Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Ming Zhu didn’t mention anything about gifts. Yu Jing wasn’t sure if she remembered her birthday was coming up, but she still wanted to prepare a surprise carefully.

Neither of them planned to go public yet. Celebrating outside risked exposure, so the best place was at home. But Ming Zhu was always home during the day reading scripts, and Yu Jing couldn’t find a good excuse to get her out. After discussing with Xiao Ye, she decided to use their apartment to plan Ming Zhu’s birthday.

Since there were too many things to prepare, on the day of the birthday, Yu Jing ended practice early. Just as she was leaving the company, her phone rang.

It was Ming Zhu calling.

Usually at this time, Ming Zhu would text to ask when she’d be back. Yu Jing assumed it was the same today. Before answering, she prepared an excuse, planning to lie and say she had something to do tonight.

If Ming Zhu forgot her birthday, it wouldn’t matter. But if she remembered and heard Yu Jing say she couldn’t come back to spend time with her, she’d probably feel disappointed. When her disappointment peaked, Yu Jing could jump out and double the surprise effect.

Yu Jing silently praised her own cleverness. She put the phone to her ear, adjusted her emotions, and pretended to sound helpless as she called out, “Sister.”

“Jingjing,” Ming Zhu’s voice was gentle. “I’m not interrupting your practice, am I?”

“No, I just finished dancing.”

Yu Jing thought the next question would be about when she’d return.

Unexpectedly, Ming Zhu changed the topic and said, “I have a business dinner tonight.”

A business dinner? This wasn’t what Yu Jing had expected.

Yu Jing froze for a moment, then quickly asked, “When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure exactly when,” Ming Zhu hesitated briefly, then said in a coaxing tone, “I’ll try to come back early to be with you.”

Yu Jing’s brain raced. Suddenly, she thought this was perfect. If Ming Zhu was out for a business dinner, she could openly go over and set up the surprise.

Without asking where she was going or who she was meeting, Yu Jing focused on preparing the surprise and said cheerfully, “Go handle your business!”

After ending the call, Yu Jing rushed back to Heart Lake Community without stopping.

By then, Ming Zhu and Zhou Qi had already gone out for the dinner.

Yu Jing dragged a heavy plastic bag and sneaked into Ming Zhu’s apartment.

The sun was setting, and the room was dimly lit. She turned on the living room light, set down the bag, and crouched to rummage through it.

Little White heard the noise and ran over, attracted by the rustling items in the bag. It bit a ribbon and tried to drag it out.

Yu Jing stopped it, rescuing the fragile ribbon from its sharp claws.

Worried the little guy would cause trouble, Yu Jing carried it to a small room, opened a can of food for it, and petted it, saying, “Today is Sister’s birthday, so you need to behave, okay?”

Little White held a small fish in its mouth, making “ow ow ow” sounds from its throat, as if saying, “As long as there’s enough food, I’m good.”

Yu Jing calmed it down, left the room, and locked the door behind her.

Night fell.

Ming Zhu and Zhou Qi escorted a very drunk Producer Gong out of the private dining room.

The producer had an assistant, who hurried over, stuffed Producer Gong into a car, greeted them, and drove off first.

Once the person and car were gone, the forced business smile Ming Zhu had worn all evening collapsed. She lowered her eyes and muttered, “I didn’t expect a dinner to be so exhausting.”

Zhou Qi’s gaze shifted from the receding car. Seeing the fatigue between Ming Zhu’s brows and smelling the faint alcohol on her, she teased, “Before, I couldn’t drag you to dinners with famous directors, but this time you insisted on meeting Producer Gong yourself. Don’t blame me.”

Ming Zhu glanced at her, stayed silent for a moment, and said, “This time is different.”

She didn’t explain why it was different, but Zhou Qi understood without words. Zhou Qi studied her and said meaningfully, “I’ve noticed you’ve changed a lot since you started dating Yu Jing.”

“Have I?” Ming Zhu hadn’t realized.

“You shot a magazine cover for her, quit ‘Treasure Hunt’ for her, and now you’re dining with Producer Gong for her,” Zhou Qi counted the changes on her fingers. “The old you would never have done this.”

Ming Zhu didn’t deny it. She brushed back her wind-tousled hair, her phoenix-like eyes narrowing. “Are you saying I have no principles?”

Zhou Qi leaned closer, patted her shoulder, and said, “I just think the current you is pretty great.”

Ming Zhu’s eyes urged her to continue.

“The old you was cold and boring. Since Yu Jing came along, I feel like you smile more.” Zhou Qi pointed at the slight upward curve of her lips. “See, just hearing her name makes you smile. Tsk tsk, the stench of love.”

“…” Ming Zhu’s smile flattened. She looked up at the already dark sky, pretending to be aloof. “Let’s go.”

Having not seen her girlfriend all day, Ming Zhu got in the car and called her. The busy tone rang for a long time, but no one answered before it disconnected.

Thinking Yu Jing might be busy and didn’t hear, Ming Zhu sent her a WeChat message about her schedule.

A long time passed, and Yu Jing still didn’t reply.

It was a weekend evening, and the roads were slightly congested.

The drive from the venue to Heart Lake Community took nearly half an hour. Ming Zhu kept staring at her phone, waiting for Yu Jing’s response, growing more uncertain.

She promised Yu Jing she’d return early. It wasn’t even nine yet, so it shouldn’t be too late. Could her little girlfriend be angry and ignoring her?

Zhou Qi dropped her off.

As soon as the car stopped, Ming Zhu eagerly unbuckled her seatbelt, tossed out a quick “Be safe on the road,” and strode into the community gate.

She took the elevator to her floor and reached her door. Seeing light seeping from under the door, her anxious heart settled.

The light was on, meaning Yu Jing was there.

She felt she’d overthought things. Yu Jing wasn’t that petty.

A flood of light poured out, accompanied by the rich scent of roses.

Opening the door, Ming Zhu saw unfamiliar decorations and nearly thought she’d entered the wrong place.

Colorful balloons floated in the air, ribbons swayed without wind, and twinkling lights sparkled like stars. Romantic rose petals were scattered across the floor.

Ming Zhu instinctively wanted to step out of this dreamy room to check the door number. Her eyes scanned the space and caught a familiar figure in the center of the living room, freezing her in place.

She stared in surprise at the white silhouette standing there, uncertain. “Jingjing?”

The girl, facing away, turned at the sound. Her radiant features glowed in the candlelight, her smile blooming like a flower. “Surprise!”

“…”

Seeing the cake in her hands, Ming Zhu realized something, her heart tightening suddenly.

Yu Jing was barefoot, her delicate feet playfully stepping on the wooden floor, making her skin look even paler. She carefully avoided the petals, walked to Ming Zhu, and raised her smiling face, saying brightly, “Sister, happy birthday!”

Ming Zhu’s gaze lingered on the cake, slightly dazed. Looking at Yu Jing’s stunningly beautiful smile behind the candlelight, she was too shocked to speak. “You…”

Yu Jing’s arms ached from holding the cake. Seeing Ming Zhu just stare at her with a confused expression, she asked, “You didn’t really forget today’s your birthday, did you?”

Ming Zhu’s expression shifted, her eyes filled with complex emotions, showing little joy.

After a long pause, she seemed to react, tugging her lips slightly. “Hmm, I did forget.”

Yu Jing pouted and teased, “Forgetting your own birthday? You’re so careless.”

Ming Zhu seemed not to hear. Her eyes swept over the carefully decorated room, then returned to Yu Jing’s captivating smile. Her thin lips moved as she said softly, “All this… you prepared it yourself?”

“Yeah,” Yu Jing had spent hours setting it up by herself, but she wasn’t proud. Pausing, she said sheepishly, “The day before yesterday, I ran into Lin Yi while trying on clothes. She told me your birthday was coming up. I didn’t have much time to prepare properly, so I’m not sure if you’re satisfied with this surprise.”

Ming Zhu nodded slowly, catching key details, and asked, “You met Lin Yi that day?”

“…” Yu Jing realized she’d let slip. She explained that Lin Yi wanted to add her on WeChat. Before Ming Zhu could press further, Yu Jing nodded at the cake in her hands and urged, “Make a wish!”

Ming Zhu stared at the flickering candle, as if lost in thought or daydreaming. After a while, she clasped her hands, looked into Yu Jing’s beautiful, glossy eyes, and said solemnly, “I wish my Jingjing debuts successfully in the upcoming ‘Youth Training Camp.’”

Yu Jing hadn’t expected her first wish to be about her. Her face warmed, and she cleared her throat, saying, “Make one about yourself.”

Ming Zhu’s eyes flickered with mixed emotions. After another long pause, she lifted her gaze slowly and said out of the blue, “Actually, I haven’t celebrated my birthday in a long time.”

“…Huh?” Yu Jing was stunned.

Ming Zhu continued, “If possible, would you be willing to celebrate my birthdays with me from now on?”

Yu Jing blinked. “Is that your second wish?”

“Hmm.” Ming Zhu’s eyes grew warmer with anticipation, her voice carrying a subtle humility and plea. “Is that okay?”

“Of course it is!” Yu Jing answered firmly, grinning. “I’ll celebrate every one of your birthdays with you from now on.”

Ming Zhu’s tight lips curved slightly. She reached out to touch Yu Jing’s face, smooth, warm, and full.

Confirming its reality, Ming Zhu closed her eyes and blew out the candle.

The cake was a last-minute purchase by Yu Jing, small enough for just the two of them.

After eating, Yu Jing brought out the prepared gift, watching Ming Zhu unwrap it, feeling nervous. She preempted, “It’s not anything special.”

Ming Zhu peeled away the layers of wrapping, picked up the perfume bottle, and smiled. “But I love it.”

Yu Jing smiled back. Her peripheral vision caught the bow Ming Zhu had tossed aside. Something popped into her mind, and on impulse, she blurted, “Xiao Ye suggested I wrap myself up as a gift for you.”

Ming Zhu, who was fiddling with the perfume, looked up sharply. Surprise flashed in her eyes at Yu Jing’s bold words, quickly replaced by a fiery emotion that enveloped her intensely.

Yu Jing felt embarrassed after saying it, covering her face to hide.

Ming Zhu grabbed her hand, her thumb gently rubbing Yu Jing’s slender wrist. Her gaze was tender as she leaned in and kissed her.

Yu Jing didn’t pull away, closing her eyes to respond shyly.

When her lips grew numb and Ming Zhu let go, Yu Jing still felt it wasn’t enough.

Dazed, her small feet were caught by Ming Zhu, who looked down and put shoes on her personally.

Ming Zhu’s cool fingers brushed her soles, tickling slightly. Yu Jing couldn’t help but hum, drawing Ming Zhu’s gaze.

The fiery emotion in Ming Zhu’s eyes surged, her grip on Yu Jing’s foot tightening slightly.

Yu Jing’s heart pounded. She bit her lip as Ming Zhu pulled her up.

Were they moving somewhere else?

Yu Jing glanced instinctively toward the bedroom. She let Ming Zhu lead her to the entryway, her heart sinking.

Here?

But this place wasn’t great, was it? There wasn’t even a spot to lie down…

Yu Jing felt shy and anxious. Amid her confusion, she heard the door lock click and looked over quickly.

Ming Zhu’s slender hand held the doorknob. She gently touched Yu Jing’s flushed face and said, “It’s late. Go rest.”

Yu Jing felt like someone had dumped cold water on her, snapping her awake.

Ming Zhu wasn’t planning to continue somewhere else—she was sending her away…

After all those wild thoughts she’d had…

Yu Jing was mortified, biting her lip, unsure what to say.

“Good night,” Ming Zhu kissed her cheek softly.

The warm lips landed gently, and the intoxicating scent of alcohol from her breath filled Yu Jing’s nose. Her heart tingled and itched. Looking up, she saw Ming Zhu’s calm, desireless expression and suddenly felt unwilling.

Her small hand pressed Ming Zhu’s, stopping her from turning the knob. Yu Jing’s lips drooped as she looked at her pitifully. “Are you not interested in me anymore?”

“…What did you say?” Ming Zhu looked confused, as if she didn’t understand.

Yu Jing took a deep breath, deciding not to beat around the bush. Dropping her reserve and shame, she said bluntly, “I was hinting so obviously just now. Normal people would know what’s supposed to happen next. Sending me away now, Sister, are you even human?”

Ming Zhu froze, her gaze wandering, then returning to Yu Jing’s face. “Didn’t you say you were on your period and it was inconvenient?”

Yu Jing choked.

Her reminder made Yu Jing recall the excuse she’d used the day before yesterday to brush her off. She wished she could go back and strangle her lying self. Her face flushed red and pale, her confidence gone. She lowered her head, stammering, “That was because… I wanted to save tonight for you… I lied on purpose.”

Ming Zhu lifted her chin with her fingers, looking at her flushed face, smiling meaningfully. “Save it for what? Be clear.”

Yu Jing was even more mortified by her smile. Throwing away her pride, she grabbed Ming Zhu’s collar, pretending to be fierce. “Are you doing it or not?”

“…”

The night deepened. Little White, asleep, was woken by the sharp sound of a table leg scraping the floor.

Its agile body darted out of the cat bed. Little White clawed at the door, curious to investigate, but the locked door wouldn’t budge. Through the crack, it saw intertwined, swaying shadows outside.

Fragmented conversation drifted in. Little White couldn’t make it out, only thinking these strange sounds seemed familiar from before.