Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Clouds blocked the sunlight, but the air’s restless heat only grew.

Ming Zhu stood at the edge of the parking shed and the road, half in shadow, her expression unreadable.

Wind tossed her long hair, scorching her skin, yet she seemed unfazed by the heat, standing tall, her gaze cutting through the air, following the fleeing figure, faint glimmers flickering in her eyes.

She had worn perfume.

But it was Alpha-specific, designed to suppress pheromone leaks.

Ming Zhu disliked strong scents, always using C+, a subtle herbal fragrance, so faint even she barely noticed it. How could it choke anyone?

Recalling Yu Jing’s disgusted nose-rubbing seconds ago, Ming Zhu’s mind swirled with doubts.

If she was bothered, why get so close?

That proximity felt like Yu Jing was about to harass her.

But oddly, Yu Jing was an undifferentiated Alpha.

Even if not Alpha, given their mutual dislike, she wouldn’t harass her. Right?

Ming Zhu pondered long, unable to grasp Yu Jing’s bizarre actions.

Like last night, when Yu Jing lunged, clung tightly, and said she smelled nice. Equally baffling.

What was this girl up to?

For the first time, Ming Zhu wanted to dig into her motives.

But before she could speak, Yu Jing, like a guilty crook fearing capture, bolted.

Pale lips pursed, Ming Zhu gazed after her, thoughtful.

…

Yu Jing ran until she reached a giant signboard, dodging that piercing stare, then stopped, wiping cold sweat from her forehead, reviewing her act.

She felt it was pretty natural, no slip-ups, right?

Pressing her thumping heart and burning cheeks, she peeked out, seeing Ming Zhu still rooted, not chasing. She exhaled long.

“Teacher Yu Jing, why’re you hiding here alone?”

Yu Jing’s neck shrank. Turning, she saw Xiao Ya approaching with a big bag, quickly adjusting, flashing a bright smile. “Car’s stuffy, just getting air… What’s that? Need help?”

Xiao Ya shook her head, smiling. “Sponsor’s phones, one for each of you six. I’ll give you yours.”

Yu Jing took the new phone, inspecting it. “Pretty nice.”

“Great for photos, try it,” Xiao Ya said, sounding like a salesperson.

“Let’s take one together.”

“Sure, sure!”

They snapped a few, then Xiao Ya led her to the temporary makeup room.

Yu Jing chatted warmly with the makeup artists. Other late-arriving artists trickled in: Xiao Yihuan, Peng Ze, Chen Chen, and Xie Haichao, delayed by filming.

Xie Haichao, a veteran actor known for tough-guy or lead roles, was the oldest and biggest name among them. Yu Jing worried he’d be unapproachable, but he was down-to-earth.

After her introduction, Xie Haichao, clearly unfamiliar with her, didn’t say so, teasing her youthful face, “If I hadn’t been busy filming, my daughter’d be about your age.”

Knowing his nine-year-old daughter from research, Yu Jing blushed, “My dad’s nowhere near as young or handsome as you.”

Xie Haichao laughed heartily.

Spotting Ming Zhu apart from the group, his eyes lit up. “My wife loves you, watches Qingqiu Legends daily.”

Ming Zhu’s lips curved faintly, her voice polite yet cool, “My first role was with your wife. No scenes together, but I admire her acting.”

Yu Jing thought, So she can say nice things!

Cold to a nobody like her, but all flattery for top-dog Xie Haichao. So fake.

To avoid delaying filming, they exchanged brief pleasantries and took their places. Three men, three women, split by mirrors, makeup artists working.

Men’s makeup was quick; they left for the set, impatient to wait for the women. Ming Zhu, with the lightest makeup, finished first among the women, greeted Xiao Yihuan, and left. Xiao Yihuan followed.

Xiao Yihuan didn’t stay for Yu Jing, maybe avoiding her as an undifferentiated Alpha.

Yu Jing didn’t mind; fewer people made her more at ease.

Her skin was naturally flawless, but last night’s ordeal left her unrested, with panda eyes and two forehead pimples. The makeup artist worked meticulously for a perfect look.

Finally done, the artist gathered her voluminous hair for a ponytail.

Alarm bells rang. Yu Jing grabbed her hand, “My hair’s tricky, don’t bother, I’ll do it.”

She feared exposing her new gland.

Though Shen Jiayu applied an invisible patch, she couldn’t bare her nape to strangers.

The artist smiled, packed up, and left.

Yu Jing relaxed, tying her ponytail in front of the mirror.

Before finishing, a shout outside, “It’s raining!”

Torrential rain poured, a vast curtain shrouding the waterpark.

Yu Jing ran to the door, stunned, watching staff scramble to pack equipment and props.

Summer rain came fast, catching everyone off guard, chaos halting filming.

Wanting to help, Yu Jing was stopped halfway by Xiao Ya, “Director Yang says we might move indoors. Stay put, I’ll let you know.”

Xiao Ya rushed off.

Yu Jing waited, with only the show’s phone, no SIM, no internet, bored. Scanning the crowd, she spotted Xiao Ye and Shen Jiayu looking around, waving them over.

She asked Xiao Ye for her phone.

Xiao Ye opened her huge bag.

It was stuffed messily, topped by a dust-bagged shirt. Yu Jing recognized the fabric and color, her eyelid twitching. “What’s that?”

Xiao Ye pulled it out, waving it. “The shirt you tore off Ming Zhu. You told me to wash it, so I did, dried it, but no time to return it, so I brought it.”

Hearing “you tore off,” Yu Jing’s double-eyelid-taped right eye twitched hard. Fearing someone spotting the evidence, she shoved it back, hissing, “Never mention this again!”

Each mention made her recall clinging to Ming Zhu in the restroom, begging, wanting to slam into a wall.

Xiao Ye stuck out her tongue, pinching the shirt’s edge, unsure.

“If you hate seeing it, just return it now,” Shen Jiayu said.

Yu Jing thought it a good idea.

Returning it would ease her mind.

But with the chaos outside, she searched and couldn’t find Ming Zhu.

Shen Jiayu pointed, “I think I saw her and her manager go in there.”

The makeup room?

Yu Jing hesitated, then saw the makeup room door open, Zhou Qi stepping out, taking a call, walking away.

Once Zhou Qi was gone, Yu Jing resolved, grabbed the shirt from Xiao Ye’s bag, glanced around like a thief, and, seeing no one watching, headed to the makeup room.

Xiao Ye wanted to follow.

Yu Jing stopped, “Don’t come.”

Xiao Ye worried, “What if she bullies you?”

Would she dare?!

Yu Jing wasn’t sure, having lost several face-offs with Ming Zhu.

Exactly why Xiao Ye couldn’t come.

She didn’t want anyone seeing her back down.

Chest out, she said confidently, “I’ll go alone.”

Xiao Ye’s lips moved, then, “Okay.”

Hiding the shirt behind her, Yu Jing took a deep breath, gripped the handle, and turned.

The door closed behind her.

She strode in, eyes scanning, but saw no one, frowning, puzzled.

Did Shen Jiayu see wrong?

About to leave, turning, a cool voice drifted, “Come help me.”

Recognizing Ming Zhu, Yu Jing’s eyes darted, spotting a small inner door.

The voice came from there.

What was Ming Zhu doing inside?

Unsure what lay beyond, Yu Jing stared, unmoving.

Impatient, the voice urged, “Hurry up.”

…Was this a plea?

Ming Zhu, pleading???

Before grasping why she’d stoop to ask her, Yu Jing’s legs moved toward it.

Her approaching steps alerted the person inside. The door cracked open, light spilling, revealing it was on.

With the light came that unique, nearly-pervert-making cold fragrance…

Beyond that, nothing was clear.

Ahem— Yu Jing coughed awkwardly.

Next second, the less-cool voice said, “Come in.”

No time to note the tone’s difference, Yu Jing steadied herself, raised her right hand.

The door was light, opening with a touch.

Seeing the scene, her breath caught, dumbfounded.

“My hair’s caught on a button, help me,” Ming Zhu said, unaware.

“…”

Wet hair spilled, a strand tangled in her bra’s clasp, like knotted vines, tracing alluring curves on her slim, bare back.

A water droplet slid along her elegant shoulder blade, past the thin bra strap, winding down, vanishing into hidden realms.

Stark black and white, stark temptation.

Gulp—

The swallow echoed loudly in the tight space.

Waiting without response, Ming Zhu sensed something off, turning warily, her rain-misted eyes widening, gaze shaken.

“…How’s it you?”

She should’ve closed the door or shut her eyes, pretending blindness, but her brain crashed.

Yu Jing stared at the stunning sight, throat rolling, gaze lifting to Ming Zhu’s shocked, exquisite face, blinking innocently, “Didn’t you tell me to come in?”