Pretending to Be an Alpha in an All-Alpha Boy Band - Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Baby 

Help?

When a brother’s in trouble, you can’t just stand by. If Ying Mingxi genuinely needed help, Yuan Shiyuan would naturally step forward.

But the problem was, Ying Mingxi needed help through his susceptible period… How could he possibly help with that?

Ying Mingxi’s request for “help” clearly went beyond simply administering an Inhibitor shot, and Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t let Ying Mingxi actually come inside.

After racking his brain, the only viable solution was a temporary mark.

He had just promised Pei Yanbing a temporary mark anyway, so giving one more wouldn’t make much difference.

“Of course,” Yuan Shiyuan replied decisively, without a second thought. “Brother Mingxi, if you need help during your susceptible period, I can give you a temporary mark. It’s more effective than Inhibitors.”

However, a temporary mark would leave the Alpha’s body saturated with Omega pheromones. If Ying Mingxi were to receive one, everyone would know he had been marked by an unknown Omega.

Therefore, they would need to find a secluded, undisturbed corner to complete the temporary marking. Once Ying Mingxi’s susceptible period ended completely, the mark could be thoroughly erased.

This way, Yuan Shiyuan could secretly help Ying Mingxi through his susceptible period.

“A temporary mark?” Ying Mingxi suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief and a flustered joy, as if overwhelmed by favor. He gripped Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulders, as if seeking confirmation, and asked again in a low voice, “You mean… you’re willing to give me a temporary mark?”

“You’re really willing?”

An Omega can only give one Alpha a temporary mark at a time. Only after the temporary mark fades can they give another.

Yuan Shiyuan was actually willing to give him his precious temporary mark!

“Mhm, mhm, for you, really.”

Yuan Shiyuan nodded. He could simultaneously bestow countless permanent marks, let alone a temporary one. It wasn’t just Ying Mingxi; even if others wanted one, he could provide plenty.

Seeing Ying Mingxi remain silent, Yuan Shiyuan lifted his long, delicate eyelashes and pressed, “Brother Mingxi, don’t you want it?”

“It’s not that I don’t want it.” Ying Mingxi pulled Yuan Shiyuan into a tight embrace. After calming himself, he whispered into Yuan Shiyuan’s ear, “Thank you, Shiyuan.”

It was only then that Ying Mingxi realized he might be different to Yuan Shiyuan.

Otherwise, Yuan Shiyuan wouldn’t have offered him this precious opportunity for a temporary mark.

“It’s nothing, don’t mention it,” Yuan Shiyuan said after careful thought. “Then, before our official performance, let’s help each other out? Calculate your susceptible period, and we can set a time in advance.”

He paused, his voice softening, tinged with a hint of shy embarrassment. “But… I think I might need a bit more this time.”

In the coming weeks, they would be undergoing intense training. Yuan Shiyuan worried that insufficient Silent Night might severely diminish its effectiveness. To be safe, he wanted Ying Mingxi to feed him as much as possible, hoping to quell his heat period—a ticking time bomb within him.

This heat period was even more troublesome than a time bomb. At least a time bomb has a countdown, allowing for preemptive measures. His heat period, however, could strike without warning.

Sometimes, he’d simply be lying in the Alpha’s arms when a sudden, uncontrollable desire would surge through him. Deep in his abdomen and gland, heat flared, igniting an overwhelming, primal hunger.

“Understood,” Ying Mingxi nodded knowingly, lifting Yuan Shiyuan’s chin and gazing down at him with tender eyes. “I’ll save all of it for you during this time. Is that alright?”

That would be perfect. Yuan Shiyuan murmured his assent, tilting his head to nuzzle against the Alpha’s palm. “Thank you, Brother Mingxi. You’re working so hard for me.”

After finalizing their arrangements with Ying Mingxi, the lunch he had ordered arrived.

Having finished their meal, they skipped their usual nap and returned to the office for one last round of discussions, finalizing the album details and recording dates.

In the days that followed, Yuan Shiyuan was constantly on the move, spending his days either in the recording studio, rehearsing in the dance studio, or attending countless performance classes and other lessons.

At the same time, everyone had to find time for dance rehearsals. The professional instructors also needed to fine-tune the choreography based on each member’s performance, adjusting details bit by bit.

Yuan Shiyuan hadn’t been this busy in ages.

Just as Yuan Shiyuan emerged from the recording studio, Ying Mingxi considerately handed him a cup of honey water to soothe his throat. The water was at the perfect temperature, the cup still cool to the touch.

He drank it all in one gulp from Ying Mingxi’s hand, tilting his head back to smile at the Alpha.

“Thank you, Brother Mingxi.”

“Why are you always paying attention to my brother?” Ying Mingche grumbled from behind, his voice laced with jealousy as he massaged Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulders. “You never even look at me.”

“I do! I do! How could I not?” Yuan Shiyuan retorted, reaching back to pat the large hand on his shoulder. “A little more to the left, it’s a bit sore there.”

He treated his brother with patience and politeness, but Ying Mingche received completely different treatment, as if he were nothing more than a tool to be used.

Ying Mingche wore a sullen expression but dutifully massaged Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulders while listening to the song Yuan Shiyuan had just finished recording.

Their new album track featured a notoriously high note, its difficulty legendary. Even forcing the note felt almost impossible to control. Yet Yuan Shiyuan not only nailed it effortlessly but also delivered the high note with crystal-clear clarity and piercing resonance, sending shivers down listeners’ spines.

As Ying Mingche listened, his heart inexplicably began to race. He glanced at Yuan Shiyuan, who was chatting casually with his brother on the sofa, his face flushed and a pang of sourness rising in his chest.

Seeking attention, he deliberately wedged himself between the two and changed the subject. “How can you hit that high note so effortlessly? Is there some secret technique?”

Yuan Shiyuan pondered for a moment before answering, “Do you want the honest answer?”

Meanwhile, Ying Mingxi also leaned in curiously. This high note had plagued them for ages; he was equally eager to hear the answer.

“Of course, tell us the truth.”

Yuan Shiyuan: “Talent.”

Ying Mingche froze, his expression blank. Ying Mingxi paused, then chuckled, “What a brutally honest answer.”

“Okay, just kidding,” Yuan Shiyuan said with a wink. “I honestly don’t know. No special technique or anything… Maybe just lots of practice?”

Truth be told, Yuan Shiyuan wasn’t wrong. Talent did play a significant role. In music, he seemed to possess an extraordinary gift far beyond the norm.

Whether he was playing the piano, singing in the recording studio, or revising sheet music, his focused and engrossed demeanor was utterly captivating.

As Yuan Shiyuan leaned back on the sofa, his shirt hem rolled up slightly. Ying Mingxi instinctively reached out to tug it down, covering a sliver of his pale waistline.

Seeing their familiar interaction, Ying Mingche’s heart twisted with jealousy. Determined to make his presence known, he propped one hand on the sofa back behind Yuan Shiyuan and wrapped the other around his side, gently pressing his palm against Yuan Shiyuan’s lower abdomen.

Tickled, Yuan Shiyuan let out a soft hum and glanced sideways. “Stop groping,” he murmured.

Though his words were a rebuke, his tone lacked genuine resistance. Ying Mingxi, ever observant, caught the underlying message: If you can make me comfortable, anything goes. If not, take your hand away.

Ying Mingche, also watching Yuan Shiyuan’s expression, caught the hint of indulgence in his eyes. Emboldened, he pressed his palm firmly against Yuan Shiyuan’s lower abdomen and began to gently massage it.

As his touch grew bolder, he edged closer, half-embracing Yuan Shiyuan and pulling him into his own embrace, forcibly widening the gap between Yuan Shiyuan and Ying Mingxi.

“Sister-in-law, you and my brother are really close, huh?”

Ying Mingche’s sudden remark made Yuan Shiyuan lift his lashes with a half-smile. “Does a little brother ever get this touchy with his sister-in-law?”

“My brother doesn’t mind,” Ying Mingche shot a deliberately provocative glance at Ying Mingxi. “Right, Brother? You’re not that petty, are you?”

Ying Mingxi maintained his warm, gentle smile, saying nothing. He subtly moved closer to Yuan Shiyuan and took his hand.

“We’re meeting at Brother Zhuang’s office later. Have you checked the group chat?” he said, gently kneading Yuan Shiyuan’s fingers.

Yuan Shiyuan’s expression softened, clearly enjoying the touch. He leaned closer to Ying Mingxi. “Really? I didn’t notice the message.”

Just as Ying Mingche had seized Yuan Shiyuan’s attention, Ying Mingxi instantly reclaimed it. Ying Mingche’s expression turned cold, but he stubbornly continued to edge closer to Yuan Shiyuan. Suddenly, an icy voice warned from the doorway:

“Take your hand off him.”

Jiang Heng strode up to Yuan Shiyuan and casually picked up the small backpack from the coffee table.

His gaze swept over the trio practically entangled on the sofa before settling on Yuan Shiyuan. “It’s time for class.”

The six members of their group had different daily schedules. Yuan Shiyuan would sometimes attend classes with one or two of his teammates, and other times he would run into them at the dance studio or recording booth.

Meanwhile, the other members might be rushing to promotional events or practicing separately.

Yuan Shiyuan stood up and followed Jiang Heng out of the recording booth. In the corridor, he asked, puzzled, “Isn’t there still half an hour left?”

Yuan Shiyuan was meticulous about time. He never forgot his schedule and wouldn’t keep a teacher waiting.

Jiang Heng glanced at Yuan Shiyuan, his ears burning, and abruptly pulled him into a small room nearby.

Inside, the air conditioning had been turned on in advance.

Jiang Heng pulled Yuan Shiyuan into a tight embrace, nuzzling his cheek with a hint of barely concealed grievance. “You’ve been so busy lately,” he murmured.

Yuan Shiyuan found this amusing, but he leaned into Jiang Heng’s arms. “Aren’t we all busy?”

Jiang Heng didn’t reply, but inwardly he knew the truth: every spare moment he had was spent thinking about Yuan Shiyuan. Yet during those moments, Yuan Shiyuan was either recording songs or practicing dance… they barely had a chance to see each other.

Over time, he began to feel as if they hadn’t had a proper conversation or spent quality time together in ages.

Jiang Heng reached out and wrapped his arm around Yuan Shiyuan’s waist, guiding him backward step by step until they tumbled onto the sofa. He then surreptitiously leaned down and stole a kiss on Yuan Shiyuan’s cheek.

Hearing footsteps approaching the door, Yuan Shiyuan quickly pressed his hand against Jiang Heng’s chest. “Wait… there’s someone outside.”

“Afraid of being seen?”

“Of course! It’d be weird if people saw us wrestling around here,” Yuan Shiyuan retorted. “Like we’re having a secret tryst.”

But just moments ago, Yuan Shiyuan had been wrestling around with those two brothers too.

Jiang Heng’s heart twisted with jealousy, but he remained silent. He simply held Yuan Shiyuan close and inhaled deeply, the familiar scent relaxing his taut nerves.

“You haven’t needed pheromones lately?”

“I seem to be doing alright recently,” Yuan Shiyuan answered honestly. “If I need them, I’ll definitely come to you.”

Strangely, his cravings hadn’t been as intense lately.

Though he still felt occasional hunger, it was more like a late-night craving for crawfish or barbecue—a manageable appetite.

Yuan Shiyuan dared not let his guard down. He didn’t believe his heat period would end so easily. He suspected his body was likely brewing something big, and the next heat period could be exceptionally intense.

Fortunately, he had already scheduled an appointment with Ying Mingxi in advance, so he wasn’t too worried.

“That’s good,” Jiang Heng murmured, lowering his head until their foreheads touched. “When you go for your follow-up appointment, I’ll come with you.”

“The follow-up isn’t due yet,” Yuan Shiyuan nodded. “I get regular checkups anyway. Brother Zhuang always reminds me.”

Yuan Shiyuan was too embarrassed to admit that every few days, out of curiosity, he would secretly sneak his phone behind him, spread his legs, and snap a photo.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he couldn’t help feeling that his underdeveloped “Xiao Xue” wasn’t as tightly closed as before…

It seemed as if Xiao Xue had been quietly “broken in” without his knowledge, becoming rounder and fuller.

Though compared to a normal Omega’s, it remained pitifully small.

Lately, Bo Jin had been claiming he couldn’t sleep alone and insisted on sharing Yuan Shiyuan’s bed.

Yuan Shiyuan had his suspicions about Bo Jin, but he couldn’t quite believe Bo Jin would be the type to sneak into his brother’s bed and do something perverse while he was asleep…

Noticing Yuan Shiyuan’s absentmindedness, Jiang Heng gently squeezed his fingers.

Yuan Shiyuan leaned back slightly, and Jiang Heng lowered his head to inhale the fragrance of Yuan Shiyuan’s hair. “Did you wash your hair?”

“Mm-hmm. I just finished dance practice, took a shower, and headed straight to the recording studio,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “I was drenched in sweat.”

“Do you shower every day?” Jiang Heng asked.

“Of course,” Yuan Shiyuan replied, raising a hand to sniff himself to confirm there was no lingering sweat before lowering his hand. “It’s so hot these days; I’d feel uncomfortable skipping a shower.”

“So meticulous about cleanliness,” Jiang Heng murmured, his fingertips tracing the ends of Yuan Shiyuan’s hair, his tone tinged with an almost imperceptible tenderness.

Yuan Shiyuan glanced at him. “Don’t you shower every day?”

“I do,” Jiang Heng replied. “But you’re different.”

Many ordinary things seemed extraordinarily endearing when Yuan Shiyuan did them. Even the way he had earnestly raised his hand to sniff himself just now made Jiang Heng want to draw closer.

They stole a brief respite in the small room, resting for ten minutes.

During that time, they did nothing but hold each other tightly.

Jiang Heng occasionally lowered his head to nuzzle Yuan Shiyuan’s cheek or the back of his hand, and Yuan Shiyuan, exhausted, even dozed off for a short while.

Jiang Heng gently brushed aside Yuan Shiyuan’s pink forehead fringe, revealing his full face. Under the lamplight, his lashes were long and thick, his breathing slow and even, and his rosy lips were slightly pursed.

He’s truly exhausted, Jiang Heng thought.

After gazing at Yuan Shiyuan’s sleeping face for a moment, Jiang Heng leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to his forehead.

Two minutes later, Yuan Shiyuan opened his eyes. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late for class.”

Jiang Heng was taken aback. “You weren’t actually asleep just now?”

“Nope, just resting with my eyes closed.” Yuan Shiyuan stood up, deliberately raising his right eyebrow and tilting his head at the Alpha. “What, afraid I’d catch you sneaking a kiss?”

“Afraid? No use being afraid now. I already caught you.” A smug grin spread across Yuan Shiyuan’s face, clearly relishing having caught Jiang Heng red-handed.

Jiang Heng suddenly cupped Yuan Shiyuan’s face in his hands. Under Yuan Shiyuan’s amused gaze, he pressed another kiss to his forehead. This time, the kiss wasn’t a fleeting touch but a slow, deliberate, and lingering embrace that lasted several seconds.

“I’m not afraid of you catching me,” Jiang Heng said. “I’m afraid you wouldn’t.”

Outside the small lounge, through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the corridor, they could look down upon the vast, empty venue on the ground floor.

Yuan Shiyuan spotted a familiar figure in a tailored suit and instinctively paused to observe him.

Jiang Heng frowned. “Why is Yu Sijing here again?”

“Probably to see the captain,” Yuan Shiyuan replied nonchalantly. “Their families are old acquaintances. CEO Yu used to visit the captain at the company frequently.”

Jiang Heng froze, then added, “That’s an awfully frequent number of visits. And every time he comes, he brings afternoon tea and gifts.”

Lately, Xiao Huang had been giving Yuan Shiyuan a paper bag every day, filled with fridge magnets, postcards, and local souvenirs from various cities—inexpensive trinkets, but clearly thoughtful gestures.

These items were likely small trinkets Yu Sijing had picked up on his business trips to different cities.

Yuan Shiyuan recalled the day of the confession. He’d meant to refuse, but Yu Sijing had prepared gifts for everyone on their team. His demeanor was humble, like a mere visit to junior colleagues with no ulterior motives. Since the gifts weren’t extravagant, Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t even find a valid reason to reject them.

The classroom door swung open, revealing a cold-faced Alpha sitting at a desk. Pei Yanbing, having overheard their conversation, stated flatly, “He’s not here to see me.”

Pei Yanbing knew better than anyone that Yu Sijing was merely using his name as an excuse to see the person he truly wanted to see.

Lately, Yuan Shiyuan had been swamped with work, and Yu Sijing was equally busy. They could only snatch brief moments together, often just passing each other in the halls.

“Then who was he here for?” Jiang Heng asked, though his gaze, along with Pei Yanbing’s, instinctively drifted toward Yuan Shiyuan.

Yuan Shiyuan averted his gaze. He hadn’t told anyone about Yu Sijing’s confession, so he awkwardly changed the subject.

“Why isn’t the teacher here yet?” he said casually, settling into his seat. “I can’t wait for class to start.”

Seeing his clumsy attempt to change the subject, Jiang Heng seemed to chuckle softly. Even Pei Yanbing, whose expression was usually impassive, showed a subtle softening in his cold features.

This class was a performance workshop, attended by Yuan Shiyuan, Pei Yanbing, and Jiang Heng. The remaining members were either busy with publicity appearances or practicing other skills.

After class ended, Yuan Shiyuan checked his phone.

Zhuang He, afraid they might forget, had sent another reminder in the group chat: Don’t forget to gather in the office later, everyone!

Zhuang He: Remember the TV drama I mentioned before? Director Chen just wrapped up a project and happens to be visiting the company today.

He added: He wants to meet all of you in person, especially Shiyuan.

Director Chen, whose full name was Chen Yin, was a renowned Omega director in the industry, celebrated for his romantic dramas and particularly adept at creating an atmosphere of ambiguous, heart-fluttering anticipation.

The lingering, poignant scenes under his lens always made viewers’ hearts race, allowing them to relive the butterflies and electric thrill of early love.

Yuan Shiyuan replied with “Received” and hurried to the office with his teammates.

He hadn’t intended to keep Director Chen waiting, but he was surprised to find Chen Yin already in the office, deep in conversation with Zhuang He.

When Chen Yin saw Yuan Shiyuan, his eyes lit up with obvious admiration. He rose from the sofa and strode toward Yuan Shiyuan, extending a hand. “Shiyuan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Chen Yin.”

Yuan Shiyuan politely shook his hand and was about to return the greeting when Chen Yin added, “Actually, I’ve seen you before.”

Yuan Shiyuan looked surprised. “Really? I’m sorry, I don’t remember…”

“That’s perfectly understandable,” Chen Yin chuckled. “I was wearing a mask and sitting in a corner, keeping a low profile. It was at the Silence Brand closing event—I couldn’t take my eyes off you the entire time.”

Recognition dawned on Yuan Shiyuan’s face. “Ah, now I remember! You were sitting in the corner of the second row, wearing a pink mask, right?”

Now it was Chen Yin’s turn to be stunned. “You remember?”

He had specifically asked the sales associate for a corner seat that day, wanting to avoid interruptions and simply admire Yuan Shiyuan’s beauty in peace.

The store had been swarming with customers, and Yuan Shiyuan had been surrounded by a constant stream of people. Yet Yuan Shiyuan actually remembered him.

“I remember,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “I overheard you telling the sales associate you weren’t feeling well—a cold, I think. I didn’t want to bother you, so I just asked them to prepare some cold medicine. I hope it helped.”

Chen Yin was even more surprised. He had assumed the sales associate had arranged it. After all, he was a VIC customer, and sales associates often went out of their way to please such clients. He never imagined it was Yuan Shiyuan’s thoughtfulness.

“I never realized we’d met before,” Yuan Shiyuan said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Yuan Shiyuan’s features were exquisitely refined. When his face was expressionless, his features appeared sharply defined, and his thin eyelids drooped slightly, giving him an almost cold demeanor.

But the moment he smiled, his eyes crinkling, a vibrant, youthful energy radiated from him, overflowing with youthful vitality.

“This is a script I wrote back in university.”

Chen Yin and Yuan Shiyuan sat side-by-side on the sofa, the other members having settled into their seats as well.

He pulled a script from his backpack. “Originally, I wanted to cast a male Omega, but I couldn’t find the right person… The moment I saw you, I knew you were perfect for the role.”

Though Yuan Shiyuan had differentiated as an Omega, his outward appearance was still distinctly Alpha. He maintained a deliberate distance from Chen Yin at all times.

When he accepted the script with both hands, his movements were especially cautious, avoiding any inappropriate physical contact.

It was only then that Yuan Shiyuan realized Chen Yin, despite being an Omega, was nearly half a head taller than him! His build was also broader. If he hadn’t known beforehand, he would have instinctively assumed Chen Yin was an Alpha.

“Brother Zhuang showed us parts of the script,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “You wrote it wonderfully. Many of the scenes are very…”

He seemed to be searching for the right word, pausing for a long moment before finally blurting out, “…very thrilling.”

Chen Yin chuckled twice. “When I was young, I loved chasing thrills.”

He propped himself up on the sofa with one hand, suddenly leaning in close to scrutinize Yuan Shiyuan’s face at close range.

His sharply defined fingers curled, lifting Yuan Shiyuan’s chin. Yuan Shiyuan tilted his head, his pale pink hair cascading to the side, revealing a smooth forehead and distinct features.

Beneath thick, dark lashes, his amber eyes were clear and luminous, as if glistening with tears, gazing up at Chen Yin with a dewy vulnerability.

Chen Yin’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Those eyes… so beautiful, pure yet unconsciously alluring…

“Director Chen, is it really necessary to touch him?”

Ying Mingche’s voice drifted from the side, tinged with a subtle edge. Leaning against the sofa, his gaze fixed on Chen Yin’s hand, his displeasure was unmistakable. “You’re an Alpha, and he’s an Omega. This kind of contact… it wouldn’t look good if it got out.”

Hearing this, Yuan Shiyuan turned his head in surprise.

What right does Ying Mingche have to say that? Isn’t he the one who’s always getting touchy-feely?

Besides, everyone here (except Bo Jin) knows I’m an Omega. What’s inappropriate about an Omega touching another Omega?

Still, Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t shake his Alpha instincts. Around Omegas, he always maintained a safe distance, instinctively avoiding anything that might make them uncomfortable. It was ingrained in his upbringing.

Chen Yin slowly withdrew his hand, his tone nonchalant. “My apologies. I got a little carried away just now.”

He had exacting standards for his actors’ appearance; those deemed unattractive were barred from his sets, no matter how much they offered to pay.

Having worked in the industry for years, he’d seen his share of handsome men and beautiful women. Yet Yuan Shiyuan’s exquisite beauty was unlike anything he’d encountered before, making it impossible to resist getting a little closer.

Yuan Shiyuan, however, remained unfazed. “It’s fine. It was just a touch on the face.”

Chen Yin chuckled. “Is that all?”

While Yuan Shiyuan himself seemed unconcerned, Chen Yin glanced across the table and noticed the five S-rank Alphas watching them with varying expressions. Despite their distinct styles, a shared wariness burned in their eyes.

They were clearly looking at a rival.

Chen Yin found the situation increasingly amusing. Wary of me?

He rubbed his fingertips together, savoring the lingering sensation of Yuan Shiyuan’s skin—smooth, delicate, worthy of prolonged appreciation.

But business comes first. Chen Yin asked, “Did Zhuang He brief you on my requirements?”

Zhuang He replied, “He mentioned them briefly. For specifics, Director Chen, you’ll need to guide them personally. After all, they’re still quite new to acting.”

“Everyone starts as a rookie,” Chen Yin said, turning to Yuan Shiyuan. “Actually, I’ve forgotten what I said back then. Do you remember?”

“I remember,” Yuan Shiyuan replied, his memory sharp. “You said I was too green and should let my teammates ‘develop’ me.”

Chen Yin hadn’t expected Yuan Shiyuan to bring it up so directly. He suppressed a smile. “So, how’s the progress going? All ‘developed’ now?”

Yuan Shiyuan instinctively glanced at the Alphas, then answered uncertainly, “I guess… almost?”

In recent times, they had done everything they should have done—and even some things they shouldn’t have. Everything, in fact, except the final act itself. They had grown intimately familiar with each other’s bodies, and normal physical intimacy posed no problems.

But he hesitated to declare it complete. After all, he wasn’t entirely clear on what Chen Yin meant by “development”—to what extent it should reach, or what standards defined it.

“We can now accept physical contact and intimate communication with each other,” Yuan Shiyuan explained. “We’re no longer as resistant as we were at first.”

That was close enough. After all, they were filming a serious drama, not an adult film. Chen Yin nodded approvingly. “Excellent. You’ve made great progress.”

Initially, Chen Yin’s biggest concern had been their inability to overcome their aversion to intimacy. Beyond A-same relationships, most Alphas struggled with same-sex physical contact, let alone the fiercely territorial S-rank Alphas.

“May I have a look?”

“Let me see how far they’ve ‘developed’ you.”

“This…” Yuan Shiyuan froze, bewildered. “How would you even do that?”

Bo Jin calmly sat down next to Yuan Shiyuan, drew him closer, creating distance between Yuan Shiyuan and Chen Yin.

He knew Yuan Shiyuan’s allure all too well. Yuan Shiyuan not only attracted Alphas but also Omegas, while Betas found him utterly irresistible.

During their school days, Yuan Shiyuan had been a legendary figure, practically drowning in love letters. Some alumni even openly declared online that if Yuan Shiyuan merely stepped out of class to get water, his desk would be piled high with confession letters and gifts upon his return.

Chen Yin watched the Alpha’s possessive gesture, then scanned the tense expressions of the others, chuckling softly, clearly pleased.

“Just a simple performance of a scene,” he said, tapping his finger against the sofa armrest, his voice expectant. “I heard you’ve all been taking acting classes lately. You must have put in quite the effort.”

“Let me see your current state with intimacy scenes. Nothing too complicated—just capture the atmosphere between lovers.”

That’s easy, Yuan Shiyuan thought.

Yuan Shiyuan leaned languidly to one side, settling into Bo Jin’s arms with practiced ease before everyone’s eyes. Bo Jin smoothly drew him closer by the waist, his hand rising to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind Yuan Shiyuan’s ear, the touch feather-light.

Yuan Shiyuan curled up naturally, looping his arm around the Alpha’s neck. He lifted his upper body slightly, tilting his face to nuzzle against Bo Jin’s neck.

Meanwhile, the Alpha’s fingers resting on Yuan Shiyuan’s waist were gently stroking the skin.

Yuan Shiyuan seemed ticklish, humming and wriggling away, but Bo Jin’s grip tightened, pressing him back into his embrace until their lower abdomens were almost flush against each other.

The scene unfolded like slow motion in a movie, each frame seared into the onlookers’ minds.

Chen Yin was stunned.

Xiao Huang was shocked speechless.

Zhuang He gaped in disbelief!

The other members maintained bland expressions, though Ying Mingche curled his lips into a bitter smile. They were clearly long accustomed to witnessing Yuan Shiyuan’s intimacy with others, their prevailing emotions now jealousy and the burning desire to take his place.

Had the partner been anyone else, Chen Yin and the others wouldn’t have been so astonished. But this was Bo Jin—Bo Jin, the “straight-A cancer” personified!

Bo Jin found Alphas bothersome, Omegas troublesome, and Betas irritating. In his eyes, there wasn’t a single person in the world he could stand.

Yet, at this moment, Bo Jin effortlessly wrapped his arm around Yuan Shiyuan’s waist, his movements so practiced it was as if they’d rehearsed this a thousand times.

Their intimate posture, oblivious to onlookers, and instinctive gestures of affection were indistinguishable from those of a couple deeply in love.

If this was all an act, then their acting classes had clearly paid off, and they must have been putting in extra practice behind the scenes.

“Something like this,” Yuan Shiyuan said, looping his arms around Bo Jin’s neck and turning slightly sideways against him. “Shall we try them one by one?”

Yuan Shiyuan’s role was practically guaranteed; the key was helping his teammates secure the other roles. He had no desire to act out intimate scenes with strangers. If someone could make a good impression on Chen Yin now, it would greatly improve their chances at the auditions later.

Chen Yin watched the scene unfold before him, a strange warmth rising in his chest, tinged with excitement. But he kept his expression neutral, ducking his head to take a sip of water as if to hide his reaction. He replied with studied restraint, “That could work.” His gaze swept over the surrounding group of Alphas before landing on Yuan Shiyuan, who was noticeably smaller in build. A hint of restrained anticipation colored his tone as he added, “If it’s convenient for you all.”

Ying Mingche seized the initiative, pouncing like an eager dog to nip Yuan Shiyuan’s chin. Annoyed, Yuan Shiyuan pinched his waist hard.

Begging for mercy and admitting his fault, Ying Mingche tackled Yuan Shiyuan onto the sofa. His eyes blazed with scorching heat, as if he wanted to devour Yuan Shiyuan whole.

Chen Yin quipped, “This is like a home invasion by an arrogant, lecherous mutt mistress.”

Ying Mingxi approached and gently cradled Yuan Shiyuan face-to-face. He softly patted Yuan Shiyuan’s back, lulling him to sleep, while his other hand gently smoothed the disheveled strands of hair.

Every movement radiated meticulous tenderness.

Chen Yin stroked his chin. “This is like a magnanimous, good-natured husband who tolerates all his wife’s faults.”

When Jiang Heng’s turn came, he immediately detected the pheromones of another Alpha clinging to Yuan Shiyuan. His expression tightened slightly—the primal possessiveness of an Alpha darkened his eyes.

But when he looked at Yuan Shiyuan in his arms, Yuan Shiyuan tilted his head back and winked at him. Jiang Heng chose to feign ignorance, silently pulling Yuan Shiyuan into his embrace and trying to mask the lingering Alpha scent with his own pheromones.

Chen Yin was astonished. This was the pathetic, long-suffering husband who knew his wife was cheating but was too afraid to confront her, lest she divorce him.

The last one was Pei Yanbing.

As the team captain, he looked oddly unnatural. Sitting next to Yuan Shiyuan, his cold face was tense, clearly stiff and restrained. Perhaps unaccustomed to being watched by so many people, his entire demeanor radiated unease. He gave arguably the worst performance of them all.

Just as Yuan Shiyuan was about to smooth things over, Pei Yanbing suddenly turned his head, his large hand gently grasping Yuan Shiyuan’s. His long, slender fingers slid between Yuan Shiyuan’s, interlacing them tightly.

Pei Yanbing lowered his gaze, leaned close to Yuan Shiyuan’s ear, his warm breath brushing against the lobe, and whispered, “Baby.”

Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes widened in surprise. His shoulders twitched slightly, and a faint blush quickly spread across his ear tips and cheeks. Clearly, this overly intimate endearment had plunged him into embarrassment.

The entire room fell silent.

Chen Yin was stunned. This scene resembled something straight out of a campus romance novel—a newly dating couple on a tentative date, their interactions filled with a youthful, heart-fluttering awkwardness.

Yuan Shiyuan’s reaction, in particular, was striking. Back then, he was still so well-behaved, not yet gallivanting around. Just a pet name from his boyfriend would make him blush so deeply he would instinctively draw his knees together, his fingers curling inward.

He looked so innocent.

If he were wearing a school uniform…

Chen Yin hadn’t initially been optimistic about these S-rank alphas, but to his surprise, he found himself quite pleased with each of them.

As he pondered how to assign roles, the other Scepter members narrowed their eyes, casting thoughtful glances at Yuan Shiyuan and Pei Yanbing, who were holding hands tightly.

A thick, tense atmosphere hung in the air.

Bo Jin spoke first, his voice cold and deep. “What did you just call him?”

“Baby?”