What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 91

Chapter 91 – Going Public

Duan Yi shoved Sheng Yunze away, his mind screaming, “Holy shit!”

To his left, Hao Shanshan’s water cup clattered to the floor and rolled to Pingtou’s feet.

Pingtou, usually the first to pick up anything Hao Shanshan dropped, now stood frozen like he’d been struck by lightning, his body twisted in a bizarre homework-copying pose as he stared at Sheng Yunze in shock.

To his right, Jiang Wangshu turned away, unable to bear the sight, his face conveying a clear message: “You’re on your own. Old He’s gonna skin you alive.”

Xiaobang and Bookworm stood rooted to the spot, their eyes darting between Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze in horrified disbelief.

The rest of the class wore similar expressions.

They’d always joked about the Class President marrying the League Branch Secretary, but no one had actually expected to witness such a scene tonight.

And the worst part? Old He was still standing at the door!

“Duan Yi!!” Old He’s furious roar snapped everyone out of their stupor.

But amidst the rising clamor of the crowd, his voice barely carried above the din.

The students from the neighboring class, eager for excitement, rushed into the corridor, creating a chaotic spectacle. Sheng Yunze’s sudden outburst completely shattered the evening’s quiet study session, turning it into a frenzy.

Old He, wedged between the gawking students, summoned every ounce of his authority, his brow furrowed as he roared, “Where are the homeroom teachers?! Where are your homeroom teachers?! Get these students back to their classrooms immediately!”

His bellow finally brought the homeroom teachers hurrying over, herding their students back to their respective classrooms like sheep.

Only then did Duan Yi have a chance to confront Sheng Yunze. “Holy shit! Are you crazy?!”

Thinking Sheng Yunze might have a fever, Duan Yi quickly pressed his hand to his forehead, then pressed his ear against Sheng Yunze’s chest to listen to his heartbeat.

His temperature was normal, but his heart was racing abnormally fast.

Then it dawned on Duan Yi.

No shit! Pulling off something this earth-shattering right in front of Old He? Of course his heart would be pounding!

Damn, the school beauty lives up to his name!

Duan Yi felt like his own high school diploma was about to fly out the window too!

“What the hell were you thinking—”

Duan Yi started to complain, but before he could finish, Sheng Yunze hugged him tightly again.

He was actually a little embarrassed. Sheng Yunze was standing in the corridor while he was inside the classroom, separated by a low tiled wall. Sheng Yunze’s forceful hugs were pressing uncomfortably against his lower body.

Duan Yi had wanted to say something heartfelt, starting with an apology for the cold war between them. He shouldn’t have given Sheng Yunze the silent treatment…

If he had known that a single afternoon of the cold war would lead Sheng Yunze to write such a long confession about something so significant, Duan Yi would never have given him the silent treatment in the first place.

Then Duan Yi heard Old He’s footsteps approaching. Turning his head, he could clearly see the dark aura swirling behind Old He.

Duan Yi: =口=!

He frantically patted Sheng Yunze’s back, trying to rouse his remaining rationality. “Wait, wait! Brother! Brother! Old He’s coming! Old He’s coming!”

Watching Old He draw closer and Sheng Yunze clinging to him like a vise, Duan Yi’s mind went completely blank. In that void, his instincts kicked in, and he made a swift decision.

Duan Yi’s expression suddenly shifted, becoming serious and earnest. He patted Sheng Yunze’s back with a slightly heavy tone, speaking in a voice just loud enough for Old He to hear, “Xiaosheng, if you didn’t do well this time, there’s always next time! Life isn’t about failures, it’s about not giving yourself a chance because you worry too much! Actually, doing poorly on the final exam isn’t as terrible as it seems. Adjust your mindset, and you’ll be fine!”

He then turned to Old He with righteous indignation, “Principal He, here’s what happened. Our classmate—right, Sheng Yunze, you know him, an old friend, no need for introductions—didn’t perform well on the final exam and bombed it. I’m just comforting him.”

Old He: ……

Duan Yi forced himself to continue, “See? Third-year students are under so much pressure, he even cried! I keep telling everyone to relax a bit. The National College Entrance Examination isn’t the only path forward, right, Xiaosheng?”

Sheng Yunze slowly pulled away, and Duan Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

After a moment, Old He squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth, “You’re comforting him with your mouth?”

He was referring to the kiss they had shared at the classroom door earlier.

This was utterly outrageous! Kissing on sacred school grounds, right in front of Headmaster Old He from the Political Education Office—it was like running a car wheel over Old He’s dignity, crushing it into dust!

Duan Yi feigned innocence with remarkable skill. “Huh?”

He looked earnestly at Old He. “Yes, of course I’d comfort him with my mouth! Isn’t that what this mouth is for—to talk?”

Old He erupted in fury. “You!”

He pointed at Sheng Yunze, wishing he possessed the One-Finger Zen technique to simply erase them both. “And you!”

He roared, “Both of you, get to the Political Education Office immediately!”

Third Year Class 1 fell silent, twenty-odd pairs of eyes fixed on Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze.

The shop owner hurried over in her high heels, her face paling at the scene. “What happened? Did you two get into a fight?”

Jiang Wangshu: “Old Class Teacher…”

The Old Class Teacher pressed urgently, “What’s wrong with Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze? Did they fight? Aren’t they usually close? What’s going on?”

Jiang Wangshu: “Old Class Teacher, calm down. It was a fight, but not the kind you’re thinking of.”

After a pause, he added, “It was a fairy fight.”

Second floor of the East Building: Political Education Office.

With a thud, Old He slammed the notebook onto the desk, still seething. He gulped down a full mug of tea, but it did little to calm him.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the Library Building—the one donated by Xiaoduan Dad.

But this time, the situation was too grave. Even the sight of the Library Building couldn’t soothe his anger. He turned, his brow furrowed tightly, and sat down heavily on a chair. “Who wants to speak first?”

Duan Yi, ever the sycophant, blinked innocently. “Teacher He…”

“Shut up,” Old He snapped. “Sheng Yunze, you speak.”

Sheng Yunze seemed to have just landed back on solid ground from a dreamlike haze. The moment he saw Duan Yi, he felt like he had come back to life.

Old He glanced at Sheng Yunze—or rather, didn’t glance at him at all. His eyes were practically glued to Duan Yi’s face, as if they couldn’t be pried loose.

The situation was crystal clear.

“Sheng Yunze,” Old He began, “I can understand Duan Yi acting foolishly, but why did you join him in this nonsense?”

He paused, speechless. “Can you at least turn your face and look at me? Do you even remember how to write ‘respect your elders’ anymore?”

Sheng Yunze turned to look at Old He, his heart overflowing with emotion.

To Old He, it had only been a winter break since he last saw Sheng Yunze.

But for Sheng Yunze, years of memories flooded back, scene after scene tumbling through his mind.

Seeing the Political Education Office of Second High School, Old He, and the familiar Library Building felt like stepping into another world.

The preciousness of youth lies in the fact that when we’re living it, we don’t realize how precious it is.

It’s a beautiful, dreamlike fantasy every adult longs for, but Sheng Yunze had made that dream a reality.

Awakening from this grand dream, he found himself still in his prime, surrounded by his high school classmates, stacks of messy study materials, the Homeroom Teacher’s furious roars, half-eaten snacks hidden under desks, girls’ compact mirrors tucked inside their compulsory textbook, complaints about the cafeteria’s “foot-pressed rice noodles” and “wok-fried watermelon,” the Dormitory Auntie forever buying groceries, the Gatekeeper Uncle always picking up his grandson, and the married couple-like faces of the Cafeteria Auntie and Security Guard Uncle…

He desperately wished he could wake up and find himself free from the sterile white hospital, free from the endless, thankless work, forever young and reckless, forever believing he was the coolest person in the world, forever brimming with boundless fantasies about his future…

And, of course, the seventeen-year-old boy he’d dreamed of countless times…

—In his dreams, the seventeen-year-old stood ethereally beneath a cherry blossom tree, the wind creating a scene straight out of a movie—

But reality was reality, and memories were memories. Memories always romanticized the past, painting Duan Yi with ten layers of “beautiful youth” filters.

Not the disheveled, seventeen-year-old boy currently jumping and howling under Old He’s textbook beatings—his dorky boyfriend.

Dorky as he was, he was undeniably vibrant.

“Teacher He, I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! Stop hitting me! Stop! If you hit me again, I’ll be dead!”

“Early romance, huh? Huh? Early, early, early, early romance!” Old He punctuated each “early” with a rhythmic whack on Duan Yi’s back.

Duan Yi covered his head and scurried away, then darted behind Sheng Yunze in a flash.

Old He was itching to beat Duan Yi senseless, hoping it would teach him a lesson he’d never forget.

The door to the Political Education Office was closed.

A moment later, Old Xiao, the principal of Second High School, walked in.

Duan Yi, slightly intimidated by her, immediately straightened up into a rigid military stance.

Old He began, “Principal…”

Old Xiao cut him off. “You don’t need to explain. Teacher Qiu already told me everything. Has Zhao Lai arrived yet?”

Zhao Lai was the homeroom teacher for Duan Yi’s class.

Old He replied, “He’s in class calming the students. I’ll call him now, and he’ll be here shortly.”

As he turned to leave, Old Xiao reminded him, “Teacher He, take these two students to the office next door first. Leader Wang from the Municipal Education Bureau will be using your office later to give a motivational speech to our third-year students…”

Duan Yi glanced surreptitiously at Old He’s Political Education Office and thought, No wonder it’s so clean today.

The walls had been freshly painted, the room was spotless, and there were even fresh flowers arranged, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance.

Duan Yi vaguely remembered Leader Wang’s upcoming speech at Second High School; Old Zhao had sent them a text message about it during winter break.

This was a long-standing tradition at Second High School. Before each year’s Senior Class Rally, the Principal would invite distinguished alumni to return and give speeches.

Leader Wang from the Municipal Education Bureau was one such distinguished alumnus.

Old Xiao glanced at the two students: Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze.

Their faces are all too familiar, she thought. Regulars at the Political Education Office, aren’t they?

Duan Yi’s usual “visits” involved fighting, skipping class, and violating school rules.

Sheng Yunze’s usual “visits” involved receiving awards for academic excellence and topping the city’s rankings.

Old Xiao never imagined their first joint appearance at the Political Education Office would be because of—of all things—early romance!

This is absurd! Even fiction couldn’t make this up!

People can’t—or at least shouldn’t—do this!

She sighed and warned them, “I’ll talk to you both properly later. I’ll call Old Zhao over too.”

Then she turned to Old He and said, “Teacher He, let’s keep this quiet for now. We need to get through today first. It wouldn’t be good if Leader Wang heard about it when he arrives.”

Old He nodded in understanding. Just then, Old Xiao received a phone call. He answered with a cheerful, “Ah, good! You’re at the school gate? No problem at all. Our Student Council’s Etiquette Team is already waiting there. Yes, I’ll be right down. Okay, okay…”

Old He: “Let’s go next door.”

As Old Xiao hung up, he reminded, “Teacher He, suppress this matter for now. No student discussions allowed.”

Old He quickly agreed.

Outside the Political Education Office, Duan Yi quietly followed Sheng Yunze and playfully tugged at his sleeve with his pinky finger.

Sheng Yunze glanced at him. Duan Yi grinned mischievously before turning away to feign interest in the campus.

Evening Self-Study had already begun. The brief commotion in the third-year classrooms had completely subsided. The only lights visible were those illuminating the classrooms, where students sat upright, preparing to listen to Leader Wang’s motivational speech, which would soon be broadcast over the school’s PA system.

—Teachers had been reminded earlier to prepare their classes.

In the adjacent office, Old He encountered members of the Student Council’s Publicity Department moving speakers. These were likely to be set up in the Political Education Office for the broadcast.

A standing microphone sat on the table, its red light off, indicating it was switched off.

Old He didn’t notice the microphone, mainly because he knew nothing about broadcasting equipment. After seeing the students moving around and carrying everything out, he dismissed the Student Council members to prepare for a proper discussion with Sheng Yunze and Duan Yi.

Even if he had noticed it, he wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Since all the equipment for Leader Wang’s speech had been moved next door, any remaining microphone was clearly not in use.

Then, he accidentally bumped the microphone, causing a faint “click-click” sound.

At the same moment, the Deputy Minister of the Student Council’s Publicity Department, who had already reached the first floor, heard the sound and casually asked, “Did you turn off the broadcast?”

“No,” a Publicity Department member replied. “There’s still the mobilization speech later, right? I just muted the microphone, but the speakers are still on.”

Deputy Minister: “Then how did that sound come through? Are you sure you muted the microphone?”

The member nodded. “Yeah… wait, Deputy Minister, didn’t you take the microphone next door?”

The Deputy Minister looked surprised. “What do you mean, ‘I took it’? Didn’t I tell you to take it to the Political Education Office? You didn’t?”

The two exchanged puzzled glances, question marks written all over their faces: ???

At the same time, Old Xiao had already greeted Leader Wang at the school gate, their faces beaming with warmth as they exchanged pleasantries.

Meanwhile, in the Third Year Class 1 classroom, a fragile calm had finally settled.

Jiang Wangshu chewed on a Mrs. Taitai Oral Solution, munching on strawberry biscuits for his evening snack, idly doodling on his test paper out of sheer boredom.

Hao Shanshan secretly opened her compact mirror and applied a thin layer of lipstick.

Old He poured himself a glass of water and sat down.

As he sat, his elbow accidentally pressed against the broadcast switch. Silently, the switch flipped open, and the red light flickered on, indicating that the microphone was recording.

Though no sound could be heard in the room, the broadcast microphones—covering every corner of the school—picked up a faint crackling noise.

Everyone assumed it was just the broadcast system being adjusted and paid it no mind.

After all, Second High School always played music for half an hour before the evening study session, so it was normal for them to be tinkering with the broadcast system at this time.

At the same time, homeroom teachers in every class reminded their students, “Pay attention and listen carefully! The Political Education Office will be checking later. If they find you’re not listening, they’ll deduct points, and you’ll be in trouble.”

“Got it, Old Class Teacher!”

With a crackling sound, the broadcast system came to life. Teachers and students across the school focused their attention, listening intently.

A young man’s voice echoed through the speakers:

“Teacher He, it’s my fault.”

In the classroom, Jiang Wangshu blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Hao Shanshan froze, her gaze snapping to the broadcast speaker in the upper right corner of the room. “Isn’t that Secretary Sheng’s voice?”

Pingtou: “Holy shit, what’s going on? I thought this was supposed to be a motivational speech?”

Students in every class exchanged bewildered glances, looking at each other in mutual confusion.

In the Political Education Office, Old He remained completely unaware that he had accidentally activated the standing microphone, oblivious to the fact that his voice was now being broadcast to every corner of the campus.

Even Old Xiao—Principal Xiao—who was at the school gate greeting Leader Wang, and the leader himself, paused in their tracks.

…?!

When Old He heard his prized student speak up, his heart ached with frustration.

Why did Duan Yi, that troublemaker, have to target Sheng Yunze of all people?!

“You two—especially you, Sheng Yunze—I always thought you were sensible. Look at the mess you’ve made! Is this the right time for you to be dating?”

Sheng Yunze glanced calmly at the flashing red light on the standing microphone, paused briefly, and wanted to remind Old He, ‘The microphone’s still on.’

But Old He didn’t give him a chance to speak, launching into a machine-gun-like tirade, “Do you think early romance is something to be proud of? Something to brag about? I’d make you give a public apology under the national flag, but I doubt you could handle the humiliation!”

Old He sighed in relief, muttering, “Thank goodness only a few people know about this. Otherwise, I don’t know what you and Duan Yi would do.”

In the classroom, Jiang Wangshu stood frozen, listening to Old He’s voice booming through the broadcast. The bottle of Mrs. Taitai Oral Solution slowly slipped from his hand and crashed to the floor.

…Holy… shit…

Everyone knows now! Old He! You left the microphone on!

The entire school heard it!

Jiang Wangshu suddenly leaped up from his classroom seat and sprinted toward the Political Education Office.

At the same time, two students from the Publicity Department were also racing in the same direction—

And so was Principal Xiao, her face contorted with panic as she stumbled along in high heels.

Along the way, classrooms erupted with shouts of “Holy shit!” As Jiang Wangshu sprinted past, heads popped out to watch the spectacle unfold.

Sheng Yunze?!

Holy shit?!

Sheng Yunze’s in an early romance?!

With… Duan Yi?!

They’d seen students openly defy teachers with their early romances before.

But never anything like this—a school-wide public declaration of love.

Old He remained oblivious, speaking earnestly, “I don’t care if you two stay together after graduation. I absolutely disapprove of this now.”

Duan Yi scratched his nose. “Teacher He, can we at least keep it a secret?”

Old He: “…No. Didn’t you hear what I said?”

Duan Yi protested, “I heard you, but I really like him!”

The broadcast faithfully transmitted Duan Yi’s voice.

“Holy shit, this is explosive…”

The classrooms buzzed with excited chatter.

“Don’t turn off the mic, Teacher!”

“Holy shit… Duan Yi just confessed his love publicly…”

“Fucking brutal! This is the first time in my decade-plus of schooling I’ve witnessed such a devastating public execution! Hahahaha…”

Old He turned his head with a look of utter despair, his gaze fixed on Sheng Yunze, his brow furrowed. “Sheng Yunze, what’s your problem? Stop acting so conflicted. Did I upset you? I’m doing this for your own good! Just tell me what’s on your mind!”

Sheng Yunze pointed to the microphone beneath Old He’s elbow and said bluntly, “Teacher He, your microphone is still on.”

Old He froze.

Duan Yi froze too.

Sheng Yunze continued, his expression calm and detached, “It seems like everyone outside can hear everything you’re saying. Duan Yi and I don’t know what to do now.”

Before he could finish, frantic knocking erupted at the office door.

“Open up! Open up!”

“Teacher He! Teacher He!”

It was the Principal’s voice.

And Jiang Wangshu’s voice.

Old He’s face turned as white as a sheet: …

This is a disaster…