RBNR Ch17: Arrogant But Reserved

This winter, seventeen-year-old Qin Bao won an award from a famous fashion magazine and made it onto the world authoritative model ranking’s top fifty for the first time. This time, he didn’t drop out the next day like he did with the top fifty in the national game server.

On Christmas, he received an unsigned gift.

A bouquet of white tulips and an invitation to the trial operation of the Chunshan Ski Resort.

Mama Tao asked him with concern if he had a suitor or if it was someone he knew, otherwise, how could the things have been sent to his home?

Qin Bao had a vague guess in his heart but didn’t dare to be completely sure. It wasn’t until he saw the handwriting on the invitation that he truly confirmed who the gift sender was.

The handwriting on the invitation with his name was exactly the same as the note in the box of toffee that read “Can’t give change, please have some candy,” clearly from the same person.

What did Feng Chengyu mean by this?

He guessed randomly, was it because he had sent perfume, so this was a return gift?

Mr. Qin came downstairs, and Qin Bao went upstairs holding the small bouquet and the invitation. They passed by each other, Mr. Qin glanced at him a few times but said nothing.

On the contrary, he himself felt inexplicably guilty, as if he had stolen something again.

Shortly after shooting the commercial, Qin Bao played a role in a movie.

It was recommended by An Qingyan again. The other party seemed to have suddenly appeared as a benefactor, showing him other possibilities in life. In that movie, Qin Bao played a model, with only three minutes of screen time in total.

In the summer, the film hit the theaters at an incredible speed, and Qin Bao received a few tickets for the media premiere.

So, he gave tickets to people around him who were free, including Feng Chu… and asked him to give one to Feng Chengyu. He wouldn’t take the ski resort invitation for nothing; this would serve as another return gift.

“Anyway, there are many tickets. Tell him to come if he’s free, if not, then never mind,” Qin Bao said, “I might not have time to go myself.”

Despite saying that, Qin Bao still went to the premiere that day.

He wasn’t one of the main creators, so he didn’t go on stage. He sat below, looked around at everyone, and finally confirmed—Feng Chengyu really didn’t come.

Just a polite gesture, but he really didn’t give any face.

Qin Bao thought to himself.

Feng Chu explained, “My brother wanted to come, but he really couldn’t get away due to tight schedules.”

Qin Bao had heard from Feng Chu that Feng Chengyu had excellent performance in the city council and was rising quickly, planning to run for a position in the Federation’s council this year.

“It doesn’t matter. I already said, there are many tickets, giving them to anyone is the same.” Qin Bao pretended to be indifferent, “Just watched this film, it’s not great, and I even think my part wasn’t three minutes long.”

The film was indeed not great, and it encountered a major scandal on the third day of its release.

Qin Bao had a bit of bad luck.

The director originally made literary films and was highly regarded in the film industry. This was his first commercial film, and it was clear he wasn’t quite adapted to it.

The film had poor reviews and didn’t do well at the box office. The main creators were promoting it daily on Flow, and even small roles like Qin Bao were required to join in the publicity.

Who knew that what really made the film popular wasn’t the promotion, but the tearful accusation from the director’s beta wife. She contacted the media, released video evidence, exposing the director’s affair with the lead actress during her pregnancy, and now the lead actress was also pregnant.

The lead actress was a top-tier star, and the ensuing public uproar was immense. It was like an earthquake in the entertainment industry, with related hot searches on Flow every day, each tagged with “explosive.”

It was only then that the old man found out about Qin Bao’s involvement and gave him a harsh scolding.

Originally, Qin Bao had two resources he was in contact with, which were now ordered to stop. One had already signed a preliminary agreement, and Brother Lu, who wasn’t specialized in this area, was handling it in a fluster.

One day at an event, Qin Bao met Li Nanyue, who had just filmed a web series. Although only a few episodes had aired, it was very popular.

Seeing Qin Bao, Li Nanyue sized him up and down and gave him a meaningful smile.

So when Brother Lu suggested that Qin Bao “let’s not act anymore,” Qin Bao flatly refused: “Act, why not act? If there’s an opportunity, take it. It’s not our fault, why should we hold back?”

“But your main focus isn’t here, so why bother?” Brother Lu said it with a bitter face. “Even though I have the license, there are many things I have never dealt with…”

Qin Bao hadn’t thought that far ahead, but he didn’t like to admit defeat easily, so he casually said, “What are you afraid of? Once I become an adult, we’ll set up our own studio, hire a few people, and you can manage it. I’ll give you a big red envelope!”

Wanting to prove oneself is one thing, but actually being busy is another matter.

In February of the next year, during Fashion Week, Qin Bao walked a total of forty-two shows, ranking among the top in Omega models, and was once again specially invited to participate in Aralory’s show, closing the show for them.

The result of such high-intensity work was a severe and sudden cold.

Qin Bao had a persistent high fever and developed pneumonia from the coughing, so he had to stop all work and stay in the hospital to recuperate. Afraid of being found out by the old man, he kept everyone in the dark except Ms. Rong.

On the third day in the hospital, Qin Bao received a bouquet of white lilies, accompanied by a card wishing him a speedy recovery.

This time, the writing on the card was printed, but he could guess who sent it.

Lilies, another type of bulb flower.

The person who sent this gift didn’t even need to sign it, arrogant yet with a touch of subtlety.

Was it a return gift for the movie ticket?

Qin Bao watched TV in the ward, only watching domestic political news, especially from the capital TV station.

When Xu Tangzhou came to visit, he thought Qin Bao would be bored out of his mind and reached out to touch his head. “Has your brain fried?”

“Go away, don’t touch me.” Qin Bao put on a mask himself. “I probably caught the flu abroad. Do you want to get infected?”

Xu Tangzhou didn’t mind, opening a container of soup he brought. “My brother asked me to bring this. He had our family’s maid make some soup to nourish your lungs and replenish your energy. Try it, the soup she makes is particularly delicious.”

Qin Bao waved his hand, not wanting to take off his mask, planning to drink it after Xu Tangzhou left. “Your brother, always your brother. After all this time, you still haven’t gotten him?”

Xu Tangzhou suddenly blushed. “Almost there, I guess.”

Qin Bao: “What do you mean by ‘almost’?”

Xu Tangzhou’s cheeks turned red, his eyes sparkling. “Remember I told you a while ago that I was planning to go abroad to live with my mom?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I went to say goodbye to him. He persuaded me to really think about whether I liked being a model and said that you have to choose your own path and not just follow other people’s arrangements.”

“I told you all that a long time ago. I thought he would say something different.” Qin Bao complained. “Is that it?”

“Of course not!” Xu Tangzhou hurriedly denied, blushing even more. “No! He said that if I insisted on going, he would respect my choice, but I couldn’t date anyone else because he had already reserved me.”

Qin Bao felt so envious: “…”

Why did I even ask!

In the end, Xu Tangzhou delivered another blow, quietly telling him, “And, we kissed yesterday.”

Qin Bao: “???”

So intense!

“It wasn’t like what I imagined, just a light peck on the lips.” Xu Tangzhou was embarrassed himself but continued, “He’s so innocent, he didn’t even use his tongue.”

Qin Bao: “…”

An adult alpha kissing without using his tongue, how bizarre, are you sure it’s not a trap to lure you in and then kill you?

“Anyway, I decided not to go abroad with my mom.” Xu Tangzhou said, “I promised to stay, try to improve my grades, and see if I can get into a university in the capital next year.”

Qin Bao was a year ahead of him and was about to face the college entrance exam.

Xu Tangzhou knew Qin Bao was under a lot of pressure, so he finally stopped mentioning his brother and cheered Qin Bao up. “You need to work hard, but also take it easy. With your grades, your chances of getting into a good university are definitely much higher than mine! When I come to the capital for school, we can be together every weekend.”

Qin Bao: “We? With your love-struck brain, you probably won’t even remember who Qin Bao is by then.”

Having a friend in a relationship is both a happy and bittersweet thing.

It’s like a cherished, unique treasure being discovered by someone else, and one can no longer completely possess it.

After Xu Tangzhou left, the TV station finally broadcasted the news that Qin Bao wanted to see.

The Alliance University Sports Games were about to be held in the capital, with athletes from universities across the Alliance participating in this grand event. Feng Chengyu attended the opening ceremony as a representative of the city council.

The camera zoomed in, and the figure from the photo on the phone appeared on the screen. As his name was announced, cheers erupted in the venue, and at the same time, the internet exploded.

【Feng Chengyu? Is he the Feng family I’m thinking of! [Crazy Screaming]】

【Yes, yes, yes! Wake up, he’s standing next to Feng Rui’an.】

【A fan who’s had their entire world collapse is crying, [Crying][Crying] Surely the country won’t collapse, right!】

【The Feng family, the Alliance’s century-old flower! The old marshal’s looks were impressive, and this generation hasn’t let us down! I’m feeling better already!】

【Just checked the public info, unmarried single alpha, no need to thank!】

【Hot tip: he’s running for Alliance Councilor. Is there anyone who doesn’t know? Vote quickly [pointing]】

【Alliance Councilor? The Feng family is making a big move, their ambition can’t be hidden anymore.】

【What? Voting? I’ll vote, is that okay?】

Alliance citizens who are fourteen years old or older can vote.

Qin Bao found the link to the Alliance official website, filled in his personal information, and cast a vote for Feng Chengyu.

Whether or not the Feng family knew about it, this was his return gift for the lilies!

Perhaps the fragrance of the lilies was too strong. That night, Qin Bao slept restlessly, his fever returned, and he was sweating profusely, feeling like he was sinking into the bed sheets.

His body felt empty, and his heart felt empty, like being suspended in mid-air, repeatedly trying to land on the ground.

He half-opened his eyes and felt someone beside him. Medical staff were injecting something into his arm. Perhaps the injection took effect, and he finally felt relief, falling into a sweet, dark dream.

When he woke up, Ms. Rong was at his bedside, smiling. “You’re awake?”

“Mom, what’s wrong with me?”

As soon as Qin Bao spoke, he found his throat was severely hoarse, and his body felt weak.

“Did I have another fever?”

The doors and windows of the ward were tightly closed, the bedding had been replaced, and the air was filled with the scent of his own pheromones.

Qin Bao found it a bit strange.

Ms. Rong helped him sit up and replied, “Yes, luckily we caught it in time. The doctor gave you a suppressant, and your fever has already gone down.”

Suppressant?

He was stunned, but then he saw Ms. Rong take out a small box, open it, and inside was a delicate neck ring.

“Last night, you had your first heat cycle.” Ms. Rong patted his head and said, “Congratulations, son; you’re about to become an adult.”