RBNR Ch48: He didn’t cheat anyway

Even though he had said he would leave immediately, Qin Bao ended up staying at the hotel for an hour because of Shan Yike’s situation.

When he left, it was raining. He rode slower than when he had arrived. Back in the garage at home, Feng Chengyu’s car sat quietly in its spot, not having moved for days.

Qin Bao slept until noon the next day. Xiao Xu called punctually to pick him up for hair and makeup. At some point, “departure photos” had become trendy in the industry. Once his styling was complete, Xiao Xu took two photos of him and posted them on his Flow account.

Before long, Qin Bao’s comment section was overrun.

[Wait, Bao, are you really with Mo Xiao? His songs sound terrible, could you have better taste?]

[Daring guess: was the person spotted in Grodie last time Mo Xiao too? [Shocked]]

[B-fans, have some shame. He isn’t even that famous, yet he sure loves leeching off hype.]

[Just a neutral passerby here: they were photographed going to a hotel together, how is that leeching? Did Qin Bao kidnap Mo Xiao?]

[I’ve always felt Mo Xiao has intense sexual tension [Covers Face]. Just picturing the two of them together is pure heat.]

[Stop imagining it, stop right now! Mo Xiao is way too old, our Bao is only nineteen, thank you very much!]

[Bao Bao, hooking up is fine, but please don’t date a rapper. I’ve never seen a rapper who didn’t write diss tracks about their ex!]

Qin Bao scrolled through the comments: “What is this nonsense?”

Did that jinx’s words from last night actually come true?

Xiao Xu hesitated, hemming and hawing: “Early this morning, a trending topic about you and Mo Xiao popped up… though his agency had it pulled down very quickly, and they explained it was just a coincidence.”

What she was too embarrassed to say was that netizens didn’t buy it at all. For one, Qin Bao had already been photographed back in Grodie; for another, they figured Qin Bao’s home was right here in the capital, so his reason for not going home after work wasn’t very convincing.

As long as it had been clarified, that was enough. Qin Bao didn’t have the time to keep reading. What he hadn’t expected, however, was that Mo Xiao would also attend Flow Night, and their seats weren’t far apart.

Mo Xiao spotted him too, giving him a completely casual wave.

Putting on a cool, aloof front, Qin Bao merely nodded back.

Flow Night featured an awards ceremony, where practically every attending guest received something. The trophies didn’t carry immense prestige, but it was better than nothing. Qin Bao received the “Fashion Icon of the Year” award. When Mo Xiao stood up to accept his own award, Qin Bao noticed that sitting right beside Mo Xiao was the sensationally popular singer, Ling Che. The moment that handsome, mixed-race face appeared on the big screen, it triggered a wave of screaming across the venue.

Was there really a need to exaggerate that much…

Soon, it was Qin Bao’s turn to accept his award. Coincidentally, as he walked up to the stage, Mo Xiao was just stepping down. The two crossed paths right in front of the cameras. As the two protagonists of a fresh scandal, their encounter sparked another cheer from the crowd.

Qin Bao strongly suspected the organizers had done this on purpose.

Mo Xiao chuckled helplessly, extending a hand to Qin Bao. With the cameras rolling, Qin Bao couldn’t very well ignore him, so he shook Mo Xiao’s hand, and the two bumped shoulders.

During the banquet, Qin Bao took care to avoid Mo Xiao, posing for a few media photos and fulfilling his ambassador duties to the fullest. Knowing few people in the entertainment industry, he didn’t stay long and slipped out early.

The scandal didn’t blow over following Mo Xiao’s earlier clarification; instead, it spiraled further out of control.

Their brief encounter on stage was pushed right onto the trending searches again.

That evening, dozens of trending topics on Flow were nearly all related to Flow Night, mostly centered on celebrities’ outfits and physical condition. Only the tag #MoXiaoQinBaoLockedEyes pulled ahead as exceptionally conspicuous.

Qin Bao tapped into it to take a look. Truth be told, the cameras made it look remarkably convincing—the split second they brushed shoulders genuinely looked as if something was going on between them.

An even earlier tag was still linked on the public feed: #MoXiaoQinBaoDatingExposed. Tapping into it revealed the paparazzi’s complete, unedited video.

In the video, Mo Xiao walked into the hotel first. Roughly ten minutes later, Qin Bao arrived on his motorcycle. Because Qin Bao had glanced toward the minivan at the time, his face had been captured with striking clarity. In the night, the superior head-to-body proportions of a supermodel and his exquisite features had half the comment section swooning to lick the screen.

About an hour later, Qin Bao emerged from the hotel, while Mo Xiao stayed until the following morning.

[Claiming they stayed at the same hotel and ran into each other by chance? If Qin Bao hadn’t come out, I might’ve reluctantly believed it.]

[Why does the supermodel love going to hotels so much? [Picks Nose]]

[Could it be that Mo Xiao likes it?]

[ [Vomit] How many partners has MX been linked with now? The Capital’s Ladykiller truly lives up to his name.]

[To land Qin Bao, the guy must have some serious skills.]

[I want him too [Drool]]

Perhaps because the footage was too comprehensive and the video too high-definition, this time even An Qingyan hadn’t messaged to tease him about being caught up in a scandal again. As for Feng Chu, who usually made a massive fuss over rumors, there wasn’t a peep.

Only Mr. Qin called to ask what had happened.

“I wasn’t fooling around, I don’t even know him. Don’t pay attention to what the paparazzi write,” Qin Bao said simply. “Tell Grandpa not to worry. I haven’t done anything to embarrass him yet.”

Hanging up the phone, Qin Bao was about to head downstairs to grab a bottle of water. The moment he reached the landing of the stairs, he locked eyes with Feng Chengyu, who had just returned home.

The lights downstairs were off. The tall Alpha stood in the entryway, his features carved deeper by the shadows, his entire presence exuding a frosty, sharp aura. Even standing on the lower level, he still gave off the illusion of being entirely unapproachable.

Having just hung up on Mr. Qin, Qin Bao hadn’t had time to adjust his expression, looking downstairs with a mix of irritation and surprise.

Outside the house, the sound of a departing car faded into the distance.

Lin Zi had probably just left.

Not having seen each other for over a month.

Qin Bao’s heart thumped a little fast.

“Why are you back all of a sudden?”

Qin Bao shifted his gaze away, walking down the stairs with deliberate naturalness.

Even after so much time, he still wasn’t used to his physical reactions whenever he faced Feng Chengyu.

“I have a meeting tomorrow.” Feng Chengyu took off his long trench coat, revealing a dress shirt paired with a waistcoat underneath. As he hung up his coat, his broad back and narrow waist formed a striking inverted triangle, undeniably pleasing to the eye.

Immediately after, Feng Chengyu drew a firearm from his lower back and set it casually on the console table.

Qin Bao’s heart gave two sharp jolts. Born into the Qin family, guns were a familiar sight to him; he had visited the shooting range with the old master as a child. Still, this was the first time he had seen Feng Chengyu carrying a sidearm.

An Empire Alliance Councilor carrying a gun was probably out of the ordinary.

Yet the Qin family rule was never to pry into state affairs, so Qin Bao said nothing.

As he brushed past Feng Chengyu, he heard the man say, “You’re back early too.”

Evidently, Feng Chengyu knew he had attended Flow Night.

Qin Bao opened the refrigerator, giving a quiet “Mm.”

He retrieved a bottle of cold water, closing the fridge door: “Nothing fun about it. Aside from posing for photos, it was just awkward small talk with strangers. One slip of the tongue and you say the wrong thing. Those people in the entertainment circle are more complicated than your political arena.”

Feng Chengyu walked over to the kitchen island to wash his hands. Amidst the splashing water, Qin Bao caught the scent of the man’s pheromones and hurriedly downed several gulps of cold water.

Driven by biological compatibility, the icy liquid traveled down his esophagus into his stomach, yet his body traitorously began to heat up anyway.

Frowning, Qin Bao decided to head upstairs.

Over by the island, Feng Chengyu had already dried his hands at an unhurried pace, reaching out to catch him by the shoulder and cutting him off: “Where are you going?”

“To sleep,” Qin Bao said. “What do you want?”

As an S-rank Alpha, Feng Chengyu was considerably taller than him. Looking down at him always cast an imposing sense of pressure: “Not seeing me for so many days, don’t you have anything you want to say?”

Standing so close, Qin Bao could practically count Feng Chengyu’s eyelashes.

He was puzzled: “Say what?”

Feng Chengyu offered a faint smile, pulling him in and wrapping both arms around him: “I missed you a little.”

Qin Bao hadn’t expected this move from Feng Chengyu at all. Caught off guard, he froze rigid, only to hear Feng Chengyu add, “You can say that.”

Qin Bao: “…Sorry, I really didn’t.”

Feng Chengyu didn’t force the issue. He reached up to ruffle Qin Bao’s hair, then gently rubbed the shorter crop at the back of his head: “Is your hair even shorter than that day?”

From such a simple physical gesture, Qin Bao’s scent gland was already throbbing.

Yanking himself free, he took a few steps back, complaining irritably, “Feng Chengyu, are you petting a dog?”

Feng Chengyu braced both hands against the island counter, watching Qin Bao without a word.

Inexplicably sensing a trace of danger, Qin Bao turned to leave, only to be yanked straight back once more. Giving him no room to argue, Feng Chengyu dipped his head and kissed him. The moment their lips met, Qin Bao’s resolve to push him away lasted a pitiful few seconds before he shamefully raised the white flag.

Both of their breaths ran heavy, tongues tangling together as they sucked at each other with wet, demanding ferocity, as if trying to swallow each other whole.

The marble counter was icy cold. Qin Bao was lifted up to sit on it. Kissing Feng Chengyu, he felt things weren’t moving fast enough, actively reaching out to loosen Feng Chengyu’s tie.

“Why are you wearing so many layers…” he mumbled complaints between kisses.

This round was flurried, and utterly absurd.

Feng Chengyu barely managed to strip off half his clothes.

…

“Not on the kitchen counter…”

“Too late.”

“My pants! The sink—”

“Leave it.”

“Feng Chengyu! You bastard, where do you think you’re touching…”

“Keep your voice down,” Feng Chengyu murmured. “There are bodyguards outside.”

Startled, a shiver shot through Qin Bao, and he began cursing under his breath. Feng Chengyu turned a deaf ear.

The fiercer Qin Bao cursed, the rougher Feng Chengyu became, pushing the boy until tears spilled over. Biting Feng Chengyu’s shoulder to vent his frustration, he greedily inhaled the scent of the man’s neck amidst the chaos: “…A-Are you going to mark me or not?!”

“Say something I want to hear.” Feng Chengyu peppered kisses over those involuntary tears.

“…”

“Say it. I taught you just now.”

“Get lost—”

Far from getting lost, Feng Chengyu lifted Qin Bao off the counter and flipped him around.

Qin Bao stood barefoot on the hardwood floor, his toes curling tightly against the planks. Everything before him was dizzying and blurred, completely enveloped in the fragrance of narcissus. Yet it felt separated by an invisible barrier, leaving his unmarked scent gland throbbing frantically in desperate craving.

“…Missed you a little.”

“Who?”

“I…”

Something warm and soft pressed against the back of his neck as the Alpha repeatedly inhaled his scent. Seeming to confirm something, Feng Chengyu’s gentle voice sounded: “Say the whole sentence, Xiao Bao.”

Qin Bao’s fingers clawed at the edge of the island counter, forcing out the words in sheer humiliation: “…I missed you a little—”

The long-awaited canines finally punctured the skin, pouring a steady stream of Alpha pheromones into the gland, intertwining with the Omega’s essence to forge a resilient mark.

Feng Chengyu scooped the dazed boy into his arms, carrying him over to the sofa before sitting down. It took a long time for Qin Bao to come back to his senses, soaked in sweat, completely limp against Feng Chengyu’s chest, panting heavily without the slightest desire to move.

This method of stringing him along felt intensely pleasurable in the act.

Yet after his physical resolve had surrendered, his pride had caved verbally too. Even if it hadn’t been genuine, it felt to Qin Bao like a total forfeiture of his dignity.

“Are you sick in the head, pulling some random roleplay out of nowhere?” Qin Bao complained with a heavy nasal tone. “Don’t bait me that long next time. Any longer and I would’ve lost my temper.”

Unable to see Feng Chengyu’s expression, he only heard him murmur an “Mm.”

Qin Bao lay there a while longer. Feng Chengyu’s dress shirt was damp with sweat, clinging to the sculpted lines of muscle underneath. While visually striking, pressing directly against the wet fabric was uncomfortable, so Qin Bao intended to get up and shower.

Sensing his intent, Feng Chengyu pressed him back down.

“I didn’t bring cigarettes down.” Qin Bao sat back up, looping his arms around the man’s neck and leaning in for a quick kiss. “If you want to smoke, go upstairs and grab them yourself.”

Except Feng Chengyu didn’t want a cigarette.

Beneath his thin eyelids, his dark eyes seemed dipped in ice water, seeing through everything: “Why have you been avoiding me lately?”

Qin Bao froze slightly: “Who’s avoiding you?”

Feeling that lacked conviction, he added, “Why would I avoid you?”

In truth, Qin Bao really had been trying to keep his distance from Feng Chengyu ever since the day of the newlywed home visit. Not just because of the things his grandfather had said, but also because of that watch tucked away in his nightstand drawer.

Since he had resolved to look forward and use these five years to become stronger, Qin Bao didn’t want things getting too complicated. Getting in too deep the first time could be blamed on ignorance; falling in again this time would make him genuinely foolish.

“You aren’t the only busy person around, Mr. Feng.” Qin Bao slid off Feng Chengyu smoothly, picking up his T-shirt to pull it on, then sat down on the other side, putting plenty of distance between them. “I’m busy too. Balancing school and work—it might not be state affairs, but it takes a lot out of me, alright?”

Feng Chengyu’s shirt was still unbuttoned, though his trousers were zipped back up.

With his elbow resting on the sofa back and his fingers lightly massaging his temple, he wore an expression of complete satisfaction: “You can report your schedule to me, so I know you’re busy.”

“Not necessary,” Qin Bao said. “When you brought my family to the fashion show, you didn’t report that to me either, did you?”

Feng Chengyu arched an eyebrow: “I thought you had muted my messages.”

Only someone who had read every single message would know with certainty that the other person hadn’t reported it.

Qin Bao parted his lips. Leaving someone on “read” without replying was bad manners, and he hated people like that most.

Not having the shameless audacity to defend his own double standard, Qin Bao pivoted the topic: “Speaking of which, I recall warning you not to interfere in my business. Why did you bring them to the show without my consent? Feng Chengyu, you breached our agreement.”

It felt like a negotiation, trading points back and forth.

It would have looked even more convincing if they were both fully dressed.

“Mom suggested it. She wanted to come watch.”

Even away from Ms. Rong, Feng Chengyu chose that respectful form of address.

“Contract or not, your family is my family now. When family wants to see your show and I happen to be free, it’s entirely reasonable. It doesn’t count as meddling in your affairs.”

He then added, “I wanted to watch too.”

Qin Bao had no counter to that. Just a runway show, what was so special about it?

Knowing that Feng Chengyu had been sitting in the audience made his face heat up even now just thinking about it.

What Qin Bao would never admit was that he was actually quite grateful to Feng Chengyu. As long as his grandfather wasn’t dragged along, he was happy to have his parents involved.

“Speaking of the contract, I recall saying that I do not accept infidelity in any form,” Feng Chengyu said, fixing his gaze on him. “I trust that you wouldn’t fool around.”

Qin Bao’s eyelid twitched. So that was what he had been building up to.

Sniffing around his scent gland earlier on purpose, and now turning around to talk about “trust”—Alphas were truly ridiculous.

Sure enough, Feng Chengyu spoke again: “Still, Bao Bao… about today’s news, do you have anything you’d like to explain?”

“If you trust me, that’s that. What is there to explain?” Qin Bao said. “Since you saw the news, you should know Mo Xiao clarified it long ago. He and I just ran into each other at the hotel.”

Feng Chengyu pressed, “Your reason for being at the hotel last night?”

Qin Bao didn’t want to bring up Shan Yike’s situation. On one hand, it was Shan Yike’s personal privacy; on the other, he simply didn’t feel like telling Feng Chengyu.

“None of your business. In short, I didn’t cheat,” Qin Bao said, holding his ground stubbornly. “Besides, I told you long ago: who I go out with is my own freedom.”

Feng Chengyu nodded, appearing relatively unbothered: “I see.”

Reaching this point was plenty, yet for some reason, Qin Bao couldn’t resist letting a secret slip: “Mo Xiao smells awful. Sharing an elevator ride with him nearly choked me to death. Why do Alphas smell so foul?”

So cheating with a walking stink bomb was out of the question.

Feng Chengyu asked, “What about me?”

Caught off guard by the question, Qin Bao froze for a moment before letting out a scoff, forcing out: “…You smell the worst.”