RBNR Ch52: He has no intention of pursuing it

“He doesn’t need to know.”

The old man answered, his smile slowly fading and his expression becoming serious.

“When did you find out? Haven’t you been properly using your suppressants lately?”

Qin Bao had suspected this outcome on the way, feeling as if two little people were arguing in his mind.

One little person said, “Feng Chengyu must have known about this, maybe even exchanged something with the old man. How else could someone agree to marry someone they don’t love just for a promise?”

The other little person jumped up to refute, “Impossible. Your grandfather is so obstinate and autocratic, there’s no way he’d reveal the Qin family’s weaknesses to anyone!”

Now it seemed that the second little person had the correct answer.

The first little person shrank away in a corner, bewildered, while the second was fuming with anger.

Qin Bao said, “I was working abroad, surrounded by Alphas, and suddenly started feeling dizzy and nauseous. If it weren’t for the advanced medical doctors there, I would have thought I was suffering from heatstroke!”

“So you should be using your suppressants properly,” the old man scolded, “Once you and Chengyu complete the permanent marking, you won’t have such issues anymore.”

Qin Bao could hardly believe his ears. “Such a serious genetic defect, and you’ve been keeping it from me all this time. Don’t you feel any remorse? Don’t you think I have the right to know?”

The old man walked out from behind the desk, had someone close the door, and then returned to sit in the guest chair.

He seemed calm, unhurriedly tapping his cane on the floor. “Sit down first.”

“I won’t sit.”

Qin Bao said coldly.

The old man stopped trying to persuade him and said, “You know this is a congenital genetic defect. We had a case like this in our family before; it was your father’s cousin who passed away at just over forty. He was diagnosed before he was ten and spent the next twenty to thirty years in a melancholic state. There’s no medical treatment for it, and your father and I knew about it. What use is it for you to know?”

Qin Bao replied, “How is it useless? The doctor said we could consider gland removal, so I wouldn’t have to endure estrus.”

“Yes, you could remove the gland and become a Beta, which is the worst-case scenario,” the old man said. “But do you know how difficult it is to rebuild self-identity after such a passive gender conversion?”

After the incident, Qin Bao had some understanding of this aspect.

Before he could speak, the old man’s cane hit the floor again. “The most important thing is, an Omega who removes their glands doesn’t live long!”

The old man’s sharp eyes were fixed on Qin Bao. “Your father and mother had a hard time having you. You’re our treasure, our beloved child. Losing you before us would be like tearing out my heart!”

Qin Bao’s eyes reddened. He asked in disbelief, “So, this is why you forced me to marry Feng Chengyu?”

“Yes,” the old man admitted. “You and Chengyu are engaged, and we had calculated in advance that your compatibility with him should be high. But pheromone rejection is unpredictable; we only hoped for the best. If you two really couldn’t be together, so be it.”

Qin Bao was stunned.

Indeed, the old man continued, “But you ended up together. Do you know how happy your father and I were when we saw you not rejecting Chengyu’s pheromones on your coming-of-age night? You two have been engaged since childhood, and your genes match so well—it’s like heaven itself has destined you for each other. How could we not give you a push?”

Qin Bao’s tears welled up. “Whether I accept his pheromones or not, whether I marry him or not, should be my choice. If the Alpha I don’t reject wasn’t Feng Chengyu but a vagrant on the street, would you still force me to marry him?”

“The example you gave doesn’t apply; there are no such ifs,” the old man said. “I know you’re still resentful about me not letting you work, but Xiao Bao, our expectations of you have never been high. We didn’t require you to be extraordinary. We indulged you before, hoping to make you as happy as possible, but the ultimate goal was always to have you live safely and healthily.”

Qin Bao: “……”

The old man’s tone softened, and he changed his approach. “You know about this matter now, and that’s enough. There’s no need to tell anyone else, including Chengyu. I don’t want anyone to look down on you because of this, or to use it against you, even if it’s him.”

Tears finally fell from Qin Bao’s eyes. “Grandpa, the only person who’s always looked down on me is you, and the only person who’s always used me is you.”

The old man: “You—”

“I want to live well, but maybe that’s not what you understand. I want to know about my condition, do the things I truly love, and love the person I truly love.”

Qin Bao interrupted him.

“I’m not your soldier who doesn’t need to know anything and just follows your orders. I’m not a piece on your chessboard that you can move however you like.”

“You’ve never seen me as a person with independent thoughts. I’m a living person, not just your grandson. I’m not just a label of the Qin family. I’m an independent individual, and I don’t need you to make every decision for me!”

“You’re using the guise of love to kidnap my life!”

“Alright, alright, I admit to everything you said.” The old man’s face changed, his cheeks trembling with agitation. “But to say I’m kidnapping you…”

“I can’t take it anymore.”

Qin Bao wiped away his tears.

“I won’t be coming back to this home anymore. Take care.”

Without waiting for the old man’s reaction, he turned and left the study.

In the garden, servants looked at Qin Bao from a distance.

He paused for a moment, then walked over and, with red eyes, said, “Go check on my grandfather.”

The servant, stunned, replied, “Yes.”

Qin Bao quickly left the house.

In the capital, the snow was still falling, and thick snowdrifts lined the roads.

Qin Bao walked with his head down, breathing out large clouds of white mist in the cold air. His vision was blurred, and with each uneven step, his face felt cold and wet.

It was so frustrating.

How could a person’s life turn out like this?

In his early twenties, he couldn’t find anyone to talk to or a home to return to.

Qin Bao used to think he was happier than many others, but now he couldn’t believe that.

Perhaps someone with nothing at all is far richer in spirit than he is.

—

Empire Council Building.

In an office on the 45th floor, Feng Chengyu was concluding a three-way call with representatives from the Imperial Military and the Fuxing Group.

As the conversation was nearing its end, the holographic image of the Fuxing Group representative disconnected first.

The military’s representative, a young colonel in his early thirties, seemed hesitant for a moment before speaking to Feng Chengyu. “The designation of Feilu Star as a fifty-year no-mining zone is hard to imagine. Congratulations, Mr. Feng. You’ve done it.”

“I thought the military might be unhappy about this,” Feng Chengyu said, tapping his steel pen. “I didn’t expect you, Colonel, to be so supportive.”

The military has always placed great importance on mecha manufacturing, but the colonel, who was responsible for pushing this case forward, was very cooperative, reflecting the military’s true attitude.

“There is discontent, with various power factions and disputes in every department. But from a broader perspective, this might not be a bad thing,” the colonel said. “Feilu Star’s fifty-year no-mining means that the key rare earth mining area will shift to a more distant region, increasing costs and greatly reducing profits. If there’s real discontent, it should be with Fuxing Group.”

Feng Chengyu: “According to the financial reports, they haven’t been as profitable as expected in recent years and have occasionally been ‘robbed’ by space pirates. Perhaps they’re already quite drained. If they’re truly dissatisfied, it’s understandable. I can only say, good luck to them. Since they’re taking a different route from now on, and with the military personally safeguarding them, I hope they won’t be robbed again.”

“Well, I can only extend the same wish,” the colonel said with a smile and then gave a military salute to Feng Chengyu. “I admired the old Marshal since I was young, and now his grandson also deserves my respect. Mr. Feng, with pirates in front and wolves behind, and an eagle king circling above, I wish you good luck.”

“Thank you,” Feng Chengyu smiled. “Goodbye, Colonel.”

The colonel’s image disconnected, and the call officially ended.

Feng Chengyu pinched the bridge of his nose and asked, “What’s the matter?”

The AI brain displayed an unread notification.

Red, indicating “Important.”

Lin Zi’s voice came through: “Mr. Feng, Qin Bao has arrived.”

It was clear that Lin Zi was surprised by Qin Bao’s visit.

Since Feng Chengyu temporarily moved out of their marital home, Qin Bao had not sent him a single message. Sometimes Feng Chengyu would check his phone, and Lin Zi thought he might send something like before, but Feng Chengyu would just put his phone back in his pocket.

Lin Zi had seen them sign the contract, get married, and interact, and he felt that Feng Chengyu had a tough time.

Always running around in a tense state and tirelessly going to see the other person, sometimes even staying up two or three nights just to get some time, but always receiving a cold face when they met.

Younger people are always capricious, dazzlingly moving through crowds, disappearing for weeks or months at a time, occasionally causing scandals. Proud as Mr. Feng is, he always approached first and bowed his head.

Moreover, Feng Chengyu seemed even more loyal in marriage…

Of course, Qin Bao was still very warm.

He was ambitious and polite to everyone, regardless of their professional status, always genuine. Lin Zi liked him a lot.

But Qin Bao’s warmth was like a breeze, passing by lightly, unable to grasp anything.

Heartless.

That was the cruelest part.

Feng Chengyu asked, “When did he arrive?”

Lin Zi: “About half an hour ago.”

“Next time, notify me directly by voice,” Feng Chengyu said.

“Understood. Should we send him back now?” Lin Zi glanced at the second secretary’s office, hesitating.

Although things were temporarily settled, everything was still in a buffer phase. Feng Chengyu had not been away from the marital home for long, and now was not the best time to meet.

Feng Chengyu didn’t want to wait any longer and said without hesitation, “Let him in.”

Qin Bao stood up from his chair and returned the towel to the well-known Beta secretary. “Thank you.”

The woman, not only mature and elegant but also very attentive and polite, smiled gently at Qin Bao, as if aware of his status. “You’re welcome. Please go in to see our boss. I’ll bring you a cup of hot coffee shortly.”

Qin Bao often passed by the Empire Council Building but had never imagined he would enter it one day.

After leaving the Qin family home, he felt as though something was wrong with him, and he had walked here without realizing it, not even knowing if he was being photographed along the way.

It wasn’t until he looked up and saw the statue of the queen standing tall and was sternly stopped by a guard that he came to his senses.

With Lin Zi’s help, he made it up with little effort.

He had been dazed since arriving.

Walking on the soft dark red carpet and feeling the solemn atmosphere around him, he suddenly realized that this was perhaps the first time he had entered Feng Chengyu’s world.

The walls were lined with photos of past vice presidents of the council, their names neatly arranged, and Feng Chengyu’s name was engraved on the heavy bronze double doors.

The entrance led to a massive office with a view of the capital’s bustling scenery.

Qin Bao saw the large desk about twenty steps from the door and the figure sitting behind it, writing rapidly.

In such a place, opening the door and walking were silent.

Feng Chengyu happened to look up at that moment, his dark eyes locking onto the door. Their gazes met, and Qin Bao’s heart raced, momentarily disoriented.

Contrary to what he had imagined, Qin Bao’s state clearly surprised Feng Chengyu.

He glanced at Qin Bao and then frowned slightly before pressing the communicator. “Get a pair of clean shoes and socks.”

“Understood, Mr. Feng,” the secretary replied.

Qin Bao came back to his senses. “No need. I’ll be leaving soon.”

Finally, awkwardly reaching the desk, he said, “Feng Chengyu, I have something to tell you. It won’t take up much of your time.”

Qin Bao looked a bit pale, his eyes red as if he had been crying. Feng Chengyu walked around the desk, accidentally knocking over a picture frame, which fell face down on the desk.

He approached Qin Bao and said, “Speak.”

Without hesitation, he crouched down and began to remove Qin Bao’s wet shoes and socks from the snow.

The socks were soaked, and Qin Bao’s feet were as cold as ice. Feng Chengyu held them in his hands. “You walked here?”

Qin Bao remained still, looking at Feng Chengyu with red eyes. “Yes.”

He had taken a lot of inhibitors today and couldn’t smell Feng Chengyu’s pheromones, which he was starting to miss.

The secretary, emerging from somewhere, quickly brought in the shoes and socks, placing them nearby and then leaving swiftly.

The office was silent, with only the wall clock ticking away the seconds.

As Feng Chengyu was about to put on socks for Qin Bao, Qin Bao quietly took them and put them on himself, curling up on the chair as he felt the cold.

“Feng Chengyu, I had an argument with my grandfather today,” Qin Bao called his name softly. “I won’t be going back there anymore. I won’t listen to him again. I want to thank you for your help during this time, but I’m sorry. They not only controlled me but also used you.”

“What happened?” Feng Chengyu asked.

“I just found out today that they forced me to marry you not because of the engagement with Grandpa Feng, but because I have a condition and can only accept your pheromones,” Qin Bao said directly. “If I could accept someone else’s pheromones, they wouldn’t have gone through with it—”

Feng Chengyu interrupted, “What condition?”

Qin Bao sniffled and looked at him. “Pheromone rejection syndrome.”

“Pheromone rejection syndrome?”

“Yes! Pheromone rejection syndrome! A congenital genetic defect!” Qin Bao became a bit angry. “It means I can’t accept other people’s pheromones and can only be marked by you. So when I say other people’s pheromones are foul, it’s more obvious as it gets closer to the estrus period. I only found out when I went to the hospital the day before yesterday—”

“Understood.”

Feng Chengyu stood up and looked down at Qin Bao, his emotions unreadable.

“And then?”

Qin Bao was stunned by his question. “Aren’t you angry? Don’t you feel angry about being used like this?”

Feng Chengyu adjusted his sleeve and said, “A little. But anger isn’t a solution.”

Qin Bao recalled Feng Chengyu’s usual calmness in front of elders and asked incredulously, “Are you going to advise me not to argue with Grandpa?”

“No, not at all. You should be angry,” Feng Chengyu said with a calm expression. “If it were me, I would also be very angry.”

Qin Bao was taken aback by Feng Chengyu’s response. “……”

He hadn’t come here seeking emotional support.

But it seemed he received a bit.

Feng Chengyu leaned forward and rested his forehead against Qin Bao’s, as if sensing his body temperature. “Are you still feeling unwell?”

“No.”

“Are you not upset after arguing with Grandpa?”

Of course, he was upset, but it was over now.

It was already embarrassing enough to come here with red eyes. Qin Bao couldn’t act as if the sky had fallen, especially since it hadn’t.

“I’m just very angry, like I’m about to explode,” Qin Bao said. “More explosive than when they forced me to marry you. At that time, I only felt they had ruined my entire life by pushing a marriage I didn’t want onto me. Now I realize it wasn’t ruined just then. If it weren’t for you, they might have tried to push all kinds of people I don’t want onto me!”

Feng Chengyu seemed to truly empathize, remaining silent for a long time.

If anyone had more reason to be angry, it should have been Feng Chengyu, realizing that the favor from elders was not entirely because of him as a person, but rather because of additional conditions.

Feng Chengyu’s composure and lack of visible agitation were due to his deep respect for elders, consistently maintaining his demeanor both in private and public.

The clock ticked away in the quiet room, the second hand moving with a steady “tick-tock.”

In the silence, Qin Bao finally felt he had overstepped.

For some reason, his heart ached.

The words he had been thinking about on the road were finally coming out, piece by piece.

Maybe it was time to be freed.

No matter what, as the center of the event, Qin Bao had a responsibility to address the purpose of his visit. “Feng Chengyu, what I want to say is that they were wrong from the start. If you don’t want to continue, we could actually—”

Feng Chengyu interrupted, “What symptoms occur during an episode? How should it be treated?”

The topic shifted too quickly for Qin Bao to fully grasp, but he still answered, “Dizziness and nausea. Just take the medication on time, and it should be fine.”

He paused and added, “It’s not curable.”

He had no intention of discussing the permanent marking, even though it might “cure” him. What good would that do?

Permanent marking was too special; he had no intention of pursuing it.

—

Author’s Note:

Feng Chengyu’s perspective will be gradually added.