RBNR Ch4: He’s quite proud

Professor Feng chatted and laughed as he bid farewell to the guests, while Professor Lin asked her son, who was walking towards her, “Did you see Xiao Bao?”

Feng Chengyu nodded slightly and said, “Yes.”

Professor Lin glanced in the direction he had come from, her eyes lighting up and a smile forming on her lips, her words full of affection, “Time flies so fast, it seems like he grew up in the blink of an eye.”

Feng Chengyu also looked in that direction.

By the refreshment table, Qin Bao happened to turn around.

His black hair was slicked back, and his youthful face still had a touch of immaturity, with a pair of clear, bright eyes. Through the crowd, their gazes met, but the boy quickly looked away, like a swan proudly holding its head high.

“I remember when he was just born, he was a preemie, only about this big… like a little glutinous rice ball.” Professor Lin gestured with her hands, “Now he’s grown into a fine young man, a beautiful young man, inheriting all the good traits of his parents.”

Feng Chengyu withdrew his gaze, not responding to his mother’s words, holding a wine glass in his hand, his emotions unclear.

Professor Lin observed his expression and said gently, “Of course, nowadays people talk about love and marriage freedom, it’s important to follow your heart and choose someone you truly like.”

Professor Feng turned around and joined the conversation, “But then again, fate is predetermined. Your compatibility score isn’t low, why not try to get to know each other better? Sometimes, those things don’t conflict.”

Feng Chengyu responded absentmindedly, “Hmm.”

“Well, it’s still early to talk about this now.” Professor Feng didn’t say more, adding, “Chengyu, we need to go upstairs with your second uncle. Your aunt is still talking with the old master, you should go over too.”

With so many people at the banquet, it was indeed somewhat inconvenient for the Feng family.

However, it didn’t really bother Professor Feng and his wife. They were just tired of these social occasions after doing so much academic research and wanted to find a quiet place to hide.

Feng Chengyu understood his parents’ temperament and agreed, “Okay.”

Upon arriving at the venue earlier, Feng Chengyu had already followed the Feng family to wish Old Master Qin a happy birthday. Because guests kept coming, there was no chance to chat with the old master.

When he was young, he often saw Old Master Qin at the ballpark and racetrack with his grandfather. He remembered riding on Old Master Qin’s back to pick cherries.

By now, most of the guests wishing birthday greetings had come and gone.

When Feng Chengyu returned, only his aunt Feng Rui’an and a few others were left at the table.

“Chengyu, come sit,” Old Master Qin said with a cheerful smile, waving, “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you much earlier. Let Grandpa have a good look at you. Have you gotten used to being back after spending so much time abroad?”

As soon as he sat down, the old master took his hand.

The old man’s palm was dry and rough, but very warm.

Feng Chengyu sat beside the old master respectfully and said, “It’s abroad that I wasn’t used to. After all, your own place is always the best, nowhere compares to home.”

“Well said,” Old Master Qin patted the back of his hand, “Our Xiao Bao, I don’t know what he’s thinking, always running off somewhere.”

As he spoke, the old master pulled him closer and whispered, “He snuck out of the country just yesterday to walk the runway. He went alone, didn’t ask anyone for help, and only got back this morning, putting on a proper act as if I wouldn’t know!”

Feng Chengyu was a bit surprised to hear this.

The Qin family had strict rules, and he had heard about how the old master had driven his son step by step to his current position. He himself came from a similarly strict family. Although his parents were “rebellious,” it was only in their dedication to academics rather than politics. A rebellion like Qin Bao’s would never be allowed in such a family.

“Oh, I forgot to mention, Xiao Bao’s runway walk means he’s a model.”

Old Master Qin explained, fearing he wouldn’t understand, and even had someone bring his phone.

“Look, this is a magazine shoot he did last year, he was almost six feet tall then.”

The old man flipped through photo after photo for Feng Chengyu to see.

Feng Chengyu looked and listened politely.

In the photos, the boy was either heavily made-up or lightly made-up, standing coldly on the runway. Under the spotlight, he was like a walking clothes rack, exuding a unique confidence and ease in his every move.

It was closer to how he looked when running towards the motorcycle than the suited-up look at the banquet.

“This one… he did this show this year. The brand even sent a lot of stuff to the house, none of which we understood.”

The old master’s tone had an unnoticeable hint of indulgence, but he still disapproved with a humph.

“He’s made a bit of a name for himself, but it’s not a proper path. Still, he needs to follow the right path. Always showing his face in public, what kind of behavior is that!”

Feng Rui’an, listening to their conversation, put down her teacup and said with a smile, “It’s a good thing Xiao Bao is willing to go out and experience the world at such a young age.”

Feng Rui’an, nearly fifty, wore a proper suit and exuded the aura of a superior, commanding respect without anger, forming a natural barrier around the small reception area, isolating the noise.

As a female Alpha, Feng Rui’an’s political views always leaned towards gentleness, quite different from her brother Marshal Feng’s iron-fisted approach, more like silent rain nurturing things quietly. But she never lacked authority, and many people outside were actually more afraid of her.

“Take the opportunity to see the world while you’re young. Only then can you remain unruffled by honor or disgrace in the future,” Feng Rui’an spoke slowly, but her words were captivating. “The experiences accumulated in youth are a precious treasure throughout one’s life.”

Since Director Feng had said so, Old Master Qin gave her face, waving his hand, “Back then, us old folks were reckless and old-fashioned, deciding their major life events early on. Unfortunately, now we’re separated by life and death, so even if I wanted to change it, I couldn’t break the promise unilaterally. That’s why I always feel I’ve wronged that child, pampering him like a treasure from a young age and being lenient in discipline…”

As he spoke, the old master looked at Feng Chengyu, full of spirit, “But now, seeing you, where’s the debt? I think it’s more like he’s marrying up.”

The old master had just heard from Feng Rui’an that after Feng Chengyu returned to the country, he had already started working on his future, recommended by Feng Rui’an to work in the capital’s municipal committee, starting from the grassroots level.

The young Alpha, fresh out of the starting gate, already exuded a hint of steadiness and calmness, with a promising future ahead.

Moreover, the old master had watched him grow up, knowing that in terms of appearance, family background, and character, he excelled in every aspect.

“You must be joking,” Feng Chengyu said, “I actually have many shortcomings. It’s me who’s marrying up.”

The old master scolded Feng Chengyu for being overly modest, “What are you saying, child.”

Feng Rui’an timely said a few more words to Old Master Qin, making him laugh heartily, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching up.

“We’ve agreed not to interfere in young people’s matters,” Old Master Qin said, “Our old-fashioned ideas are one thing, your ideas are another. If it’s truly destined, it would make a great story.”

Feng Chengyu: “Yes, Grandpa.”

The old master looked at him more and more fondly. After a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “Grandpa noticed you two have already met, right? What do you think of our kid?”

Everyone present looked at Feng Chengyu for his response.

Feng Chengyu, with restrained emotions, replied appropriately, “Grandpa, he’s still too young.”

The old master was in an even better mood upon hearing this, repeatedly saying, “Good, good, good. We’ll talk about it when he’s older.”

*

Qin Bao, holding a cupcake, was inexplicably lost in thought.

“Hey!”

Someone called him from behind, startling him so much that he shivered, his heart skipping a beat. He realized he had somehow wandered to the outdoor pool.

It was Tu Yisen, who waved a hand in front of his face curiously, “What are you staring at the pool for? Thinking about jumping in to cool off?”

If it weren’t for the banquet, Qin Bao really would have wanted to jump in to calm down and figure out what was causing this sudden nervousness.

“Aren’t you patrolling with your dad?”

They called this act of following the adults around to meet people patrolling like little dogs.

“You’ve finished patrolling, why would I still be patrolling?” Tu Yisen, with his long arm, slung it over Qin Bao’s shoulder, “So tired, walking around in circles, my face is about to crack from smiling.”

The gland structure of an Alpha is different from that of an Omega. They cannot be blocked with inhibitors or glandular patches and must be controlled through personal discipline. This guy had grown up with him and wasn’t sensitive to gender differences, so he inevitably forgot to restrain himself, causing his pheromones to go wild.

Qin Bao frowned, pushing Tu Yisen’s arm away, “Get off, you smell awful.”

He wasn’t being pretentious when he complained to Xu Tangzhou; he really did find Alpha pheromones smelly, like that greasy man on the plane. To him, all Alpha pheromones had an invasive quality and were an unpleasant, pungent odor.

Except for… the person he just met.

It was strange. Even though the other person had controlled his pheromones very well, he could still sense them. The scent passed through the air, through his skin, directly reaching his nerve endings.

The young Alpha’s pheromones were faint but reminiscent of the cold and proud daffodils on the old master’s desk.

Very much like him.

Qin Bao didn’t find that scent offensive. He didn’t feel any discomfort and even found it somewhat… pleasant.

The glands at the back of his neck were itching.

It was the first time he had experienced this, making him feel ashamed of himself.

Tu Yisen, pushed away, stumbled and sniffed himself, “Really? I think it smells fine. It’s new cologne.”

Qin Bao insisted, “It’s smelly.”

Tu Yisen, accustomed to Qin Bao’s disdain, didn’t mind. He even teased Qin Bao, “Smelly or not. Hey, why are you behaving so well today? I thought you’d find a chance to slip away. Could it be because of that… hehehe.”

“Hehe, your head,” Qin Bao replied irritably. “Do you even know what the occasion is today? Would I dare mess around?”

Tu Yisen, however, smiled meaningfully, “Right, it’s the first time meeting the Feng family, so you have to keep up appearances. Otherwise, they’ll think you’re scared and backing down.”

Who knows what he was imagining.

Qin Bao didn’t think there was anything to be serious about with the Feng family. It’s not like they were enemies.

“Do you know a guy named Feng Chengyu?” he asked.

Among their group of friends, Shan Yiming was the oldest. Tu Yisen and Qin Bao were about the same age, attending the same school, with Tu Yisen one grade higher. Tu Yisen’s father was once an assistant to the Feng family’s marshal, so he had been hanging around the Union troops since he was young and used to boast about riding the marshal’s mech.

Tu Yisen: “No, it’s the first time I’ve seen him. To be honest, he looks alright, just a bit old.”

“How old?”

“I think he’s twenty-four.”

“? ?”

Tu Yisen pointed at Qin Bao and then at himself.

Qin Bao: “…”

Okay, people who are fifteen or sixteen do have the right to say that.

“But he has a cousin named Feng Chu, who is on my school team. If you want to know anything, I can help you find out.”

Tu Yisen was referring to one of Feng Chengyu’s distant cousins, a beta, who was the quarterback for the school team.

Qin Bao turned his head away, “Not interested.”

Tu Yisen smirked, “Really? You’ve never asked about anyone before.”

“I’m just curious because he seems a bit arrogant, a bit proud. Can’t I be curious?”

Qin Bao’s cheeks burned, and he regretted asking as soon as he finished. Fortunately, the evening sun was also orange-tinted, making the heat on his face less noticeable.

Feng Chengyu was indeed quite proud.

Looking down on people with a haughty demeanor, his tone even colder than his posture.

“Arrogant?” Tu Yisen squinted, “How arrogant can he be? If he dares to give you attitude, I’ll be the first to take him down.”

Qin Bao was shocked, “Are you crazy?”

As dusk fell, the evening banquet officially began.

Mr. Qin took to the stage to give a speech, and the crowd raised their glasses, wishing the old master longevity as enduring as the evergreen pine. Qin Bao scanned the guests but didn’t see that sharp profile again. With so many people present, including invited media, the Feng family, known for their sensitive status and low profile, had likely left early.

They sure left quickly.

After the banquet, there was a dance. The younger generation finally had their freedom, and since it had been a while since they last gathered, someone suggested sneaking out to continue the party with drinks.

Qin Bao initially planned to go home and catch up on sleep, as well as finish his assignments.

But someone teased him, hitting the nail on the head: “Being so obedient today, Bao, are you scared to come because you haven’t finished your summer homework?”

Even Shan Yiming asked, “I heard the old master demands you to score at least eighty in every subject, and if you fail one, you won’t be allowed to walk the runway?”

“Where did that rumor come from?” Qin Bao sneered, “I’ll go. Even if I wrote with my eyes closed, I’d still score eighty. Am I afraid of failing?”