Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

If time could rewind, Yu Jing would never have stepped into this makeup room alone, never pushed open that wooden door, and absolutely never let her inner drama queen take over to stage this cringeworthy, melodramatic “I fell for my rival” act in front of Ming Zhu!

She’d stayed dry all day, but now she seriously wondered if her brain had sprung a leak. How else could she pull off such a mortifying, self-destructing stunt?

No need to check if Ming Zhu was grossed out, because Xiao Ya’s sudden intrusion left Yu Jing a wreck.

Still frozen in that flirty pose—arm around Ming Zhu’s neck, teasing her chin—she was jolted when Ming Zhu pushed her away.

Yu Jing stumbled, steadied, and met Ming Zhu’s complex, unreadable gaze, feeling a twinge of guilt.

“Um, Teachers…” Xiao Ya’s shock hadn’t faded, her curious eyes darting between the tense pair, cautiously saying, “Rain’s still on. Director Yang says we’ll shoot indoors first. I’m here to notify you.”

Yu Jing stood dazed, as if she hadn’t heard.

Ming Zhu smoothed her wrinkle-free clothes, her gaze restrained, flickering, and turned to Xiao Ya, low-voiced, “Go now?”

“No, no, no rush,” Xiao Ya said, glancing at the stunned Yu Jing, chuckling, “Set’s not ready, maybe half an hour. You can… continue. I won’t disturb, bye.”

…Continue what!

Yu Jing’s senses snapped back.

From Xiao Ya’s look and words, she knew the misunderstanding was huge.

As Xiao Ya retreated, thoughtfully trying to close the door, Yu Jing lunged, grabbed the door, slipped out like an eel, and slammed it shut, locking Ming Zhu and that searing gaze inside.

Xiao Ya looked puzzled, her eyes saying: There’s time, do whatever.

Yu Jing’s skin crawled, grabbing her arm, forcing a smile. “Sister Xiao Ya, it’s not what you think.”

Xiao Ya’s “no need to explain, I get it” expression gleamed with gossip, whispering, “Jingjing, don’t worry. You haven’t differentiated, but to me, you’re always a bold Alpha.”

“Thanks, thanks,” Yu Jing, now a delicate Omega, felt guilty, clearing her throat, “But just now…”

“I saw nothing,” Xiao Ya gripped her hand, barely containing excitement, “Even if Teacher Ming Zhu’s an Alpha, no issue. I don’t judge same-s3x love! I’m your fan, I’ll keep your secret!”

The more she explained, the worse it got. Yu Jing’s head throbbed, rubbing her forehead, “You’re really misunderstanding. Even if she were a sweet Omega, we’d never be a thing! We’re rivals, forgot?”

Xiao Ya nodded eagerly.

Yu Jing thought she got it, her face brightening.

But Xiao Ya, fists clenched, face flushed, squealed like she’d uncovered a bombshell, “Double-Alpha love isn’t mainstream yet, and you’re both rising stars, so you’re faking rivalry to dodge public heat, right?”

“…”

No way!

Yu Jing was floored by her wild logic, lips twitching to explain, but her peripheral vision caught a figure, swallowing her words.

Zhou Qi approached, Starbucks bag in hand, pausing at Yu Jing blocking the door, then smiling formulaically, “Going in?”

Yu Jing sidestepped, dry-laughing, “No…”

Zhou Qi nodded politely, bypassing her to open the door.

As it cracked open, cold air rushed out. Yu Jing, like she’d been burned, ignored Xiao Ya’s fantasies and bolted.

Zhou Qi entered the makeup room.

Seeing Ming Zhu, eyes down, by the vanity, she casually asked, “Changed?”

“Mm,” Ming Zhu replied flatly, looking up, “Where’d you go?”

“Got your coffee,” Zhou Qi raised the bag, noting her blank look, “Delivery guy couldn’t find the place, so I went out. Told you, didn’t you hear?”

Ming Zhu’s eyes shifted, pale lips tightening, silent.

She hadn’t heard, so when Yu Jing coughed, she thought it was Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi handed over the warm coffee, noticing her odd expression, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Ming Zhu took it, sipped, the bitter taste jolting her senses, calming her rattled heart.

Frowning slightly, she recounted Yu Jing walking in on her changing.

Even seasoned Zhou Qi was shocked, “No wonder Yu Jing looked so weird outside!”

She recalled Yu Jing’s red cheeks, evasive eyes, like a kid caught misbehaving.

Not at the “incident,” Zhou Qi, from Ming Zhu’s brief account, could imagine the awkwardness.

As if revisiting those strange, flirty moments, Ming Zhu’s brows knitted again.

Zhou Qi soothed, “Don’t dwell. She’s an Alpha too.”

Subtext: same gender, no real loss.

Ming Zhu’s frown didn’t ease, holding the coffee thoughtfully, saying out of nowhere, “She’s into double-Alpha love.”

Zhou Qi blinked, then recalled, “Right, you saw her cozy with Zhang Xu in an elevator!”

Ming Zhu pursed her lips, noncommittal.

“But… does that mean she’s into double-Alpha?” Zhou Qi rubbed her chin, “Zhang Xu’s a player, and some non-gay folks mess with him for clout. How’re you sure?”

Ming Zhu gripped the iced coffee tighter, eyes lowered, saying softly, “She admitted it.”

“Admitted?” Zhou Qi gaped, “She told you herself?”

Ming Zhu shook her head, frowning, wrestling internally before parting her lips, saying slowly, “Just now, she flirted with me.”

“…”

Yu Jing hid behind a wall ten meters from the makeup room, heart pounding, breathing ragged.

Her phone was with Xiao Ye, and both Xiao Ye and Shen Jiayu were missing. After five minutes, she spotted Xiao Ye strolling, rushing over.

“Jingjing, why’re you here?” Xiao Ye asked, puzzled.

Yu Jing pulled her aside, dodging, “Where’s Jiayu-jie?”

“Talking to the director,” Xiao Ye said.

Yu Jing nodded, then asked, “And you, where were you?”

“Bathroom,” Xiao Ye’s gaze dropped to her empty hands, delighted, “Returned the shirt?”

Yu Jing stared at her empty hands, blanking.

She’d tossed the shirt on the floor.

Why?

So both hands were free to flirt…

The suffocating scene flashed, and her cooled face burned again.

Shaking her head, ignoring Xiao Ye’s question, she tapped her shoulder, “Why didn’t you tell me you were going? I thought you were guarding the door, and Xiao Ya barged in!”

Xiao Ye’s eyes widened, “I thought you’d lock it, so I left… You didn’t?”

Yeah, why didn’t she lock it?

Stumped, Yu Jing’s heart sank, replaying the details.

If she’d asked, she wouldn’t have seen Ming Zhu naked; locking the door would’ve kept Xiao Ya out. She forgot both.

Since differentiating, her IQ seemed to plummet…

Was her unique differentiation affecting her brain???

But the doctor said she was fine.

She’d get a full brain scan after filming.

“Sorry, Jingjing, I won’t wander off again,” Xiao Ye apologized, head drooping.

It wasn’t Xiao Ye’s fault.

Sorting the cause and effect, Yu Jing softened, regretting her tone, patting her head, “Not your fault, I was careless.”

Xiao Ye, easily cheered, grinned, curious, “What’d she say?”

Recalling the double mishap, Yu Jing squirmed, eyes dodging, mumbling, “I… thanked her, anyway.”

The shirt’s cost could wait.

Xiao Ya said filming was moving indoors. To avoid overthinking, Yu Jing decided to check it out.

Guided by staff, she and Xiao Ye found the indoor pool.

Seeing the other artists, Yu Jing shifted gears, ditching her messy thoughts, joining the group to chat.

Thirsty after talking, she went for water, spotting a lone figure in a deserted corner.

Indoor lights beamed down, making the figure glow.

—Radiantly pale.

Unsure when Ming Zhu arrived, she stood out, apart from the crowd. Her skin was strikingly white, not vibrant but a refined, cool white, understated yet eye-catching, matching her aura perfectly.

Favoring black, she’d changed into athletic wear, hair dried, tied in a high, sleek ponytail, back straight, looking from afar like a proud black swan.

Yu Jing’s drinking slowed.

Not sure what she was staring at, unnoticed, she boldly studied the figure.

Such a slim waist, such long legs.

The glossy hair swished lightly, moving without wind. Yu Jing, fixated on those pale legs, didn’t notice.

Ming Zhu, as if with eyes in her back, turned.

Ahem— Too late to dodge, Yu Jing choked on water, coughing messily.

Caught.

Using it as cover, she lowered her eyes, wiping her mouth, heart racing.

After coughing, thinking Ming Zhu had looked away, she sneaked a glance, only to get caught again, “…”

Ming Zhu’s icy gaze locked on her, emotionless, chillingly pinning her.

“…” Yu Jing licked her damp lips.

“What’re you looking at?” The flat voice hid her mood.

Yu Jing didn’t expect her to speak first, slowly capping the bottle, lifting her eyes.

Stay calm.

First to crack loses.

Mentally prepped, Yu Jing boldly met her gaze, chin up, admitting, “You.”

Ming Zhu’s slender eyes narrowed, her expression turning indescribable.

Not sure what sparked it, but seeing her struggle to hold back an outburst felt… fun?

A mischievous urge rose, wanting to tease again.

Yu Jing leaned lightly on the high platform, hand propping her head, winking, voice playful, “Can’t I look when you’re that pretty?”