Pretending to Be an Alpha in an All-Alpha Boy Band - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Leg Fetish

“Get out.”

“I don’t need an Omega.”

“…”

Before the door could close, Yuan Shiyuan put up his hand, braced his knuckles against the doorframe, and forced it back open.

“I’m not a bro, I’m an Alpha.” He sighed helplessly. “My name is Yuan Shiyuan. I’m your roommate and your new colleague.”

Yuan Shiyuan? New colleague?

Bo Jin seemed to have a recollection.

No wonder Bo Jin had mistaken Yuan Shiyuan for an Omega—his eyelashes were long, his face a kind of sharp, striking beauty. The exposed nape of his neck was slender, dotted with a thin sheen of sweat, but there was no unpleasant odor—only a faint, clean scent.

…An Alpha?

If he was an Alpha, he definitely couldn’t stay.

“I’m in my susceptible period.” Bo Jin’s voice was hoarse. “Go to another dorm.”

Another dorm? No way—where would he find another pure straight man like this?

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t leave. He took a step forward instead, and the close distance made Bo Jin’s pupils dilate. That faint scent slipped into his nose and, strangely, suppressed the turmoil roaring inside him.

“I understand that you’re in a special period and your temper is worse.” Yuan Shiyuan said. “But I can help you.”

“You can help me?” Bo Jin asked. “You’re an Alpha—how can you help?”

Yuan Shiyuan: “I can buy you suppressants.”

Ordinary suppressants, unfortunately, did nothing for Bo Jin. An Alpha in a susceptible period absolutely could not tolerate another Alpha nearby.

An S-rank Alpha’s susceptible period was terrifying. Bo Jin’s susceptible period came with pheromone mania—explosions of astonishing pheromone concentration that would indiscriminately attack other Alphas.

But the Alpha standing before him acted as if nothing were wrong.

Only two possibilities remained.

One, Yuan Shiyuan was some existence higher than S-rank; two, Yuan Shiyuan was a Beta.

The dark eyes above the matte-black bite stopper narrowed slightly, and Bo Jin, now certain Yuan Shiyuan was an Alpha, took a step back.

“You can stay,” he said, “but don’t regret it.”

The room reeked of smoke so strongly it stung. Yuan Shiyuan frowned—this should be Bo Jin’s pheromones; they were really strong. Perhaps because Bo Jin’s pheromones smelled like smoke, Yuan Shiyuan felt a bit flushed too.

Especially around the glands.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t dwell on it. He pressed the ventilation button, sat on the chair opposite Bo Jin, and watched him inject the suppressant.

The instant the metal needle pierced the gland, Bo Jin made a muffled groan; veins rose on his forehead and the side of his neck. He glanced up at Yuan Shiyuan across from him, brow slightly knitted, then took out another silver vial and continued injecting the gland.

The breath beneath the bite stopper was feverish and erratic; his eyes flickered for a moment before gradually refocusing.

Yuan Shiyuan watched the silver suppressant curiously. “What’s that?”

“Sex suppressant.”

“Oh.”

From the name it sounded like something to suppress sexual desire. Susceptible periods typically triggered Alphas’ mating urges.

As an S-rank Alpha himself, Yuan Shiyuan’s susceptible periods were very mild.

He wouldn’t become emotionally violent, lash out indiscriminately, or lose pheromone control like other Alphas; at most he’d feel tired and need a nap.

Only after Bo Jin finished the third injection and his condition slowly improved did Yuan Shiyuan speak.

“So you thought I was an Omega at first, and that’s why you threw my luggage out?”

“Your suitcase smelled nice.”

When a susceptible period broke out at its strongest, an Alpha couldn’t tolerate the scent of any of their kind. Bo Jin had picked up on an Alpha scent on the luggage, and his territorial instincts flared—but he was conflicted because the suitcase smelled pleasant, more like something belonging close to an Omega.

He only then tossed the luggage out.

Yuan Shiyuan nodded. “I thought you were bullying me.”

“That’s something only a weakling would do.”

That straight-man aura was so strong it felt like my life could be at the mercy of fate any second. Yuan Shiyuan said, “I saw my luggage thrown out and felt pretty sad—I thought you hated me.”

“…No.”

That’s the line Yuan Shiyuan had been waiting for. He tilted his head slightly; the brows and eyes beneath his pink hair looked innocent and soft. “My luggage is still outside. Could you help me get it back?”

“Why don’t you just bring it in yourself?”

“You threw it out.”

Those moist eyes looked up at Bo Jin like that.

“Please help me, okay?”

“…”

Bo Jin, who had a severe case of straight-man blindness, hated all things pink and girly, but looking at Yuan Shiyuan like this, he simply couldn’t bring himself to hate him. Being looked at like that even made the pink he usually despised seem pleasing to the eye.

…What the hell.

An Alpha — an S-rank Alpha, no less — was making such a pitiful face.

Three seconds later, Bo Jin got up with a black expression and grabbed the backpack by the door.

“Any other luggage?”

Bo Jin didn’t mean anything by it; whether it was one bag or a pile, he’d carry it. Since he’d already helped Yuan Shiyuan with the backpack, it wouldn’t hurt to move a few more pieces.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t have much: “No, that’s it.”

When Yuan Shiyuan opened the backpack, a faint fragrance slowly diffused out, mingling with the smoky pheromone scent in the room.

Bo Jin’s glands ached a little.

He injected himself with another suppressant.

The special suppressant worked quickly; Bo Jin stabilized soon, but the strong, lingering S-rank Alpha pheromone in the room remained.

Yuan Shiyuan finished arranging his things. His glands felt inexplicably warm and a bit itchy—maybe from sweating.

He took a shower; when he came out, mist carried a light scent that washed over the room.

Bo Jin looked up; his pupils contracted.

Yuan Shiyuan wasn’t wearing clothes.

…No, he was wearing something, but it made almost no difference.

His upper body was bare, a towel casually draped around the side of his neck.

White shorts clung wetly to his legs, translucent against the skin and outlining the curve at the top of his thighs. Pink wet hair stuck to his neck; droplets traced over his collarbone and shoulder… the pink hair was one thing, but all exposed skin had a faint pink flush as if steamed by heat.

Bo Jin turned his face away, unable to bear it: “Can you put on some clothes?”

Yuan Shiyuan had forgotten to grab clothes, but among Alphas there weren’t so many formalities—comfort came first.

“Ah.” He looked up in puzzled innocence and tugged at his shorts. “I’m wearing clothes.”

This is the perk of living with a straight man: streaking around doesn’t matter.

In all his years, Bo Jin had never seen an Alpha like this. He injected suppressants and was baffled.

What kind of Alpha was this, dyed pink from head to toe?

…

Zhuang He posted a call for a meeting in the group chat.

On the huge screen ahead, Zhuang He analyzed the Scepter boy group’s fan demographics: “Our goal is to attract the OB fan base.”

He switched to the next slide. “Shiyuan, our new member—the youngest in the group—his fan profile fits our needs: primarily Omegas… but strangely, Shiyuan also has a considerable number of alpha fans who spend a lot.”

This was extremely rare.

There were very few Alphas who were idol fans; even when they existed, they were usually free-riders who didn’t spend money or push data—less trouble than having them. But Yuan Shiyuan’s alpha fans were extremely willing to spend, which was exceptionally rare in the entire entertainment industry.

“Shiyuan’s fans are very loyal, but they’re a bit unusual.”

Zhuang He opened Yuan Shiyuan’s super topic; the fan name was “Willing.”

[I’m willing! I’m willing to be Princess Yuanyuan’s dog!]

[I drew ○bao wearing a dress~]

[Here comes the little beauty. (lecherous)]

[I really want to find my baby a few more husbands.]

[Holy crap Ximi Entertainment has lost their minds, they actually put my baby in those royal guys’ dorm [cover face], openly giving him the silver handkerchief? My wife’s tiny body won’t survive a few rounds of grass [cover face][cover face][cover face].]

The last post slipped in by accident; Xiao Huang quickly switched screens, and everyone only had time to catch the beginning.

Ying Mingche read the super topic posts with cadence: “Such an adorable baby, Princess Yuanyuan…”

He poked Yuan Shiyuan’s strawberry milk carton. “Your fans call you a princess.”

Yuan Shiyuan, who was holding a box of strawberry milk, let the straw slide off his lip.

He looked stunned for a few seconds, then lazily lifted his eyelids. “Hm? What’s up?”

“Princess Yuanyuan—have you found your white knight yet?” Ying Mingche deliberately leaned in. “Do you want me to sign up?”

“Stop, cut it out.” Yuan Shiyuan pushed the Alpha’s face away. “I’m straight, thanks.”

Bo Jin asked in surprise, “You’re not angry?”

An Alpha’s high pride and territorial instincts normally made them unable to accept such a nickname. Besides the initial surprise, Yuan Shiyuan’s reaction was fairly flat, even indifferent.

Having taken several doses of sexual suppressants and inhibitors in succession, Bo Jin had barely gotten through his susceptible period and was in decent shape now. With his bite stopper removed, his facial features looked sharp; deep brow bones, red-dyed sideburns—he had the typical mixed-blood scoundrel look.

“Angry about what?” Yuan Shiyuan looked at him. “Let the fans call me whatever they want. I’m not losing any flesh over it.”

“As long as they’re happy.”

Bo Jin narrowed his eyes. “Even if they’re fantasizing about you wearing a dress?”

Yuan Shiyuan: “If the fans want me to wear one, I can wear one.”

Bo Jin’s temple twitched. How could any Alpha accept wearing a dress? This person’s logic was completely different from a normal Alpha!

If it was the fans’ wish, Yuan Shiyuan really could fulfill it. He’s straight—would putting on a dress make him suddenly not straight?

Wearing a dress didn’t mean anything; straight men had no fear.

Yuan Shiyuan also realized, for the first time, that his fans were like this.

He was indeed surprised.

But if the fans liked it and it made them happy, he didn’t care.

What ill intent could fans have? They only wanted to find him a few more husbands.

Although Yuan Shiyuan didn’t understand why his fans were so keen on finding husbands for a straight guy.

Seeing the Alphas make a fuss, Zhuang He couldn’t bear to say it: all of that content was fine to release.

“You haven’t had a group schedule in a long time. Now that there’s a new member, the company has decided to arrange a live-format group variety show.”

“This format will not only let fans get to know you better and increase cohesion, but also help dispel rumors of internal discord.”

Rumors of internal discord, huh?

Yuan Shiyuan wasn’t so sure.

Except for Ying Mingche constantly clinging to Yuan Shiyuan, the other four Alphas acted like beasts guarding territory—each staying in their own space, rarely exchanging even the simplest glances.

Starry Night Entertainment scheduled the group’s variety show shoot for the afternoon. After Zhuang He briefly went over the process, he gave them one hour to pack their luggage.

Yuan Shiyuan’s luggage was small—a little pillow, a quilt, plus toiletries and pajamas. He was picky about his bed, but since the bed couldn’t be moved, he settled for taking his pillow and quilt.

He also had a little plush, but would bringing a toy on the show be a bit odd?

Yuan Shiyuan hesitated for a moment, then decided not to pack it.

Bo Jin stuffed his suitcase with a bunch of suppressants and inhibitors. When he looked up, he saw Yuan Shiyuan squatting on the floor, pushing his pillow into the luggage; a strip of pale waist flashed in the motion. Pink hair fell down and swayed lightly as he moved.

Bo Jin glanced at the suitcase and raised an eyebrow. “You’re only bringing that?”

“Mm.” Yuan Shiyuan answered in between tasks. “The production team should prepare the rest, right? I don’t need to bring anything else.”

The dorm had been fitted with filming equipment, and the footage of them packing would be edited into the group’s variety show. Bo Jin cast a look at the camera and suddenly remembered Yuan Shiyuan’s short, semi-sheer sleep shorts—Alpha legs slenderly visible under the fabric.

Milky white skin that seemed easily marked; legs without an ounce of extra fat, delicate, bony ankles. Even his toes were plump and rounded—perfect, without flaw.

Because he was pressing the suitcase, one knee was on the ground, leaving a bluish mark. The other leg bent slightly, the skin on the thigh rubbed thin and flushed pink.

Yuan Shiyuan had very pretty legs.

Bo Jin, notorious for being a straight man, happened to have a mild leg fetish.

Only mild.

He stared for a moment, then took a brand-new blue-and-black plaid pajama set from the wardrobe and tossed it over.

“Wear these during the shoot.” He crossed his arms against the closet door, the corner of his mouth twisting into a gentlemanly fake smile. “Don’t let me see an Alpha’s legs.”

The camera captured the scene; to anyone watching it looked like a smile hiding a blade. Yuan Shiyuan, however, was pleased—he couldn’t even accept seeing another man’s legs exposed?

This straight-man energy was just too pure.

The pajamas were from a famous brand, silkworm silk; the pajama set alone cost ¥19,700.

That price made it hard to stay mad.

Yuan Shiyuan stuffed the pajamas into his suitcase, turned, and gave him a smile. “Thanks, bro.”

Although the smile passed in an instant, it was unforgettable. Yuan Shiyuan’s skin was porcelain white, lips rosy; sunlight from the window lit his face beneath the pink hair. When he smiled he looked like a lively little pink-furred fox, almost painfully beautiful.

Bo Jin’s fake smile froze, then shifted into several shades of disbelief. He couldn’t tell whether Yuan Shiyuan hadn’t understood his sarcasm, or simply didn’t care at all.

His attitude was so awful, and Yuan Shiyuan still smiled at him?

Yuan Shiyuan was wrestling with the suitcase; it seemed stuck somewhere. He was afraid of breaking it and dared not force it.

Bo Jin saw Yuan Shiyuan’s brows knit a little, the tip of his nose beaded with a fine sweat, a faint blush on his face.

Such thin arms and legs—managing the whole suitcase must be hard; a couple of bumps and he’d flush. No wonder the fans called him a princess.

Bo Jin felt it was a real struggle just watching. He walked over and pressed down on the suitcase with one hand, using brute force to close it.

Wouldn’t forcing it break it… but Yuan Shiyuan still played along. “Wow, you’re amazing.”

Bo Jin: “…”

It was the first time he’d met an Alpha like this—delicately beautiful, and soft in temperament, with no temper at all, like a piece of pink cotton candy that could be rolled and squashed.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Assistant Xiao Huang peeked in furtively. “Shiyuan, can you come out for a sec?”

In the small room, multiple camera rigs were trained on Yuan Shiyuan.

“Today you have a hidden task,” a staff member said. “The dorms arranged by the production team are all bunk-bed style, but there’s an attic upstairs that’s not open to the public.”

“If you successfully complete the task, you can claim the attic’s single room all to yourself.”

To increase the temptation, the production team showcased the attic from multiple angles.

The path up to the attic was unique — you had to climb a wooden ladder. The ceiling had two huge skylights: one reflected a sea-blue sky, the other framed red flowers and green leaves. Beyond the glass door was an open-air little garden; under the awning sat a barbecue grill, and a swing wrapped in vines hung nearby with wind chimes dangling from it.

When sunlight poured in, the glass wind chimes swayed and the whole attic was washed in gold.

Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes lit up. He obligingly let out a delighted sound. “What a beautiful attic! How do I get to have it all to myself?”

The card listed the program flow and game rules. The first stage was the roommate selection: members had to contact their prospective roommate in advance and write each other’s names on the cards.

If the other person wrote someone else’s name, it meant the roommate pick failed, and they would lose priority for choosing a dorm.

“Your task is: get every member to choose you, and you — choose no one.”

Yuan Shiyuan lowered his gaze to scan the rules, then suddenly chuckled softly.

“Ah… that’s so hard.” He said it aloud, but a spark of interest lit his eyes. “But it’s fun. The attic would belong to me and I could do whatever I want with it, right?”

“Of course, as long as you succeed.”

After confirming the rules again, Yuan Shiyuan stood up. He tilted his head toward the camera, pinching the thin task card between his fingertips and holding it up to his nose.

His pale pink hair swayed slightly. The corner of his mouth lifted; his voice was light but certain:

“I will win.”

Author’s Note:

Happy Children’s Day, darlings [kiss][kiss]