Chapter 71 – Difference
Novel Title: 顶级掠食者 (Alpha Predator)
Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 沈岱 (Shen Dai -MC), 瞿末予 (Qu Moyu -ML))
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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When Shen Dai returned to the room, he found Qiu Qiu awake, interacting with Madam Qu. Qiu Qiu almost never stayed this calm when alone with strangers. But he seemed to feel very secure in Madam Qu’s arms, making Shen Dai marvel at the power of blood ties.
Madam Qu beamed, “Look, he’s so close to me. He’s smiling at me.”
Shen Dai, still struggling to regain his composure, forced a smile. “Yes, he is.”
Madam Qu noticed his pale face and cautiously asked, “How did your talk go?”
“How did you know I came back?” Shen Dai sat on the edge of the bed. “I mean, why did he tell you?”
Madam Qu replied, “After he returned from Lancheng, he entered his susceptible period. During that time, he missed you terribly.” Qu Moyu’s reactions during his susceptible period made her believe that her son genuinely liked Shen Dai. If they could reunite as a family, that would be the best outcome. “After his susceptible period ended, he wanted to go to Lancheng to find you. But he found out you had returned to Beijing. Then he asked me if I wanted to see Qiu Qiu.”
Shen Dai thought that it was as expected. Qu Moyu, someone who never acts without benefit, would not lower himself without a reason to apologise. The previous ‘marking’ had affected both of them physically and emotionally. Even though the ‘mark’ had been removed, its aftereffects lingered. The difference was that after removing the ‘mark’, Shen Dai’s attachment and submission to Qu Moyu had lessened significantly. The accumulated harm made him only repel Qu Moyu. However, during his susceptible period, Qu Moyu’s emotions and desires would be magnified. Without giving a ‘mark’, he was destined to endure the susceptible period alone, inevitably recalling the times they spent together.
It seemed Qu Moyu did ‘like’ him—liked having him as a convenient lover like before.
Madam Qu couldn’t understand Shen Dai’s silence. She tentatively asked, “He said you came back this time to resign. Are you really planning to stay in Lancheng?”
“I’ve already found a job and settled down in Lancheng.” Initially, Shen Dai was still weighing and hesitating. But Qu Moyu’s attitude today made him resolute in staying away.
Madam Qu glanced at Qiu Qiu in her arms, unable to hide her disappointment. She hesitated before speaking.
Shen Dai noticed Madam Qu’s reluctance to part with Qiu Qiu and felt a sense of regret. “My grandmother will stay here. I’ll come back from time to time. If you miss Qiu Qiu, you can also come to Lancheng to see us.”
Madam Qu nodded sadly. “When are you leaving? Can I see Qiu Qiu before you go?”
“I’m waiting for my resignation process to be completed. I should stay for a few more days. If it’s convenient for you, you can visit me at the hotel where I’m staying.”
“Why don’t you stay here? This apartment is under my name. It has everything you need. I can have baby supplies brought in immediately.”
Shen Dai politely declined. “Thank you. But we’d prefer to stay at the hotel.”
That evening, Shen Dai took Madam Qu’s car back to the hotel. He had been busy from morning till night and had also faced the ‘confrontation’ with Qu Moyu. After feeding and putting Qiu Qiu to sleep, he was exhausted but still couldn’t sleep.
He had a nagging feeling that Qu Moyu wouldn’t give up easily. He just hoped to finish his business quickly and return to Lancheng as soon as possible to avoid more complications.
The next morning, Shen Dai received a call from HR, informing him that there was a problem with his resignation process. His long-term sick leave required hospital records. Otherwise, it would be considered prolonged absenteeism, preventing a proper resignation and instead counting as dismissal. Moreover, the minimum wage and social security paid during his sick leave would be considered fraudulent.
Shen Dai explained, “My sick leave was approved at the time.”
“It’s true. But it doesn’t comply with the company’s procedures or regulations,” the HR representative stated in a formulaic tone. “The leader who granted you special approval violated company rules and will be appropriately penalised. You also need to prove the authenticity of your sick leave.”
Shen Dai felt a rush of anger and blood to his head. He knew this was Qu Moyu’s doing. After all, the leader who granted him the special approval was Qu Moyu himself. How could HR possibly punish a majority shareholder of the company? Dock his pay?
He suppressed his fury and said, “What if I can’t provide the relevant medical records? Since my leave was approved, it should be valid.”
“This sick leave does not comply with company regulations. It violates procedures and bylaws. If you have any objections, we suggest you pursue labour arbitration.”
After hanging up, Shen Dai was so angry his eyes turned red. His sick leave had been specially approved by the executive director. He obviously had a reason for it. But now the company didn’t recognize it. If he wanted his ‘reason’ acknowledged, he would have to apply for arbitration. Did he have the energy and time for that? If he was classified as a long-term absentee, it would leave a significant stain on his record. Refunding a year’s worth of basic salary was a minor issue. If the company deliberately made things difficult when transferring social security, it would be even more troublesome.
Yesterday, when he went to process his resignation, the HR department hadn’t raised any questions. The drastic change in attitude today could only be due to Qu Moyu. Who else would dare say that Qu Moyu violated company rules?
He hadn’t expected Qu Moyu to resort to such despicable tactics. Why did this person keep hurting him and refuse to let him go?
Clenching his phone tightly, Shen Dai dialled Qu Moyu’s number.
The call connected before the first ring finished. Qu Moyu’s deep voice came through the receiver, “Ah Dai.”
“What else do you want?” Shen Dai asked coldly.
“I told you, I won’t accept your resignation or transfer,” Qu Moyu sighed lightly. “Ah Dai, don’t go to Lancheng. Stay here. Stay with me.”
Shen Dai glanced at the innocent baby on the bed and clenched his fist tighter. “Mr. Qu, please let me go.”
“Many things can change if you alter your perception,” Qu Moyu’s tone was disturbingly calm. “You, as a researcher, should understand flexibility. Don’t be so stubborn, okay?”
“Like you said, we are different kinds of people. I have my own life to live.”
Qu Moyu was silent for a moment. “Then think about Qiu Qiu. He needs his real alpha father. He also needs the best environment for growth, the best education, and a future with opportunities. What you can give him is very limited. He could have had so much more.” Qu Moyu picked up Qiu Qiu’s medical record book, which had been on his desk. As he casually flipped through it, each word evoked a unique warmth in him because they documented his and Shen Dai’s child.
“Everyone has their own fate. He might not have extremely privileged conditions. But I won’t let him lack anything. Ultimately, what he achieves will depend on himself. Besides…” Shen Dai gritted his teeth, “He almost didn’t have the chance to be born. Have you forgotten that you didn’t want him?”
Qu Moyu’s heart twisted painfully. He admitted in a deep voice, “I regret it. I admit it. I want him, and I want you too. Qiu Qiu is our child. No matter his gender or level, I will give him the best.” As he turned to the next page and looked for the pheromone level column, he found it blank.
How could it be blank? Was there a system entry error?
Shen Dai took a deep breath as his voice trembled slightly. “He. Does. Not. Need. It.” His child didn’t need a cold-hearted alpha father or an education based solely on interests. His child didn’t need to be extraordinarily wealthy but should grow up to be a kind and normal person.
Qu Moyu’s gaze grew darker. “Ah Dai, you’re caught up in your emotions right now, rejecting me and my good intentions. Take a few days to calm down, think carefully about my proposal, and consider the benefits for you and Qiu Qiu. Our family can be happy together.”
Shen Dai hung up the phone, not wanting to hear any more of Qu Moyu’s hypocritical and sharp words. The biggest mistake of his life was falling in love with Qu Moyu and believing that he could change someone without emotions with his sincere feelings. He would not make the same mistake again.
Shen Dai told Liu Xi and Cheng Zimei about his resignation troubles. Liu Xi was also furious but felt powerless. The three of them deliberated for a long time but couldn’t come up with a good solution. Liu Xi decided to have a friend inquire at the HR department.
Shen Dai was extremely anxious, fearing Qu Moyu might make further moves and worried about how long it would take to resolve everything. Every day he stayed there meant another day of hotel expenses. If he were alone, he would have settled for a cheap motel. But with Qiu Qiu, he needed a decent place to stay.
Cheng Zimei noticed his predicament and offered him to stay at her place. She had bought a small but warmly decorated studio apartment with the help of her parents. Under pressure, Shen Dai reluctantly accepted her offer, becoming the kind of person who troubled others. Cheng Zimei frequently arrived late or left early just to help him with the baby, making him both touched and embarrassed.
Meanwhile, when he saw Cheng Zimei rush into the apartment in her white lab coat, casually complaining about work, he felt a pang of envy and sorrow. He couldn’t help but reminisce about his own busy yet fulfilling past.
Liu Xi’s friend soon reported back—there was no news. The HR department was tight-lipped about his case. They were clearly instructed to keep quiet.
Shen Dai was so angry he couldn’t eat. He knew Qu Moyu was waiting for him to yield. But he would never accept Qu Moyu’s idea of ‘flexibility’. After carefully considering the worst-case scenario—being terminated and having a tarnished record—he realised that Bai Xiangwan had already promised him a job. The minimum wage for a year wasn’t much. He could repay it. If there were issues with social security, he could pay for a year’s worth himself. All these challenges could be overcome. Having climbed out of the deepest abyss, he wouldn’t fall here.
Having made up his mind, he called the HR department, stating that he couldn’t provide medical records but would return the wages he received during his sick leave. He accepted the situation. All he wanted was to quickly distance himself from Qu Moyu and start a new life.
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*Translator’s Note: What a prick QMY is! -K
Next update: 2022.07.07
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*Proofread by 2024.08.04* I will proofread these chapters slowly when I’m free. I prioritise the mature chapter first because of censorship. So please understand if there are any delays or discrepancies. TQ.
Proofread version of the rest of the novel will only be available on Novels Space.space while Mature Chapters will be released on my Blog.
