Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Midsummer.

6 0’clock in the evening, at the makeup room of Light and Shadow Media’s artists.

Manager Shen Jiayu hurried in to announce the red carpet partner for tonight was finalized, just as Yu Jing finished changing into her gown.

“Which little sweet Omega is it?” Her captivating peach-blossom eyes flicked up, her voice tinged with a smile.

“No little sweet Omega.” Shen Jiayu’s expression tightened slightly as she said, “It’s an Alpha.”

“Two Alphas on the red carpet? That’s so boring.” Yu Jing’s interest waned. Seeing her assistant raise a phone to take her picture, she quickly switched expressions, striking poses for the camera.

*Click—*

Xiao Ye pressed the shutter.

“Alpha enough?” Yu Jing asked eagerly.

“Super Alpha!” Xiao Ye scurried over with the phone. As Yu Jing looked at the photos, Xiao Ye couldn’t help but say, “But Jingjing, you still haven’t differentiated. What if you end up as a Beta or even an Omega—ow!”

Yu Jing flicked her forehead hard, saying firmly, “My genetic test says I’m definitely an Alpha, nothing else. Say that again, and I’ll bite you.”

Xiao Ye rubbed her reddened forehead, pouting.

Yu Jing softened, moved her hand away, and blew gently on the spot to soothe her. After calming her, she sauntered to the mirror, admiring her stunning beauty while casually asking Shen Jiayu, “Which Alpha is it? Do I know them?”

“You do.”

“Who?”

“Ming Zhu.”

Yu Jing’s hand, adjusting her false eyelashes, trembled, nearly pulling them off. She turned, wide-eyed, “Who?”

Shen Jiayu looked at her beautiful but shocked eyes and added slowly, “The Ming Zhu you don’t get along with.”

“…”

The name Ming Zhu was all too familiar to Yu Jing.

Not because she was currently the lead in a hit TV drama, but because of their past conflict.

Exactly a year ago, at the same fashion gala.

While walking the red carpet, Yu Jing ran into Ming Zhu and approached her, hoping to get an autograph for a friend. But the actress, more famous for her work than her personality, was incredibly arrogant, ignoring her completely and giving her a cold glare before walking away. The live broadcast captured it all, and that night, Yu Jing landed on her first-ever trending topic, tied to Ming Zhu’s icy stare.

The organizers surely knew about this. Pairing them for the red carpet—wasn’t that asking for trouble?

“Can we change it?” She bit her lower lip, her red lips and white teeth striking, her face radiant but her brows knotted with worry.

Shen Jiayu, who had clearly considered this, shook her head. “No.”

“Can I skip it then?”

“Offend the organizers, and you might lose any chance to work with their magazine in the future.”

“…”

Teaming up with Ming Zhu was the last thing Yu Jing wanted. But as a nobody artist three years into her career with zero buzz, resources and exposure were too crucial to pass up.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the gala’s backstage lounge.

Yu Jing’s outfit today was rented—a stunning, sharp white suit. The sleek fabric made her legs look long and straight, paired with a fringed crop top that was youthful, vibrant, and subtly feminine. She’d been thrilled with the look, hoping to dazzle on the red carpet, but now her confidence wavered.

Ming Zhu was also an Alpha. Though Yu Jing didn’t know her genetic rank, last year’s brief encounter—without even sensing her pheromones—had left Yu Jing overshadowed by Ming Zhu’s commanding presence.

This time, she couldn’t lose.

After checking her makeup in the mirror several times, Yu Jing took a deep breath, regained her confidence, and followed the staff out.

Shen Jiayu pulled her back, saying, “The live broadcast has tons of viewers. No matter how much you dislike Ming Zhu, don’t show it on camera. If you can avoid talking to her, don’t.”

Yu Jing blinked to show she understood.

It was just walking the red carpet with her rival. As long as she wasn’t embarrassed, the embarrassment would be on someone else. Yu Jing silently reassured herself.

A luxury car waited at the entrance.

The staff opened the back door for her. As Yu Jing bent to get in, her nose caught a unique, faint fragrance.

Drawn in, she turned her head and looked up.

Her eyes met a pair of amber ones.

Cold and emotionless, like a frozen spring atop a mountain, gazing down with aloof disdain.

Yu Jing faltered for a moment, staring at that face. Realizing who it was, she slowly straightened, her expression shifting unconsciously.

In her mind, she silently said the name: Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu saw her too.

Yu Jing’s heart tightened inexplicably, her mind racing, wondering how to handle another awkward moment like last year.

Before she could figure it out, those cold eyes had already looked away.

A flat glance, then a flat shift elsewhere.

The tall woman across from her treated her like she was invisible, not even twitching an eyebrow. She turned her head, continuing to listen to the staff beside her.

“…”

Yu Jing felt a twinge of discomfort. This silent eye contact seemed like Ming Zhu had backed down first, but Yu Jing didn’t feel like she’d won at all.

Holding back her frustration, she slid into the car.

Then Ming Zhu got in too.

Stay calm, stay calm—don’t let small things ruin the big plan. Yu Jing kept giving herself mental pep talks, pretending not to care. She pulled out her phone, but her eyes couldn’t help stealing a glance.

She had to admit, the woman’s bone structure was striking—sharp, distinct, and unique, the kind of face that stuck in your memory. No wonder she’d starred as the lead in two massively popular dramas.

Even Yu Jing, who prided herself on her looks, had to admit Ming Zhu was beautiful.

Too bad her rotten attitude wasted that face.

Yu Jing sighed inwardly, her eyes slowly scanning Ming Zhu’s outfit—a plain black gown, no accessories at all.

Yet, on her, the simplest of dresses didn’t look the least bit dull.

Those amber eyes gazed ahead calmly, her posture straight, an aura of “keep your distance” surrounding her.

Yu Jing felt like she was sitting next to a human air conditioner.

She put her phone away, bored, and started rolling up her sleeve. The thin metal chain on her right wrist clinked softly, the sound amplified in the confined space.

When she’d rolled it up a third of the way, she sensed a gaze on her. Yu Jing’s eyes shot up, catching the sneaky look red-handed.

…Ming Zhu was sneaking a glance at her?

Yu Jing was surprised. A “What are you looking at?” nearly slipped out, but remembering last year’s cold glare, she stopped herself.

In the end, she bit her tongue and stayed silent.

Ming Zhu, of course, didn’t speak either. It seemed like a casual glance, her eyes lingering on Yu Jing’s pale wrist for a moment before casually moving away.

The black sedan crawled for five minutes before reaching the venue. Before the driver could open the door, Yu Jing hopped out.

Finally free of that woman’s icy vibe, she found the humid air almost refreshing and took a deep breath.

The moment they appeared, the live stream’s audience went wild:

[The organizers paired *them* for the red carpet? Aren’t they afraid they’ll fight?]

[Drama’s more fun! Let’s see some chaos—I’ve got my popcorn ready.]

[What’s their beef? Anyone know the tea?]

[Two Alphas don’t need a reason—they’re naturally competitive, wanting to dominate each other.]

[But Yu Jing hasn’t differentiated yet, right? Who knows if she’ll even be an Alpha.]

[Undifferentiated or not, our Jingjing is the Alpha-est! Love you, Jingjing!]

[Beef or no beef, these two are probably the hottest red carpet duo tonight. Yu Jing’s gorgeous—why isn’t she famous? Ming Zhu’s so aloof, her vibe is unreal.]

[Seeing them walk together, I’m already cringing so hard I could dig a three-bedroom apartment with my toes.]

Two Alphas meeting, especially sworn enemies, had most netizens betting they’d clash. Unaware of the online frenzy, Yu Jing quickly composed herself, flashed a professional smile, and waved to the fans and media.

The red carpet was short—she had to seize this chance to show her best side.

Too focused on posing, she didn’t notice a cameraman lugging heavy equipment getting close.

“Jingjing, watch out!” A fan’s urgent shout came from afar.

Yu Jing turned, spotting the camera about to hit her face. She stepped back, but in her panic, forgot to mind her feet. Her thin heel caught on the carpet, her body tipped, and her heart sank.

Was she about to be the first actress to fall on the red carpet tonight?!

She didn’t want to go viral for something this humiliating!

Her body kept falling, unable to stop. Resigned, Yu Jing closed her eyes, bracing for the embarrassing crash.

But the expected pain never came. Two hands firmly caught her waist.

Amid gasps from the crowd, Yu Jing slowly opened her eyes, meeting a magnified, cool, and detached face. Her pupils shook.

Ming Zhu?

Ming Zhu had saved her?!

Her gaze darted between the hands on her waist and the face before her, utterly stunned.

[Holy crap, they’re hugging?!]

[What’s going on? Why’d Ming Zhu catch her? Let her fall, let her make a fool of herself! Aren’t they rivals?]

[Sure, it’s a save, but them hugging like this… am I crazy for thinking they look good together? Their visuals are just too strong.]

[You’re joking about them matching, right? Yu Jing’s gonna be an Alpha even if she differentiates.]

[Double Alpha romance? I’m in! Ming Zhu’s waist grab is so Alpha—I’m shipping this for a second!]

[Ew, someone’s actually into double Alpha romance? Gross.]

The mention of double Alpha romance sparked a heated debate in the comments.

The scene was chaotic, with cameras clicking faster as photographers scrambled to capture the unexpected moment.

At the center of it all, Yu Jing’s eyelashes fluttered rapidly, staring blankly at the woman holding her.

Ming Zhu’s brow twitched faintly. She quickly let go and stepped back two meters, keeping a safe distance.

Without support, Yu Jing wobbled slightly.

By the time she steadied herself, Ming Zhu had already turned away, calmly striding toward the end of the red carpet with her head held high.