RBNR Ch15: Who wants to pursue him?

Feng Chu, initially full of confidence, was rendered speechless by Qin Bao’s question: “…I don’t know.”

Feng Chu really didn’t know if Feng Chengyu had ever been in a relationship. After all, there was a significant age gap between them, and Feng Chengyu always seemed out of reach, being so exceptional. Feng Chu only became close to his older brother during a summer vacation in middle school when he was sent abroad and Feng Chengyu took him to play rugby.

Feng Chu was still feeling regretful when Tu Yisen and a few others arrived: “What a coincidence, Brother Bao, I was just about to find you after your exam, and you called me.”

The school team members, who had previously been messed with by Tu Yisen and Feng Chu, were now following the rules and didn’t joke around.

“What are you two chatting about?” Tu Yisen asked, squinting, “Why are you more intimate than me?”

Feng Chu: “Huh? We’re chatting—”

Qin Bao, feeling his face heat up, interrupted: “I’m not intimate with you either.”

“I know, even if I become a cushion for you to throw things at, in your heart, it’s only Yi Ming,” Tu Yisen said, wiping nonexistent tears, “Just wait, late-coming lovers are no good; you’ll think of me when you want me.”

Tu Yisen did indeed have something to announce.

When they arrived at the restaurant he had booked, the waiter immediately brought several boxes of beer. Tu Yisen opened a bottle for himself first, saying that everything at home was arranged and that he would be enlisting next week.

“To all my good brothers here, the sky is high and birds can fly, and we will meet again eventually. I’m going ahead, and I’ll wait for you during the fireworks in the future!”

He recited this line, which he didn’t know where he had learned, and then, with red eyes, drank the whole bottle in one go.

The room fell silent, everyone seemed taken aback.

Qin Bao had known he would be enlisting but hadn’t expected it to be so soon, and he was momentarily stunned.

Someone asked: “So soon?”

Feng Chu was also a bit surprised: “Wasn’t it supposed to be next month?”

Tu Yisen said it was all because of Qin Bao and Yi Ming.

Originally, they had set a date, but because of their situation, his father had changed his mind and thought it would be better to go early to avoid any complications. So he was sent off early to train, and he would join the new recruits next month.

Tu Yisen waved his hand: “Whether it’s early or late, it’s the same. Don’t be too sad, and don’t miss me too much. New recruits don’t get holidays, but once I become a sergeant, I’ll get two days off every month, and I’ll come see you every month!”

The crowd couldn’t help but laugh.

“You really dare to think that!”

“How long do you plan to become a sergeant, Lao Tu?”

“Sergeant? Why not aim for marshal directly!”

The sudden news was surprising, but enlisting was always a good thing. Everyone became lively, offering congratulations and toasting to Tu Yisen.

When it was Qin Bao’s turn, since all the congratulatory words had already been said, he raised his bottle and said: “Don’t force yourself. If it becomes too hard to bear… just give me a call. The path is yours to choose, don’t be a deserter.”

Tu Yisen’s eyes turned red again: “I promise you, I will never be a deserter.”

They each drank a bottle.

Tu Yisen opened two more bottles, handed one to Qin Bao, and also put his arm around Qin Bao’s shoulder: “I have something to say to you too. Bao, if I don’t say it, you’ll think you’re just playing around. You keep being a model! Become an international supermodel! You need to be so famous that I can hear your name even without leaving the army! Then I’ll show off to those green-eyed alphas and say, ‘Look, that’s my childhood friend who grew up wearing diapers with me!’”

This time, Qin Bao didn’t push him away. He let him keep his arm around his shoulder and glanced at him, saying, “No need for you to say.”

They each finished their drinks again.

After dinner, they went to a KTV to continue the night.

No one was singing; the songs were just background music. Without a bar to go to, this place was their bar. Soon, more and more people arrived, including someone’s boyfriend, girlfriend, secret crush, and the sofas quickly filled up.

Many people recognized Qin Bao and came over to talk to him. Since this was a gathering of friends, Qin Bao was very accommodating and willing to chat with those he didn’t know well.

Feng Chu, who was sitting next to him, blocked some of the smoke and alcohol: “Hey, don’t give him that; he won’t be able to handle it!”

Tu Yisen nearly spat out his drink when he heard that.

Qin Bao really didn’t smoke. He didn’t have much of a craving and was picky about brands. He only drank a bit of alcohol.

Later, Feng Chu was called away to play dice, and an omega sat down next to Qin Bao, offering him a Marlboro. He leaned over to let the person light it for him.

Tu Yisen saw someone holding up a phone and hurried over: “No photos! My Brother Bao is a big star; no photos! Who’s going to be responsible if he’s on the front page tomorrow?”

Good grief, he was already drunk.

By early morning, everyone was drunk. Tu Yisen was the most intoxicated, clinging to Qin Bao and crying, asking “Who do you love more, me or Yi Ming?” Qin Bao patted his head, rambling, “I love little dogs the most,” and Tu Yisen said, “I’m the little dog,” making the scene quite pitiful.

Except for drinking a bit at the restaurant, Feng Chu didn’t drink any alcohol later on. He still had the energy to arrange for a car to take everyone home and then called a car to send Qin Bao back.

Mr. Qin left the door open and was surprised to see a tall young man drop off his son.

The young man politely addressed him as “Uncle Qin” and said his name was Feng Chu.

Mr. Qin: “Feng Chu?”

Feng Chu then said: “My older brother is Feng Chengyu.”

Combining this with what Ms. Rong mentioned about the two having matching watches a few days ago, Mr. Qin was a bit taken aback.

After thanking him, he helped his son into the room and sat by the bed, watching his son’s sleeping face until dawn.

On Tuesday, Qin Bao and Feng Chu went to see Tu Yisen off at the airport.

Tu Yisen’s family practiced a free-range education style, so no one came to see him off. He had to fly there himself and then take a bus for several hours to the army. His father didn’t even arrange a car for him; the three of them took the subway to the airport.

After a week, the sadness of parting had faded. As soon as Qin Bao saw Tu Yisen off, he received a photo of the plane from Tu Yisen with the caption: [See it? The plane I’ll be flying in the future will definitely be cooler and more advanced than this.]

Tu Yisen wanted to attend military school in the army and fly fighter jets.

Qin Bao sent him an audio message in reply.

Tu Yisen flew into a rage, cursing continuously.

Feng Chu, hearing Tu Yisen’s outburst, asked Qin Bao: “What’s wrong with him?”

Qin Bao played the audio message for him.

It was recorded during the dinner party last week, when Tu Yisen, drunk, became a bit silly and introduced himself with a clipper voice: “I’m the little dog, woof.”

Feng Chu said, “Send it to me.”

Then, the two of them laughed crazily for three minutes, preparing to play it on a loop at Tu Yisen’s wedding in the future.

On the way back on the subway, Qin Bao remained quiet for a while. He only came to his senses when a pregnant woman got on, and he stood up to offer his seat. He casually held onto the overhead railing with one hand, and even though he was wearing a mask, some young students occasionally glanced at him with curious eyes, whispering, “Is that Qin Bao?”

Qin Bao was lost in thought.

He was used to being alone, usually not relying on friends, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit empty at this moment. Growing up means everyone goes their separate ways, and constant change is the norm in life.

Whether it’s a dream or not, everyone has something they want to pursue. For example, what he currently wants—

Feng Chu, who seemed like some kind of pest in his mind, inexplicably came over and said, “Ahem, about that thing you asked last time…”

Qin Bao turned his head, already knowing what Feng Chu was referring to. But since he had acted so obviously last time, he decided to play it cool: “Which one?”

“That one.” Feng Chu played dumb, but Qin Bao understood. “I’ve already found out.”

Alright, alright.

Tu Yisen had left, but Feng Chu was very perceptive! Qin Bao loved this kind of tacit understanding.

Feng Chu cleared his throat: “My brother, he hasn’t been in a relationship before. How should I put it? It’s not that he’s not good enough or not popular. I heard from my uncle that he’s been pursued by many people both domestically and abroad, and even Omegas have sent him breakfast, waiting downstairs every day.”

“Oh.” Qin Bao’s expression didn’t change.

Off-topic.

Besides, he couldn’t make breakfast or wait downstairs. Isn’t that just lame?

Feng Chu realized he had strayed off-topic and quickly corrected himself to preserve his brother’s reputation: “In short, my brother hasn’t been in a relationship with anyone. It’s just that he’s very committed and has strong principles.”

Very principled?

Qin Bao was convinced. After all, that watch wasn’t something just anyone could wear. Wearing such things in today’s age is no different from a chastity lock. The Feng family was really old-fashioned and hard to understand.

But what does being “very committed” mean?

Feng Chu didn’t explain clearly but was very good at leveraging his “perceptive” skills. He told Qin Bao, “And my brother has only focused on his career in recent years, not planning to date at all.”

Qin Bao was surprised: “Oh?”

So, is that good or bad?

Feng Chu smiled mysteriously. His gaze at Qin Bao was reassuring, so reassuring that Qin Bao felt they were about to lose their “tacit understanding.”

“He doesn’t look for minors either,” Feng Chu said. “If anyone is interested in him, they should first reach adulthood and then try to pursue him.”

Qin Bao’s heart skipped a beat, his heartbeat growing faster: “Pursue him?”

After speaking, he turned his face away, looking at the flashing lights outside the subway window, which reflected his blurred shadow. He hummed, “Who wants to pursue him?”