Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Crazy Treasure Hunt” is a celebrity reality show centered on interactive games. Each episode, the production team designates an item as the “treasure.” Guests compete individually or in teams to win clues about the treasure through games, and the first to find it wins.

Originally, filming was set to start at nine o’clock, but heavy rain disrupted everything, delaying it by an hour.

At ten o’clock, recording officially began.

As the on-site equipment started, the online streaming platform launched too.

The moment the six guests’ faces appeared under the high-definition cameras, the live stream’s waiting fans and casual viewers erupted. Comments flooded the discussion section like a geyser.

[Holy crap, the surprise guest is really Ming Zhu!!!]

[Some delusional fans keep saying Ming Zhu is all refined and pure, only focused on acting and avoiding variety shows. Pfft, she still showed up for fame.]

[Yu Jing is a regular MC too. This is obviously the production team stirring up drama by inviting Ming Zhu.]

[I downloaded the streaming app just to see Yu Jing and Ming Zhu clash. Don’t let me down.]

[Two arch-enemies recording together? This is gonna be good.]

The gossip-hungry crowd was buzzing, drowning out the fans of the other guests under the Yu Jing and Ming Zhu drama.

The guests couldn’t see the live stream interface. The six, dressed in short-sleeve shirts and shorts, lined up and introduced themselves as directed.

Chen Chen, a variety show veteran, nailed his camera angle, grinning at the lens: “Hey there, it’s your old pal Chen Chen. Miss me?”

[This guy’s a walking laugh factory. I crack up the second he opens his mouth lol.]

[Chen Chen’s got zero idol image to maintain. Who else dares to shove their face that close to the camera?]

Next to Chen Chen was Peng Ze, who shyly waved at the camera: “Hi everyone, I’m actor Peng Ze.”

Chen Chen noticed his nerves and gave him a friendly shoulder pat: “Bro, I heard your new show’s coming out soon. Spill the details.”

[Chen Chen, an Alpha, calling Peng Ze, a sweet little Omega, “bro”? Is that appropriate?]

[Peng Ze’s acting is great, and he’s cute, just not tall enough.]

Peng Ze shot Chen Chen a grateful look, his voice steadier: “My new show, ‘Chasing the Wind’, premieres this month. I play a poor high schooler, frail and insecure, always getting picked on by classmates…”

“Dude, you’re too honest! You’re killing the suspense!” Chen Chen cut him off with a laugh, turning to the camera: “Want to know what happens? Watch the show when it airs.”

Next up was Yu Jing’s introduction. She faced the camera with a bright smile, poised and confident: “Hello everyone, I’m singer Yu Jing. It’s an honor to join so many amazing seniors on “Crazy Treasure Hunt”. I’m new here and clueless, so I hope the seniors will be patient with me. Over the next twelve episodes, I’ll do my best to bring you all joy. Thank you.”

She finished with a perfect ninety-degree bow.

It was a carefully crafted opening, dripping with humility and respect, but haters still pounced:

[Wow, calling herself a singer with no notable work?]

[Yu Jing debuted as a singer. She was in a group called KISS, but it disbanded in less than a year. Two of the four members quit the industry, except her and Wu Danni.]

[She was in a group with Wu Danni? Wu Danni’s killing it now. Look at her? No wonder she’s a nobody—good looks, nothing else.]

[All that “senior” talk. Such a kiss-up.]

[The other five guests have works and fame. Is she even worthy of being their partner?]

[Why did the show invite a nobody like Yu Jing? Is there some shady deal?]

Though Yu Jing’s loyal fans fought back in the comments, it was a public platform, and the haters’ numbers overwhelmed them.

Next, Xiao Yihuan and Xie Haichao introduced themselves. Xiao Yihuan’s sweet appearance won her great audience appeal; Xie Haichao, a dependable veteran actor, got near-universal praise in the comments.

Finally, it was Ming Zhu’s turn, the center of attention.

Compared to the others’ excitement, Ming Zhu was eerily calm, like she wasn’t even there for a show. Dressed in all black, her skin pale as snow, she stood coldly at the end, gazing calmly at the camera. Her words were as concise as ever: “Hello, I’m Ming Zhu.”

As her voice landed, another wave of comments exploded:

[Oof, that was icy.]

[Feels a bit fake.]

[Ming Zhu has zero variety show vibe. Why did the show invite her?]

[She’s super aloof, but let’s be real—her looks and figure are insane. Are those long legs even real?]

[Same Alpha status, but compared to Ming Zhu, Yu Jing’s a total flop.]

[Hurry up, I want to see them fight!]

Thanks to starring in two hit dramas, Ming Zhu had high public recognition and plenty of casual fans. But her aloof personality split opinions—haters and fans were about evenly matched.

Too cold to approach, even Chen Chen, the mood-maker, didn’t dare prod Ming Zhu to say more. The awkward silence lingered for a few seconds until Yang Ming broke it by announcing the game rules.

Yang Ming: “We’ll split into teams for the games. Three guys, three girls, so three teams. There are six cups of bitter melon juice on the table, each with a number on the bottom. Finish the drink to see it, and the guy and girl with matching numbers team up. Let’s draw now.”

Hearing this, Yu Jing’s anxious heart eased a bit. Guy-girl pairs meant she and Ming Zhu couldn’t be teamed up. Perfect!

The live stream’s gossip crowd groaned in disappointment:

[The director’s dropping the ball. Pairing Yu Jing and Ming Zhu would’ve been the real drama!]

[If they were a team, they’d probably come in dead last since neither would cooperate lol.]

The six cups of bitter melon juice were split into two rows. Xiao Yihuan picked one up, sniffed it, and her face scrunched like a bun: “Director, can I just pour it out?”

Yang Fan’s face was stone-cold: “No. You have to drink it.”

Except for the expressionless Ming Zhu, the other five grimaced as they forced down the juice.

The numbers appeared, revealing the teams: Yu Jing and Chen Chen; Xiao Yihuan and Xie Haichao; Ming Zhu and Peng Ze.

Teams set, the games began.

The filming location was an aquatic park, so the games were water-related. Since it was the first recording and the six weren’t familiar with each other, Yang Ming started with a light warm-up game: the expression control challenge.

The six guests were led to a prepared area with a soft mat in the center. Each team took turns sitting on the mat. Other members had one minute to make them lose their composure without touching them. The team with the longest total time maintaining a straight face won.

The rules were clear. After Yang Ming explained, Chen Chen eagerly raised his hand: “We’ll go first.”

Xie Haichao teased: “Looks like Chen Chen’s got some confidence.”

“Of course!” Chen Chen puffed out his chest, turning to his teammate: “Jingjing, we’re definitely taking first, right?”

Yu Jing thought of his nickname, “walking meme,” and wasn’t so sure. But she played along, smiling: “I trust you, Chen Bro.”

Ten seconds on the mat, and Chen Chen was done for. Xiao Yihuan’s sweet wink hit him right in the heart, and a sleazy grin spread across his face.

“You’re out!” Xie Haichao laughed, mocking him: “Man, you’re pathetic. Couldn’t resist that little temptation?”

Caught off guard, Chen Chen doubled down: “That was for show effect, got it? If I got serious, I could last five minutes.”

“Don’t jinx it, Chen Bro, or you’ll get slapped again,” Xiao Yihuan giggled, covering her mouth.

Yu Jing wasn’t surprised by Chen Chen’s flop but didn’t dare roast him like Xie Haichao. When he looked at her apologetically, she smiled: “It’s fine, Chen Bro. Xiao Yihuan’s so cute, no Alpha could resist. I get it.”

[Yu Jing’s got some emotional intelligence.]

[Emotional intelligence? More like she’s scared she’ll do worse and is setting up an excuse.]

[Yu Jing’s such a suck-up.]

Her words seemed to hint at something. When it was her turn, Xie Haichao sent Xiao Yihuan again.

But no matter how cute or flirty Xiao Yihuan got, Yu Jing’s face didn’t budge, only her eyes moving.

“Didn’t you say no Alpha can resist Yihuan’s charm? Smile already!” Xie Haichao, frustrated, shook her shoulders.

“Foul, Haichao,” Yang Ming called out. “No physical contact. You’re out.”

“Oops, forgot.” Xie Haichao raised his hands in surrender, reluctantly letting go.

Yu Jing’s face stayed steady. In her mind, she answered his question: I’m an Omega now. Same-s3x charm doesn’t work on me.

Chen Chen cheered her on: “Jingjing, you’re killing it! Keep it up!”

Yu Jing sat calmly, waiting for the next challenger.

Peng Ze shuffled forward, scratching his head awkwardly: “I’ll tell you a joke. Once there was a little turtle…”

Yu Jing found his joke lame and held her expression for another minute.

Peng Ze retreated, defeated, and his teammate Ming Zhu stepped up.

Catching sight of her, Yu Jing instinctively closed her eyes.

“No closing eyes,” Yang Ming warned.

Yu Jing opened them, watching Ming Zhu approach, subtly shifting her posture.

Ming Zhu crouched down an arm’s length away.

Their eyes met—silent, awkward.

Her eyes were captivating, cold and distant but beautifully shaped, with long lashes and a deep, quiet intensity when she stared.

Yu Jing zoned out for a moment, fighting the urge to look away. She held the gaze, lips slightly pursed.

Facing that face alone, she could manage her expression. But her heart raced for no reason, her palms faintly sweaty.

No big deal. No one could see her inner turmoil. As long as Ming Zhu didn’t cross her line, Yu Jing was confident she could hold out.

One second, two, three… she counted silently.

Victory was close.

As long as Ming Zhu stayed silent, she’d win.

At five seconds, she saw Ming Zhu’s eyes flicker, and alarm bells rang in her head.

Ming Zhu glanced at her coolly, lips parting slightly: “Some people online say you never differentiated and might be an Omega. What’s your take?”

The flat words hit Yu Jing like a cat poked in a sore spot. She shot up, panic flashing across her face for all to see.

[Holy crap, Ming Zhu went there! That’s straight-up provocation!]

[She’s freaking out! She jumped!]

[That was brutal, right on target lol.]

[Ming Zhu doesn’t have a Weibo. How’d she know people online are questioning if Yu Jing’s an Omega?]

[No Weibo doesn’t mean she’s offline. It’s not weird to keep tabs on your rival.]

Yu Jing lost with a score of 195 seconds to Ming Zhu.

As the camera zoomed in, she snapped back, quickly masking her panic with a forced smile: “Alright, I lost.”

Out of the camera’s view, her eyes darted to Ming Zhu’s retreating figure, her mind swirling with doubt.

Did Ming Zhu know something?

Or was it just a taunt to win?

No way to know.

Her chaotic thoughts were interrupted by Chen Chen’s loud voice: “195 seconds, Jingjing, you’re amazing! I think we’ve got first!”

Yu Jing pushed her doubts aside, forcing a smile: “Chen Bro, two teams haven’t gone yet.”

Chen Chen, full of confidence, said: “With me, the comedy king, you think they won’t crack? Watch this.”

Next up were Xiao Yihuan and Xie Haichao.

Chen Chen didn’t let Yu Jing down this time. One goofy expression made Xiao Yihuan laugh in under three seconds. Xie Haichao held strong against jokes, so Chen Chen switched tactics: “Haichao, I’m still single. Hook me up with your daughter.”

Xie Haichao, a total daughter-dad, got mad and slapped him.

Chen Chen laughed: “Haichao, I wanna call you Dad.”

Xie Haichao failed at 53 seconds.

Then it was Peng Ze and Ming Zhu’s turn.

Peng Ze’s willpower was weak. Chen Chen just complimented his cute tiger teeth, and he shyly covered his face, failing at 11 seconds.

When Ming Zhu sat silently on the mat, the set and live stream went quiet.

Everyone thought she’d be the toughest to crack, and they were right.

No matter how funny Chen Chen got, Ming Zhu’s face stayed cold. Xiao Yihuan’s flirty tactics didn’t work either.

Xie Haichao, out of ideas, tried an emotional appeal: “Ming Zhu, we’re all actors. My wife’s your fan. Can you smile for her sake? You’re making this boring with no expression. It’s holding up the shoot.”

“I bet Sister Ming Zhu could sit like this all day,” Xiao Yihuan whispered.

Ming Zhu glanced at her blankly, unmoved.

Just when everyone was stumped, Yu Jing, watching from the side, rolled up her sleeves: “Let me try.”

Chen Chen nudged her shoulder: “It’s on you, Jingjing. Make her crack in a minute!”

A minute? Too long.

Under five seconds to reclaim her pride from Ming Zhu’s win.

Yu Jing humbly said, “I’ll try,” and stepped up to Ming Zhu. No prep needed. She met Ming Zhu’s calm eyes and flashed a radiant smile.

Ming Zhu froze, a bad feeling creeping in…

Yu Jing’s eyes sparkled like clear springs, her face pure, her smile harmless. Looking at Ming Zhu, she said slowly, “Black. Lace. Underwear.”

Ming Zhu’s fingers twitched on her lap, her tight lips quivering slightly.

Chen Chen shouted: “She moved! She moved!”

The tiny reaction was clear to everyone on set and the live stream, but the comments were all question marks:

[Why did “black lace underwear” make Ming Zhu crack??? What’s the joke?]

[I thought Yu Jing was gonna throw shade too. What’s with “black lace underwear”?]

[Is this their secret code? But why black lace underwear???]

[Those words feel so flirty. Underwear, black… Are they hinting at something? I’m totally lost.]

[Is there some secret between them?]

Amid the gasps, Yu Jing, basking in her victory, looked at Ming Zhu’s subtle expression and smugly raised an eyebrow.

Question my gender?

Bring it on. Let’s both play dirty.