Pretending to Be an Alpha in an All-Alpha Boy Band - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Livestream Mishap (Part 1)

— Damn, this boss knows how to play.

— Is this the production team sneaking in their own ideas, or is the boss just a pervert? Please, Little Yuan, hurry up and change on camera. I, the judge, will be fair and impartial and make a ruling. [lewd]

— Hehehehe… I want to see Little Devil ○!

Yuan Shiyuan carried the bag and left the café with complicated feelings.

Was this really part of the show’s plan?

The boss waved at Yuan Shiyuan with a smile: “If you try them on tonight, take some photos and send them to me. I’ll give you my opinion!”

Yuan Shiyuan took the hot potato home.

The boss didn’t know he shared a room with the rest of his teammates, so there was no chance for him to try on the skirts—he couldn’t change in front of the other members.

Yuan Shiyuan pictured the scene: him in a room full of S-rank top alphas, changing into different styles of little skirts… the image felt increasingly weird the more he thought about it.

He’d only seen scenarios like that in films.

Luckily the suite was big enough that Yuan Shiyuan had somewhere to hide things. After some thought, he simply shoved the bag of clothes under the bed.

Who but a mouse would crawl under a bed for no reason?

No sooner had Yuan Shiyuan hidden the skirts than the other S-rank alphas began to return one after another.

After working all afternoon, the S-rank alphas were sweating and their hair tousled. They had no time to tidy up appearances; they immediately gathered around the coffee table to plan how to spend their earnings.

Under the coffee table, Yuan Shiyuan gently hooked Pei Yanbing’s finger.

“Captain, put my earnings with yours and pretend you made them,” Yuan Shiyuan whispered.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly—he was clearly in a good mood after today’s haul.

Pei Yanbing: “Okay.”

In full view of everyone, he took a stack of money from Yuan Shiyuan’s hand.

Fortunately, no one noticed them.

Ying Mingche: “Bo Jin, you only made a little over a thousand? Pathetic.”

Bo Jin’s face darkened.

“A thousand is still great!” Yuan Shiyuan patted Bo Jin’s shoulder. “At least we’ve covered the room fee, and the rest of the star coins can go to food.”

Bo Jin looked at him and promised, “I’ll earn more tomorrow.”

“How about the captain? How much did the captain make?” Ying Mingche and the others had all put their earnings on the coffee table. “We’re just missing you.”

Pei Yanbing wasn’t unwilling to put his down, it was just that… he had quite a lot of star coins in his hand.

Putting them out might look suspicious.

Under the expectant gazes, Pei Yanbing still set a stack of coins on the coffee table.

“……”

“Did captain sell the café piano or something? You made thirty-three thousand star coins this afternoon!”

Pei Yanbing remained silent.

Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes darted guiltily.

The little manservant had worked hard all afternoon; his tail and cat ears weren’t touched for nothing. His income plus Pei Yanbing’s made for a very impressive total.

Bo Jin, at the bottom, was quiet. He cocked his head toward Pei Yanbing and asked proactively, “How’d you make it? I’ll do the same tomorrow.”

Pei Yanbing: “……”

Jiang Heng: “Hiding things, won’t tell.”

Yuan Shiyuan: “……”

Ying Mingxi said gently, “Alright, if the captain doesn’t want to say, that’s fine. Maybe the captain’s way of making money is a bit special and not convenient to share.”

Ying Mingche said softly, “The captain’s skilled—deep and unshowy.”

Normally the S-rank alphas bickered among themselves, but this time they were united—openly and covertly mocking and ganging up on the highest earner, Pei Yanbing.

Yuan Shiyuan could feel the pressure on Pei Yanbing.

He cleared his throat and changed the subject: “After we pay the room fee and the tips, we’ll still have quite a bit left. At this rate, we can pay off the debt and start enjoying life on the cruise soon…”

“What are we having tonight?”

“Of course something nice.”

Ying Mingche ruffled Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulder and said, “But I’m too tired to go out today. How about we just order room service to deliver?”

Bo Jin: “Fine, I don’t want to go out either.”

Ying Mingxi: “Then after we order, while we’re waiting for the food, let’s take showers. After all, 100 star coins only gets you an hour in the restroom.”

Jiang Heng: “Try to finish within the hour.”

Pei Yanbing: “Okay.”

They first ordered some fruit, then flipped through the menu and began the formal ordering process.

The prepared fruit was placed on the coffee table while the other alphas discussed what to eat. Yuan Shiyuan had meant to join in, but he found that everything he liked had already been ordered.

All of it had been ordered by Jiang Heng.

Only then did Yuan Shiyuan realize that his and Jiang Heng’s tastes were almost identical. The dishes Jiang Heng picked were all his favorites; many of Jiang Heng’s dislikes were his as well.

Since that was the case, there was no need for him to keep inserting himself. He curled up on the sofa to rest, occasionally flexing his wrists.

“You’re the ones who worked outside; you spent the afternoon sleeping in the room, so why do you look more tired than us?” Ying Mingche slid over like a mischievous ghost. “And why do you smell like coffee?”

“Did any of you buy him coffee?”

All the alphas turned their gazes toward him.

Yuan Shiyuan was startled, then immediately felt guilty.

Pei Yanbing: “I bought it.”

“Oh.” Ying Mingche gave a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile. “The captain’s quick with money—he even bought coffee.”

Yuan Shiyuan shoved a grape into Ying Mingche’s mouth. “Could you say less? Why do you always pick on the captain?”

“Pick on him?” Ying Mingche popped the grape and, like a limber creature, flopped onto Yuan Shiyuan’s lap. “You’re the one picking on me. I worked so hard today and you didn’t even care about me.”

“I’m so tired, I got heatstroke.” He pressed his face down and rubbed against Yuan Shiyuan’s leg; the high bridge of his nose left a subtle indentation in the flesh. “I want to sleep a bit… hiss!”

For some reason, and no one could tell why, Yuan Shiyuan suddenly raised his knee and bumped Ying Mingche right in the nose.

The blow stunned Ying Mingche.

“Did I hurt you?” Ying Mingche hurried back over and inspected Yuan Shiyuan’s leg closely. “Or did I bump you somewhere?”

“…”

It took three or five seconds for Yuan Shiyuan to come to his senses. He shook his head. “No. Just… a little itchy.”

Ying Mingche heaved a sigh of relief, then complained, “You’re hinting that I’m rough-faced and rubbing your leg?”

“You just hit my nose; it’s bruised.” Yuan Shiyuan said, “Luckily it’s all natural—otherwise your kick would have skewed any implant.”

—Why do I feel like YMC buried his face where he shouldn’t have. [silly grin]

—Is this the advantage of a high nose bridge? So easily getting ○ to react this much. [mischievous grin]

—Little Yuan’s expression just now was so awkward; his fingers gripped the cushion, knees together, looking dazed like he short-circuited… [cheering]

Yuan Shiyuan reached out, and Ying Mingche immediately pressed his face into his palm.

He looked down and checked carefully: “No bruise.”

But he had kicked pretty hard a moment ago…

Yuan Shiyuan cupped Ying Mingche’s face with one hand while his other hand smoothed the high bridge of the nose. He leaned down and blew on it.

“Does it really hurt?” he said. “I’ll blow on it.”

“Do you want me to put some ointment on it?”

Ying Mingche froze.

A warm, slightly moist scent brushed across his face and the corners of his eyes, sending an electric tingle through his body. His eyelashes trembled faintly; he squinted and, following the motion, lay down against Yuan Shiyuan’s chest.

“What ointment?” Ying Mingche pressed against Yuan Shiyuan’s chest and, without ceremony, nuzzled him. “Just touch me a couple times and I’ll feel better.”

Yuan Shiyuan could tell Ying Mingche was faking.

After all, Mingche had been the one to kick someone first; Yuan had no grounds to argue. After a few pats he withdrew his hand.

He’d spent the afternoon pulling espresso shots and interacting with customers; his hands were a little sore now.

“Why’d you stop touching me?”

“My hand’s tired. Wait. I’ll have some fruit first to line my stomach.”

When Yuan Shiyuan reached for the fruit platter beside him, his finger accidentally brushed the edge of a magazine page. The tip of his finger was cut by the paper; blood slowly welled from the small nick…

A faint scent spread through the room.

The alphas who were ordering food paused mid-action; the aroma drifting through the air distracted them for a moment.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t notice at all that the alphas had all turned their eyes toward him—he absentmindedly put his finger to his lips and sucked.

Perched on Yuan Shiyuan’s chest, Ying Mingche had the best view. He watched the whole motion, then watched as Yuan drew his thin, pale finger from his lips, a transparent strand trailing from it.

In an instant, the fingertip became mottled and flushed pink from being sucked, glistening with moisture.

The alphas stared at his finger.

Only then did Yuan Shiyuan realize everyone was watching him.

Did they think he was unhygienic? Maybe a little…

“Any wet wipes?” Yuan Shiyuan asked, turning his head.

“We have some.” Ying Mingxi said they did, but the ever-gentle him didn’t move to hand any over; he just kept staring at Yuan’s finger.

“Where? I’ll get them,” Yuan Shiyuan said.

He was about to stand when Ying Mingche pressed him back down by the shoulder. With one hand braced at his side, Mingche’s large frame created an angle that made it feel as if Yuan were being held in his arms.

Yuan looked at Ying Mingche in confusion.

Ying Mingche didn’t say a word but fixed his gaze on Yuan’s face. His look was blunt and hot, like a hyena starved for a long time finally encountering a delectable meal.

The rich scent spread, like bread fresh from an oven—fluffy and soft.

After a moment, Jiang Heng was the first to stand: “Wet wipes, right? I’ll go get them.”

He had to leave right then.

Jiang’s breathing went erratic; his mind kept replaying the image of Yuan Shiyuan sucking his finger, the finger wet and shining.

The glittering sheen on that fingertip seemed to be emitting an enticing aroma.

Worst of all…

He found himself overcome by an urge to take Yuan’s hand into his mouth and help lick it clean.

Yuan Shiyuan wiped his hand with a wet wipe and then went to wash his hands.

“Are you all finished ordering?” he asked. “So are we going to shower now?”

“Bed order will be decided by drawing lots. Shower order will follow the earnings ranking,” Jiang Heng, second on the income list, said.

Ying Mingche: “That’s not fair. My brother and I pool our income—how do you count us? If you ask me, go by age: the younger ones shower first…”

Before Yuan Shiyuan joined, Ying Mingche had been the youngest member of the group.

Jiang Heng: “You’re not even pretending to be modest anymore, huh?”

Ying Mingche: “I never bothered pretending.”

Ying Mingche had always been the type to compete and grab for things; he wasn’t like his brother, so indifferent and zen about everything.

He’d understood the world’s survival rules since childhood, and knew resources were limited. If you wanted more good resources, you had to snatch them.

Bo Jin: “I also think ranking by income isn’t really appropriate.”

“You’d of course think that,” Ying Mingche sneered. “You’re ranked dead last in income.”

Bo Jin: “……”

Ying Mingxi interrupted gently: “Let Shiyuan decide. The first person to take a shower is Shiyuan—no one objects to that, right?”

The Alphas had no objections.

“Then let Shiyuan decide the rest of the shower order.”

Yuan Shiyuan thought for a moment and said, “Then let’s go with what Jiang Heng suggested—by income ranking… that could also motivate everyone to work hard and earn more tomorrow.”

Bo Jin being at the bottom of the income list meant he’d shower last, while Yuan Shiyuan would be first…

He was the farthest down the order from Yuan Shiyuan.

“Then remember to put more pheromone in the restroom,” Bo Jin said.

Yuan Shiyuan: “Put pheromone?”

Bo Jin: “You know how it is—our pheromones clash and can’t coexist peacefully. One hour split among us gives each person only about ten minutes; ten minutes isn’t nearly enough for ventilation.”

“But if you put your pheromone in there, we won’t be as repelled.”

The other Alphas didn’t disagree; they agreed wholeheartedly. Pheromones inevitably spilled during the shower, and like pheromones repelled each other.

If Yuan Shiyuan could put out a bit more pheromone, it would be a good solution.

That way, when they showered they’d also be smelling Yuan Shiyuan’s pheromone.

Yuan Shiyuan raised his hand: “Wait, I have a question.”

“How would I put pheromone in there? New person goes in to shower, and I go in to release a round of pheromone?”

“Sure,” someone said.

Ying Mingche pinched Yuan Shiyuan’s chin and said, “The best way is for you to stay inside the whole time, and we’ll take turns going in.”

Yuan Shiyuan: “……” Junyang: ⒍ba4⑧ba⒌①56

So he’d have to take six showers? His skin would prune from the water.

Jiang Heng sneered: “Then you simply won’t come out.”

“Haha, true enough.” Ying Mingche was honest; he draped an arm over Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulder and grinned, teasing, “If you’re inside, how could I bear to come out?”

“I’d love to just live in there.”

With Yuan Shiyuan’s agreement, the shower order was decided.

First was Yuan Shiyuan, and after that the order followed income ranking. Whoever earned the most today would shower first.

When Yuan Shiyuan entered the restroom holding a bathrobe, the other Alphas tacitly covered most of the cameras.

Although the restroom had frosted glass and you couldn’t see inside clearly from the outside.

“I’m going in,” Yuan Shiyuan said. “Start timing now—I’ll try to be quick.”

Showers themselves weren’t bad; washing hair would take longer.

“It’s fine, take your time,” the Alphas said. “No rush.”

After Yuan Shiyuan went into the restroom, the suite grew noticeably quieter. The five S-rank Alphas each occupied a corner, silent, barely making eye contact.

Boring.

Ying Mingche sat on the single sofa, leaning back, and reached out to poke Yuan Shiyuan’s little plush doll.

The plush was immediately taken away. Jiang Heng said coldly, “Can you stop always touching his things?”

“I’m just curious. What does it matter to you if I touch his stuff?” Ying Mingche looked up, giving a friendly smile. “Who do you think you are?”

“Don’t argue!” came Yuan Shiyuan’s voice from inside the restroom.

“…” Ying Mingche and Jiang Heng exchanged a cold glance, then obediently shut up and returned to their corners.

“Really can’t I go in and wash with you?” Ying Mingche persisted. “I shower fast, I definitely won’t bother you.”

Yuan Shiyuan: “Shut up.”

Ying Mingche opened his mouth to speak but stopped, sulking as he flopped back onto the sofa.

So boring.

When Yuan Shiyuan wasn’t in his line of sight, he felt listless and dull.

But the moment he saw Yuan Shiyuan he felt excited and couldn’t help but cling to him.

Bored and idle, Ying Mingche rolled over and suddenly spotted a remote on the tissue box.

A TV remote? But it had very few buttons—didn’t look much like a TV remote.

Anyway, since he was bored, Ying Mingche pressed a button.

Click.

The Alphas turned toward the sound and watched as the restroom’s frosted glass instantly became clear. They could see Yuan Shiyuan inside, wearing only a top, his long legs faintly visible beneath the hem.

—Holy shit holy shit holy shit!!

—Little Yuan’s shower pic!

—Production team, look me in the eye and tell me you really didn’t have any ulterior motive arranging a room like this? [innocent grin]

—I’m starting to suspect the production team slipped into Little Yuan’s dream boyfriend role—they want to secretly watch him shower, right…

The room suddenly fell oddly quiet.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t notice the change in the restroom at all; he was slowly bending to pull off his socks, his waist forming a resilient, nearly folded line.

The air seemed to heat up a few degrees.

The Alphas’ pupils dilated, and none of them could recover their composure.

Only when Yuan Shiyuan straightened and began unfastening his collar buttons one by one did Ying Mingche snap awake, immediately pressing the remote again. The other Alphas quickly covered the lenses.

Click. Pei Yanbing pulled the plug.

This was the suite’s main power for all the live broadcast equipment.

Every live feed from the suite went black in an instant.

—?????

—What are you doing? Why pull the plug while Little Yuan’s showering? If the stream cuts now, they can do whatever they want, go wild!! [scream]

—Damn, did the captain already know where the main plug was? Feels premeditated…

—Let me out, I want to see what happens next!!

—Production team, SOS, emergency!!!!!

The restroom glass fogged over again, obscuring even silhouettes.

Pei Yanbing had swiftly pulled the main plug; the viewers in the danmaku missed the final frame, but the S-rank Alphas in the room had seen everything clearly.

After unbuttoning each clasp, Yuan Shiyuan’s clothes slipped away naturally, revealing a broad expanse of snowy white back that unfurled like a beautiful painting. His shoulders were rounded and full; his slim frame covered by just the right thin layer of skin…

The shower’s water warmed, steam rising.

A rich fragrance spread like an airtight net, silently enveloping the suite.

Plop—drops of water hit the floor.

S-rank Alphas had keen senses; they didn’t even need to see. From the sounds alone they could reconstruct the scene: how the water from the shower ran over Yuan Shiyuan’s body, how that pale, delicate skin blushed through the steam.

The sound of body wash being rubbed and massaged across him produced sticky, soapy noises, magnified in their ears. Even the faintest sound—Yuan Shiyuan reaching for a toiletry—captured their attention…

The air-conditioned room, previously cool, was swept by an inexplicable heat.

The S-rank Alphas listened to the sounds at their ears and suddenly felt very hot, struck by an unprecedented… thirst.