Pretending to Be an Alpha in an All-Alpha Boy Band - Chapter 27
Chapter 27 Wearing a Skirt
Ying Mingxi’s heart raced.
He had no idea when Pei Yanbing had appeared there, or how much he had seen.
What Ying Mingxi thought was a covert boundary-crossing might already have been fully observed by someone else.
Pei Yanbing stood in the shadows, his entire demeanor cold and withdrawn, quietly staring in Yuan Shiyuan’s direction.
Then he walked toward the bed step by step.
Ying Mingxi expected to be met with accusations or contempt, and he had braced himself for that.
What happened next was unexpected.
Pei Yanbing reached the bedside and said nothing.
He simply bent his head, inhaled once from among Yuan Shiyuan’s hair, and left.
“……”
“?”
Ying Mingche, who had woken up, also witnessed this and was greatly shocked. “Is the captain……” he mouthed.
He made a “sleepwalking” shape with his lips.
Ying Mingxi was silent for a moment, then whispered, “Probably.”
They had worked together for a year and this was the first time they learned that Pei Yanbing could sleepwalk.
More than that, Ying Mingche cared about something else.
He looked at his own thumb web; there were no wounds, yet it tingled with a light electric sensation. It was precisely that pleasurable transmission from another person that had pulled him out of sleep.
“What just happened?”
Ying Mingche’s eyes swept across the bed, but he couldn’t see anything. Ying Mingxi and Yuan Shiyuan were both fully clothed and kept a safe distance.
Ying Mingxi shrugged it off casually: “When the lights went out, my hand accidentally hit the bedside table.”
“Really?”
Ying Mingxi act that dumb?
“But you—how are you sleeping so deeply?” Ying Mingxi countered.
This was also what puzzled Ying Mingche.
Upon waking, he could clearly smell pheromones belonging to other S-rank Alphas in the air. S-rank Alphas had an extremely strong territorial instinct; he should have been intensely repulsed.
Normally, the mutual rejection among Alphas would make it hard for him to fall asleep at all.
Yet Ying Mingche not only fell asleep, he slept soundly.
It was as if another, more powerful and irresistible higher force had appeared, making him willingly coexist peacefully with the other S-rank Alphas.
All night, different S-rank pheromones floated in the suite.
Yuan Shiyuan had slept extremely comfortably; when he opened his eyes, from the strands of his hair to his toes he was infused with signals of pleasure.
He lazily stretched on the bed, kicked off the covers, and took the small towel that had been covering the little plush doll.
Only then did he realize he was alone in the suite.
Where was everyone else?
Yuan Shiyuan checked his phone and understood: the other S-ranks had gone for body training. The cruise ship had a dedicated fitness area; after yesterday’s big meal, they’d increased their workout intensity today.
So early to work out? Why didn’t they call him to join?
Even if they had called, he might not have been able to get up.
Yuan Shiyuan wanted to greet the camera but found the lenses were still covered. He uncovered them one by one, then leaned in and looked down.
A sleepy face filled the frame up close, so clear that one could almost see the tiny details.
Yuan Shiyuan curved his brows and smiled: “Good morning, everyone.”
“Is my hair a bit messy?” Only then did he realize he hadn’t had time to freshen up—his pink hair stuck up in places. He smiled sheepishly, “My sleeping face is a bit bad, so I covered the camera last night.”
“How did everyone sleep last night?”
—Yuan’s pretty face just appeared in front of me with no warning. [flirty]
——The camera’s finally back on! God knows how heartbroken I was waiting last night—I didn’t dare sleep the whole time, afraid I’d hear thumping noises.
——Hehe, it must’ve thumped, whatever. If I didn’t see it, I’ll start a rumor. Prove you can reenact last night’s scene. [hmph]
Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t see the danmaku and couldn’t respond to the audience; he was alone in the room and wasn’t the least bit worried about an awkward silence. Instead, he looked relaxed and said, “I’ll wash my face first, then meet up with the captain and the others. They actually slipped out behind my back to work out without me!”
“What’s this?” Only then did he notice an electronic screen by the restroom door with something like a timer on it; a number was marked in the top right corner.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”
Yuan muttered as he turned on the faucet and washed his face. He cupped water in both hands and splashed it onto his face, then rubbed casually.
——?? You treat your pretty face so casually?!
——Baby… I finally believe you’re straight. [sad]
Just after Yuan finished washing his face, there was a sound at the door.
The others had returned from working out.
Yuan dabbed his face with his hand; water droplets clung to his pink bangs. He propped one hand on the marble counter and grabbed a disposable towel with the other.
He walked out looking dewy and fresh, wiping his face as he said, “Back already? I was going to ask to join you.”
“Why didn’t you call me to come along?” He caught a whiff of food and sniffed instinctively.
“Sleep a bit more.”
They had planned to wake Yuan, but he’d been sleeping so soundly they couldn’t bring themselves to do it.
Ying Mingche squeezed through the group and came up beside Yuan. “We brought breakfast for you. We didn’t know what you’d like, so we brought a bit of everything.”
Each of them was carrying some food.
Yuan was surprised: “How am I supposed to eat all this by myself?”
“How is that a lot?” Ying Mingche hooked an arm around his shoulder. “You just take two bites of each person’s—then you’ll be full.”
“We’ll finish the rest—we didn’t have breakfast either.”
Yuan finally understood: this was everyone’s breakfast. No wonder there was such variety—far more than one person could eat.
If they were all eating together, it was simple.
By the reception room’s floor-to-ceiling windows there was a long table; the group sat down. The spread included Chinese small stir-fries and Western breakfast items—Yuan preferred the Chinese options, but since both were available, a mix would do.
Jiang Heng casually pushed a crab-roe soup bun toward Yuan.
“How did you know I love this?”
“Just a guess.”
Yuan bumped Jiang Heng’s shoulder with his fist. “Good friends really are in sync.”
When Yuan was little he liked crab-roe soup buns because once a kind person came to the welfare institute and brought lots of food—things they’d never seen before.
He took a bite of a crab-roe soup bun as a child and his eyes lit up; his little face flushed with color.
He’d never tasted anything so delicious.
His good friend noticed he liked it and offered to share his portion. Yuan felt awkward declining, so they split it half and half.
Back then Yuan whispered to his friend that when he grew up he would make lots and lots of money and eat crab-roe soup buns every day.
Jiang Heng glanced at Yuan’s hand and then toward his own shoulder.
Ying Mingche was annoyed: “Why aren’t you eating the breakfast I brought you?”
“I’m eating, I’m eating.” Yuan asked, “What did you bring?”
“Mini croissants.” Ying Mingche presented a paper bag.
The croissants were mini, bite-sized.
Ying Mingche had assumed that Yuan Shiyuan, who liked little plush dolls and similar trinkets, would also like these tiny pastries—but Yuan hadn’t glanced at them the whole time.
Yuan tried one mini croissant. “Surprisingly good. I actually like it.”
“I thought you would,” Ying Mingche emphasized. “I picked them out for a long time.”
He sounded proud, as if he’d done something remarkable.
Yuan humored him: “Mm-hmm, very impressive.”
Pei Yanbing never spoke while eating and didn’t join the conversation; he just kept his head down and ate quietly. Yuan also noticed that they all ate very healthily—only he was ravenously loading up on carbs.
But he really was hungry.
Lately he’d been getting hungry more easily, and his appetite had grown—this usually meant he was still growing.
Yuan was young enough that a second growth spurt was possible; if he ate more, maybe he’d shoot up a bit taller.
He casually scanned those around him—every Alpha nearby was taller and bigger than him.
They were all S-rank alphas; maybe after his second growth spurt he could even be taller than them.
While Yuan was lost in pleasant thoughts, someone knocked at the door.
Jiang Heng, who was sitting near the outer side, conscientiously stood to open it.
Bo Jin carried a bag of breakfast and glanced at the time—Yuan should be awake by now, right?
He hadn’t come specifically to have breakfast with Yuan; he’d picked up food from the restaurant and suddenly realized he’d taken a bit too much. Not wanting it to go to waste, he’d share it with Yuan.
Bo Jin poked the takeout bag to check the temperature.
He’d brought hot dishes; the chef had just finished and packed them. He’d walked quickly all the way, afraid the food would cool and lose its best texture.
He wasn’t sure if Yuan would like it…
The door opened.
But the person who opened it wasn’t Yuan.
Bo Jin’s expression went cold for a moment. “Why is it you?”
Jiang Heng’s face was indifferent; he walked in without even turning his head.
Bo Jin sensed something off. He entered the suite and, sure enough, saw a group of Alphas who shouldn’t have been here.
He didn’t know exactly what had happened, but he keenly felt he’d been a step behind on some matters.
“You guys didn’t call me for breakfast?” Bo Jin glanced at the lavish spread on the table and sneered. “Leaving me out?”
He’d worried that Yuan would be hungry when he woke, so he’d gone to the top-floor restaurant to order breakfast as soon as Yuan woke up. He’d wrapped the food bag layer upon layer to keep it warm, afraid it would affect the taste. Yet here was Yuan, sharing breakfast with other Alphas—and not just one!
Even if there were several, they hadn’t bothered to call him.
What did Yuan take him for?
Was he really that expendable?
“No, of course not. We were about to call you.” Yuan waved him over. “Come on, come on, we saved you a spot.”
Yuan scooted toward the window and squeezed out a small space.
Bo Jin looked over; his expression was complicated.
The area was so tight that if he sat there, he’d probably have to press his leg completely against Yuan’s to fit…
He instinctively glanced at Yuan’s leg.
Thin, pale, and long.
Bo Jin sat down with a cold face.
Now everyone was truly present.
Ying Mingxi had almost finished eating; he watched Pei Yanbing as if half-noticing, then casually asked as though making small talk, “Captain, you must have slept on the couch last night—didn’t you sleep badly?”
Ying Mingche: “Anyway, it’s definitely not as comfortable as Jiang Heng’s folding bed.”
Jiang Heng: “You found sleeping on the floor uncomfortable?”
Bo Jin froze.
Pei Yanbing slept on the sofa? This sofa? Jiang Heng slept on the folding bed? This folding bed? Ying Mingche slept on the floor? This floor?!
Yesterday six people from the group, four of them slept here with Yuan Shiyuan?!
A vague anger surged to his head; Bo Jin sneered coldly, “Such a lively scene—you didn’t invite me to join?”
—Now you tell me to fight for it; what took you so long? [eye roll]
—Exactly, exactly, my wife was already tasted by someone else, and only then did he realize he lost at the starting line.
—Huh? Didn’t Brother Huo already get to taste him earlier?
“It’s simple—there just weren’t enough spots,” Ying Mingche said. “Besides, would we need to invite you for something like this? Opportunities are for those who are prepared.”
“We all earned our spots ourselves, okay?”
Bo Jin fell silent.
For the first time, he found himself thinking Ying Mingche made a point.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense. What’s so great about sleeping over at my place—sleeping on the floor or the sofa is worse; you’d be better off sleeping in your own bed, much more comfortable,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “By the way, we’ve finished breakfast. Why isn’t the production team in a hurry?”
They should move on to the next segment by now.
This reminded Bo Jin of something: “A waiter knocked and said our phones can’t connect to the ship’s Wi‑Fi. We’ll have to hand our phones in later and get the phones they provide.”
Hand in our phones?
So the show’s segment is officially starting.
“Wait a moment before handing them in,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “I’m going to let my family know I’m safe, so they don’t worry.”
Yuan picked up his phone, switched to the front camera, and took a photo. He leaned against the balcony window with the glittering sea behind him reflecting his smiling face.
After taking the picture he posted it to the group and then typed out a message and sent it.
Yuan glanced up and noticed that among the circle of Alphas, only Jiang Heng had taken his phone to check in with family.
He asked, puzzled, “Aren’t you all telling your families?”
Pei Yanbing: “I don’t need to.”
He paused for a moment, then added, “They don’t care about me.”
Ying Mingxi said gently, “Just post a moment (a social post) — then everyone will see it.”
Yuan didn’t say more; he knew well that not everyone’s family was peaceful and happy. If he said too much now, he’d risk being insensitive.
“Brother Mingxi’s right. Why didn’t I think of that?” he said. “I’ll post a moment too, so people know I’m on the show.”
At that, Yuan glanced at Bo Jin, who seemed distracted.
Bo Jin had told him about his family—both parents had died in a fire, and he was the sole survivor…
Yuan reached out and hooked his arm around Bo Jin’s shoulder: “Come on, let’s take a photo. I’ll post it so everyone can see how handsome you are.”
The soft arm across his shoulder, he could clearly smell the scent in Yuan’s hair. His pupils widened; his expression grew somewhat uncomfortable.
Yuan… wanted to put him in a social post? To let everyone know about their relationship?
Bo Jin’s Adam’s apple bobbed; he looked reluctant but couldn’t do anything about Yuan: “Fine.”
They turned to the camera, their faces very close to one another.
Ying Mingche complained, “Why didn’t you take it with me? Am I not handsome?”
“Handsome, handsome, handsome,” Yuan said, treating them all the same. “How about everyone take it together? Let’s just snap a group photo and post it—then anyone who sees it will know we’re filming.”
There were no stands in the room, and no extra person to take the photo for them.
Yuan Shiyuan propped his phone on the napkin box, set the timer, then sprinted back into position.
At the instant the shutter clicked, Yuan Shiyuan happened to be standing in front of the five S-rank Alphas, turned to face the camera, and smiled.
His pink hair fluttered in the wind; the tips caught a soft pink-gold glow. Even without striking a deliberate pose, that dazzling face still made the viewers in front of the lens gasp for a moment.
Yuan Shiyuan glanced down to check the photo, then posted it to the work group chat.
Each of the S-rank Alphas picked up their phones and saved the picture to their albums.
“Where’s the phone deposit counter?” Yuan asked. “Or are we waiting for someone to come collect them?”
“I know where it is. Give me your phones and I’ll take them,” Bo Jin said as he skimmed Yuan Shiyuan’s moments—of course Yuan had posted a separate photo of just the two of them.
He was in a good mood, feeling a little pleased.
Ying Mingche was not so pleased. “Oh, then bring mine too.”
Bo Jin simply grabbed a bag, put everyone’s phones inside, and took them together to the phone deposit counter.
It wasn’t that he was especially kind.
Yuan Shiyuan had posted a solo photo of the two of them in his moments—almost like an official announcement. If Bo Jin ran an errand just for Yuan, the implication could be read as too intimate, too obvious, too much like A-dom and same-sex affection.
If he ran errands for everyone, it wouldn’t attract attention; it would seem normal.
Bo Jin seldom felt this generous, so by the time he left the suite his face held a faint smugness.
About five minutes later he returned, followed by a waiter.
The waiter distributed the designated phones one by one, but did not leave immediately.
Bo Jin’s expression darkened further.
Yuan Shiyuan had a mini croissant in his mouth and looked over in puzzlement, asking with his eyes—what’s wrong?
Bo Jin hesitated, then looked at the waiter.
The waiter, however, kept his gaze fixed on Yuan Shiyuan’s face the whole time; his heart raced out of rhythm, yet he forced the most perfect smile he could.
“Gentlemen, are you satisfied with our service?” he asked.
“Quite good, very satisfied,” Yuan Shiyuan said, pulling a tissue to wipe his mouth.
The waiter’s smile widened; he clapped his hands, and someone handed him a bill.
“As long as you’re satisfied. This is the bill for your consumption from yesterday until today. Who will be paying?”
Wait— a bill?
They had never expected that expenses aboard the cruise would be their own responsibility! That would have been one thing, but the items listed on the bill were absurd.
Beyond the standard room charges, meals, tips, and cleaning fees, the ship’s charging system was bizarre. Items in the room like tissues cost extra; bath products were charged separately…
There were even sensors outside the restrooms that recorded door openings. Each time the door opened, it counted as a use.
So even using the toilet incurred a separate fee!
Yuan Shiyuan was incredulous. “We have to pay separately to use the restroom?”
“Yes.”
“What about showering?”
“Also charged separately.”
They fell silent.
They had all used the restrooms multiple times yesterday; no wonder the restroom line on the bill was so high.
Yuan Shiyuan pressed his finger on the receipt. “It says one restroom use is 100—does that mean one time to go to the toilet is one hundred, or is it a timed fee of one hundred for a period of use?”
The waiter replied, “One hundred star coins allows unrestricted restroom use for one hour. Within that hour, you can soak in the bath and enjoy a pleasant time.”
“Thank you, that’s not pleasant at all.” Yuan Shiyuan saw the astronomical bill at the end of the receipt and felt hopeless.
The waiter smiled: “It’s supposed to be unpleasant.”
—You have to pay to use the bathroom? I’m done.
—Now not only are they broke, they’re heavily in debt, right? If anyone wants to use the restroom, they have no money, so they have to hold it. [covering face]
—The production team is going to kill me laughing. Which planner actually thought of this?
—Wait, they have money, right? It’s just that their phones were taken. If they get their phones back, they can pay the bill.
Yuan and the others had thought of that too.
Ying Mingche said, “If you temporarily return our phones, we can settle the bill.”
The waiter shook his head: “Sorry, sir, our ship only accepts star coins; there’s no way to pay via electronic methods.”
Star coins?
Probably the production team’s currency.
The mini croissant in Yuan Shiyuan’s mouth no longer tasted good: “But we don’t have star coins.”
“You all spent fifty thousand. If you can’t clear the balance with star coins, you won’t be allowed off the ship. You must settle your debt before you can leave.”
“The time you’ve booked this room for is almost up. If you can’t accumulate enough star coins to renew in time, you won’t even be able to use the room.”
“Also, each guest must hand over 100 star coins daily as tip and 100 star coins for cleaning fees. If you can’t pay, those amounts will be added to your debt.”
“…”
They had really fallen into a trap this time.
Just the fixed daily expenses already added up to a significant number: room fees, tips, cleaning… and each person’s physiological needs—using the restroom!
You absolutely couldn’t skimp on restroom fees.
Yuan Shiyuan stared at the debt on the bill, his face utterly dejected.
He had wondered why Zhuang He ordered so much before leaving; he thought it was out of pity, a last generous meal.
But Zhuang He had no conscience—he’d set them up before leaving!
Zhuang He was gone, but he’d left them with a sky-high bill!
Scepter fell silent as a group, while the danmaku filled with laughter.
Netizens had never seen Scepter look so helpless; it was sharply at odds with their usual image.
Especially Yuan Shiyuan.
Shock was written all over his face; his eyes widened, the pink hair framing an incredulous expression. As a newly debuted idol, he had never imagined a variety show could go this far.
“We just don’t have star coins right now; we’ll have them later and we’ll definitely pay it back.”
Yuan Shiyuan brainstormed quickly, continuing to probe: “There are many of us; we’ll earn it quickly.”
“But how can we earn star coins?” That was the real question.
The waiter had been waiting to hear that.
He handed over small booklets, filled with pictures and text detailing the ship’s part-time job options.
“These are the part-time positions on our ship. You can take a look.”
Yuan Shiyuan flipped through them roughly.
[1] Open-air restaurant part-time jobs
Waiter 25 star coins/hour
Dishwasher 20 star coins/hour
Cook 50 star coins/hour
…
[2] Rooftop racetrack part-time jobs
Mechanic 100 star coins/hour
Car washer 50 star coins/hour
Yuan Shiyuan read for a long time and, as expected, technical jobs paid better and earned more.
He whispered, “Have you decided where to work? If the six of us do part-time jobs together, we should be able to pay it back quickly…”
Bo Jin: “The five of us will go.”
Yuan Shiyuan, puzzled: “The five of us? Who’s not going?”
They answered in unison: “You.”
“……” Yuan Shiyuan pointed at himself, confused. “Why not me?”
Scepter formed a rare united front.
Bo Jin: “With your little arms and legs, what could you possibly do? Don’t overdo it and keel over on the ship—we’d have to figure out how to drag you back.”
Ying Mingche expressed agreement: “You should just stay inside with the air conditioner. It’s so hot out—what if you get heatstroke?”
Ying Mingxi said gently: “Shiyuan, a lot of those jobs are outdoors and very hot. Your allergies still haven’t healed; you can’t be exposed to the sun.”
Jiang Heng: “We’ll just take the part-time jobs.”
They let everyone finish speaking before Pei Yanbing added: “Exactly.”
Yuan Shiyuan: “……”
He was helpless and amused. “Do you lot think I’m some kind of princess on a pea? Don’t underestimate me, okay? Other than technical jobs like fixing or washing cars, I can do anything.”
What did they expect Yuan Shiyuan to do? Wait tables? Wash dishes?
They instinctively glanced at Yuan Shiyuan’s hands.
His fingers were long, slender, and pale—each distinct, like a flawless piece of jade in the sunlight.
“No.” They said in unison.
Yuan Shiyuan: “If outdoors is impossible, then fine—I could be a cook; that’s indoors, right? My cooking… should be okay?”
“The kitchen smoke is bad for your skin.” They still shook their heads. “You can’t go in.”
Yuan had forgotten: he’s an idol now; he has to protect his face at all times.
Most of the jobs were outdoors and required sun exposure.
They wouldn’t let him do outdoor work—probably worried about sunburn that might affect other appearances.
He’s too pale.
This won’t do, that won’t do—what else could he do?
Yuan Shiyuan flipped the booklet with a frown and suddenly found an indoor part-time job.
[3] Maid café
Server base pay 50/hour, 50% commission, 80% tip share.
Note: Must wear in-store uniform.
Maid café?
Yuan Shiyuan, straight-A through and through, felt it wasn’t appropriate for him; the boss probably wouldn’t hire him either.
He flipped another page out of habit. When he saw the café’s drink price list, his eyes widened.
The cheapest cup of coffee was 500 star coins! With a 50% commission, selling one coffee would yield at least a 250-coin commission!
Yuan Shiyuan did the math quickly in his head. Suppose he could sell 10 coffees an hour: pay = base 50 + 10*250! And that’s using the minimum commission!
If he worked like crazy, pulled an all-nighter, how many star coins could he make?
If he encountered generous customers, tips had an 80% share!
Paying off the debt would be within reach.
As expected, going into that line paid the most.
An idea immediately formed in Yuan Shiyuan’s mind. He’s straight-A—so what if he wore a skirt? Who said straight-A can’t wear skirts?
Besides, the café only required him to wear a skirt and serve as a “little manservant” selling coffee; they didn’t ask him to sit on customers’ laps or feed them mouth-to-mouth.
Didn’t some fans say they wanted to see him in a skirt before? He should grant his fans’ wish.
He convinced himself instantly.
Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes shone. He leaned forward to check the café’s exact location in the booklet…
A large palm covered the page.
Bo Jin, seeming to have guessed what Yuan Shiyuan was thinking, said coldly, “Don’t even think about it.”
He’s still here, and Yuan Shiyuan is already thinking about wearing a skirt to work as a little manservant? Dream on.
He hasn’t even looked.
Author’s Note:
You all should be able to guess how the livestream incident happened [let me take a look]
Also, what kind of little skirt would you like to see Yuan wear? [shy]