What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 62

Chapter 62 – Dissatisfied

Hang City BBS Campus Watercooler Forum:

Latest Hot Topic: Duan Yi Admits to Hitting Scar?!

[ [Photo: Notice of Disciplinary Action from the Political Education Office] ]

[ ~A classmate took this photo while retrieving exam papers from the Political Education Office today. Sorry it’s a bit blurry, but Duan Yi really did admit to hitting someone.]

[ ~Let’s discuss this rationally. Doesn’t this indirectly confirm he used an omega pheromone inducer?]

[ ~I’ll delete any posts trying to stir up drama. Speaking for myself, I think Duan Yi’s being scapegoated…]

[ ~With his wealth, he could have any woman he wants. Why would he pass up Jian Qiao to sleep with that other girl… What was her name? Someone from lower grade?]

[ ~You have 20 seconds before this post is deleted. ]

[ ~Leaving my mark before deletion. ]

[ ~Doesn’t OP know this topic is banned? Any discussion will be deleted. ]

[ ~The external forums were tearing him apart. I came here expecting more of the same, but OP’s actually defending Duan Yi. ]

[ ~Honestly, I don’t think Duan Yi would use an omega pheromone inducer. I’d believe it more if you told me Scar used it. ]

[ ~Bunch of idiots blindly following the crowd, just hating on the rich. They’re all cheering Duan Yi’s downfall. If you’ve got the guts, show me your IDs so I can see which losers are celebrating. ]

[ ~Old He actually gave him a trial agreement? He’s not even getting expelled for something as serious as using an inducer? 66666. I guess money really does buy you everything. It’s great to have capital backing you. ]

[ ~I always thought something was off. My friend’s in the same class as him, and Duan Yi’s really popular there. No one in Class One believes he’d do something like this… ]

[ ~Scar’s such an idiot. If you’re interested, check the disciplinary records at Second High School. There’s still a notice on the wall about Scar getting punished for fighting off-campus in his first year—and that incident also skirted the line of inducer use. ]

[ ~So, did Meng Tian actually… you know… with Duan Yi? Or was it with Scar? How can this girl be so shameless? ]

[ ~I’m in the same class as her. She’s a total slut. ]

[ ~@Administrator, why aren’t you deleting the rumors and personal attacks in comments 21 and 22? What business is it of yours whether she’s a slut or not? Why are you letting them spread these baseless accusations? ]

[ ~Holy shit, are Scar and Meng Tian trying to pull a honey trap? Blackmail Duan Yi, marry into wealth, and live happily ever after? Hahahaha. She’s probably pregnant, right? Otherwise, why would she insist so strongly that Duan Yi’s involved? ]

[ ~Some people are truly disgusting. Don’t be such hypocrites. Does having money make you better than everyone else? ]

“Xiaobudian, can I ask you something?”

Third floor of the girls’ dormitory, Room 306.

Ping Liu Hai, the girl with the blunt bangs, grabbed Zhou Yue’s arm and pulled her onto the bed. “You have to answer me honestly.”

Zhou Yue glanced at her silently, placed her thermos in her backpack, and whispered, “We have class this afternoon. We need to head back early for lunch, or the Class President will mark us late.”

Zhou Yue, a student in Third Year Class 1, was nicknamed Xiaobudian.

Last time, Duan Yi had led the entire class to sneak out by scaling the wall to give her an unforgettable birthday surprise.

Ping Liu Hai whispered, “That Class President of yours, Duan Yi… did he really use an omega pheromone inducer?”

“No,” Zhou Yue replied.

Noticing the stiffness in her voice, Ping Liu Hai chuckled awkwardly. “I was just asking! I didn’t mean to imply he actually did it.”

Then, she casually added, “But the Political Education Office already issued the punishment. It must be true if they did, right?”

Zhou Yue’s tone grew even more rigid. “No, he wouldn’t do that. Stop asking.”

“Hey, hey, don’t be like that,” Ping Liu Hai said. “Don’t get angry. I was just joking.”

Zhou Yue silently packed her backpack and stood at the dormitory door.

Ping Liu Hai, seeing Zhou Yue was genuinely angry, didn’t dare say a word.

Zhou Yue turned her head slightly and spoke, “If you don’t understand someone, don’t talk about them behind their back. If everyone acted like you, rumors would become ‘facts’ just from being repeated enough! Your casual words could ruin someone’s life.”

Ping Liu Hai muttered a soft “Tch,” grumbling, “It’s not like I’m the only one saying it… How can I control what others say?”

Why don’t you scold the others who talk about Duan Yi? she thought resentfully. Why pick on me? Am I an easy target?

Zhou Yue pressed her lips together. “Then at least control your own mouth.”

As they reached the second floor, the sound of running water came from the hot water room around the corner.

A moment later, Zhou Yue saw Meng Tian emerge. She walked slowly, habitually sticking to the corners and hugging the walls, never venturing into the middle of the hallway.

This was a self-protective mechanism. Walking in the center would inevitably draw more eyes.

A fresh bruise darkened Meng Tian’s forehead, as if she’d been struck by something. The wound looked recent.

Zhou Yue stood face-to-face with Meng Tian. Meng Tian avoided her gaze, hugging the corner as she brushed past.

Laughter erupted from the dormitory behind them.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting! Her hand touched my clothes earlier—I hope I don’t catch something.”

“Girls like her are always trying to seduce guys. Who knows what kind of diseases she’s carrying…”

“Ugh, now that she’s hooked up with Duan Yi, you guys better stop messing with him. She might come after you!”

“Her? Hahaha! Duan Yi probably hates her now. Poor thing…”

Poor thing, Zhou Yue thought.

How awful.

She grabbed Meng Tian’s arm. Meng Tian, who had been about to brush past, flinched violently.

Zhou Yue didn’t say a word. She rummaged through her backpack and pulled out two bandages, each printed with a chibi-style portrait of Duan Shaoheng—it was rare to find a high school girl who didn’t idolize him.

Meng Tian remained silent, her hand twitching as she tried to pull free from Zhou Yue’s grip.

Zhou Yue lifted Meng Tian’s fringe and carefully applied the bandages to her wound.

Meng Tian stared wide-eyed like a startled fawn, her gaze darting nervously, unable to meet Zhou Yue’s eyes.

Zhou Yue lowered her hand and spoke softly to her.

“Duan Yi is a really good person. Please don’t ruin him, okay?”

“No way!” Jiang Wangshu was furious. “Look at the mess you’ve made! Duan Bao, Duan Zai, Duan Yi! How old are you? You’re a high schooler, almost an adult! Can’t you grow out of this stupid hero complex? You think this trial agreement is a joke? Fine, you’ve had them before, but this time it’s because of an inducer! Do you even know what that is? It’ll be on your permanent record! What’s the difference between this and a rapist wearing an ankle monitor?”

“…Fuck!” Jiang Wangshu cursed, still not satisfied. He glared at Duan Yi, dizzy and seeing black spots, wanting to twist his head off and crack it open to see what kind of garbage was inside. “Hero complex, hero complex, hero complex… You’re obsessed with being a hero! You’re going to give me a heart attack!”

Duan Yi silently covered his ears and muttered, “You’re so annoying.”

“I swear, my blood pressure’s rising before I even hit middle age,” Jiang Wangshu grumbled. He called out to Hao Shanshan, “Babe, sweetie, get your mother some quick-acting heart pills!”

Hao Shanshan scurried over. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please calm down! These are the Youthful Radiance Beauty Capsules I prepared for you!” With dramatic flair, she recited the “Don’t Be Angry” song, “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, anger gives the devil a foothold! Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, anger only hurts yourself!”

She opened a bottle of Growth Joy capsules, fed two to Jiang Wangshu, and asked with exaggerated tenderness, “Are you happy now?”

Jiang Wangshu clenched his teeth in fury, chewed the capsules viciously, and replied with dripping sarcasm, “Oh, I’m just thrilled!”

Hao Shanshan and Jiang Wangshu continued their melodramatic performance of filial devotion, acting out a tear-jerking, post-modernist tribute to Qing Dynasty zombie revivalism—the annual soap opera Mother’s Way: What Am I Supposed to Do with My Heartless, Idiotic Husband?!—right in front of Duan Yi.

“What’s going through your head?” Jiang Wangshu demanded of Duan Yi.

“Just what you’d expect,” Duan Yi shrugged.

Jiang Wangshu turned to Sheng Yunze. “Secretary Sheng, say something! Your brat’s gone completely wild!”

Sheng Yunze stared at Duan Yi, who shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

Jiang Wangshu, sensing the situation, immediately grabbed Hao Shanshan and retreated.

Only Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze remained in the row of seats by the window.

Sheng Yunze ignored him. Duan Yi couldn’t tell if his boyfriend was angry or not, so he cautiously tugged at his sleeve.

“Hey,” Duan Yi said tentatively. “Are you mad? I’m sorry.”

“I’m not,” Sheng Yunze replied with a dry chuckle. “You don’t need to apologize. You did nothing wrong.” This was usually his way of saying he was furious.

Girlfriends are all the same, Duan Yi thought.

Suddenly realizing he was in deep trouble, Duan Yi immediately put his quick thinking to use and earnestly began singing the “Don’t Be Angry” song to Sheng Yunze:

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, anger gives the devil an opening. Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, anger only hurts yourself…”

Sheng Yunze: …

Duan Yi blinked. “Are you still mad?”

Sheng Yunze: “What exactly did I tell you?”

Duan Yi: “I didn’t say I used an Omega inhibitor. I just said I beat someone up.”

Sheng Yunze said coldly, “Do you think there’s a difference?”

Duan Yi, knowing he was in the wrong, countered, “Then what about Meng Tian?”

Sheng Yunze spoke coldly, “What happens to her has nothing to do with you. You save one person today, another tomorrow—do you think you’re some kind of 21st-century metabolic syndrome cure-all? There are countless suffering people in the world. Why don’t you go save them all, one by one?”

Duan Yi rubbed his nose. “My principle is to help whoever I can. If I see someone in need and can lend a hand, I do. It’s not a big deal.” He muttered defensively, “You know, you gotta focus on what’s right in front of you. There are so many people suffering globally—I can’t possibly run into them all, right? But if I do happen to see someone, I’ll give them a little help…”

“Have you thought about yourself?” Sheng Yunze asked.

“Of course,” Duan Yi replied bluntly. “I don’t think it’ll hurt me much…” He assured him, “If it’s something that would really mess me up, I wouldn’t rush to help, right?”

Then, when he looked at Sheng Yunze, his eyebrow twitched involuntarily. He said calmly, “Brother, can we make a deal? Even if you think I’m an idiot, could you at least not wear the word ‘idiot’ on your face?”

Sheng Yunze sighed.

“Duan Yi, you’re nothing but trouble.”

Duan Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Sheng Yunze added, “Fortunately, I don’t mind the trouble.”

Duan Yi’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean you’ll help me?”

Sheng Yunze’s lips were thin, and his words sharp. “You’re the one who agreed to help. Not me.”

He said coldly, “I didn’t agree. And I’m very bad. You’re doomed.”

Duan Yi: =口=!

Although Old He had given Duan Yi a trial suspension for fighting off-campus, the punishment only mentioned the brawl and made no reference to the omega pheromone inducer. The official announcement was scheduled for Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

Scar spent another week in the hospital recovering from his injuries. His aunt, Xu Huifang, refused to pay a single cent of his medical bills. Instead, she came to Second High School’s Political Education Office three times a day, like clockwork, to harass Old He.

At first, she demanded that Old He summon Duan Yi for a face-to-face confrontation. Later, she claimed Meng Tian had deliberately harmed her nephew.

Considering Duan Yi was in his final year of high school, Old He refused Xu Huifang’s demands.

Each time the woman came, she left empty-handed.

The next day, the belt marks on her body were even more severe.

Throughout the week, rumors about Duan Yi, Scar, and Meng Tian flew around the school, with countless versions circulating and growing increasingly wild.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Third Year Class 1 had grown heavy. Several subject teachers had spoken to Duan Yi individually, but the one who worked hardest on his behalf was his homeroom teacher—the homeroom teacher of Third Year Class 1: a petite woman in her thirties who taught mathematics. With her wavy, long hair and the surname Zhao, she appeared fragile, yet she refused to compromise in Duan Yi’s case.

Around two in the morning on Wednesday, hearing Xu Huifang and her husband causing a scene in the office, she rushed out of the dormitory building, throwing on a coat.

She encountered Duan Yi and his friends along the way and said only one thing: “Just listen to me later. I’m here. Everything will be alright.”

Old He, Principal Xiao, and Principal Peng from the Academic Affairs Office mediated between Xu Huifang and her husband until three in the morning, exhaustion etched on everyone’s faces.

Xu Huifang clung desperately to this last straw, demanding 800,000 yuan in compensation from Duan Yi, claiming she couldn’t go on living. She repeatedly threatened to kill herself at Second High School and warned Old He that if the matter wasn’t resolved to her satisfaction, she would take her entire family and jump from the school’s laboratory building.

Concerned that the students’ late night would affect their studies and health the next day, the teachers had Principal Peng escort them back to the dormitory around 2:30 AM.

Before leaving, Duan Yi stood before Old Zhao like a rain-soaked puppy. Though a full head taller than his teacher, he lowered his head and mumbled, “Old Zhao, I’m sorry.”

Old Zhao urged him to go back to sleep. When facing Xu Huifang and Principal Xiao, she repeated only one sentence, “Duan Yi is my student. My student would never do such a thing.”

Xu Huifang’s shrill scream echoed through the Political Education Office, “Isn’t my nephew your student anymore?! Does that mean he’s capable of such things?! Teachers favoring the wealthy should have some decency! Doesn’t your conscience hurt?!”

The piercing words made Duan Yi’s ears ring.

Jiang Wangshu and the others hadn’t slept either, waiting for Duan Yi to return.

The creak of the door opening cut through the silent night.

A sliver of dim yellow light spilled through the crack. Xiaobang spoke up, “President Duan, what did Old He say to you?”

Duan Yi climbed into bed and flopped down. “Nothing much. Just that the punishment will be announced on Monday.”

Bookworm hesitated. “Did Scar’s parents come to school again?”

Duan Yi hummed in agreement.

He fished his phone from under his pillow, wanting to text Sheng Yunze.

Duan Yi suddenly remembered how he had infuriated Sheng Yunze the last time. Sheng Yunze was still angry, giving him the cold shoulder these past two days.

Worse, Sheng Yunze’s whereabouts were a mystery. Day after day, Duan Yi couldn’t find him anywhere.

This is infuriating! Is this the legendary “sharing the good times but splitting when things get tough”?

Bookworm said, “President Duan, none of us actually believe you did it. Why are you taking the blame?”

Duan Yi: “…Huh?”

Bookworm: “Fang Yun told us. You know Student ID 215 on the forum? That’s her. Her combat power is off the charts! She single-handedly flooded the entire forum with nine ridiculously long posts and even started a raffle.”

Xiaobang: “She’s amazing! Her posts are so well-written, logical, and backed by evidence. She even dug up Scar’s past disciplinary records. She turned our Second High School’s internal forum into a raffle forum all by herself!” After a moment, he added in awe, “No wonder she’s a Duan Shaoheng fan. These must be the battle-hardened fans who’ve crawled through mountains of blades and seas of blood!”

After all, Duan Shaoheng was a black-and-red top-tier celebrity whose every sneeze trended online. His fans’ ability to turn the tide, pull off hairpin turns, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in crisis management was legendary. No other fandom would dare dispute that Duan Shaoheng’s “Sister Stans” were the top-tier combat power in China’s entertainment fandoms.

Duan Yi was surprised. “Fang Yun didn’t mention anything to me.”

Xiaobang explained, “Our class bought the raffle prizes ourselves. I just thought the rumors on the internal forum were too harsh. Other classes don’t know you well, so we wanted to do something.”

Duan Yi felt a surge of warmth.

Bookworm chimed in, “Anyway, not many people are talking about you on the forum anymore, President Duan. Why do you have to admit to anything?”

Duan Yi sniffled. “Do you really think I didn’t do it?”

Bookworm scoffed, “Of course not! This whole damn thing—this rumor is just too ridiculous. Who in our class would believe it?”

Duan Yi sighed, deeply touched. “Thank you.”

Xiaobang added, “So, I was wondering if we should talk to Old Class Teacher again and try to get the probation agreement removed. You’re in your third year now, and carrying that into the second semester could affect your National College Entrance Examination.”

Duan Yi considered this. “It’s fine. The situation isn’t as bad as you think. I’m not a complete idiot. Don’t worry.”

Regardless, Monday arrived.

After the flag-raising ceremony, Old He delivered his weekly address. Once everyone stood at ease, he walked to the podium holding the disciplinary notice.

Duan Yi, Scar, and Meng Tian stood by the flagpole.

In Duan Yi’s hand was an 800-word apology letter, which he would soon read aloud to the entire school, apologizing to Scar and Meng Tian.

Duan Yi had to apologize to Scar for physically assaulting a classmate.

He also had to apologize to Meng Tian for… the unspoken, but never mentioned, inducer.

Old He had issued a disciplinary warning for early romance, hoping to sweep the matter under the rug.

However, the inducer issue was far more serious. If exposed, it could severely damage Second High School’s reputation and affect its enrollment rates. The administration’s stance was clear: since Duan Yi had admitted to the assault and offered compensation, they wanted to minimize the damage.

After all, the incident had occurred early in the semester, before any irreversible consequences arose. A probationary agreement, rather than expulsion, would suffice—a way to appease Duan Ji Huai.

Duan Yi glanced at the 800-word apology he had cobbled together online, preparing to deliver a passionate, impromptu speech.

He had publicly read apologies at Second High School countless times—at least 800, if not a thousand. On average, he apologized to the entire student body and faculty every two weeks, usually for trivial offenses like disrupting school activities or violating minor regulations.

But this time, the situation was exceptionally grave.

Even as Old He stepped onto the stage, the students below fell into an uncharacteristic silence.

“I will now announce two disciplinary decisions regarding Duan Yi of Third Year Class 1.”

Old He began, “Duan Yi, a student from our school, scaled the wall during class time on the evening of January 3rd and had an altercation with Xu Liang from Grade 12 Class 7, causing an extremely negative impact. After deliberation by the Political Education Office, it has been decided to place Duan Yi on a probationary agreement.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Duan Yi, a student from our school, engaged in an inappropriate and excessive romantic relationship with Meng Tian from Second Year Class 3 at 3:00 PM on December 27th, setting a poor example for the student body. To uphold school discipline, the following punishment will be…”

“Teacher He, I object!”

The voice from Old He’s microphone cut off abruptly.

The voice came from the audience. All eyes turned to see a girl from Third Year Class 1 standing up.

Her voice was strong and clear as she finished speaking and stepped forward.

It was Fang Yun.

“I believe the school’s handling of this matter has been too hasty. I refuse to believe our Class President would engage in an inappropriate and excessive romantic relationship. If the school insists on punishing Duan Yi, please provide all evidence publicly, fairly, and transparently. Otherwise, none of us in Class One will accept this outcome.”

Fang Yun’s voice trembled violently, breaking several times, but she refused to stop speaking.

Her legs felt like noodles, barely able to support her.

The moment she finished speaking, the students erupted into a frenzy.

A cacophony of chatter filled the air:

“Holy shit, who’s that girl? She’s badass!”

“How dare she challenge Old He’s authority!”

“This is going to be a great show…”

“Honestly, I don’t think Duan Yi needed to use the inducer. And the school’s punishment—early romance—for something so serious? They’re clearly covering something up…”

“Silence! Silence!” Old He barked, then turned to Fang Yun. “Student, if you have any grievances with the school, report to the Political Education Office after class. Now, return to your classroom.”

He gestured for the homeroom teacher to escort Fang Yun back, but Old Zhao was absent today. The assistant homeroom teacher, Ah Mi, a mild-mannered woman, tried to guide her back, but Fang Yun dodged her hand.

She looked up at Old He, her gaze unwavering. “Teacher He! If you’re going to condemn Duan Yi based solely on Meng Tian and Scar’s testimonies—labeling him with early romance and inducer use—then can’t I claim Duan Yi and I are dating? Can’t I falsely accuse him of using an omega pheromone inducer on me? Can’t I extort 800,000 yuan from him? Would the school then punish me too?”

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

“You’re insane!” Old He roared. “Teacher Fu! Get your class out of here!”

“I object too!”

Just as one wave of chaos subsided, another surged forth.

From Third Year Class Four, Jian Qiao’s voice rang out, “Teacher He, if we’re talking about early romance, wouldn’t Duan Yi and I be far more likely?”

The moment Jian Qiao spoke, all hell broke loose.

Soon, Jiang Wangshu’s shout came from below, “Teacher He! I object too! Why isn’t anyone spreading rumors that Duan Yi used an inducer on me? I’m right here, the closest one to him! Are we Betas not good enough?”

“I object too!” Nan Yi from Second Year Class Two spoke calmly but firmly. “Teacher He, Duan Yi’s punishment for early romance with me is still on his Caihe Middle School record. He’s clearly more interested in Alphas than Omegas. Why isn’t anyone suggesting an Omega used an inducer to frame him?”

“I object too—” Hao Shanshan, never one to let a good drama go to waste, eagerly fanned the flames, “I think our Class President and League Branch Secretary have even more serious tendencies toward early romance!”

“I object!” Pingtou shouted blindly, eyes closed. “If President Duan can get away with them, why can’t I have early romance too? Then punish me too, Teacher He! I’ve never been punished in my life!”

“This isn’t fair…”

“I think the punishment is wrong…”

“Our Class President isn’t even interested in Omegas…”

“…”

More and more voices rose.

The murmurs spread from Third Year Class 1 to the entire school.

Those who had once met Duan Yi, played basketball or video games with him, climbed walls together, or shared drinks with him, couldn’t help but speak up in his defense.

The flag-raising ceremony descended into chaos. Old He, both furious and anxious, glanced at Duan Yi.

Duan Yi stood dumbfounded at the microphone, holding his apology speech, unsure who to apologize to.

Then, with a click, Meng Tian took the microphone from him.

The girl stepped forward. Her small frame couldn’t even block Duan Yi’s view, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Yet she stood before him, facing the entire student body and faculty.

Her faint, delicate voice carried through the microphone:

“I’m Meng Tian from Second Year Class 3…”

Like water, the wave of voices gradually subsided.

Like water, all eyes converged on her.

Meng Tian gripped the microphone tightly. “The apology… the apology speech… it should have been me… I should have written it… I’m sorry…”

“I’m sorry… it was me… Xu Liang… I… I gave him the inducer…”