Chapter 13: The Alpha-Hating Beta

Shen Anliu’s breath caught. “Can… can I stay?”

“It’s the company’s arrangement. I don’t have a say in it,” Yu Sui hinted, telling him not to even think about running off.

Shen Anliu swallowed hard.

If word of something like this got out, the company would have no choice but to handle it. So why was Yu Sui putting up with him?

Could it be…

Shen Anliu couldn’t help but let his mind wander there.

Maybe…

Maybe he could test the waters.

He swallowed again, then looked at Yu Sui. “Bro, I don’t have any clothes. Can you lend me something?”

Yu Sui frowned slightly at that. “What did you say?”

“But you took my clothes,” Shen Anliu pointed out. Seeing no anger in Yu Sui’s reaction, he grew bolder. “Bro…”

His tone softened unconsciously, turning into a wheedling plea.

Yu Sui found it utterly cringe-worthy. “Can you just talk normally?”

“Bro, if I go out like this tomorrow…” Shen Anliu gazed at him. “People will think I’m some kind of freak.”

Yu Sui didn’t actually hate him, and he’d only taken the clothes to serve the plot. Now that part was done, there was no need to keep tormenting the guy.

Still, He Baiyan was a real piece of work.

Yu Sui sighed inwardly once more.

He had no intention of lending his own clothes, so he put on an impatient face. “What size?”

“Huh?” Shen Anliu blinked in surprise. “You…”

“Hurry up. The supermarket outside is about to close.” Yu Sui urged him on.

Shen Anliu’s voice trembled as he gave his measurements.

His eyes shone brightly.

Yu Sui didn’t hate him—not even after something so gross. He was even willing to buy him something as personal as underwear.

Shen Anliu conveniently ignored the fact that he had no clothes because of Yu Sui in the first place.

Once Yu Sui left, Shen Anliu couldn’t help bouncing on his toes a few times. He patted his cheeks, feeling like today had been perfect.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he replayed Yu Sui’s words in his mind, and they all seemed to turn into sweet nothings.

Sure, his mouth was a bit sharp, and yeah, he was like that with every alpha. But he hadn’t bought clothes for any other alpha.

So Yu Sui actually…

Shen Anliu was over the moon.

Yu Sui headed to the supermarket and, because of what he needed to buy, made sure to wear a mask.

There was one just a short walk from the company.

He grabbed a black plastic bag and prepared to head back.

That’s when he stumbled upon a fight.

Yu Sui immediately ducked his head, with zero intention of getting involved.

“What are you so full of yourself for, Lu Jinxia?” one guy barked, shoving the young man in the white mask and hoodie. “It was just a little bump. Do you have to pull that sour face?”

“Don’t touch me.” Lu Jinxia’s tone was ice-cold, his face pale. His stance was unsteady.

The air was thick with alpha pheromones. These guys had no intention of reining them in; they were itching for a fight, radiating hostility.

Lu Jinxia’s alpha-phobia had kicked in. His head spun, nausea roiling in his gut.

Yu Sui paused at the familiar name.

He glanced toward the alley, then bolted back into the company to alert the security uncle about the situation.

Clashes between alphas at the company were hardly unusual. Most of the staff knew exactly how the company operated.

But Lu Jinxia was a member of TYE—one of their cash cows. And with someone reporting it, security couldn’t just look the other way.

Yu Sui didn’t intervene personally. He didn’t want to ruin those alphas’ fun and end up on their grudge list.

After all, he only pulled aggro from the protagonists, not random extras.

Lu Jinxia’s footing grew unsteady. He could barely make out their voices. He shook his head, struggling to stay upright.

One of them shoved him hard again.

Lu Jinxia’s breathing grew labored. He felt like he couldn’t catch his breath.

Just then, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

“What the hell are you doing?” the security uncle bellowed.

Spotting the company uniform, the alphas hung their heads and bolted.

“You okay?” The security uncle didn’t chase them. Instead, he checked on Lu Jinxia.

The young man steadied himself against the wall and shook his head. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

“You’ve got that team member of yours to thank,” the security uncle said, naming Yu Sui.

Lu Jinxia froze in place, utterly stunned.

He hadn’t expected Yu Sui—who hated other alphas so much—to step in and save him.

“Got it.”

He’d been heading back to his apartment when he ran into a few drunk trainees from the company right outside.

Alphas already had volatile tempers, and booze made them wild and reckless.

Lu Jinxia had no plans to engage them. As he passed by, though, one deliberately shouldered him.

The touch made his expression sour instantly.

Then they started shoving him, chasing him all the way here.

Unable to risk physical contact, Lu Jinxia had endured it. He hadn’t expected them to push their luck this far.

Out in public, there was always the chance of getting photographed. He didn’t dare strike back, not wanting any scandals.

Lu Jinxia had already plotted how he’d get revenge later.

He just hadn’t expected security to show up—and for Yu Sui to be the one who called them.

Back at the company, Lu Jinxia took the elevator to the dorms.

Jiang Nianxing wasn’t around. He grabbed some clothes and headed into the bathroom, where he scrubbed himself raw under the shower.

His skin turned red from the frenzy.

Dripping wet, Lu Jinxia sank onto the sofa. He dried his hair and pulled out his phone.

His chat with Yu Sui was still at the last exchange—a wall of texts full of insults from the other side.

But today…

What a weird guy.

He sent a thank-you message and stared at the screen.

Yu Sui replied almost immediately.

[Private Message] Yu Sui: Weakling. That’s what low-tier alphas are like, huh? Pathetic.

The disdainful words only made Lu Jinxia’s lips curve up. Maybe the guy was just being tsundere.

After all, he’d agreed to partner up with him in the end.

Yu Sui returned with the clothes and opened the door to find Shen Anliu waiting eagerly.

It gave him a start.

He handed over the black bag.

Shen Anliu took it. “Thanks, bro.”

His voice rang out bright and cheerful as he dashed to the bathroom to change.

Yu Sui shook his head. Protagonists really weren’t for ordinary folks. The guy’s tolerance was insane—still calling his enemy “bro” like it was nothing.

Once Shen Anliu emerged, Yu Sui freshened up and hit the sack.

Shen Anliu lay on the bed, facing away toward Yu Sui’s side, but he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

He never imagined the person he liked might actually respond to him. It felt straight out of some idol drama.

The next day.

Yu Sui overslept again.

Shen Anliu had everything packed and ready. He sat there watching Yu Sui sleep.

Just quietly staring at him felt like it could last all day.

Yu Sui opened his eyes and saw him. His good mood evaporated.

Wasn’t this straight-up creepy?

“What are you doing?” It creeped him out. Was the guy pissed and plotting revenge while he slept?

“Bro, you’re awake?” Shen Anliu looked perfectly innocent.

Yu Sui sat up.

After washing up, they headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Today was dance practice.

By the time they arrived, the others were already there.

The three of them wore edgy outfits, looking sharp as they danced.

Their synchronization was flawless—uniform power, perfect expressions.

Yu Sui watched for a bit, impressed despite himself. Damn, they were good.

But any cannon fodder catching this would just lose their cool.

Lu Jinxia spotted him entering and faltered slightly, missing a beat.

Finally, he stopped altogether. “About yesterday… thanks.”

The others turned to look at Lu Jinxia.

Seeing their confusion, the young man explained in a few quick sentences.

He wanted his teammates to drop their prejudices too.

Jiang Nianxing blinked, surprised at Yu Sui’s kindness.

He Baiyan kept a straight face, but inside, he was the most shocked. He knew the guy’s background, how deep his alpha hatred ran.

He hadn’t expected him to set it aside.

Yu Sui noticed the shift in their expressions but felt zero emotion. He wasn’t trying to redeem himself—he was here to stir up hatred.

“I just thought you were embarrassing yourself. We’re teammates, after all.” Yu Sui made sure not to give him the wrong idea.

Lu Jinxia nodded but didn’t break.

He figured the guy was just tsundere. Kinda cute, even.

Shen Anliu was thrilled, but a twinge of crisis hit him. That look in Lu Jinxia’s eyes…

Though, Yu Sui drawing people in made perfect sense.

“Let’s practice the group dance today,” He Baiyan said.

Shen Anliu had watched plenty of videos. With his natural talent and nimble limbs, he picked up the steps fast.

Yu Sui? Total disaster.

Long limbs, zero coordination.

He Baiyan could tell he wasn’t slacking—he just plain couldn’t do it. So he stayed patient.

He reached out to adjust Yu Sui’s posture. “Put more power into it. Sharper turn, straighten that back, drop your hips.”

Pure instructor mode.

Yu Sui didn’t even get a word out before He Baiyan walked him through the moves step by step.

“Let’s start with the first eight counts.”

They ran through the whole thing once. He Baiyan let go and signaled Jiang Nianxing to lead from the front while he supervised from the side.

Yu Sui felt the pressure mounting. “I don’t want to learn.”

He’d said it multiple times.

But his teammates showed no frustration—just endless patience.

“If you’re tired, take a break. Hungry? I’ll grab some food.” Lu Jinxia’s tone was gentle, like coaxing a kid.

Yu Sui was speechless.

And so they powered through the class.

Yu Sui’s body ached all over. No foundation, no warmup—it hurt.

The others hadn’t expected him to be this unprepared.

Lunch was brought back from the cafeteria by Jiang Nianxing and Shen Anliu. Yu Sui sprawled on the sofa like a corpse.

“You didn’t warm up? Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Lu Jinxia frowned slightly.

They all thought the dance moves were fairly basic, and no alpha should struggle with that level of training. Yet Yu Sui had collapsed like this.

“The live stream is about to start, so you can skip the rest of the training,” He Baiyan said. “But you should hit the gym when you have time. Your physique is a little weak.”

Calling a 4S alpha’s constitution weak would normally earn mockery, but Lu Jinxia looked at the motionless young man and had to agree it was spot on.

Yu Sui didn’t reply. He was too exhausted to speak.

He had no appetite, either.

Shen Anliu looked deeply concerned. “You’ve worked out so hard but barely eaten anything. That’s no good for your body, bro. Come on, have a little more.”

He scooped up a spoonful and held the bowl close, bringing it right up to Yu Sui’s face to feed him.

Everyone’s eyes instantly locked onto the pair.

Yu Sui snapped wide awake in a flash, suddenly full of energy.

He stared at Shen Anliu, utterly baffled by the gesture.

[It looks like He’s scummy behavior yesterday hurt the protagonist’s feelings, so he’s feeding you on purpose to stir up some jealousy.] The System explained.

“I see,” Yu Sui murmured. Hearing the reason, he sat up straight and accepted the feeding without protest.

Wasn’t this just a classic bit of jealous-lovers roleplay? He’d play right along!