What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 38

Capter 38 – What About Him?

Baidu’s search results popped up with a chaotic mix of answers:

Is it illegal to be a mistress now?

What’s the ultimate fate of men who become mistresses?

How can I end things after becoming a mistress?

Tell me about the pain of being a mistress…

Never mind the pain. Sheng Yunze was already in agony.

Not only was he suffering, but he was also utterly confused. His materialistic worldview was careening toward the brink of reason, threatening to shatter completely.

After changing his QQ signature to “Annoying, annoying, annoying,” Sheng Yunze slapped his phone face-down on his face and lay on the bed, letting his mind drift.

Duan Yi’s messages kept flooding in. He wanted to read them, but they annoyed him.

Ignoring them annoyed him too.

He decided to leave Duan Yi hanging, hoping he’d come to his senses and have something meaningful to say.

Then, Sheng Yunze rolled out of bed, pulled every book about parallel universes and quantum physics from his drawer, stacked them on his bedside table, and began reading late into the night.

The next morning…

“Ugh…” Duan Yi stretched lazily and kicked Jiang Wangshu’s desk. “What time is it?”

Jiang Wangshu finished his last problem and capped his pen. “Nine-thirty. Ready to go?”

Hao Shanshan turned around and whispered to them, “Where are you two going? We still have morning exercises during the long break!”

Jiang Wangshu grinned. “Mind your own business, kid.”

“Get up, get up! Line up!” Sister Ma rapped on the blackboard. “The teacher said he’s taking names today. Anyone who skips exercises during the break gets a special treat during evening study hall.”

Class One’s special treat: getting their hands smacked with a ruler during the last half hour of evening study hall.

The school mobilization march blared from the loudspeakers. Duan Yi stretched and headed downstairs.

The black-and-white uniforms of Second High School students gathered, trickling onto the sports field in scattered class groups.

Sheng Yunze walked at the back of the line. Every time he went out for exercises, girls from neighboring classes would always watch him.

Especially today, many eyes were on him.

Last night, three hot posts had appeared on Second High School’s forum, all debating whether he had a girlfriend.

Since the start of high school, rumors about Sheng Yunze having a girlfriend had been floating around, but they were always just rumors.

Around the midterm exams, people realized they were looking in the wrong place. Sheng Yunze might not be looking for a girlfriend at all—he could very well be a male Omega.

Jian Qiao, desperate to talk to Duan Yi, stopped him between Buildings C and D.

She noticed Duan Yi’s expression was different today, sharper, like a knife about to be drawn. She instinctively hesitated to approach.

Normally, Duan Yi wasn’t like this. Most of the time, he was easy to get along with. As long as people didn’t bother him, he never started trouble.

But the nickname “School Bully” wasn’t just a rumor. He had done some stupid things teenagers do, and he fought without holding back, earning several detentions.

Duan Yi looked surprised. “Are you looking for me? Or Sheng Yunze?”

Jian Qiao’s intuition told her something was wrong. “What are you going to do later?”

Duan Yi smiled. “Go to drill. What else would I be doing?”

Jiang Wangshu spoke up. “If you’re looking for Secretary Sheng, he’s not here. Old He called him away right after class. It’s probably about the competition.”

Jian Qiao’s disappointment was obvious. Jiang Wangshu asked, “What did you want to know?”

“Is Sheng Yunze really dating someone?”

Others might not know, but Jian Qiao did.

On the birthday when Jian Qiao confessed to Sheng Yunze, she knew he had someone in his heart.

But he hid it so well that Jian Qiao couldn’t find out which school or class the person was in, no matter how hard she tried.

So when the forum started talking about Sheng Yunze giving off Omega pheromones, Jian Qiao panicked.

She was afraid that while she was unaware, Sheng Yunze and the person he liked might have already gone further than she expected.

Duan Yi didn’t know how to answer Jian Qiao, so he just kept walking in silence.

Jian Qiao didn’t push him, walking beside him with her thoughts swirling.

The surroundings were noisy, filled with chatter about school, boyfriends, grades, exams, graduation, and college choices.

But when Duan Yi spoke, Jian Qiao heard him clearly.

“How long have you liked Sheng Yunze?”

Jian Qiao: “Since middle school. Why are you asking?”

Duan Yi: “Just curious. Were you in the same middle school?”

Jian Qiao: “Yeah, but not the same class. I didn’t like him at first, only started liking him in ninth grade.”

Duan Yi: “Why? Why not in seventh or eighth grade? Did you not see him?”

Jian Qiao: “No, he was already pretty famous in junior high. He was the ‘School Grass’ at Attached Middle School.”

Even though he was outstanding, Jian Qiao was also proud and didn’t think much of anyone.

Later, in the third year of junior high, they ended up in the same exam room. Jian Qiao sat next to Sheng Yunze, who was leaning against the window. His tall profile, framed by the breeze, drifted into her heart, stirring up tender feelings.

Duan Yi: “Why do you like him?”

He was curious and had never asked Jian Qiao this before.

Jian Qiao scoffed, “Why are you asking me that? Of course it’s—”

She paused, thought for a moment, and slowly said, “Because he’s handsome, I guess.”

Duan Yi: “Anything else?”

Jian Qiao thought hard and squeezed out another reason, “Good grades?”

Duan Yi: “Just those two things?” He countered, “Do you think Sheng Yunze has a good temper?”

Jian Qiao was speechless. “No way! He’s an icy jerk. Being with him would mean constant fights.”

Duan Yi: “But what if he actually ended up with you?”

Jian Qiao: “……He didn’t, though.”

Duan Yi casually remarked, “I don’t think you actually like him.”

Jian Qiao froze.

Duan Yi continued, “It seems you just like the feeling of liking him.”

You just like the thrill of unrequited love.

You’re just moved by your own feelings.

You just like the image of him you’ve created in your mind.

You also like the envious looks others give you when they see you with him.

You’re only so obsessed because you can’t have him.

Jiang Wangshu patted Jian Qiao’s shoulder sympathetically. “He’s been having some relationship troubles lately. Don’t take it personally. President Duan’s been trying to act like a Casanova lately.”

It took Jian Qiao a moment to react. “No…”

She wanted to argue with Duan Yi, but she couldn’t think of a good reason to.

It was as if there was some truth to what he said.

The morning run ended after twenty minutes. With ten minutes left before class, the students with gym class next stayed on the field to wait for their teacher.

Class One also had gym next. Fang Yun and her friends, sweating from their run, went to the snack shop for ice cream. They told Sister Ma to excuse them if they were late.

A group of tall, muscular boys gradually gathered on the two basketball courts. Duan Yi and Jiang Wangshu exchanged glances, while Zhao Lai and Yin Chengyang stood up and walked toward the courts together.

Second-Year Class Four had their physical education class at the same time.

Scar charged onto the court, basketball in hand. Duan Yi gave a subtle signal, and Jiang Wangshu politely addressed the other players, “Sorry, we need to clear the court. This doesn’t concern you—please move aside.”

The others eyed Duan Yi’s menacing expression and began whispering.

“Look, it’s Duan Yi.”

“Holy crap… it’s Duan Yi. What’s he doing here?”

“Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t mess with him.”

Scar sensed something was wrong. He slowly lowered his basketball and forced a smile. “Brother Duan? Looking for me?”

Before he could finish, Duan Yi kicked him hard in the chest. Scar yelped in pain and rolled onto the ground, scraping his elbows and shins.

The basketball court fell silent. The timid girls jumped at the sudden violence, clamped their hands over their mouths, and hurried away along the wall, pretending not to see.

Duan Yi turned his head. “He didn’t come, did he?”

Jiang Wangshu gave an “OK” sign. “Don’t worry. Old He originally asked me to sort the test papers, but I sent Secretary Sheng instead. We’ll take care of Scar before class.”

Duan Yi turned back, looking down with an arrogant smirk. “Who the fuck is your brother?”

Scar’s friends exchanged nervous glances.

Duan Yi glared at them, his eyes like knives, making them tremble. “Planning to help?”

One of them spoke up. “Duan-ge, isn’t there some misunderstanding…?”

Duan Yi: “Why don’t you ask Scar?”

Scar hadn’t even managed to get up yet. Duan Yi stepped forward, smiling as he stomped on his hand. Another scream echoed across the basketball court.

“Aaaaaahhhhhh!!”

“Enjoying this?” Duan Yi asked.

Scar lay on the ground, glaring venomously at Duan Yi.

Jiang Wangshu rolled his eyes and kicked Scar in the stomach. “Stop staring like that. Just tell us what you did.”

Scar groaned.

Jiang Wangshu found it strange when Duan Yi came running over that morning, looking for trouble with Scar.

Duan Yi rarely picked fights. His brother, Duan Shaoheng, was a public figure, and his father was a respected businessman. He couldn’t afford to be too arrogant or reckless.

Unless someone had really pushed his buttons.

Scar licked his lips, chuckled, and threw caution to the wind, asking cryptically, “Duan Yi, you having fun?”

The smile vanished from Duan Yi’s face, revealing a coldness no one had ever seen before.

His entire demeanor shifted. Fang Yun and Hao Shanshan, chatting and laughing as they walked across the soccer field, spotted Duan Yi and waved. But when they saw his expression, they fell silent, exchanged uneasy glances, and felt a chill run down their spines.

Was Duan Yi about to hit someone?

His finely sculpted profile looked as frosty as winter ice, so unfamiliar it frightened them.

Gone was the playful friend who always cracked jokes and pulled pranks. Facing Scar, Duan Yi finally showed the true colors of a spoiled rich kid, born with a silver spoon in his mouth—arrogant, aloof, and even more unapproachable than Sheng Yunze.

Duan Yi, the school bully, right?

Rich kid. Thinks he’s too good for everyone. So stuck-up.

“Don’t mess with him. He’s not like us.”

“He’s a fierce fighter. He’s gotten into trouble before. If it weren’t for his dad, he would have been kicked out long ago.”

Fang Yun suddenly felt terrified.

Her hand holding the milk tea trembled slightly. She knew she shouldn’t look at Duan Yi, but she couldn’t help staring into his eyes.

They were cold, fierce, and utterly unfamiliar.

Fang Yun’s legs went weak with fear. For a moment, she even questioned her reality, wondering if the cheerful and genuine President Duan she knew from class was just a figment of her imagination.

Hao Shanshan swallowed hard, afraid to approach. She pulled Fang Yun behind a tree. “Let’s stay out of this.”

Fang Yun’s heart raced, and she nearly cried. “Did you see… did you see Duan Yi?”

Hao Shanshan: “What’s wrong? I saw him. Don’t be scared. President Duan wouldn’t hurt you.”

Fang Yun didn’t know why she wanted to cry. “I’ve never seen him like this…”

“Oh…” Hao Shanshan rubbed her nose. “That’s just Duan Yi. He’s always been like that. We just happen to be in the same class and study together, so we might get the wrong idea that he’s like us. But really…”

Hao Shanshan said bluntly, “Actually, he and Jiang Wangshu are two of a kind. Even though he’s always smiling, deep down he’s still… you know. After graduation, they’ll probably go their separate ways and never see each other again.”

Scar roared and scrambled to his feet. Zhao Lai and his friends were already locked in a brawl. Duan Yi kicked Scar hard in the shin, sending him crashing to his knees with a sickening crack. Duan Yi pressed Scar’s head down and drove his knee into his face, drawing blood instantly.

Jiang Wangshu quickly warned, “Don’t go too far!”

Scar’s head swam, all sound fading away. Duan Yi’s movements were swift and brutal as he rained punches on vulnerable spots, each blow landing with a sickening thud. His slightly long bangs fell forward, obscuring his eyes.

Zhao Lai clapped his hands, surveying the scene of downed figures.

Scar writhed in pain. “Stop! I was wrong, Brother! I was wrong…”

Duan Yi kicked him back to the ground, straightened his uniform, and Scar blurted out in desperation, “It was Li Yuan! He said he didn’t like you and wanted to mess with you!”

Duan Yi’s eyebrow twitched. “Do I look like an idiot? Who the hell is Li Yuan? I don’t even know him. Why would he have a problem with me?”

Jiang Wangshu asked, “Li Yuan from Fourth High School?”

Duan Yi tilted his head. “You know him?”

Jiang Wangshu nodded. “Heard of him. A rich girl from the city, an Alpha, with a bad temper. Caused a few big scenes. She’s tough at Fourth High School, but her dad’s career is going up fast, so the school can’t do much. You know how it is.”

Scar spoke up. “That stuttering girl from the other day was Shen Jiayu. Li Yuan wanted to teach her a lesson, and you messed it up. She’ll definitely want revenge.”

Jiang Wangshu looked at Duan Yi. “How did you get on Li Yuan’s bad side?”

Duan Yi snapped, “Who the hell knows? Even if I did, it’s my business. But dragging…”

His voice trailed off, silently fuming, But dragging Sheng Yunze into this is wrong. That bastard is still giving me the cold shoulder. It’s all your fault, you idiots!

“You’re asking for a beating,” Duan Yi growled. “Get lost!”

Scar’s friend helped him up, and he limped away from the basketball court.

The security guard, seeing it was almost time, finally came out shouting, “What’s this fighting? Who’s fighting? I’ll teach you brats a lesson!”

Jiang Wangshu said, “Let’s go. You’ve vented your anger, right?”

Duan Yi kicked a small stone away. “Not really.”

Sheng Yunze had ignored him all day, leaving Duan Yi with a teenage frustration.

“President Duan’s treating us to drinks! One bottle each, no extras!” As soon as gym class ended, Jiang Wangshu bought a whole case of drinks with his own money, a random mix of everything.

Pingtou and the others knew about Duan Yi’s earlier fight on the basketball court. They accepted the drinks, pretending nothing had happened, and moved on.

After all, they weren’t the ones who got beaten up. Honestly, Duan Yi was pretty good to them.

The Abbot, sipping his drink thoughtfully, said, “What’s a good leader? This is a good leader! Has anyone seen Secretary Sheng?”

Duan Yi bit the straw of his AD Calcium Milk, thinking sadly, What am I even doing? I’m playing hero here, sticking up for him, and he doesn’t even know.

“Love-struck Statue, your ex-husband bro’s back,” Jiang Wangshu nudged him.

It had been months since Duan Yi had almost forgotten Sheng Yunze even had that nickname.

Duan Yi looked up and saw Sheng Yunze returning to class with a calm expression. He sat down without even glancing at Duan Yi.

Duan Yi felt terribly wronged.

“Class is starting. Look up,” Yu Wenshu said from the podium as he handed out test papers. “The midterm results will be out this afternoon. If you want to see your ranking, you can check the office.”

Duan Yi’s heart skipped a beat. His attention shifted to the midterm results. He had been worried that the incident during Sheng Yunze’s rut might have affected his performance.

Jiang Wangshu asked, “Who got first place? Is it still Secretary Sheng?”

Yu Wenshu snapped, “Who else? If you, Jiang Wangshu, don’t work harder, you’ll never be first. Will I ever see you get first place in my lifetime?”

Jiang Wangshu flattered Yu Wenshu, “If you live long enough, you’ll see anything!”

Duan Yi breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Sheng Yunze.

After switching seats, they were so close it was practically like being desk mates.

Just then, Sheng Yunze also looked at him, and their eyes met.

For some reason, Duan Yi felt annoyed. He raised a finger and said, “I just fought Scar.”

A crack appeared on Sheng Yunze’s usually expressionless face, though he quickly masked it. Duan Yi, however, had caught it and pressed his advantage. “He even hurt me!”

Sheng Yunze finally relented. “Where are you hurt?”

Duan Yi held up his index finger. “My hand.”

A tiny scratch.

Probably from punching too hard and scraping his own skin.

Sheng Yunze: “What about Scar?”

Jiang Wangshu interjected inappropriately, “He’ll probably have to crawl to the infirmary.”

Duan Yi: ……

Jiang Wangshu: “My statement is complete. The two newlyweds may proceed.”

Feeling foolish, Duan Yi slumped onto the table and fiddled with an eraser. “Why didn’t you reply to my messages last night?” he asked, sounding genuinely annoyed.

Sheng Yunze ignored the question. “Give me your hand.”

Duan Yi placed his hand on the table, looking docile—a stark contrast to his earlier fighting stance.

Sheng Yunze took out a bandage and gently covered the scratch. “Does it still hurt?” he murmured.

Afraid of overplaying his hand, Duan Yi confessed, “It doesn’t really hurt that much. I just wanted to act pitiful so you’d pay attention to me.”

Sheng Yunze was caught off guard by Duan Yi’s bluntness. After a pause, he replied, “You don’t need to act pitiful for me to pay attention to you.”

“You’re full of it,” Duan Yi scoffed. “You threw a tantrum all night, driving me crazy. You only just started talking to me again.”

Sheng Yunze chuckled. “No, I wasn’t asking about your hand. I meant your neck.”

Duan Yi bared his teeth. “You bit me hard enough to draw blood! Of course it hurts! Want me to bite you and see how you like it?”

Sheng Yunze casually dropped a bombshell, “What about him?”

Duan Yi blinked, confused. “Who?”

Sheng Yunze’s gaze pinned him down. “Would he bite you hard enough to draw blood?”

Duan Yi let out an “Huh?” ready to play dumb, but his ears started ringing, a loud buzzing filling his head.