RBNR Ch35: Are you not feeling well recently?

The two each carried their breakfast to the opposite ends of the long table. After the recent incident, the atmosphere at the table became very quiet, with only the faint sounds of cutlery touching the plates.

Noticing the light reflecting off Feng Chengyu’s left ring finger, Qin Bao glanced at it quietly.

——Feng Chengyu was wearing a wedding ring.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Who would come to their new house so early in the morning?

Qin Bao suddenly remembered something and quickened his eating: “It should be Uncle Sheng, I’ll go down right away.”

There was no honeymoon.

Due to Feng Chengyu’s special job nature, he couldn’t take such a long leave.

Qin Bao had to go to school that day as well. He had been taking a lot of leave recently, and with the final exams approaching and his credits insufficient, he was likely to fail.

Moreover… there was no need for them to have a honeymoon.

Their new house was some distance from the school. Qin Bao had told Mr. Qin that he would need the family driver for a while, and judging by the time, the car should have arrived.

Feng Chengyu had already finished eating: “I’ll get the door.”

As soon as he left the table, Qin Bao sighed in relief. If he stayed with this person any longer, his brain would crash from too many restricted-level scenes loading.

The house was built according to the terrain, with the basement facing the main road. It was both a garage and a small living room with a view.

A row of lime lights was planted beside the stairs. When Qin Bao went down, he didn’t see the Qin family car but saw a truck and the silver-white Phantom just unloaded from it.

Feng Chengyu stood next to a large bunch of white flowers, more eye-catching than the flowers. He was removing a card from the ribbon tied to the car’s front, and seeing Qin Bao coming, Feng Chengyu handed over the card: “Someone sent this for you.”

Seeing the Phantom, Qin Bao already had a vague guess in his heart.

This bike was so cool. Although many people in the capital had it, only one person was likely to send it to him.

He took the card and confirmed it completely.

The card read: [Happy Wedding. I’m giving my son to you, take good care of it.]

“Are you Qin Bao?” The delivery person was still waiting for a signature, “Please sign here.”

Qin Bao hurried to sign and took the keys: “Thank you.”

As the truck drove away, Qin Bao couldn’t help but stroke the cool body of the Phantom and told Feng Chengyu: “This is a wedding gift from Shan Yiming. But, how did he know our address?”

Feng Chengyu was also examining the bike: “He probably asked Grandpa.”

Qin Bao realized and nodded: “Oh.” His eyes sparkled, “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Very beautiful,” Feng Chengyu replied, “You seem to really like this bike.”

Qin Bao didn’t know that Feng Chengyu had seen him riding this bike long ago.

He liked it because if Shan Yiming was willing to send a wedding gift, it meant Shan Yiming still considered him a friend.

“Of course,” Qin Bao said, “Shan Yiming also loved this bike. When he ran away from home, his biggest regret was not taking it with him.”

Back then, he cut all ties with the family cleanly, not even taking the phone bought by them, so stubborn. It was unknown what method Shan Yiming used this time to get it out of the Shan family.

Feng Chengyu said: “Uncle Shan mentioned it once.”

“Really?” Qin Bao was curious, “Uncle Shan talks to you about this?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Bao immediately realized that Feng Chengyu was different from them. Although Feng Chengyu was only a few years older than them, in the eyes of the elders, he was someone who could communicate on an equal level.

Unlike their group, no matter how old they got, they were always seen as mischievous kids by the elders.

“It was because of the newspaper incident back then.”

Feng Chengyu said.

Daring to break off relations with the family through a newspaper, it caused quite a stir back then. Many people thought Shan Yiming was an ungrateful, heartless son.

Perhaps Feng Chengyu thought so too.

For some reason, Qin Bao didn’t want him to think that way: “Do you know what a person must do to cut ties more cleanly and neatly if they have to go against family beliefs for the sake of their conviction?”

Without waiting for Feng Chengyu to answer, he revealed the answer himself: “Reduce the guilt towards the family.”

It was rare for Qin Bao to say so much, especially in front of Feng Chengyu.

“Because human nature is complex. Besides the genuine love in family affection, it is often influenced by external opinions and environments. Just like my grandpa… Even if Uncle Shan eventually agreed to let Shan Yiming pursue his dreams, he couldn’t ignore public opinion. Although it seemed like they cut ties on the surface, the blood bond wouldn’t break. Rather than being tormented, it’s better to cut the knot cleanly, bearing the consequences of success or failure alone.”

And more importantly, as long as the family relationship existed, even if Shan Yiming joined the team, he wouldn’t get real training.

Feng Chengyu understood this without Qin Bao saying.

Feng Chengyu: “You know Shan Yiming well.”

“I admire Shan Yiming a lot.”

Qin Bao said.

He only said admiration but didn’t say why Shan Yiming could do it, but he couldn’t.

“Forget it, you wouldn’t understand anyway.” Qin Bao murmured.

As they grew older, everyone could see that there wasn’t a real playboy among Qin Bao’s generation. Maybe everyone chose different ways, but as long as they got along well with Qin Bao, none of them were the stereotypical rich kids.

Feng Chengyu had excellent manners and was good at listening: “Maybe if you tell me, I would understand.”

An Alpha standing there alone was already a figure to look up to, a symbol of success. How could someone as proud and aloof as him understand?

Qin Bao was about to speak when the Qin family’s car really arrived. The exclusive driver of the old man, Uncle Sheng, rolled down the window: “Xiao Bao!”

Qin Bao hadn’t taken his bag yet and, ignoring everything else, said to the driver: “Uncle Sheng, please wait for me for five more minutes!”

After speaking, he straddled the bike and started it.

The engine’s roar broke the morning silence. That figure perfectly overlapped with a few years ago, but now the boy had grown taller, looking more dashing and confident.

Feng Chengyu greeted Uncle Sheng.

The Qin family driver, understanding the etiquette well, immediately got out of the car. Feng Chengyu respected his elders, shook hands gracefully, and exchanged a few words with him.

Qin Bao parked the Phantom in the garage and came out.

The silver-white motorcycle and Feng Chengyu’s black sedan were side by side, black and white, an oddly yet wonderfully mismatched pair.

Uncle Sheng smiled and asked, “Xiao Bao, you don’t have a motorcycle license, do you?”

Not only did he not have a motorcycle license, but he also didn’t have a car license.

Qin Bao was taken aback for a moment: “I don’t… but I’m preparing to take the test soon.”

“Coincidentally, I have a coach friend. I’ll introduce you later,” Uncle Sheng said, then turned to Feng Chengyu, “Mr. Feng, we’ll be going now.”

Feng Chengyu: “Okay, take care.”

Qin Bao instinctively wanted to say “I’m leaving” to him but felt it was odd, so he just opened the car door and got in.

After all, he ate the fried egg made by Feng Chengyu, so before leaving, he rolled down the window and said, “Bye.”

Feng Chengyu responded with a “hmm” and watched him raise his hand.

*

When Qin Bao sneaked into the last row of the classroom, the professor was starting roll call: “Qin Bao.”

“Here—”

He raised his hand.

In an instant, several eyes in the front row turned to look at him.

The professor checked the roster: “Good, it’s good to see you this month.”

Qin Bao’s face felt hot. Although he had taken leave, it was indeed not something to be proud of. This semester he had attended even fewer classes than last semester, and it was hard to believe he was far from as busy as last semester.

Some classmates were secretly taking photos with their phones, excitedly showing them to friends. The classmates around him were also very nervous because, in their eyes, the person sitting next to them was a big star.

No one knew about Qin Bao’s marriage. After class, some classmates who were more familiar with him asked if he was feeling better.

“Much better,” he replied, “thank you.”

“Thank you for what.” The other person was a quiet Omega girl named Jin Si, who spoke very gently, “Would you like to have dinner together tonight? My treat.”

Qin Bao had once brought Jin Si a signed autograph from Lucy, and Jin Si had always wanted to treat him to a meal. Just as they were talking, An Qingyan called.

“Got time for dinner tonight?”

An Qingyan asked.

“I’m flying to Yatan tomorrow and won’t be back until the end of the year.”

Qin Bao had asked An Qingyan for help with the wedding, owing him a big favor. Of course, he would go, but since he had just promised Jin Si, he hesitated for a moment: “Tonight?”

An Qingyan misunderstood: “Oh, I know you’re newlyweds. Your guy is busy, no time for a honeymoon, but no matter how much you hate to part tonight, you must come. Trust me, it’s for your benefit.”

Qin Bao quickly denied: “It’s not what you think.”

Jin Si didn’t hear their conversation but guessed Qin Bao had something to do: “It’s okay, I can treat you next time.”

So Qin Bao went to meet An Qingyan.

The dinner was at a famous private kitchen restaurant, which always required reservations and long waits. Qin Bao had been there once with Ms. Rong. An Qingyan was waiting downstairs early, and when he picked up Qin Bao, he said, “A friend is here, I’ll introduce you.”

In the private room sat a Beta lady, about forty years old, dressed smartly, looking somewhat familiar.

“This is my old friend, Ms. Lü Rui, a famous producer, responsible for countless great films.” An Qingyan said, “You’ve probably seen her work. Last year’s ‘Human World,’ starring Ying Chen, was one of her masterpieces, winning many international awards.”

He then introduced Qin Bao.

“Ms. Lü, this is Qin Bao. You mentioned you’ve followed his work.”

Ms. Lü was down-to-earth, shaking hands with Qin Bao: “It’s been a long time since I saw you in the spotlight. Several costume designers in our crew are your fans. Seeing you today, you look even better in person than on screen.”

Qin Bao was flattered: “Thank you, you flatter me.”

Qin Bao wasn’t good at polite small talk or such social occasions. Fortunately, it seemed An Qingyan wasn’t trying to network for him, just having a meal with old friends.

The meal didn’t last long, the atmosphere was relaxed, and when they parted, Ms. Lü even exchanged contact information with Qin Bao.

As night fell, they went downstairs together. Ms. Lü’s driver was bringing the car around, offering to give them a ride. It was an MPV, Ms. Lü got in first, and just as Qin Bao was about to get in, An Qingyan patted his shoulder: “Look over there.”

Qin Bao looked puzzled and glanced in the direction indicated, seeing something flash in a distant car window. His face immediately turned a bit sour: “Paparazzi again?”

They hadn’t worn masks and were probably photographed clearly.

Qin Bao didn’t mind, but An Qingyan, who loved to play in private, hated being photographed the most.

“Ignore them.” An Qingyan surprisingly smiled, “Get in.”

Once in the car, An Qingyan asked Qin Bao: “Have you been looking at work recently after such a long break?”

“Not yet.”

Qin Bao didn’t explain why.

Actually, since he stopped working, he hadn’t completely lost touch with the industry. His contract expiration was likely known in the industry, and many agents had contacted him through various means, extending olive branches. However, they were mostly from smaller, less established agencies, unaware of the “ban” from the Qin family.

Qin Bao had looked into a couple but wasn’t sure about their capabilities and worried about being called back before he even stepped on the runway, so no real connections were made.

The more established agencies that had tried to recruit him before remained silent.

An Qingyan just smiled: “It’ll happen soon.”

Qin Bao: “What do you mean?”

An Qingyan said: “Trust me, a turning point is coming soon.” He then leaned in and whispered, “Don’t thank me, thank your Mr. Feng.”

Qin Bao gradually understood. This evening’s arrangement was probably An Qingyan’s plan. Having dinner together wasn’t important; who he dined with was. Even the paparazzi… might have been arranged by An Qingyan.

The “ban” was invisible, and there was no way to announce publicly that “Qin family’s Xiao Bao can work now.” This was the most discreet way to handle it without diminishing Qin Bao’s value.

His heart felt as if it was tickled by a small feather.

Qin Bao believed Feng Chengyu would definitely keep his word, but he hadn’t expected him to act so quickly.

Given today’s arrangement, it could only mean that several months ago, Feng Chengyu had already made moves with the old man.

Maybe, it was right after they officially registered their marriage.

When Qin Bao returned home, Feng Chengyu wasn’t there.

He checked his phone to look at the calendar and confirmed that it was Monday.

“Every Monday and Friday” were the days they had agreed to spend together. Could it be that Feng Chengyu was breaking the agreement on the first day after their marriage?

Qin Bao wanted to question him, but after typing the message, he deleted it.

For some reason, despite their relationship being based on mutual exchange of conditions, he didn’t want Feng Chengyu to think that his recent proactiveness was solely because of progress in his work situation.

After showering, his phone remained silent.

Qin Bao played games for a while and only got into bed at eleven at night, catching a faint scent on the other pillow—it was Feng Chengyu’s pheromones.

It was very hot.

He didn’t sleep well.

Half-asleep, he sensed someone beside him. Opening his eyes, he saw that Feng Chengyu had returned.

“The air conditioning is so strong, and you’re not even covering yourself.”

Feng Chengyu glanced at his bare, long legs and pulled a corner of the thin blanket over him.

Qin Bao: “…”

He hadn’t expected Feng Chengyu to come back, so he didn’t bother being mindful. Hopefully, Feng Chengyu wouldn’t think he was doing it on purpose.

A bedside lamp was on, casting warm light on a small corner of the room.

Feng Chengyu had already unbuttoned his cuffs and was now unbuttoning his shirt, his skin and muscle contours hidden in the shadows, causing Qin Bao’s breathing to quicken, and his gland to throb.

This completely woke him up.

Damn it, not again… Can’t I get some sleep?

It would be too obvious to get up now and take a suppressor.

“Click.”

A slight sound drew Qin Bao’s attention—Feng Chengyu had taken off his wedding ring and placed it on the bedside table, seemingly ready to head to the bathroom.

The delicate ring glimmered faintly under the lamp.

Yes, Feng Chengyu had already started fulfilling his promises.

Qin Bao thought.

They had written a contract, leading them to this point. Everything was within reasonable bounds.

Whether they did it or not didn’t affect the agreement.

Since he was prepared to benefit without giving anything in return, and Feng Chengyu happened to be exactly his type, with such a high compatibility, why hold back?

“Hey,” he mumbled, covering his flushed face with the thin blanket, “are you losing your touch lately?”