RBNR Ch48: He didn’t cheat anyway

Despite saying he would leave soon, Qin Bao stayed an hour at the hotel because of Shan Yike.

When he left, it was raining. He rode slower than when he came, and when he returned to the garage, Feng Chengyu’s car was quietly parked, having not moved for days.

He slept until noon the next day, woken by Xiao Xu’s call to get ready. It had become a trend in the industry to take departure photos, so after getting styled, Xiao Xu took a few pictures of Qin Bao and posted them on the Flow account.

Qin Bao’s comments were quickly flooded.

[No way, Bao, are you really with Mo Xiao? His music is terrible; please find someone better.]

[Bold guess, was the person caught at Grody last time also Mo Xiao?(Shocked)]

[BB fans, have some shame. Not famous but loves to cling.]

[Neutral observer, they were photographed going to the hotel together, how is that clinging? Was Mo Xiao dragged there by Qin Bao?]

[Always thought Mo Xiao has great sex appeal 🫣, imagining them together is just…]

[Stop! Mo Xiao is too old; my Bao is only nineteen, thank you!]

[Baby, it’s okay to date, just please don’t fall for a rapper. They always diss their exes in songs!]

Qin Bao scrolled through the comments, “What is this?”

Did that crow mouth get it right last night?

Xiao Xu hesitated, “You and Mo Xiao were trending early this morning… but their company quickly took it down, explaining it was a coincidence.”

She didn’t have the heart to say that netizens didn’t believe it at all. Firstly, Qin Bao had been photographed at Grody last time, and secondly, they thought Qin Bao’s home was in the capital, so it didn’t make much sense for him not to go home after work.

Having explained, Qin Bao didn’t have time to look further. However, what he didn’t expect was that Mo Xiao would also attend Flow Night, and their seats weren’t far apart.

Mo Xiao saw him too and openly waved at him.

Qin Bao kept a cool demeanor, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

Flow Night had an awards segment, and almost every guest received one. The trophies weren’t very prestigious, but better than nothing. Qin Bao received the “Fashion Icon of the Year” award, and when Mo Xiao went up to receive his award, Qin Bao noticed that the recently popular singer, Ling Che, was sitting beside him. Ling Che’s mixed-race, handsome face caused a stir as soon as it appeared on the big screen.

Is it really that exaggerated…

When it was Qin Bao’s turn to accept his award, it so happened that he and Mo Xiao passed each other on stage. As the subjects of a fresh rumor, their encounter elicited another round of cheers from the audience.

Qin Bao seriously suspected that the organizers had planned this on purpose.

Mo Xiao smiled helplessly and extended his hand to Qin Bao, who couldn’t ignore him in front of the cameras, so they shook hands and patted each other’s shoulders.

At the dinner, Qin Bao avoided Mo Xiao, cooperating with the media for some photos and fully fulfilling his ambassador duties. Not knowing many people in the entertainment industry, he left early.

The rumors didn’t die down with Mo Xiao’s earlier clarification; instead, they intensified.

Their encounter on stage was once again a trending topic.

That night, Flow had dozens of trending topics, mostly focused on celebrities’ outfits and conditions. The #Mo Xiao and Qin Bao Exchange Glances# stood out conspicuously.

Qin Bao checked it out himself, and to be honest, the footage did look convincing. Their brief interaction seemed to imply something more.

An earlier tag, #Mo Xiao and Qin Bao Relationship Exposed#, was still linked on the page. Clicking on it revealed a complete video taken by the paparazzi.

In the video, Mo Xiao entered the hotel first, and about ten minutes later, Qin Bao arrived on his motorcycle. Because Qin Bao had glanced into the van, his face was clearly captured. In the night, his model-perfect head-to-body ratio and exquisite features made many people on the platform exclaim they wanted to lick the screen.

About an hour later, Qin Bao left the hotel, while Mo Xiao stayed until the next morning.

[Saying they just happened to stay in the same place. If Qin Bao hadn’t come out, I might barely believe it.]

[Why does the supermodel like going to hotels so much? 🤨]

[Could it be that Mo Xiao likes him?]

[(Disgust) MX has had how many rumors already? The capital’s thousand-man slayer sure lives up to his name.]

[It takes some serious skill to snag Qin Bao.]

[I want to too (Lust)]

Maybe because the video was too clear and high-quality, even An Qingyan didn’t text to tease him about another rumor, and Feng Chu, who used to get all worked up over such gossip, remained silent.

Only Mr. Qin called to ask what was going on.

“I didn’t fool around; I don’t even know him. Don’t worry about what the paparazzi write.” Qin Bao explained briefly, “Tell Grandpa he doesn’t need to worry. I haven’t done anything to disgrace him.”

*

After hanging up, Qin Bao prepared to go downstairs for a drink. As he reached the top of the stairs, he made eye contact with Feng Chengyu, who had just returned home.

The lights downstairs were off. The tall Alpha stood in the hallway, his features appearing more profound in the shadows, exuding a cold aura. Even standing downstairs, he still gave off an unapproachable vibe.

Having just hung up on Mr. Qin, Qin Bao hadn’t had time to change his expression and was looking downstairs with a mix of anger and surprise.

The sound of a car driving away could be heard outside.

It must have been Lin Zi leaving.

Over a month without seeing each other.

Qin Bao’s heart raced a bit.

“Why did you come back suddenly?”

Qin Bao averted his gaze and walked down the stairs naturally.

Despite the time that had passed, he was still not used to his reactions when facing Feng Chengyu.

“There’s a meeting tomorrow.” Feng Chengyu took off his long coat, revealing a shirt and vest underneath. As he hung up his coat, his broad back and waist formed an inverted triangle, pleasing to the eye.

Then, Feng Chengyu took a gun from his back and placed it on the counter.

Qin Bao’s heart skipped a beat. Growing up in the Qin family, he was no stranger to guns and had even been to the shooting range with his grandfather, but this was the first time he saw Feng Chengyu armed.

An Imperial Council member carrying a gun shouldn’t be normal.

But the Qin family’s rule was not to meddle in politics, so Qin Bao said nothing.

As he passed by Feng Chengyu, he heard him say, “You came back early too.”

It seemed Feng Chengyu knew he had attended Flow Night.

Qin Bao opened the fridge, muttering an “Mm.”

He took out a bottle of cold water and closed the fridge door, “Nothing interesting there, just photoshoots and awkward small talk with people I don’t know. One slip of the tongue, and you’re in trouble. Those entertainment industry folks are more complicated than you politicians.”

Feng Chengyu was washing his hands at the island. Amidst the splashing water, Qin Bao caught the scent of his pheromones and quickly gulped down some water.

Affected by their compatibility, despite the cool liquid sliding down his throat, his body continued to heat up.

Frowning, Qin Bao decided to go upstairs.

Just then, Feng Chengyu calmly dried his hands and, putting an arm around his shoulder, stopped him, “Where are you going?”

“To bed.” Qin Bao said, “Why?”

As an S-rank Alpha, Feng Chengyu was much taller, and looking down at Qin Bao always exerted a sense of pressure, “Haven’t seen me for so many days, and you have nothing to say?”

Standing so close, Qin Bao could almost count Feng Chengyu’s eyelashes.

He was puzzled, “Say what?”

Feng Chengyu smiled slightly, pulling him into an embrace, “I’ve missed you a bit.”

Qin Bao was caught off guard by this move, freezing in place. Then he heard Feng Chengyu say, “You could say that.”

Qin Bao: “…Sorry, but no, I don’t.”

Feng Chengyu didn’t insist, but he raised his hand to ruffle Qin Bao’s hair, then gently rubbed the shorter part at the back of his head. “Did you get your hair cut even shorter since that day?”

Such a simple gesture, yet Qin Bao’s glands were already reacting.

He broke free and took a few steps back, disgruntled. “Feng Chengyu, are you petting a dog?”

Feng Chengyu braced both hands on the island, looking at Qin Bao without speaking.

Feeling inexplicably threatened, Qin Bao turned to leave, only to be pulled back again. Feng Chengyu, without saying a word, lowered his head and kissed him. As soon as their lips touched, Qin Bao’s will to resist lasted only a few pitiful seconds before he shamefully surrendered.

Their breathing became heavy, lips and tongues entangled, wet and forceful as if trying to devour each other.

The marble countertop was icy cold. Qin Bao was lifted to sit on it, kissing Feng Chengyu while impatiently reaching to loosen his tie.

“Why are you wearing so much…” he muttered in complaint between kisses.

This frantic and absurd encounter left Feng Chengyu half-dressed.

“Not in the kitchen…”

“No time.”

“My pants! The sink—”

“Forget it.”

“Feng Chengyu! You bastard, where are you…”

“Keep it down,” Feng Chengyu said. “The bodyguards are still outside.”

Qin Bao shuddered and began to curse softly, which Feng Chengyu ignored.

The angrier Qin Bao cursed, the rougher Feng Chengyu became, driving Qin Bao to tears. Biting Feng Chengyu’s shoulder in frustration, he greedily inhaled the scent of his neck amidst the chaos. “Are you going to mark me or not?!”

“Say something I want to hear,” Feng Chengyu murmured, kissing away Qin Bao’s tears.

“…”

“Say it. I just taught you.”

“Screw you—”

Not only did he not stop, but he also lifted Qin Bao down and flipped him over.

Standing barefoot on the wooden floor, Qin Bao’s toes gripped the ground tightly. Everything before his eyes was upside down and blurry, enveloped in the scent of daffodils, yet it felt like there was an invisible barrier. The unmarked glands on his neck throbbed frantically.

“…I kind of miss you.”

“Who?”

“Me…”

Warm and soft against the back of his neck, an Alpha was inhaling deeply, seemingly confirming something. Feng Chengyu’s gentle voice echoed, “Say it all together, Xiao Bao.”

Qin Bao gripped the edge of the island, speaking with shame, “…I kind of miss you—”

The long-awaited fangs finally pierced his skin, injecting the Alpha’s pheromones into his glands, binding with the Omega’s pheromones to form a strong mark.

Feng Chengyu carried the dazed Qin Bao to the sofa, where they sat down again. After a long while, Qin Bao came to his senses, drenched in sweat and completely collapsed on Feng Chengyu, panting heavily and unwilling to move.

This drawn-out foreplay felt immensely satisfying.

But after surrendering his will, conceding verbally as well, even if it wasn’t sincere, it was a severe blow to Qin Bao’s dignity.

“What’s with the sudden role-play?” Qin Bao grumbled, his voice tinged with nasal congestion. “Next time, don’t drag it out so long. Any longer, and I’d have flipped out.”

Unable to see Feng Chengyu’s expression, he only heard him respond, “Mm.”

After lying there for a while, Qin Bao noticed Feng Chengyu’s shirt was soaked through, revealing the muscles beneath. Though aesthetically pleasing, Qin Bao found it uncomfortable against the fabric and decided to get up for a shower.

Sensing his intention, Feng Chengyu held him down.

“I didn’t bring any cigarettes downstairs,” Qin Bao said, sitting back down and wrapping his arms around Feng Chengyu’s neck, giving him a kiss. “If you want to smoke, go get them yourself.”

But Feng Chengyu wasn’t reaching for a cigarette.

His eyes, seemingly dipped in ice water, pierced through everything. “Why have you been avoiding me lately?”

Qin Bao froze slightly, “When have I been avoiding you?”

Feeling the need for more conviction, he added, “Why would I avoid you?”

In truth, Qin Bao did have a bit of an intention to avoid Feng Chengyu since the day he returned home. Not just because of what Grandpa had said, but also because of the watch hidden in the bedside drawer.

Having made up his mind to look forward and use these five years to become stronger, Qin Bao didn’t want things to get complicated. Falling into this again, knowing the truth, would be truly foolish.

“You’re not the only one who’s busy, Mr. Feng.” Qin Bao got up from Feng Chengyu, picked up his T-shirt, put it on, and sat aside, far from him. “I’m busy too, with school and work. It may not be national affairs, but it still takes a lot of energy, okay?”

Feng Chengyu’s shirt was still open, but he had already zipped up his pants.

Leaning on the sofa with his elbow and resting his fingers on his temple, he looked quite content. “You could have reported to me, so I know you’re busy.”

“No need.” Qin Bao said, “You took my family to the show without reporting to me, didn’t you?”

Feng Chengyu raised an eyebrow, “I thought you had blocked my messages.”

Only by reading each message could he be sure there was no report.

Qin Bao opened his mouth. Not responding to messages was very rude, something he hated the most.

Not bold enough to justify his double standards, Qin Bao changed the subject, “Speaking of which, I remember telling you not to interfere with my affairs. Why did you take them to the show without my consent? Feng Chengyu, you violated our agreement.”

They conversed like in a negotiation, back and forth.

If they were fully dressed, it would have seemed more official.

“It was Mom’s suggestion. She wanted to see.”

Respectfully referring to her as “Mom” in front of Ms. Rong, Feng Chengyu continued, “Whether or not it’s because of the contract, your family is now also my family. If family wants to see the show and I happen to be free, it should be reasonable and not considered interference.”

He added, “I also wanted to watch.”

Qin Bao had nothing to say to that. It was just a show, after all, what was there to see?

Knowing that Feng Chengyu had been in the audience made him feel embarrassed.

What Qin Bao wouldn’t admit was that he was actually quite grateful to Feng Chengyu. As long as Grandpa wasn’t brought along, he was happy for his parents to be involved.

“Speaking of the contract, I remember I also mentioned that I wouldn’t accept any form of cheating,” Feng Chengyu said, looking at him.

“I trust you wouldn’t mess around,” Qin Bao responded.

Qin Bao’s eyelid twitched; so this was what Feng Chengyu was waiting for. After intentionally sniffing around his glands earlier, he was now talking about trust—how amusing for an Alpha.

Sure enough, Feng Chengyu continued, “But, Bao Bao… do you have anything to explain about today’s news?”

“You said you trust me, so what do I need to explain?” Qin Bao replied. “Since you saw the news, you should know that Mo Xiao already clarified. We just happened to meet at the hotel.”

Feng Chengyu then asked, “What was your reason for being at the hotel last night?”

Qin Bao didn’t want to mention Shan Yike’s situation. On one hand, it was Shan Yike’s privacy; on the other hand, he simply didn’t want to tell Feng Chengyu.

“That’s none of your business. Anyway, I didn’t cheat.” Qin Bao stiffened his neck. “And I’ve told you before, going out with anyone is my freedom.”

Feng Chengyu nodded, seemingly unconcerned. “I see.”

They’d discussed enough, but for some reason, Qin Bao couldn’t help but reveal a bit more. “Mo Xiao smells bad. We took the same elevator, and his smell almost killed me. How can an Alpha stink so much?”

So, he couldn’t possibly cheat with a stink bomb.

Feng Chengyu asked, “What about me?”

Qin Bao was caught off guard by the question and, after a pause, snorted, squeezing out a reply: “…You’re the smelliest.”

___

Author’s note:

Mo Xiao: This is defamation!