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)
֍֍֍
An hour later, the person in the seat opposite Shen Dai changed from Attorney Chen to You Xinghai. As soon as You Xinghai’s driver entered the room, he used a metal detector to scan everywhere. Shen Dai took out his mobile phone from his pocket with a blank expression and turned on the screen for You Xinghai to see.
“Are you afraid I’ll be recording our conversation?” Shen Dai said coldly. Before coming, he had sorted out his strategy and logic and was mentally prepared to face all of this. At this moment, he was more indifferent than You Xinghai, “So you know what you’re doing is shameful.”
You Xinghai’s face was dejected and full of vicissitudes of life. His temples were stained with frost and he looked a decade older than the last time the two met more than a year ago. The downfall of the family and the high debts have already killed the high spirits of this noble family. Shen Dai thought to himself that seeing him like this, even he himself felt relieved. No wonder Shen Qin couldn’t help but come to gloat, but unfortunately Shen Qin always harmed the people closest to him.
“Just in case.” You Xinghai looked at Shen Dai carefully, as if he was about to get to know him again, “Even if you record, what can you do with it? What do you want to talk about?”
Shen Dai said, “What if you’re the one recording?”
You Xinghai smiled sarcastically. He showed Shen Dai his cell phone and motioned to the driver, who immediately understood and used the detector to pass over You Xinghai’s body. Then he quietly backed out of the room.
You Xinghai stared at Shen Dai with those turbid eyes that were obviously ‘soaked’ in alcohol for a long time: “As expected of my son. I really don’t see that you have such skills.”
“Are you complimenting me or scolding me?”Shen Dai sat down on the sofa opposite of You Xinghai.
“Of course I’m complimenting you. I originally expected Xiaoyue to save the You family, but he was too spoiled. He wanted everything, but he didn’t get anything in the end.” You Xinghai sneered, “You are more decisive than him. You even gave birth to an S-class alpha for the Qu family.”
“That’s because my dad taught me well.” Shen Dai endured his nausea and said with a smile, “He didn’t succeed with you, so I’m not allowed to fail like him.”
Referring to Shen Qin, You Xinghai’s expression darkened a bit. Anger and shame were floating in it.
“I’m curious. Don’t you regret it now?” Shen Dai stared at You Xinghai without blinking, “It’s really karma. Now that you’ve failed miserably, my dad is very happy.”
You Xinghai narrowed his eyes: “I’m happy for you. After all, you shed half of my blood. So I’ll get a share of your victory, it’s reasonable.”
Shen Dai sneered: “It’s a pity that your strength is pulled in the wrong direction.”
“Really, the Qu family father and son have been avoiding me. But today I received a call from Qu Moyu to have a talk with me.”
“I’ll tell you the truth. Just when you told Qu Shen of Qiuqiu’s pheromone level, they forced me to sign and took away Qiuqiu’s custody.”
You Xinghai stared, “What?!”
“You think Qu Moyu broke the engagement with the Zhou family and took us home again, was it just because he wanted to marry me and give a status to Qiuqiu?” Shen Dai changed to a flash of anger, “Before the Qu family knew of Qiuqiu’s pheromone level, they didn’t even want Qiuqiu. Yes, I just want to use a little money for them to send to us. Zhou Xiaochu couldn’t accept this and broke off the marriage, but even if Qiuqiu was an S-class alpha, the Qu family would not let me in. On the surface, they were kind to me. It was just for the sake of the child. You broke this news to them and they don’t even pretend to be kind to me.”
You Xinghai looked at Shen Dai suspiciously.
“I originally had the opportunity to work step by step to achieve the ultimate goal. But now you have ruined it.” Shen Dai said angrily, “I have no custody and the Qu family can abandon me at any time!”
“Impossible. I saw it. Qu Moyu has feelings for you. He has been making moves for the past two days to solve the problem of the debt.” You Xinghai increased his tone, “You are Qiuqiu’s omega father after all. He will not leave you alone.”
“‘Feelings’.” Shen Dai sneered, “You also had some ‘feelings’ for my dad back then. But would you marry him? You’re gonna look for someone who matches your status.”
You Xinghai was at a loss for words.
“Once Qu Moyu finds out that the cost of solving this matter is too high, he will not care about me. Do you think I am worth hundreds of millions? He said that day that I have no assets in my name and it doesn’t matter if I have debts. He just told me to follow him.” Shen Dai said slowly, “At that time, I won’t get anything.”
You Xinghai’s face turned more and more gloomy: “What is your purpose for coming to me?”
“To help you and to help me too.” Shen Dai said coldly, “I don’t want to borrow money for the rest of my life and always look at the faces of the Qu family. If he doesn’t want me one day, I will have no parenting relationship with Qiuqiu. Can’t I get anything?”
You Xinghai nodded: “Yes, you think very well.”
“I have no choice. Although I hoped for your downfall, now we are the only people of the same interests.” Shen Dai He didn’t hide his disgust, “If you want to get money from the Qu family, the key is not me, but Qiuqiu.”
“Go on.”
“I only have one card left in my hand, but it is the ace. Although I don’t have custody of Qiuqiu, before the child is three years old, unless the mother is incapacitated, no one can separate us. Qiuqiu will always be with me.”
You Xinghai’s eyes lit up: “What do you mean?…”
“I can’t go anywhere now and I don’t have any money in my hands. I still live in Qu Moyu’s house. You can find a hidden place first. Help me and Qiuqiu settle down and then send us abroad. At that time, you have the leverage to negotiate with the Qu family.” Shen Dai whispered, “To get the money. But we have to give half to each other.”
You Xinghai tightened his jaw and lowered his eyes. He was obviously thinking about it.
“You Xinghai, this is our last chance. If you don’t believe me, just watch. Even if Qu Moyu is willing to help me with the lawsuit, it’s normal for it to drag on for a few years. Even if you win, as long as the Qu family doesn’t help me repay the debt, you can’t get the money even if you sell me. All they really care about is the child.”
You Xinghai said solemnly, “You’re right.”
A cold light flashed in Shen Dai’s eyes.
“Let me make a good plan.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for your news. Don’t delay it too long.” Shen Dai looked at You Xinghai frowning and thinking. The hatred in his eyes shot out. Old hatred and new hatred accumulated in his heart. All the resentment flowed to the source of the pain in front of him who created everything with his own hands. You Xinghai wanted to drain his use value and he wanted to send You Xinghai to prison.
***
In the afternoon, Shen Dai went to the hospital to see his grandmother. Shen Qin still didn’t know what happened and didn’t tell him about running to show off to You Xinghai without authorization. But he could see that he was in a very good mood. His attitude towards Shen Dai was almost flattering and he kept asking when he would bring Qiuqiu over. He probably had countless dreams of wealth by now.
Shen Dai calmly dealt with it. Now he only needs Shen Qin to take care of his grandmother’s last days. One day when his grandmother leaves, he will never have anything to do with Shen Qin again, except only for the legal alimony.
His grandmother’s condition was getting worse and worse and she was less and less awake. He wondered if he could wait for the internal test of the experimental drug that Qu Shen had talked about. In fact, he knew that this kind of treatment was of little significance and it was nothing more than a life-threatening disease. For a longer period of time, he had the same conflicting heart as everyone facing the departing elders – both the hope that the old woman could live and the hope that the old woman would no longer suffer.
When Shen Dai dragged his tired body and mind back to the apartment, it was already past nine o’clock. As soon as he opened the door, he could smell the fragrance of Qu Moyu’s pheromones. Qu Moyu was standing in front of the big French window, holding Qiuqiu in his arms. They are looking at the traffic at their feet. The father and son stroked the breath of the glass with their fingers. It is the most warm and ordinary picture of an interaction between parent and child.
Hearing the movement, Qu Moyu held Qiuqiu and turned around. When he saw Shen Dai, there was a hint of timidity between his brows, which was probably the look on this S-class alpha’s face that had never appeared before. But it was so fleeting. There’s no place for him to put down the S-class alpha in his arms. The small child wanted to grab at Shen Dai with his small hands. Every time Shen Dai goes home, Qiuqiu is as excited as a puppy seeing his master.
Shen Dai took Qiuqiu over. He coaxed him for a while and then handed him over to the nanny. He knew that Qu Moyu had something to say.
Qu Moyu sat next to Shen Dai: “Ah Dai, have you done with everything today?”
“Attorney Chen should report to you.” Shen Dai said indifferently.
“I have two things I want to tell you. One is about your grandmother and the other is about You Xinghai. Which one do you want to hear first?”
Shen Dai looked at him: “Is it about the quota for the experimental drug? Qu Shen told me.”
“Yes. Everything is ready. You only need to sign some documents for treatment. This medicine works very well and it will definitely prolong your grandmother’s life.”
Shen Dai’s hands were lightly folded and clenched. His heart was aching. And he said softly, “I don’t know…”
“What?” Qu Moyu couldn’t hear it clearly.
“I don’t know if I should make a choice for my grandma.” Shen Dai closed his eyes and in his mind, came the appearance of his grandmother. She came from a wealthy family and has always been a delicate and decent woman. Even if she lives in an old rental house, there is a bouquet of flowers every day. But the mutation of her family, the betrayal of her son, the death of her husband, and her illness have tortured her to such an extent. Does she want to continue such a life? He does not know.
Qu Moyu gently stroked Shen Dai’s shoulder: “I understand what you are thinking. You don’t have to decide in a hurry. I will arrange for you to communicate with the experimental team first to see what they can do for your grandmother. Maybe by then you will have some confidence to know what to do.”
Shen Dai glanced at Qu Moyu and felt a little touched in his heart.
“Now let’s talk about You Xinghai.” Qu Moyu’s eyes suddenly turned cold, “You Xinghai has spent several years secretly transferring a lot of assets to foreign countries before and after my acquisition. Even if he is bankrupt and in debt in China, there is enough wealth abroad for the family to enjoy for the rest of their lives. But he was unwilling to go down like that. He wanted to turn over with a sigh of relief. I have hired the best team of lawyers to sort out the assets he smuggled into country M. I have multiple cooperative relationships with him, have affiliated companies, and have many references to him. I will file a lawsuit with him in the country and abroad at the same time, which will really hit his lifeline.”
Shen Dai thought for a moment: “Really?” If it’s really true, Qu Moyu wanted to bring down You Xinghai as much as possible. It was more ruthless than him for only wanting You Xinghai to go to jail. Since it is a cooperative relationship, the stakes must be two-way. To do so would be a huge risk.
“I originally cared about my past friendships. He and You Baiyue harassed me over and over again and I didn’t plan to punish him.” Qu Moyu’s eyes were fierce and cold, “but since he dares to mess with you, he is digging his own grave…”
֍֍֍
Next update: 2022.09.08
֍֍֍
*Translator’s note: Totally off topic, but I watched ‘The Sandman’ lately and I really love it. You guys can check the series out on Netflix. And I saw SQC posted a short story on her weibo. I haven’t read it yet since I’ve been busy as hell but I think it’s not BL? I’m not sure. Do let me know if you guys have read it. Thanks. -K