Pretending to Be an Alpha in an All-Alpha Boy Band - Chapter 135
Chapter 135: Pledging Loyalty
Su Luochen’s mango allergy wasn’t actually severe.
As a child, Su Luochen hadn’t known he was allergic to mangoes. He only knew he strongly disliked eating them and felt unwell afterward, assuming it was simply a matter of taste.
His parents, however, saw this as him being overly fussy at such a young age and even developing picky eating habits. They stubbornly forced him to eat vast quantities of mangoes.
Back in his room, he vomited violently in the restroom until the world spun.
Su Luochen felt wretched all over, a strange burning sensation coursing through him. He wanted to tell his parents, but remembering their stern expressions from earlier, he silently swallowed his words, afraid to bring it up.
At that time, he genuinely believed he was at fault for being a picky eater.
It wasn’t until he grew older that Su Luochen finally understood he was allergic to mangoes.
He never mentioned it to anyone, terrified of anyone finding out.
After all, it wasn’t serious—just uncomfortable.
It wouldn’t kill him.
But Yuan Shiyuan had not only noticed his discomfort after eating mangoes but had even thoughtfully prepared a separate dessert for him. This silent, unspoken care only dawned on Su Luochen today.
In that moment, a flower seemed to bloom in Su Luochen’s heart, his chest swelling with blossoming joy. As he gazed at Yuan Shiyuan’s face, the earlier fierce demeanor vanished, replaced by a hint of embarrassment, his voice softening into a murmur.
“Why… why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
If Yuan Shiyuan had told him earlier, Su Luochen wouldn’t have misunderstood for so long. He wouldn’t have mistakenly believed that Yuan Shiyuan had always disliked and rejected him…
Yuan Shiyuan actually cared about him!
Yuan Shiyuan looked bewildered. “It’s just a small thing. I didn’t see any reason to tell everyone.”
Yuan Shiyuan had already guessed that Su Luochen didn’t want to tell anyone about his allergy. Otherwise, why would Su Luochen have forced himself to finish every last bite of the cake, even though he clearly felt unwell during that first taste?
As an observant person, Yuan Shiyuan had noticed Su Luochen seemed to struggle with swallowing that day. Even though Su Luochen ate very carefully and earnestly, Yuan Shiyuan could still see the strain and discomfort on his face.
Yuan Shiyuan understood why Su Luochen hadn’t mentioned his allergy. If he himself were allergic to something, he would never readily tell strangers, especially in the complex and competitive entertainment industry. What if someone used that information against him tomorrow?
With this in mind, Yuan Shiyuan never brought up the incident again, pretending he knew nothing. After all, they rarely interacted anyway, except when he occasionally let Su Luochen join them when he was hanging out with Nan Liujing.
Su Luochen froze. That’s right, Yuan Shiyuan has always been this way.
Su Luochen had silently observed Yuan Shiyuan from afar countless times, often seeing him help the elderly scrap collector push his cart, assist the cleaning lady with heavy loads, or lend a hand whenever needed.
Yuan Shiyuan never mentioned these deeds; he simply did them quietly.
He never sought anything in return, nor did he do it for anyone’s gratitude.
He was simply a genuinely good person.
Su Luochen suddenly felt his cheeks burn, a tangle of emotions churning within him—excitement, nervousness, and an inescapable regret.
He couldn’t bring himself to meet Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes. Only when Yuan Shiyuan turned to leave did he hurriedly step forward. “That wasn’t me!”
“The one who stole your things and messed up your bed… that wasn’t me either.”
Yuan Shiyuan tilted his head, his gaze cool and devoid of emotion.
That single glance froze Su Luochen in place. “It wasn’t me,” he murmured. “I didn’t do it.”
All those things Yuan Shiyuan despised and resented—none of them were his doing.
So… please don’t hate me?
Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t understand why Su Luochen was putting on such a pitiful expression. He glanced at Su Luochen and indifferently withdrew his gaze. “Does it even matter anymore?”
He nodded to Jiang Heng. “Let’s go.”
The Alpha beside Yuan Shiyuan wore a thoughtful expression.
Jiang Heng glanced at him, his gaze fleeting yet pointed. “He seems… really hung up on the fact you didn’t give him any cake.”
“Yeah, maybe? Maybe he thought I was treating him differently?” Yuan Shiyuan realized why Su Luochen had been deliberately targeting him. “No wonder he kept showing up around me back then and deliberately provoking me.”
“So that’s what it was about.”
Hearing the word “provocation,” Jiang Heng fell silent. “……”
The provocation I understand might not be the same thing Yuan Shiyuan means.
“But Su Luochen didn’t seem to be lying… So maybe he really wasn’t the one who stole my socks, underwear, and planted all that junk on my bed.”
Yet Yuan Shiyuan had personally witnessed Su Luochen skulking around his dormitory, acting suspiciously. Soon after, new, inexplicable items had appeared in his room.
He’d also seen Su Luochen demanding his personal belongings from his lackey…
So, was Su Luochen not behind it after all? Had the lackey stolen the items on his own initiative, and Su Luochen was merely trying to set things right?
But in the end, Su Luochen never returned the stolen items to their rightful owner.
Could all of Yuan Shiyuan’s missing items have ended up in Su Luochen’s hands?
Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t wrap his head around it. “What is this, some kind of sasaeng situation?”
Seeing Yuan Shiyuan’s conflicted and bewildered expression, Jiang Heng inexplicably found it endearing, his hand itching to reach out. He gently pinched Yuan Shiyuan’s chin.
“Maybe he’s your sasaeng after all?” Jiang Heng joked.
Yuan Shiyuan chuckled. “That’s a bit far-fetched. He hasn’t sunk that low.”
Though Su Luochen might be a bit unhinged, he remained a proud and arrogant celestial dragon. Why would he abandon his career as a top celebrity to become someone’s sasaeng?
“But you shouldn’t have hit him directly earlier,” Yuan Shiyuan fretted. “What if someone filmed it? And what if you injured your hand?”
Yuan Shiyuan tilted his face upward, looking earnestly at the Alpha. From Jiang Heng’s perspective, Yuan Shiyuan resembled a worried little wife, his delicate brows furrowed with concern for her husband.
“He wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” Jiang Heng assured him.
Seizing the opportunity when no one was around, Jiang Heng swiftly leaned down and kissed Yuan Shiyuan.
Under Yuan Shiyuan’s astonished gaze, Jiang Heng nonchalantly averted his eyes and changed the subject. “Someone will handle this mess.”
“I never told you… my biological father’s surname is Su.”
“Su Luochen and I are from the same family.”
Yuan Shiyuan looked at him in surprise. “Are you two brothers?”
“Not quite.” Jiang Heng’s lips curled into a wry smile, as if the thought amused him. “By family seniority, he should address me as ‘Little Uncle’.”
Seeming uncomfortable, he abruptly changed the subject. “The Su family is quite traditional, placing immense importance on S-rank Alpha bloodlines. Su Luochen has many siblings, and he wasn’t initially the most favored—until he differentiated into an S-rank.
“As for my father… When I was very young, I underwent a differentiation test. The results showed I had an extremely low, almost nonexistent, chance of differentiating into an Alpha. Since he only wanted an S-rank Alpha heir, he coldly abandoned my mother and me.
“Now, after all these years, he still hasn’t produced an S-rank Alpha heir. Recently, Patriarch Su fell seriously ill, and the branches with S-rank Alpha descendants stand to inherit larger portions of the estate… So he suddenly remembered me and wants me to return.”
Jiang Heng had never shared these things with anyone before, nor did he wish to dwell on them.
But Yuan Shiyuan was the exception. He was willing to tell Yuan Shiyuan everything about himself and would never hide anything from him.
Yuan Shiyuan looked at Jiang Heng, said nothing, and gave him a firm hug. He tilted his head back and rubbed his cheek against the Alpha’s jawline. Without uttering a word of comfort, he conveyed silent reassurance through physical contact alone.
“I’ve never considered differentiating into an Alpha something to be proud of,” Jiang Heng said, his voice low. He had never wanted to return home, nor was he interested in the vast inheritance. Even if he hadn’t differentiated into an Alpha, he wouldn’t have cared.
But now, as he wrapped his arms around Yuan Shiyuan’s waist, inhaling the scent of his hair, he said, “But now I’m glad… I’m so glad I’m an S-rank Alpha.”
Yuan Shiyuan froze.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to help you,” Jiang Heng murmured, looking down at him. “I’d be utterly useless to you.”
Now that Yuan Shiyuan needed S-rank pheromones, if Jiang Heng weren’t an S-rank Alpha, he would be utterly worthless to Yuan Shiyuan.
Perhaps then… he wouldn’t even have had the right to approach Yuan Shiyuan.
“How could it be useless?”
Yuan Shiyuan returned Jiang Heng’s embrace, tilting his face upward with a smile amidst the verdant foliage of the garden path. “Your very existence is precious to me.”
“Even if you weren’t an Alpha, let alone S-rank.”
Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes were pure, crystalline amber, their brilliance rivaling the sun’s without needing any embellishment.
Jiang Heng held him tightly, about to lower his head to kiss his cheek, but Yuan Shiyuan gently pushed him away, slightly awkward.
“A bro-hug is enough, right? No need for all this mush,” Yuan Shiyuan said, maintaining a comfortable distance. Noticing the Alpha’s intense gaze fixed on him, he coughed. “How’s your audition prep going?”
“With so many competitors, the pressure must be intense.”
Yuan Shiyuan’s attempts to change the subject were always rather clumsy.
Jiang Heng, having grown accustomed to this, simply smiled. “Yes, it is. But I’m giving it my all. I don’t want you filming intimate scenes with other Alphas.”
He cupped Yuan Shiyuan’s face, repeating, “I don’t want to.”
The real issue wasn’t what Jiang Heng wanted, but whether he could actually secure the role.
“Then give it your best shot,” Yuan Shiyuan said, encouraging his teammate instead of dampening his enthusiasm. He leaned in closer, adding playfully, “Don’t let the other Alphas steal me away.”
The moment the words left his lips, a bone-chilling coldness seemed to seep into the air around him.
Then, a resentful male voice drifted from behind.
“Still sneaking off here for private trysts with your childhood sweetheart, Brother?”
Yuan Shiyuan startled.
He whirled around to find a row of S-rank Alphas standing silently behind him, as if they had materialized from thin air.
“……”
The sight was genuinely unnerving. Fortunately, it was broad daylight, which slightly softened the impact of the visual shock.
Yuan Shiyuan still vividly remembered the time he’d woken up in the middle of the night during a variety show shoot, only to open his eyes and find five hulking “Big Refrigerators” looming over his bed.
“When did you guys get here?” Yuan Shiyuan asked, pointedly ignoring Ying Mingche’s question.
Undaunted by being ignored, Ying Mingche forcibly squeezed past Jiang Heng, claiming the spot beside Yuan Shiyuan.
“Darling, that’s not important,” he said, gazing at him imploringly. “You said you’d think about it earlier. Have you made up your mind?”
“Wanna try out my new tongue stud tonight?”
“Can we? Can we?”
Ying Mingche was acting like a desperate concubine vying for the Emperor’s favor, pulling out all the stops to win a night of royal favor.
Bo Jin, his patience exhausted, snapped, “Can’t you think about something serious for once?”
Yuan Shiyuan chimed in, “Exactly!”
While Yuan Shiyuan was indeed curious and somewhat eager to try, he was a conservative and traditional person. How could Ying Mingche talk about such things so openly in broad daylight, in front of so many people? Didn’t he feel even a shred of shame?
Ying Mingche shot Bo Jin a cold, sardonic smile.
Just then, Pei Yanbing, who had been silently observing from the corner, suddenly stepped forward and gently touched Yuan Shiyuan’s cheek.
“Are you hot?”
Public displays of pheromone release were inappropriate for helping Yuan Shiyuan cool down, but Pei Yanbing was worried about him overheating. He pulled out his portable fan and gently fanned him.
Ying Mingxi stepped in to restore order. “Alright, everyone, calm down. The immediate priority is preparing for the audition later. It’s too hot here—let’s head back inside first.”
“We can’t let Shiyuan overheat,” he added gently. “As for everything else, we’ll discuss it after the audition. Once the roles are finalized, Shiyuan will need time to practice anyway.”
This was undeniably true.
Yuan Shiyuan had little romantic experience; what little he possessed had been gained through slow exploration and cautious experimentation with his groupmates.
Once the remaining roles were cast, he would undoubtedly need to rehearse with his teammates to achieve peak performance.
And, incidentally, replenish his S-rank pheromone reserves.
A win-win situation, killing two birds with one stone.
Yuan Shiyuan’s gaze toward Ying Mingxi was filled with admiration. Ying Mingxi had truly thought of everything.
As they returned indoors, Ying Mingxi fed him fruit and casually remarked, “Just now, I thought I saw Su Luochen emerge from the other path. Did you happen to run into him?”
“You two didn’t cross paths, did you?”
Yuan Shiyuan didn’t want to discuss it, nor did he want his teammates distracted. He gave a vague reply, “Oh, no. Let’s focus on the script first.”
Meanwhile, Su Luochen drifted along, his mind in a daze. He felt like a mouse that had accidentally fallen into a honey jar, sweet and sticky all over. After finally clawing his way out of the jar, he was enveloped in the warm sunlight.
At that moment, he was the happiest man in the world.
His manager, however, was startled. “What happened to your face? Did you pick another fight?!”
Su Luochen frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Did his manager really see him as such an unreliable troublemaker?
He started it? I was the one who got beat up!
Twice, and both times by Yuan Shiyuan’s teammates. If it weren’t for Yuan Shiyuan’s sake, I wouldn’t have let them off so easily.
Just thinking about Yuan Shiyuan, and that tiramisu specially prepared for him, made his heart bubble with sweetness.
“It’s nothing,” Su Luochen said coolly. “Just a clumsy fall. No problem.”
The manager gave him a skeptical look.
What kind of fall leaves a bruise on your face?
Su Luochen remained uncooperative, so the manager couldn’t pry any more information out of him.
Giving up on getting to the bottom of it, she thought, Fine, as long as Su Luochen doesn’t pull a Yue Xiao or Nan Liujing and confess his feelings or fawn over members of rival groups, getting caught by paparazzi in the process.
She held no high hopes for them anyway. Let Su Luochen fight if he wants. Just don’t let him become Yuan Shiyuan’s lapdog.
“Remember to prepare diligently for the auditions,” she reminded them. “The captain will be arriving later.”
“Oh,” the Alphas replied indifferently. If the manager hadn’t mentioned him, they’d have almost forgotten they even had a captain.
Su Luochen immediately lowered his head and started swiping through his mobile phone.
Soon after, a dessert cart was wheeled into the audition room. Su Luochen picked up a tiramisu and, feigning nonchalance, strolled over to Nan Liujing.
“Want some tiramisu?”
Nan Liujing looked puzzled. When did Su Luochen start liking sweets? Still, he replied, “No, thanks.”
“Oh.” Su Luochen wasn’t surprised; he hadn’t actually intended to share.
The moment he turned away, his face instantly shifted into a mocking sneer.
How pathetic.
Even Nan Liujing probably didn’t know that his self-proclaimed best friend had prepared a dessert specifically for another Alpha—and one of his own buddies at that.
And it wasn’t just any tiramisu; it was the only one, unique and exclusive, something no one else had!
The more Su Luochen thought about it, the more giddy he became, as if struck by a sudden wave of overwhelming happiness.
Eager to share his elation, he hurried to a secluded corner, pulled out his mobile phone, and swiftly switched accounts.
On his “User S” account, he posted a new update: a photo of the tiramisu.
Then, he immediately changed the default profile picture to one he’d personally crafted: a small figurine of Yuan Shiyuan kneeling on the ground, his knees parted, dressed in a pink princess dress.
He also changed his username to: S (Waiting for Yuan Shiyuan’s Little Sister Solo Debut Edition)
Su Luochen was a minor celebrity in his circle, with many of Yuan Shiyuan’s CP and solo fans following his page—though mostly for a laugh.
The moment he updated his profile—changing both his username and avatar—the comments section flooded with stunned reactions from his followers:
– Has Brother Snake finally lost his mind?
– Oh my god, it’s a Renaissance! Isn’t that pink princess dress figurine the very spark that ignited Brother Snake’s one-man war against the entire Dream A Forum? Seriously though, it’s so cute! This tiny little ○ looks like I could suck it down like a mango pit. [Drooling emoji]
– What’s with the sneaky tiramisu post? Anyone got a class rep to translate this?
– Brother Snake’s kinda cringe, tbh. Is he trying to copy those other Dream A guys, pretending to date Little Yuan and fantasizing about daily life together?
– I’m done. He’s even calling him “Little Sister” now… Does ○ even know you exist? [Eye roll emoji]
In the past, Su Luochen’s explosive temper would have erupted in a barrage of insults against the mockery.
But now, Yuan Shiyuan’s past kindness had worked its magic. His heart remained still as water, his mind calm as a mountain. He gazed upon these pathetic insects—who had likely never even seen Yuan Shiyuan’s face—their impotent rage seething in the comments section. All that remained in his heart was pity.
Su Luochen sneered coldly and chose the most sarcastic comment to reply to:
User S: He’s absolutely obsessed with me.
“Why so much tiramisu?” Yue Xiao stared in disbelief at the dessert mountain nearly overflowing from the backstage area. “Are you planning to share this with the staff?”
There was far too much for Su Luochen to eat alone. He pursed his lips and mumbled a vague “Mm-hmm.”
While Yue Xiao and Nan Liujing were engrossed in their scripts, Su Luochen couldn’t focus at all, unable to read a single word.
Finally, he rose and carefully selected the most beautifully shaped and exquisitely decorated tiramisu from the dessert cart, carrying it out with utmost care.
Yuan Shiyuan never imagined Su Luochen would voluntarily bring them food, let alone deliver it personally.
Su Luochen carried a plate of cake, while staff members followed behind distributing the other desserts.
Seeing this, Ying Mingche scoffed, “You haven’t poisoned these, have you? We’re competitors now.”
They simply couldn’t believe Su Luochen would be so kind as to make a special trip just to bring them cake.
Poisoning just Ying Mingche isn’t enough. If I’m going to poison them, I might as well send all five Alphas packing and leave only Yuan Shiyuan behind.
Su Luochen sneered inwardly but said coolly, “It’s not for you.”
Turning to Yuan Shiyuan, his expression instantly shifted to one of cautious tenderness, tinged with bashfulness and embarrassment. “Would you like some? It’s low-sugar… Just a little won’t hurt. You won’t gain weight.”
Artists in the entertainment industry needed strict body management and couldn’t touch sweets.
Yuan Shiyuan eyed him warily. “What are you up to?”
He realized he understood Su Luochen less and less, though he’d never really understood him to begin with.
The Su Luochen he knew had been like a volatile substance, ready to explode at any moment. Now, he was inexplicably putting on a shy, bashful, and almost innocent act… Who was he putting on this act for?
Surely not for Yuan Shiyuan himself, right?
Or was Su Luochen trying to create a persona? Many artists in the entertainment industry would perform similar superficial gestures—pretending to care about their staff, showing kindness and consideration, etc.—all to cultivate a public image.
Yuan Shiyuan found this explanation far more plausible. Su Luochen couldn’t be so foolish as to administer poison in broad daylight.
After all, they were colleagues, and under the public gaze, he decided to give Su Luochen some face. “Thank you,” he said, accepting the cake.
As Su Luochen handed over the cake, his fingers trembled slightly. When Yuan Shiyuan took a small bite and nodded, Su Luochen nearly bounced with excitement.
“Is it good?” he asked urgently, craving feedback. “Is it too sweet?”
Yuan Shiyuan dabbed his lips with a tissue. “It’s fine,” he replied.
The surrounding Alphas remained vigilant, their eyes scrutinizing the scene.
What’s going on here? A member of our rival group is actively courting one of our own?
They had all witnessed Su Luochen’s rabid behavior before. How had he transformed overnight into a harmless white flower, so docile in Yuan Shiyuan’s presence?
A wave of intense unease washed over several of them simultaneously.
Ying Mingche saw through Su Luochen’s scheme instantly. He smiled coldly. “Mr. Su certainly knows how to charm people,” he remarked. “Even bringing cake? It’s obvious you’ve had your fair share of romantic experience. These tactics must be hard-earned from practice, right?”
He paused deliberately, his words carrying a hidden barb, “Unlike me, who’s never been in a relationship. I’m too naive and straightforward; I don’t understand these twisted games. My innocence is my downfall.”
Bo Jin, without a flicker of emotion, gently turned Yuan Shiyuan’s chin, preventing him from looking at the other Alphas.
He replied coolly, “That’s perfect for your role. With a rich romantic history, kissing scenes and intimate scenes would come naturally, wouldn’t they? Director Chen might even prefer someone with your ‘experience.'”
“You even know idioms?” Jiang Heng asked.
“?” Bo Jin replied, puzzled.
These Alphas, who usually couldn’t stand each other, had inexplicably united their fronts.
Yuan Shiyuan wanted to laugh at the scene, but he suppressed his amusement, making his expression appear stern and cold.
When Su Luochen saw Yuan Shiyuan’s face, his heart leaped into his throat. He hurriedly explained, “I haven’t! I really haven’t been in a relationship, and I’ve never kissed anyone!”
Su Luochen stole a shy glance at Yuan Shiyuan, even looking a little embarrassed. His voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.
“If there’s a kissing scene… it would be my first kiss.”
The break room fell into complete silence.
The gazes of several S-rank Alphas grew colder, like a jealous wife confronting her husband’s lover in public.
Yuan Shiyuan was utterly stunned.
Su Luochen’s words… were they meant to declare his loyalty and prove his innocence?