What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 42

Chapter 42 – Confession

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Sheng Yunxi proved with her actions that she wasn’t Sheng Yunze in disguise.

When people first met Sheng Yunxi, they couldn’t tell her apart from Sheng Yunze just by looking at their faces. Fortunately, Sheng Yunxi was a girl. Though a bit tall, she was completely different from Sheng Yunze.

Her seaweed-like wavy hair cascaded down her back. Dressed casually in sporty clothes, her smile radiated brightness. The only similarity was the two small tiger teeth in the same spot as Sheng Yunze’s.

In contrast, Sheng Yunze rarely smiled, so people rarely saw his tiger teeth.

Seeing Sheng Yunxi’s sunny smile, those who knew the aloof Secretary Sheng felt a jolt of surprise.

Especially Jian Qiao. Her entire worldview seemed to be turned upside down.

Sheng Yunze had never mentioned his family at school. Given his cold demeanor, people assumed he was an only child.

Now, suddenly, here was Sheng Yunxi—Sheng Yunze’s twin sister, bright and cheerful, with his face and expressive features. Jian Qiao felt like she was in a dream.

Could Sheng Yunze’s face really show such expressions?

Jian Qiao was only 165 cm tall, while Sheng Yunxi stood around 179 cm. Female Alphas were typically tall, and even though they were slender, they possessed both a youthful vigor and a lively, charming femininity, with an air of purity.

Sheng Yunxi was remarkably approachable.

The sun was shining brightly that day as she chatted and laughed with Jian Qiao. When crossing the street, she gallantly let her take the first step, offering a light touch to guide her. On the stairs, she removed his jacket to shield her skirt from prying eyes, ensuring her modesty. She was the epitome of a gentleman, handling everything from buying drinks to carrying her bag, attending to her every need with meticulous care.

In less than half an hour, Jian Qiao had completely switched sides.

Sheng Yunze?

Who’s Sheng Yunze? Sorry, but I think Xiaoxi probably wouldn’t like it if we mentioned him again…

Even though I’ve never been with Sheng Yunze, I’m officially breaking up with him today. I’ve found a much better replacement…

“Holy shit… This girl’s a master, a true master,” Jiang Wangshu marveled, cradling his milk tea—Sheng Yunxi’s treat—in awe. “Damn impressive, absolutely damn impressive.”

Duan Yi and the other alphas and betas squatted in a row on the railing, their eyes burning with envy and resentment as they watched Sheng Yunxi, who was being hugged by people on both sides in the audience seats.

Sheng Yunxi, who had somehow gotten a guitar, was playfully teasing Hao Shanshan with a grin. Jian Qiao sat to her right, while the other omegas and girls crowded around her, gazing at Sheng Yunxi with adoration and bashful admiration.

Having grown up abroad, Sheng Yunxi was worldly, witty, and articulate. She exuded a lively charm combined with a maturity beyond his years. Duan Yi suspected this was just an act. Damn it, she wasn’t like this when I saw her yesterday!

When Sheng Yunxi and Sheng Yunze argued, they were like two peacocks vying to spread their tails—just like elementary school kids fighting!

How can my sister-in-law have two completely different faces when he’s around omegas?

Hao Shanshan’s adoring gaze was practically solidifying.

Jiang Wangshu: “See? We were wrong all along! Secretary Sheng isn’t trying to ruin our lives or keep the girls to himself. This is what it really means to ruin our lives!”

“Damn it… Why is Secretary Sheng being so ruthless? If he’s not going to chase girls himself, why send his sister to keep an eye on them?”

“I thought Secretary Sheng’s perpetual coffin face was just an act, but I was wrong. Turns out he’s actually giving us a chance to pick up girls.”

We thought Sheng Yunze was just another Alpha making life difficult for men, but now it seems he’s practically a philanthropist.

The real threat is Sheng Yunxi. With her brother’s exact face and the personality of a typical domineering CEO from a romance novel, how can any young woman resist?!

Hao Shanshan, her heart fluttering, sidled up to Duan Yi.

Duan Yi quipped, “Still remember your dad?”

Hao Shanshan replied dramatically, “Daddy, what are you saying? Your daughter has already found her four hundred and sixty-fifth first love! This time, I’ll pay her!”

Duan Yi: “Spare me.”

Jiang Wangshu couldn’t help but ask, “Do you guys really think Sheng Yunxi is so great? What’s so good about her? Is it because she’s an Alpha? Or because she has the same face as the school beauty?”

Hao Shanshan gave Jiang Wangshu a pitying look, as if he’d never understand women. “Mommy, maybe that’s why you’re still single.”

Duan Yi secretly texted Sheng Yunze, “Did you tell your sister to come?”

Buzz buzz. Sheng Yunze picked up his phone and replied, “I don’t remember my performance being at the food festival.”

The music festival and the food festival were two separate venues, one on the east side of the square and the other on the west.

Duan Yi: “You left in such a hurry this morning! If you’d waited for me, none of this would have happened.”

Sheng Yunze: “Come here now.”

Without hesitation, Duan Yi replied, “No.”

Sheng Yunze: “I told you yesterday I have something important to tell you.”

Duan Yi: “Jiang Wangshu is here too. I can’t leave my bro.”

Sheng Yunze replied sarcastically, “Can’t leave your bro, or can’t leave Nan Yi?”

Duan Yi froze, surprised Sheng Yunze knew Nan Yi was with him.

For some reason, he suddenly felt guilty, as if he’d been caught cheating by his husband.

Nan Yi leaned closer, and Duan Yi instinctively covered his phone.

This hurt Nan Yi’s feelings. He pouted. “I wouldn’t look at your phone without asking! Why are you acting like I’m going to steal it?”

Duan Yi tried to act cool, but his words sounded guilty, “I’m not hiding anything! It was just a random move. Why are you reading so much into it? Were you reborn as a reading comprehension test?”

Nan Yi: “Are you and Sheng Yunze together?”

Duan Yi: “Are you going to ask me this eight hundred times a day?”

Nan Yi: “Can’t I even ask? I was with you before he even knew you existed!”

Duan Yi: “Nan Yi, we’ve broken up. If you really want to stay friends, stop bringing this up.”

Nan Yi: “I just want to know if you’re dating Sheng Yunze.”

Duan Yi paused. “No…”

His relationship with Sheng Yunze was strange. Even Duan Yi felt awkward about it. Sheng Yunze seemed interested in him, but then again, maybe not.

It wasn’t just Nan Yi who wanted to know what was going on between them—Duan Yi himself was confused. Sheng Yunze’s ambiguous words the night before had given him two sleepless nights.

He decided he had to ask Sheng Yunze directly. If Sheng Yunze wouldn’t talk, Duan Yi would have to say it himself.

Nan Yi: “If you’re not dating him, then I’m free to pursue you. You have no reason to reject me.”

Duan Yi scoffed. “Get real!”

Nan Yi glanced at him. “And do you really think Sheng Yunze even cares about you?”

He still didn’t know that Sheng Yunze and Duan Yi had already done everything they could do in private.

All that was left was for someone to break the ice.

Duan Yi: “That’s between him and me.”

Nan Yi played his trump card, “Have you thought about Jian Qiao? Won’t she be embarrassed if you and Sheng Yunze get together?”

This struck at Duan Yi’s deepest fear, and his heart clenched painfully.

Ah… why is high school romance so complicated?

Jiang Wangshu had come to hang out with Duan Yi, but when he overheard the awkward conversation, he immediately retreated to a safe distance, muttering “Amitabha” under his breath.

“Hey, Jiang-ge,” Sheng Yunxi called out.

Jiang Wangshu quickly replied, “No, no, just call me Xiao Jiang. Please, sit down. Ask whatever you want.”

Sheng Yunxi chuckled. “You’re pretty funny. Let me ask you something. What’s Duan-bao’s relationship with that Alpha?” He nodded slightly toward Nan Yi.

Jiang Wangshu: “You mean Nan Yi? They’re classmates.”

Sheng Yunxi: “Why do I feel like the atmosphere between them is a bit strange?”

Jiang Wangshu didn’t hide the truth. Duan Yi’s past with Nan Yi was no secret at school. He simply said, “Xiaoduan’s ex-boyfriend.”

Sheng Yunxi’s eyes widened. “Ex-boyfriend?”

Jiang Wangshu: “I’m ashamed to admit, Xiaoduan was quite wild back then.”

Sheng Yunxi: “What about my brother?”

Jiang Wangshu tried to keep a neutral expression, but couldn’t help himself. “What does your brother have to do with Xiaoduan’s ex-boyfriend?”

Sheng Yunxi’s expression became unreadable.

Jiang Wangshu suddenly sensed something was off, and his face froze for a moment.

“Let me ask another question. What’s the relationship between Duan-bao and my brother?”

Jiang Wangshu quickly regained his composure, answering smoothly, “They’re classmates. Oh, and Duan-bao is the class president for Class 1. By the way, they’re also rumored to be dating. Duan-bao’s last rumored boyfriend was me. When I was seven months pregnant, your brother stole him away, causing me to miscarry.”

Sheng Yunxi looked speechless. “Then… should I apologize for my brother?”

Jiang Wangshu waved his hand dismissively, feigning humility. “Just give me a few hundred million as a breakup fee. I’m greedy too.”

Sheng Yunxi smirked and sent a message to Sheng Yunze: “So you and Duan Bao aren’t together yet?”

Sheng Yunze’s mood plummeted further. The band captain stopped playing and cleared his throat. “Um, Xiaosheng, we’re playing ‘Love Circulation’ right now, right?”

Sheng Yunze’s face darkened. The captain, accustomed to his perpetual scowl, asked calmly, “Is there something wrong with my playing?”

“No, nothing’s wrong… it’s just…” The captain hesitated. “Could you not make it sound like a funeral march? Listening to your drumming makes me feel like I’m already on my way to the afterlife.”

Sheng Yunze: …

He actually wanted to send someone to their grave.

Desert Burial kind of grave.

Especially after seeing the photo Sheng Yunxi sent of Duan Yi and Nan Yi sitting side-by-side. His chest ached with fury.

He clicked his tongue and tossed his phone aside.

Sheng Yunxi’s sarcasm practically dripped from the screen:

“I thought you two were together. So it’s just unrequited love on your end?”

“Tsk tsk, Lao Sheng, this is what they call karmic retribution!”

“You still haven’t told him you like him?”

“Trouble ahead. Duan-bao’s in high demand.”

Sheng Yunze replied impatiently, “Mind your own business.”

Feeling his response lacked conviction, he added, “He likes me a lot.”

Sheng Yunxi nearly burst out laughing at her brother’s transparently insecure and defensive statement. Refusing to back down, she retorted, “True enough.”

Sheng Yunxi twisted the knife, “He likes you today, but will he still like you tomorrow?”

Has Lao Sheng never been unlucky in love? Has he missed out on life’s harsh lessons, making him overly confident and think he’s all that? Does he believe the whole world should adore him?

Sheng Yunxi typed furiously, each sentence aimed at her brother’s weak spots, “Where does your confidence come from? Duan-bao doesn’t seem like the loyal type. Doesn’t he have an ex-boyfriend?”

Sheng Yunze fell silent when he read this message.

Sheng Yunxi looked up and saw Nan Yi trying to talk to Duan Yi, who was mostly ignoring him, only occasionally replying.

“What was Duan-bao’s ex-boyfriend’s name? He looked so pitiful! Duan-bao barely paid him any attention. I feel like I’m seeing your miserable future in him, Lao Sheng. If you keep holding back, my sister-in-law will run off with some pretty-boy Alpha!”

So cheeky.

Like brother, like sister.

Sheng Yunze recalled how Duan Yi had treated Nan Yi. It was indeed cold and ruthless—breaking up without hesitation, declaring his feelings gone without a second thought.

Sheng Yunze had enjoyed watching it all unfold, after all, he was the favored one.

But what if one day he found himself in Nan Yi’s position?

Watching Duan Yi be all lovey-dovey with someone else?

Sheng Yunxi declared shamelessly, “If you like my sister-in-law, Lao Sheng, make a move! Otherwise, he’ll become someone else’s sister-in-law. I quite like him myself. If he can’t be my sister-in-law, he might as well become your brother-in-law. We’re family, after all—no need to be strangers. Keep the good stuff within the family…”

Sheng Yunxi continued, “Lao Sheng, I’m telling you—”

[ The new pig farmer has enabled friend verification. You are not yet his friend. Please send a friend request first. You can chat once he accepts. ]

Sheng Yunxi: ……

What a cheapskate. Can’t even spare a few words.

“How did Nan Yi break up with him?” Sheng Yunxi asked as he walked.

He and Jiang Wangshu had hit it off instantly, bonding over their shared “bad vibes.” They were practically sworn brothers after just a few words, only missing Duan Yi to complete their own Three Kingdoms-style brotherhood.

“It was actually a small thing, I think there was a misunderstanding, but no one listened to me back then,” Jiang Wangshu said, sipping his oral liquid. He offered one to Sheng Yunxi, who gladly accepted, deeply moving Jiang Wangshu.

To put it bluntly, Nan Yi was to blame for the breakup with Duan Yi.

In his third year of middle school, Nan Yi had decided to study abroad but kept it a secret from Duan Yi. He only told Duan Yi right before leaving. Duan Yi was already furious, but Nan Yi didn’t take it seriously and went to a farewell dinner with his other friends.

The problem started at that dinner.

His friends got too drunk.

Several girls from Attached Middle School and the girlfriends of Nan Yi’s friends had come along.

One of the girls got too drunk and ended up sleeping in the hotel room with Nan Yi.

They were just middle schoolers, and she was completely wasted. They slept at opposite ends of the bed, nothing happened.

But the next day, when Duan Yi came looking for Nan Yi, he opened the hotel door and saw a strange woman lying on his boyfriend’s bed. Even the most forgiving person couldn’t take that.

“Duan Yi couldn’t handle it,” Jiang Wangshu said. “If he didn’t like Nan Yi, he could have broken up with him. But he wouldn’t tolerate any flaws in their relationship. They had a huge fight over it.”

Sheng Yunxi sighed.

“Neither of them would back down,” Jiang Wangshu continued. “Nan Yi thought Duan Yi was being unreasonable, making things up, and accusing him unfairly. He’d already explained himself, and Duan Yi shouldn’t be blaming him. Duan Yi was convinced Nan Yi had slept with that girl, end of story. He wanted to break up.”

“What happened next?” Sheng Yunxi asked. “Did they clear up the misunderstanding?”

“Actually, by the third day, when Duan Yi had calmed down, he realized he’d misunderstood Nan Yi.”

Sheng Yunxi: “Wow… what do we do?”

Jiang Wangshu smiled. “That’s why I said they were never going to last. I still think the same thing: neither of them would back down.”

Nan Yi felt wronged. He wanted Duan Yi to apologize first.

Duan Yi thought Nan Yi was more at fault and should apologize to him.

Neither wanted to apologize first, so they stubbornly ignored each other.

Jiang Wangshu, like a love guru, said, “I’m not saying we’re old now, but when we were younger, we were too proud. But if you’re too proud in love, who really loses?”

When they were young, they both wanted to win. Neither would give in.

In the end, no one won.

Both lost each other because of their pride.

“What’s wrong with backing down? Saying sorry won’t kill you. Does pride really matter that much?” Jiang Wangshu asked. “If pride is more important than love, then maybe you don’t love them as much as you thought.”

Sheng Yunxi suddenly spoke up. “My brother wouldn’t do that.”

Jiang Wangshu glanced at him calmly. “Secretary Sheng? Doesn’t he seem arrogant to you?”

Sheng Yunxi shook his head. “I’m not talking about apologizing. I mean, my brother would never let something like that happen. He wouldn’t sneak out of the country, and he wouldn’t sleep with a girl for one night. If it never happened, how could they even argue?”

Jiang Wangshu smiled and stopped walking. “We’re here.”

The music festival stage slowly came into view.

It was even more crowded and lively than the food festival.

Families and couples mingled shoulder-to-shoulder, the music blaring deafeningly, and conversations buzzed like a swarm of bees. The host announced the end of the previous band’s performance and introduced a young college band.

A wave of screams instantly erupted, shaking the air.

Duan Yi covered his ears. “Damn, it’s so crowded and noisy! How are we supposed to see anything?”

He squeezed through the crowd, trying to spot Sheng Yunze on stage, but the sea of people made it impossible.

Jiang Wangshu pushed his way to Duan Yi’s side. “I see people with binoculars. Do you have any? If not, I can buy you some.”

Duan Yi turned and noticed vendors hawking binoculars weaving through the crowd.

“Xiaosheng, it’s almost our turn. Let’s go,” the captain said.

Sheng Yunze stood silently, sending Duan Yi a message: Are you here yet?

Duan Yi was being jostled around in the crowd below the stage. His phone was buried in some bag, and in this noisy environment, he couldn’t possibly hear the notification.

When Sheng Yunze didn’t get a reply, he turned to the captain and made a quick decision.

“Captain, I accept your earlier suggestion. I’ll take the lead singer position.”

“Otako!” Jiang Wangshu yelled from the crowd. “Otako!”

Duan Yi: “I can hear you! You’re standing right next to me! Why are you shouting so loud?!”

Jiang Wangshu, munching on Otako, handed Duan Yi one. “Just in case you pretend you can’t hear me. Has the school beauty gone on stage yet?”

Duan Yi, his cheeks bulging with food, replied, “I don’t know. Soon, probably.”

He had been eating non-stop since arriving. His stomach was full, but he still craved more.

Yesterday, when Sheng Yunze invited him to the performance, Duan Yi had been excited. He had imagined a visual feast from VIP seats. If he had known he would be crammed into a tiny space with over a thousand people, he wouldn’t have come even for a million dollars!

Duan Yi’s legs ached. He heard a wave of heat and applause beside him.

Duan Yi, overdressed for the weather, tugged at his collar. “Damn it! I’m not done with Sheng Yunze! He brought me here to suffer on purpose!”

Suddenly, Hao Shanshan screamed, grabbing Jiang Wangshu and jumping up and down. “Secretary Sheng! Secretary Sheng! Secretary Sheng! He’s out! This outfit is so cool!”

Then countless phones rose into the air, the click of cameras rising and falling like ocean waves. The flashes nearly blinded the band members on stage.

Duan Yi snapped to attention, even putting on his rarely worn glasses. The moment Sheng Yunze walked out from backstage with his guitar, Duan Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t take his eyes off him, thinking jealously, “No wonder he’s so popular.”

Sheng Yunze was handsome as usual, but today he kept it simple: a white graphic tee under a light-colored shirt, half-tucked into ripped jeans and half hanging loose. The jeans were rolled up twice, revealing pale ankles above classic AJ sneakers.

He must have styled his hair, Duan Yi thought for no reason.

His hair was a little messy, but it only made him look cooler, more rebellious than at school—like a bad boy.

His smile was captivating, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his small canine teeth peeked out.

The young girls in the audience screamed themselves hoarse at the sight of him.

Sheng Yunze stood casually on stage, his gaze sweeping quickly across the crowd. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Duan Yi while the captain adjusted the sound.

[ Shorty, I can’t even see you in this crowd. Drink more milk and grow taller. ]

He lowered his head, typing intently.

[ Listen up. I’m only singing this song once.] 

Sheng Yunxi exclaimed in surprise, “How did Lao Sheng become the lead singer? It’s usually harder to get him to sing than to kill him!”

Jiang Wangshu asked, “Doesn’t Secretary Sheng know how to sing?”

Sheng Yunxi replied, “He sings fine, but Lao Sheng always sits at the back playing drums. You couldn’t drag him to the front to show his face with eight sedan chairs. How did the captain convince him to sing this time? The sun must be rising in the west!”

On stage, Sheng Yunze suddenly raised his hand.

The audience fell silent instantly.

Jiang Wangshu marveled, “Damn, that’s one hell of a flex. Secretary Sheng really knows how to control the crowd.”

Duan Yi crossed his arms, angrily chewing on his Otako, and grumbled, “I give that flex zero points.”

Sheng Yunze leaned closer to the microphone.

Just as everyone was wondering what the handsome young man was about to say, he suddenly blurted out a name.

“Duan Yi.”

Duan Yi suddenly heard his name called over the speakers, nearly knocking Otako off his feet.

Jiang Wangshu’s jaw dropped. “Holy shit? He called you? Did I hear that right?”

Duan Yi was stunned. His first thought was, What is Sheng Yunze up to?

His mind went blank, and he even wondered if he was hallucinating.

The audience exchanged bewildered glances, turning their heads back and forth. Each person saw their own confusion reflected in the faces of others.

Yet everyone could also sense the unmistakable scent of youth hanging in the air.

Sheng Yunze calmly continued, “Now, look at your watch.”

Duan Yi, still dazed, instinctively followed Sheng Yunze’s instructions.

Sheng Yunze glanced at his own watch and announced in a deep, cool voice, “12:34:51. Remember this time. It’s the first second I became your boyfriend.”

A deathly silence hung in the air for several seconds before erupting into thunderous cheers and screams that threatened to shatter eardrums.

Duan Yi’s head buzzed as if it were about to burst, deafened by the noise.

The crowd surged like boiling water, bubbling with excitement over this sudden confession.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, the music crashed in like a thunderclap. Sheng Yunze finally began to sing.

Who in the world could be a better match than us?

I should love you, so we can be the couple everyone envies.

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Author’s Note:

School Beauty: Let me calculate… I’ll claim him first. That way, my wife won’t be snatched away by some pretty boy.