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    โ€œWhy are you still talking in your sleep?โ€

    Rong Shi pulled Song Yuโ€”who was clinging onto him desperatelyโ€”off and carried him toward the bedroom.
    โ€œGo back and get some more rest.โ€

    โ€œIโ€™m not sleeping.โ€

    Once Song Yu let go of Rong Shi and calmed down, he felt it wasnโ€™t worth making a scene.

    He tugged open the collar of his shirt.
    โ€œIโ€™ll go take a shower. Wait for me at the door.โ€

    Rong Shi: โ€œโ€ฆโ€
    Yin Rong: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    โ€œYouโ€™re still here?โ€

    As if only noticing him now, Song Yu frowned impatiently.
    โ€œDo you need something?โ€

    Yin Rong: โ€œโ€ฆ No. Please rest first; weโ€™ll discuss other matters later.โ€

    After Yin Rong left, Rong Shi sat down near the floorโ€‘toโ€‘ceiling window in the bedroomโ€”from here, he could see the bathroom door.
    He opened his terminal and pulled up the drawings by 203.

    The child had drawn a lotโ€”most of them inside rooms.

    Some showed large rooms lined with rows of beds against the walls, resembling mass hospital wards.
    Some were smaller, bare except for basic furniture. Each door had a small opening in the middle. Rong Shi guessed it was for serving meals, or drawing blood, or administering injections.
    Others resembled classrooms, testing rooms, rest areas, even gyms.

    Despite the different types, all the rooms shared one thingโ€”they had no windows.


    โ€œRong Shi!โ€

    A loud crash suddenly came from the bathroom. Rong Shi looked over instantly, face paling.

    A certain sickly little cat came storming out, fever still burning in his body. He wore only a bathrobe, sash untied, dripping wet. His expression was fierce and unreasonable.

    โ€œPut on your clothes.โ€ Rong Shi frowned.

    Song Yu strode barefoot on his long legs, overflowing with momentum.
    โ€œI thought youโ€™d run away.โ€

    Rong Shi: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    He casually slid the floating virtual window a meter back.

    โ€œMy wife is here. Where could I possibly run?โ€

    He turned to him, tugged his robe together and fastened the sash properly.

    โ€œThatโ€™s true.โ€ Song Yu stood still, very serious. โ€œYour face is cold and your tongue venomous. Who else but me would even bother wanting you?โ€

    Rong Shi: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    This bratโ€ฆ

    Once he tied it, Rong Shi led him to sit down and took up a towel to gently pat his hair dry.

    Song Yu summoned the virtual screen and flipped lazily through it.
    โ€œThese are all 203โ€™s drawings? Why donโ€™t any of them have windows?โ€

    โ€œMaybe they were underground.โ€

    โ€œThey sure know themselves well enough,โ€ Song Yu sneered. โ€œSo ashamed they dare not touch sunlight. All of them hiding underground.โ€

    โ€œSo many people need food and water,โ€ Rong Shi said quietly. โ€œEven underground, their tracks wouldnโ€™t disappear completely.โ€

    โ€œHow did Uncle Yin explain it?โ€

    โ€œHe said he was ordered to investigate child trafficking.โ€

    โ€œChild trafficking?โ€ Song Yu tasted the words slowly. He nodded with a chilling smile. โ€œRelated to the Omega Rights Protection Organization? Then it lines up with what weโ€™re chasing.โ€

    โ€œWe just received word about the queenโ€™s movements, and Yin Rong showed up right after. Clearly the king isnโ€™t entirely ignorant on the matter.โ€

    โ€œHe knows nothing, heโ€™s just an incompetent fool.โ€

    The thought of his father ruined Song Yuโ€™s mood instantly.

    Had the king not condoned this with his inaction for years, Song Yu wouldnโ€™t be bearing such disadvantages now.

    If Yin Rong hadnโ€™t quietly supported him since childhood in the shadows, he might already have been destroyed by that crown prince and his father long ago.

    But when he thought about Yin Rongโ€™s possible hidden identity, Song Yuโ€™s expression grew more complicated.
    When had the switch happened? Or had there never been a switchโ€”had it always been like this?
    Or maybeโ€ฆ he was just overthinking.

    โ€œMaybe heโ€™s not as vile as you imagine,โ€ Rong Shi murmured.

    โ€œForget him.โ€

    Song Yu raised his head to look up at Rong Shi from below, voice calm.
    โ€œTell meโ€”where would a child trafficking syndicate raise all those children?โ€

    With wet hair and damp lashes, the beauty was lethal.

    Rong Shi bent down and bit his lips lightly.
    โ€œDonโ€™t tease me when weโ€™re talking serious business.โ€

    โ€œYouโ€™re the one whoโ€™s shameless,โ€ Song Yu hummed.

    โ€œExactly.โ€ Rong Shi laughed softly.

    He was about to deepen the kiss, but Song Yu pushed him back, stood as if nothing, and walked toward the bathroom.
    โ€œThe clothes should be dry.โ€

    Rong Shi: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    Normally this little cat was the most proactive, so why todayโ€ฆ

    And then he heard the words Song Yu had mumbled upon waking earlier.

    Ah. So heโ€™s trying to string me along, for real?


    Half an hour later, Song Yu called Yin Rong back in.

    โ€œOur time is limitedโ€”no pointless nonsense.โ€ Song Yu leaned against the armrest, long legs crossed. โ€œWhatโ€™s the plan on your side?โ€

    Yin Rong adjusted his glasses.
    โ€œWeโ€™ve already deployed at the five target sites, just waiting for him to arrive.โ€

    On Snow Star, five districts had set up branch offices of the Omega Rights Protection Organization. Snow Swallow and Snow Leopard each had one.

    But hidden bases underground required enormous daily food supplies. They couldnโ€™t be set up in densely populated neighborhoodsโ€”but also not in desolate districts either. Both crowded and empty places attracted attention.

    The Snow Leopard branch sat less than a kilometer from the vegetable sorting center. The Snow Shirt branch was in the industrial area. The two areas were adjacent. Based on the last lifetime, the odds favored either of these being the hidden breeding bases.

    โ€œThen weโ€™ll split up. Iโ€™ll go with Xiao Yu to Snow Leopard. You head elsewhere. Weโ€™ll contact if something happens.โ€

    โ€œIโ€™ll go to Snow Leopard too,โ€ Yin Rong countered.

    โ€œThen weโ€™ll go to Snow Shirt,โ€ Rong Shi replied flatly.

    โ€œโ€ฆโ€ Yin Rong went quiet.

    Because Rong Shi and Song Yuโ€™s appearances were too striking and easily recognizable, Yin Rong prepared disguises for them before leaving.

    Rong Shi donned a wideโ€‘brimmed black felt hat, affixed a pair of mustaches, then wore a perfect threeโ€‘piece business suit. He slung a mink coat over his arm, stepped from the changing room, and asked:
    โ€œHow about this?โ€

    Yin Rong turned to look, completely startled. He quickly composed himself, coughing lightly. โ€œNot bad.โ€

    Rong Shiโ€™s face stayed cold. โ€œWhatโ€™s wrong? For a moment, did you think you were looking at yourself?โ€

    Yin Rong froze, scalp prickling. โ€œโ€ฆ What did you mean?โ€

    โ€œI meant the getโ€‘up,โ€ Rong Shi said slowly.

    โ€œโ€ฆ Yes, quite similar.โ€

    Rong Shi tossed the fur over the couch carelessly. โ€œWhat era are we in? Walking out dressed this gaudy? Tacky.โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆโ€ Yin Rong fell silent, the air freezing.

    Ten minutes passed. Still no sign of Song Yu.

    Rong Shi went to the bedroom door, knocked three times.
    โ€œXiao Yu, can you put clothes on by yourself? Want my help?โ€

    No reply.
    Had he fallen asleep again?

    After a pause, just as Rong Shi was about to knock again, the door opened.

    The first thing he sawโ€”Song Yuโ€™s face darkened like coal. Then came the sight of long black hair falling across his chest and the embroidered dark robe with fastening toggles.

    To cover his signature golden hair, they put him in a long black wig. His pupils were covered with black lenses. Even 00 had changed to a black stud earring, lying against his left ear.

    Rong Shiโ€™s gaze stuck on him, unable to move away.

    Song Yu crossed his arms, sarcasm in his tone.
    โ€œIsnโ€™t this even more eyeโ€‘catching?โ€

    Annoyed, he swept the wig off his shoulder, then found it uncomfortable and grabbed at it.

    โ€œDonโ€™t move.โ€ Rong Shi stopped him and calmly adjusted the hair. โ€œIt looks good.โ€

    โ€œThis isnโ€™t about looks! Why do I have to wear womenโ€™s clothes?โ€

    โ€œNonsense,โ€ Rong Shi said. โ€œThis is clearly menโ€™s clothing.โ€

    โ€œThen letโ€™s switch. Iโ€™ll stick on whiskers, and you wear the wig.โ€

    โ€œTheyโ€™d think Iโ€™m insane.โ€

    And I wouldnโ€™t be?! Song Yu grew angrier, punching him in the chest.

    Rong Shi caught his fist in his palm, lips quirking. โ€œStop fussing. Iโ€™ll tweak it.โ€

    Five minutes later.

    Song Yu looked in the mirror, furious.
    โ€œYour tweak was just adding a hat?!โ€

    Rong Shi slung an arm over his shoulder, looking at their reflections together in the mirror.
    โ€œSee? Matching felt hats. We look like family. Very warm.โ€

    Song Yu smiled coldly. โ€œShame my spouse died young.โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆโ€ Rong Shi fell silent.


    In the living room.

    Yin Rong saw Song Yu and nodded approvingly.
    โ€œGood, good. Put this on, even safer.โ€

    Song Yu accepted it and looked down. A black fur coat.

    Once he put it on, flipping the collar up covered half his face.

    โ€œโ€ฆ Am I supposed to be some nouveau riche from the sticks?โ€ He twitched. โ€œThis is way too tacky.โ€

    Yin Rong: โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    Song Yu was so amused with fury he couldnโ€™t help laughing. Turning to Rong Shi he teased, โ€œCareful lookโ€”donโ€™t I resemble some theater troupe operaer?โ€

    Rong Shi fixed his wig gently. โ€œYouโ€™re far beyond that. They canโ€™t match your bearing.โ€

    Flattered, Song Yu almost brightened. Then Rong Shi added lazily:
    โ€œRather more like the head of a jianghu gang. A big sister boss.โ€

    [01: Big Sister Boss!! Aaaaa, gorgeous!!]
    [00: Big Sister Boss gorgeous!!]

    Yin Rong backed away silently toward a corner. Watching them switch between flirting and brawling in seconds, he sighed.
    Too young. Totally unreliable.


    At last, they checked out of the hotel.

    [01: Warningโ€”strange signals at door outside elevator A1201. Monitoring device detected. Stay sharp.]
    [00: Unidentified personnel in smoking area and lobby. Stay cautious.]

    In the smoking area, two beta men disguised as tourists leaned against the wall smokingโ€”eyes flicking toward the hallway constantly.

    โ€œWhy are they still not out?โ€ one muttered.

    โ€œWhatโ€™s the rush?โ€ the other scolded under his breath. โ€œWhat, people canโ€™t come here for vacation?โ€

    Then footsteps approached. They stiffened immediately, conversation snapping shut.

    The figure that passed by was tall and slim, with black hair flowing down to the waist. Despite the heavy fur coat, the person appeared lean. The coatโ€™s edges revealed flowing robes inside.

    Not their target.
    But their attention was completely captured.

    They couldnโ€™t see the face clearly, but there was no mistaking itโ€”this was an absolute beauty.

    The beauty walked slowly, leaned against the wall near them. Voice loose and velvety:
    โ€œGot a smoke?โ€

    Even the voice was divine.

    The betasโ€™ hearts skipped, both of them stammering to offer cigarettes.
    โ€œHere, take mine!โ€
    โ€œNo, mineโ€™s more expensiveโ€”take mine!โ€

    Long white fingers plucked one carelessly.

    They almost swallowed their tonguesโ€”beauty and cigarette together, like art.

    โ€œGot a light?โ€

    Both betas scrambled their lighters out.

    The slender stick lit. The beauty raised it to red lips, fingers tugging slightly down at the collar.

    The two betas stared, dying to yank it aside and see the face beneathโ€”

    โ€œHa.โ€

    A soft laugh.

    Both froze, shuddering with intensity.

    Two minutes later, a thin cigarette stub was crushed out on a service robotโ€™s tray. The beauty walked calmly out of the smoking area.

    Behind him, the two betas lay silently, breath gone.

    Song Yu walked toward the elevators. Rong Shi and Yin Rong were waiting.

    โ€œThey didnโ€™t recognize me.โ€ Song Yuโ€™s gaze flicked at Yin Rong, voice cool. โ€œSeems the disguise really worked, Uncle Yin.โ€

    Yin Rong coughed lightly, lips pressed. โ€œโ€ฆ Good then. Good.โ€

    Together the three walked past the waiting killers in the main hall and climbed into a rented hoverโ€‘car.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the lobby, an omega woman stepped from the elevator holding her fiveโ€‘yearโ€‘old daughter. She caught sight of the tall figures and froze.

    So many topโ€‘tier alphas!
    Truly this was the perfect place to remarry!

    โ€œMama?โ€ the little girl tugged her sleeve. โ€œYouโ€™re drooling.โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆโ€


    In the car.

    Song Yu stared out the window, then suddenly asked,
    โ€œWhen did he realize the Queen had a problem?โ€

    Yin Rongโ€™s hand gripped the wheel tighter.

    โ€œI mean,โ€ Song Yu continued coldly, โ€œwhen did he discover he was involved in child trafficking?โ€

    He deliberately slowed the last three words.

    โ€œโ€ฆ Quite early.โ€ Yin Rongโ€™s evasive response chilled Song Yu further.

    โ€œSo he knew for agesโ€”and still let them torment me. That right?โ€

    Long silence.

    โ€œHeโ€”โ€

    โ€œForget it.โ€ Song Yu leaned his head on his fist, fingering his ring finger out of habitโ€”only to feel it bare. โ€œIt changes nothing anyway.โ€

    Rong Shi caught his hand, rubbing his cold fingertips.

    โ€œA father who neglects his son for years isnโ€™t worth sympathy.โ€ He looked sideways at Yin Rong. โ€œDonโ€™t you agree, Uncle?โ€

    Yin Rong: โ€œโ€ฆโ€


    They started their investigation at the northernmost Snow Leopard District, planning to go one by one.

    [01: Complete scanโ€”underground only drainage systems. No extra space.]

    How could that be? Rong Shi frowned, recalling clues from his past life.

    After a whole day scouring both Snow Leopard and Snow Shirtโ€”the two most likely candidatesโ€”they found nothing but normal facilities underground.

    Then both Yin Rong and Song Yuโ€™s terminals suddenly chimed.

    โ€œJi Lingโ€™s here,โ€ Song Yu spat icily. โ€œHeโ€™s heading to the Snow Swallow branch now.โ€

    Yin Rong immediately rose and left in haste.
    โ€œYou two stay put. Iโ€™ll keep you updated.โ€

    Rong Shiโ€™s eyes narrowed. Fingers swiped.

    The tiny decorative pin on his personal terminal flipped open, blue crystalline filaments darting out. They trailed and stuck onto Yin Rongโ€™s top coat button.

    [01: Successful infiltration!]
    [00: I want to become a button too.]

    The door shut. Song Yu touched his ear stud, calming 00.

    โ€œHe thinks a door can trap us?โ€

    โ€œWith 01 tailing him, we can wait calmly,โ€ Rong Shi murmured.

    Now was not the time to confront Ji Lingโ€”especially not with Song Yu present.

    If the king had known about all this for ages yet still chose to handle matters as he didโ€”only one explanation fit. Ji Lingโ€™s backers were unimaginably powerful.

    Song Yu ripped off the gaudy fur and hat, threw them on the table.
    โ€œThen weโ€™ll take this step by step.โ€

    He reached to yank off his wigโ€”but froze at Rong Shiโ€™s gaze lingering on him. Song Yuโ€™s lips curved slyly.

    Rong Shi had been thinking seriously a moment ago. But before long, his eyes had drifted, spacing out at his wife.

    And then suddenly, the beauty pressed him down onto the sofa.

    Song Yu knelt with one knee on the seat, arms either side, eyes halfโ€‘lidded.
    โ€œAm I beautiful?โ€

    โ€œYou are.โ€

    โ€œCall me hubby, and Iโ€™ll let you kiss as you please.โ€

    โ€œAnywhere?โ€

    โ€œMn.โ€

    After a thought, Rong Shi tugged him closer by the back of the neck. โ€œHusโ€”โ€

    Song Yuโ€™s heart skipped.

    Rong Shi just patted his head gently.
    โ€œWifey. Donโ€™t mess around.โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆโ€

    โ€œTime to cook.โ€ He pushed Song Yu aside and walked off nonchalantly.

    โ€ฆ That was it?! Song Yu froze in disbelief.

    In that damn rabbitโ€™s eyes, did he really have no charm at all?

    โ€œFuck.โ€ Song Yu slumped back, cursing softly.

    So whoโ€™s stringing along who?


    Authorโ€™s Note:
    Rong Bunny: Wife so gorgeous! [clutches nosebleed]
    Song Cat: Thinking of widowhood every day. [flashes claws]

    #Madam, His Highness has been hung on the tree for three days already.
    Will he come down?
    No. He said he wonโ€™t.

    (Sobโ€ฆ shouldnโ€™t have been distracted by the Olympics, updates delayed! I confess guiltโ€”see you again at midnight for another chapter!)

    2 Comments

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    1. Depressedhedgehog
      Apr 22, '26 at 12:34 am

      โ™กโ™กโ™กThanks for the Translation, Translator-san๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿฉต๐Ÿค!!! แ“šแ˜แ—ข โ™ก เซฎ๊’ฐ หถโ€ข เผ โ€ขหถ๊’ฑแƒโ™กโ™กโ™ก

      ๐Ÿ™€๐Ÿ™€๐Ÿ™€

    2. Lou
      Apr 13, '26 at 9:16 am

      Why the kids cant thell their parents aparta, rong is literally in the name haha

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