RBNR Ch65: I can handle it

The news of Feng Chengyu’s resignation immediately swept the internet, causing multiple hot searches that night.

People had not seen such a significant position change in the Imperial government for a long time, and public opinion was rampant. To corroborate the severe impact of the attack, official news also released some gruesome photos from the scene.

Those photos were the first time Qin Bao had seen Feng Chengyu’s shirt soaked in blood, unconscious on a stretcher, far more terrifying than the bandaged wounds he saw at the hospital.

At first, Qin Bao’s call to Feng Chengyu went unanswered, likely because he was too occupied.

He rode his bike around the vicinity of the Imperial Council building, only to see the roads closed off, surrounded by layers of agitated citizens and media reporters. His motorcycle was too recognizable; even though he was wearing a helmet, he had already attracted some attention. Not wanting to cause any more trouble, he didn’t dare get closer.

As if sensing something, Feng Chengyu called him back: “Xiao Bao, wait for me at home.”

Feng Chengyu’s tone sounded calm, and Qin Bao immediately headed home.

It wasn’t until late at night that he finally heard the sound of a car pulling up downstairs. He hurried out and saw Lin Zi opening the car door for Feng Chengyu.

In the darkness, Feng Chengyu nodded to Lin Zi as he got out of the car, a scene seemingly no different from the past.

It was as if they had merely ended a day of work, rather than just announcing his departure from politics and his farewell to the Imperial Council.

Qin Bao ran down the steps, with Lin Zi standing silently by, watching them.

There was a somewhat stifling atmosphere in the air.

Lin Zi said nothing and drove away. Qin Bao, not caring about anything else, walked forward and hugged Feng Chengyu tightly.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Chengyu asked softly, then added, “I’m fine.”

The omega carried a faint scent of daffodils, blending with his own pheromones. The warm feeling immediately surrounded Feng Chengyu, who hugged Qin Bao back, briefly closing his eyes to savor the moment.

But Qin Bao didn’t hold him for long. He let go and anxiously asked, “What happened? Why did you suddenly resign? Your injury—your injury was healed, wasn’t it? What’s going on?”

Feng Chengyu replied, “I’m really fine. Let’s go inside and talk.”

“Okay.” Qin Bao took a few steps forward but hesitated, wanting to support Feng Chengyu, as if afraid he might collapse from an injury at any moment.

The hard exterior had softened, revealing a tender core.

With the series of upheavals lately, Qin Bao had long forgotten to put up a facade. He didn’t even seem like himself anymore.

Feng Chengyu looked at his thin face and reached out to pull him over, kissing him on the forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything.”

Once inside, Qin Bao immediately checked Feng Chengyu’s body. The gunshot wound from before had long healed, leaving only a faint scar on his abdomen and lower back, with no other injuries.

What Lin Zi had said on stage about “unhealed old injuries and deteriorating health” was untrue. Qin Bao breathed a slight sigh of relief. “I thought you got hurt again somewhere.”

“Almost,” Feng Chengyu said. “A few days ago, after leaving the international court, they caught a sniper on the spot. If my luck had been any worse, I wouldn’t be here now.”

Qin Bao’s heart clenched again: “…”

The image of Feng Chengyu lying on a stretcher, covered in blood, reappeared in his mind.

“Did you resign because of that?” Qin Bao quickly asked. “Did someone threaten you?”

He had also sensed this from Shu Helan’s words.

Feng Chengyu said, “Yes, the ban on dysprosium mining touched too many people’s interests. Now I’m a thorn in their side.”

Qin Bao snapped out of it: “Director Feng found me today. She said you needed to slow down. At that time, I didn’t understand what she meant. So she was talking about this?”

“Yes, we made this decision together.”

Feng Chengyu said.

“She supports me very much.”

Qin Bao was furious: “Is there no law in this world? They resort to threats and assassinations, and there’s no law to stop them? Even your personal safety can’t be guaranteed. What’s the use of the Imperial law then?”

With Qin Bao’s father’s case and now Feng Chengyu’s situation, Qin Bao was already extremely angry. Yet there was nothing he could do. From once fully trusting the authority of the law to being utterly disillusioned, he was on the verge of collapse.

Feng Chengyu: “Of course, the law is useful. But it depends on how it’s used. It can be a shield for protection or a spear for attack. Sometimes it’s like a set of game rules, allowing a part of the world to act with impunity within those rules. We can’t deny the justice and authority of the law because of these people.”

Qin Bao was skeptical: “Even my father can be found guilty of ‘colluding with the enemy.’ I really can’t see where the justice is!”

Feng Chengyu reassured him: “The Ministry of Commerce will soon submit evidence proving he was merely implicated. The cause of that batch of rare resources leaking will be re-investigated. The second trial can take place as early as next month.”

Qin Bao, too angry to care about anything else, asked, “Really? You’ve really found new evidence?”

Seeing his eyes redden with excitement, Feng Chengyu pulled him into a hug, his large hand covering Qin Bao’s nape: “It’s true. He’ll be back soon.”

Qin Bao’s breathing was rapid, and his mind was in turmoil.

On one hand, he felt joy at the impending exoneration of  Mr. Qin. On the other hand, he was distraught over Feng Chengyu’s unjust situation.

If some people’s interests were threatened, they would ruin a person’s aspirations and future, or even take his life.

This intense sense of suffocation weighed down on Qin Bao: “What about you? Are you just going to let them threaten you and step down? You still have so much to do, so many dreams unfulfilled. Are all these years of hard work going to waste?”

Qin Bao knew that Feng Chengyu had just gone through a significant career change and could still speak calmly to him. He should also adjust his emotions and think clearly, but his heart ached too much.

It felt like when he was confined at home by his grandfather and banned from working, only this time it was Feng Chengyu who was restrained.

He still had a way out, but no one could help Feng Chengyu.

What’s been happening to them recently? Is it some kind of mercury retrograde¹Means bad luck?

Why do they keep facing setbacks one after another?

“I can’t let you be widowed.” Feng Chengyu kneaded the back of his neck, his voice low, “Life is more important than anything else. Staying alive is better.”

Qin Bao couldn’t argue with that.

The thought that Feng Chengyu could face danger to his life at any moment made his heart tremble uncontrollably.

There was still a long life ahead, with beautiful expectations.

He cupped Feng Chengyu’s face, gently caressing it, and seriously looked into his black eyes: “Once the situation stabilizes, can you come back?”

Feng Chengyu said, “Maybe, I might need a better opportunity.”

*

A week later, the turmoil surrounding Feng Chengyu’s resignation began to subside, but online and television news analyses of the event did not diminish. They even created special columns discussing Feng Chengyu’s political career from his mid-twenties, detailing his achievements and experiences over the years, while also reviewing the centuries-old history of the Feng family.

Two weeks later, Mr. Qin’s second trial concluded with a favorable outcome expected.

Qin Bao’s grandfather’s health had improved, with the previously immobile left side of his body starting to recover, and he was transferred out of the ICU. Qin Bao made time to visit him at the hospital every day.

Seeing everything gradually improving, Qin Bao sometimes felt like he was dreaming.

Xiao Xu had accompanied Qin Bao to the hospital once, finally learning about the Qin family’s background. She was so shocked that she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.

She had met many people with influential backgrounds in the industry, but none were as modest and humble as Qin Bao, despite his prestigious family background. She greatly admired him for this.

Sometimes, when Qin Bao couldn’t make it in time, Xiao Xu would go to the hospital first to help and accompany the grandfather for rehabilitation exercises.

One day, she arrived at the hospital just as Shan Yiming was at the nurse’s station inquiring about the grandfather’s room number. She looked at Shan Yiming and then at the helmet in his hand, her eyes lighting up: “Hello, I’m Qin Bao’s assistant. I’ll take you there.”

Shan Yiming had seen her in some of Qin Bao’s paparazzi photos and candid shots, so he nodded: “Thank you.”

As they walked into the hospital room, Xiao Xu cheerfully said, “Grandpa Qin, I met Brother Bao’s boyfriend outside—”

Her voice stopped abruptly.

Shan Yiming, walking behind her: “…”

The room wasn’t just occupied by the grandfather.

The Alpha talking to the grandfather had broad shoulders, long legs, a handsome and calm face, and a sharp aura. Although he was in a relaxed and casual posture, he exuded the authority of a superior.

With just a glance from his cold black eyes towards the door, Xiao Xu’s legs began to cramp.

Feng, Feng Chengyu…

The very Feng Chengyu that everyone in the Empire knew!

Why was he here?!

Of course, given Qin Bao’s background, it shouldn’t be surprising that they knew such a big shot!

“We have a guest.” Xiao Xu felt a bit intimidated, “Sorry, I’ll go make some tea.”

Feng Chengyu’s gaze swept over the retreating Xiao Xu and landed on Shan Yiming. Shan Yiming also looked at him, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze, but it quickly passed.

“Yiming.” The grandfather waved at him, “You’re here?”

Shan Yiming greeted politely, “Grandpa, my dad asked me to bring some things over.” He also greeted Feng Chengyu, “Hello, Mr. Feng, I’m Qin Bao’s friend, Shan Yiming.”

Feng Chengyu replied, “Hello, nice to meet you. I’ve heard about you from Qin Bao.”

“Qin Bao hasn’t mentioned you much.” Shan Yiming said, “I couldn’t attend your wedding back then, sorry about that.”

Feng Chengyu: “It’s okay, he liked the gift you sent.”

Seeing Xiao Xu arrive, the grandfather knew it was time for his rehabilitation exercises. He said to them, “It’s time for my exercise, Yiming. You can sit for a while.”

“I won’t stay. I have training in the evening.” Shan Yiming put down his helmet and the supplements, “Grandpa, I’ll push you.”

The grandfather was in a rare good mood and laughed, “Chengyu can push me.”

Shan Yiming: “…”

Feng Chengyu stood up, slightly taller than Shan Yiming, exuding an imposing presence: “Let’s do it together.”

When Xiao Xu returned with the tea, she saw the two Alphas pushing the grandfather towards the rehabilitation area. She took a moment to process the impact of meeting such important figures but, upon calming down, felt something was a bit off.

When Qin Bao finished recording his variety show and arrived at the hospital, he received a message from Xiao Xu on the way: [Brother Bao, your boyfriend came to the hospital and left. He’s so filial! And he looks so cool riding a motorcycle!]

Xiao Xu was thoughtful, always trying to cheer up Qin Bao lately.

With progress in Mr. Qin’s case, a weight had finally lifted from Qin Bao’s heart. He was puzzled by the message, wondering if Xiao Xu knew about his relationship with Feng Chengyu. Feng Chengyu… riding a motorcycle? The one at home?

Although Feng Chengyu had resigned, he was still busy handling the transition of his work, making Qin Bao seem busier by comparison.

Qin Bao knew he had little time, especially after Mr. Qin’s incident. He had essentially neglected Feng Chengyu’s feelings.

He wasn’t without guilt, so he had Brother Lu cancel several jobs. He wanted to adjust his own state and spend as much time as possible with Feng Chengyu.

Seeing Xiao Xu’s message made Qin Bao wonder if Feng Chengyu, having abruptly lost his pursuit of dreams, was now turning to other areas.

Hurriedly arriving at the hospital, Xiao Xu was waiting at the door of the room, fearing he might be as reckless as she was: “Wait, Brother Bao! There’s a big shot inside talking to Grandpa Qin. You should wait a bit before going in.”

Qin Bao frowned, “Who?”

Xiao Xu, with a mysterious look, exaggeratedly mouthed: “Feng Chengyu.”

Qin Bao: “…”

He opened the door and was about to push open the inner door when he heard the grandfather sigh deeply: “Does Bao’er know you stepped down to protect his father?”

Qin Bao’s hand stopped mid-air, his feet rooted to the spot.

He heard Feng Chengyu’s voice: “He doesn’t know yet. I plan to tell him once Dad is safe. He’s already under a lot of pressure.”

The grandfather: “Yes, all the family accounts are frozen, and I, this old useless person, am hospitalized. Bao’er has been shouldering everything alone. But Chengyu, you’ve done so much for us. You should tell him.”

“Grandpa, it’s not just because of this that I want to tell him. I planned to tell him anyway because he doesn’t like being kept in the dark.” Feng Chengyu said, “And stepping down wasn’t solely because of this. It was partly due to interest exchange and partly due to the dangerous situation.”

“Not necessarily, not necessarily. You don’t need to comfort me. I know your plans are meticulous and your work is rigorous. If it weren’t for his father’s negligence, they wouldn’t have caught any handle on you. Ultimately, we became your weakness, dragging you down and ruining your promising career! Once you step down, you might never return!”

The old man grew more agitated as he spoke and began coughing.

Feng Chengyu seemed to be patting the old man’s back, “Don’t rush, take it slow.”

After a while, the old man, with tears streaming down his face, said, “Chengyu, when you and Bao’er got married, I had selfish motives and forced him. He must have shown you a bad attitude. Grandpa apologizes. You’re a good child, loyal and righteous. You kept the promise between our two families, and the Qin family owes you a lot… a lot.”

Feng Chengyu’s tone was calm and humble, “You exaggerate, Grandpa. This is what I should do.”

“You’ve borne so much alone…” the old man continued, “And Bao’er, being immature in relationships, has added to your troubles.”

Feng Chengyu smiled, “It’s okay, I can handle it.”

___

Author’s Note:

Xiao Bao: Has the talent of overhearing key information while standing at the door.

Footnotes:

• 1
  Means bad luck