“Why are you still talking in your sleep?”

Rong Shi pulled Song Yu—who was clinging onto him desperately—off and carried him toward the bedroom.
“Go back and get some more rest.”

“I’m not sleeping.”

Once Song Yu let go of Rong Shi and calmed down, he felt it wasn’t worth making a scene.

He tugged open the collar of his shirt.
“I’ll go take a shower. Wait for me at the door.”

Rong Shi: “…”
Yin Rong: “…”

“You’re still here?”

As if only noticing him now, Song Yu frowned impatiently.
“Do you need something?”

Yin Rong: “… No. Please rest first; we’ll discuss other matters later.”

After Yin Rong left, Rong Shi sat down near the floor‑to‑ceiling window in the bedroom—from here, he could see the bathroom door.
He opened his terminal and pulled up the drawings by 203.

The child had drawn a lot—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 thing—they had no windows.

---

“Rong Shi!”

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.

“Put on your clothes.” Rong Shi frowned.

Song Yu strode barefoot on his long legs, overflowing with momentum.
“I thought you’d run away.”

Rong Shi: “…”

He casually slid the floating virtual window a meter back.

“My wife is here. Where could I possibly run?”

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

“That’s true.” Song Yu stood still, very serious. “Your face is cold and your tongue venomous. Who else but me would even bother wanting you?”

Rong Shi: “…”

This brat…

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.
“These are all 203’s drawings? Why don’t any of them have windows?”

“Maybe they were underground.”

“They sure know themselves well enough,” Song Yu sneered. “So ashamed they dare not touch sunlight. All of them hiding underground.”

“So many people need food and water,” Rong Shi said quietly. “Even underground, their tracks wouldn’t disappear completely.”

“How did Uncle Yin explain it?”

“He said he was ordered to investigate child trafficking.”

“Child trafficking?” Song Yu tasted the words slowly. He nodded with a chilling smile. “Related to the Omega Rights Protection Organization? Then it lines up with what we’re chasing.”

“We just received word about the queen’s movements, and Yin Rong showed up right after. Clearly the king isn’t entirely ignorant on the matter.”

“He knows nothing, he’s just an incompetent fool.”

The thought of his father ruined Song Yu’s mood instantly.

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

If Yin Rong hadn’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 Rong’s possible hidden identity, Song Yu’s expression grew more complicated.
When had the switch happened? Or had there never been a switch—had it always been like this?
Or maybe… he was just overthinking.

“Maybe he’s not as vile as you imagine,” Rong Shi murmured.

“Forget him.”

Song Yu raised his head to look up at Rong Shi from below, voice calm.
“Tell me—where would a child trafficking syndicate raise all those children?”

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

Rong Shi bent down and bit his lips lightly.
“Don’t tease me when we’re talking serious business.”

“You’re the one who’s shameless,” Song Yu hummed.

“Exactly.” 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.
“The clothes should be dry.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Normally this little cat was the most proactive, so why today…

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

Ah. So he’s trying to string me along, for real?

---

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

“Our time is limited—no pointless nonsense.” Song Yu leaned against the armrest, long legs crossed. “What’s the plan on your side?”

Yin Rong adjusted his glasses.
“We’ve already deployed at the five target sites, just waiting for him to arrive.”

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 couldn’t be set up in densely populated neighborhoods—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.

“Then we’ll split up. I’ll go with Xiao Yu to Snow Leopard. You head elsewhere. We’ll contact if something happens.”

“I’ll go to Snow Leopard too,” Yin Rong countered.

“Then we’ll go to Snow Shirt,” Rong Shi replied flatly.

“…” Yin Rong went quiet.

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

Rong Shi donned a wide‑brimmed black felt hat, affixed a pair of mustaches, then wore a perfect three‑piece business suit. He slung a mink coat over his arm, stepped from the changing room, and asked:
“How about this?”

Yin Rong turned to look, completely startled. He quickly composed himself, coughing lightly. “Not bad.”

Rong Shi’s face stayed cold. “What’s wrong? For a moment, did you think you were looking at yourself?”

Yin Rong froze, scalp prickling. “… What did you mean?”

“I meant the get‑up,” Rong Shi said slowly.

“… Yes, quite similar.”

Rong Shi tossed the fur over the couch carelessly. “What era are we in? Walking out dressed this gaudy? Tacky.”

“…” 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.
“Xiao Yu, can you put clothes on by yourself? Want my help?”

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 saw—Song Yu’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 Shi’s gaze stuck on him, unable to move away.

Song Yu crossed his arms, sarcasm in his tone.
“Isn’t this even more eye‑catching?”

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

“Don’t move.” Rong Shi stopped him and calmly adjusted the hair. “It looks good.”

“This isn’t about looks! Why do I have to wear women’s clothes?”

“Nonsense,” Rong Shi said. “This is clearly men’s clothing.”

“Then let’s switch. I’ll stick on whiskers, and you wear the wig.”

“They’d think I’m insane.”

And I wouldn’t be?! Song Yu grew angrier, punching him in the chest.

Rong Shi caught his fist in his palm, lips quirking. “Stop fussing. I’ll tweak it.”

Five minutes later.

Song Yu looked in the mirror, furious.
“Your tweak was just adding a hat?!”

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

Song Yu smiled coldly. “Shame my spouse died young.”

“…” Rong Shi fell silent.

---

In the living room.

Yin Rong saw Song Yu and nodded approvingly.
“Good, good. Put this on, even safer.”

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

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

“… Am I supposed to be some nouveau riche from the sticks?” He twitched. “This is way too tacky.”

Yin Rong: “…”

Song Yu was so amused with fury he couldn’t help laughing. Turning to Rong Shi he teased, “Careful look—don’t I resemble some theater troupe operaer?”

Rong Shi fixed his wig gently. “You’re far beyond that. They can’t match your bearing.”

Flattered, Song Yu almost brightened. Then Rong Shi added lazily:
“Rather more like the head of a jianghu gang. A big sister boss.”

[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: Warning—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 smoking—eyes flicking toward the hallway constantly.

“Why are they still not out?” one muttered.

“What’s the rush?” the other scolded under his breath. “What, people can’t come here for vacation?”

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 coat’s edges revealed flowing robes inside.

Not their target.
But their attention was completely captured.

They couldn’t see the face clearly, but there was no mistaking it—this was an absolute beauty.

The beauty walked slowly, leaned against the wall near them. Voice loose and velvety:
“Got a smoke?”

Even the voice was divine.

The betas’ hearts skipped, both of them stammering to offer cigarettes.
“Here, take mine!”
“No, mine’s more expensive—take mine!”

Long white fingers plucked one carelessly.

They almost swallowed their tongues—beauty and cigarette together, like art.

“Got a light?”

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 beneath—

“Ha.”

A soft laugh.

Both froze, shuddering with intensity.

Two minutes later, a thin cigarette stub was crushed out on a service robot’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.

“They didn’t recognize me.” Song Yu’s gaze flicked at Yin Rong, voice cool. “Seems the disguise really worked, Uncle Yin.”

Yin Rong coughed lightly, lips pressed. “… Good then. Good.”

Together the three walked past the waiting killers in the main hall and climbed into a rented hover‑car.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the lobby, an omega woman stepped from the elevator holding her five‑year‑old daughter. She caught sight of the tall figures and froze.

So many top‑tier alphas!
Truly this was the perfect place to remarry!

“Mama?” the little girl tugged her sleeve. “You’re drooling.”

“…”

---

In the car.

Song Yu stared out the window, then suddenly asked,
“When did he realize the Queen had a problem?”

Yin Rong’s hand gripped the wheel tighter.

“I mean,” Song Yu continued coldly, “when did he discover he was involved in child trafficking?”

He deliberately slowed the last three words.

“… Quite early.” Yin Rong’s evasive response chilled Song Yu further.

“So he knew for ages—and still let them torment me. That right?”

Long silence.

“He—”

“Forget it.” Song Yu leaned his head on his fist, fingering his ring finger out of habit—only to feel it bare. “It changes nothing anyway.”

Rong Shi caught his hand, rubbing his cold fingertips.

“A father who neglects his son for years isn’t worth sympathy.” He looked sideways at Yin Rong. “Don’t you agree, Uncle?”

Yin Rong: “…”

---

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

[01: Complete scan—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 Shirt—the two most likely candidates—they found nothing but normal facilities underground.

Then both Yin Rong and Song Yu’s terminals suddenly chimed.

“Ji Ling’s here,” Song Yu spat icily. “He’s heading to the Snow Swallow branch now.”

Yin Rong immediately rose and left in haste.
“You two stay put. I’ll keep you updated.”

Rong Shi’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 Rong’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.

“He thinks a door can trap us?”

“With 01 tailing him, we can wait calmly,” Rong Shi murmured.

Now was not the time to confront Ji Ling—especially not with Song Yu present.

If the king had known about all this for ages yet still chose to handle matters as he did—only one explanation fit. Ji Ling’s backers were unimaginably powerful.

Song Yu ripped off the gaudy fur and hat, threw them on the table.
“Then we’ll take this step by step.”

He reached to yank off his wig—but froze at Rong Shi’s gaze lingering on him. Song Yu’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 half‑lidded.
“Am I beautiful?”

“You are.”

“Call me hubby, and I’ll let you kiss as you please.”

“Anywhere?”

“Mn.”

After a thought, Rong Shi tugged him closer by the back of the neck. “Hus—”

Song Yu’s heart skipped.

Rong Shi just patted his head gently.
“Wifey. Don’t mess around.”

“…”

“Time to cook.” He pushed Song Yu aside and walked off nonchalantly.

… That was it?! Song Yu froze in disbelief.

In that damn rabbit’s eyes, did he really have no charm at all?

“Fuck.” Song Yu slumped back, cursing softly.

So who’s stringing along who?

---

Author’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 won’t.

(Sob… shouldn’t have been distracted by the Olympics, updates delayed! I confess guilt—see you again at midnight for another chapter!)