DMPSA CH 34

Chapter 34: The Annoying Guest on New Year’s Eve

Su Qing’s heartbeat quickened as he peeked out with both anticipation and trepidation.
“It’s you?” Su Qing was startled by the person before him.

“What, are you disappointed that it’s me?” Qin Yang asked, displeasure evident in his tone. “Or were you waiting for someone else?”

“No, not waiting for anyone,” Su Qing replied hastily. He stood up from the sofa, gathered the three cats, placed them back into their cat nests, and closed the enclosure. Only then did he return to the bar counter. “It’s so late. You probably can’t eat anything, right? Should I brew some tea?” He still remembered Qin Yang’s strict dietary restrictions.

Seeing that Su Qing remained cold and indifferent upon seeing him, Qin Yang pursed his lips in grievance. “It’s New Year’s Eve today, and you didn’t even invite me home to celebrate.”

Su Qing frowned slightly. Qin Yang had stormed out with so much force and determination, tearing their relationship apart in the process. Now, after over half a year, he was acting as if nothing had happened, showing up again out of the blue. For a moment, Su Qing didn’t know how to respond.

He must have been wronged out there. After all, Su Qing had watched this kid grow up and spent so many years in close company with him. Despite it all, Su Qing couldn’t bring himself to face Qin Yang with a cold demeanor.

“I knew you were busy, so I didn’t want to bother you,” Su Qing replied politely.

Qin Yang noticed Su Qing’s mild demeanor, which seemed free of resentment over their previous conflicts, and boldly pushed forward.

“I’ve missed you a lot these past six months,” Qin Yang said as he stepped behind the bar counter and moved closer to Su Qing. Suddenly, he embraced him. “Ge, did you miss me?” Qin Yang’s hands roamed over Su Qing’s body, his fingers wandering lewdly, leaving Su Qing deeply uncomfortable.

What on earth had Qin Yang been through in these six months?

“What are you doing?” Su Qing shoved Qin Yang away forcefully. “We’ve already broken up.”

“I don’t acknowledge it,” Qin Yang retorted shamelessly. “We weren’t even truly together before, so how can you call it a breakup?” He leaned closer to Su Qing again. “I’ve learned a few things now—things that’ll make you feel good. Let me show you.”

Su Qing hadn’t expected Qin Yang to act like this. He could tell something wasn’t right with his mental state. While pushing him away, Su Qing tried to snap him out of it. “Xiao Yang, Qin Yang, get a grip! Did you take drugs? What are you even doing…”

Qin Yang hadn’t taken drugs, but his emotions were clearly unstable. Amid the struggle, Qin Yang’s shirt was pulled open, and several buttons popped off. Qin Yang kept causing a commotion, but Su Qing froze, staring at his exposed chest in shock.

“Qin Yang!” Su Qing’s voice rose. “What happened to you? How did you get hurt like this?”

Qin Yang’s chest was covered with scars of varying depths—wounds that couldn’t possibly have come from dance practice.

Moments ago, it was Qin Yang grabbing onto Su Qing, but now Su Qing was the one frantically pulling at Qin Yang’s clothes, desperate to see the extent of his injuries.

At that moment, Qin Yang suddenly regained his composure. He stepped out from behind the bar and hastily pulled his shirt closed, his expression uneasy. “It’s nothing—just for fun.”

“For fun? You think getting covered in scars is fun?” Su Qing’s voice rose. “What is this, BDSM? Is this something you enjoy?”

“So what if I don’t? Wang Dong likes it,” Qin Yang blurted out.

“Wang Dong?” Su Qing asked in disbelief. “The same Wang Dong who gave you that diamond watch?” His anger surged. “And what about your agent? Is she dead? Is she managing your career or pimping you out?”

“Don’t talk about him like that! Wang Dong keeps his promises. He’s been helping to promote me,” Qin Yang defended, refusing to admit his mistakes or how much he regretted them. “I’ve made a lot of money.”

“Promoting you? Made a lot of money?” Su Qing was infuriated by Qin Yang’s shameless attitude. “Are you telling me you’re selling yourself? You’re using your body to trade for fame and opportunities. Is that really worth it?”

“Lots of people do it—it’s not just me,” Qin Yang argued, dissatisfied with Su Qing’s reaction. “And I’m not sleeping with just anyone. I only have to stay with Wang Dong. Aside from his… quirks in bed, he’s actually very generous and treats me well.”

Su Qing was livid. He swallowed the pain in his chest and asked coldly, “If your life is so wonderful, why are you here now? Shouldn’t you be with your precious Wang Dong today?”

“Uh, Wang Dong is spending today with his family,” Qin Yang’s confidence faltered. “Besides, I’m not the only one he has.”

Su Qing was trembling with rage. This is what Qin Yang called “a good life”? He had fought to leave Su Qing, only to become someone else’s plaything, receiving a fraction of their attention.

“What are you even doing back here?” Su Qing’s expression grew colder.

“Qing-ge, I’m leaving,” Qin Yang said quietly after a moment of silence.

“Actually, Wang Dong has grown tired of me. He told me to choose a final gift, and I asked him to send me abroad to study acting. He agreed. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow and won’t be back for a while,” Qin Yang explained as he leaned closer again. “These past six months, I’ve really missed you. They’ve helped me rise to fame, but I still feel so empty. I need you.”

“What do you need from me?” Su Qing was stunned by the news of Qin Yang’s impending departure. He asked in a daze, a foreboding feeling gnawing at him. He had almost guessed what this brat was thinking.

“Qing-ge, let’s do it. Just once. Fulfill my wish before I leave,” Qin Yang pleaded.

Qin Yang was a male Beta, and his natural inclination in intimacy was as the dominant party. However, faced with his male Beta patron, he had to play the submissive role.

He could never truly derive pleasure from it. Yet during the patron’s sadistic acts, he would fantasize that it was Su Qing in his place.

After half a year of such thoughts, he could no longer hold back.

Perhaps the saying “Holidays amplify homesickness” rang true for him.

And so, on this Lunar New Year’s Eve, a time for family reunions, Qin Yang came looking for Su Qing to reunite.

Su Qing genuinely thought Qin Yang’s brain must have been kicked by a donkey—no, not just kicked, but thoroughly trampled into mush. Back when they were dating, Su Qing couldn’t even accept Qin Yang then. Now, in this situation, how could Qin Yang think he’d agree?

“Absolutely not.” Su Qing rejected him firmly. “There’s no way I’d ever have any kind of relationship with you. Go home.”

“Why not? Is it because of your so-called ‘Virtue Mark’?” Qin Yang sneered, the corner of his lips curling up in a mirthless smirk. “I already told you—I’ve learned a lot over the past six months. I can make you burn with desire.”

“How do you even know about the Virtue Mark? Where did you hear that?” Su Qing’s eyes widened in shock.

“Does it matter? With enough money, what can’t you find out? I also know that Alpha surnamed Yue doesn’t want you anymore,” Qin Yang said with a tinge of sympathy. “Qing-ge, he doesn’t want you, but I do. Why can’t you give me a chance? I promise I’ll make you feel good.”

The sympathy in Qin Yang’s tone felt like a slap in the face to Su Qing. He was seething, his voice rising in a low growl. “What does it matter to you whether he wants me or not? Even if the whole world doesn’t want me, I’d never ‘try’ with you.”

You’re someone I’ve always seen as a younger brother—how could I possibly try anything with you?

“Hah? You’re in this state, and you still look down on me?” Qin Yang was furious. “Your mom was absolutely right; you should’ve listened to her. She said Alphas like them are out of our reach. An Omega with flaws like you is only fit to be with a Beta. Stop dreaming.”

“You’re the one who should stop dreaming!” Su Qing retorted, his face flushed with anger.

“Am I the one dreaming?” Qin Yang laughed bitterly. “You’re not wrong. I am dreaming. I’m the toad foolishly lusting after the swan.”

In this world, Alphas, Omegas, and Betas were divided into three social classes: upper, middle, and lower. While people often spoke of ABO equality, in truth, prejudice based on status and rank still persisted.

An Alpha marrying an Omega was seen as a perfect match. A Beta, however, entering into a relationship with an Alpha or Omega was considered reaching beyond their station.

Of course, some Betas viewed relationships with Alphas or Omegas as a form of conquest, even a bragging point.

At one time, Qin Yang had sought conquest. He had also wanted to boast. But Su Qing was a flawed Omega—he couldn’t share a bed with him, nor could he be showcased with pride.

Su Qing’s flaws made Qin Yang look down on him to some extent, thinking he lacked the refined nobility of other Omegas. Yet he also knew it was precisely Su Qing’s flaws that gave him confidence. It made him feel his Beta status was a match for Su Qing. After Qin Yang rose to fame, he even believed himself to have surpassed Su Qing in status.

But now, Su Qing said he was delusional.

The same sense of inferiority from years ago, when he couldn’t have Su Qing, surged back.

Embarrassed and enraged, Qin Yang lashed out recklessly, speaking without restraint. Like an immature child who still hadn’t grown up, clinging to the naïve belief that if he couldn’t have something, he’d destroy it all—hurting both others and himself.

“Take a good look at me now. I’m yearning for you, just like you’re yearning for him. ‘A toad lusting after a swan’—that describes both me and you. We’re the same…” Qin Yang shouted at Su Qing, his voice breaking. “We’re equally pathetic!”

“Damn you, who’s the same as you!” Su Qing completely exploded. “Go look in the mirror and see who the real toad is!”

Picking up a broom, Su Qing chased Qin Yang out the door.

Qin Yang panicked. It was the first time he had seen Su Qing so furious, losing all composure and resorting to physically throwing him out. “Qing-ge, don’t be like this! Once I leave this time, I really won’t come back…” Qin Yang tried to resist but was ultimately forced out by Su Qing.

“You better not come back.” After shoving Qin Yang out the door, Su Qing immediately locked the glass door and bolted the manual latch. Now, even with a key, Qin Yang wouldn’t be able to open the door and come back in.

“First thing after the New Year’s holiday: I’m changing the locks,” Su Qing thought angrily.

It was already 1:00 a.m. after the heated argument. Somehow, he had unintentionally completed the tradition of staying up late to welcome the New Year. Su Qing turned off all the lights in the tea house, picked up the three terrified cats from their beds—their trembling forms evidence of the commotion—and stormed upstairs to sleep, still fuming.

Meanwhile, Qin Yang stood outside the door with his head lowered, overwhelmed by sadness. He couldn’t understand how he had ruined things yet again. He had come this time to express gratitude and say goodbye. But the moment he saw Qing-ge, memories of the care and affection Su Qing had once shown him surfaced, and he completely lost control of himself.

All the frustration and injustice he had endured with his benefactor bubbled up, and he wanted to pour it all out in front of Su Qing. He longed to experience Qing-ge’s unique and unconditional kindness once more. Yet the words that left his mouth had gone completely astray, far from what he had intended to say.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking, testing his luck. Maybe he’d thought Su Qing might humor him this one last time. Or perhaps it was just the shame of being rejected that made his words cruel and outrageous. Now, standing outside the cold, dark glass door, Qin Yang had nowhere to go. Not even the simplest comfort of a warm hug was within his reach.

This was all his own doing.

“Qing-ge, I’m sorry,” he murmured softly in a moment when no one was listening. The brash facade he always wore crumbled as he expressed his regret under his breath. Then, silently, he turned and walked away.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a small fan of Qin Yang’s had been standing silently in the shadows nearby, holding their phone, frozen in place outside the tea house. They were shocked, heartbroken, and furious.

(To Be Continued…)

T/L: I swear this biatch Qin Yang… 

---

***
If you enjoy this translation, consider giving it a high rating on Novel Updates! 🩷
Stay tuned, and happy reading! 📖✨