Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Thud—thud—thud—

“Jingjing, what’re you doing?”

Yu Jing, banging her head in the corner, froze, turning to see Xiao Yihuan’s astonished face behind her. Her heart skipped, forcing a dry laugh, saying casually, “Nothing, just warming up for the games. Heh.”

“Head-banging’s a warm-up???” Xiao Yihuan was incredulous.

Why not? Yu Jing felt her heart racing, bl00d pumping.

But that wasn’t her goal.

After teasing Ming Zhu, when a staff member gave her a weird look, regret hit. Unsure if they overheard, once Ming Zhu was called away, she tried banging the water out of her brain.

She wasn’t dumb enough to hit the wall directly, cushioning with her hand, forehead meeting her knuckles.

Still, it looked idiotic, and she hadn’t expected Xiao Yihuan to see…

No way she’d admit the truth. Yu Jing hid her red hand behind her back, facing Xiao Yihuan’s curious eyes, insisting, “You don’t get it, it’s my special warm-up.”

“Huh?” Xiao Yihuan eyed her like a freak, clearly not buying the flimsy excuse.

Fearing more questions, Yu Jing mussed her bangs, steadied herself, and changed the subject, “You here for water too?”

Xiao Yihuan shook her head, “I was worried about you, so I followed.”

Yu Jing blinked, “Worried about what?”

Xiao Yihuan leaned closer, whispering, “I passed Ming Zhu on my way, and her face looked awful.”

Yu Jing’s eyelid twitched, voice weak, “Her bad mood’s got nothing to do with me.”

Though it was probably directly related…

Recalling Ming Zhu’s mix of “pervert” and “hooligan” glares after her teasing “Can’t I look when you’re pretty,” Yu Jing wanted to bang her head again.

Unaware of her turmoil, Xiao Yihuan rushed, “I kept an eye over here and saw you two talking. Her reaction made me think you might’ve fought.”

“…No way,” Yu Jing kept her eyes steady, feigning ease, “Filming’s soon, why would I fight? Just a few words.”

Luckily, Xiao Yihuan didn’t ask what, her tense face relaxing, “Good, no fight.”

Seeing her relieved look, Yu Jing’s mood settled, warmth spreading.

They’d only collaborated once, but being a year apart, they clicked, adding each other on WeChat, though rarely chatting privately.

Surprised by her concern, Yu Jing shed her messy emotions, smiling, “Don’t worry, I know better than to argue with her in public.”

“Mm, good,” Xiao Yihuan nodded, avoiding talk of her and Ming Zhu’s rift, adding thoughtfully, “Of the five main MCs, I only know you well. The others I barely get, so I’m shy to talk, but you feel familiar.”

Yu Jing tilted her head, eyes smiling, “Same, I don’t know them either. Glad you’re here.”

Xiao Yihuan blushed, at a loss, glancing at the busy crew by the pool, “Looks almost ready, let’s go.”

“Okay,” Yu Jing naturally took her hand.

Xiao Yihuan stiffened, staring at their joined hands, face flustered, yanking hers back.

Yu Jing’s hand closed on air, head tilting, “Don’t like holding hands?”

“No, it’s not that…” Xiao Yihuan looked torn, brushing her hair, hesitating, “Jingjing, I’m comfy with you, but…”

“What?” Yu Jing was baffled by her stammering.

“But…” Xiao Yihuan bit her lip, resolute, meeting her eyes, blurting, “You’re an Alpha, I’m an Omega, different genders. Let’s not be too close privately, or people might misunderstand.”

Yu Jing’s eyes widened, nearly blurting, “I’m an Omega too,” but caught herself, remembering her secret differentiation.

Before differentiating, she was careful with opposite genders, keeping her hug with Xiao Yihuan at the dinner polite, not too close.

But just now, touched by Xiao Yihuan’s concern, she let her guard down, instinctively grabbing her hand.

Both Omegas, hand-holding was normal, but with one hiding and the other unaware, it got awkward.

Feeling a pang of loss, Yu Jing noticed Xiao Yihuan’s troubled look, paused, and said earnestly, “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything.”

“It’s fine, just be mindful,” Xiao Yihuan gave a big smile.

Still, as Yu Jing lowered her eyes, she saw Xiao Yihuan subtly shift away, “…”

Like she feared another touch.

Amusing yet bittersweet.

The set wasn’t ready. Yang Ming barked orders through a walkie-talkie, Xie Haichao and Ming Zhu discussed something quietly, Chen Chen and Peng Ze lounged on poolside chairs, chatting.

Yu Jing and Xiao Yihuan joined them.

“What’re you talking about?” Xiao Yihuan asked.

Peng Ze sat up, smiling shyly, “First reality show, clueless, so I’m asking Chen Chen for tips before we start.”

Not Yu Jing’s first—she’d guested on two obscure online shows—but as the youngest and least prominent, she played novice, saying humbly, “Chen-ge, teach me too.”

Chen Chen, a cheerful, warm guy, wouldn’t refuse a pretty, polite girl like Yu Jing. Sitting cross-legged, he said, “Not much experience, just two words: be real.”

“But too real, and people find flaws to bash, right?” Peng Ze interjected.

“Pfft,” Chen Chen flicked his bangs, speaking like a veteran, “Audiences are picky. Even perfect, they’ll find reasons to hate. Can’t stop it.”

Yu Jing nodded deeply.

Three years debuted, she’d done various gigs, with few camera moments, always giving her all, yet haters and trolls still nitpicked.

Peng Ze, a focused actor, hadn’t faced this, hence his concern.

Chen Chen said sagely, “Don’t wanna be real, you set a persona. Success brings perks, but if it collapses, you’re done. Better to be yourself from the start.”

His words risked offense, as personas were common in the industry, no secret. No one dared respond, exchanging glances.

As the mood tensed, a deep voice cut in, “You sure don’t hold back.”

Yu Jing followed it, seeing Xie Haichao, then Ming Zhu behind him, their eyes meeting briefly.

“…” Before catching Ming Zhu’s expression, Yu Jing looked away.

Seeing Ming Zhu’s face now triggered memories of her mortifying moments, heart skipping beats.

Xie Haichao, a senior, made Chen Chen curb his bold words, grinning cheekily, “They asked, so I’m just talking.”

Xie Haichao thumped his shoulder, not scolding, “Go on, I wanna hear.”

Encouraged, Chen Chen cleared his throat, “Key to reality shows: let loose. If you’re stiff, viewers won’t care, and you’ll get no screen time. Last show I did, this female guest…”

Yu Jing listened intently at first, then zoned out, eyes drifting to Xie Haichao’s side, sneaking glances at that figure.

Of the six, Ming Zhu was likely the most reserved, right? With a gorgeous face she kept icy, her mouth barely moving, saying little all day.

Yu Jing thought she joined to fill in and cash out, but saw her listening to Chen Chen’s advice, seemingly serious?

Surprised, she stole extra looks.

Maybe too blatant, Ming Zhu sensed it, eyes shifting, head turning, meeting her gaze.

Their eyes locked, Ming Zhu’s smooth brow creased faintly, her look cryptic.

Yu Jing touched her warm ears, eyes darting, pretending to casually look away.

Chen Chen rambled ten minutes, Yu Jing half-listening.

The guys went to help move equipment, Ming Zhu walked off alone, and Yu Jing and Xiao Yihuan sat on rest chairs.

“Chen-ge’s talk made me more nervous,” Xiao Yihuan gripped the chair arms, brows furrowed, “Jingjing, you nervous?”

Yu Jing thought, “A bit.”

Her first big reality show, livestreamed online, impossible not to be.

Nervous, Xiao Yihuan chattered nonstop. Yu Jing listened patiently, teasing her occasionally.

“By the way, Jingjing, we’re grouping for games later. Who do you most want?” Xiao Yihuan pivoted.

Anyone but Ming Zhu, Yu Jing was fine. Meeting her sparkling eyes, she smiled, “You, of course.”

Xiao Yihuan stared, teasing knowingly, “Why me?”

Her dimples showed when she smiled, tempting Yu Jing to touch, but halfway, recalling her “no closeness” rule, she veered, brushing a stray hair, chuckling, “Cause you’re adorable.”

“Really?” Xiao Yihuan’s eyes brightened, fake lashes fluttering.

“Totally, cutest girl I’ve met.”

Yu Jing praised freely, seeing her sweet smile, thinking untimely: If she hadn’t become an Omega, she’d probably date a sweet Omega like Xiao Yihuan.

Too bad fate nixed her flirting dreams.

Xiao Yihuan’s cheeks pinked, lips parting, hesitating, “Then…”

She stopped, eyes flicking behind Yu Jing, mouth agape, expression odd.

Puzzled, Yu Jing craned her neck, spotting a tall figure standing rigidly behind her, nearly jumping.

Ming Zhu, silent, stood there.

Yu Jing hadn’t noticed!

Her toes curled, but she stayed still, looking up to meet her gaze.

Ming Zhu held a water bottle, as if passing by, pausing after overhearing. She said nothing, gaze quietly dropping, emotions veiled by long lashes, flickering, unreadable.

Yu Jing couldn’t decipher it, her stare inexplicably making her guilty.

Like she was a player, flirting with Ming Zhu earlier, now hitting on a sweet Omega, and getting caught…