UNCLTRD chapter 47

Shouldn’t he be angry?

After realizing Yang Shao and Yang Tao were missing, Chen Qiusu had immediately checked the surveillance footage with the staff, and found the two of them in the video.

They had been playing in the snow, but somehow Yang Shao had taken Yang Tao out of the designated area.

Chen Qiusu replayed the footage several times and finally spotted a small detail. In the unclear footage, he could see Yang Shao taking off his own scarf and wrapping it around Yang Tao’s neck. When had Yang Tao lost his scarf? Even Chen Qiusu hadn’t noticed.

He thought back—on the way to the restaurant, Yang Tao had still had his scarf on, but it was gone by the time they were playing with the snowmobiles. The scarf must have been lost either in the restaurant or on the way to it. The direction they left in was also toward the restaurant.

The staff at the snowfield quickly contacted the restaurant, and indeed, the scarf was found, but no one had come to claim it.

Chen Qiusu wondered if something had happened to them on the way to the restaurant. Had their snowmobile broken down? Or had they gotten lost?

Now, it seemed his suspicion was spot on.

Chen Qiusu didn’t answer Yang Shao’s question and abruptly changed the subject, “You and Yang Tao go take a hot bath first.”

Yang Shao had been eyeing the outdoor hot spring, but at this moment, he dared not bring it up. He took Yang Tao into the bathroom. The hotel bathtub was nice, and a hot bath seemed worth the trouble.

Yang Shao’s frostbite was on his face, and the hot water made him feel relaxed, his stiff joints gradually returning to normal. He stretched out comfortably.

Yang Tao, however, had it worse. His frostbite was on his bottom, and being sensitive to heat, the slightly hot water irritated him. He couldn’t sit still.

Yang Shao thought that after the bath, Chen Qiusu’s anger would have dissipated, but Chen Qiusu still wore a serious face and didn’t say anything.

He tried to appease Chen Qiusu with a smile, “You’re not really still mad, are you?”

Chen Qiusu, who was usually gentle, snapped back, “What do you think?”

Yang Shao, used to Chen Qiusu’s calm demeanor, was surprised. This was the first time he felt the inherent pressure of an alpha. He continued to smile awkwardly.

“Ah… I didn’t expect that going back for a scarf would make us go the wrong way. With this thick snow, everything looks the same…”

“You know how heavy the snow is,” Chen Qiusu interrupted sharply. “Do you realize how dangerous that was?! I told you to wait for me, so why didn’t you? Why didn’t you wait when I was just going back to the room?”

For the first time, Yang Shao felt completely at a loss, unable to say anything. He could only let Chen Qiusu vent his frustration.

In truth, if he had to explain, it was probably because having Chen Qiusu by his side made him relax, let go of the tensions and worries of life, and feel truly at ease. Even when causing trouble, he knew someone would be there for him. He felt free, indulgent, and even let down his guard against danger.

“I…”

Yang Tao looked back and forth between his two fathers. Seeing Yang Shao retreat step by step, he grabbed onto Chen Qiusu’s coat hem and said, “Dad, I was the one who wanted to go get the scarf. It was the one Grandma gave me, and I didn’t take good care of it.”

That soft “Dad” didn’t carry the desperate tone from the snowy ground earlier, but it was enough to make Chen Qiusu’s heart tremble. Was this something Yang Shao had just taught him to plead for leniency now? Regardless of the motive, Chen Qiusu’s emotions calmed significantly.

Yang Shao instinctively averted his gaze, avoiding Chen Qiusu’s face. He had a nagging feeling that Chen Qiusu might have sensed something and would soon question him.

But just then, there was a knock at the door. Chen Qiusu cast a deep look at Yang Shao before going to answer it. Yang Shao exchanged a quick glance with his son, and the two of them shrugged in unison.

The person outside the door spoke softly, their words unclear. When Chen Qiusu returned, he was holding two hot water bags, frostbite ointment, and two steaming cups of milk.

He handed one of the milk to Yang Tao, then passed one of the hot water bags to Yang Shao. Yang Shao murmured a polite “thank you,” and this time, Chen Qiusu didn’t ignore him. Chen Qiusu glanced at him with what seemed like a trace of helplessness, but Yang Shao couldn’t get a good look before Chen Qiusu carried Yang Tao to the bed.

Yang Tao lay on the bed, licking his lips. His pants were halfway down, exposing his reddened bottom. The frostbitten area stood out slightly darker in color.

Chen Qiusu gave a brief warning, “Yang Tao, Uncle…”

Having been called “Dad” several times, Chen Qiusu was at a loss for what to call himself. He opted to drop the title altogether. “We’ll apply a hot compress now.”

Even though he was mentally prepared, Yang Tao still flinched from the heat of the hot water bag. “It hurts, it hurts!”

Yang Shao was holding his own hot water bag against his frostbitten face, grumbling internally. Chen Qiusu was so attentive to Yang Tao but strict with him. Just as he sat down on the bed, Chen Qiusu suddenly spoke.

“Call home. My parents are still worried.”

Yang Shao obediently muttered an “okay,” took a deep breath, and dialed the number. The phone barely rang twice before Chen Qiusu’s mother’s anxious voice came through.

“Hello?”

Grandma’s voice came from the background too. “Is it Yang Shao calling?”

At that moment, guilt surged within Yang Shao. His carelessness had caused such a commotion, making the elderly grandmother stay up late, worried and waiting for news.

“Mom, it’s me, Yang Shao. Both Yang Tao and I are fine. Don’t worry.”

Yang Tao, adjusting to the “torture device” on his bottom, lifted his head and echoed, “Grandma! Dad came to get us back!”

Hearing both their voices, Chen’s mother’s voice grew tearful. She was afraid that Chen Qiusu might sugarcoat the situation, and only truly felt reassured after hearing both Yang Shao and Yang Tao speak. Any words of reprimand or worry stuck in her throat, replaced with, “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters…”

Yang Shao had braced for a scolding, but Chen Qiusu’s parents only urged them to rest early and return home first thing in the morning.

After hanging up, Yang Shao felt a mix of emotions. He was still debating how to properly admit fault to Chen Qiusu when Yang Tao beat him to it.

“The wind was so strong on the mountain. Daddy let me hide in his clothes, but I still felt cold.”

“Dad, we almost didn’t see you again. I’m so glad you found us.”

Although Chen Qiusu was talking to Yang Tao, his words seemed to be a subtle scolding to Yang Shao. “You promised me you’d wait for me. No more running off next time okay?”

Yang Tao was quick to agree, unlike Yang Shao, who struggled to climb down from his high horse.

The hotel room was cozy, and Yang Tao, his bottom warmed by the hot water bag, felt a tingling itch. Unable to scratch it, he shifted his hand to scratch his foot instead.

Noticing this movement, Chen Qiusu saw Yang Tao’s frostbitten, sockless foot. His big toe was bright red.

With a sigh, he took Yang Tao’s foot in his hand and gently rubbed it until it warmed.

Surrounded by his alpha father’s scent, Yang Tao, having used up his energy in the snowy terrain, soon fell fast asleep, clutching his pillow.

With Yang Tao asleep, the room fell eerily quiet. Yang Shao knew his son had demonstrated how to apologize, and he shouldn’t continue holding out. He ought to admit his mistake sincerely.

“Umh…” Yang Shao’s stubborn pride made a last-ditch effort. Unfortunately for him, Chen Qiusu was determined not to let him off easily this time. Left with no choice, Yang Shao grabbed Chen Qiusu’s arm and muttered, “Fine, fine! I was wrong, okay?”

Chen Qiusu remained unmoved. What kind of apology was that?

Internally cursing, Yang Shao kept his grip on Chen Qiusu’s arm, mentally preparing himself. He corrected his tone and earnestly said, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken Yang Tao all over the place. I made you worry, made Mom and Dad, and even Grandma worry… I was wrong…”

Though not as sincere as Yang Tao, it was a step forward for Yang Shao.

Chen Qiusu finally looked at him directly. Grasping his chin, he examined the frostbite on his cheek.

Yang Shao had clearly gone out of his way to protect Yang Tao in his arms. It wasn’t fair to stay mad at him for that.

“You have no idea how worried I was when I couldn’t find you two. Who could have imagined two people disappearing into thin air?”

Yang Shao had learned his lesson and nodded along. “I know, I know, sorry.”

What a relief it had only been a false alarm. But that false alarm had turned all his worry, fear, and panic into anger the moment he found Yang Shao.

“Yang Tao is just a kid—he doesn’t understand. But don’t you know better?”

Being lectured, Yang Shao felt an unusual sense of shame. Embarrassed, he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

“You were by my side. I let my guard down. I didn’t even consider if it was dangerous. It was just one road, right? Who knew I’d remember it wrong, and so did Yang Tao…”

Chen Qiusu froze for a moment, lowered his eyes, and controlled his expression, almost failing to keep it together in front of Yang Shao. If Yang Tao was good at sweet-talking, then once Yang Shao was willing to lower himself, he was pretty good at flattery too.

“There’s no need to rush back for the check-up tomorrow, right?”

“We absolutely have to,” Chen Qiusu said, unusually firm for once. “Otherwise, how can the elders feel at ease?”

Fine, since the elders were brought into it, what else could Yang Shao say? He muttered under his breath, “It’s all Yang Tao’s fault. I wanted to try the hot spring here. I’ve never soaked in a hot spring in my entire life…”

After applying medicine to Yang Tao, Chen Qiusu helped him put on his pants, adjusted his sleeping position to make him more comfortable, and then turned Yang Shao’s head to apply medicine.

Yang Shao grimaced. “You touched Yang Tao’s butt and feet, and now you’re touching my face?”

Chen Qiusu pretended not to hear and casually placed the frostbite ointment on the bedside table. He got up, went to the bathroom to wash his hands, and came back to say to Yang Shao, “We’re not leaving until tomorrow morning. If you want to soak, I’ll join you.”

Soaking with Chen Qiusu? That wouldn’t feel like enjoyment—it’d be torture. Yang Shao wanted to crawl under the blanket and sleep next to Yang Tao, but Chen Qiusu didn’t give him the chance. He walked to the bed and hoisted Yang Shao up over his shoulder.

The floor-to-ceiling windows were tightly shut, the curtains drawn securely. Yang Tao was sprawled on the bed, sleeping like a starfish, so deeply that even the pressure on his injured butt didn’t wake him.