RBNR Ch21: Qin Bao’s Birthday

At this moment, Qin Bao felt that he and Feng Chengyu had become the center of attention. He knew everyone was watching them, and for some reason, his face suddenly heated up, going from slightly warm to burning hot in just a second.

Late is late, there’s no need to make such a grand gesture with a gift.

Fortunately, Qin Bao had seen all sorts of situations before. He calmly reached out to accept it and said, “Thank you, I don’t really need another gift. It’s the thought that counts.”

The gifts were already piled up like a mountain; he truly didn’t need more.

The old man, however, interjected with a smile, “It’s different. How could a gift from Chengyu be the same?”

Everyone at the table laughed, even Ms. Rong covered her mouth with her hand.

Mr. Qin greeted him, “Chengyu, why are you still standing? Sit down, sit down.”

There was an empty seat right next to Qin Bao.

A servant came to attend to him. Feng Chengyu took off his coat and handed it to the servant, naturally sitting down in the empty seat to Qin Bao’s right.

Qin Bao frowned; he thought that seat was reserved for someone else. Why was it for Feng Chengyu?

But with several of Feng family’s elders at the table, and given the close relationship between the two families, this arrangement wasn’t surprising.

With Feng Chengyu’s arrival, Qin Bao’s birthday party became a bit more talked about.

The elders first asked about Qin Bao’s recent activities and his university life, then the conversation shifted to Feng Chengyu. They talked about the forest fire, as winter mountain fires were common, occurring to varying degrees every year, but this one was particularly severe.

Grandfather said, “I heard it reached Qinan’s borders last night. Why didn’t the firebreak work?”

“Summer had little rainfall, so the vegetation in autumn and winter is drier than usual. Additionally, some trees have high oil content, causing the fire to spread quickly.” Feng Chengyu replied, “Firebreaks alone were insufficient. Early this morning, fire trenches were dug and artificial rain was used. The fire is almost out now.”

“The local government responded slowly and inadequately,” the old man said. “What’s the situation regarding casualties?”

Feng Chengyu said, “It’s all uninhabited areas, no casualties reported yet. However, firefighters and rescue soldiers have various degrees of injuries. Many wild animals have died, and some have fled to the Qinan mountains in panic.”

Professor Lin across the table said, “I remember there are many protected animals there.”

Feng Chengyu answered his mother, “There are fifty registered species.”

Qin Bao knew that since Feng Chengyu became an Alliance member, he had been committed to improving environmental and wildlife protection. He vaguely understood his advocacy for “diversion rather than blockage,” similar to the creation of a public ski resort in the Chunshan Nature Reserve. Up to this point, Qin Bao could still follow the conversation, but when they started discussing other topics, he got lost.

A group of people from the political and business circles of the Alliance talking could put anyone to sleep.

Qin Bao silently ate, his attention drawn to Feng Chengyu’s hand on the table.

The hand was large, with fair skin and well-defined joints. The fingers were very long and quite sexy.

On his wrist, he still wore that dark blue, highly functional watch. The cuff of his shirt was clean and neat, not casually rolled up like the last time they met, but neatly buttoned.

Years had passed, and he had become more mature.

An aura of abstinence emanated from him.

It made one want to mess him up.

The warmth that had just faded from Qin Bao’s face returned, so he picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.

“Xiao Bao, why are you drinking alone?” His grandmother, who had been watching him affectionately, suggested, “If you get drunk, you’ll have a headache. Let someone get you a drink instead.”

She was about to call for someone when Feng Chengyu quickly said, “I’ll do it.” He took the new glass and turned to ask Qin Bao gently, “What would you like to drink?”

Once again, everyone at the table focused on them.

Qin Bao felt a bit uncomfortable, “No need, I’ll stick with wine. I don’t want to drink anything else.”

“Okay.” Feng Chengyu then took his wine glass and refilled it for him.

“Thanks,” Qin Bao said as he took it.

Their fingers brushed lightly, sending a faint electric current through him. Qin Bao turned his face away and soon downed this glass as well.

The conversation at the table continued, now discussing a new painting by Grandfather that was recently sold at a high price to a neighboring country’s richest man. Grandfather intended to donate the proceeds to help rebuild the wildlife habitat after the fire.

Grandfather had done charity work before but never so generously. Usually, Qin Bao hadn’t seen him care much about wildlife.

Feng Chengyu stood up to offer a toast of gratitude, and Grandfather beamed with joy, “No need to be so formal. We old folks can’t do much anymore, but we can do a little in this way. I hope the affected area recovers quickly and wish you all the best.”

Everyone raised their glasses together, even the old man smiled happily.

Qin Bao drank another glass and caught a glimpse of Feng Chengyu’s Adam’s apple moving, the cold liquid sliding down his throat, oddly making his own throat feel dry.

Qin Bao hadn’t come unprepared today.

He didn’t like being led on. He had some things he’d been preparing to say for years, planning to bring them up directly this time.

This person told Feng Chu he didn’t plan to date minors, and anyone wanting to pursue him would have to wait until they were adults. His intentions were unclear. He wasn’t proactive but always responded, often sending some inexplicable, unsigned yet strongly indicative flowers.

So, was all of this intentional or not?

If unintentional, could he stop this teasing behavior?

If intentional… now that he was an adult, did they need to follow proper procedures, or could they get straight to talking?

The party wasn’t ending anytime soon, and as the main character, Qin Bao suddenly felt bored and stuffy, so he got up to go get some fresh air.

Feng Chengyu asked in a low voice, “Where are you going?”

It was like he was always being watched. Qin Bao paused, “Just getting some air.”

*

Outside, Qin Bao found an empty balcony.

The faint Alpha scent dissipated, and breathing in the cold late-November air, the restless feeling in his heart calmed down considerably.

He took out a cigarette, lit it, gently bit the flavor bead, and took a deep drag.

“Brother Bao.”

Someone called from behind.

Shan Yike had also sneaked out, her face cold and pretending to be mature. This time, she finally had the long eyelashes she had dreamed of, with fake eyelashes on both eyes that looked like fans, exaggerated enough to be ready for a fashion show.

“My brother gave this to you this morning.” Shan Yike took out a piece of paper, “My dad was here just now, so I couldn’t give it to you directly.”

Qin Bao took it and saw it was a ticket to a motorcycle championship.

Not bad, Shan Yiming.

“Where’s your brother?”

“He went for a walk outside. Seeing so many people here and not wanting to cause a scene with my dad, and since you were busy, he left first.”

So he did come.

Qin Bao contentedly put the ticket in his pocket, planning to call Shan Yiming later, and said to Shan Yike, “Thanks.”

But Shan Yike didn’t leave, “Brother Bao, do you have another cigarette? Give me one.”

Qin Bao: “No.”

Shan Yike didn’t insist, “Tch,” and rolled her eyes, “You’re just like those adults now.”

Qin Bao didn’t care about the kid’s thoughts. He continued leaning against the stone railing, gazing into the distance. Even if he couldn’t be a good role model like Shan Yiming, he should at least try to act like an older brother.

This year’s first snow had come a bit early, covering the trees and buildings with a thin layer of snow.

He had just smoked half a cigarette when someone approached again. Qin Bao thought it was Shan Yike coming to ask for a cigarette again, and he turned around irritably, only to find it was Feng Chengyu.

Feng Chengyu stood next to him, “I thought you didn’t smoke.”

Why did he come out too?

Qin Bao’s heart skipped a beat, and Feng Chengyu, half-smiling, asked, “Aren’t you afraid Grandpa will see?”

If the earlier Feng Chengyu seemed mature and unfamiliar, now he had reverted to the person who once sent a big box of toffees to tease him, the one who anonymously sent flowers every time.

Starting to fish again.

Qin Bao met the challenge, squinting slightly and exhaling a puff of smoke, “Smoking… Grandpa can’t control me anymore. I’m an adult; I smoke if I want to.”

Fishing is fun when there’s a give and take.

Feng Chengyu didn’t show any sign of estrangement. He reached out and took the cigarette from Qin Bao’s hand, pressing the butt into the snow on the stone railing, “Feeling bad?”

The cigarette was extinguished and thrown into the trash, leaving a small mark on the white snow.

Qin Bao suddenly felt a bit annoyed, “This doesn’t seem to be your business, does it? You’re not my Alpha.”

If he wanted to intervene, he should at least have some legitimate standing; otherwise, it was a bit presumptuous.

Feng Chengyu looked at him intently, “Then why are your ears red?”

Qin Bao knew better than to fall for it, but his face still heated up instantly, more intensely than before. He instinctively touched his ear and realized from Feng Chengyu’s teasing expression that he had been tricked.

He said irritably, “No, they’re not.”

Feng Chengyu leaned against the stone railing and laughed softly, his chest vibrating, “If not, why not go over there and check in the mirror?”

Not far away was a corridor.

A row of small decorative round mirrors lined the corridor walls. Qin Bao only needed to walk over and take a look to completely expose the lie.

He wouldn’t go.

He thought he had matured a lot, but his intelligence seemed to drop in front of Feng Chengyu.

This guy really had two sides: one way in front of the elders, another behind their backs.

Complaints aside, he didn’t want to reveal too much. So Qin Bao put on a nonchalant face, “So what if they are? I blush when I drink too much, okay?”

He wanted to take the words back as soon as he said them.

Because Feng Chengyu’s next words were even more provocative, “Why were you staring at me earlier?”

And Qin Bao blurted out, “I wasn’t staring at you.”

A clear admission by denial.

They hadn’t even started talking, yet their conversation felt like flirting, making Qin Bao unsure how to respond.

He got truly annoyed, “If you weren’t looking at me, how did you know I was looking at you?”

Feng Chengyu replied matter-of-factly, “I was looking at you.”

Feng Chengyu’s answer was so natural and serious, as if acknowledging an ordinary fact, as if they already had a relationship that allowed for such overstepping.

Moreover, he raised his hand and touched Qin Bao’s face, “You’re an adult now.”

Qin Bao: “…”

Yes, an adult, so what?

Am I really supposed to chase you?

Before he could say more, a waiter approached, “Mr. Qin, someone just brought a birthday gift for you. I left it downstairs.”

Qin Bao: “Who sent it? Where’s the person?”

Who would bring a gift at this hour?

The waiter replied, “The person already left. It was a tall Alpha named Xu Tangzhou.”

Qin Bao thought he knew who sent the gift. Xu Tangzhou said he couldn’t make it and would ask his brother to bring the gift. The person probably didn’t want to disturb, so they left after delivering the gift.

The waiter continued, “Also, the old man asked you to prepare to go back and cut the cake.”

Grandpa and Grandfather had a rivalry over hosting the birthday party. Although they won with Qin Bao’s cooperation and agreed to keep things simple, they still wanted to make it grand, ordering a massive three-tiered cake.

Qin Bao had to go back, listen to the birthday song, blow out the candles, and cut the extravagant cake. Only then would the party reach its climax.

He turned and saw Feng Chengyu watching him with a dark look.

Feeling puzzled, he heard Feng Chengyu say, “Let’s go in.”

Qin Bao: “Mm.”

He hesitated whether to go in with Feng Chengyu, but the other had already started walking. If he didn’t follow, it would seem like he was afraid.

______

The Author’s Note:

I forgot to mention that some chapters’ developments, due to plot needs, overlap with the extras in “Astroid.” Later, I’ll write free extras for this book as a gift for everyone.