After the Breakup, He Washed Away the Memories Chapter 40

Chapter 40

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

“Ah Qin, I’m sorry, sobbing…”

The man’s last roar was thunderous.

The entire dining room of the villa echoed with a voice that was both harsh and clearly softened. Rong Qiu rubbed his ears; he had never seen such a big scene. But seeing his brother Rong Qin’s awkward appearance, he quickly coughed and lowered his head to straighten his cuffs.

Rong Qin’s expression wasn’t good either.

Clearly, he was waiting for Qin Zexi to soften, but now that Qin Zexi had truly softened, Rong Qin saw this soft dog-like alpha and didn’t want it.

What a joke, this guy only knew how to apologize when he was drunk.

Qin Zexi didn’t dare to apologize to him when he was sober, so he let his brother Qin Muye record a video of himself when he was drunk, and then signaled him to send it.

In addition to sending this video, Qin Muye also sent two messages.

[Qin Muye: He’s going crazy.]

[Qin Muye: You deal with it yourself.]

If Rong Qin still had a little softness when he saw the video, when he saw the two messages Qin Muye sent, his just-softened heart completely hardened, almost causing a myocardial infarction.

Qin Muye’s mouth, if you can’t speak, don’t.

After seeing the messages, Rong Qin successfully exploded. He casually tidied up and told Rong Qiu that he was going out to handle something.

Rong Qiu asked him, “Will Brother Rong Qin come back to stay tonight?”

“No, I’m busy these days, but the room on the second floor is mine, don’t let others stay in it.”

“I wouldn’t let anyone else stay in it.”

“That’s good.”

After seeing off Rong Qin, Rong Qiu busied himself cleaning up the remaining trash on the table, but there was still the matter of Chu Ming in his heart.

He had a feeling before that Chu Ming might have certain thoughts about him. Although these thoughts were dispelled by Chu Ming mentioning his omega partner midway, after hearing Rong Qin’s words, the seeds of doubt sprouted again.

It was really hard to say.

It wasn’t just Rong Qin who noticed Chu Ming’s unusual behavior towards him. 

Zhao Nanchen also felt something.

He came to the Thirteenth Military District to pursue his idol, but it seemed like Chu Ming was here for Brother Little Qiu. Chu Ming was rushing to grab the opportunity to make breakfast for Brother Little Qiu on the second day after moving in. It was plentiful and considerate.

However, due to Zhao Nanchen’s schedule of sleeping during the day and working the night shift, he didn’t have time or energy to talk to Rong Qiu about it.

But Zhao Nanchen couldn’t hide the matter. There were a few times when he coincidentally caught Chu Ming with a strange expression while having breakfast.

Rong Qiu asked once.

Zhao Nanchen pretended to be mature, shook his head, and said nothing.

So Rong Qiu didn’t ask again.

The thoughts of alphas, he, a beta, didn’t understand.

Today was the same.

Today was the last day of Chu Ming’s first month at Rong Qiu’s place.

Three big men sat at the dining table.

Zhao Nanchen finished his day shift, and once again, he enjoyed the breakfast prepared by Chu Ming. Looking at the different juices on Rong Qiu’s table, he touched his head in confusion, “Does Brother Little Qiu like drinking juice in the morning?”

Chu Ming was peeling boiled eggs for Rong Qiu. Rong Qiu didn’t want him to help, but Chu Ming was enthusiastic and peeled the boiled eggs flawlessly, moist and clean. After peeling, he thoughtfully rolled them into the nearby cool boiled water.

Only then did Chu Ming have time to respond to Zhao Nanchen’s words, “Brother Little Qiu is lactose intolerant and can get diarrhea after drinking it.”

Zhao Nanchen widened his eyes, stuffed a sesame ball into his mouth, and looked surprised and guilty, “I’ve made Brother Little Qiu milk several times… I didn’t even notice.”

Chu Ming smiled, “That’s why I brought cheese from my hometown.”

“Ah? Is there no lactose in cheese?”

“This one doesn’t have much; most of it has been broken down.”

The two alphas chatted incessantly, while Rong Qiu quietly sat in his usual seat, eating his breakfast. He didn’t pay much attention to the conversation between these two young men.

However, when he stood up to get some tissues, he noticed Zhao Nanchen, who was nibbling on a sesame ball, sneakily glancing at Chu Ming. Zhao Nanchen was, after all, an A-level alpha. When he was serious, his eyes were sharp and focused, like examining some rare treasure.

This shouldn’t be a big deal.

But why did Zhao Nanchen, when Chu Ming was about to notice, quickly lower his head, pretending to eat breakfast seriously?

It was too fake.

Rong Qiu tightened the tissues in his hand.

After breakfast, Chu Ming conscientiously cleaned up the kitchen, Zhao Nanchen yawned several times, planning to go back to his room to change clothes and go to work. However, before he took a step out, Rong Qiu easily stopped him.

Rong Qiu pulled him to the garden terrace, “What’s wrong? Why were you staring at Chu Ming during breakfast?” This was the second time Rong Qiu had asked Zhao Nanchen something similar.

But this time, Zhao Nanchen didn’t just let it pass. The young alpha discreetly approached Rong Qiu’s ear, his actions careful yet somewhat contradictory.

It was a bit amusing.

If Rong Qiu wasn’t curious about what he had to say, he would have slapped him already.

But Rong Qiu refrained and continued to look disdainful, “If you have something to say, say it quickly. It’s so hot, and you’re so close, it’s annoying.”

Zhao Nanchen tightened his skin and immediately said, “I think this Chu Ming seems to like Brother Little Qiu.”

Rong Qiu raised an eyebrow. He was about to refute Zhao Nanchen’s statement when the next moment, he thought of something, and his expression turned unpleasant. He swallowed the retort and nonchalantly said, “You noticed?”

“Brother Little Qiu also thinks he likes you, right!”

Zhao Nanchen clearly got excited, looking like he had discovered a new continent, “I told you, why is he so considerate to Brother Little Qiu, peeling eggs, taking pictures secretly? My omega girlfriend from before did such things.”

Hearing Zhao Nanchen say that Chu Ming took pictures of him without his knowledge, Rong Qiu’s brows furrowed even more tightly, “What pictures?”

“Ah… I’m just guessing, but his posture looked like he was taking pictures…”

Saying this, Zhao Nanchen even demonstrated the sneaky posture to Rong Qiu, extremely lecherous. So, Rong Qiu promptly slapped him back with a show of force, “Got it, I know what’s going on.”

Zhao Nanchen obediently said, “Oh,” rubbing his arm in a somewhat aggrieved manner, then leaned in again with a hint of mischief, “Brother Little Qiu, if you ever want to date in the future, you can tell me. I know a bunch of excellent betas. But dating alphas, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Date my ass, hurry up and go to work!”

Rong Qiu didn’t hold back this time, delivering a resounding slap.

Zhao Nanchen, looking wronged, covered his arm and ran off.

After they left, Rong Qiu leaned against the terrace, lost in thought.

Though he had played along with Zhao Nanchen, his words left a heavy mark on Rong Qiu. After all, even the slow-witted husky alpha had noticed something odd about Chu Ming. Was he really that slow?

Blowing in the morning breeze, Rong Qiu tried to remove the filter of being Chu Ming’s senior from his mind.

However, he had to admit.

Gradually, he felt that Rong Qin and Zhao Nanchen might be right.

Chu Ming was acting strange.

A bit too eager.

When having breakfast, Chu Ming chose a seat next to him; on weekends, when he rested at home, Chu Ming also rested at home, unlike Zhao Nanchen of the same age who would play wildly when he had time off.

Rong Qiu felt a bit tired.

It seemed like he had unintentionally done something troublesome.

If Chu Ming was interested in him, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to continue living in his house. Moreover, it had been a month since Chu Ming started working at the Thirteenth Military District, and there was no sign of him looking for another place…

This didn’t make sense…

But still, Chu Ming hadn’t openly said he liked him, so Rong Qiu couldn’t bring himself to shamelessly approach him and tell him not to like him and move out.

This was tricky.

In the evening, Rong Qiu and Rong Qin went to a beta bar to have some drinks. During their conversation, Rong Qiu brought up this matter.

Seeing Rong Qiu’s helpless expression, Rong Qin chuckled, “You only realize it now? I mentioned it to you a few days ago, but it seems you didn’t catch my hint.”

Rong Qiu blankly said, “Am I really that slow?”

But the next moment, Rong Qiu impatiently asked, “Then, Brother Rong Qin, what should I do now?”

Having an alpha living in his house who seemingly liked him, but because he hadn’t openly confessed, he couldn’t straightforwardly ask him not to like him and move out.

“What else can you do? Tell him to move out sooner.”

After contemplating for a while, Rong Qiu found that, in the current situation, that was indeed the best solution.

“Okay, I’ll talk to him about it tonight.”

The matter with Chu Ming was more or less settled.

Now, what Rong Qin wanted to discuss with Rong Qiu was something more important.

Rong Qin took out a bottle of wine, opened it, but didn’t drink. He just held it in his hand, gently shaking it, “Little Qiu, are you still deeply in love with your beta partner?”

Rong Qiu was puzzled, “Of course.”

Rong Qin asked, “Then, are your emotions for him still very strong now?”

Rong Qiu blinked.

He thought Rong Qin was just helping Zhao Dongqi ask questions, so he touched his heart and honestly replied, “It has already faded a lot.”

In reality, he only remembered his beta partner when he occasionally felt desire or when he saw someone with a face very similar to his beta partner’s. It seemed like he wasn’t loving his beta partner enough…

But that was the truth.

If he still cried and grieved as intensely as before, why would he even go for hypnosis? He would have continued to drown in the sorrow of his beta partner’s death for a lifetime.

Now, it seemed that the hypnosis five years ago worked quite well.

Rong Qiu was unaware that his past self before hypnosis had the image of a new lover fabricated by Zhao Dongqi for him. Consequently, for these five years, Rong Qiu has maintained the appearance of missing his beta lover. During this period, he consistently wore the ring, spent a considerable amount on a joint grave for his lover, and even experienced intense psychological fluctuations when his lover’s face and voice were falsely invoked….

All these actions are simply the result of his psychological inertia. 

Removing someone he deeply loved from his mind would undoubtedly lead to some aftereffects, and the aforementioned behaviors are his aftereffects. 

He knows that he still loves, but this love has significantly diminished, leaning towards developing into a more familial affection. 

It has become a habit, much like the occasional twirl of the ring on his finger – his love for Ah Ye has turned into a routine.

Rong Qiu turned the silver ring on his finger again, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He was very satisfied with his current situation.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would maintain this state for the rest of his life.

Seeing Rong Qiu suddenly smiling, Rong Qin pondered for a moment before quietly asking, “If a man appeared in front of you who looks exactly like your beta partner, what would you do?”

Rong Qin still didn’t know that Rong Qiu had already met Qin Muye.

He asked this question to test the waters and get a sense of the situation. Unexpectedly, Rong Qiu raised his beautiful eyebrows, candidly responding, “I gave that alpha a shoulder throw.”

“Gave?”

Not “planned to give” or “would give.”

“Gave” was a past tense expression.

So, Little Qiu had already met Qin Muye and even gave him a shoulder throw?

Rong Qin paused, “Little Qiu, you’ve already met the person who looks very similar to your beta partner?”

Rong Qiu didn’t conceal it, “Yes, I’ve met him.”

“Is that… Qin Muye?”

Rong Qiu nodded.

With Rong Qiu’s admission, Rong Qin fell silent.

This was different from what Rong Qin had imagined. Was Qin Muye moving so fast?

Qin Muye had just arrived at the Thirteenth Military District; shouldn’t he be busy dealing with numerous matters here. Why did he meet Rong Qiu so quickly? Rong Qin originally thought that Qin Muye would need at least three months to thoroughly resolve the troublesome issues here.

Yet, in just a month, they had met.

Rong Qiu even gave Qin Muye a shoulder throw.

Very well, it suited Rong Qiu’s current irritable temperament.

However, Rong Qin wondered about Qin Muye’s reaction.

It should be quite surprising.

After all, the previous Little Qiu who accompanied Qin Muye was a gentle and obedient beta.

Rong Qin pursed his lips, “If he bothers you again, what will you do?”

“No ‘if’.” Rong Qiu looked up at him, “In fact, he has bothered me several times. I visited his office before, and later, he came to my house. But I feel like he’s a bit deranged; he always mistakes me for someone important to him.”

Other than that, he wasn’t a bad person.

Because a person’s gaze couldn’t be faked.

Qin Muye’s gaze towards him was full of sorrow.

Assured that Rong Qiu hadn’t suffered, Rong Qin felt relieved.

One had to admit that the brothers-in-law had a significant influence, with considerable power and authority. If they wanted to do something not too outrageous, the military wouldn’t obstruct them, allowing Qin Zexi to act quite boldly. When he learned about Qin Zexi knowing about Rong Qiu as Qin Muye’s bed companion, he only thought of resolving it with money.

But from his observation, Qin Muye, as the younger brother, was slightly better, but just a bit.

The play five years ago still caused great harm to Rong Qiu.

Without Qin Muye, the Little Qiu who was gentle and adorable would still be there.

But the current carefree and unrestrained Rong Qiu was also appreciated by Rong Qin.

Beta’s value lies in their self-reliance.

Rong Qiu had achieved that now.

Without a man in his heart, everything he did was immersed in focus.

Thinking about it carefully, he should be like this.

It was just that the initial him was captivated by Qin Zexi’s face, diving into Qin Zexi’s deep pit. He hadn’t climbed out of it even now.

Everything he did was enveloped in Qin Zexi’s halo.

His perfect completion of the military mission was due to Qin Zexi’s opening doors for him; his strategic operations in the Qin family company were also because of standing behind Qin Zexi.

Too bothersome.

Rong Qiu’s approach was better.

A lone individual, regardless of what he did, outsiders knew it was based on his own capabilities.

But the current situation was different.

He didn’t know what madness had possessed Qin Muye. After five years of everything being fine, last month he seemed like he was injected with chicken blood, looking for traces of Rong Qiu everywhere. Especially now, when Qin Muye had seen Rong Qiu.

What kind of person was Qin Muye, he had an idea.

He was more meticulous and deeper than Qin Zexi in hiding things. An enigmatic man, unpredictable even by the Federation. Rong Qin didn’t want Rong Qiu to suffer in front of such an alpha.

So, the best way was to take control.

It would be best if Rong Qiu didn’t remember Qin Muye.

If it continued like this, it would be even better.

***

After sending the video to Rong Qin in the morning, at noon, Qin Muye received the news that Zhao Dongqi, who was supposed to be stationed at the First Military Zone in the capital star, was coming over.

Zhao Dongqi came to interrogate the personnel just exposed at the Thirteenth Military District.

In addition, Qin Muye had a small plan; he wanted Zhao Dongqi to check on his brother’s psychological state.

Ever since that night of drunkenness, his brother Qin Zexi had been listless.

He used to repeatedly mention Rong Qin with his mouth, but now, he stopped doing that. Instead, he evolved into excessive self-isolation and gloominess. Qin Muye found his brother in such a low-spirited state less appealing than when he used to throw things and get drunk because Rong Qin ignored him.

An abnormal situation must have a demonic cause.

It wouldn’t be good if emotions were not released in a timely manner.

So, Zhao Dongqi came over for a visit.

After Zhao Dongqi’s examination, he felt speechless. Zhao Dongqi had known Rong Qin first, so he also knew that Rong Qin’s partner was Qin Zexi. He initially had a blessing attitude towards Rong Qin’s marriage, but now, it might not be the case.

But even so, he still performed his duties diligently.

Even to ensure that there were no mistakes in his profession, he checked three times. The thick dossier was filled with records of his observations of Qin Zexi’s situation.

But there was only one result.

Qin Zexi had no problem.

At least, there were no psychological issues in his view.

Hearing Zhao Dongqi’s assessment, Qin Muye felt relieved.

Qin Muye escorted Zhao Dongqi out and, after expressing gratitude, he asked, “Mr. Zhao, is it really possible for someone to easily forget a very painful experience?”

“Forget a very painful experience?” Zhao Dongqi paused, “It’s difficult.”

A glint appeared in Qin Muye’s eyes.

So, Rong Qiu might be pretending to forget on purpose.

But Zhao Dongqi’s next words poured cold water on him, “However, the brain is a mysterious thing, and anything is possible. If it’s an extremely traumatic experience, the body activates its self-preservation mechanism.”

Zhao Dongqi stopped there.

Although he didn’t provide a definite answer, Qin Muye already understood what he meant.

So, it was still possible.

Qin Muye even speculated further; the words Rong Qiu heard in the bar five years ago must have inflicted severe damage on him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have followed the riverbank and sat on the high cross-river bridge.

If it weren’t for Rong Qin stopping him in time, he would never see Rong Qiu again.

Thinking about it, Qin Muye felt panicked and confused. Sharp pain surged in his chest, as if someone had stuck a needle dipped in salt into his heart.

“So, is there a way to make this person remember?” This was just a casual question.

He didn’t really want to stimulate Rong Qiu’s memories because those memories were too painful. 

If Rong Qiu truly remembered him from the past, he wouldn’t be able to overcome that threshold.

This time, Zhao Dongqi gave a similar response, “Just treat such an amnesiac like a vegetative patient who might wake up at any time. Without specific stimuli, no one knows if they will recover their memory.”

At this point, Zhao Dongqi couldn’t help but think of Rong Qiu. 

In his view, the memories Rong Qiu had reconstructed were quite stable. 

Unless repeatedly stimulated, the probability of memory recovery was very low.

Zhao Dongqi felt quite pleased.

Rong Qiu’s hypnosis was the most successful memory erasure case he had done so far. Every time he checked the reports during the five years of talking with Rong Qiu, there was no sign of memory recovery.

As expected.

Rong Qiu could carry those new memories until old age.

Qin Muye personally escorted Zhao Dongqi to the car. Zhao Dongqi bid farewell, rejecting Qin Muye’s suggestion of sending someone to drive him back to the hotel. “It’s not troublesome at all. I still have things to do. I can drive myself.”

Today, Qin Muye had him do most of the things he needed, and now he was going to Rong Qiu’s place to bring back his annoying younger brother.

He had grown up, feeling restless.

How dare he secretly come to the Thirteenth Military District without a word.

***

After seeing off Zhao Dongqi, Qin Muye returned to look at the alpha in the bedroom.

He temporarily put aside the matter with Rong Qiu because his brother’s situation had worsened.

Just by going out to send someone away, the concentration of pheromones in the house had unexpectedly multiplied several times.

This wasn’t the usual response of an alpha.

Finally, he understood why his brother’s reactions had been off recently.

Without Rong Qin’s care, his brother even forgot about his approaching susceptible period.

An alpha in heat was a contradictory combination, emotionally fragile but physically robust. No wonder his brother cried with red eyes after drinking a bit last night, calling out “Ah Qin, my wife” repeatedly.

Now, his guest room emitted a strong scent of pheromones.

The usually proud alpha had contorted his waist into a shrimp-like curve, his face flushed, and his expression full of agony. Qin Muye’s gaze shifted slightly, noticing a bundle of clothes in his brother’s arms. Judging by the size of the clothes poking out, they definitely weren’t his brother’s size. At this moment, the clothes were tightly hugged in a bundle by his brother.

Clearly, Rong Qin was a beta. Could he really trigger a nesting reaction in his brother like an omega in heat?

His susceptible period had never been like this before.

He didn’t nest, nor did he secretly sniff someone else’s clothes.

Qin Muye’s eyes paused for a moment.

But during his entire susceptible period, the image of a certain beta always dominated his mind…

Now it seemed even more troublesome.

Because, apart from the susceptible period, the figure of Rong Qiu often rotated in front of him.

Qin Muye didn’t have time to think much.

Qin Zexi’s pheromones surged again.

Alpha pheromones were always unpredictable.

Under the influence of Qin Zexi’s pheromones, the back of Qin Muye’s neck burned, not with the impulse to mark an omega, but rather with a tendency to suppress a fellow alpha.

This place wasn’t suitable for a prolonged stay.

Qin Muye nonchalantly recorded the current situation of his brother’s nesting and sent it to Rong Qin, albeit with a slightly improved tone this time.

【Qin Muye: My brother has entered his susceptible period. I hope you can come and comfort him. Thanks.】

After sending the video, Qin Muye intended to leave. However, as he turned around, he caught a glimpse of the chair Zhao Dongqi had occupied earlier.

On it lay a black leather-bound record book.

Something Zhao Dongqi had forgotten to take when leaving.

Qin Muye messaged Zhao Dongqi.

【Qin Muye: Mr. Zhao, you left something here.】

【Qin Muye: Image.jpg】

No immediate response came from the other side. Qin Muye lowered his gaze at his brother, who was now quiet but could erupt again at any moment. He bent down to pick up the thick record book.

This book was essential for Zhao Dongqi’s work.

He decided to keep it for Zhao Dongqi.

However, in the process of a simple action, two pages fell out.

Perhaps due to frequent flipping, the pages were slightly yellowed, and the ink had blurred. 

Qin Muye initially didn’t care. 

As his fingertips brushed over the fragile pages, intending to insert them back, a casual glance at the leading two characters shattered his calmness. All tranquility vanished, and his heart clenched.

Qin Muye took a deep breath.

Why did Rong Qiu’s name appear here?

And what was the matter with this hypnosis?

Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 5 more chapters of After the Breakup, He Washed Away the Memories right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>