RBNR Ch62: Give you the freedom you wanted

At the moment he clicked the send button, Qin Bao considered retracting the message many times. However, every time he looked at the “retract” option, he realized that he wanted the answer more than he wanted to hide away.

If Feng Chengyu said “yes,” it would mean his intuition was correct and that his recent emotional turmoil wasn’t in vain. If Feng Chengyu said “no,” it wouldn’t be the end of the world; he could always muster up the courage to add, “That’s fine, I could never like you, so you better not get any false hopes.”

Qin Bao had thought through both possible outcomes, but he hadn’t considered a third one.

After sending the message, Feng Chengyu didn’t respond for a long time.

Staring at the message on the screen, Qin Bao waited until the time for retraction had passed and he could no longer withdraw it.

Brother Lu had already met with the legal team and found Qin Bao: “We plan to file a lawsuit against the production company based on the contract terms. We’ll start organizing evidence for submission to the court. Unfortunately, due to copyright issues and the film still being in theaters, we can’t immediately release all the comparison clips online. If you want to vent some frustration now, we might be able to release one or two clips through some indirect methods.”

“Let’s not release anything now,” Qin Bao said. “Let’s go through the legal process and reveal the results then.”

Brother Lu was initially planning the same, but knowing Qin Bao’s temperament, he expressed concern: “Really? Can you really swallow this anger?”

Qin Bao had thought it through thoroughly: “Even if I can’t swallow it, I have to. As you said, there are too many issues involved right now. Releasing one or two clips might not be convincing and could be accused of hype. Besides… Sister Lü, the director, and the crew were all very kind to me. This situation isn’t their fault or under their control. I don’t want to ruin the hard work of so many people just because I’ve suffered unfair treatment.”

Brother Lu was stunned and silent for a while.

Qin Bao furrowed his brow: “What’s with that expression? Do you think I’m being too saintly?”

“No, not at all,” Brother Lu said, giving a thumbs-up. “I’m just impressed. I didn’t expect you to be so composed.”

Qin Bao replied: “Being composed now is nothing. I just regret not filing a complaint when I was harassed by Zou Jiudong, leaving a record.”

Brother Lu hesitated: “Ah, well, actually, there is a record.”

Qin Bao: “?”

Brother Lu explained: “A few days ago, Mr. Feng asked me about this matter. He said that if we need to file a lawsuit, he has surveillance footage of Zou Jiudong harassing you in the dance studio. It turns out that not only did Mr. Qin help you back then, but Mr. Feng also took action.”

Qin Bao’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. So that’s how it was.

It wasn’t a coincidence that he met Feng Chengyu at the club that year. Feng Chengyu wasn’t assisting the Capital Police with an investigation—Feng Chengyu must have been there because of Zou Jiudong.

“With these pieces of evidence organized, along with the recording with the editor that I have, we’ll win the case for sure,” Brother Lu said confidently. “I’ll think of more ways to gather evidence during this time.”

“Good,” Qin Bao said. “Thank you, Brother Lu.”

Brother Lu smiled: “It’s my fault you’ve suffered. I’ll try to make sure you only focus on your work and not worry about these dirty matters.”

*

Before Qin Bao could contact Feng Chengyu again, a breaking news report that night left him shocked.

“At 9:35 PM local time, Vice President Feng Chengyu and his party were attacked in the Sunimo Desert in Yatan. The conflict resulted in three injuries and one death on our side… Reports indicate that some armed groups within the Alliance have long been dissatisfied with the international flying deer star refugee protection law and have previously protested and violently attacked the Yatan Administrative Office…”

The news footage showed a chaotic scene in the Sunimo Desert, with vehicles scattered and a black SUV overturned in the sand, alongside the wreckage of another destroyed vehicle.

That was exactly the time they were chatting on Dingxun.

Feng Chengyu’s phone was unreachable, and so was Lin Zi’s. Qin Bao was so anxious he wanted to buy a plane ticket to Yatan immediately, but all flights were canceled that day.

As he was in a state of panic, Professor Lin’s call came through, saying that Director Feng had already been in contact, and although Feng Chengyu was injured, he was not in serious condition.

“He has a concussion from a head injury and is still in a coma,” Professor Lin said.

“Just a mild concussion, and he’ll wake up soon. The National Security Department is arranging a special plane. Do you want to go with us?”

Qin Bao’s eyes reddened involuntarily: “I want to go.”

Qin Bao quickly packed his documents and met with Professor Lin. Due to the limited space on the special plane, Professor Feng Rui’an gave up her spot to Qin Bao. The National Security Department sent a car to pick them up, and when they arrived at the airport, Qin Bao discovered that Director Feng was also on the plane.

Feng Rui’an first hugged Professor Lin, comforting her that everything would be alright, and then nodded to Qin Bao: “Xiao Bao, you’re here too.”

Should he address her as aunt or Director Feng?

This female Alpha, with some gray at her temples, had an imposing presence. Qin Bao chose the latter: “Hello, Director Feng.”

Feng Rui’an’s eyes slightly curved, her gaze briefly brushing over Qin Bao’s earrings, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her eyes: “I’ve been wanting to have a good chat with you since you’ve been doing well in your acting career. I never had the chance. If you have time, come back with Chengyu, and we’ll have a family dinner.”

Qin Bao nodded: “Okay.”

At this moment, the secretary quietly said: “Director, your call.”

Feng Rui’an turned back to her seat.

Throughout the journey, Qin Bao’s thoughts were in disarray, and Professor Lin was also dazed.

When they disembarked, Qin Bao helped Professor Lin put on a large scarf to make her more comfortable.

“Mom,” Qin Bao awkwardly called out as he draped the scarf over her shoulders.

Professor Lin came to her senses and smiled: “Good boy. This scarf is the one you bought for me. Everyone says it looks nice when I wear it.”

Actually, Qin Bao hadn’t bought it; he wasn’t that considerate. It was during a shopping trip with Ms. Rong that Ms. Rong had arranged it as a gift for her in-laws.

After getting into the car, Professor Lin’s mood improved a bit. She told Qin Bao: “When we went back to Yatan, we traveled with Chengyu. At that time, he was still in university, and every vacation we would try to arrange time for our family to travel around the world.”

Qin Bao had seen many photos of the three of them in Feng Chengyu’s album.

“Back then, he was particularly concerned about resources, the environment, and people’s livelihoods. His push for the rare earth rotation mining ban wasn’t about the Feng family controlling the mines or overshadowing others; it was because he truly felt a sense of mission,” Professor Lin said. “Yes, he also has great ambitions. He wants to make a name for himself and be remembered, but none of his actions are driven by personal gain. Xiao Bao, do you understand?”

Qin Bao nodded.

In fact, during their sweet times together on the spaceship, Feng Chengyu had briefly mentioned the reasons behind his actions. He was familiar with everything about Feng Chengyu and knew him better than before, but he didn’t dare say he understood him fully.

At least, not as well as Professor Lin did.

Professor Lin said, “Others don’t understand him and always label him with various accusations, trying to bring him down or attack him. Being a prominent figure invites trouble, and since he chose this path, he was prepared to endure it. I had mentally prepared for such things, but it still feels overwhelming. If something like this happens again…”

Her eyes reddened again as she spoke.

Qin Bao wasn’t sure how to comfort her and could only help wipe away her tears, noticing his own hands shaking: “It won’t happen again, it definitely won’t.”

Professor Lin said, “Yes, they will definitely enhance security and be more cautious from now on.”

Yatan, though extremely wealthy, is vast and mostly uninhabited. Even at maximum speed, it took two hours by car from the airport to the desert hospital where Feng Chengyu was.

Due to Feng Rui’an’s special status, her vehicle was the last in a convoy of four cars providing protection. By the time they arrived at the hospital, it was already dark.

Hearing that Feng Chengyu had regained consciousness, Qin Bao was eager to enter the ward, but Professor Lin pulled him back: “Wait a moment.”

A group of people stepped aside as Feng Rui’an and two National Security personnel went in first. They had more critical tasks.

Professor Lin seemed accustomed to this and, now that Feng Chengyu was awake, she finally had the chance to chat: “When Chengyu sees us later, he’ll definitely put on a calm front.”

Qin Bao watched the ward door and could clearly sense Feng Chengyu’s pheromones. The faint narcissus scent mixed with his own sweet scent felt much weaker than usual. Qin Bao’s glands heated up, making him restless: “What?”

“He’s proud,” Professor Lin laughed. “That innate pride of his, it’s been there since he was little. When other children fell and cried loudly, he’d stand tall with his head held high, even if his eyes were red. It’s as if crying would mean he lost.”

Qin Bao couldn’t help but smile: “Then he must have secretly cried alone.”

Professor Lin shook her head: “No. He really doesn’t cry.”

“That makes sense,” Qin Bao agreed. “He’s like iron. I’ve never seen him in a bad state.”

Professor Lin continued: “Not only does he not cry, but he’s also extremely strict with himself. Many people think we were too harsh in raising him, but that’s not the case.

“He has an incredible sense of responsibility. If he thinks something is his duty, whether he volunteered or how difficult it is, once he decides, he will do it to the best of his ability without leaving any flaws.

“I often say he’s too tense.”

Professor Lin held Qin Bao’s hand: “But Bao’er, every time I see him with you, I really feel he’s much more relaxed.”

Soon, Director Feng’s team came out, and she nodded to Professor Lin: “Go in. He needs to rest and shouldn’t talk too much.”

Then she turned to Qin Bao with a gentle tone: “Xiao Bao, you’re his Omega. Spend more time with him.”

Qin Bao and Professor Lin hurried into the ward.

As expected, Feng Chengyu was sitting upright on the hospital bed, his back straight and graceful, showing no sign of distress. If not for the hospital gown, he wouldn’t seem like someone who had just been attacked.

Feng Chengyu had already sensed Qin Bao outside the door, and their gazes met.

Professor Lin walked over quickly, and Qin Bao stood at the foot of the bed.

Given the dangerous situation, it was fortunate that although their vehicle had overturned, both Feng Chengyu and Lin Zi were not seriously hurt. During the conflict, six armed attackers were killed on the spot, and Lin Zi was shot in the thigh and had just undergone surgery. These details were not reported in the news.

After talking for a while, Professor Lin saw that Feng Chengyu was indeed okay and said, “I’ll check on your secretary, Xiao Lin.”

Since Lin Zi’s family had not arrived, Professor Lin wanted to see if there was anything she could assist with and, more importantly, give the two of them some time alone.

“Okay,” Feng Chengyu said. “Take your time.”

Once she left, only the two of them remained in the ward.

Qin Bao observed Feng Chengyu, noting his pale face, calm expression, and composed demeanor.

In scripts, such moments are usually very emotional, but Feng Chengyu said, “Come here.”

As the patient, Qin Bao walked over obediently.

He wanted to hold Feng Chengyu but was afraid to touch him, worried it might make him dizzy or uncomfortable.

Professor Lin hadn’t hugged Feng Chengyu either.

“What are you doing…”

Qin Bao kept his hands in his pockets, trying to appear cool.

“Do you want some water?”

It seemed Feng Chengyu was truly uncomfortable, speaking with little energy. But with no one else around, he said bluntly: “Can you sit on my lap?”

Qin Bao: “…”

Feng Chengyu: “Bao Bao.”

Qin Bao climbed onto the bed, sitting lightly on Feng Chengyu’s lap and gently embracing his neck.

Feng Chengyu’s face seemed even paler, but he suddenly tightened his arms around Qin Bao.

Qin Bao smelled a faint metallic scent of blood on him and immediately realized something. He pulled away from Feng Chengyu’s embrace and lifted his hospital gown.

A bandage was wrapped around Alpha’s abdomen, stained with blood from the earlier movements.

Qin Bao trembled, about to get off Feng Chengyu, but he was firmly held in place, his head resting on Feng Chengyu’s shoulder.

Feng Chengyu spoke in a flat tone: “I got shot, but it’s not serious. It’s a through-and-through wound and didn’t damage any organs. It will heal in a few days.”

Qin Bao clutched Feng Chengyu’s gown, feeling his nose brush against his neck. He released more of his pheromones, tears slipping down his cheeks despite his efforts to hold them back.

The weak Alpha desperately needed comfort from his Omega.

After a permanent mark is made, if one partner dies unexpectedly, the other will suffer lifelong pain unless the mark is removed.

After the harrowing experience, they embraced for quite a while before finally letting go.

In such situations, one could never be sure how many more accidents might occur.

Feng Chengyu said, “I remember you had work today.”

Qin Bao’s nose was still congested, and he replied irritably, “Yes, I should have known better than to come. Now I’ll have to pay a huge sum to cover the costs of returning.”

With everyone’s lives nearly lost, was work still important?

Feng Chengyu smiled and asked knowingly, “Why are your eyes red?”

“It’s probably just sand getting in,” Qin Bao said, covering his eyes with irritation. “There’s sand everywhere here, even on you.”

Did he really need to spell out that it was because he was heartbroken?

Feng Chengyu continued, “My phone also fell into the sand. I heard it still hasn’t been found.”

Qin Bao: “… Oh.”

So, Feng Chengyu hadn’t seen the messages he sent?

It seemed that way. The subsequent messages he sent were not seen by Feng Chengyu.

Feng Chengyu lowered Qin Bao’s head and kissed his lips before resuming their conversation from yesterday: “Do you really not know why I did those things?”

Qin Bao’s heart raced: “Hmm, you can tell me.”

Feng Chengyu’s gaze was deep: “I promised you that in these years, I would do my utmost to give you the freedom you wanted.”

___

Author’s Note:

Xiao Feng: My dear, at such a young age, you almost had to live a life of mourning. The situation is chaotic; let’s be steady.