Chapter 27: The Alpha-Hating Beta

He sank into a dilemma. Wasn’t he being too much of an outlier? Would they end up sidelining him because of it?

In the end, Lu Jinxia decided that for the sake of his future, he had to make an effort to fit in.

At the end of one workday, their manager called them in for a meeting.

Just like in the original plot, they were instructed to head to the pre-booked hotel restaurant for dinner, along with some specific details.

For instance, they were to stroll through the mall first and casually show off some team camaraderie.

No one had any objections to that. Instead, they all turned to Yu Sui, each harboring their own thoughts.

Yu Sui’s body stiffened. He grumbled to the System, “This doesn’t feel right.”

[Their relationship has developed faster than in the original plot, and their feelings run deeper as a result. Of course they won’t take the risk of letting obsessive fans target the person they love, so…]

“So I’m the lightning rod, huh?” Yu Sui felt like spitting blood.

[Thoughts and prayers.] The System lit a candle for him.

On Wednesday, during an utterly ordinary midday, several posts with “TYE” in the tags shot up the Hot Search.

Clicking in revealed that they were videos shot by passersby of the full TYE group out shopping at the mall.

[Here we go again.]

[Every time there’s a new member, they put on this team bonding show.]

[Is this the sacrifice ritual?]

[My condolences to the newbie.]

[Speaking of, aside from the livestream, the company hasn’t leaked a single thing about this new guy. They’re clamping down hard.]

[Probably prepping for today. By my count, the group song should be dropping soon.]

As netizens familiar with Star Sea Entertainment’s playbook, they could recite the marketing routine in their sleep. At this point, they were clicking into the posts purely to mock it.

But this time, they found it was genuinely different.

The five of them were dressed in trendy outfits that highlighted their great figures. Even without seeing their faces clearly, they turned heads everywhere they went.

In one video, Yu Sui and the others crowded around a claw machine.

The young man focused intently on grabbing a prize. To his left, Shen Anliu gazed at his profile, his expression softening. To his right, Jiang Nianxing slung an arm around Yu Sui’s shoulders, his eyes burning with intensity.

The other two hadn’t crowded in, but they were filming this heartwarming moment on their phones.

[Xiao Jiang isn’t even pretending anymore.]

[Xiao Shen, you’re really in love, aren’t you?]

[Peddling the ship again, but I’ll eat it right up.]

Following that video, they checked out the others and the photos.

In one, Yu Sui stumbled back a step from a passerby’s kid bumping into him and fell right into the captain’s arms.

He Baiyan instinctively wrapped an arm around his waist. Yu Sui turned to look at him, and their eyes met.

This clip and the photos spread like wildfire. The “hero saves the beauty” trope might be cliché, but it had mass appeal.

[Is this Yu Sui some kind of succubus?]

[No way he’s an Omega, right?]

[How does he pair so perfectly with everyone?]

[Yummy, and I’m here for it.]

[Where’s Xiao Lu? The company is playing favorites.]

It was as if their protests had been heard.

Next came a video of Yu Sui stepping out of the car, with Lu Jinxia reaching out to steady him—their fingers accidentally interlocking.

[Did Star Sea Entertainment hire a pro for this?]

[Yu Sui’s sacrificing himself for the greater good here.]

[My baby is so selfless, boundless love and all that.]

[Can we stan this Yu Sui?]

[Investing won’t disappoint.]

[I’m suspicious you’re all driving!]

Unlike the usual mockery, the comment sections were remarkably harmonious this time.

Everyone was so deep into the hype, lost in the frenzy, that they tossed caution—and their pants—to the wind.

Meanwhile, in the restaurant’s private room.

Yu Sui hung his head, picking at his palm. These guys really hated his guts.

Deliberate physical contact? Were they trying to get him killed faster?

The others weren’t chatting idly either. They tacitly pulled up the Hot Search.

Jiang Nianxing spotted comments calling out his obvious feelings and blushed with embarrassment. Too bad no one was around to appreciate his innocent charm.

Shen Anliu pursed his lips. Why were there so few shipping him with Yu Sui?

He Baiyan’s face remained impassive, but with a sidelong glance at Lu Jinxia, he wondered why the guy had gotten in on this too.

Lu Jinxia had bookmarked a ton of edits of him and Yu Sui on his alt account. He was working hard to blend into this family.

Around mealtime, they started ordering dishes.

Yu Sui thought of that obsessive fan. The plot had only mentioned it in passing, without specifics on the location. Now that he was the one drawing the hate, the laxative was probably going to be swapped for something else.

The realization killed his appetite. “I’m heading to the restroom.”

Yu Sui grabbed his phone and made for the bathroom.

Once he was gone, Jiang Nianxing spoke up. “Lu Jinxia, what was that about?”

“Did you have to interlock fingers when you helped Yu Sui?” Displeasure etched his face. “And Captain, wasn’t your hand a bit too much?”

Shen Anliu stayed quiet, fully backing Jiang Nianxing.

“It was the company’s arrangement,” He Baiyan said flatly.

“You…” Jiang Nianxing choked.

Lu Jinxia didn’t bat an eye. “Exactly.”

Yu Sui had just neared the restroom when he overheard someone on the phone. The conversation…

“I’ve successfully infiltrated.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be careful.”

“I’ve got the room number for Yu Sui and the others. Don’t worry.”

Yu Sui’s heart clenched. He turned and headed for the stairwell.

“They even name-dropped me. What does this guy want?”

[Probably that obsessive fan.] The System guessed. [Be careful. Don’t drink anything handed to you.]

Yu Sui nodded solemnly.

[Oh, and find a chance to slip the stuff to Shen Anliu.] The System added.

Yu Sui felt a pill materialize in his pocket. He blinked in surprise. This thing was too magical.

He lingered there a moment before ambling back toward the room. Rather than going in, he hovered by the door.

Ears perked, Yu Sui tried to eavesdrop for any dirt on himself, but he caught nothing useful.

“No surprise—lip-reading isn’t a skill everyone has.”

Just then, a server wheeled in a food cart.

Yu Sui straightened up and sized up the guy.

The young man in a mask paused in surprise at the sight of him, his eyes lighting up with excitement the next second.

Yu Sui pegged him as the obsessive fan.

Instantly on high alert, he worried that if the guy hated him that much, he might pull a knife or something…

The young man nodded to him. “Hello. Your room’s dishes are ready.”

Yu Sui opened the door and let him in.

Everyone in the room turned at the sound.

Up close with so many idols, the server grew nervous.

His hands trembled slightly as he served the dishes.

To Yu Sui, it looked like guilt.

His stomach dropped as he eyed the plate set before him, suspicion mounting.

Given their idol status, they’d ordered only drinks.

Seeing the server about to pour for them…

Yu Sui stepped forward. “No need. I’ll handle it.”

The server hesitated, sounding apologetic. “It’s my job.”

“It’s fine. Go ahead with your work.” Yu Sui caught the implication. “Helping big brother take out the fame-rubber is what he should do.”

The server’s ears flushed at Yu Sui’s kindness. He fidgeted with his fingers, then wheeled the cart away.

He thought to himself that Yu Sui was a really nice guy.

Yu Sui had dabbed some powder onto his fingertip beforehand—System-grade stuff that just a pinch could keep someone going strong for a day and night.

Remembering the System’s description, his eyelid twitched.

The others offered to help pour, but Yu Sui turned them down.

Shen Anliu watched him, feeling a bit shy—especially since the first glass was placed in front of him.

Jiang Nianxing frowned in displeasure, a sour taste in his heart.

To avoid seeming too obvious, Yu Sui poured a glass for everyone, though the others’ weren’t as full and got no additives.

Shen Anliu’s ear tips turned pink. His heart bubbled sweetly as he cradled that glass, reluctant to drink.

“Aren’t we heading into afternoon schedules?” Yu Sui prompted. “Why isn’t anyone eating?”

No one replied. They picked up their chopsticks and started.

Yu Sui didn’t dare touch a bite, pretending to have no appetite while scrolling his phone.

He’d glance up now and then to check on them, growing uneasy as he watched Shen Anliu sip his drink bit by bit. Had he noticed something?

Time for a test.

He picked up some spicy veggies with his chopsticks and placed them in Shen Anliu’s bowl.

The young man paused, then looked at him. “Ge…”

“What’s up?” Yu Sui feigned calm.

“Nothing.” Shen Anliu smiled at him. He wasn’t big on spice, but this was special treatment just for him.

Jiang Nianxing’s expression soured. “Yu Sui, why aren’t you giving me any?”

He Baiyan said nothing, but his grip tightened on his chopsticks.

After Lu Jinxia’s talk, he’d started lingering around Yu Sui on purpose, expecting the guy to make his move. Then he could step in as captain and warn him against losing focus over a fling.

If someone had to be tormented, he’d volunteer for the team.

But Yu Sui still treated him like air.

It left a bitter taste in He Baiyan’s heart. He’d set up that plot point on purpose, and Yu Sui hadn’t minded him at all. So why wasn’t he coming for him?

“You…” Wanting to push through the plot quickly, Yu Sui gave Jiang Nianxing some too.

Then he watched the two of them exchanging glances.

Had he somehow become a prop in their little game?

Something stuck in Yu Sui’s chest.

Shen Anliu couldn’t handle spice and polished off his glass in no time.

As they finished eating, Yu Sui stood. “I’m hitting the restroom.”

Jiang Nianxing wanted to tag along but got held back by Lu Jinxia for something else.

Shen Anliu wiped sweat from his forehead with a napkin. Spice always flushed his cheeks, so no one noticed anything off.

But gradually, a wave of heat surged through him.

Something was wrong.

He bit his lip and rose to his feet.

No one paid any attention to his departure.

Yu Sui arrived at the hotel’s back door and, sure enough, spotted two sneaky figures lurking there.

He waved them over.

“You’re Yu Sui!”

Their eyes lit up at the sight of him. They hadn’t expected to see an artist from Star Sea Entertainment up close.

“Do you want to become famous overnight?” Yu Sui asked.

“What’s your plan? And why are you helping us?” one of the paparazzi asked suspiciously.

“They’re suppressing me,” Yu Sui said, tugging at the corner of his mouth with a bitter expression. “I want to expose their true colors.”

“I knew it! How could things be so peaceful between Alphas?” one of them said. “It was all an act.”

The two paparazzi sensed the risk, but they figured Yu Sui wouldn’t gamble away his reputation and future. Besides, fortune favored the bold.

The three quickly hatched a plan.

Yu Sui added them on his alt account. When the moment was ripe, he’d send them a message, and they’d sneak inside with their cameras to capture the real faces of TYE’s members.

With that settled, Yu Sui returned in high spirits.

But when he got back to the private room, he discovered that everyone was sitting there normally—except for Shen Anliu.

Yu Sui frowned. So soon? No way, right?

“Where’s Shen Anliu?” he had to ask.

“He probably went to the bathroom,” Lu Jinxia replied.

“You really care about him,” Jiang Nianxing said, his tone dripping with resentment.

Yu Sui sensed the sarcasm and played dumb. “He’s been gone a while. What if something happened to him? Can’t someone go check?”

But the Four Elites sat there unmoved, steady as rocks.

“What could happen to a grown man?” Jiang Nianxing shot back, jealousy lacing his voice.

Yu Sui raised an eyebrow, ignoring the jab, and glanced at the others.

He Baiyan remained indifferent, while Lu Jinxia looked puzzled. “What do you think could happen to him?”

At those words, the other two turned their attention to Yu Sui as well.

Yu Sui’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest. How was this guy so sharp?

“He ate spicy food. His stomach must be upset,” Yu Sui said innocently, batting his eyes.

Jiang Nianxing fell silent, consumed by jealousy.

The other two said nothing more.

Yu Sui grew anxious. “System…”

[Shen Anliu’s face flushes from spicy food, so the others didn’t notice,] the System analyzed. [Go find the protagonist shou first, confirm his position, then message them.]

Realizing his actions might have derailed the plot, Yu Sui shot to his feet.

“I’ll go check on him.”

“He really cares…” Jiang Nianxing gritted his teeth.

He Baiyan frowned slightly, sensing something strange about the whole situation.

Shen Anliu made it to the bathroom and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on his face to cool down.

But it was useless.

He immediately realized he’d been drugged.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, veins bulging along his neck. He bit his thin lips until they turned a vivid red, yet his narrow eyes burned with icy resolve.

Shen Anliu fought to stay clear-headed. Had someone discovered his identity? Or was it something else?

The drug’s effects grew stronger, forcing Shen Anliu into a stall.

He thought of Yu Sui, and his gaze softened—only for it to darken again moments later.

Sweat trickled down his cheek, dripping onto his prominent Adam’s apple before sliding away.

But it did nothing.

Was this bastard trying to make him explode?

Hiss.

Yu Sui reached the bathroom and knocked on the door, calling out twice. No answer.

Frowning with worry, he stepped inside, his heart racing.

Everyone knew that when the protagonist ran into trouble like this, cannon fodder harassment usually followed—rescued by another lead character.

But those three were still back in the private room…

Shen Anliu bit his lip, his face twisting in a ferocious grimace as his mind began to blur.

Yu Sui’s voice echoed in his ears. He dismissed it as a hallucination.

“Ge…” he murmured unconsciously.

Yu Sui was about to leave when he caught the faint, trembling voice. He jumped.

Had something bad really happened?

Not good!

Yu Sui hurried to the stall and pounded on the door.

“Shen Anliu, are you in there?”

“I…” Shen Anliu bit his tongue to sharpen his senses. His eyes blazed—it really was Yu Sui.

But in his current state, he might not be able to hold back.

“Bro, you should go,” he said. He didn’t want to offend the young man.

Yu Sui picked up on the strain in his voice, and his heart sank. “Shen Anliu, what’s going on? Open the door.”

Was someone threatening him? Why else would he hesitate like that?

“Bro, are you sure you want me to open it?” Shen Anliu’s thoughts drifted to indecent places. Yu Sui must have noticed something was wrong yet chose to stay. Did that mean…

“Don’t be scared. I… mmph…”

Creak—

Before Yu Sui could finish, the door swung open. An arm yanked him inside.

Before he could react, Shen Anliu’s feverish hands cupped his cheeks. He leaned down and captured Yu Sui’s lips in a kiss.