What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 32

Chapter 32 – Forceful Love

Sheng Yunze had been attending Seventh High School for a few days, and Duan Yi had stayed with him every day.

This demonstrated Duan Yi’s genuine desire to see Sheng Yunze.

At Second High School, Duan Yi skipped classes so often that his Old Class Teacher couldn’t find him. Sometimes he was absent in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon.

Seventh High School allowed outsiders to audit their Competition Class courses. Besides Duan Yi, students from Seventh High School’s Experimental Class also attended the Competition Class as auditors, so his presence wasn’t unusual.

All classes ended on Sunday, and the competition began on Monday. On Tuesday, Sheng Yunze returned to Second High School for normal classes.

As he reached the classroom door, a mournful melody filled the air, “For all those who cling to love’s pain…”

Sheng Yunze: ?

Jiang Wangshu, lost in the music, crossed his arms and spun out of the classroom like a top, twirling into the hallway. He struck a pretzel pose and couldn’t help but look at Duan Yi, “When Cinderella marries into high society…”

Duan Yi had a bad feeling. Jiang Wangshu continued, “—her fairy tale life of happiness turns into an illusion.”

He leaned heavily against the table, his voice heavy with sorrow. “A cruel and cold mother-in-law.”

Hao Shanshan covered her mouth, exclaiming, “So touching! Tears are hitting the blackboard!”

Jiang Wangshu turned to Duan Yi, pointing at him forcefully. “A selfish and narrow-minded husband!”

Duan Yi: ……

Jiang Wangshu recited with emotion, “The marriage he desperately tried to salvage was utterly shattered by the intervention of his ‘good sister’…”

At the mention of “good sister,” Jiang Wangshu stared pointedly at Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze pointed at himself. “Good sister?”

Hao Shanshan nodded vigorously.

Jiang Wangshu spun around several times, like an opera singer, from the back of the classroom to the podium. Crossing his arms, he gazed at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, his expression melancholic. “How a gentle, kind man is driven to desperation by reality.”

The Abbot pulled out a small handkerchief and dabbed at nonexistent tears.

As the music swelled, Jiang Wangshu concluded, “Urban Man, the epic drama of love and revenge—The Temptation of Returning to Class.”

Scattered applause broke out in the classroom. Hao Shanshan, deeply moved, said, “Even as a bystander, I couldn’t help but cover my mouth and burst into tears.”

Duan Yi pulled his hat down over his head. “Jiang Pinru, are you just bored out of your mind?”

The music abruptly stopped. Jiang Wangshu abandoned his final pose and sat upright. “So you finally came back? I thought you’d already joined Seventh High School’s big family. Do you even still care about me? All you care about is your new wife!”

Sheng Yunze coldly returned to his seat. Duan Yi, feeling guilty, said, “I just went to sit in on a few Competition Class lectures for a few days. Is that a problem?”

Jiang Wangshu sneered, dismissing Duan Yi’s evasive answer. “Did you even understand anything? Did you learn anything?”

Duan Yi replied earnestly, “There’s a pretty good takeout place near Seventh High School.”

Jiang Wangshu: “That’s what you learned?”

Duan Yi brazenly declared, “The human senses are interconnected. It’s called synesthesia, you know?”

Jiang Wangshu: “Indeed. After your midterm exams, you’ll truly understand synesthesia. The moment you see your exam score, your calves will start to ache.”

Duan Yi said, “Even tigers don’t eat their cubs. My dad probably won’t stay home forever. He might go back to Beijing in a few days.”

After class, the Abbot and the others gathered around to hear Duan Yi’s stories about Seventh High School.

Duan Yi had stayed for a few days and seen a lot. His stories brought rare laughter to Jiang Wangshu and the others, who were buried in round-the-clock midterm exam preparations.

“The Omegas at Seventh High School are just average. None of them are particularly pretty,” Duan Yi recalled. “And the Competition Class is in the multimedia classroom, so I didn’t go downstairs much.”

Pingtou sighed, “President Duan, that’s not right. I thought you’d see a lot of girls! How could you go and come back with nothing?”

Jiang Wangshu said, “Don’t misunderstand Xiaoduan. He went there purely to check up on things.”

Duan Yi protested, “Who was checking up on things?”

Jiang Wangshu suddenly became mysterious. “Who was checking up on whom? Only they know.”

As they chatted animatedly, the hallway outside erupted into chaos.

A crowd surged into the classroom, even Sheng Yunze, who was wearing headphones, lifted his head and raised his eyelids slightly in respect.

Hao Shanshan, munching on a corn cob in her seat, asked, “What’s going on?”

Jiang Wangshu went to investigate first. He grabbed a familiar face in the corridor and exchanged a few words. His expression instantly changed.

Back in the classroom, Duan Yi leaned in. “Did someone get into a fight? Or did something else happen?”

Jiang Wangshu replied, “During second-year PE class just now, an Omega in Class 3 went into heat. Now locked up in the Health Center.”

“Holy shit!” Hao Shanshan nearly dropped her corn cob.

The frequency of an Omega’s heat cycle varies. Some experience it monthly, while others, less sensitive, have it every two or three months.

The period from ninth grade to tenth grade marks a concentrated surge in second-gender differentiation. Schools strictly control pheromones and heat cycles. At Second High School, for example, every student must carry pheromone blockers and spray them three times daily. The school conducts morning and evening inspections. Any trace of pheromone leakage results in academic credit deductions.

It’s as mandatory as wearing a uniform every day.

“No way… Second High School hasn’t had a major incident like this in ages…” Fang Yun exclaimed in surprise.

Duan Yi shifted his gaze guiltily.

Speaking of heat cycles, he’d once experienced one at school himself—in the music room.

But Sheng Yunze was right beside him at the time. They exchanged a kiss as a temporary marker, and since Duan Yi had already been permanently marked, his heat was quickly suppressed.

This time, however, was different. Duan Yi caught the sweet scent in the air. The Health Center was a whole garden away from their classroom building, yet the pheromone still drifted this far, revealing just how intense the mating call of this underage, unmarked Omega was.

All the Alphas in the class unconsciously lowered their heads.

Others were restless and uneasy, pretending to read but unable to focus on a single word.

As an Omega herself, shorty Zhou Yue, with her weaker constitution, was already slumped uncomfortably on her desk. Jiang Wangshu asked with concern, “Should you take a leave and go back to your dorm?”

Omegas’ pheromones can also affect each other, a phenomenon known as induced heat.

Duan Yi had been tricked by this once before.

Hao Shanshan said, “Hasn’t the school handled this yet? If the Omega’s pheromone gets any stronger, I feel like the Alphas at Second High School will lose control.”

Jiang Wangshu found it strange. “According to regulations, every student should have sprayed pheromone blockers, and AOs have specific inhibitors. So why is someone in the Health Center in heat?”

Heat cycles have three stages. If an inhibitor is taken at the very beginning, it shouldn’t escalate.

Moreover, judging by the intensity of the pheromones, this Omega was clearly in deep heat.

Either she forgot her inhibitor—but Second High School has vending machines selling inhibitors everywhere. She could have bought one the moment she realized she was in heat. Topical, oral, all kinds are available.

Or her heat wasn’t an accident; someone set her up.

Duan Yi and Jiang Wangshu instantly thought of campus bullying.

In this era of gender differentiation, besides verbal abuse and physical violence, there’s an even more insidious and despicable form of bullying: pheromone suppression.

Omegas, being the weaker group, are the primary targets.

Worse than verbal humiliation or physical violence, pheromone suppression adds a layer of sexualized atmosphere to the abuse.

The broadcast announced that all Alphas must immediately apply their Inhibition Patches and return to their classrooms without moving.

Several afternoon teachers reminded students not to visit the Health Center unless absolutely necessary, especially these days.

An Omega’s pheromones take six to seven hours to dissipate in the air. Considering the Health Center’s concentrated pheromone levels, the area would likely be sealed off for at least twenty-four hours.

As the bell rang, Duan Yi borrowed Jiang Wangshu’s campus card and rushed to the supermarket’s shelves, scanning the selection of Alpha Inhibitors.

The section for Alpha Inhibitors was nearly empty, with most products sold out. Several of Duan Yi’s favorite Omega Inhibitors were completely gone.

The Omega’s heat that afternoon had been severe, easily triggering induced heats in other Omegas in their vulnerable periods. Duan Yi calculated that it had been a month since his last heat cycle. It was a dangerous situation. Last time, he had been lucky to have Sheng Yunze nearby. What if he wasn’t so fortunate this time?

To be safe, Duan Yi decided to stock up on inhibitors.

Just as he reached for a SpongeBob-themed Inhibition Patch, his wrist was grabbed.

Duan Yi turned around to see Sheng Yunze.

His fingers curled slightly, and he asked, “Why are you holding my hand?”

Sheng Yunze tilted his chin, gesturing for Duan Yi to explain.

Duan Yi: “To buy inhibitors, what’s there to explain?”

He quickly glanced around, relieved that no one had noticed their corner. Duan Yi whispered, “You know, an A pretending to be an O—a must-have for home and travel.”

Sheng Yunze: “I don’t want to know.”

Duan Yi: “Then let go of my hand first. Let’s move over here, to the Alpha Inhibitor shelf. Otherwise, if someone sees us, tomorrow’s forum will be buzzing with rumors about you pretending to be an O.”

Sheng Yunze: “You’re surprisingly experienced.”

Duan Yi: “That’s how it’s always portrayed in dramas.”

They stood before the Alpha Inhibitor shelf. Duan Yi, still unwilling to give up on the Inhibition Patch, said, “Just wait for me to finish buying…”

Sheng Yunze: “Oh.” He paused. “Why are you buying them? Did you get affected today too?”

“A little,” Duan Yi hesitated, mainly because of Sheng Yunze’s presence. “I’m afraid of what happened last time.”

It just so happened that midterms were scheduled for the next few days. Even if Duan Yi hated studying, he couldn’t afford to go into heat during his exams.

Sheng Yunze suddenly used two fingers, pressed together, to lift the collar of Duan Yi’s school uniform. Duan Yi, docile as a small animal, showed no resistance to Sheng Yunze’s gesture, which could easily be considered sexual harassment.

Sheng Yunze was surprised but followed his instincts, reaching for the Omega gland at the back of Duan Yi’s neck. He decided to enjoy the touch first.

Soft and fluffy, just like Duan Yi himself.

Duan Yi’s legs instantly went weak, and he leaned against a cargo container, completely drained. “Why are you touching me?” he complained.

Sheng Yunze’s fingers were cold, but Duan Yi’s gland was warm, softer than the surrounding skin, and could be broken with a bite.

The bite mark on his neck was fading. Sheng Yunze decided he needed a second temporary mark.

“You could ask me for help,” Sheng Yunze said calmly, withdrawing his hand after he’d had his fill.

Duan Yi, having been thoroughly groped, still hadn’t fully processed what had happened. After all, Sheng Yunze, with his skin hunger, loved to hug and grope him constantly in their previous world.

“Help?” Duan Yi didn’t understand at first, but his eyes lit up as he realized what Sheng Yunze meant. “You’re willing to lend me your pheromones?”

—Damn.

He thought.

I searched for it high and low, and here it is, falling right into my lap.

“The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge. After the dark willows and blooming flowers, there’s another village!”

Sheng Yunze: “It depends. If you beg me, I might lend it.”

Duan Yi didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Please, please!” he blurted out.

Sheng Yunze: ……

“So you have no backbone at all?”

Duan Yi: “If you want a sense of conquest, I can pretend to be reluctant.”

He immediately leaned against a shelf, adopting a stern expression of a chaste maiden. “Give up! Even if I die—die outside, jump off a building—I will never let you mark me!”

Sheng Yunze: …………

Duan Yi: “Why are there two ellipsis this time? And they’re getting longer?! Are you looking down on me?!”

Sheng Yunze: “It represents the intensity of my speechless reaction to you.”

He asked with amusement, “And then?”

Duan Yi crossed his arms, his voice tinged with sorrow. “Then I’d rather die than submit. Think about it. I used to be an Alpha! How could I bear the humiliation of being marked by someone else?!”

Sheng Yunze: “You seem to be enjoying it quite a bit, though.”

Duan Yi retorted, “That’s because it’s you! Any other Alpha who tried to mark me would have already reincarnated long ago. If fate allows, they might even be reborn in my womb. If we can’t be husband and wife in this life, we can be father and son in the next.”

Sheng Yunze secretly smirked, but maintained a calm facade. “Are you still planning to have children?”

Duan Yi thought, Damn it, it’s not me, it’s you!

Sheng Yunze said, “You’d rather die than submit. What can I do?”

Duan Yi replied, “Follow the script. Forceful love, understand?”

Sheng Yunze calmly responded, “Oh, you seem quite experienced. Have you done this before?”

Duan Yi righteously declared, “Hold it right there. I’m a law-abiding Alpha—formerly.”

“Oh…” Sheng Yunze remained impassive, slowly asking, “How does forceful love work?”

Duan Yi demonstrated, “Like this—wall-slamming you, then a quick tug to pull you into my arms. Let’s postpone that for now. There’s something more important to take care of. You said you’d lend me your pheromones. You weren’t just stringing me along, were you? Can I wear your school uniform tomorrow?”

Sheng Yunze’s expression froze.

“You said I’d lend you my pheromones… but you actually meant lending you my school uniform?” Sheng Yunze’s sentence fractured into parts.

—You weren’t asking me to bite your gland?!

Duan Yi panicked. “W-What else could I have meant?”

He sensed something amiss and quickly added, “Actually, a short-sleeved shirt would be fine too. That one I… stole—oh no, no, no, that one I borrowed before. I really liked it.”

Sheng Yunze gritted his teeth. “What about a forced marking?”

Duan Yi suddenly understood. “Oh, oh, oh, I get it! You want to force a marking? Well, that’s not impossible.”

He offered Sheng Yunze a plan. “I’ll pretend to be at your dorm door. Then I’ll grab your short-sleeved shirt. You’ll swoop down from the sky, and I’ll be so scared my face will turn pale. Then you’ll pin me against the wall, and I’ll pretend to struggle reluctantly. Don’t worry, I’ll control my strength to make it feel completely immersive. Then you’ll grab my arm, and I’ll accidentally fall into your arms. That’s when you can force the marking, insisting on stuffing your short-sleeved shirt into my mouth. Isn’t that domineering enough? Then I’ll have no choice but to accept it with tears streaming down my face.”

Sheng Yunze: …

Wasn’t the point to force a marking? What kind of ridiculous variety show was this, stuffing a short-sleeved shirt into someone’s mouth?

Duan Yi added, “Tears of being moved.”

Duan Yi stroked his chin. “Using so many elaborate schemes just to stuff a short-sleeved shirt into someone’s mouth is a bit too melodramatic. But this matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. I understand you.”

Sheng Yunze’s face darkened. “Duan Yi.”

Duan Yi responded with a casual “Hmm?” Sheng Yunze suddenly grabbed a large stack of Alpha Inhibitors from the shelf and forcefully shoved them into Duan Yi’s arms. “You can keep using these pills for the rest of your life!”

Duan Yi: =口=!

Sheng Yunze walked out of the supermarket, his face as cold as frost. Duan Yi jogged after him.

“Secretary Sheng! Secretary Sheng! Sheng Yunze! Wait for me! Why are you angry again?”

Sheng Yunze suddenly stopped. Duan Yi, unable to brake in time, crashed into his back. His nose hit hard, and tears welled up in his eyes from the pain.

He rubbed his nose while looking at Sheng Yunze, clutching the Omega Inhibitor in his arms.

Sheng Yunze’s anger flared. He really dared to buy it?

Duan Yi whined, “Does what you said earlier about lending me your pheromone still count?”

Sheng Yunze had wanted to mock him, but seeing Duan Yi’s pitiful face, his anger miraculously vanished.

Forget it. Why bother getting angry with him? He’s just an idiot.

Sheng Yunze asked, “Why didn’t you ask someone else? Why must it be my pheromone?”

Duan Yi replied earnestly, “I really must have your pheromone. It’s true.”

Sheng Yunze’s last trace of anger evaporated. He asked, “Why?”

Duan Yi deliberately dodged the question, “Why don’t you ask the magic conch?”

Sheng Yunze smiled and warned, “If you try to be funny with me again, I’ll beat you up right here.”

Duan Yi immediately stood at attention, rattling off a string of excuses, “Smart pheromones from top students… rubbing off some luck from a top student…”

Sheng Yunze cut him off, saying, “Lying deserves a beating.”

Duan Yi deflated, muttering, “I still can’t tell you.” His chubby face drooped with disappointment.

Sheng Yunze stared at him for a moment, unable to detect any cracks in Duan Yi’s facade. He sighed, “Come to my dorm tonight.”

Duan Yi’s puppy ears and tail perked up instantly.

Sheng Yunze flashed a devilish grin, licking his barely visible fangs. “I’ll show you what real forceful means.”

Duan Yi’s wagging puppy tail stiffened into a straight antenna, sending a shiver down his spine. His body emitted a rapid “beep-beep-beep” danger warning.