Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The show ‘Treasure Hunt’ not only had high-definition visuals but also top-notch sound quality. Ming Zhu’s words were soft, but the audio equipment caught every syllable clearly: “You’re that unhappy to be paired with me?”

Listen to that cool, mature voice—so captivating!

The CP fans, previously silenced, stood up in unison. Who said Ming Zhu ignored Yu Jing? Who said Yu Jing was shamelessly riding Ming Zhu’s fame? Open your eyes and see who spoke first! Does your face hurt now?!!

The bullet comments bashing Yu Jing for being shameless suddenly went quiet as a mouse.

Who could’ve imagined that Ming Zhu, who was tense and cold toward her rival in the last episode, barely acknowledging her, would now take the initiative to speak to Yu Jing so gently?

Even Yu Jing hadn’t expected Ming Zhu to ask if she was happy about their pairing.

Finding out Ming Zhu was her teammate, Yu Jing wasn’t exactly thrilled, but not because of Ming Zhu. It suddenly hit her that both of them, who had offended Zhang Xu, were coincidentally paired together. With Zhang Xu’s petty nature, he’d likely have the editors cut their scenes entirely.

Yu Jing was worried about screen time.

Lost in thought, Ming Zhu’s words snapped her back to reality. Remembering they were live, she glanced at the two cameras in their faces, hid her unwanted emotions, flashed a bright smile, and said casually, “Not at all. I’m thrilled to be paired with Sister Ming Zhu.”

[Sister Ming Zhu???]

[Yu Jing’s six years younger. Calling her ‘sister’ is normal, and Ming Zhu’s a senior.]

[Didn’t they avoid even saying each other’s names last episode? Now it’s ‘sister’?]

[Forget ‘sister,’ be bold and call her ‘wifey’!]

Ming Zhu didn’t mind Yu Jing calling her “sister”—it wasn’t the first time. As for the live broadcast, she didn’t care much. Seeing Yu Jing’s troubled look earlier, she’d asked out of curiosity. Now, seeing her radiant smile, Ming Zhu subtly furrowed her brow.

This girl was good at hiding and masking when sober.

A staff member approached with a bamboo basket, catching Yu Jing’s attention.

Ming Zhu followed her gaze.

The ever-curious Chen Chen couldn’t wait and ran to inspect the props. He pulled out two pairs of oversized slippers, facing the camera, baffled. “What’s this for? We wear them?”

Even veteran showman Chen Chen was clueless, let alone the others.

Yang Ming, arms crossed, explained slowly, “This bamboo basket was woven by local townsfolk. For today’s first warm-up game, each team competes separately. One person balances the basket on their head, the other kicks the slippers into it. Teams are ranked by time.”

After hearing the rules, Chen Chen patted the slippers, tilted his chin, and said to his teammate Peng Ze, “Xiao Ze, you hold the basket, I’ll kick. Not to brag, but I was on our drama school’s soccer team. This game’s too easy—we’ve got this.”

Peng Ze smiled obediently. “Okay, Brother Chen.”

Xiao Yihuan teased, “Brother Chen, you’re always so confident, and you always get slapped in the face.”

Xie Haichao mocked his rival mercilessly, “This guy’s all talk. He chokes when it counts.”

Chen Chen wasn’t fazed, grinning. “Just wait and see, Brother Chao.”

Yang Ming watched their banter, cleared his throat, and added, “I forgot one rule—the person kicking the slippers has to do ten elephant trunk spins first.”

Chen Chen’s smile froze. “Elephant trunk spins?”

Yang Ming grinned meaningfully. “Yup.”

Seeing Chen Chen’s face fall, Xie Haichao asked, “What’s an elephant trunk spin?”

Yang Ming had a staff member demonstrate. A male Alpha pinched his nose, bent at a ninety-degree angle, and spun with one hand pointing at the ground.

“Got it,” Xie Haichao waved grandly, smirking. “Doesn’t seem hard.”

[This looks tough. You’d be dizzy after ten spins, barely able to stand.]

[Did Brother Chao catch Chen Chen’s overconfidence? So cocky lol.]

[Can’t wait to see them make fools of themselves hahaha.]

Chen Chen, who’d done elephant trunk spins on other shows, knew how tough it was and didn’t boast again. He didn’t warn the others how hard it was, though, and had an idea. “Xiao Ze, you do the spins. You’re more agile, and I’m pretty good at catching.”

Clueless Peng Ze agreed, “Sure.”

Bullet comments were already calling Chen Chen shady.

Yang Ming smiled at the six varied expressions. “Before we start, you can trash-talk each other.”

Chen Chen’s confidence returned. Patting Peng Ze’s shoulder, he boasted, “I trust Xiao Ze. We’re definitely winning.”

Xie Haichao pointed at him, hitting the nail on the head. “You said that last episode, and Ming Zhu and Xiao Ze won.”

All eyes turned to last episode’s winner—Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu glanced lightly at everyone, then at her teammate.

Recalling last episode, Ming Zhu hadn’t even known what the treasure was before climbing the platform. Seeing Yu Jing excitedly holding a cocktail bottle, she guessed it, rushed over, and snatched it. She’d expected Yu Jing to fight back fiercely, but Yu Jing just stared at her, stunned.

Ming Zhu remembered the girl’s expression—bright, dazed eyes, lips slightly parted, wanting to speak but unable to, aggrieved yet unwilling.

Ming Zhu had ruthlessly taken the treasure Yu Jing had secured, winning by luck.

It was kind of embarrassing.

Looking at Yu Jing’s clear eyes, which seemed to have forgotten the incident, Ming Zhu paused, then said softly, “Last time, I just got lucky.”

Yu Jing’s cheeks puffed slightly.

“Exactly!” Chen Chen was thrilled, standing beside Yu Jing. “Jingjing, even Ming Zhu admits it was luck. You remember how badly she and Xiao Ze lost in the six games last episode, right? Now you’re with her—you’re doomed.”

Yu Jing glanced at her smug ex-teammate Chen Chen, then turned, staring at Ming Zhu in surprise. “Sister, are you sure that’s trash-talking???” This was practically undermining herself!

“Hahaha, Ming Zhu’s probably worried her luck won’t hold this time!” Chen Chen laughed hysterically.

Ming Zhu realized her mistake, her gaze toward Yu Jing carrying a hint of apology. She adjusted her mood, looked at Chen Chen seriously, and said, “Win or lose, talk is cheap. We’ll see after the game.”

It wasn’t harsh, but Ming Zhu’s cool demeanor and voice gave her words an unexpected weight.

Chen Chen, intimidated by her aura, backed off. “Fine, fine, let’s compete.”

Yu Jing looked at Ming Zhu uncertainly, hesitating to speak.

Catching her gaze, Ming Zhu tilted her head. “Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s okay…” Yu Jing glanced at the two cameras, turned to block them, covered her mic with her delicate hand, and whispered, “You’re not going to slack off like last time, right?”

Ming Zhu noticed her move, mimicked her by covering her mic, frowned, and whispered back, “What’s slacking off?”

Seeing Ming Zhu genuinely didn’t know the term, Yu Jing bit her lip, still whispering, “Slacking off means someone in a team is half-hearted, not trying hard.”

Ming Zhu: “…” Got it.

Ming Zhu didn’t mind being on variety shows. She only joined this one because her teacher Yang Fan persuaded her. She hadn’t aimed to stand out, so she hadn’t tried hard last episode. Her ex-teammate Peng Ze was similarly laid-back, and they slacked off from start to finish.

Yu Jing was clearly the opposite of Peng Ze.

Ming Zhu had planned to keep her laid-back vibe, but meeting Yu Jing’s expectant yet pleading eyes, recalling her dejection after learning her scenes were cut, Ming Zhu’s gaze softened. She asked, “Do you want to win?”

Yu Jing nodded without hesitation.

She wasn’t super competitive, but winning meant more chances to shine. For more live screen time, Yu Jing wanted to try.

Ming Zhu looked into her eyes, paused, and said firmly without overpromising, “I’ll do my best to help you win this time.”

Yu Jing’s eyes lit up, her voice crisp. “You’re the best!”

Ming Zhu saw the spark return to her eyes and subtly curved her lips.

[Am I lagging? Why can’t I hear them?]

[What are they plotting???]

[This is so flirty. What can’t we hear?]

[Camera guy, where’s the shot? Who wants to see their backs? Show their faces!]

Their bodies were close, and the burly camera crew couldn’t squeeze in. When they turned, the camera caught their faces—one beaming brightly, the other cool and detached, revealing nothing.

The staff had drawn two dividing lines, placing baskets and slippers at both ends, five meters apart. Teams couldn’t cross the lines during the game.

Yang Ming: “Discuss who throws and who holds the basket.”

Peng Ze was assigned by Chen Chen—no discussion needed. He’d hold, Peng Ze would spin and kick. Xie Haichao thought holding the basket was physical work and chose it but asked Xiao Yihuan first, who had no objections. With both male Alphas holding, Ming Zhu naturally picked the same task.

After the teams decided, Yang Ming cued the next step. “Each team sends a representative to play rock-paper-scissors for the order.”

Yu Jing, Xiao Yihuan, and Peng Ze stepped forward.

Peng Ze won the first round against Yu Jing and Xiao Yihuan. Yu Jing won the second against Xiao Yihuan. Going later gave an advantage, letting teams observe and learn.

Xiao Yihuan clenched her fist, aggrieved. “Why do I always lose at rock-paper-scissors?”

Xie Haichao didn’t mind, comforting her with a smile. “It’s fine. We’ll go first and show them real skill.”

Xie Haichao strode five meters to the line, placed the basket on his head, and said boldly, “Come on, little sister.”

“Here I go!” Xiao Yihuan stood at the other line, pinching her nose to spin as shown.

Chen Chen counted for her.

After ten spins, Xiao Yihuan went for the slippers but, dizzy, stumbled and fell on her butt.

“Hahahaha—” Straight-guy Chen Chen laughed nonstop.

The sweet-looking Xiao Yihuan looked disheveled.

Dizzy, she couldn’t find the slippers. Yu Jing, a fellow sweet Omega, couldn’t watch and said, “They’re to the right of your foot.”

Xiao Yihuan grabbed a slipper, put it on, and wobbled to her feet. Without looking at the basket, she kicked.

Whoosh—

The slipper flew only three meters. Xie Haichao couldn’t cross the line and didn’t catch it. Unfazed, he said patiently, “No rush. Wait till you’re not dizzy, aim, and kick again.”

Xiao Yihuan clutched her spinning head. “But it’s timed.”

“Time doesn’t matter.” Xie Haichao patted the basket, encouraging her. “Try again.”

“Okay.” Xiao Yihuan slowed down.

Chen Chen wasn’t having it. “Too slow! No way, do ten more.”

Xiao Yihuan ignored him, slowly spinning ten times, swaying. She closed her eyes, waited for the dizziness to pass, put on the slipper, aimed, and kicked.

Whoosh—

Xie Haichao jumped and caught it, giving her a thumbs-up. “Awesome, Yihuan!”

Chen Chen threw cold water. “Yihuan, it’s been a minute, and you’ve only got one. You’re done for.”

Xiao Yihuan shot him a resentful glance and spun again. This time, she put on the slipper before spinning, avoiding the dizzy search. Chen Chen kept talking to distract her.

[Chen Chen’s such a jerk. Last episode, he bullied Yihuan and Xiao Ze like this too.]

[No wonder he’s been single for 25 years.]

[Look how gentle Brother Chao is with Yihuan. Chen Chen, be human.]

[Brother Chao sounds like he’s soothing his daughter.]

[With a nearly 20-year age gap, she could be his daughter lol.]

Everyone focused on Xiao Yihuan’s dizzy, hilarious antics. Ming Zhu, watching from the side, turned to Yu Jing, who was observing closely, and said, “When you spin, take it slow. It might not be as dizzy.”

Yu Jing turned, raised a brow, covered her mouth, and whispered, “Don’t worry, spinning’s no problem for me.”

[Spinning’s no problem? Yu Jing’s too cocky.]

[These guests are more confident than the last.]

[Talk big now, let’s see the face-slap later.]

Ming Zhu didn’t know where her confidence came from but, seeing her calm demeanor, said nothing.

Xiao Yihuan finally got all four slippers into Xie Haichao’s basket, taking five minutes and thirty-six seconds. She failed countless times, exhausted, and sat on the ground.

It was Yu Jing and Ming Zhu’s turn.

Passing Xiao Yihuan, Yu Jing bent slightly and said, “If you’re dizzy, drink some ice water.”

Panting, Xiao Yihuan nodded, kindly warning, “It’s really dizzy. Don’t spin too fast.”

Yu Jing smiled, calmly heading to the slippers.

Chen Chen, showing no loyalty to his ex-teammate, tried to distract Yu Jing after Xiao Yihuan. Unaffected, she spun ten times at a steady pace, lowered her hands, and stood straight.

Bullet comments awaited her embarrassment.

After Xiao Yihuan’s mess, everyone assumed Yu Jing would struggle too. But she stood unfazed, her face unchanged, and said to Ming Zhu, “I’m kicking.”

Ming Zhu, ready, said, “Go ahead.”

Whoosh— The first slipper landed perfectly in the basket.

Xiao Yihuan, sprawled on the ground, and Chen Chen, trying to mess with her, were stunned.

Chen Chen: “You’re not dizzy?”

Yu Jing smiled easily. “Nope, it’s kinda fun.”

Fun??? Xiao Yihuan, nearly vomiting from the ordeal, questioned her life.

Yu Jing spun ten more times, still steady, but missed the kick, and Ming Zhu didn’t catch it.

The third try hit.

The next two went smoothly.

One kicked steadily, the other caught accurately. Their teamwork finished in under three minutes.

Ming Zhu lowered the basket and walked over, noting Yu Jing’s slightly messy bangs but steady breath. Glancing at the sprawled Xiao Yihuan, she asked, surprised, “How’d you do that?”

Yu Jing shrugged. “I trained in ballet for years. A hundred spins don’t faze me.”

Ming Zhu nodded, lips curving slightly. “Sounds impressive.”

[Damn, I thought Yu Jing was bluffing, but she’s really not dizzy!]

[Poor Yihuan, this contrast is brutal…]

[She’s done ballet. No wonder she’s fine.]

[Yu Jing’s got skills. Thought she was just a pretty face.]

[Our Jingjing’s a singer-dancer! No works yet, but she’s been training for three years!]

[Got to admit, Yu Jing’s great at games. She was the best in the first episode.]

The production team made the game tough to make the guests look foolish for laughs, but Yu Jing and Ming Zhu breezed through! Still, Chen Chen and Peng Ze were next, and as a variety veteran, Chen Chen wouldn’t disappoint.

Chen Chen had Peng Ze spin, but shy, honest Peng Ze was mocked by Xiao Yihuan for being slow. Embarrassed, he sped up, ending up more disheveled than Xiao Yihuan. His comical, pitiful state had everyone laughing. Chen Chen, anxious after missing the first catch, switched places with Peng Ze.

Seeing Chen Chen step up, Xie Haichao signaled Xiao Yihuan and Yu Jing. They got it. While Chen Chen spun, the three sabotaged him, making him flustered and creating endless laughs. Eventually, Chen Chen gave up and joined their chaos.

The warm-up game ended. Yu Jing and Ming Zhu took first, Xiao Yihuan and Xie Haichao second, Peng Ze and Chen Chen third.

Based on the first episode’s rules, everyone thought first place would get a treasure clue card, but Yang Ming said, “No clue card. This warm-up game is just for a choice.”

Yu Jing: “Choose what?”

Yang Ming waved, and staff blocking the view parted, revealing three foam boards in the square labeled “Trouble,” “Cool,” and “Massage”—odd words.

Xie Haichao: “What’s this? Another new trick?”

Peng Ze: “Is there something behind the boards?”

Yang Ming didn’t explain the words. As the next game’s rules were complex, he had staff bring illustrated plans to explain.

Behind the boards were obstacle games in four parts: First, “Two-Person Three-Leg,” where teammates tied one leg together; second, jumping rope together ten times without stopping; third, carrying a ping-pong ball; fourth, grabbing a ball in the air containing the episode’s treasure info.

Everyone understood the rules but not the vague words, likely tied to obstacles or difficulty.

Yu Jing and Ming Zhu chose first. After discussing, they picked “Trouble.” Simple reasoning—“Cool” and “Massage” sounded nice, so they bet the show was playing a reverse trick, choosing the headache-inducing one.

Xiao Yihuan and Xie Haichao picked “Cool”; Peng Ze and Chen Chen had no choice.

Chen Chen consoled himself, “Maybe the show’s worried we’re tired and will treat us to a massage afterward. Right, Xiao Ze?”

Peng Ze wasn’t convinced. “I doubt it’s that nice.”

Yang Ming didn’t engage. After they chose, he said, “Take off your shoes and go behind your boards.”

Chen Chen: “You’re not removing the boards?”

Yang Ming: “Nope, you break through yourselves.”

Chen Chen: “Oh! I get it. There’s gotta be something nasty behind them—mud pits, water pools. Be careful, everyone.”

Yang Ming neither confirmed nor denied, having staff start the timer. “Second round begins.”

Chen Chen’s warning made everyone cautious as they broke through the foam boards.

Yu Jing and Ming Zhu went first. No mud or water—just a narrow balance beam wide enough for one foot, coated with sticky stuff on both sides.

“What’s this?” Yu Jing pointed at the gooey substance, asking an NPC tying their legs.

The NPC was brief. “Glue.”

That’s the “Trouble”!

Yu Jing’s heart sank, looking at Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu’s face was serious. “It looks sticky, so don’t step on it.”

Yu Jing nodded quickly.

“Ow, that hurts!”

“Damn, you guys are ruthless!”

Screams came from nearby, and both glanced over.

Chen Chen and Peng Ze looked like they’d stepped on a live wire, writhing in pain.

Yu Jing looked at their track and laughed. “That’s the ‘Massage.’”

Their path was covered in terrifying acupressure boards, sharp bamboo spikes jabbing their soles. They were nearly in tears.

Xie Haichao and Xiao Yihuan seemed lucky—no glue or acupressure, just a flat track.

“We got lucky,” Xie Haichao said smugly.

An NPC sneaked behind them, raising a spray gun at their backs.

Hiss—

“Ah!” Xiao Yihuan was stunned by the cold dry ice.

Xie Haichao, caught off guard, glared at the NPC, who flinched, expecting a scolding. But Xie Haichao laughed, “Didn’t expect a mobile AC! Nice, spray more later.”

NPC: Don’t regret it.

Both teams were yelling, chaos ensuing, but Yu Jing and Ming Zhu, in the middle, had no time for the spectacle as an NPC began tying their legs.

Feeling the NPC touch her bare ankle, Yu Jing looked down, recognizing the red rope from their grouping.

The NPC tied her left foot to Ming Zhu’s right.

Ming Zhu stepped onto the balance beam with her left foot.

The beam was too narrow, forcing them to sidestep. Ming Zhu went first, Yu Jing following. Forgetting their tied legs, when Yu Jing lifted her left foot, Ming Zhu’s right didn’t move, and she swayed. “Oh—”

Ming Zhu turned, quickly steadying her.

Yu Jing’s free right foot was an inch from the glue, pulling back just in time, sweating.

“Sorry, my fault.” Ming Zhu had focused ahead, not on her.

Looking at the narrow beam and their tied feet, Ming Zhu realized this wasn’t working. They were one unit now, and moving the free foot while watching the tied one was impossible with eyes split front and back.

“This won’t work,” Yu Jing also noticed.

“Yeah.” Ming Zhu nodded, saying, “Let’s step down.”

They retreated.

Staring at their tied feet, Ming Zhu thought, then looked up. “Try this.”

“How?” Yu Jing blinked, confused.

Ming Zhu turned to face her, glanced at their tied feet, and said, “This way, we can both see.”

Yu Jing looked down, thinking it could work. “Okay, let’s try.”

Focused on each other’s feet, when Ming Zhu said “lift,” Yu Jing matched her rhythm. They stepped their tied feet onto the beam together.

“Other foot,” Ming Zhu directed by her ear.

Yu Jing followed obediently.

Their four feet crossed, standing steadily on the narrow beam.

Taking their first successful step, Yu Jing looked up happily, nearly hitting Ming Zhu’s chin.

She realized how close they were! Gasping, she instinctively leaned back, her toes shifting, disrupting their rhythm.

The beam was too narrow. Yu Jing wobbled, about to fall backward.

Ming Zhu’s eyes sharpened, one hand grabbing her shoulder, the other wrapping around her waist, pulling her back.

Their chests pressed together, soft against soft, bodies fitting perfectly.

“Don’t panic, hold me tight.”

The soft, low voice slipped into her ear like silk, tickling and numbing.

Yu Jing’s eyelids trembled. Lifting her gaze, she fell into Ming Zhu’s earnest, gentle eyes under long lashes, her heart skipping half a beat.