What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 71

Chapter 71 – The Battlefield 1

The final exam ended, the bell rang, and Sheng Yunze shoved his pens into his pocket, intending to find Duan Yi immediately.

As he left the classroom, a commotion of scraping chairs and desks erupted behind him. He paid no attention and reached the doorway when a girl caught up to him.

The Second Division’s uniforms were identical to the First Division’s: black and white.

The boys’ winter uniform consisted of a navy blue fleece-lined windbreaker with a detachable hood that could be zipped up tightly.

The girls’ version was a deep purple, considered rather unfashionable and somewhat dowdy, which many girls disliked wearing.

Some of the more popular girls even borrowed the boys’ uniforms.

It’s hard to explain what high school girls think, but at Second High School, the trend of girls borrowing boys’ uniforms was quite prevalent.

The girl who caught up to him was Yu Yijing from the Second Division.

She was the Bai Fumei who had pursued Sheng Yunze since their first year.

She was also wearing a boy’s uniform, paired with flesh-toned fleece-lined stockings and a short pleated skirt that accentuated her youthful charm.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, with curled ends, and her face was adorned with delicate makeup. Although Second High School’s regulations prohibited girls from wearing makeup, teachers generally turned a blind eye as long as it wasn’t too heavy.

Yu Yijing’s makeup was light, accentuating her youthful charm. Her curvaceous figure, standing at 165 centimeters, made her a striking match for Sheng Yunze as she hurried after him.

“Hey, Sheng Yunze!” Yu Yijing called out.

Sheng Yunze heard his name called by an unfamiliar girl. It took him a moment to recognize her as a classmate he’d been taking the exams with for the past two days.

Unwilling to acknowledge her, he grudgingly offered a sideways glance without breaking his stride.

Yu Yijing’s cheeks flushed slightly. Thinking he hadn’t heard her, she called out again.

In their first year of high school, she had pursued Sheng Yunze for an entire semester, only to give up after repeated rejections.

From the second semester of first year to the first semester of third year, she cycled through about five or six boyfriends, both from school and outside. While they were handsome, none could compare to Sheng Yunze.

The saying “the unattainable is always most precious” held true not only for men but also for women.

“Do you remember me?” Yu Yijing finally caught up, slightly breathless, and blocked Sheng Yunze’s path.

At that moment, Jian Qiao, who had just finished her exam with her best friend in the adjacent building, turned the corner at the rooftop entrance and witnessed the scene. The usually composed goddess let out a rare, bewildered curse, “Holy shit?”

Her best friend gasped and nudged her arm. “Isn’t that the guy you almost dated?”

Jian Qiao casually replied, “He’s been demoted to my son-in-law now.”

Her friend instantly understood. “Since when did you become Duan Yi’s mother?”

They had been inseparable since elementary school, sharing everything. Her friend had learned about Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze’s relationship on the very day Jian Qiao’s heart broke.

Good grief, she thought. Hearing that news felt like being struck by lightning.

She had stammered repeatedly, “So, the guy who was chasing you ended up with the guy you were chasing? You became a real estate agent? What’s in it for you?”

Jian Qiao’s brow twitched. “I appreciate your concern. Can you just shut up already?”

“I’ve always seen myself as his mother,” Jian Qiao said. After a moment’s reflection, she sighed, “I wanted to find a father for my son, but who knew things would turn out like this?”

Her friend burst into laughter. “Your family dynamics are so complicated!”

She glanced at Sheng Yunze and stroked her chin. “Isn’t that Yu Yijing from the Second Division?”

Pretty girls always pay extra attention to other pretty girls. “She came in third in the school beauty contest last time,” Jian Qiao said. “Her vote count was really close to yours.”

Jian Qiao nodded. “I remember her. She organized a karaoke night when Lao Yu and I went out. I thought she had a boyfriend. Why is she chasing after Sheng Yunze now?”

“Maybe they’re in the same exam hall?” her best friend suggested.

Jian Qiao pulled out her phone. “I’m calling Duan Yi.”

From a distance, Yu Yijing and Sheng Yunze weren’t standing too close, but their presence was still noticeable. Yu Yijing chatted animatedly as they walked, making it look like they were together.

“I used to bring you milk tea all the time in first-year, but you never paid me any attention!” Yu Yijing laughed brightly, trying to lighten the mood. “Who would have thought we’d end up in the same exam hall? Maybe our fate isn’t over yet, haha!”

Sheng Yunze remained silent, ignoring her. But he finally remembered who she was.

He also recalled Duan Yi’s fierce threat, “That Bai Fumei who chased after you in first-year is in the same exam hall this time. If you dare say a single word to her, you’ll be kneeling on our family’s ancestral washboard!”

Sheng Yunze finally glanced at Yu Yijing, and in his eyes, the girl instantly transformed into a lively washboard.

Yu Yijing blushed. “Um, are you free tonight? How about we grab dinner together?”

Sheng Yunze remained silent.

Yu Yijing felt a pang of frustration. “Can’t you at least say something? You’re making this really awkward…”

Sheng Yunze continued walking calmly, his gaze fixed ahead, thinking: No way. Talking to you would mean kneeling on the washboard.

As they reached the rooftop entrance, Jian Qiao greeted him with a smile. “Secretary Sheng!”

Sheng Yunze hadn’t seen Jian Qiao in a while. He was about to give a perfunctory nod when she added, “I’m waiting here for Duan Yi. What about you—”

She deliberately looked at Yu Yijing before continuing with a smile, “—do you want to wait with me, or go find him yourself?”

Sheng Yunze observed her impassively. Jian Qiao met his gaze without flinching, thinking: When I was crazy about you, I treated you like gold. But now?

His gaze reminded her of a mother-in-law scrutinizing a prospective son-in-law. She used to find his aloofness cool, but now that she was playing the mother-in-law role, it seemed unacceptable. How can someone so cold and aloof possibly treat my daughter well?

Yu Yijing and Jian Qiao had met once before.

The two beautiful women nodded politely to each other. Jian Qiao, being more outgoing, offered Yu Yijing an out, “Sheng Yunze has some business to attend to. Why don’t you come back later?”

Yu Yijing refused to take the hint. “What kind of business? I’m free right now. I’ll wait with you.”

Jian Qiao stared at her, as if seeing a reflection of her younger self. Her toes curled in embarrassment as she turned away, covering her face. She grabbed her best friend and pressed her against her shoulder, peeking out with one eye to demand, “Was I really this clueless back then?”

Her friend swallowed hard. “Sis, it’s different. You’re way prettier than her.”

“Enough,” Jian Qiao said, her weathered gaze drifting into the distance. “Who doesn’t have a cringeworthy past from their reckless youth?”

Yu Yijing remained stubbornly rooted to the spot. Unable to talk to Sheng Yunze, she struck up a conversation with Jian Qiao instead.

Jian Qiao was a good conversationalist. Though not particularly eager to chat, she didn’t want to embarrass Yu Yijing. After all, their social circles from Second High School overlapped, and they were bound to run into each other again. It would be too awkward otherwise.

After an awkward conversation, Duan Yi arrived.

Sheng Yunze spotted him first, his expression softening noticeably.

Yu Yijing, who had been stealing glances at Sheng Yunze, was inwardly shocked by this sudden change in his demeanor.

Following his gaze, she saw Duan Yi and found him rather peculiar.

She remembered Duan Yi.

He was quite well-known at Second High School, having caused a major incident not long ago.

But the rich second-generation kid was always stirring up trouble, and the novelty of his antics wore off quickly. Within a month, everyone had forgotten about it.

Yu Yijing had only heard stories about Duan Yi before, never actually interacted with him.

She discreetly sized him up.

He wore a navy blue windbreaker zipped up to the top, transforming it into a high collar that concealed his slender neck.

Instead of the baggy school uniform pants, he sported loose-fitting jeans.

The cuffs were rolled up four times, revealing pale, delicate ankles above classic black-and-white sneakers.

He exuded youthful energy.

He’s quite handsome, Yu Yijing thought.

Unlike Sheng Yunze’s cold, aloof handsomeness, Duan Yi resembled the friendly boy next door, with chestnut-tinged hair and eyes that curved into crescent moons when he smiled.

Duan Yi stood beside Sheng Yunze, glanced at Yu Yijing, and then exchanged a knowing look with Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze changed the subject. “Are you hungry?”

“Not really,” Duan Yi replied. “The Old Class Teacher said we should return to the classroom after the exam. He asked me to inform you.”

“Back to the classroom?” Sheng Yunze asked.

“I’m not sure why. I still need to find Jiang Wangshu and the others. Just remember to head back yourself.”

He glanced at Yu Yijing, nodded, and squeezed out a curt “You two talk” through gritted teeth.

He’s jealous.

Though Duan Yi’s jealousy seemed utterly irrational, Sheng Yunze couldn’t help but feel a smug sense of satisfaction.

Jian Qiao asked, “When will your class meeting end? I’ve been waiting for you. It’s been ages since we ate together. Let’s invite Jiang Wangshu too.”

Duan Yi waved dismissively. “We’ll call each other later?”

“It probably won’t take long,” Sheng Yunze suggested. “Why don’t you just come sit in our classroom for a bit?”

Jian Qiao and Duan Yi had been classmates since their first year of high school, sharing the same class for both their first and second years.

In their third year, she diligently pursued Sheng Yunze, often sitting in Duan Yi’s classroom.

Back then, Duan Yi had a crush on her. She would frequently sit in his seat, fiddling with his belongings. Jiang Wangshu would tease her, making the time pass pleasantly.

During that period, the boys in Class One all had their eyes on her, except for Sheng Yunze.

Jian Qiao was more familiar with Class One than her own.

As Duan Yi tried to leave, Sheng Yunze stuck out his leg and tripped him.

Duan Yi stumbled. “Fuck!” he exclaimed, only to be grabbed by Sheng Yunze the next moment.

Duan Yi: ……

Sheng Yunze: “Ignoring me?”

Duan Yi: “No.”

Sheng Yunze gave a half-smile. “Oh.”

Feeling his face burn, Duan Yi turned and lunged at Sheng Yunze. “Stop laughing!”

Sheng Yunze instantly pinned both of Duan Yi’s hands. “I’m not laughing. Don’t get physical.”

Yu Yijing looked surprised and turned to Jian Qiao. “They… seem to get along really well.”

Jian Qiao replied meaningfully, “Yeah, they do.”

Yu Yijing asked softly, “Duan Yi… is he friends with Sheng Yunze?”

Jian Qiao replied, “They’re in the same class.”

Not just friends, but boyfriends.

She left the rest unsaid, giving Yu Yijing a knowing look and a pat on the shoulder before waving casually and walking away.

The Old Class Teacher had dismissed them to discuss the ice-skating trip. Now that the final exams were over, she was treating the class to a skating outing.

The students erupted in cheers, but the teacher, standing at the podium, warned, “You can bring friends, but absolutely no boyfriends or girlfriends! Understood?”

Of course, some students couldn’t make it. Xiaobudian, for example, had to rush home to catch her flight. Her parents had booked train tickets for that evening to return to their hometown for the Lunar New Year.

Still, a good number of students showed up. When they arrived at the ice rink, Duan Yi paused in surprise. Yu Yijing and her friends were already there, having apparently arrived early.

Seeing Sheng Yunze, she smiled faintly. “We meet again.”