After the Breakup, He Washed Away the Memories Chapter 63

Chapter 63

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We’re brothers.

Separated for twenty-five years, now reunited brothers.

Rong Qin cried, mixed with sobbing laughter. Large tears rolled down like broken pearls from Rong Qin’s eyes, but strangely, the corners of Rong Qin’s mouth curved slightly upwards, twitching to show his intense emotions.

This was his little brother.

The little brother he thought had died in the perils of the ocean.

Rong Qin had never imagined that a ray of hope would suddenly burst through the sky of despair, nor had he ever seriously considered the possibility that Rong Qiu might be his brother. His brother was dead, even if Rong Qiu resembled him, he couldn’t be him. So he only took comfort in Rong Qiu’s resemblance to his deceased brother.

As if his little brother were still alive in this world.

Rong Qiu was like that beam of light, faint but infinitely desirable. But one day, this faint beam of light turned into a scorching sun shining into the abyss, illuminating his long-dim abyss completely.

Rong Qin cried for a long time.

The intense and excited expression made Rong Qiu unable to help but step forward, and the piece of paper in Rong Qin’s hand had already fallen to the ground. Rong Qiu had excellent eyesight, and with a slight movement of his eyelashes, he gently withdrew his lowered gaze.

Just a glance.

The beginning of the first line and the conclusion at the end caught his eye.

Rong Qiu’s heart skipped a beat.

He understood everything now.

“Qiuqiu…”

Rong Qin murmured his name again, and Rong Qiu snapped out of it.

He had never imagined that someone simply calling his name could soften his heart so much, as if countless streams of warmth warmed his entire body.

Rong Qiu responded with a low voice.

But he found even in this simple “en”, his voice sounded thick with emotion.

Rong Qin received his response, and tears flowed even more freely. But Rong Qin gritted his teeth and vigorously rubbed his eyes with the hand that wasn’t injured. He wanted to see Rong Qiu’s face clearly, but found Rong Qiu’s appearance completely blurred in his tears. Because his body had already been completely tensed up, like a bowstring that hadn’t been tightened for years, now pulled taut, just a little more force and it would snap.

No one could be happier than him.

No one knew that after finding his only blood relative in the world, he felt that he had no regrets in this life. Rong Qin’s eyes were red, but he was still smiling, laughing that he would never experience all the bitterness of life in the future.

He reached out to embrace Rong Qiu.

Rong Qiu stood silently in front of him, then obediently crouched down.

Rong Qin clearly wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say. The joy of the unexpected overwhelmed all his language systems.

But he didn’t need to say much.

Rong Qiu understood Rong Qin’s emotions perfectly.

Rong Qiu was also not calm. 

Maintaining his half-crouched position, Rong Qiu allowed Rong Qin’s warm palm to stroke the back of his neck, even though Rong Qin’s strength was a bit too much, he didn’t speak up to stop it. 

Because the hand on the back of his neck was trembling fiercely. 

In that moment, it beat in rhythm with his pounding heartbeat. 

Rong Qiu, unseen by Rong Qin, subtly twitched his nose. 

So, he also had family. 

While Rong Qin kneaded the back of Rong Qiu’s neck, Rong Qiu quietly soothed Rong Qin’s emotions. Maintaining his half-crouched position, even though Rong Qiu’s legs had already gone numb, he still didn’t stand up. 

Rong Qin’s emotions were too intense, and he had already become physically tired again in just a few minutes. 

Sensing the diminishing strength on his neck, Rong Qiu smoothly adjusted Rong Qin’s posture back to normal. This position was the most comfortable and least strenuous for Rong Qin. 

Zhao Nanchen had already left at some point, and the yellow rose that had fallen to the ground was picked up by Zhao Nanchen and gently placed on the table. 

Rong Qin was still trying to chat with Rong Qiu. 

Now, both brothers’ moods were mixed, and after exchanging a few words, the atmosphere cooled down. 

Rong Qiu was not the type to be adept at dealing with all situations, while Rong Qin was extremely cheerful, but his speech system, which had gone out of control, had not yet recovered. 

Rong Qin spoke meticulously. 

Clearly a proud and lofty beta, who usually looked down on others, but now, in front of Rong Qiu, he bowed his head, his words unusually gentle. The million-dollar villas and properties in his eyes were like toys, all given to Rong Qiu in one fell swoop.

“I have many small villas here, I’ll give them all to you when the time comes!”

“I don’t need them, I have a place to live.”

“They’re for me to keep. They’ll rise in value while I’m alive, and when I die, I’ll sell them and donate the money in our names as brothers.” Rong Qin’s eyes reddened again as he spoke. “I never expected to see Qiuqiu again. I thought Qiuqiu had already… in that shipwreck over twenty years ago…”

He purchased so many houses and assets, not because of what outsiders said—a poor beta who struck it rich.

He donated to charity every year, even went to different planets to donate to orphanages there.

Only Qin Zexi knew about this.

But Qin Zexi didn’t understand why he did this. With so much money, he could enjoy life to the fullest. But it wasn’t Qin Zexi’s money he was using. He invested all his money in these unseen places, with stacks of remittance receipts piling up high.

He did all this just to create good karma for their next lives as brothers.

All he wished for was for his younger brother to have a long and healthy life in the next reincarnation.

Rong Qiu sighed softly in his heart, understanding the emotional turmoil Rong Qin was going through at the moment.

Because even he, at this moment, felt extremely unsettled.

But he still refused Rong Qin’s wish to invest in a luxury mansion for him: “Brother Qin, keep your money for your own grand ventures. I don’t lack money over here.”

Being rejected, Rong Qin felt a bit uncomfortable, but looking at Rong Qiu openly saying “I don’t lack money,” he felt exceptionally proud.

How could there be such a good younger brother?

Smart and good-looking, so outstanding that people tended to overlook his second gender.

He also knew that Rong Qiu really didn’t lack money. Rong Qiu had once shown him the contract he signed with the military district, and even the businessmen with numerous assets were amazed by the terms offered by the Thirteenth Military District, who genuinely wanted to retain Rong Qiu.

Rong Qiu truly didn’t lack money.

And he would only become wealthier.

But this perfect Rong Qiu had indeed gone through countless hardships and despair.

Thinking of the difficult journey Rong Qiu had taken, Rong Qin’s eyes reddened for the third time. He was truly scum. If he had recognized Rong Qiu as his brother at first sight, would Rong Qiu have suffered such deep wounds from Qin Muye? At least Rong Qiu could have escaped before that night at the bar.

The joy of recognition gradually turned into extreme guilt.

Just after Rong Qiu finished reading the paternity test report, he saw Rong Qin’s eyes turning red again.

Rong Qiu calmly picked up the wet towel beside him, folded it skillfully, and gently wiped Rong Qin’s eyes with the softest part of the towel. Even though the tears were absorbed by the towel, Rong Qin’s eye corners were still moist and red, and his curled eyelashes, similar to Rong Qiu’s, were wet and bent, faintly revealing a hint of exhaustion.

Rong Qiu glanced at the clock nearby.

It was already past the usual bedtime for Rong Qin.

But Rong Qin kept his eyes wide open, staring straight at Rong Qiu, even when Rong Qiu got up to fetch water in the bathroom, Rong Qin’s gaze remained fixed on the door.

Rong Qiu felt somewhat stiff under Rong Qin’s gaze.

Although he acknowledged his elder brother, Rong Qiu couldn’t accept this brother’s identity so quickly.

Rong Qin was too enthusiastic.

He found it somewhat overwhelming.

Under Rong Qin’s gaze, everything Rong Qiu did felt somewhat awkward, and finally, he clumsily reached into the pocket of his windbreaker and touched something warm.

He awkwardly pulled out an apple from the windbreaker.

It was small, not even the size of half a palm, and because it had been left out for a long time, its surface was slightly wrinkled from dehydration.

He clumsily placed the apple by Rong Qin’s pillow.

But seeing the apple under the light, not as smooth and red as he had hoped, he felt a bit regretful, wanting to reach out and take it back.

His reaching hand found nothing.

Rong Qin had already grabbed the apple and placed it under the blanket, even giving Rong Qiu a surprisingly bright look.

Rong Qiu’s outstretched hand curled up awkwardly, and he turned his gaze away in embarrassment. “Brother, Merry Christmas Eve.”

***

The power of a simple “Brother, Merry Christmas Eve” was immensely overwhelming.

So much so that when Rong Qiu woke up the next day, the VIP ward was filled with fresh apples, large, red, and juicy, each one resembling the standard apple props from a fairy tale.

Rong Qiu opened his eyes, thinking he was still dreaming, so he closed them again.

But when he opened them again, it was still the same.

And Rong Qin was even standing next to his bedside, unusually close, so close that Rong Qiu thought he must have sleepwalked and moved his own bedside to Rong Qin’s side.

But that wasn’t the case.

Rong Qiu sat up and looked, only to find that Rong Qin was already sitting in a wheelchair. His hand was in a cast, and he was slightly exerting himself against the back of the wheelchair, keeping a few centimeters of distance between him and the wheelchair’s backrest.

Rong Qiu was surprised.

“Brother Rong Qin, can you get out of bed now?”

“The doctor said I could use a wheelchair in the morning, so Zhao Nanchen brought one.”

When Rong Qin wasn’t sarcastic; he had a good appearance and spoke gently, without any sharpness. His eyes were clear and bright, and upon closer inspection, a faint hint of blue could be seen in his pupils.

Rong Qiu made a low sound of acknowledgment, seizing on a detail that Rong Qin didn’t seem to care about: “Has the doctor already been here!?”

Even though he could wake up immediately with just a little stimulation, he had only opened his eyes after the doctor had changed Rong Qin’s medicine and he had been helped into the wheelchair.

Rong Qin looked at Rong Qiu with concern in his eyes. “We were up late last night, so maybe Qiu Qiu slept a bit deeper today.”

Rong Qiu nodded along, then turned his head to see the sleep-inducing aroma diffuser by the bedside.

“Qiu Qiu is looking at this; Zhao Nanchen brought it last night.”

Yesterday, Zhao Nanchen was very sensible. He waited until the two brothers had calmed down before entering, showing none of his usual carefree attitude. After placing the aroma diffuser and such, he earnestly congratulated them and even asked if he could become Brother Little Qiu’s little brother too.

Rong Qin pretended to be angry and asked him why he only wanted Rong Qiu to be his brother.

The naive Zhao Nanchen didn’t mince words and said directly that Rong Qin was even scarier than his brother, and he didn’t want to endure Rong Qin’s scolding every day. Although he was already enduring Rong Qin’s scolding every day…

Rong Qiu smiled at his words.

He looked at the aroma diffuser. Actually, he never believed in this stuff. Dreamcatchers, sleep-inducing aromas, perhaps none of them were as direct and effective as a sleeping pill, but no matter how sleep-deprived he was, he would never take sleeping pills. He avoided anything harmful to his body and nerves.

Except cigarettes.

But he hadn’t smoked for a long time.

It seemed that since he regained his memory, there hadn’t been any cigarettes around him.

Rong Qiu got out of bed, his pajamas wrinkled from sleep, his hair particularly messy, fluffy like a little lion’s mane, but exuding a unique vitality of life.

Rong Qiu went to the bathroom to freshen up, while Rong Qin pushed the wheelchair outside, watching him.

Later, wherever Rong Qiu went, Rong Qin followed.

With the wheelchair available, Rong Qin even accompanied Rong Qiu downstairs to pick up lunch delivery.

Rong Qin’s wheelchair maneuvered smoothly through the stairwell, and along with his carefree demeanor, he seemed to have returned with even more vitality. He appeared more radiant than before, as if he had found a new sense of purpose. Smiling gently, his words were witty and humorous. Even Rong Qiu, who had been stiff in his presence, gradually regained his usual composure.

Rong Qin was telling Rong Qiu about joining a “brother travel group” once he recovered. However, the sliding wheelchair was abruptly blocked by someone, an alpha.

It was Qin Zexi.

This was the first time they had met since the accident.

The atmosphere wasn’t harmonious, but rather tense, like a brewing conflict.

Seated in the wheelchair, Rong Qin’s momentum waned slightly, while the alpha in front of him, wielding a cane, looked fierce and displeased.

Even though Qin Zexi had activated his pheromone ring, Rong Qiu could still sense the tension in the air.

Rong Qiu frowned and stepped forward, holding up the food box in his hand to block Rong Qin.

“Mr. Qin, please don’t block the way.”

But Qin Zexi didn’t even look at him. His sharp eyes were fixed on Rong Qin in the wheelchair, and his thin lips moved with obvious displeasure as he spoke.

“The matters between me and Ah Qin don’t concern an outsider.”

“Who are you calling an outsider!?”

“Ah Qin…”

“You’re the outsider here! Qiu Qiu is my real brother, a blood relative who can be listed in the same household register as me.”

Qin Zexi widened his eyes.

He looked at Rong Qin, then at Rong Qiu, and finally fixed his gaze firmly on Rong Qin’s face. “What real little brother, what blood relative? Ah Qin, you’re clearly listed in my household register.”

Rong Qin sneered, his gaze towards Qin Zexi icy. “Not for long.”

“Ah Qin! What do you mean!?”

“Just what I said.”

“Did someone talk to you? Was it that beta? Is he trying to sow discord between us?”

“Please show some respect. Don’t keep calling him a beta. Have you forgotten that I’m also a beta?”

“Ah Qin, I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Then what did you mean? Haven’t you always looked down on betas? In that case, the noble household register of the Qin family, I, a humble beta, have neither the ability nor the qualifications to remain.”

“Ah Qin, what do you mean? Are you saying you want to separate from me?” 

“Not separate, divorce.” 

“Ah Qin, are you talking nonsense?” The Alpha widened his lips, his dark eyes almost bulging out. “What divorce? I won’t allow it! Ah Qin, didn’t we agree to spend our whole lives together? How can you talk about divorce!” 

“Your stress response to omegas has already disappeared, so it’s perfect. I’ll make room for those S-ranked omegas.” 

Qin Zexi’s face darkened completely. He, an alpha, clutched two crutches under his armpits, and the crutches trembled lightly from top to bottom, just like Qin Zexi’s fluctuating emotions now, as if they would lose control and break apart completely in the next moment.

Rong Qin didn’t look at him, just gently tugged at Rong Qiu’s clothes in front of him, indicating they should leave.

But Qin Zexi stood stiffly like a dead body, without thoughts or mental power, stubbornly blocking their way and refusing to let them pass.

“When did you know my pheromone response had improved? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You didn’t tell me either.”

Rong Qin’s wheelchair brushed against Qin Zexi’s cane. Despite his low posture, Rong Qin’s aura was far more intense than Qin Zexi’s standing position. Rong Qin’s lips parted slightly, and although his tone was ordinary, it sent a chill down Qin Zexi’s spine—

“Zexi, when we got married, I said you could always keep your pride. But you, you can never deceive me.”

***

Rong Qin’s good mood evaporated completely.

Back in the VIP ward, Rong Qin sat silently in the wheelchair, not saying a word. Rong Qiu didn’t dare to disturb him, quietly opening the various food boxes from the restaurant delivery and pondering over the conversation between Qin Zexi and Rong Qin just now.

So this was what had happened between Qin Zexi and Brother Qin. Qin Zexi no longer had a pheromone response to omegas, and he had even hidden this from Brother Rong Qin.

No wonder Brother Rong Qin’s reaction was so intense.

The marriage between a beta and an alpha was inherently less stable than that between an AO pair. Without the connection of pheromones, the relationship between beta and alpha was purely based on emotions. Especially for alphas, they had to endure that a beta could not provide comfort during their susceptible period.

Therefore, this was a fragile AB marriage.

And Brother Rong Qin and Qin Zexi had been together for nearly seven years.

People don’t collapse in a single moment, just as water isn’t instantly filled in a bottle. The feelings of loss ferment day by day in suspicion and distrust, finally erupting completely one day.

So now Brother Rong Qin had asked for a divorce from Qin Zexi.

Because love hurts, that’s why even the one who initiates the divorce, Brother Rong Qin, couldn’t escape this law.

Rong Qiu didn’t dare to speak too much, afraid of upsetting Rong Qin.

Sensing Rong Qiu’s consideration, Rong Qin sighed deeply. He shouldn’t have shown these negative emotions in front of Rong Qiu, so when he took the chopsticks handed to him by Rong Qiu, his face had already returned to calm.

“The food from this restaurant is pretty good. Qiu Qiu has good taste.”

“Yeah, Brother Rong Qin, eat more and calm down.”

“Calm down?”

“…”

Rong Qin smiled faintly, accepting Rong Qiu’s goodwill.

After finishing dinner, Rong Qin crawled back onto the hospital bed, lying down. It was unclear what he was thinking, while Rong Qiu sat beside him, drawing and occasionally glancing at Rong Qin’s long bangs hanging over his forehead.

“Brother Rong Qin, it’s time for you to cut your hair.”

“Indeed, it’s time. It’s poking my eyes.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll find a hairdresser to come and help you, Brother Rong Qin.” Rong Qin’s body had not fully recovered yet, and there were still plenty of medical resources available in the hospital, so Rong Qiu wasn’t in a hurry to take him home.

Rong Qin adjusted his long bangs slightly. “No need for a hairdresser. Can you do it, Little Qiu?”

“Huh?”

That evening, Rong Qiu was unexpectedly put in a tough spot.

Rong Qin sat in the wheelchair, draped with a large towel. Rong Qiu circled around him with a white bath towel, tucking the excess folds gently into Rong Qin’s collar and patting it to make it lie flat.

Seeing Rong Qin so unconcerned, Rong Qiu felt a bit hesitant.

He looked at the tools in his hand and felt something was amiss.

The scissors for cutting hair seemed different from what was needed…

One wrong snip, and it could all be gone.

But Rong Qin remained calm, holding the small apple he had received just the previous night in his hand as if it were a precious antique marble. He actively encouraged Rong Qiu to cut his hair.

“Just trim the bangs in front, so they don’t poke my eyes. Don’t worry, your brother, I look good in any hairstyle.”

Rong Qin’s joke slightly eased Rong Qiu’s nerves.

Carefully searching for the right angle, Rong Qiu didn’t dare to cut too much at once, intending to take it slow and do a good job. Just as he lifted a strand of Rong Qin’s hair, the door of the VIP ward suddenly burst open.

A person came in with an imposing manner, none other than Qin Zexi, who had just finished arguing during the day.

Qin Zexi leaned on a crutch with one hand, while the other maintained the posture of pushing the door open. Seeing the serious expressions on Rong Qiu and Rong Qin’s faces, there was even a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. Such a posture, such an expression, made it seem as if Rong Qin and Rong Qiu were unforgivable criminals.

But following closely behind him was Qin Muye.

Clearly just finished with military work, Qin Muye was still in his uniform, with a few drops of ink stains on the cuffs of his white shirt that were barely noticeable. However, as Qin Muye stopped Qin Zexi, these ink stains, as inconspicuous as sesame seeds, suddenly appeared before Rong Qiu.

Qin Muye blocked Qin Zexi and shook his head lightly.

Rong Qin snorted softly and let Qin Muye pass in front of him.

This was the first time Qin Muye had come without bringing any food. He was extremely busy with work, and if the bodyguards hadn’t informed him that things at the hospital were out of control, he wouldn’t have turned around and come here right after finishing his official duties.

Qin Zexi thought Qin Muye would stand by his side.

But he didn’t expect Qin Muye to change sides in an instant.

“Rong Qin, are you planning to separate from my brother?”

“It’s not separation, it’s divorce. Why, Qin Muye, did you come here to mediate?”

“I…”

“Ah Qin, I did make a mistake, I can apologize, but can you just throw around the word ‘divorce’ so casually?” The words “divorce” struck a nerve with Qin Zexi. “Ah Qin, I’ve been so good to you, how can you talk about divorce with me?”

As soon as Qin Zexi finished speaking, Rong Qiu took a step forward.

But he didn’t look at Qin Zexi, instead, he looked at Qin Muye. Clearly understanding Qin Zexi’s current emotional state, only Qin Muye could control him. “I think… you’d better settle the matters with your brother first.”

Qin Muye nodded silently.

Qin Zexi, on the other hand, provocatively looked at Rong Qiu. “What do I have to settle? It’s you and my brother whose relationship is murky and ambiguous. You can’t even straighten out your own affairs, yet you dare to meddle in others’.”

After losing control, Qin Zexi’s attacks were indiscriminate.

“Brother!”

“Qin Zexi, get out!”

Rong Qiu wasn’t angry at Qin Zexi’s words; instead, it was Qin Muye and Rong Qin who protected him, one in front and one behind.

Rong Qin spoke straightforwardly, “You’d better not talk to me anymore. You obstructed me from forming a volunteer army, and I haven’t settled accounts with you for that. And what do you mean by meddling in others’ affairs? My affairs are Qiu Qiu’s affairs. We are blood brothers, blood relatives.”

As soon as Rong Qin finished speaking, Qin Muye raised an eyebrow.

He looked at Rong Qiu with surprise.

Qiu Qiu and Rong Qin were actually blood brothers?

Although Qin Muye didn’t say anything, Rong Qiu understood his inquiry. He nodded gently.

“I and Brother Qin have done a paternity test. We are brothers.”

Qin Zexi was equally shocked, but he was trembling so much that his voice trembled, “Ah Qin, did you do a paternity test with this beta?”

“Yes, we did. Qiu Qiu is my true brother.” Laughter escaped Rong Qin’s lips, “You’ve always been stopping me from forming a volunteer army, right? Let me tell you, I’ve formed the volunteer army, and I’ve found my brother. These are the only two things I must accomplish in my life. And you, Qin Zexi, in my heart, you only occupy a tiny spot, don’t think of yourself as something special.”

Rong Qin hated himself for understanding this man so well, and he hated that this man had deceived him about omega stress reactions. His words now were seventy percent acting, thirty percent genuine emotion.

“Qin Zexi, we’re getting a divorce.”

“I disagree.” The alpha gritted his teeth, his face flushed.

“Don’t force me to look down on you. I don’t love you anymore. Now I just find you disgusting.”

As he said these words, Rong Qin felt pain in his heart. The years of being together and in love were not fake. He used to love Qin Zexi so much, he couldn’t deceive himself into not loving him anymore.

But love was mixed with an undeniable disappointment.

He had known too little before, which led him to treat Qin Zexi as something extraordinary.

Now that the smoke has cleared, he understood it. Qin Zexi was just like that after all.

But he had to say such harsh words.

If he didn’t say them and made him hate him to the bone, Qin Zexi wouldn’t let him go.

That’s just how Qin Zexi was.

He couldn’t let Qin Zexi still have feelings for him, so hatred was the best option.

The proud alpha had never been insulted like this before. Qin Zexi felt a surge of heat to his head, his eardrums pounding so he couldn’t hear anything clearly. Rong Qin used to only say he loved him, but now he could say such things. Even though his ears were ringing with the noise of a thousand cicadas, Rong Qin’s words were still like sharp blades, piercing through his heart mercilessly.

Looking at the cold and heartless Rong Qin before him, Qin Zexi felt like he was looking at a stranger.

What exactly had happened?

How did he and Rong Qin end up like this?

Qin Zexi racked his brains but couldn’t find a reason. Was it just because he stopped Rong Qin from forming a volunteer army? But he was doing it for Rong Qin’s own good. A volunteer army was so dangerous; they could easily be wiped out by pirates.

Couldn’t Rong Qin just live a peaceful life?

Wasn’t it good enough for them to live a quiet life together forever?

He couldn’t understand Rong Qin’s thoughts.

Qin Zexi found himself in a dead end again.

But even so, he didn’t hate Rong Qin. He only felt that the people around Rong Qin had influenced him, turning the one who used to only love him, Ah Qin, into this.

So Rong Qiu didn’t need to exist.

He had long suspected that Rong Qiu and Rong Qin were related by blood.

That’s why, when he and Rong Qin first went to the welfare home on Planet A, and unexpectedly saw Rong Qiu, he didn’t want the two to recognize each other. As long as Ah Qin had him in his heart, it was enough. Alphas were extremely possessive, so he quickly arranged for Rong Qiu to be adopted without Rong Qin’s knowledge.

But even in such a vast federation, Rong Qiu and Rong Qin reunited.

But no matter what Rong Qin said, Qin Zexi stubbornly refused to respond. Even though Rong Qin’s words had pierced him like a porcupine, he still wouldn’t agree to a divorce.

The conversation ultimately ended with Rong Qin’s violent coughing fit and Qin Zexi collapsing.

Qin Zexi was originally leaning on a crutch, but he suddenly couldn’t catch his breath. His hand holding the crutch trembled, and he fell straight to the ground. With this fall, all the tense atmosphere was suddenly swept away.

Rong Qiu was still soothing Rong Qin, and seeing this, he quickly signaled to Qin Muye.

Qin Muye nodded.

The bodyguards waiting outside skillfully brought in a stretcher, and soon, the alpha who had knocked himself unconscious was gone from their sight.

But Qin Muye didn’t rush to leave.

He was like Qin Zexi’s spokesperson, but his words were much gentler and soothing than Qin Zexi’s.

“I’m sorry about my brother. I’ll talk to him properly.”

Rong Qin sighed weakly. “If things were that simple to resolve, I wouldn’t have needed to say such harsh words today. You know what your brother’s like. If I don’t make him completely give up, he’ll hold onto me for the rest of my life.”

Before, Rong Qin had willingly let Qin Zexi control him and even comforted him. He was all alone, and it was rare for someone to be willing to take care of him. Even though the methods were a bit harsh, he was willing to accept them.

He had indeed done so.

“Perhaps you also know what your brother’s alpha friends are like. I could accept your brother because I had him in my heart at that time. But I’ve had enough of those arrogant alphas.”

Speaking of alpha friends, Qin Muye felt ashamed as well.

Because he also had an alpha friend named Su Ran.

They were childhood friends who grew up together and underwent alpha differentiation together. 

But now, they had severed ties.

So he knew the principle of “one is known by the company he keeps.”

So he could also understand how difficult it was for Rong Qin to endure his brother for so long. After all, if he couldn’t stand it when his older brother came to make trouble for him once in a while, what about Rong Qin and his brother living under the same roof for so many years.

In fact, this was a private matter between his brother and Rong Qin. Even though he was his brother’s own younger brother, he shouldn’t have interfered like this, but he knew his brother’s temperament. Things he didn’t want to let go of would be held onto until death.

So he felt that Rong Qin was right.

“I’ll talk to my brother for you.”

Qin Muye’s attitude made Rong Qiu raise an eyebrow.

Even though he knew that persuading wouldn’t lead to any results, Rong Qin still thanked him. Then Rong Qiu helped Rong Qin lie back on the bed. Rong Qin looked tired, and the hair in front of his forehead fell back again, casting a deep shadow over his eyebrows.

Even so, he still held onto the small apple from beginning to end.

Even as Rong Qin was about to fall asleep, he didn’t let go.

Qin Muye silently watched as Rong Qiu took care of Rong Qin.

Rong Qiu had once taken care of him when he was sick. He still remembered that time when he got drunk at the bar on the west side of the city, and Rong Qiu came to pick him up, taking care of him meticulously until he got back to the hotel. Now seeing Rong Qiu’s gentle movements, Qin Muye felt that people hadn’t changed; it was just that he had done something wrong in the past, leading them to grow further apart.

Rong Qiu extinguished two lamps before finally seeing Qin Muye off.

The VIP ward next door was not as quiet as all the other VIP wards. There were many doctors and nurses coming and going, and the footsteps were somewhat chaotic. Rong Qiu looked at the lively scene in Qin Zexi’s ward next door in surprise and stopped in his tracks. “Aren’t you going to see your brother?”

“No need.”

“?”

“Alphas are tough.”

“…”

“My brother and I plan to leave the hospital the day after tomorrow.”

The wounds on Rong Qin’s back had started to scab over, and Rong Qin, who could still sit in a wheelchair, took the opportunity to suggest going home. The main attending physician agreed but reminded them to be careful of the wounds and scars on Rong Qin’s arm when they returned home.

They had to go home; otherwise, with Qin Zexi next door, there would be trouble every now and then.

The two walked in the corridor of the VIP ward.

Rong Qiu had delicate features, finely carved, even though he was wearing a simple white shirt and black pants, and stepping in a pair of cotton slippers, his demeanor was casual and refreshing. On the other hand, the alpha beside him was different, dressed in military uniform, exceptionally upright, the collar neatly arranged, the front flap smooth without any wrinkles, shoulders straight, and back erect. His black and white eyes emitted a calmness akin to a tranquil lake.

One was carefree, the other stern.

Yet unexpectedly harmonious.

In the bright and clean corridor, the two walked neither slowly nor hastily.

Originally, there were only a few green potted plants placed in the corridor, but now it was decorated lively. Every few rooms, there was a one-meter-high Christmas tree outside, adorned with lush pine branches, encircled with red ribbons, colorful little lights, and small gift decorations about two fingers wide. Although not expensive, the thoughtfulness behind it made people feel the Christmas atmosphere.

Rong Qiu had always liked these little things since he was a child.

Now that he had grown up, he couldn’t help but notice them.

In previous Christmases, Rong Qiu would be alone at home watching TV and smoking. Sometimes Rong Qin would bring some dishes to him, but there was no apple on Christmas Eve, and nothing special about Christmas. They would just spend Christmas sparsely like this.

But obviously, others were different.

Many of the patients in the same ward were from prominent families in the Thirteenth Military District. Some elders had been recuperating here for a long time, and their younger family members accompanied them joyfully for the holidays, dressed as festively as miniature Christmas trees.

Three or five unfamiliar children gathered together, and in no time, they became acquainted due to showing off their Christmas gifts.

There was even a little boy who ran into Rong Qiu’s thigh in a hurry.

The child fell to the ground, not even noticing the small candy that fell out of his pocket, and he seemed about to cry. Before Rong Qiu could start comforting him, Qin Muye, who was beside him, squatted down. The tall alpha, even when squatting down, was like a mountain, without saying a word, just his stern expression frightened the child into forgetting to cry.

The child ran off in a hurry, leaving only Qin Muye picking up the candy from the ground with a slight movement in his eyes.

Qin Muye stood up straight again, his palm open, wearing black gloves at some point, quietly lying a colorful little candy on it.

Rong Qiu looked at Qin Muye’s black gloves.

Thin and fitting, there was no sign of swelling on the alpha’s fingers.

The frostbite hadn’t healed at all, so why was he wearing gloves?

Rong Qiu thought so but didn’t ask.

Qin Muye placed the little candy back under the Christmas tree like a beautiful little gift.

As the man stood up again, there was a new little gift in his palm.

An unusually old and scratched pen, against the backdrop of the red and green Christmas tree, the familiar metallic surface shimmered with a blue and amber glow.

Rong Qiu: “Hmm?”

The alpha handed it forward, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

He said—

Qiuqiu, Merry Christmas.

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