RBNR Ch6: S-Class

Feng Chengyu said, “Don’t give people titles so casually.”

Feng Chu responded with an “Oh,” feeling a bit embarrassed. It did seem a bit premature to call someone that now.

Feng Chengyu’s expression didn’t change, remaining calm as he asked, “What does he want to ask?”

Feng Chu said that Qin Bao wanted to buy the same watch and boldly suggested, “Brother, does your watch have a couple’s version? Why don’t we just buy one and give it to him?”

It was well known that his brother was like an unattainable flower on a high mountain—hardly the proactive type. It was rare for someone to be so straightforward, and if they could make a gesture, it would be a good exchange.

Unfortunately, the watch wasn’t as simple as Feng Chu thought.

However, after understanding the reason and filling in some gaps himself, Feng Chu became even more excited and curiously asked his brother, “So, will you two get married in the future?”

Feng Chengyu extinguished his cigarette and knocked on his head, “Since when did you start meddling in your brother’s affairs?”

Feng Chu immediately backed down, “I don’t dare, I don’t dare.”

Meanwhile.

Qin Bao was in the car on the way back to the company. He had an early morning flight to an out-of-town location for another ad shoot and wasn’t going home.

He took some time to do his homework while Brother Lu sat beside him, peeling fruit to feed him.

“That guy,” Brother Lu said after seeing he was almost done, “Do you want me to tell him to stay away from you?”

Qin Bao didn’t understand what Brother Lu was talking about at first until Brother Lu added, “I noticed you didn’t make a big fuss about it. Otherwise, why did you tear up his pass without any follow-up? It’s really not worth stooping to his level.”

It turned out he was talking about Li Nanyue.

After the last incident, Li Nanyue had sent several apologies. Since Qin Bao had blocked him on all social media, the messages came through Dingxin. Qin Bao read them but didn’t reply, eventually blocking that number as well. Later, he heard from colleagues that Li Nanyue was transferring dorms and hadn’t thought about it since.

“No need.” Qin Bao mumbled while eating an orange, “Just leave it.”

Just then, a call came in from an unfamiliar number. Qin Bao almost thought it was Li Nanyue, wondering if he had found out he was returning to the dorm and was calling to apologize again. But when he answered, it was an unfamiliar voice.

“Hello? Is this Qin Bao?”

Qin Bao replied, “Yes. You are…?”

“I’m Feng Chu,” said the voice. “You wanted to ask about my brother, right? Instead of going through Tu Yisen, I got your number directly.”

Qin Bao quickly said, “I wasn’t asking about your brother; it was about the watch—”

But the other side interrupted, “I’ve already asked for you. My brother’s watch is a custom design by a Patek Philippe designer; there’s no identical one available.”

Qin Bao frowned, “No identical—”

Feng Chu continued, “I’ve also done some research for you. We can get an Omega watch instead because even if you bought the same one, you couldn’t use it. The Omega watch is also very nice and pairs well with my brother’s. It matches your style perfectly. If you don’t trust my taste, I can send you a picture later?”

Feng Chu talked quickly, and Qin Bao couldn’t get a word in edgewise. He hurriedly asked, “Why can’t I use it? Is it because of the custom rights?”

He knew that brands like Patek Philippe had identity cards.

Feng Chu said, “No,” sounding a bit hesitant, “It’s designed for some special functions, which Omega doesn’t have.”

Qin Bao asked, “What functions?”

Feng Chu said, “Uh, it’s hard to explain. Even though I want to tell you, I promised to keep it confidential.”

Qin Bao persisted, “I don’t need those functions. Can’t I just have the same exterior?”

Feng Chu replied, “Probably… not.”

Though it was vague, Qin Bao understood it was a polite refusal.

Maybe they just didn’t want anyone else to wear the same watch.

“Alright, then forget it.” He felt a bit regretful but sincerely said, “Thank you, Feng Chu. I’ve been practicing the autograph.”

Feng Chu chuckled, “Saying thanks is too formal. If you have any other questions about my brother, feel free to ask. I promise to tell you everything I know.”

Qin Bao sighed, “Thanks.”

He added under his breath, “I wasn’t trying to get information about your brother.”

Brother Lu, who had been listening to the conversation, asked Qin Bao what he was trying to buy after he hung up the phone.

Qin Bao explained the situation about wanting to buy the watch. Brother Lu asked, “What kind of watch is so mysterious? Do you have a picture? I can ask someone to help you find it.”

Qin Bao then regretted not asking Feng Chu to take a photo when he asked for help.

Unfortunately, it was a bit inappropriate to ask for a photo now.

Qin Bao didn’t think Brother Lu could get the same watch, but Brother Lu knew more people than he did. Treating it as a long shot, Qin Bao tried his best to describe the watch’s features and finally added, “It’s from Patek Philippe.”

Brother Lu, initially confident, showed a troubled expression when he heard this, “Patek Philippe, huh? Their brand is so high-end and exclusive. I don’t have any connections there.”

“I know.” Qin Bao didn’t have high hopes and sighed, “Neither do I.”

Returning to the dorm, he saw the other bed was already empty. The schedule and posters on the wall had been taken down cleanly; it seemed Li Nanyue had already moved out.

*

After the autumn work arrangements finally ended, Qin Bao stayed at school for two days and took a test.

He slipped out of school early after classes and waited for Tu Yisen in a nearby café. He had prepared the autograph for Feng Chu and hadn’t met him yet, so Tu Yisen would bring him along.

They arrived after waiting for half an hour.

Seeing Feng Chu for the first time, Qin Bao realized something: not all Feng family members look the same.

At least Feng Chu and Feng Chengyu didn’t look alike at all.

Of course, Feng Chu still looked quite good. As a Beta, his height was comparable to most Alphas, and he was even more robust than some Alphas. No wonder he was the quarterback for the school team.

As soon as he approached, Feng Chu gave Qin Bao a bear hug, “You’re taller than I imagined!”

Qin Bao was caught off guard.

Tu Yisen pulled them apart, fearing his precious brother would dislike the smell, “Don’t be so touchy-feely. What nonsense are you talking about? How could he be a model if he wasn’t tall?”

Feng Chu quickly let go of Qin Bao.

But his eyes remained enthusiastic, as if they were already close friends.

Qin Bao felt a bit uncomfortable with the hug and quickly took out the notebook with the autograph he had prepared, handing it to Feng Chu, “Thank you for your help last time. Here’s the promised autograph.”

The notebook was exquisite, something you couldn’t buy at the boutique outside the school.

Good upbringing meant Qin Bao would never just give a flimsy piece of paper as a thank you gift.

Feng Chu opened it and saw Qin Bao’s flamboyant signature, along with a message at the front: “To Feng Chu, wishing you success in your exams and topping the list.”

He hadn’t thought it was a big deal while writing it, but taking it out now, it suddenly seemed a bit corny.

Qin Bao awkwardly explained, “I looked it up online; everyone writes it like this.”

“Thank you! I love it!”

Feng Chu cheerfully accepted it.

“I didn’t really help, and I got your autograph for nothing. I’m really getting a good deal! Rest assured, I’ll treasure it!”

Qin Bao then called the waiter and ordered some coffee and snacks. With Tu Yisen there, the first meeting wasn’t awkward, and the conversation flowed smoothly. Qin Bao even added Feng Chu as a friend on Dingxin.

Tu Yisen and Feng Chu sat together, watching as Feng Chu entered the note: Little Sister-in-law ^_^.

Qin Bao, unaware, was also entering his note across from them.

Tu Yisen: “…”

Early next month, there was an intercollegiate football match, which was the finals, between their school and another private school. Feng Chu invited Qin Bao to watch.

“What date?”

“The 4th, at 6 PM.”

Qin Bao hesitated, “I have a very important job on the 4th. I’m not sure if I can make it.”

Tu Yisen tapped the table, “Brother, next semester I won’t be on the school team anymore. This might be my last match at school. Even Shan Yiming agreed to come; you wouldn’t want to disappoint us, would you?”

Qin Bao remembered Shan Yiming being grounded, “He’s out?”

“Yeah, he’s out,” Tu Yisen said. “But because you rode his bike, Shan Yiming accidentally let it slip, and his family confiscated his bike and forbade him from touching motorcycles ever again.”

Qin Bao: “…”

“You can come later if you can’t make it on time. We’ll save a ticket and a seat for you, no matter when you finish your job,” Tu Yisen added.

Feng Chu, curiously picking up a piece of snow skin mooncake, suddenly looked at Qin Bao, “My brother will be there that day too.”

Huh?

What does that have to do with anything?

Qin Bao’s heart skipped a beat, and he inexplicably nodded, “Really.”

Feng Chu smiled even more warmly, “Yes, really.”

Qin Bao started to think he must have saved Feng Chu’s life in a previous life.

“My brother was also on a football team in school,” Feng Chu said proudly. “But he went to a school abroad. He told me that the Alphas there were over two meters tall, like they were on steroids.”

Qin Bao had seen Alpha models over two meters tall on the runway, but they were exceptions.

Tu Yisen asked Feng Chu, “What position did your brother play?”

Feng Chu: “The same as me, defensive end.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. He doesn’t look it,” Tu Yisen was surprised. “He seems pretty refined.”

Qin Bao subconsciously pricked up his ears, agreeing with Tu Yisen. He also thought that Feng Chengyu didn’t seem like someone who could play football.

In Qin Bao’s impression, football was a somewhat brutal, even bloody sport. He had seen players get hit so hard on the field that they vomited blood.

“You’re joking. My brother is an S-class Alpha. Don’t be fooled by his refined look; he’s just lean and strong,” Feng Chu said proudly. “I started playing football because of him, and he’s way tougher than I am.”

Qin Bao was stunned, “S-class?”

Unlike Betas, who have no glands, Alphas and Omegas have pheromones that are graded. The grade doesn’t necessarily indicate the quality of the pheromone; typically, higher grades just mean the pheromone is rarer and more concentrated. For instance, an A-grade is rarer than a B-grade and has a stronger release concentration. Qin Bao himself was an A-grade.

But S-class was different.

S-class pheromones weren’t always rare in scent, but their concentration was high enough that their release had a significant impact, strong enough to suppress other pheromones, even those of the same kind. Besides, S-class Alphas and Omegas had various degrees of talent in physical fitness, appearance, and intelligence, and their needs in certain areas were much higher than ordinary people.

Some envied them, while others feared them, believing that S-class individuals were inherently aggressive.

“Yes, S-class,” Feng Chu scratched his head. “We have three in our family.”

The two famous bigwigs in the Feng family were S-class.

Adding Feng Chengyu made it three.

Tu Yisen clicked his tongue, “No wonder he looks down on people, walking around with his nose in the air.”

Qin Bao recalled Feng Chengyu’s slightly cold face and his proud, sharp demeanor. If he weren’t an S-class Alpha, he would indeed seem a bit unworthy.

Then his thoughts embarrassingly wandered.

…He wondered, even as an S-class, could someone with such an ascetic face really have so many worldly desires?

“But wait,” Tu Yisen suddenly said, “If your brother is an S-class, why didn’t he go to military school? After the Marshal retired, no one in your family took over. Are you really going to let outsiders pilot the Feng family’s mechas?”

Feng Chu hadn’t expected Tu Yisen to ask this and gave an awkward laugh, “I’m not really sure about that.”

The topic shifted, and they started discussing game preparations, no longer talking about Feng Chengyu.

About an hour later, the three of them said their goodbyes at the door. Feng Chu smiled and waved at Qin Bao, “See you next time, Xiao…”

He swallowed the last word.

Qin Bao: “?”

Xiao what?

Xiao Bao?

He shot a glare at Tu Yisen.

Tu Yisen felt wronged.