Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

When Xiao Ya sent the notice for the second episode’s filming, Yu Jing was in the practice room, training relentlessly.

Her phone lay on the floor, music interrupted by the notification sound, but she seemed oblivious, moving tirelessly to muscle memory.

Until Shen Jiayu entered and stopped her: “You’ve been dancing all afternoon. Eat something first.”

Yu Jing’s chest heaved, her tense forearm muscles twitching, her sweat-soaked practice clothes clinging to her body.

She wasn’t wearing the protective gear Wu Dan Ni gave her. Hands braced on the bar, she panted with her head down.

A bottle of opened mineral water appeared in her view.

Yu Jing swallowed, took it, sipped, and looked up into Shen Jiayu’s concerned gaze.

“Did you and Dan Ni fight?” Shen Jiayu asked, echoing Xiao Ye.

In front of familiar people, Yu Jing wasn’t good at hiding her feelings. She wanted to be sincere, but this time, she chose a white lie.

She swallowed the warm water, avoiding Shen Jiayu’s eyes, and mumbled, “Yeah.”

“Why?” Shen Jiayu found it odd. Wu Dan Ni was gentle and even-tempered, Yu Jing was impulsive but not unreasonable. She couldn’t imagine what they’d fight over.

Yu Jing saw her flickering eyes in the mirror, shrugged, and said casually, “We were discussing Ming Zhu’s hit drama. She praised Ming Zhu’s acting, I said Ming Zhu’s a blank-faced robot, and we argued.”

Shen Jiayu: “…”

Knowing Wu Dan Ni was Ming Zhu’s fan and that Yu Jing didn’t get along with her, Shen Jiayu found the reason plausible, her doubts fading. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Yu Jing took another sip, watching Shen Jiayu, who seemed clueless. Thinking of Wu Dan Ni’s dismissive comments about Shen Jiayu, her heart ached.

Sweat covered her, her eyes stinging as if sweating too. As Shen Jiayu nagged about not letting a small spat ruin her friendship with Wu Dan Ni, Yu Jing turned and hugged her tightly.

“What’s this about?” Shen Jiayu was puzzled.

“Tired. Just leaning.” Yu Jing rested her chin on her shoulder.

Shen Jiayu, initially put off by her sweat, softened at her whiny tone. Her hands paused from pushing her away, patting Yu Jing’s soaked back.

Yu Jing’s arms tightened, eyes closed, silently vowing: Sister Jiayu, I’ll prove with my effort that you’re an amazing manager.

The second episode was set to film a week later in a tourist town, Bishui Town.

During a break, Yu Jing saw group messages. Peng Ze mentioned it was his hometown, with beautiful scenery, simple folk, and lots of snacks, sparking her curiosity.

She didn’t join their chat, ate some fruit for dinner, rested briefly, and resumed dancing.

Though the company deemed her too obscure for music and pushed her toward variety shows, Yu Jing never abandoned her craft.

With a few days free, she packed her schedule: vocal practice in the morning, dancing in the afternoon and evening. But perhaps due to her Omega differentiation, her stamina waned. An afternoon of dancing exhausted her, leaving no energy for evening sessions. So, she added physical training to her plan.

The grueling training made days fly by.

A week later, Yu Jing, sore and aching, set off.

Bishui Town was in a neighboring city, so no flight was needed. The production sent a bus to pick them up.

On the bus, seeing lively Xiao Yihuan, shy Peng Ze, funny Chen Chen, and playful Xie Haichao, Yu Jing felt alive again.

“I’m here!” The heat had her in a loose white tee and long pants, hair down to hide her gland, soft locks framing her head. Smiling like a vibrant sunflower, she stood in the aisle, greeting everyone enthusiastically, her bright eyes scanning for a seat.

Chen Chen waved eagerly. “My godly teammate, come here!”

Yu Jing glanced at him, raised an eyebrow, and teased, “Brother Chen, I want a new partner this time. Not teaming with you.”

Chen Chen pouted, feigning hurt. “Our double-Alpha combo is unbeatable. How could you ditch me?”

Xie Haichao shoved him. “Double-Alpha? You two are just rogues. Gotta split you up.”

In the last episode, Yu Jing and Chen Chen had played some tricks to win games, so she didn’t deny the “rogue” label. Spotting the empty seat next to Xiao Yihuan, she asked, “Can I sit here?”

Xiao Yihuan nodded eagerly. “Of course!”

They quickly hit it off, and Yu Jing’s gloom from Wu Dan Ni lifted.

“Teacher Ming Zhu, you’re the last one.”

As the staff’s voice rang out, a tall figure boarded the bus. Yu Jing’s smile froze briefly at the glimpse.

But only for a moment. She pretended not to see, continuing to discuss new songs with Xiao Yihuan.

When Ming Zhu boarded, the mood cooled noticeably, with others’ gazes polite but distant. Unfazed, she nodded courteously, her eyes lingering on Yu Jing for a few seconds.

Yu Jing didn’t look back.

Ming Zhu pressed her lips together, looked away, and sat in the row next to Yu Jing.

Cold air poured from the overhead vent, stirring her bangs. Yu Jing didn’t look up but caught the faint cool scent from nearby, wrinkling her nose.

So many empty seats—couldn’t she sit somewhere out of sight?

Yu Jing adjusted her posture, focusing on Xiao Yihuan.

The bus rumbled to life.

“Teachers,” a male Beta staff member stood at the front, drawing everyone’s attention. He bowed humbly, looking nervous. “I’m Xiao Fang. Since our coordinator, Sister Xiao Ya, is on leave, I’m temporarily taking over for this episode.”

Chen Chen, seeing his nerves, teased, “Is your name Xiao Fang because your face is square?”

Xiao Yihuan giggled.

Xiao Fang’s face flushed, his nerves worsening.

“No worries, Xiao Fang. We’re not bad people. Speak freely,” Xie Haichao said humorously.

Xiao Fang scratched his head, pulled out a crumpled itinerary, and stammered, “This episode, we’re heading to the scenic Bishui Town, but not just for filming. Before shooting, you’ll have two days to explore freely, with all food and lodging covered by the production.”

“Free travel?!” Chen Chen jumped up. “For real?”

Xiao Fang held up the itinerary. “It’s true. It’s on here.”

Chen Chen wobbled over, grabbed it, and gaped. “It really is! Two days of free travel! The production’s too generous!”

The news excited everyone. Peng Ze offered to guide them. They chattered until they noticed Xiao Fang, looking lost.

Chen Chen handed back the itinerary, grinning. “Go on.”

Xiao Fang glanced at it. “Bishui Town has no big hotels, so we booked a guesthouse. But there are only four rooms: two singles and two double standards.”

Six people, four rooms? Yu Jing had a bad feeling.

Xiao Fang’s timid eyes swept over the guests, clearing his throat. “Due to limited rooms, we’ve assigned based on gender: Teachers Xiao Yihuan and Peng Ze, Omegas, get the singles. Teachers Xie Haichao and Chen Chen, male Alphas, share one double. Teachers Ming Zhu and Yu Jing, female Alphas, share the other. Is this okay?”

No way!!! Yu Jing screamed internally, glancing sideways.

Ming Zhu met her gaze, one shocked, the other calm.

Xiao Yihuan and Peng Ze, with singles, had no objections. Xie Haichao and Chen Chen, in the back, bickered over the arrangement.

Xie Haichao: “You don’t snore or grind your teeth, right?”

Chen Chen: “Nope! I’m a quiet sleeper. But I like gaming before bed.”

Xie Haichao: “I don’t care. I sleep at 11 sharp. Disturb me, and I’ll toss you out.”

Chen Chen: “Seriously, Brother Chao? You’re only forty and already living like a monk?”

Xie Haichao: “Don’t care for your health young, you’ll regret it old.”

Xiao Fang waited patiently, then looked at the last two. “Teachers Ming Zhu and Yu Jing, what do you think?”

Yu Jing thought it was absolutely not okay.

She was an Omega, Ming Zhu an Alpha—different genders!

But she couldn’t reveal that.

As the least famous, how could she object?

She stared at Ming Zhu, trying to hide her slight inferiority, hoping her eyes conveyed her plea.

—You’re so aloof and antisocial, you don’t want to share a room, right?

Tell Xiao Fang! Say you’re not okay with it!!!

Yu Jing actually pinned hopes on her.

Ming Zhu met her gaze, seeming to understand, her lips moving. She turned to Xiao Fang. “I’m fine with it.”

Yu Jing was stunned.

“Teacher Yu Jing?” Xiao Fang asked.

“I…” Yu Jing thought of a solution, like finding an excuse to stay elsewhere at her own expense. But seeing Xiao Fang’s anxious, eager-to-please look, she swallowed her words, forcing a dry smile. “I’m fine too.”

They were both nobodies—why make it hard for him?

Fine, she’d endure it.

Yu Jing avoided Ming Zhu’s gaze but felt her looking several times, making her squirm.

The bus swayed for nearly three hours to their destination.

The town’s buildings had local charm—gray tiles, white walls, eaves carved with birds and beasts, a river winding through. It was a serene contrast to the city.

The guesthouse faced a clear river, revealing pebbles below, with ducks swimming and willows swaying, a faint floral scent in the air.

The six were captivated by the beauty. Chen Chen praised the production, dragging his suitcase to check in eagerly.

Yu Jing, far from excited, trailed behind.

Xiao Yihuan waited for her, noticing her expression. “Carsick again?”

The word “again” reminded Yu Jing of the first episode’s trip to A City, where she vomited miserably. Xiao Yihuan, arriving later, asked about her pale face during dinner, and Yu Jing sheepishly admitted to carsickness.

Oddly, today’s bus, new and leathery, didn’t bother her. She’d worried about getting sick, regretting not bringing medicine, but a faint, familiar cool scent kept her refreshed, even when dozing.

She glanced at the tall figure ahead, suppressing her complex feelings, and told Xiao Yihuan, “Not carsick.”

Xiao Yihuan followed her gaze to Ming Zhu, leaned in, and whispered, “You two are sharing a room tonight, huh?”

Yu Jing rolled her eyes at her gossiping tone, tapping her forehead. “Stop imagining things.”

“Hehe.”

“…”

The guesthouse had two floors: a restaurant and kitchen downstairs, five rooms upstairs. The middle was a family suite for five, already occupied; two singles on the left, two doubles on the right.

The doors had electronic locks with default codes, no keycards needed. Xiao Fang checked them in, and the owner showed them to their rooms, explaining how to reset the codes before leaving.

Yu Jing and Ming Zhu stood like statues at their door, both hesitating.

Soothing music played downstairs, cold air seeping out, chilling their ankles.

Yu Jing stared at the lock, head aching. She’d been distracted and missed the owner’s instructions.

She shifted her neck, glancing at Ming Zhu, who stood still by the door, also unmoving.

They were in an awkward limbo. The misunderstanding was cleared, and Yu Jing’s hostility faded, but acting like nothing happened wasn’t realistic.

A simple “I don’t know how to use the lock, you do it” took Yu Jing ages to muster, her lips opening and closing, unable to say it.

Ming Zhu sensed her gaze, looking over curiously.

Yu Jing felt awkward, turned away, and pretended to look elsewhere.

Following her gaze, Ming Zhu saw the two large beds inside, noticed her hesitant expression, and broke the silence. “I don’t grind my teeth or snore.”

Yu Jing’s eyes snapped back, unsure what she meant.

Ming Zhu, thinking of Chen Chen and Xie Haichao’s bus banter, assumed she was worried about that. Meeting her confused eyes, she emphasized, “I won’t disturb you.”

“…”

Yu Jing got it.

Since realizing her mistake, Ming Zhu’s attitude had become almost overwhelming. Her tone was still cool, but there was a cautious edge.

Staring at her perpetually straight posture, Yu Jing thought: This must be her first time apologizing.

She doesn’t even know how to soften, her attempt at friendliness so stiff.

Mischief stirred in Yu Jing. Tired of her blank face, she wanted to see her lose composure.

Her suitcase’s wheels rolled lightly on the wooden floor.

Ming Zhu looked down, seeing her shift the suitcase, revealing small feet in red sandals, straps winding over pale skin.

Unaware of her gaze, Yu Jing pulled the suitcase, leaning forward slightly.

Ming Zhu’s lashes fluttered, her eyes meeting Yu Jing’s peach-blossom eyes, brimming with a playful smile.

A bead of sweat glistened on the girl’s pert nose, her lips curving as her clear voice teased, “You’d better be careful.”

Ming Zhu caught the mischievous glint—familiar from the last episode when Yu Jing teased her.

Knowing it was a trap, Ming Zhu still asked, “Careful of what?”

“Of me.” Yu Jing tilted her chin, half-joking. “I don’t just grind my teeth and snore—I sleepwalk. If I do something to you in my sleep, don’t blame me.”

Ming Zhu: “…” Unfazed.

Yu Jing knew she wasn’t buying it, but seeing her lips twitch slightly, she felt smug. She strutted in, suitcase in tow, scanning the room.

Two beds: one near the bathroom, one farther away.

Sharing was a hassle. Yu Jing looked for a moment, then turned to Ming Zhu. “Which one do you want?”

Ming Zhu noticed her lingering on the farther bed and pointed to the one by the bathroom.

Yu Jing’s heart leapt. She pushed her suitcase over.

The room was larger than expected, with two 1.8-meter beds spaced far enough apart for safety, but Yu Jing wasn’t entirely at ease.

Not that she feared Ming Zhu would do anything, but as an Alpha and Omega sharing a room, constantly seeing each other, her Omega status might slip.

She glanced back, seeing Ming Zhu bent over the lock, and subtly touched her neck, feeling the thin concealment patch.

She sniffed herself—no pheromone leaks.

No flaws now, but what about the next few days?

The doctor’s strong suppressant from her differentiation day lasted a month, still effective, but for safety, Yu Jing brought a blocker.

She wanted to use it now.

Xiao Ye had packed her luggage, and Yu Jing wasn’t sure if the blocker was with her or Xiao Ye. She needed to check.

Each bed had a wardrobe. Yu Jing laid her suitcase flat, using the bed as cover, and started rummaging.

Xiao Ye had packed a lot: seven or eight outfits, casual clothes, pajamas, and underwear, neatly sorted but now jumbled from the trip.

Not seeing the blocker, Yu Jing decided to check each item and organize them into the wardrobe.

She undid the tape holding the clothes.

The pile collapsed without support. She quickly grabbed a falling pair of underwear, then heard a *thunk* as a slim, cylindrical object rolled out.

Yu Jing’s eyes widened in horror.

It was the blocker!

Many blockers had fancy packaging for sales, but hers was from the hospital, plain and blunt, labeled “Omega-Specific Blocker” in bold.

Yu Jing dropped the underwear to grab it.

The glossy floor was like waxed ice. The blocker rolled away like a naughty child, Yu Jing chasing as it sped toward the gap between the beds, stopped by a pair of black heels, rolling a bit more before halting.

Yu Jing’s heart stopped with it.

As Ming Zhu bent down, her slender fingers nearing the blocker, Yu Jing’s mind exploded. She sprinted over.

Ming Zhu picked it up, only for a small, soft hand to grab hers tightly.

Looking up, she stared, puzzled, at the girl who’d lunged at her.

The girl’s bright eyes sparkled, her delicate fingers grazing Ming Zhu’s palm like a cat’s claw.

A tingle spread through Ming Zhu’s hand.

Stunned for two seconds, Ming Zhu realized her palm was empty.

The girl’s hand had snatched the blocker back with lightning speed, hiding it behind her.

Yu Jing, heart pounding, clutched the blocker, meeting Ming Zhu’s probing gaze, her stomach dropping.

She was too guilty.

Her palms sweated, heart racing, licking dry lips, feigning calm. “Do you know what this is?”

She regretted asking immediately—talk about giving herself away!

But words couldn’t be taken back. Yu Jing bit her lip, praying Ming Zhu hadn’t seen.

Ming Zhu studied her, frowning, and countered, “What treasure?”

Yu Jing exhaled in relief.

Ming Zhu hadn’t seen. No one, not even a blank-faced robot, could stay calm knowing it was an Omega blocker.

Still, Yu Jing broke out in a cold sweat, wiping her forehead, eyes darting, stammering, “Just… an ordinary little thing.”

An ordinary thing worth diving for, with a desperate look like the world would end if seen?

Ming Zhu was skeptical.

She hadn’t seen clearly, only glimpsing a cylindrical object and wanting to help. She didn’t expect such a reaction.

What was she hiding?

Ming Zhu recalled the object’s rough shape—long, cylindrical…

Looking at Yu Jing’s half-hidden, flushed face, Ming Zhu grew suspicious but didn’t press, just staring at her scratched palm.