What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 81

Chapter 81 – Hello, Sister-in-Law

Duan Yi was completely oblivious to the earth-shattering thing he had just done. After finishing vomiting (though he had only dry-heaved), he took a sip of water.

Sheng Yunze, standing beside him, grumbled with a hint of concern, “Did you eat too much?”

“It’s your fault for being so late,” Duan Yi retorted. “No one was here to keep me company, so I just kept eating. This is all your fault.”

He turned the blame back on Sheng Yunze, and as he spoke, he tried to lean against him playfully.

But the moment he saw Duan Ji Huai approaching, his mind snapped into focus. He straightened up, abandoning his playful antics.

Why was the atmosphere so heavy as Duan Ji Huai walked over?

Duan Yi wondered if he was imagining things. Why did the air around Duan Ji Huai seem to have turned black?

His gaze followed Duan Ji Huai’s, which landed on Sheng Xi, whom Duan Yi was holding.

“Xiaoduan Dad,” Duan Yi quickly introduced, “this is a child from my classmate’s relative’s family.”

Duan Ji Huai wasn’t foolish enough to believe this was Duan Yi’s own child. What concerned him more was the moment Duan Yi had vomited earlier.

If Duan Yi were still an Alpha, Duan Ji Huai wouldn’t be so worried.

Duan Yi was an Omega, and he had a boyfriend who was an Alpha. Who knew what kind of trouble they might have gotten into when Duan Ji Huai wasn’t around?

Duan Ji Huai’s teeth itched with anger. His gaze toward Sheng Yunze turned hostile, seeing him as a big bad wolf and his own son as a foolish rabbit. How could he be so naive? He’d probably be sold off one day and end up counting the money for his captor while still in their bed.

“Why are you standing so close? Are you cold?” Duan Ji Huai yanked Duan Yi away, putting a safe distance between him and Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze didn’t dare act out in front of his future father-in-law.

There was an instinctive awkwardness between a prospective son-in-law and his future father-in-law. Sheng Yunze felt a pang of anxiety, replaying his earlier actions in his mind. Did I upset Duan Ji Huai?

Duan Ji Huai glanced down at Sheng Xi, who was looking right back at him.

Sheng Xi grabbed Duan Ji Huai’s tie, wanting to call him “maternal grandfather.” But seeing Duan Yi’s “gentle” glare, he instead chirped in a clear, childish voice, “Hello, Uncle Duan!”

Duan Ji Huai: ……

So cute.

He nodded stiffly, averting his gaze.

His hand involuntarily reached out to stroke Sheng Xi’s head, who purred and nuzzled against his palm like a kitten.

Remembering Duan Yi’s earlier antics, Duan Ji Huai asked awkwardly, “Are you… feeling unwell anywhere?”

Duan Yi blinked stupidly. “Huh? No, I’m fine.”

He suddenly clutched his stomach. “Actually, my stomach feels a little off.”

Duan Ji Huai’s expression shattered instantly, as if struck by lightning.

Duan Yi, oblivious to his mistake, explained honestly, “I just feel a bit nauseous…”

In the past, Duan Ji Huai would have slapped him without hesitation.

Even now, his anger surged to its peak, his hand raised high.

Duan Yi’s eyes widened. “Holy shit! Dad’s about to hit me!”

That slap was going to land like a bomb, leaving his face bruised and swollen. Terrified, he cried out, “Dad! Dad! Public place! Save some face! Think of the image…”

He braced for the stinging slap, but it never came. Duan Ji Huai’s hand, which had been moving with such force, stopped abruptly a centimeter from Duan Yi’s face, then gently landed on his shoulder.

Duan Yi: ?

Duan Yi: ??

Duan Yi: ???

Holy shit, my dad… isn’t going to hit me?

Has the sun started rising in the west?

Or is this some new kind of punishment? A light touch after a heavy wind-up? Is he planning to use internal energy? Is this the legendary Bone-Melting Palm?!

Duan Ji Huai’s face cycled through a kaleidoscope of emotions.

After a long silence, his father’s voice, suddenly aged by a decade, squeezed out a single sentence, “You… eat more.”

Duan Yi: Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?

He stood there, utterly bewildered.

“How long has it been?” Duan Ji Huai asked.

Duan Yi’s mind raced: How long has what been? How long have I been eating?

“I… I don’t think it’s been very long…”

When exactly did he get taken advantage of…?

Sheng Yunze suddenly felt a chilling wave of murderous intent and straightened up warily.

What’s my father-in-law up to?

Xiaoduan Mom’s gaze darted between the three of them, unable to make sense of the situation.

Sheng Ming, the sweet-talking child, tugged on Xiaoduan Mom’s long, seaweed-like hair and spoke in a voice so adorable it instantly melted everyone’s hearts. He turned to Sheng Yunze and said, “Dad, I want to eat.”

Duan Yi’s skin crawled. “Who are you calling ‘Dad’?!”

Sheng Ming let out a startled “Oops!” and then clumsily corrected himself, “Brother, I want to eat.”

Duan Ji Huai’s expression darkened further. Duan Yi burst into nervous laughter. “Hahaha! This kid! He calls everyone ‘Dad’!”

“Liar!” Duan Ji Huai spat out the word.

Duan Yi nearly dropped to his knees to hug his father’s leg. “Come on, Xiaoduan Dad! Get your brain working! Do you really think I could have a kid this big? I’d have to have gotten pregnant when I was twelve!”

Duan Ji Huai was furious. Remembering the possibility of a real pregnancy, he nearly passed out from anger.

“You’re going to drive me to an early grave,” Duan Ji Huai muttered, slumping back in his chair and taking a long sip of iced water.

Duan Yi rubbed his nose and glanced at Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze was a little nervous meeting his “girlfriend’s” parents, so he hadn’t yet come up with a good excuse for his visit.

Xiaoduan Mom, who adored Sheng Yunze, noticed the slightly awkward atmosphere and quickly pulled him aside to pepper him with questions.

As they chatted, the conversation inevitably turned to academics. “Our Xiaoduan used to hate reading,” she said. “But since he’s been with you, he spends more time with books than video games!”

Duan Ji Huai, listening nearby, visibly relaxed.

“Xiaosheng, what were your final exam scores?” Xiaoduan Mom asked.

Sheng Yunze simply stated his score. Xiaoduan Mom blinked, likely unfamiliar with the maximum possible score on the National College Entrance Examination. Duan Yi, seizing the moment to brag about his boyfriend, chimed in, “He got full marks in math and the combined science section!”

Holy shit.

Xiaoduan Mom was stunned.

She was a beautiful, naive, and utterly clueless socialite, who had coasted through school thanks to her maternal grandfather’s donations to the university. Pampered by her family until seventeen, she then married Duan Ji Huai, who continued to spoil her. To this day, she remained a pampered heiress who knew next to nothing about the world.

Numbers meant little to her, but the words “full marks” resonated clearly.

“That’s incredible!” Xiaoduan Mom exclaimed, genuinely impressed by Sheng Yunze’s academic prowess.

Duan Yi’s nose visibly lengthened as he modestly said, “He’s always done well. His grades are even better than Jiang Wangshu’s!”

Duan Ji Huai glared at his son’s spineless behavior, already siding with an outsider before even getting married. “What are you so proud of? Did you take that test?”

Duan Yi immediately quieted down under his father’s rebuke.

Duan Ji Huai looked approvingly at Sheng Yunze and patted his shoulder. “Xiaosheng, you’ve done very well indeed.”

Sheng Yunze carefully considered his words before replying, “You flatter me, Uncle.”

Sheng Ming let go of Xiaoduan Mom’s hand and clung to Duan Yi’s leg. “Brother, I want fishy!”

Duan Yi knew he meant the salmon, but he didn’t want Sheng Ming to overeat. He picked him up and gently rubbed his little tummy. “No more than this. Too much will upset your tummy, okay?”

Duan Ji Huai glanced at Duan Yi in surprise, but Duan Yi didn’t notice. He scooped a bowl of well-cooked seafood porridge for Sheng Ming, tasted it to make sure it wasn’t too hot, and then fed it to the boy.

Sheng Ming didn’t hesitate at all, gulping it down in one big “nom!”

Even Xiaoduan Mom looked a little surprised.

Five-year-olds are already quite perceptive.

Children are very particular about who feeds them, especially when it’s such an intimate act as being fed.

As a child, Duan Yi was notoriously picky about who fed him. He wouldn’t take a single bite from anyone but Xiaoduan Mom.

Now, they were sharing a spoon. Duan Ji Huai knew his son well enough to understand that while Duan Yi wasn’t a germaphobe, he wasn’t particularly fond of children either.

Two years ago, when a young cousin came to visit, Duan Yi had disdainfully hopped from the first floor to the third, slammed the door shut with a click, and refused to come down to entertain her.

The way Duan Yi tasted the food before feeding Sheng Ming showed he’d done this countless times before, with a practiced ease that was almost unsettling.

He looks like he’s been someone’s mother before, Duan Ji Huai thought, his mind racing. Am I overthinking this?

Duan Yi was only seventeen. Where would he have learned to act like a parent?

After wiping Sheng Ming’s mouth, Duan Yi looked up and caught Duan Ji Huai staring at him with an even stranger expression.

“Old Duan, your eyes are so weird! Stop looking at me like that!”

Duan Ji Huai said nothing, averting his gaze. After a moment, he looked back. “By the way…”

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Duan Yi leaned over to see a crowd of reporters rushing toward the door. Sensing what was coming, he watched Duan Ji Huai rise to his feet.

Duan Yi blurted out, “Is that Qin Shu?”

Duan Ji Huai nodded. “Come with me.”

This isn’t a good idea, Duan Yi thought. I’d rather stay here with Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze glanced at him coolly. “Who are you meeting?”

“You’ve probably heard of him,” Duan Yi replied. “He goes to First High School. He’s a friend I met during the academic proficiency test. We saw each other at the last sports meet too.”

He had been meaning to ask Qin Shu about something.

Sheng Yunze, of course, knew Qin Shu. His father seemed to know Lu Tong. Just as he was about to speak to Duan Yi, Sheng Yunze’s phone vibrated.

Like Duan Yi, he had casually stuffed his phone into his pocket. The message was from his father, asking where he was and telling him to come back to meet someone.

Duan Yi considerately said, “You should head back first. I’ll keep an eye on Sheng Ming and the others. See you later. I’ll text you.”

Sheng Yunze nodded.

Duan Ji Huai greeted Qin Chu at the door with a few polite words before heading upstairs.

Duan Yi obediently followed his father. When he saw Qin Shu, he waved hello. He was itching to ask Qin Shu whether that talk about transmigrating was actually possible.

With so many people around, Duan Yi couldn’t speak freely. Only after Duan Ji Huai and Qin Chu went upstairs did he finally get a chance to ask Qin Shu, “Hey, Qin Fifteen, do you still have that transmigrate thing you gave me last time?”

Qin Shu’s handsome face, inherited from his famous actress mother, immediately drew the attention of several girls. “It works! Do you want it?”

Duan Yi nervously rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been experiencing some unbelievable metaphysical events lately. Let me tell you…”

Before he could explain, the parents’ conversation shifted to the children’s academic performance.

Duan Yi noticed a young man entering the upstairs study. He recognized Lu Tong, a movie star he’d often watched as a child.

Lu Tong glanced at Qin Shu, who quickly blurted out, “I completely messed up the final exam this time! Ask Duan Yi—he probably didn’t do well either!”

Duan Yi let out a smug “heh” and, feigning humility, said, “Old Duan, why don’t you tell them what I scored?”

His boasting went too far. Duan Ji Huai promptly gave him a beating. Duan Yi clutched his head, tears blurring his vision.

Qin Shu was stunned by Duan Yi’s score. “Did you eat some brain-boosting pills? If you had something that good, why didn’t you give me one?”

“Eat your sister…” Duan Yi rubbed his head. “I earned this through hard work!”

Qin Shu retorted, “Did you earn it or copy it?”

Qin Chu chimed in, “You think everyone’s like you?”

Qin Shu’s handsome face twisted into a scowl. “I didn’t cheat this time! And how dare you accuse me? You copied plenty in high school! Even if you doubled your scores, they wouldn’t be as high as my mom’s!”

Lu Tong cleared his throat awkwardly.

Qin Chu immediately clamped his hand over Lu Tong’s mouth. Duan Yi saw Lu Tong pinch the bridge of his nose in exasperation. Duan Ji Huai quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Lu Tong mentioned Professor Sheng would be here. Why haven’t we seen him?”

Duan Yi frowned. “Professor Sheng? Who’s that?”

Despite sharing the same surname, Duan Yi and Duan Ji Huai genuinely didn’t think he was related to Sheng Yunze. There were plenty of people named Sheng in Beijing. Besides, Duan Yi remembered Sheng Yunze’s father being a research scientist—he’d have to be a PhD, right? This “professor” sounded more like a university lecturer.

It definitely wasn’t the same person.

Duan Ji Huai still harbored some doubts and asked Duan Yi, “Could it be…?”

Duan Yi immediately dismissed the idea. “Impossible. What are the chances of that? Sheng Yunze’s father isn’t a teacher.”

Duan Ji Huai breathed a sigh of relief. Then Qin Chu spoke up, “Doesn’t their family have a daughter? She’s been studying in Britain and just returned.”

A daughter, a daughter.

Duan Ji Huai breathed another sigh of relief. Thank goodness.

Qin Chu mentioned briefly that Professor Sheng’s child was academically outstanding and had never caused her parents any worry.

His words carried an implicit criticism of Qin Shu, who argued with his father without hesitation. Duan Yi watched with bated breath, fearing the two would start bickering right there in the study.

He found it strange that Qin Shu and his father didn’t seem like father and son, but rather like peers.

But the thought was too unsettling, and Duan Yi quickly pushed it from his mind.

Duan Ji Huai listened with satisfaction. Turning to Duan Yi, he couldn’t help but offer a word of advice, “You should interact more with these outstanding young people. Do you understand?”

Duan Yi Boss grumbled, “Isn’t Sheng Yunze good enough?”

Duan Ji Huai’s eyebrow twitched. “I meant maintaining normal interactions. What kind of ‘interactions’ were you having with him? That was an early romance!”

“Then you go interact with him,” Duan Yi retorted. “I’m not doing it.”

“You think you’re so reasonable,” Duan Ji Huai scoffed. “Wait until Professor Sheng’s daughter arrives. When someone that accomplished is standing right in front of you, you won’t know where to look.”

“Whose face would I be losing? Yours, not mine!” Duan Yi shot back.

Seeing Duan Ji Huai’s darkening expression, Duan Yi quickly backtracked. “That’s exactly why I need to step up! I can’t let down my brilliant and mighty father’s reputation! I’ll have a serious, thorough, and in-depth conversation with Professor Sheng’s daughter later! Okay!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Professor Sheng arrived.

With him was his daughter. Duan Ji Huai took a sip of tea and studied her, finding her increasingly familiar.

Professor Sheng warmly shook hands with Lu Tong first, then Qin Chu. Turning to Duan Ji Huai, Lu Tong introduced, “This is President Duan, whom I mentioned earlier.”

Next, he pointed to Duan Yi. “This is President Duan’s youngest son…”

Duan Yi was stunned.

Professor Sheng looked at Duan Yi, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

Duan Ji Huai nudged Duan Yi. “Why are you standing there like an idiot? Greet him!”

As if struck by lightning, Duan Yi stammered, “U-Uncle Sheng…”

Lu Tong found Duan Yi’s behavior odd, but he still introduced him to Duan Ji Huai. “Professor Sheng, I mentioned him before.”

Duan Ji Huai shook hands with Professor Sheng. Lu Tong then introduced Professor Sheng’s daughter. “This is Xiaoxi.”

Sheng Yunxi beamed at Duan Ji Huai, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Uncle Duan! It’s an honor to finally meet you!”

An honor…?

Why did she act as if she’d known his name for ages?

Duan Ji Huai was taken aback by the girl’s warmth. The more he looked at her face, the more familiar she seemed. As he shook her hand, a growing unease settled in his chest.

Lu Tong was about to introduce Duan Yi to Sheng Yunxi when she cut him off. “No need. I know him.”

Before Duan Ji Huai’s eyes—

Sheng Yunxi eagerly grasped Duan Yi’s hands, shaking them vigorously up and down. “Hello, sister-in-law! It’s so good to see you again!”

Duan Ji Huai: ……

Duan Ji Huai: ???

Duan Ji Huai: !!!

Sheng Yunxi looked puzzled. “Didn’t my brother come to see you? Why didn’t you come together?”

Duan Ji Huai finally realized why Sheng Yunxi looked so familiar.

Holy shit—holy shit—

He asked, “Who’s your brother?”

Sheng Yunxi looked surprised. “Sheng Yunze, Uncle Duan! Didn’t you just meet him?”

Bingo!

Sheng Yunxi looked familiar because she was practically a female version of Sheng Yunze!

Duan Ji Huai fell silent for a moment, then forced two words through gritted teeth, “Duan… Yi!”

Duan Yi’s inner monologue: Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

On the surface, he nervously rambled, “Dad! You said it yourself! You told me to ‘interact more with outstanding young people’! Am I interacting enthusiastically enough? Is it exciting enough? Bet you didn’t expect this, huh? Hahaha! I didn’t either!”

Duan Ji Huai lowered his voice, his jaw clenched. “Did I tell you to ‘interact’ with someone in bed?”

Duan Yi: dumbfounded.jpg

Qin Shu, watching the drama unfold with glee, chimed in, “Exchange? What kind of exchange? Oh, oh, oh, you should definitely have an exchange! The relationship between sisters-in-law has always been crucial! Right, Dad? What do you think?”

Duan Yi: =口= You little bastard! Stop fanning the flames from the sidelines!

Professor Sheng chuckled. “President Duan, I never imagined our connection ran so deep.”

Duan Ji Huai couldn’t afford to lose face, though he felt utterly helpless. “You must find this quite amusing.”

Professor Sheng, still in a playful mood, joked, “Then I suppose I don’t need to introduce my son, do I?”

Duan Ji Huai: “……No, you don’t.”

Not only don’t you need to introduce your son, but I could even introduce you to your grandson—who’s currently growing inside my son’s womb.

Duan Ji Huai felt the world was beyond saving.

Another knock sounded on the study door. Sheng Yunze arrived fashionably late, pushing it open. “Dad?”

His eyes immediately fell upon Duan Yi, who was pretending to be dead on the spot.

Sheng Yunze: ……

Professor Sheng, still in a teasing mood, asked, “Who are you calling ‘Dad’?”

Duan Ji Huai’s pupils dilated in shock: !

Author’s Note:

Xiaoduan Dad: This world is beyond saving. Lights a cigarette.jpg