AP Chapter 73

Chapter 73 – Calling Off the Engagement

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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Shen Dai didn’t have time to stop him. Qu Moyu had already walked straight to the crib. He reached out and gently touched Qiu Qiu’s fuzzy little head.

So hot, he thought. The doctor said it was just a common fever that would subside with cooling, and he also believed it wasn’t a big issue. Everyone gets sick sometimes. However, seeing such a small, soft Qiu Qiu with his pink, feverish face, struggling to breathe, and his tiny, furrowed eyebrows continuously knitting, it was clear the child was suffering. Unable to express his discomfort, Qiu Qiu could only cry.

A pang of heartache hit Qu Moyu. Their child was experiencing his first illness. And for the first time, Qu Moyu felt a pain he wished he could endure instead. As he grew more attached to Shen Dai, he also became more attached to this child, despite initially not wanting him. From both a present and future perspective, the child’s existence seemed like a complication.

Yet, his mindset had completely changed. He was grateful Shen Dai had given birth to Qiu Qiu. Even though their marriage and ‘marking’ were gone, this child was an unbreakable connection between them.

Qu Moyu bent down, placing his hands on the crib’s railing. He was unsure of how to proceed. He had never held such a small baby before. Qiu Qiu looked so tiny, not even as long as his forearm. How could he pick up something so fragile?

Shen Dai watched from the side, wanting to stop him but also wanting to let Qu Moyu try. His only wish now was for Qiu Qiu to get better. Whose pheromones were used didn’t matter. He couldn’t afford to be picky about such things.

After a moment of hesitation, Qu Moyu placed his hands around Qiu Qiu’s waist. He was surprised by the sensation. Qiu Qiu felt no thicker than his leg.

“You need to support his neck first,” Shen Dai reminded.

Qu Moyu understood. He adjusted, using one hand to support Qiu Qiu’s neck and lifted him up, but soon found himself struggling to figure out how to transfer the child into his arms comfortably.

Shen Dai couldn’t stand it anymore. He half-supported Qiu Qiu with one hand and adjusted Qu Moyu’s arm with the other, helping him hold Qiu Qiu correctly.

This was the first time since their separation that Shen Dai had voluntarily come close and touched him. Qu Moyu looked at Shen Dai’s delicate features, pale skin, and long, slender eyelashes, feeling his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably. He caught a faint whiff of a night-blooming epiphyllum scent. He wasn’t sure if he truly smelled it or if he was deceiving himself because he wanted to.

Shen Dai quickly stepped back. Qu Moyu looked down at the soft child in his arms. Though light as a feather, he felt an unexpected weight. It was as if the act of holding him imparted a sense of responsibility.

Qiu Qiu squirmed uncomfortably, pouting but not opening his eyes.

Qu Moyu carefully released comforting pheromones. When he voluntarily released pheromones, it was usually for competition or sex, often carrying an aggressive edge. Reflecting on it, he had only used pheromones to soothe two people: Shen Dai during his heat and Qiu Qiu. He patiently used his pheromones to sense Qiu Qiu’s. The pheromones of an infant were incredibly faint, masked now by the smell of medicine, making it indiscernible. He had seen on Qiu Qiu’s medical record that his pheromones were of red cedar. Qu Moyu was curious about the scent of red cedar. Once Qiu Qiu recovered, he definitely wanted to smell it properly. He also wanted to learn more about this child and make up for the time he had missed from pregnancy until now.

Qiu Qiu initially whimpered in greater discomfort, instinctively rejecting the ebony pheromones that had once pressured and frightened him. However, he lacked the strength to avoid or cry. Gradually, it seemed he accepted these pheromones, or perhaps a genetic memory was awakened. The bond between father and son began to take effect.

Qu Moyu boldly released more pheromones, enveloping Qiu Qiu with an unusual tenderness. Qiu Qiu gradually calmed down, even his chubby little eyebrows relaxed, and he started sucking on his fingers in his sleep.

Qu Moyu, feeling somewhat triumphant, glanced at Shen Dai. He was hoping for some words of praise.

Shen Dai simply sighed in relief. “He must be hungry. Can you watch him for a bit? I need to prepare his formula.”

“No problem,” Qu Moyu replied, sitting down with Qiu Qiu in his arms and watching Shen Dai busily fetch baby supplies from the nearby nanny bag.

Qu Moyu remembered when Shen Dai used to live with him, always carrying a black backpack, which was a company-issued item from a few years back. Although a bit unattractive, it was sturdy and practical. Shen Dai would fill it with his laptop, documents, and a few essentials, then sling it over his shoulder and ride his bike to work, appearing carefree and relaxed. Now, Shen Dai’s bag was almost entirely filled with items for Qiu Qiu, cluttered and cumbersome.

The Shen Dai Qu Moyu admired and liked was an exceptional omega in his career, with rare calmness and wisdom. Even when he later believed Shen Dai had schemed against him and acted foolishly, Shen Dai still held a unique place in his heart. But now, Shen Dai had dimmed significantly, like a jewel covered in dust, evoking a sense of regret in anyone who saw him. Qu Moyu was forced to confront a question he had deliberately avoided: how had Shen Dai lived over the past year?

He knew Shen Dai’s life had been tough, very tough. But he instinctively avoided the specifics. He wanted Shen Dai back by his side, believing he could treat Shen Dai well and make everything right again.

Shen Dai finished preparing the formula, tasted a bit to check the temperature, and then brought it over to feed Qiu Qiu.

Qiu Qiu latched onto the bottle, sucking weakly but still trying to eat.

Shen Dai smiled faintly. “Being able to eat will help him recover faster.”

Qu Moyu gently poked Qiu Qiu’s cheek with his finger. “Get better soon. You’re giving Daddy a hard time.”

Shen Dai’s heart tightened. He used his imagination to elevate his perspective, ‘seeing’ the three of them. Qu Moyu was holding Qiu Qiu while he sat nearby feeding him, resembling a typical family of three. For more than a year, the unbearable memories had tormented him daily. But in this fleeting moment, he found himself fully immersed in the warmth of this brief illusion.

Qu Moyu stayed at the hospital the entire day. He had originally planned for an important meeting and a long-scheduled appointment, both of which he cancelled, resulting in almost hourly phone calls. Previously, he had been very cautious about letting personal matters interfere with work. But now he didn’t want to leave the hospital, his omega, or his sick child. In such moments, one’s psychological defences are at their weakest, prompting much reflection on real-life issues. Shen Dai’s attitude had finally shown signs of softening and he needed to seize the opportunity.

During this time, he also received a call from his father. He hadn’t intended to answer. But knowing he had a board meeting the next day, he realised avoiding it now would only lead to more problems later.

Qu Shen called again, urging him to apologise to Zhou Xiaochu.

“Hasn’t he already returned to France?” Qu Moyu said impatiently.

“Not yet. He was so frightened by you that he’s still not recovered. Even if he had returned to France, you should fly there especially to apologise to him. He’s your fiancée. How can you just leave him hanging like this?” Qu Shen demanded.

“Father, I believe the one who truly needs to apologise is you,” Qu Moyu replied coldly. “I explicitly stated I would never ‘mark’ him. Why did you send him to my safe house? Do you realise how dangerous that was? If I had lost control, he wouldn’t simply be just frightened now.” It’s not uncommon for S-class alphas to injure, cripple, or even kill unwilling omegas during their susceptible periods.

“Do I need to repeat my reasoning to you?” Qu Shen said sternly. “‘Marking’ him is to your advantage. Don’t cling to your S-class alpha pride, stubbornly refusing to ‘mark’ anyone. Do you think you’re an emperor? As long as he can bear children, having several will allow us to choose the best heir.”

Qu Moyu suppressed his anger. “I don’t want to. I won’t accept anyone using pheromones to control me.” S-class alphas refuse to ‘mark’ not just to avoid monopolising their reproductive rights but also because their immense pride won’t allow them to be emotionally and mentally influenced by an omega. For those accustomed to control and fundamentally trusting only themselves, this state is unimaginable and filled with unknown anxieties.

“It’s not about control. You’re supposed to be partners. ‘Marking’ him would make him more loyal to you. And the Zhou family would fully support you. Now you’ve scared him, you’re at fault. Apologise and placate him. What’s the harm in that? He’s your fiancée!”

“Then let’s call off the engagement.”

Qu Moyu was taken aback by his own words. It seemed like an impulsive outburst. But he knew he had been thinking about it for a long time. He knew he should marry Zhou Xiaochu, the best candidate carefully selected by their family. Marriage was a necessary move, just a step in his strategy, a decision driven by results without emotional considerations. Yet, the reality was that logic dictated his actions. But he was unwilling.

He was unwilling to marry Zhou Xiaochu.

Qu Shen was silent for a long time. He then gritted his teeth, “Qu Moyu, are you out of your mind?!”

Qu Moyu remained silent. His mind was a mess, unable to sort anything out. The only certainty was that he didn’t want to marry Zhou Xiaochu. He would wait until he had a clear head to analyse the reasons, but not now. Right now, his child was in the hospital room behind him.

“Is this because of Shen Dai?” Qu Shen asked. Having witnessed Qu Moyu nesting with Shen Dai’s clothes during his susceptible period, Qu Shen had already sensed something was wrong. But he still believed his son wouldn’t be ruled by emotions.

Qu Moyu replied in a low voice, “Dad, I have things to do. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

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*Translator’s Note: And let’s just say goodbye to Zhou Xiaochu…hahahaha What a useless cannon fodder. -K

Next update: 2022.07.11

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*Proofread by 2024.08.08* 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.