Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The dinner was in a private room on the hotel’s second floor, a two-minute walk from the elevator, very convenient.

The five of them split unevenly into three groups: Ming Zhu and Zhou Qi led silently; Yu Jing trailed behind, lost in thought; Xiao Ye and Xiao Ya, in the middle, chattered nonstop.

Xiao Ya, enthusiastic, answered Xiao Ye’s questions about the other guests with a beaming smile. “Teacher Hai Chao wrapped his new drama today, but his flight’s delayed. Teachers Xiao Yihuan, Peng Ze, and Chen Chen are already at the hotel. Another coordinator’s notifying them, so they should be here soon.”

Xiao Ye knew these names. Xie Haichao and Peng Ze were actors, Xiao Yihuan, like Yu Jing, was a singer, and Chen Chen was a variety star. In fame and experience, they all outshone Yu Jing by miles.

Filming with them must bring tons of pressure.

Xiao Ye looked back, spotting Yu Jing lagging, brows furrowed, expression grim. When she got closer, Xiao Ye whispered, “Feeling sick again?”

Yu Jing was indeed unwell, her head dizzier than before, but not from the elevator—it was that human air conditioner who’d sparked a fire and walked away.

Her gaze locked on that tall figure ahead, wishing she could bore a hole through her.

In the elevator, she’d fantasized about differentiating on the spot, slapping someone’s face with facts, seeing if she’d dare act so smug.

But no miracle happened.

She was still an ordinary, undifferentiated beauty 🙂

Fuming and dejected, Yu Jing dropped her expression management, baring her teeth, grinding them.

Xiao Ya turned suddenly. “Here we are, Yujin Hall.”

Yu Jing snapped awake, adjusted her mindset, flashed a professional smile, and watched Xiao Ya push open the wooden door.

The early arrivals—Xiao Yihuan, Peng Ze, and Chen Chen—looked up at the opening door, seeing Yu Jing and Ming Zhu appear together. They fell silent, three faces shocked.

They’d just been discussing online rumors about Ming Zhu being the surprise guest, and it was true!

But Ming Zhu, so aloof and low-key, joining a reality show?

With Ming Zhu here and Yu Jing too—rivals whose every encounter sparked fan wars and trending topics—would they fight on the show?

Curious eyes darted between Yu Jing and Ming Zhu. Yu Jing guessed what they were thinking, forced a calm smile, and waved. “Hi, I’m Yu Jing from Light and Shadow Media, a singer.”

As she introduced herself, Ming Zhu glanced over, her calm eyes flickering at “Light and Shadow Media.”

Yu Jing, focused on the unfamiliar artists, missed Ming Zhu’s glance, smiling as she walked over humbly. “Sorry, I might be a bit late.”

Her poised greeting broke the silence.

The stunned trio gradually recovered.

Xiao Yihuan, who’d worked with Yu Jing before, ran over first, smiling sweetly. “Long time no see, Jingjing!”

“Very long time.” Xiao Yihuan was an Omega. Although they were both women, Yu Jing was mindful of her future Alpha status; she gave a polite hug when Xiao Yihuan opened her arms, avoiding extra contact.

Peng Ze and Chen Chen came over.

Peng Ze, a shy young man, smiled. “Hi, Yu Jing, I’m Peng Ze, an actor.”

Yu Jing bowed to shake his hand. “I watched The Great Truth recently. Your Guo Yang was great.”

Peng Ze, a longtime obscure actor with solid skills but plain looks, rarely got roles. In The Great Truth, he played a minor character who died in half an episode. That Yu Jing remembered the role’s name thrilled him, warming him to this younger girl.

Yu Jing had done her homework on the guests. When Chen Chen introduced himself, she said, “I’ve seen all four seasons of Endless Run. You’re like a walking laugh trigger. Every time you appear, I lose it.”

Chen Chen teased, “Don’t watch my show while eating, or rice noodles might shoot out your nose.”

Yu Jing burst out laughing.

The stiff atmosphere warmed up, and after some banter, they remembered the silent guest, turning to the overlooked Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu stood straight, seemingly unbothered by being ignored, but showed no warmth either, just nodding formally. “Hello, I’m Ming Zhu.”

Compared to Yu Jing’s proactive vibe, her intro felt overly cold.

Xiao Yihuan, Peng Ze, and Chen Chen exchanged glances, thrown by her aura. Their smiles stiffened, movements awkward, as they shook her hand politely.

Yu Jing, seeing the mood about to freeze again thanks to this human air conditioner, worried about the upcoming shoot.

She wondered if the director had lost his mind inviting Ming Zhu. If she stayed this aloof and uncooperative, whoever paired with her would be doomed.

Silently praying not to be grouped with Ming Zhu tomorrow, she heard Xiao Ya say, “Director Yang’s here!”

Right then, three men and a woman entered, led by Yang Ming, head director of Crazy Treasure Hunt.

Everyone respectfully called, “Director Yang.”

Yang Ming gestured for them to sit, scanning the artists before lingering on Ming Zhu beside him. “You’re all curious why Ming Zhu’s here, right?”

The other three guests’ faces screamed, “I want to know.” Yu Jing feigned disinterest, but her ears, hidden in her hair, perked up.

Yang Ming sighed. “You’ve heard about Zhao Chi, right? After cutting ties with him, we scrambled for a new guest. Ming Zhu happened to be at my place, so I asked if she could step in. She agreed readily. Huge thanks to Teacher Ming Zhu.”

Ming Zhu tilted her head toward him, about to speak, when Chen Chen cut in, “Director Yang, you knew Ming Zhu before?”

Yang Ming laughed heartily, looking at Ming Zhu. “Actually, Ming Zhu’s close with my father. We hadn’t met before this.”

The group’s curiosity was satisfied, their gazes toward Ming Zhu turning respectful.

Yu Jing lifted her ice water, peering through the clear glass at the composed figure opposite, thinking slyly: Her, stepping up like that?

Ming Zhu’s eyes lowered, hiding a trace of resignation.

It wasn’t as simple as Yang Ming made it sound. She hadn’t agreed readily, wrestling with the decision.

Yang Ming was her mentor Yang Fan’s son. She joined this show mainly for Yang Fan.

Learning Yu Jing was also a guest later, Ming Zhu regretted it, but the contract was signed, and she had to come.

“Ming Zhu,” Yang Ming called.

Ming Zhu looked up, catching a pair of sneaky eyes. Her gaze sharpened.

Yu Jing’s heart skipped, and she ducked, masking it with a sip of water.

Ming Zhu, unsure how long she’d been watched, frowned but returned to normal when facing Yang Ming, saying softly, “You’re too kind, Director Yang.”

Yang Ming felt verbal thanks weren’t enough, calling for wine. He filled his glass, boldly saying, “I’m downing this. You do you.”

Seeing his sincerity, Ming Zhu couldn’t brush it off and filled her glass too.

As they raised their glasses, Chen Chen piped up excitedly, “Since we’ve got wine, let’s all toast to a smooth shoot!”

Yang Ming liked the idea, passing the wine to Chen Chen, then added, “Yihuan and Peng Ze, you Omegas can have drinks, no need for wine.”

So Xiao Yihuan and Peng Ze happily poured sweet beverages.

Chen Chen passed the bottle to Yu Jing after pouring. As she reached for it, Xiao Ye tugged her hem, puzzled.

Xiao Ye leaned in, whispering so others couldn’t hear, “Your tolerance is bad. Skip the wine.”

Skip wine and drink juice? No way, she wasn’t an Omega. Plus, Ming Zhu chose wine—if she didn’t, wouldn’t that admit defeat?

Ignoring the advice, Yu Jing poured wine, deliberately a bit more than Ming Zhu’s, her glass nearly overflowing.

Everyone filled up, and Yang Ming signaled to raise glasses.

The clinking of glasses rang out, ding-ding-dang-dang.

Yu Jing downed hers in one go, set it down, and looked across.

Ming Zhu tilted her long neck, throat gently moving, like a swan sipping nectar.

Drinking wine so elegantly?

Yu Jing was quietly amazed, then felt her own chugging was too crude by comparison.

But on second thought, at least she was decisive. Ming Zhu, still only halfway done, lacked any Alpha flair!

Yu Jing found balance in her heart, even wanting another drink.

But thinking of tomorrow’s shoot and doubting her tolerance, she didn’t refill.

The others set down their glasses sporadically.

Waiters brought up the dishes one by one.

The dinner had two goals: let the guests get acquainted and discuss tomorrow’s filming. Yu Jing ate while listening to the director, but soon couldn’t help yawning.

Others looked over.

She covered her mouth, smiling awkwardly. “Sorry, didn’t sleep well last night.”

Not true.

Yu Jing felt she’d slept fine, hitting the bed at ten, out cold, no dreams of dismantling human air conditioners. Yet, after eight hours, she was still sleepy, napping on the plane, then in the car…

Oddly, these past few days, she felt like she was either eating or sleeping, never fully awake, always tired.

First-time jitters for the show?

No time to dwell, she heard Yang Ming mention tomorrow’s filming location, sat up, pinched her brow to clear her head, and listened intently.

Midway, Xie Haichao’s manager called, saying he was almost at the hotel. Yang Ming paused, waiting for him to continue.

The guys, restless, slipped out to smoke.

Yu Jing felt antsy too. Maybe carsickness aftereffects or that wine, her head grew dizzier, her lower abdomen bloated, a strange heat coursing through, twitching like period cramps.

But it wasn’t her time… Was her cycle off?

To be safe, Yu Jing discreetly grabbed a pad from her bag, told Xiao Ye, and slipped out.

The hotel focused on lodging; their group was the only one dining on the second floor. Yu Jing found the public restroom, empty, and entered a stall, locking it carefully.

Public toilets were germy. With no urge to pee, she squatted in the empty space, pulled down her pants, saw no signs, and grew puzzled.

She redressed and stood, but her vision blackened, the world spinning.

Instinctively, she braced the stall walls, but before steadying, a sharp spasm hit her abdomen, so painful her legs buckled, and she knelt.

That kneel unleashed a tidal wave of intense discomfort. Her head spun, chest tightened, abdomen felt stabbed by a dull knife, muddling her mind, sapping her strength.

She’d never felt this before.

Yu Jing didn’t know what was wrong. Cold sweat poured, yet her body burned hotter.

The abdominal spasms intensified, each wave chipping away at her sanity.

A leaky faucet dripped, the sound pounding her heart.

Time lost meaning; every second was torturous.

Too weak to scream for help, she prayed someone would come.

Then, faint footsteps.

Someone was here!

Overjoyed, Yu Jing clenched her teeth, struggling to stand.

Thud—

Lacking strength, her steps wobbled, body swaying, head hitting the stall wall.

The abrupt noise made the newcomer pause, hesitantly asking, “Who’s in there?”

The voice felt familiar, but the pain was too much. Yu Jing, like a stranded fish against the wall, gasped faintly, “Can you… help me? It hurts so bad, I can’t…”

As she spoke, the person hurried to the stall, tried the door, couldn’t open it, and said urgently in a clear, cool tone, “Open the door first.”

With her last strength, Yu Jing unlatched it.

Click—

Fresh air, laced with a unique cold fragrance, rushed in.

Her body, unsupported, collapsed into the person’s arms, enveloped by a scent both unfamiliar and faintly familiar.

So comforting…

The cozy embrace and soothing scent seemed to ease her abdominal pain and the unbearable heat in her body.

Yu Jing breathed deeply, instinctively pressing closer.

The person she clung to stiffened, a shocked voice coming from above, “It’s you?”

Yu Jing slowly raised her head.

Tears from pain blurred her vision; she couldn’t make out the face. From the soft chest, she knew it was a woman.

Not Xiao Ye.

Xiao Yihuan?

No, Xiao Yihuan was an Omega, shorter, less curvaceous.

This seemed like an Alpha.

Besides herself, which Alphas were at the dinner?

Yu Jing’s dizzy, chaotic mind couldn’t sort it out.

Drawn by the cold fragrance, her hands unconsciously wrapped around the woman’s neck, body pressing close, chin nuzzling the sensitive neck like a kitten, soaking in the icy scent that soothed her pain, murmuring unaware, “You smell so nice.”