What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 25

Chapter 25 – Princess Carry

Hang City BBS Campus Zone:

Hot Topic: Sheng Yunze’s Big News! Did You Miss Him Walking Around the Track Today?

[ Picture: Sheng Yunze walking, turning to talk to the Disciplinary Committee Chairman ]

Happy New Year! I thought I’d see the school heartthrob only during the afternoon’s 1500m run. Who knew he’d circle the track like a man on a mission this morning? Was he trying to hit his WeChat step count? You’re so competitive, Flower!

…Heavens! Everyone, take a good look. Did he descend to earth to bless humanity? Why didn’t he show this awareness two years ago? That face, those legs, that body! Even under the blazing sun, he didn’t forget to put on a fan performance. Sisters, our tears flood the chat screen!

[ Weeping face, Immortal Yunze blesses the masses, Amen ]

[ So emotional! By the way, OP, don’t shake your hand when taking photos. Today there are over ten posts about Sheng Xiaohua, but yours is the blurriest. ]

[ Selling school beauty’s HD photos for 500 each. Need? Add me: xxxxxxx ]

[ Ex-discipline committee chief. Checking out new staff? ]

[ Sheng Yunze’s family is so rich. Changed his watch again. ]

[ I saw his face up close today. So damn handsome. Handsome. Handsome. ]

[ Seventh High School’s female host has no shame. ]

[ @Mod: Will you delete the troublemaker above? Waiting for a group fight? ]

[ Isn’t that Duan Yi’s watch? How did it get on Sheng Yunze’s wrist? ]

[ Little Blossom Darling could afford this watch. Why assume it’s Duan Yi’s? ]

[ How many nicknames are you girls making for Sheng Yunze…? ]

[ Reply to 10th post: Check yourself. Duan Yi didn’t wear a watch today. ]

“Runners in the 1500-meter race, please report to the registration desk.”

The broadcast crackled, and a sweet voice echoed across the field, repeating twice.

“Runners in the 1500-meter race, please report to the registration desk.”

Jiang Wangshu held a napkin, patting Duan Yi’s collar. “Don’t be nervous! Just run well!”

Duan Yi teased, “You’re the one looking nervous.”

Jiang Wangshu pretended to wipe his face with the napkin. “A mother worries even when her son travels far…”

Duan Yi kicked his leg. “Get lost!”

Sheng Yunze took off two layers of fall school uniform, revealing a short-sleeved shirt underneath.

According to Second High School’s rules, every student had to wear the uniform from the inside out. Especially since the sports meet was with Seventh High School, they wanted to show Second High’s team spirit. Students not wearing the uniform would get punished.

When people saw Sheng Yunze taking off his jacket, their eyes kept darting over.

Jiang Wangshu sighed. “Even a beauty taking off clothes gets this reaction.”

Then, seeing Sheng Yunze wearing the short-sleeved uniform, everyone’s faces suddenly froze like meditating monks.

Jiang Wangshu kept talking, “I saw the beauty was wearing a red padded jacket.”

Duan Yi: ……

Jiang Wangshu: “Let me explain. Don’t get mad. I think everyone wants to see Commander Sheng in casual clothes, like wanting to see a beauty in lace underwear. But the beauty doesn’t understand, so she wears a red padded jacket. That’s why it looks like this.”

Duan Yi: “Can your mind hold normal thoughts for a day?”

Jiang Wangshu: “I heard you bet with Sheng Yunze?”

Duan Yi: “Yes. Why?”

Jiang Wangshu: “No reason. Just asking.”

After Duan Yi left, Jiang Wangshu took out two pencil holders from his pocket.

“I’ll explain the rules first. Put money for President Duan winning on the left, and for Commander Sheng winning on the right. Fair prices, no cheating. Pay first, no take backs…”

The 1500-meter race registration was at the end of the 50-meter track.

Duan Yi had to wait half an hour before his race. Second High School and Seventh High School’s second batch of long-distance runners lined up in two separate groups.

He bought a bottle of yogurt from the vending machine, planning to drink it before warming up.

Duan Yi turned and saw Sheng Yunze being pestered by Seventh High School’s host. He thought: Her name’s Fu Ya.

Fu Ya looked bold and fiery. The saying goes, “Even fierce women fear persistent men.” But the reverse holds true too.

She brought Sheng Yunze water, but he ignored her completely, treating her like air.

Duan Yi secretly laughed. Sheng Yunze’s cold temper was famous. When he ignored someone, he wouldn’t talk, not feeling awkward himself. This made others back off.

But Fu Ya was different—thick-skinned. She kept talking without caring about embarrassment.

Sheng Yunze had met his match.

Duan Yi enjoyed watching Sheng Yunze’s discomfort. He laughed and found a perfect spot to watch.

Fu Ya’s type wasn’t Sheng Yunze’s style.

Duan Yi could say with confidence. This quiet man didn’t like women who chased him. He liked chasing them himself.

He didn’t like naturally flirtatious women who teased everyone. He liked women who were only flirtatious with him.

He remembered…

Duan Yi was trying to recall how Professor Sheng—that slightly handsome man from the parallel world—had pursued him. But his memory was stuck, unable to remember anything.

After some thought, he gave up.

Since I’m already back, thinking about that place only makes me sad.

Even so, Duan Yi couldn’t help sighing.

He bit the yogurt straw, a small habit of his—he liked to flatten the straw with his teeth.

Psychology says people who do this either lack security or have obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Duan Yi tilted his head back, taking a good look at his husband’s face while Sheng Yunze wasn’t paying attention. If he wasn’t so good-looking, Fu Ya wouldn’t have bothered harassing him.

But as he kept looking, Sheng Yunze’s face got closer and closer.

Until it was right in front of him.

“Pretty?” Sheng Yunze asked, his voice flat.

“Holy shit!” Duan Yi nearly fell off the railing in surprise.

Sheng Yunze grabbed him quickly, steadying him. Duan Yi felt embarrassed, like he’d been caught doing something wrong. “I wasn’t looking at you! I was just looking around.”

“Oh,” Sheng Yunze said. “You’ve been ‘looking around’ for ten minutes?”

…Damn.

Duan Yi covered his face. Why do I always get caught doing sneaky things?!

He tried to start a conversation, “Want some yogurt?”

Sheng Yunze saw Duan Yi sitting like an idiot, drinking yogurt with a confused but cute look. He kept biting the straw like a cat.

“No,” Sheng Yunze said.

Fu Ya stood nearby, ready to talk. But for some reason, seeing Duan Yi made her a bit scared to come closer.

Duan Yi didn’t notice her thoughts. He kept fighting with the yogurt, drinking until it made “gurgle-gurgle” noises that annoyed Sheng Yunze’s ears.

Then he shook the container and tore off the lid.

The crowd watching secretly all thought, “Holy shit!”

Duan Yi actually licked the yogurt lid! A rich person actually licked the yogurt lid!

Sheng Yunze didn’t expect this and was speechless. “What are you doing?”

Duan Yi answered honestly, “Licking the yogurt lid.”

He added seriously, “There’s still lots left here.”

Some unknown brand of yogurt had been made very thick, leaving a sticky lump on the paper lid.

Duan Yi licked the yogurt lid like an expert. He must be a national-level lid-licking athlete. His movements were smooth, sticking out a soft tongue. The red tongue against the white yogurt made a strong contrast that suddenly made Sheng Yunze angry.

“Can you stop licking like that?” he said, sounding crazy.

“Hm?” Duan Yi looked up, confused.

Sheng Yunze clicked his tongue. Fragmented memories of the music classroom suddenly crowded into his mind, piecing together into a complete picture.

Duan Yi’s warmth… was intense.

He turned his head awkwardly, pretending to look at the playground, but his mind kept returning to Duan Yi’s slightly open lips.

Soft and round, with a bit of yogurt still stuck at the corner.

The inside must be warm too.

No, Sheng Yunze couldn’t shake this image. He grabbed Duan Yi’s yogurt and threw it in the trash.

All in one smooth motion.

Duan Yi: =口=!

“What’s wrong with you?!”

Sheng Yunze said flatly, “Yogurt’s bad for your stomach before running.”

Duan Yi bristled, “What kind of nonsense is that? Do you have proof?”

Sheng Yunze couldn’t produce proof. He chuckled mockingly, “Eating so much? You really are a pig.”

Duan Yi: “How can you insult me without reason? I warn you not to attack me personally.”

“Duan Yi~” Jian Qiao suddenly appeared, looking at Duan Yi with motherly affection.

When she saw Sheng Yunze, she blushed, completing her transition from a heroic mother to a lovesick girl. “Commander Sheng is here too.”

She started calling Sheng Yunze “Commander Sheng” like Class 1.

“For you.” She stuffed a piece of chocolate into Duan Yi’s hand, then whispered, “Share some with Sheng Yunze.”

Duan Yi: …

“Why don’t you give it to him yourself?”

Jian Qiao pinched his waist hard. “Don’t you know mothers can get embarrassed?”

Duan Yi yelped, rubbing his waist. “I’ve never seen an unmarried girl so eager to become a mother.”

“Isn’t it men who like being fathers to their peers?” Jian Qiao countered.

“Wrong. Jiang Wangshu likes being a mother,” Duan Yi corrected.

“He’s a weirdo. You can’t judge him by normal standards. You should’ve noticed when he drank Mrs. Taitai Oral Solution.”

Two heads leaned together, whispering.

Sheng Yunze watched this friendly scene and suddenly felt the world wasn’t so perfect.

He glanced at his watch and stiffly asked, “Are you done yet?”

Jian Qiao froze, then blurted out, “Isn’t this Duan Yi’s watch?”

“Oh, he bought a watch last year…”

He didn’t finish, realizing the words sounded wrong.

Sheng Yunze: …

Jian Qiao quickly explained, “You two are that close now?”

She winked at Duan Yi, signaling him to say something nice.

Duan Yi felt guilty under Jian Qiao’s clear, honest gaze. His shame reached new heights. Remembering how he’d messed up Jian Qiao’s confession to Sheng Yunze, he felt like a nasty, underhanded side character.

Even his single-minded brain sensed something was off.

“I… he…” Duan Yi’s eyes darted away. “We’re not… good.”

The air around Sheng Yunze thinned. His face turned cold. “At least you know your place.”

Duan Yi felt like he’d been stabbed. He nearly coughed up blood.

Sheng Yunze wasn’t happy either. This self-destructive strategy wasn’t smart.

Jian Qiao: …?

Why did the mood suddenly tense up?

Duan Yi quickly changed the topic. “Will you bring water later?”

Jian Qiao naturally took the bait. “You have so many girls bringing water. You don’t need me, right?”

She pointed at the girls already waiting at the 1500-meter finish line. They held towels and water, looking serious, ready to rush forward at any moment. They seemed more prepared to run the race than Duan Yi himself.

Some of the girls looked familiar to Duan Yi.

He thought, Aren’t they waiting to bring water for Sheng Yunze?

Second High School girls were famous for being wild. They didn’t hide when chasing school beauties. When they finally got a chance to get close, every one of them tried their hardest.

Jian Qiao: “You really underestimate your looks, Duan Bao.”

She pinched Duan Yi’s slightly chubby cheeks. They felt smooth, full of collagen. Satisfied, she sighed. “Your face is worth at least 100,000 yuan in heaven and earth. Students pay an extra 50,000.”

Duan Yi: ……

Jian Qiao patted his shoulder. “Be more confident.”

Duan Yi: “I’m very confident I’m very handsome, okay?!”

Jian Qiao lowered her voice. “Keep an eye on Fu Ya for me. She also wants to chase after Sheng Yunze.”

Duan Yi, though noticing Fu Ya’s interest in Sheng Yunze, didn’t jump to conclusions. He asked, “Is it love at first sight?”

Jian Qiao: “She’s almost dying of love for Sheng Yunze.”

Duan Yi responded half-heartedly, “Wow…”

Jian Qiao: “But her boyfriend doesn’t feel the same.”

“Wow—” This time, the exclamation came from genuine shock.

“I’m leaving.” Jian Qiao waved. “Remember to share half the chocolate with Commander Sheng.”

Duan Yi, being rebellious, ate it all with crunching sounds. “Hmph.”

He turned to look at Sheng Yunze, who seemed unhappy. He hadn’t spoken since earlier and now kept a distance like the Mariana Trench between them.

Duan Yi wanted to talk to him, but the 1500-meter race had already started registration.

He could only hang his head, ears and tail drooping behind him like a puppy not getting enough attention from its owner.

But moments later, he was back to full energy. Whatever, I’ll talk to him after the race. If I win, I can even ask him for pheromones!

With that thought, life was still great, and the future still looked bright!

Duan Yi, feeling happy, started daydreaming. Is asking for just one thing not enough…

What if I change my first request to “I want three more requests”? Then after two requests, I could make the third request “I want three more requests again”. Wouldn’t that create endless requests, like a never-ending chain…

He was too busy daydreaming. By the time he heard Jiang Wangshu shouting from the audience, everyone had already run far ahead. Jiang Wangshu was using a rolled-up physics paper as a megaphone, screaming, “Son! Run! You idiot! Are you here to watch the race or join it?!”

Shit!

Luckily, the 1500-meter race was about endurance. Even running slowly, Duan Yi managed to catch up to the main group.

The broadcast played an athlete’s march, then suddenly stopped. A sweet female voice announced, “Next is a message from Nan Yi of Second Year Class 3: A grasshopper-like jump, a mid-air walking performance, causing waves of amazement. The moment you land, you feel the softness of the sand. No matter what, stand still… Hmm? Uh, jump far! Honor will always belong to you—and me too… uh…” She paused, then continued, “To Duan Yi of Third Year Class 1…“

When the broadcast ended, the audience laughed so hard they fell over.

Duan Yi’s worst fear came true. He ran while cursing, “Nan Yi, fuck your grandpa!”

Krak krak, like someone snatched the microphone in anger. Then Principal He’s furious shout came through the speakers, “Nan Yi from Class 3, Grade 2! Come to the Student Affairs Office immediately after the sports meet!”

The 1500-meter finish line banner was already up.

Jiang Wangshu jumped from the audience onto the field with a whoosh. He waited with water and a towel for Duan Yi.

Student council members with buzzing megaphones kept shouting on the lawn, “No pacing! Don’t pace! We’ll write down your class and name if we catch you! Over there! Which class are you? I said no pacing!”

On the track, athletes ran. On the lawn, people paced alongside them—brothers running together, girlfriends keeping up, and others chasing after the school’s hottest guy (let’s call him Sheng Yunze). This scene was a small part of every high school student’s youth. Years later, when people remembered it, they’d sigh, “That was my youth…”

In our youth, we didn’t think about things in terms of material value. We liked whoever was handsome. A girl’s thoughts were easy to see through—this is the instinct in our genes to chase after handsome guys!

During the last lap, Duan Yi still had energy. He sped up to catch Sheng Yunze.

The leader was Class 4’s sports representative, who often played basketball with Duan Yi. Knowing the guy had strong endurance, Duan Yi decided to save his energy for the final 200 meters.

Jiang Wangshu mixed with the girls, joining Duan Yi’s group of self-organized fans. They held water bottles, tears in their eyes, shouting “Go! Go!” Every time they passed their class’s cheering section, Sister Ma would lead the whole class standing up and shouting “Go President Duan! Go Commander Sheng!” The cheering was so loud, Duan Yi could only hear the wind whistling in his ears.

In the last lap, Duan Yi got a side stitch. His right kidney hurt like a knife. But men can’t say their kidneys hurt, especially when he wanted to win from Sheng Yunze and ask for his pheromones.

Thinking about this, Duan Yi pushed harder. But just as he crossed the finish line, under everyone’s eyes—his left foot tripped over his right, and he fell to the ground.

But because his body was longer on the ground than standing up, Duan Yi still took first place.

Later, after the school discussed it, they all agreed “Duan Yi is just a sneaky trickster” and it didn’t follow the athlete rules—this is too ridiculous! So they angrily took away his first place and gave him second instead.

So Duan Yi created a school legend at Second High School: “Long-distance runner wins first by falling and using his longer body on the ground.”

The first to cross the finish line was Sheng Yunze, but he didn’t rest even for a moment. He immediately crouched down and grabbed Duan Yi’s calf.

Duan Yi broke out in a sweat from the pain. His left foot seemed twisted.

The culprit was a half-empty water bottle on the track field.

The student council blocked Third Year Class 1 students running down to see President Duan, who were worried. They said, “A teacher will take him to the nurse. Go back now. If you don’t, we’ll write it down and take points!”

“Pain—pain! Be gentler…” Duan Yi gritted his teeth.

Sheng Yunze caught his breath. Only his forehead was sweaty, showing he’d just taken first place. “Can you stand?”

Duan Yi tried. “No. It hurts too much. Get me a stretcher. Tell the class—I’m done.”

Sheng Yunze’s face darkened. “How can you joke at a time like this?!”

His serious tone made him sound like an older brother.

It made Duan Yi feel embarrassed.

Then he remembered they’d often played out elder roles before.

Duan Yi felt even more embarrassed: Embarrassed for being embarrassed.

I’m all injured, and I’m still thinking about sex. I’m really stupid.

The 1500-meter race was blocked by three layers of people because of Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze.

One layer of girls. One layer of Omegas. Sister Ma and other classmates from Class 1 who came to support President Duan couldn’t even get to the front.

Everyone was silent.

Sister Ma taught them, “Blindly chasing stars isn’t good, you know?”

Seeing Nan Yi sweating and still unable to push through the crowd, she added, “See? This is what happens when you stop being a fan.”

As she was teaching, a sudden wave of “Aaaaaah!” screams erupted from the crowd.

Like a pot of boiling water, it bubbled up.

Bubbling until even the ears were deafened.

Mixed in were “Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!” and other exclamations.

Sister Ma: “What’s going on? President Duan isn’t really that famous, is he? Why are they screaming so loud? Are they doing that fan stuff?”

She took two steps forward, then froze in place, also letting out a powerful, “Holy shit!!!”

Sheng Yunze carried Duan Yi in his arms, walking toward the infirmary.

The princess carry kind.