What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 72

Chapter 72 – The Battlefield 2

Jiang Wangshu, never one to let a good drama pass him by, stroked his chin and clicked his tongue. “Ooh, that ‘again’ is quite interesting. Secretary Sheng, did you two meet earlier?”

Duan Yi snorted, answering for Sheng Yunze. “They were in the same exam hall. Talk about fate!”

Sheng Yunze glanced at him. “He’s talking to you. Why aren’t you responding?”

“You remind me of…” Sheng Yunze drawled, “…the kind of girlfriend who’d burst into tears and throw a tantrum the moment I spoke to her.”

Duan Yi bared his teeth. “Who’s your girlfriend? Look at us! You’re clearly the more feminine one. You be my girlfriend!”

Sheng Yunze nodded dismissively. “I’ll be your girlfriend…”

Duan Yi bristled. “You’re not even trying!”

Hao Shanshan had already gotten her card, which she wore like a wristwatch. She needed to swipe it to enter the skating rink.

The card was also used for renting skates and wrist guards, as well as buying snacks inside.

“What are you standing around for? We’ll lose our spots if we wait!” Hao Shanshan exclaimed excitedly as she approached. Noticing the tense atmosphere and Yu Yijing, she let out an “Oh—” of realization. “So you know each other!”

Yu Yijing had come with her friend. After failing to strike up a conversation with Sheng Yunze, she turned her attention to Duan Yi. “Have you been here before?”

Yu Yijing’s friend chimed in smoothly, “This ice rink belongs to Yijing’s brother. You can skate for free today.”

The implication was clear: if they wanted to skate here today, they would need to be on Yu Yijing’s good side.

This attempt at flexing gets a zero out of ten, Duan Yi thought.

Before he could respond, Jiang Wangshu feigned surprise with exaggerated theatrics. “What a coincidence!”

“Huh?” Yu Yijing’s friend blinked.

Jiang Wangshu sighed dramatically. “This entire shopping center is owned by the Duan family. If Xiaoduan’s brother ever wants to open another ice rink, you can skate there for free too.”

Yu Yijing’s face flushed slightly. Though her friend had initiated the boast, having it turned back on them so bluntly was still embarrassing.

She glanced at Duan Yi in surprise. She knew his family was wealthy, but she hadn’t realized just how wealthy.

“Oh, I see…” Yu Yijing started to offer, “Let me treat you to milk tea.”

But the awkwardness lingered. Offering milk tea now would seem like another attempt to show off, and it wouldn’t measure up to Duan Yi’s family’s wealth.

Jiang Wangshu, being kind, offered Yu Yijing an out, “Why don’t we go inside?”

He simply couldn’t stand seeing others take advantage of Duan Yi, but he didn’t want to embarrass the girl.

Yu Yijing, feeling a little awkward, nodded. “Okay…”

Before entering, Jiang Wangshu bought a cup of milk tea and handed it to Yu Yijing as an apology. “This is for you.”

He was quite handsome, and Yu Yijing was startled by his gesture, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Jiang Wangshu jangled his key card, winked, and smiled. “I can’t just freeload off your brother, right? I’ll trade you this milk tea. It’s not much, but it’s the thought that counts.”

Yu Yijing gratefully accepted the olive branch. “Alright, but one cup isn’t enough. You’ll have to treat all my friends too.”

This guy has incredible emotional intelligence, she thought.

The result was everyone getting a cup of milk tea.

Duan Yi gulped his down while Sheng Yunze, having finished putting on his roller skates, was helping Duan Yi with his protective gear.

Sheng Yunze didn’t drink his milk tea. After finishing his own, Duan Yi eyed Sheng Yunze’s cup longingly.

But he was too embarrassed to ask his boyfriend directly. He could already imagine the consequences: Sheng Yunze would definitely call him a pig!

“Ahem, ahem.” Duan Yi cleared his throat dramatically before speaking.

He closed his eyes, then opened one, “You’re not drinking your milk tea?”

Sheng Yunze: “Too sweet. I don’t want it.”

Duan Yi huffed indignantly. “Exactly! It’s way too sweet! Mine was ridiculously sweet too. What was Jiang Wangshu thinking when he bought these?”

He picked up Sheng Yunze’s milk tea and pretended to examine it. “Huh, I don’t think I’ve ever tried this flavor before.”

Sheng Yunze didn’t bother calling him out. Duan Yi’s eyes sparkled. “Want me to open it for you?”

“Go ahead.” Sheng Yunze finished securing Duan Yi’s last knee brace. Duan Yi poked the straw into the lid and set the cup back on the table.

Sheng Yunze raised an eyebrow, surprised Duan Yi hadn’t immediately put the straw in his mouth.

After a moment’s hesitation, Duan Yi picked up the milk tea again. “Want a sip?”

Sheng Yunze: “It’s too hot. I don’t want it.”

Duan Yi: “It’s not that hot…”

He finally revealed his true motive, “I’ll take a sip to check the temperature for you!”

Sheng Yunze chuckled. “Go ahead.”

Duan Yi took a sip through the straw. Sheng Yunze watched calmly. “Too hot?”

“Not really…” Duan Yi sounded a little guilty.

Sheng Yunze: “Let me try.”

Duan Yi handed Sheng Yunze the straw he had just flattened with his teeth.

Sheng Yunze took it, just as Yu Yijing, who had come looking for him, arrived. She stopped in her tracks and gave Duan Yi a strange look.

…Even close male friends don’t usually do this, right?

Is it normal to share a straw?

Yu Yijing racked her brain, recalling how the boys in her class shared water bottles after basketball games. She tried to reassure herself.

“Are you guys still not ready?” Yu Yijing asked.

Duan Yi turned to look at her, inwardly speechless but also admiring her persistence. “We’ll be right there,” he said, wanting to save her face.

Sheng Yunze, who had been kneeling to put Duan Yi’s knee pads on for convenience, stood up. Only then did Yu Yijing realize how odd the scene had been.

…This is too weird.

A woman’s intuition told her things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

What kind of guy takes care of another guy like that?

Sheng Yunze barely acknowledged her, hardly even glancing her way.

Sheng Yunze operated by his own set of rules, rarely following conventional social norms.

One of his defining traits was his aversion to engaging with others.

He possessed an almost supernatural talent for ignoring people. When he didn’t want to speak, he simply wouldn’t.

Even when someone tried to strike up a conversation with him, he remained utterly unmoved, completely immersed in his own world.

He never felt awkward; instead, it was the person trying to talk to him who ended up feeling embarrassed.

Just like now.

Yu Yijing had been desperately trying to find a topic to chat with Sheng Yunze about, but he was completely ignoring her.

Duan Yi couldn’t bear to watch any longer, feeling embarrassed on her behalf.

Defeated, Yu Yijing retreated to the ice rink and skated straight to her friend.

“So? So?” her friend gossiped.

“Don’t even ask,” Yu Yijing groaned. “It was mortifying. He didn’t acknowledge me at all.”

“Holy crap…” her friend exclaimed. “Is Sheng Yunze toxic or something? Ignoring a beautiful girl who’s trying to talk to him? That guy’s definitely going to die alone.”

Yu Yijing sighed helplessly. “How can he just ignore every single thing I say? It’s like I’m a ghost standing right next to him. It’s so unfair!”

After a moment’s thought, Yu Yijing added, “He’s only nice to Duan Yi.”

Her friend asked, “Duan Yi… that friend of his?”

Yu Yijing frowned. “I don’t think they’re just friends. Sheng Yunze was sharing a straw with him earlier, and he even helped him put on his knee pads. Does Duan Yi not have hands or something?”

By the end of her sentence, Yu Yijing was visibly annoyed.

Sheng Yunze treated her with aloof arrogance, yet he was all tenderness and care toward Duan Yi.

What the hell is that?

Even Sichuan opera’s face-changing masks aren’t this drastic!

Why hasn’t anyone cast him in Transformers yet?

Her friend hesitated. “Sharing a straw is understandable, but helping him put on knee pads…”

That was a bit odd.

Even the closest male friends wouldn’t go that far, especially since Duan Yi is an Alpha, not an Omega.

Her friend suggested, “Why don’t you ask someone from their class about it?”

Yu Yijing huffed and took a large sip of her milk tea. “Who am I supposed to ask? I don’t know anyone in their class!”

Her friend wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “That handsome guy who bought you the milk tea earlier—Jiang Wangshu, I think his name was—I think he’s got a thing for you!”

Yu Yijing glanced around the ice rink. Jiang Wangshu stood with his arms crossed, mercilessly mocking another girl who clung to the railing, shivering.

Her friend nudged her. “Honestly, I think he’s pretty cute too. Why are you so fixated on Sheng Yunze?”

Yu Yijing scoffed, “You wouldn’t understand!”

She skated over to Jiang Wangshu, but he suddenly glided toward the exit. Yu Yijing followed his gaze and saw another handsome guy standing in the doorway.

Jiang Wangshu greeted him, “What brings you here?”

Nan Yi rolled his eyes. “If you can come, why can’t I?”

Jiang Wangshu chuckled. “Here to watch Duan Yi?” He gestured toward Duan Yi, who was clinging to the railing, wailing and refusing to move an inch—or, if he did move, clinging desperately to Sheng Yunze’s waist. “Or maybe you’re here for the pairs figure skating?”

Nan Yi tilted his head slightly. “Who’s that woman?”

He was referring to Yu Yijing.

Jiang Wangshu finally sensed something was off. “Why are you asking about her?”

“I saw on the forum,” Nan Yi replied. “They’re saying she’s Sheng Yunze’s backup plan.”

“Can you put it more tactfully?” Jiang Wangshu protested. “What’s with this ‘backup plan’ nonsense? Are you Duan Yi’s backup plan too?”

Nan Yi’s thin lips curled into a smirk. “Ex-boyfriend, thank you.”

Jiang Wangshu opened the door for him. “What’s an ex-boyfriend doing here causing trouble?”

Just then, Jian Qiao skated over to them, her skills impressive as she glided backward to a stop in front of them.

“What are you doing here too?” Jiang Wangshu asked, his tone a bit forced. He gave Jian Qiao an appraising look.

Nan Yi glanced at her dismissively. “Can’t I be here, old hag?”

Jian Qiao bristled. “Who are you calling an old hag, you little brat?!”

“Heh,” Nan Yi chuckled. “The more you furrow your brow, the faster you’ll age.”

Jian Qiao hastily smoothed her forehead, glaring daggers at Nan Yi.

Jiang Wangshu tried to mediate. “Alright, alright, you’re both heartbroken. You’re practically family now. Big brother shouldn’t look down on little brother. Since we’re all here, let’s just have some fun, okay?”

Across the rink, Duan Yi gritted his teeth. “Either I’ll triumph here today, or I’ll never let you go, even if I die trying!”

Sheng Yunze: ……

“Do you really find this enjoyable?”

Duan Yi blinked. “I think it’s pretty fun.”

Duan Yi clung tightly to Sheng Yunze’s waist, his legs wobbling so violently that he nearly dragged Sheng Yunze down with him.

Duan Yi’s sense of balance was as terrible as his mother’s. Ever since the car accident, it had only gotten worse—perhaps from hitting his head during the crash.

For him, ice skating was harder than climbing Mount Everest.

“I told you I didn’t want to come!” Duan Yi grumbled.

Sheng Yunze lifted him up, intending to push Duan Yi away so he could hold onto the railing and shuffle along on his own.

Just then, Nan Yi’s voice rang out, “Duan Yi!”

Duan Yi blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Sheng Yunze: …

“Holy shit!” Duan Yi blurted out, startled.

Sheng Yunze suddenly pulled him close, abandoning his earlier disdain. He held Duan Yi tightly, his face like frost as he glared at Nan Yi.

It was as if he were staking his claim.

Nan Yi ignored Sheng Yunze’s glare, leaning against the railing and addressing Duan Yi directly, “Why didn’t you call me?”

Duan Yi felt trapped between a rock and a hard place.

“Why would he call you?” Sheng Yunze snapped.

“Did I ask you? I’m talking to Duan Yi,” Nan Yi retorted.

Sheng Yunze’s talent for arguing was formidable. “Does he want to answer you?”

“Who made you the boss of Duan Yi’s social life?” Nan Yi scoffed. “Even a boyfriend shouldn’t be this controlling. Are you trying to police his friendships?”

Nan Yi’s ruthlessness lay precisely in this.

This was precisely what Sheng Yunze hated most about Duan Yi.

Beyond their past romantic relationship, Duan Yi was, more importantly, Sheng Yunze’s childhood friend.

Sheng Yunze understood Duan Yi well. He knew Duan Yi wouldn’t sever ties with someone completely just because of a failed relationship.

Even if Sheng Yunze was confident their bond would last forever, he couldn’t imagine Duan Yi completely cutting him off, even if they were to break up.

Duan Yi was just like that: what people call “soft-hearted.”

Jiang Wangshu stopped Jian Qiao from rushing over to watch the drama, saying gravely, “Sis, sometimes watching the show can get you killed.”

Jian Qiao was practically bouncing with excitement. “I’ve never seen Sheng Yunze get his comeuppance before! Look at his face—he looks like he swallowed a fly! Hahaha!”

Jiang Wangshu sighed inwardly. Once a woman stops liking you, she can become truly ruthless.

He asked, “Did you call Nan Yi here?”

Jian Qiao feigned ignorance. “What? I don’t know anything about that! Secretary Sheng can have his admirers, but Xiaoduan isn’t allowed to rekindle old flames? As his mother, I can’t stand by and watch. Can you, as a mother, honestly say you’d let this slide?”

Jiang Wangshu: …I can’t win this argument.

Yu Yijing approached Jiang Wangshu. “Was that your friend who just left?”

Jiang Wangshu casually replied, “Duan Yi’s ex-boyfriend.”

Yu Yijing froze, as if struggling to believe what she’d heard. Her voice rose slightly. “F-former boyfriend? Duan Yi is an Omega?”

Jiang Wangshu turned his head and lied, “No, they were in an Alpha-Alpha relationship.”

Suddenly, a connection formed in Yu Yijing’s mind. Remembering Sheng Yunze’s behavior toward Duan Yi, she paled and asked, “What about Sheng Yunze… and Duan Yi?”

Jiang Wangshu smiled. “What do you think?”

He chuckled. “If you go upstairs to find Sheng Yunze now, the four of you could play mahjong together.”