could walk in that position was undoubtedly the eldest grandson of the Feng family.

Shan Yike, leaning on the railing and listening to the conversation, suddenly widened her eyes as if she had remembered something, “Ah! Professor Feng’s son, isn’t that Brother Bao’s—”

Before she could finish, Shan Yiming gave her a quick knock on the head: “Lower your voice!”

Shan Yike held her head, aggrieved, “What? It’s not a secret…”

Her brother was ruthless, but Tu Yisen was more considerate, pulling her head into his arms and ruffling her hair, “Your brother’s being gentle. Be careful, or Brother Bao will beat you up if he hears.”

With that, Tu Yisen grinned and showed his teeth, “See this tooth? I got it knocked out by Brother Bao when I was little for mentioning this. Luckily, it grew back later. You’ve already passed your teething phase, think it will grow back?”

Shan Yike shrank her neck in fear.

Looking back, Qin Bao was still sprawled on the sofa, looking uninterested in anything related to the Feng family.

Mr. Qin called, asking Qin Bao to come downstairs.

He needed to follow his father for another round of socializing.

Holding a glass of juice, Qin Bao followed Mr. Qin, acting like a socialite, his face almost stiff from smiling. After meeting countless guests and mingling with drinks, they turned to face someone who politely greeted Mr. Qin with “Uncle Qin.”

Qin Bao thought it was another long-lost childhood friend. But as he looked up, his heart skipped a beat, as if struck by something heavy, leaving him stunned.

It was a young Alpha, a stranger.

His features were strikingly handsome, with deep-set contours that perfectly matched Qin Bao’s aesthetic preference, making a strong visual impact.

Due to his work, Qin Bao had seen countless attractive people, but he had never felt anyone was as unique as this man. The man’s demeanor was composed and elegant, yet not at all approachable, exuding an inexplicable coldness, like a dazzling and sharp sword.

“Almost forgot, this is my youngest son, Qin Bao. Chengyu, you used to hold him when he was little.”

Mr. Qin said with a smile.

He gently nudged Qin Bao’s shoulder: “Qin Bao, greet your brother.”

Qin Bao snapped back to reality: “…”

Call who brother?

What brother?

At this age, calling someone “brother”?

Qin Bao’s heart raced uncontrollably, not understanding what was wrong with him, as if under a spell.

The atmosphere froze for a few seconds.

Due to the height difference, Feng Chengyu’s eyes lowered slightly, his gaze falling on Qin Bao’s face.

So, it’s him.

Feng Chengyu recognized him as the young man who had clumsily ridden a motorcycle in the underground garage. In such a short time, he had donned a suit and bow tie, appearing obedient and refined, completely different from before.

So, this is the “well-behaved, non-racing Qin family’s Xiao Bao” his mother had mentioned.

Not much different from the playboys.

“Hello.”

Qin Bao greeted him stiffly and calmly.

Feng Chengyu didn’t care about others’ lives, regardless of what relationship might be imposed on them in the future.

He maintained the proper decorum and politeness, responding, “Hello.”