AP Chapter 69

Chapter 69 – He Wanted Him

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 knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Shen Dai reluctantly asked, “Where?”

“At home.”

“… I won’t go there.” Just thinking about the Qu residence made Shen Dai’s chest ache. All the once sweet, now painful memories were embedded in that house. They were like cobwebs and dust hidden in hard-to-reach corners, yet undeniably present.

Qu Moyu hesitated for a moment, “Then let’s go to the apartment in the city centre.”

Shen Dai was silent for a moment before asking, “Is it really her who wants to see Qiu Qiu?”

“Qiu Qiu?”

“The child’s nickname.”

“‘Qiu Qiu’.” Qu Moyu repeated, finding the sound adorable, with a sweet resonance that lingered. “Yes. She wants to see him.”

Shen Dai took a deep breath, “I’ll go get him.”

Returning to the room, Shen Dai packed Qiu Qiu’s essentials into a backpack and took the child from Cheng Zimei’s arms. Faced with her questioning look, he reluctantly explained, “His mother wants to see him.”

Cheng Zimei nodded firmly, “Go ahead.”

Qiu Qiu babbled as if saying goodbye to Cheng Zimei.

Downstairs, Lao Wu was waiting by the car door. The moment he saw Qiu Qiu, his eyes brightened, showing a hint of excitement.

As Shen Dai got into the car, Qiu Qiu was still oblivious. But as soon as the door closed, Qiu Qiu stared at Qu Moyu with wide, round eyes. And before Qu Moyu could say a word, Qiu Qiu burst into tears.

The sudden wail startled the three adults in the car. The volume of which felt as intense as being near a speaker in a nightclub in the enclosed space.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry,” Shen Dai patted Qiu Qiu’s back, glancing at Qu Moyu with a complex expression.

Qu Moyu frowned, recalling Shen Dai’s comment that Qiu Qiu was afraid of him. As his biological father, what could Qiu Qiu possibly fear?

Qiu Qiu’s fear of Qu Moyu was palpable. Although still practising rolling over, Qiu Qiu struggled to turn his body, ultimately facing his back towards Qu Moyu while reaching his tiny hands towards the car window, desperately trying to escape.

Shen Dai felt a mix of headache and heartache from Qiu Qiu’s cries. He released his pheromones, soothing the baby with one hand while rummaging through the backpack with the other.

“What are you looking for?” Qu Moyu asked, unzipping the bag to help, taking the opportunity to lean closer and inhale Shen Dai’s pheromones. Although usually faint, the scent was enough to make Qu Moyu feel warm.

“A grey teddy bear.”

Qu Moyu found the plush toy in the bag, which was only the size of his palm. His expression changed when he smelled the rich woody fragrance—it was Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone.

Shen Dai quickly took the bear and placed it in Qiu Qiu’s arms, “There, there. Don’t cry.”

With the comfort of Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone, Qiu Qiu’s crying softened, though he still hiccupped occasionally and continued to struggle away from Qu Moyu. His large eyes were watery and he looked pitiful.

Qu Moyu’s face darkened. “What is this?”

Shen Dai was focused on calming Qiu Qiu and ignored Qu Moyu. How could he explain that it was a baby toy? He reached into the bag again and pulled out a small spray bottle, giving the bear a quick spritz.

The scent of white elm grew stronger inside the car.

Qu Moyu clenched his fists in anger. “What are you doing? Are you carrying Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone around with you?”

Shen Dai calmly explained, “It’s a substitute pheromone made from Senior Brother Bai’s glandular fluid. Qiu Qiu likes this scent. He needs substitute pheromones as he grows.”

“He should use mine,” Qu Moyu said, agitated by Qiu Qiu’s crying. The idea that his omega would use another alpha’s pheromones to soothe their child felt like an insult.

Shen Dai shot him a cold glance. “He’s never seen you before. And now he’s scared of you. To him, you’re just a stranger who once threatened him.”

Qu Moyu was speechless. Reflecting on that night, he was filled with regret. He was never one to act impulsively. So why did he keep making mistakes around Shen Dai?

As Qiu Qiu’s crying grew more frantic, Shen Dai had no choice but to open the car door. “Send me the address. I’ll take a cab.”

“Don’t get out of the car,” Qu Moyu said, taking a deep breath to suppress his frustration and resentment. He opened the door and moved to the front passenger seat.

The partition in the car successfully blocked Qu Moyu’s pheromones. Qiu Qiu, whose senses were not fully developed, soon could only smell Shen Dai’s and Bai Xiangwan’s pheromones. He gradually calmed down.

Shen Dai softly sang a lullaby, hoping Qiu Qiu would fall asleep. Usually, after crying so hard, he would get tired and sleep, making him easier to manage.

Sitting in the front seat, Qu Moyu kept glancing at Shen Dai through the rearview mirror. Watching Shen Dai gently soothe their child with such patience and tenderness was touching. Qu Moyu’s gaze softened with a growing warmth.

That was his omega, and that was their child. The three of them were meant to be together.

Qiu Qiu fell asleep halfway through the journey. When they arrived, Lao Wu carried Shen Dai’s bag and accompanied them upstairs, while Qu Moyu followed behind. He did not even dare to ride the same elevator as Qiu Qiu.

“Mr. Shen, is the child a young alpha? So cute. And with such strong lungs, judging by that crying,” Lao Wu commented frequently, glancing at Qiu Qiu.

Shen Dai smiled softly, “Yes, sorry for the noise.”

“It’s nothing. Kids cry, it’s normal,” Lao Wu replied with a chuckle. “I’m sure Madam will be thrilled.”

As they entered the apartment, Madam Qu seemed to have been waiting for a long time. She immediately stood up from the sofa and walked over quickly. “Shen Dai… how have you been?”

Seeing Madam Qu, Shen Dai felt a surge of emotions. If it weren’t for her, there would be no Qiu Qiu. He would never forget this kindness. He showed a calm smile, “Madam, it’s been a while. We’re doing well.”

Madam Qu looked at the sleeping Qiu Qiu, carefully extending her hand but hesitating to touch him. It was as if he were a fragile dream that might shatter under the weight of reality. She smiled. But her eyes quickly reddened, staring at Qiu Qiu with her fingers pressed to her lips. She was suppressing herself and trembling with emotion.

Shen Dai couldn’t imagine the flood of feelings she must be experiencing. He whispered, “Would you like to hold him?”

“He’s…- he’s asleep.”

“It’s okay. He just cried himself to sleep. He won’t wake up easily.”

Madam Qu reached out. Her slender arms shifted several times, eager yet unsure. It had been so long since she’d held a child that she no longer knew how to handle such a precious and fragile being. 

With Shen Dai’s assistance, she finally cradled Qiu Qiu in her arms. He smacked his lips a couple of times. His rosy eyelids fluttered but he was not waking up.

Madam Qu breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Shen Dai with a smile of genuine happiness.

Shen Dai gently suggested, “Let’s take him into the bedroom.” He was aware that Qu Moyu would soon enter and wanted to keep him away from Qiu Qiu.

Madam Qu carried Qiu Qiu into the bedroom. Despite the room having a large double bed, she insisted on holding him. She gazed at him with joy. “He’s so adorable, just like Moyu when he was little.”

Shen Dai felt a bit awkward.

Madam Qu realised the slip in her comment. She quickly added, “Why was he crying just now?” Her intention was to change the subject. But it only made the situation more uncomfortable.

Shen Dai heard Qu Moyu entering and had no choice but to be honest. “He’s afraid of Mr. Qu and can’t be too close to him.”

Madam Qu was taken aback. “Why?”

Shen Dai found himself at a loss for words, unable to provide an explanation.

Madam Qu seemed to intuitively grasp the situation. She let out a sigh. “Then he shouldn’t come near.”

They stayed in the room for a while longer, with Madam Qu asking numerous questions about Qiu Qiu, including why he carried the scent of another alpha. Shen Dai answered truthfully.

A knock on the door interrupted them, followed by Qu Moyu’s low voice: “Can I come in?”

Shen Dai quickly got up and opened the door just a crack. It was only enough to show half his face. “Qiu Qiu is asleep.”

Qu Moyu caught the scent of the white elm from Shen Dai and suppressed a surge of jealousy. He spoke softly, “Can we talk?”

Shen Dai looked at Qu Moyu warily, unwilling to leave the room or let him in. The last time Qu Moyu had wanted to ‘talk’, the outcome had been far from just words.

Qu Moyu softened his tone, “I won’t do anything to you. I just want to talk.”

Shen Dai glanced back at Qiu Qiu before stepping out and closing the door behind him. He stared directly at Qu Moyu, coldly warning him, “Your mother is here. Keep it respectful, alright?”

Qu Moyu felt his face flush as if Shen Dai had slapped him. In Shen Dai’s eyes, what had he become? A brute? A man who loses control?

Qu Moyu had been blinded by anger and jealousy. But now he was clear-headed. He knew with absolute clarity that he wanted Shen Dai. Whether it was love or possessiveness, he couldn’t stand the thought of Shen Dai being with someone else. The longing and yearning he felt during his susceptible period had been torturous. No matter the means, he wanted his omega, along with their child, to return obediently to his side.

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*Translator’s Note: I’m most annoyed when QMY still regards SD as ‘his omega’. He must be delusional!!! ARGHH! -K

Next update: 2022.07.05

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*Proofread by 2024.08.02* 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 knoxt.space while Mature Chapters will be released on my Blog.