RBNR Ch47: Unexpected

For the next half month, they barely saw each other. Qin Bao found someone to help him plan his personal studio, and Feng Chengyu had his own matters to attend to.

One Friday, they met at home, exchanged information scents properly, and then spent almost a month apart—Qin Bao was busy shooting a new season’s commercial as a perfume spokesperson, shooting for Marcos Malory’s fall/winter luxury ad, and attending various luxury events as an ambassador.

Feng Chengyu couldn’t always follow Qin Bao around. Due to his special status, he couldn’t immediately get travel clearance for many places except some allied countries, and his work schedule was very tight.

Both had their careers to focus on. Although their contract specified conditions, they found that it was difficult to stay together even two or three days each month, let alone every Monday and Friday.

In September, Qin Bao started school and got his motorcycle license by the end of the month.

Feng Chengyu went north for an inspection with several council members, reporting his schedule daily and occasionally sending photos of his journey.

Qin Bao had already started reporting to Feng Chengyu and replying to Dingxin messages, but since the visit to his home, the reporting had stopped, and the response frequency had significantly decreased.

One day, Qin Bao received this message on Dingxin.

F: [Did you get a haircut?]

Qin Bao had just parked his bike on the roadside and taken off his helmet to drink water.

The wind on the mountaintop was strong, blowing his newly cut hair around. He had already changed his light blonde hair to ash brown and now had it dyed black and cut short for the spring/summer fashion week.

He had just gotten the new hairstyle that afternoon and was on his way back. How did Feng Chengyu know?

Qin Bao: [?]

Qin Bao: [Did you put surveillance on me?]

It was rare for Qin Bao to reply, so Feng Chengyu immediately called him on video.

Not having seen him for nearly a month, Qin Bao’s heart beat oddly, and he pressed the decline button.

Feng Chengyu didn’t call again.

F: [Photos]

The photos were taken by paparazzi.

Qin Bao had just come out of the shop when the cameras targeted him, capturing him and his motorcycle clearly. He had once thought the helmet would conceal his face, foolishly imagining he could race through the streets unnoticed.

He replied to Feng Chengyu: [Next week is Fashion Week. I might need to cut it again then.]

Qin Bao didn’t have much work this time, only participating in two shows—one for Baofenni and the other closing for Marcos Malory. While his resources weren’t bad, they were far from those of other supermodels. The Omega models who ranked with him back then had over a dozen shows each.

F: [Okay.]

Nothing else was said.

Qin Bao wondered, does this person feel regretful?

Does he really like pulling hair that much?

He wanted to ask if Feng Chengyu would come home this week, but stopped halfway through typing, turned off his phone, and put his helmet back on. He wanted to be a relentless dream chaser.

Returning to the runway, Qin Bao had many things to handle and asked the assistant who helped him during the Shanlong neck ring ad shoot for help. The assistant, Xiao Xu, immediately bought a plane ticket and followed him, calling him “Teacher Qin” every step of the way.

“I’ve told you so many times, don’t call me ‘Teacher’.”

Qin Bao was about to turn nineteen and couldn’t stand such titles in the industry.

Xiao Xu was two years younger than him. After thinking for a moment, she changed the title, “Alright, Brother Bao.”

This reminded Qin Bao of someone else who called him Brother Bao, Shan Yike.

Shan Yiming sent a message saying Shan Yike caused trouble at school by stabbing a classmate’s hand with a pencil. She faced the risk of being sued and expelled and had a fierce argument with her family.

Shan Yike ran away from home and had nowhere to go. Shan Yiming couldn’t leave, so Qin Bao asked Xiao Xu to book her a hotel room and planned to visit her later.

As the closing model for Marcos Malory, Qin Bao drew much attention. He had almost disappeared for a year, and upon his comeback, he landed such a top luxury gig, making him a darling of the fashion world.

This time, Qin Bao felt more pressure than when he saved the day for Baofenni. On and off the stage, he was highly tense.

Flashlights kept flashing, and with the rhythm of the closing music, Qin Bao walked the runway in a Marcos Malory fall/winter luxury outfit.

The runway was circular this time. Qin Bao wore very light makeup, his superior tall frame carrying the snow-white fur and floor-length trousers. The only decoration on his neck and collarbones were silver-painted glitter.

Countless eyes from the audience and cameras were fixed on him.

Qin Bao was a competent clothes hanger, an artwork, and himself.

What he never expected was that among the audience was someone unexpected.

An Qingyan had come to watch the show, sitting next to Shu Helan. Qin Bao had noticed them while on stage.

Feeling somewhat strange, he learned afterward from Xiao Xu that An Qingyan had come to deliver flowers. Qin Bao eagerly ran over, wanting to ask what was going on between the two, only to see more people besides them—Mr. Qin and Ms. Rong.

Qin Bao was stunned, “Dad… Mom?”

Ms. Rong hugged him first, “Congratulations, Bao’er, you did a great show.”

Qin Bao was still confused, “Thanks, Mom.”

Ms. Rong had watched a few of Qin Bao’s shows before, even bringing her friends twice. But it was Mr. Qin’s first time, leaving Qin Bao standing there awkwardly. Mr. Qin then imitated Ms. Rong, also giving Qin Bao a hug, patting him before letting go.

“Good performance.” Mr. Qin, at a loss for words, added, “The Baofenni show was good too.”

Qin Bao was shocked, “You went to the Baofenni show too?”

Ms. Rong said, “No, I couldn’t make it that day. Only your dad and Chengyu went.”

Qin Bao: “?”

An Qingyan laughed from the side, then handed the flowers to Qin Bao, “Thank me, I’ve been dragging them around to various shows these days, answering all sorts of questions that would drive a fashionista crazy.”

“Not me, I only came tonight,” Shu Helan interjected.

An Qingyan chided, “You’re not much better, just a rough person.”

Hugging the flowers, Qin Bao didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t understand why Mr. Qin came here, and as for Feng Chengyu… Wasn’t he supposed to be on a northern inspection? How did he find the time to watch a show?

Mr. Qin said, “Chengyu said we should understand your work better. Your mom has been before, but I haven’t, so I took some time off.”

Qin Bao: “…”

He had mixed feelings.

He was happy Mr. Qin came, but didn’t understand why Feng Chengyu did this. It was a show, not a performance; people came to focus on fashion and brands.

An Qingyan, ever the talker, joked, “Uncle Qin, you’re now one foot into the fashion world. What do you think of your precious son’s career?”

Mr. Qin was momentarily speechless.

Knowing Mr. Qin was always meek in front of the patriarch, Ms. Rong said, “His opinion doesn’t matter, not opposing is already good enough.”

However, Mr. Qin suddenly straightened his back, patted Qin Bao’s shoulder again, and said, “I’m proud of you.”

Qin Bao, though never needing anyone’s encouragement, was slightly taken aback.

These words held significant meaning for him.

Immediately after, Mr. Qin added, “I hope your grandfather can one day come to watch a show.”

This comment caused a momentary freeze.

Qin Bao coldly replied, “That’s not necessary.”

Even though he had taken off his makeup and changed his clothes, with the staff gone, Qin Bao still held the flowers, taking a few steps back, “Thank you all for coming to the show. I have things to do. Everyone should leave.”

Without looking at their expressions, he turned and left.

Back, he handed the flowers to Xiao Xu.

Xiao Xu was surprised, “Brother Bao?”

“If you don’t mind, put them in a vase,” Qin Bao said, “Go home early.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Xiao Xu replied cheerfully, nodding, “I’ll call you on time tomorrow afternoon!”

There was an anniversary event for Flow tomorrow night, called Flow Night, and Qin Bao had received an invitation. He used to not want to go, but now he was more enthusiastic, bearing the responsibilities of an ambassador, planning to appear in Marcos Malory attire.

Time was tight, so Qin Bao didn’t go home directly but rode his motorcycle straight to the hotel where Shan Yike was staying. He had just received a large expenditure notification and suspected Shan Yike was throwing a party there.

Spending money wasn’t an issue; the issue was the risk of a group of minors causing trouble.

The late-night wind howled in his ears, and the motorcycle maintained a speed of sixty kilometers per hour, not exceeding the speed limit of any street. Yet with every acceleration, every turn, the adrenaline rush surged straight to his head.

Qin Bao suddenly understood why Shan Yiming liked riding motorcycles so much—because the wind was filled with the taste of freedom.

When he arrived at the hotel, Qin Bao took off his helmet and shook his head.

After taking a few steps, he felt something lurking around. With his keen eyesight, he quickly noticed a van not far away, with a half-open window and darkness inside, making it impossible to see anything.

Are they paparazzi?

He frowned.

Too lazy to care, life was already busy enough without being constantly on guard.

After watching for a few seconds, Qin Bao walked into the hotel.

Just before the elevator doors closed, Qin Bao pressed the up button, causing the doors to reopen, allowing him to enter.

Inside, Qin Bao was surprised.

The man in the elevator wore a baseball cap and a mask, dressed in a gray-brown Baofenni coat from the current season. He had a faint Alpha scent, and a row of conspicuous tattoos on his fingers holding the phone.

Isn’t this the popular rapper Mo Xiao?

Qin Bao recognized him because they had met at the Baofenni dinner a few days ago, and for some reason, Mo Xiao even took a photo with him.

Apparently, Mo Xiao recognized Qin Bao too.

After all, Qin Bao’s face was fully exposed, and anyone who had seen the show wouldn’t forget him.

“Qin Bao? What a coincidence! You’re staying here too?”

Mo Xiao pulled down his mask.

“It is quite a coincidence,” Qin Bao said. “Are there paparazzi outside waiting for you?”

“There are, but… they’re probably waiting for us now,” Mo Xiao, familiar with the workings of the entertainment industry after a few years, said. “Do you want me to say something?”

A word from him would keep Qin Bao out of it.

Otherwise, who knows what the news would say tomorrow.

“I’m not staying here; I’ll be leaving soon.”

Qin Bao didn’t care at all.

“Alright then…” Mo Xiao didn’t say much more.

The elevator quickly reached Mo Xiao’s floor. He said “bye” and left first. Qin Bao rode up to the twenties, going to Shan Yike’s room.

Xiao Xu had taken an extra room card when booking the room, but Qin Bao still rang the doorbell first.

There was a muffled noise inside before Shan Yike opened the door with a sullen face, “Brother Bao.”

The imagined scene of minors throwing a party in the hotel room did not appear. Instead, there was a strong smell of alcohol. Qin Bao walked in to see bottles of expensive wine scattered on the table and floor, explaining the high expenditure.

“Have you been drinking?”

Qin Bao asked.

“Yes.” Shan Yike slumped on the sofa, without makeup, her eyes vacant, “Don’t worry, I have money. I’ll return the card and repay you.”

Seeing himself in her, Qin Bao said irritably, “Is money the point? You’re an underage girl…” He paused, hating himself for becoming a lecturing adult, and got to the point, “Even if you’re an Alpha, you shouldn’t drink so much alone in a hotel. What if something happens?”

News often reports people dying from choking on vomit due to drunkenness.

Alpha metabolism might be good, but it doesn’t mean they can’t get drunk.

“Sorry.”

Shan Yike apologized, looking down.

Her previous arrogance was gone, probably realizing that sometimes one must bow under the roof, fearing Qin Bao would send her back home.

Qin Bao indeed didn’t plan to let Shan Yike stay here long. Intentional injury was no small matter.

“Wrong is wrong; you have to take responsibility. Hiding here and drinking won’t help; don’t be such a coward.”

Shan Yike looked up again, “You sound just like my brother.” Her tone was full of disdain, “Of course, you all can do what you want, easy for you to say. I just wanted to fight for myself, why is that not okay?”

Qin Bao, feeling a headache, realized he wasn’t mature enough to guide this kid, “You have your dreams and things you want to do, but what does that have to do with stabbing a classmate with a pencil?”

Shan Yike said, “He discriminated against me, called me a freak.”

Qin Bao frowned, angry, “Why? What did you do?”

Shan Yike, feeling wronged, said, “I just like wearing neck rings and sometimes gland patches… I just want to be an Omega, what’s wrong with that?”

Qin Bao: “…”

Shan Yike’s eyes suddenly reddened, “Brother Bao, I want to be an Omega like you. Modern gender reassignment surgery is very advanced. It’s my body; why can’t they support me?”

This was beyond his expertise. Qin Bao called Shan Yiming, “Shan Yiming, you come handle this.”