Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The night sparkled with stars.

Photographers on both sides eagerly shouted, “Ming Zhu, look this way!” Her features were camera-ready, her aura otherworldly, and everyone wanted her shot. But she didn’t seem to crave the spotlight, nodding politely without lingering, crossing the red carpet in just over ten seconds.

[Last round, that Li Xiaotong took five minutes and wouldn’t budge. Why’s Ming Zhu so fast? The camera crew could barely keep up.]

[Obviously, she didn’t want to walk with Yu Jing.]

[It’s not because of Yu Jing, okay? She was like this last year too. She doesn’t care about the cameras, just here to make an appearance.]

[Real talk, if Ming Zhu wasn’t so low-key, she’d be the hottest actress by now. Her looks, vibe, and acting are flawless.]

[Fans, stop hyping her up. Ming Zhu’s got terrible people skills, barely any friends. Last year’s live broadcast where she snubbed Yu Jing shows her low EQ. People like that don’t get famous.]

[Tch, Yu Jing’s stans are so salty. No matter how you drag Ming Zhu, your fave’s still a nobody. Her group disbanded in less than a year, and she’s got no notable work after all this time. Total flop. Ming Zhu’s got two top-rated dramas as the lead. How’s your fave even comparing? Flops shouldn’t try to ride her coattails, thanks.]

[Yu Jing’s only nineteen, with a bright future. Ming Zhu’s twenty-five, an old hag.]

[Twenty-five is old? Are you weaned yet?]

[Yu Jing’s stans are such elementary school kids.]

[Can you two fandoms take it outside? This live stream’s annoying enough.]

By the time Yu Jing snapped out of it and caught up, Ming Zhu was already being led inside by an usher.

Absentmindedly signing her name and giving a brief interview with the hosts, Yu Jing rounded the corner.

No more live cameras, no need to pretend. She chased after that figure. “Wait.”

The person ahead stopped but didn’t turn.

Yu Jing ran up, chilled by that indifferent gaze. She instinctively wanted to step back but held her ground.

Looking away awkwardly, she said, “Just now… thanks.”

Ming Zhu’s eyes barely grazed her, coolly saying, “No need.”

Why no need? Though Yu Jing hated owing her, fair was fair—she’d saved her, so thanks were due.

Yu Jing had that much basic decency. Her lips moved, wanting to say more.

But Ming Zhu cut her off. “I wasn’t helping you. I’d do the same for anyone.”

“…”

Yu Jing gritted her teeth at the retreating black silhouette.

Thankfully, the organizers weren’t cruel enough to seat her next to Ming Zhu.

The fashion gala was a charity auction hosted by New Vogue, attended by celebrities and socialites. Everyone brought unused items to auction, with all proceeds going to charity.

Yu Jing’s item was a bag she’d carried to an event recently. She’d splurged over 30,000 yuan on it, too precious to use often or wear to appearances. Auctioning it was perfect.

The usher brought the item to the stage. Yu Jing sat up, nervous yet excited.

Who’d buy her bag?

The usher lifted the cloth, revealing the familiar bag.

But why were there two?

Two identical bags, differing only in color, sat side by side. The white one was Yu Jing’s. Whose was the black one?

To avoid celebrity hype, items were anonymous on stage. The host and auctioneer didn’t say, just introducing the items and starting bid.

In the end, someone bought the black one. The white one went unclaimed.

Disappointed at not contributing to charity, Yu Jing felt a pang. Unsold items were returned, so after the event, she went backstage to retrieve her bag.

Spotting the black bag marked “sold” nearby, Yu Jing clutched her unwanted one, unable to resist asking, “Whose bag was this?”

If she’d known they’d clash, she’d have picked something else.

The staff replied, “This was provided by Ms. Ming Zhu.”

Yu Jing’s polite smile froze. She regretted asking, wanting to slap herself.

Why’d she have to ask? Now she was embarrassed.

Muttering a “thanks,” she turned too quickly, nearly crashing into a walking air conditioner.

Yu Jing yelped, stepping back. Her eyes met those cold ones, her heart stirring.

Ming Zhu was there to sign something, unsurprised to see her, her expression unchanged. Passing by, she paused briefly, her indifferent gaze sliding from Yu Jing’s face to the unwanted white bag in her arms, lingering for seconds.

Yu Jing sensed a challenge.

Though that gaze was calm, Yu Jing read subtext: Your bag? Trash.

The same bag—Ming Zhu’s sold for 10,000 yuan, while hers got no bids.

So frustrating.

And nothing she could do.

Yu Jing’s grip on the bag tightened unconsciously, her face forcing nonchalance. Chin up, she brushed past that figure.

The event ended, and the crowd thinned. The further out, the fewer people. At first, Yu Jing minded her public image, but her steps quickened.

Xiao Ye came to meet her, seeing her rush and look around. “What’re you looking for?”

“A trash can.”

“Over there.” Xiao Ye pointed to a pillar with a bin nearby.

Yu Jing marched over in her heels, flipping open the lid.

“Hey!” As she let go, Xiao Ye snatched the bag back, confused. “Why throw out such a nice bag?”

Yu Jing glared at it like an enemy, her voice seething through gritted teeth. “Ming Zhu brought the same item. Hers sold.”

Xiao Ye blinked. “On purpose?”

Yu Jing pursed her lips, thinking, then slowly shook her head.

It was unlikely Ming Zhu did it intentionally. The organizers didn’t share info, and no one knew who owned what before the auction.

But this coincidence irked her more, as if Ming Zhu had outdone her again.

Why did this woman always have to one-up her?

Yu Jing fumed like a boiling kettle, hands on hips, chest heaving.

Xiao Ye fanned her to cool her down, coaxing, “This bag’s so nice, cost 30,000 yuan. Throwing it out’s such a waste.”

Yu Jing’s fiery eyes sparked at the words, something clicking. She tamped down her anger, pulled out her phone. “Hold up the bag.”

Xiao Ye, puzzled but obedient, raised it.

Yu Jing snapped photos from every angle, her hands busy on the phone.

Xiao Ye leaned in, curious, and saw her manicured nails tap open WeChat, swiftly finding a contact labeled “Buys Secondhand Luxury Bags & Shoes.” It clicked.

Yu Jing’s fingers flew, chatting for a minute before pocketing her phone. Her exquisitely made-up face bloomed with a radiant smile again, fingers brushing the bag, now pleasing to her eye.

“Deal done?” Xiao Ye asked.

Yu Jing snapped her fingers, smirking. “Fifteen thousand. The buyer wants it tomorrow. Can you deliver?”

Xiao Ye happily agreed.

Transaction complete, 15,000 yuan in her pocket—5,000 more than Ming Zhu’s lousy bag. Yu Jing finally scored a win, her mood soaring. She hooked Xiao Ye’s neck, heading out.

Shen Jiayu and the car were waiting at the entrance.

Humming her own song, Yu Jing opened the door, but as she sat, Shen Jiayu said, “You and Ming Zhu are trending again.”

Unsurprised, Yu Jing buckled up, logged into Weibo, and saw the fifth trending topic: #MingZhuRedCarpetHugsYuJing. Clicking in, it was indeed the moment Ming Zhu saved her.

But that headline? Ming Zhu just steadied her waist—how was that a hug?

Trashy clickbait accounts, always exaggerating for attention.

“I didn’t expect her to help you,” Shen Jiayu chuckled softly.

Thinking of that woman’s icy face and infuriating tone in the hallway, Yu Jing’s teeth itched again. She rubbed her sore ankle, saying dryly, “She wasn’t being kind.”

Shen Jiayu glanced at her, offering no comment.

That it didn’t turn into a repeat of last year’s fiasco was already a relief for Shen Jiayu.

This was Yu Jing’s second non-purchased trending topic in her three-year career, fueled purely by her fans, Ming Zhu’s fans, and curious onlookers. Free buzz like this had to be milked.

Shen Jiayu had her post a Weibo about her upcoming single. From 9 p.m. to midnight, three hours, the comments surged to 30,000—ten times her usual engagement.

Shen Jiayu was thrilled with the promo effect, messaging her late at night, hoping the Ming Zhu-Yu Jing trend would linger.

But things didn’t go as planned.

Late that night, a bombshell dropped online: married actor Zhao Chi was caught by paparazzi checking into a hotel with an influencer. The gossip-hungry crowd swarmed, and no one cared about the Ming Zhu-Yu Jing drama anymore.

At dawn, the first rays of sunlight gently filled the room, bathing the cozy bed in gold. The sleeping beauty, lips curved, slumbered sweetly.

The red carpet scene replayed in her dream: two figures, one black, one white, stood at odds. The woman’s face was still aggravatingly gorgeous. Yu Jing charged, pinning the human air conditioner to the ground…

But before she could make her call her “daddy,” Xiao Ye shook her awake.

Sunlight stabbed her eyes, yanking her back to reality with sharp discomfort.

Her sweet dream rudely interrupted, Yu Jing was majorly pissed, grumbling with heavy morning grumpiness, “No schedules today. Leave me alone.”

Xiao Ye wouldn’t quit, tugging her blanket. “Zhao Chi cheated!”

Yu Jing snapped, “So he cheated. What’s it to me?”

“It’s totally your business!” Xiao Ye shook her shoulders. “It’s Zhao Chi, Zhao Chi! The show just announced they’re cutting ties with him.”

Yu Jing’s eyes shot open.

Zhao Chi, with over 60 million Weibo followers, was a variety show king and a regular MC on Crazy Treasure Hunt, the reality show Yu Jing was set to record in two days. A veteran with a spotless rep for over a decade.

A scandal now—wouldn’t that mess up the shoot?

Yu Jing shook her head, voice still raspy from sleep. “Is the shoot delayed?”

Xiao Ye: “Dunno. Jiayu-jie didn’t say.”

“…If she didn’t say, why’re you bugging me?!” Yu Jing raised her hand to flick Xiao Ye’s forehead. Xiao Ye dodged, so she dropped it, huffing, “If Jiayu-jie didn’t say, it’s not changed. Stop freaking out.”

With that, she flopped back onto the bed, pulled the covers over her head, and somehow fell back asleep fast.

She woke again at noon.

Seeing the time, Yu Jing jolted.

Her body clock was precise, always up at 7 a.m. sharp. Sleeping this late was unheard of.

And her sleep quality sucked—once woken, she rarely dozed off again. This deep sleep was bizarre.

Not dwelling on why her sleep suddenly improved, Yu Jing got up, washed, and showered. Emerging, she saw Xiao Ye at the dining table, eyes glued to her phone, takeout still unopened.

“What’re you looking at?” she asked casually.

Xiao Ye finally peeled her eyes from the screen, looking at her. “The show posted on Weibo. They found a replacement for Zhao Chi. Filming’s on as planned.”

Yu Jing gave a faint “oh.” No delay, no issue for her. Uninterested in gossip, she dug into the takeout.

Maybe prepping her new single had worn her out, because after eating, Yu Jing got sleepy again, yawning repeatedly. Forcing herself to stay awake, she headed to the company.

With no schedules, she’d usually spend all day in the practice room, but with the show in two days, Shen Jiayu, worried she’d overdo it, shooed her out after two hours.

Yu Jing wasn’t convinced. “Jiayu-jie, you underestimate me. I’ll be an Alpha someday, top-notch stamina. How could I not handle it?”

Shen Jiayu, who’d managed her for two years, knew her limits but cautioned,rectly, “You’re in great shape, but what if you get banged up or injured?”

Yu Jing had to obediently head home.

No dance practice, nothing to do. She pulled out the printed profiles of the other five MCs for Crazy Treasure Hunt.

Tossing Zhao Chi’s into the trash, she looked at the remaining four, propping her chin and muttering, “Who’s the new one?”

The show’s Weibo didn’t name Zhao Chi’s replacement. Remembering she had the coordinator Xiao Ya’s WeChat, Yu Jing messaged her.

Xiao Ya replied, “You’ll find out tomorrow!”

Why the suspense?

So secretive—it even piqued the usually gossip-averse Yu Jing’s curiosity.

Wondering how to coax the Omega coordinator into spilling, she heard a bang.

Xiao Ye burst through the door, rushing into the living room. “Weibo says Ming Zhu’s replacing Zhao Chi as MC!”

Yu Jing scoffed, unmoved, tossing out three words: “No way.”

That head-in-the-clouds Ming Zhu, deigning to join a chaotic reality show? With her icy, say-as-little-as-possible attitude, she had zero variety show charm. Would the footage even be watchable?

Unless the director wanted a human air conditioner to cool everyone down.

Xiao Ye, half-convinced, said, “The leaker claims they’ve got inside info. What if it is Ming Zhu?”

Yu Jing yawned lazily, pointing at the ceiling, swearing confidently, “If it’s her, I curse myself to differentiate as an Omega.”

“…” Xiao Ye choked on her words. “That’s a pretty harsh flag to plant.”

Yu Jing shrugged it off.

It was impossible, so what was there to fear?

After much coaxing, Xiao Ya wouldn’t budge on the new MC’s identity. Yu Jing wondered if her pre-Alpha charm wasn’t cutting it.

But she wasn’t one to beg. If Xiao Ya wouldn’t say, fine.

Whoever it was, it definitely wasn’t Ming Zhu.

The next day.

Yu Jing and Xiao Ye arrived in City A with their luggage.

Greeting them was Xiao Ya, the tight-lipped coordinator from last night. Meeting Yu Jing in person, she blushed, saying shyly, “I’m actually your fan. Been one for two years.”

Yu Jing was slightly surprised. Seeing her flushed face, she teased, “If you’re my fan, why didn’t you spill last night?”

Xiao Ya stammered, unable to answer.

Yu Jing found her expression odd.

Before she could probe, another voice said, “They’re coming.”

Everyone turned instinctively.

The evening heat lingered. Three figures cut through the sunlight, approaching, their shadows stretching long.

Yu Jing spotted the lead staff wearing the show’s logo, her gaze piercing through to the tall, straight figure behind.

Seeing that profile, her heart jolted.

No!

Way!

The sun must be too bright, making her see things.

Before she could rub her eyes, the figure turned abruptly, cold eyes stabbing straight at her.

Familiar eyes, familiar face.

They’d just met on the red carpet two nights ago.

She’d even tried to make her call her “daddy” in a dream, though it didn’t work…

The summer heat blazed, the scorching wind slapping Yu Jing’s tender face.

Swallowing hard, she shivered suddenly.