MBBBA Chapter 23

Qiao Qiao and Peng Qi weren’t well-acquainted, so they only exchanged a few words, enough to learn that they were both heading to N City.

Peng Qi mentioned, “This is my first time traveling alone in years.”

Qiao Qiao nodded. “Oh.”

Peng Qi glanced at Qiao Qiao, somewhat surprised—according to traditional Chinese etiquette, wasn’t he supposed to offer to keep an eye out for him? It turned out this seemingly gentle and warm person was actually quite cold-hearted, Peng Qi thought to himself.

He cast a fleeting glance at Zhang Peng, then, as if trying to avoid suspicion, smiled slightly and turned away, ending the conversation.

Qiao Qiao didn’t mind whether or not he chatted with a stranger. Even though they had lived across from each other for years, he had barely interacted with Peng Qi; they were essentially strangers.

As the train gently swayed, Qiao Qiao began to nod off, his head bobbing up and down like a little chicken pecking at grains.

Noticing that Qiao Qiao was drowsy, Zhang Peng adjusted his seat’s recline and let him rest his head on his shoulder.

The journey between the two cities wasn’t long—about two hours later, the high-speed train arrived at the station.

But Qiao Qiao wasn’t awakened by the station announcement.

Half-asleep, he overheard Peng Qi talking to Zhang Peng, which made him instinctively alert. Without fully knowing why, he decided not to open his eyes.

Peng Qi’s voice was soft and gentle: “My partner works in N City. I’m going there to surprise him.”

Peng Qi continued, “I wanted to buy him a gift, something that would surprise him, but I’m not sure what alphas like.”

Finally, Qiao Qiao couldn’t resist opening his eyes, just as the announcement for their arrival at the station began.

Zhang Peng turned to him, “I was just about to wake you up. We’ve arrived.”

Qiao Qiao sat up straight and glanced at Peng Qi, who had already turned away.

Zhang Peng took a thermos out of their luggage. “Just woke up—are you thirsty?”

Qiao Qiao nodded. Zhang Peng unscrewed the lid, and Qiao Qiao took a sip of the warm water directly from his hand.

“Better?” Zhang Peng asked.

Qiao Qiao hummed in response.

Zhang Peng then took a big gulp of water himself, screwed the lid back on, and put the thermos away.

“Let’s go,” he said as he stood up.

Qiao Qiao followed Zhang Peng to the train door, waiting for the train to stop completely.

Peng Qi trailed behind them, carrying a bulky travel bag and pushing a large suitcase nearly as tall as he was.

A beta nearby, unable to stand the sight, offered to help Peng Qi with his luggage, but Peng Qi politely declined.

The beta, perhaps feeling embarrassed after being turned down, glanced around and suddenly raised his voice: “Even I, as a beta, know about the Omega Protection Law. Yet some alphas act like they’re blind.”

Zhang Peng ignored the verbal attack entirely, treating it as nothing more than a nuisance not worth addressing.

But Qiao Qiao couldn’t stand someone insulting Zhang Peng. After they got off the train, he saw that beta also getting off and shot him a fierce glare.

The concept of moral coercion, huh?

Since when did the Omega Protection Law state that one must help omegas with their luggage?

If Peng Qi were truly a kind and delicate little omega, they would’ve helped without a second thought. But something about Peng Qi felt off, and there was no way he or Zhang Peng would get closer to that guy.

The beta, however, was the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Seeing Qiao Qiao’s fierce glare, he slunk away like a deflated balloon, hanging his head low.

Qiao Qiao wasn’t satisfied with just that. He followed the beta and cursed in dialect, “Who are you calling blind, you spineless wimp?”

The beta ran even faster.

Peng Qi stood to the side with his luggage, his dark eyes fixed on the beta’s retreating back.

Zhang Peng noticed and frowned.

So it wasn’t just his imagination—he really had felt someone’s gaze glued to his back that day.

Peng Qi’s stare was indeed odd.

Zhang Peng’s wariness towards this omega increased tenfold.

But Peng Qi had already looked away, now apologizing to Zhang Peng with a look of guilt. “I’m sorry, this was my fault.”

Zhang Peng: “…”

Qiao Qiao, seeing that Zhang Peng wasn’t inclined to respond, spoke up for him, “It’s not your fault. Some people just can’t keep their mouths shut. And don’t be fooled by Zhang Peng’s good looks—he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. He’s so focused on me that he doesn’t notice anything else around him.”

His words were laced with double meanings, which made Peng Qi shake his head with a laugh.

With just a few words, it seemed like Qiao Qiao was the one seeking conversation, not Peng Qi.

Peng Qi said, “Let’s get going. This isn’t the place to chat—let’s talk further down.”

It was as if Qiao Qiao was the one who wanted to talk to him.

Zhang Peng narrowed his eyes, picked up his suitcase, and said in a low voice, “Qiao Qiao, let’s go.”

There was a hint of disdain in Peng Qi’s smile as he watched Qiao Qiao. Zhang Peng found this kind of condescending smile extremely unpleasant.

He grabbed Qiao Qiao and quickened his pace.

Peng Qi gradually fell behind, unable to keep up.

Others might have stopped out of politeness to wait, but Zhang Peng and Qiao Qiao had both sensed something off about Peng Qi. Their priority was getting away from him as quickly as possible.

Zhang Peng’s assistant had been waiting at the exit to pick them up.

As soon as they emerged, the assistant hurried over, eager to help with the luggage.

Zhang Peng waved him off. “No need, just bring the car around.”

The assistant quickly went to get the car.

While waiting, Zhang Peng said, “Stay away from that guy. He’s up to no good.”

Qiao Qiao blinked. “I think he just has some ulterior motives.”

Zhang Peng was furious. “Did you see how I acted? I didn’t say a single word to him! His stare was so blatant, I wanted to punch him!”

Qiao Qiao stood on tiptoe to pat Zhang Peng’s head. “I saw, I saw. Poor Peng Peng has been wronged.”

As they spoke, Peng Qi had somehow caught up with them.

Zhang Peng let out a heavy sigh, as if bracing for a storm.

Qiao Qiao found it amusing and couldn’t resist taking out his phone to snap a picture of Zhang Peng.

Look at this alpha—small, pitiful, and helpless. Maybe we should take him down to the river and give him a massage.

Peng Qi, standing nearby and catching his breath, allowed his omega pheromones to slowly seep into the air.

Zhang Peng frowned and covered his nose.

Peng Qi immediately tried to retract his scent, making it hard for Zhang Peng to say anything.

Peng Qi asked if they were waiting for a car, and Qiao Qiao nodded.

“Why don’t we share a ride?” Peng Qi suggested shyly. “I don’t have much money on me.”

Qiao Qiao curiously asked, “Didn’t your partner give you money?”

Alphas usually earn quite a bit.

A shadow of worry crossed Peng Qi’s face. “He did, but…” His words hinted that his alpha wasn’t supporting him financially, and he quickly offered a plausible explanation. “You probably heard about what happened before the New Year. On the first day, he left home in a hurry, like someone was waiting for him here. So I thought I’d come check it out.”

The implication was clear—his alpha had likely strayed, and now he was struggling.

Qiao Qiao understood: so Peng Qi had come secretly, probably to catch a cheater.

If that’s the case, why all the drama? Zhang Peng wasn’t your alpha.

Qiao Qiao thought to himself, Sorry, but I’m not that kind-hearted.

The assistant pulled up in the car, and Zhang Peng, though outwardly calm, hurriedly loaded the luggage and got into the car as if he was being chased by wild dogs.

Sitting upright, he stared straight ahead, determined to protect his honor.

Qiao Qiao told Peng Qi, “Sorry, a friend came to pick us up. He was dumped by an omega and hates them now. We can’t give you a ride, sorry.”

The assistant overheard this and thought, “…Since when did I become the friend, and when did I get dumped by an omega?”

Catching the emotionless stare from his boss in the rearview mirror, he quickly shut up.

Fine, whatever the boss’s partner says goes.

He’d take the blame!

Peng Qi nodded understandingly. “It’s okay, I’ll just call a cab.”

Qiao Qiao said, “Good luck” and quickly got into the car as well.

As they drove away, the assistant glanced in the rearview mirror.

The fragile omega was dwarfed by his large luggage, his expression blank as he watched the car drive off.

The assistant felt a chill run down his spine and quickly looked away.

“Qiao Gong, is that your friend?”

Qiao Qiao waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t have a friend like that.”

Though the typical storyline would have Qiao Qiao feeling sorry for his old neighbor, all alone in a strange city, and inviting him to stay over, which would inevitably lead to trouble…

Zhang Peng interrupted Qiao Qiao’s wandering thoughts. “Stop thinking.”

Qiao Qiao obediently let out a breath. After all, they had successfully shaken him off, so such a dreadful scenario wouldn’t play out.

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