Chapter 35: The Beta Hated by Alphas Part 2

“Save the rivalry for somewhere else!” Yu Sui felt like coughing up blood. “And shouldn’t those two fall in love? Isn’t everything all messed up now?”

[Don’t worry. Since the world arranged it this way, it’ll pull things back on track.] The System sounded confident. [Jiang Nianxing’s mostly just salty about being played. It’s only been a short time, after all. Sure, he wants to level up too.]

[So he pretends to be hurt, stands on the moral high ground to call you out. That way, he gets what he wants from you without a shred of guilt. Even if it leaks out, he’s not the one in the wrong.]

[Don’t forget how they treated their old teammates.]

Yu Sui’s body stiffened. “So it’s all fake? But getting intimate with cannon fodder like me? And can they still fall for each other?”

[They use you for hype to win over the CP fans. Later, they’ll slowly filter them out, cut ties with you, and expose what you’ve done. They won’t face any backlash.] The System explained. [As for getting close to you, that probably disgusts them too, but to gain leverage, they have to compete.]

[The protagonists who’ve been through the same thing will naturally bond. Plus, with your assists, even if feelings aren’t deep now, one drink leads to intimacy, and they’ll get hooked.] The System continued. [Everyone knows the protagonists’ bodies in these stories are addictive. Why else would multiple Alphas tolerate each other?]

Hearing this, Yu Sui figured it made sense.

But casually kissing people still felt a bit…

Seeing the young man hesitate, clearly reluctant, Jiang Nianxing felt irritated but didn’t push. “Fine, no kiss then. But I want to hold your hand.”

“Sure.” Yu Sui agreed without thinking, though inwardly he guessed the youth was banking on his refusal—just testing him.

Jiang Nianxing’s mood soured. He gripped Yu Sui’s hand tightly, then yanked open the door.

“You… what are you doing?”

There were cameras in the hallway.

“You said it yourself. Or do you want me to kiss you?” Jiang Nianxing held on tight, itching to go for it.

Yu Sui shook his head, then remembered this guy probably wanted the hype too. He calmed down.

The room had no cameras—that was why Yu Sui hadn’t gone in, just glanced and left.

Normally, people stuck to camera zones. Who knew what Jiang Nianxing was thinking?

[Holy crap! These two aren’t even acting anymore?]

[That drag into the room had me on edge. Thought something was about to go down.]

[Epic, Jiang Nianxing! The tension is off the charts.]

[Wait, that quick?]

[Just hand-holding? You two okay with that?]

[Gave me chills—two Alphas being this close?]

[Despairing Alpha crashes romance show lol.]

[Sui Sui, you’re a business genius! Feeding crumbs to every pair. I’m your fan for life!]

Jiang Nianxing didn’t hide his good mood, his lips curving up. Knowing tons of people were watching made him a mix of nervous and thrilled.

Yu Sui felt the sweat in his palm and frowned slightly. “That’s enough, right?”

He pulled his hand free, then wiped it on Jiang Nianxing’s clothes. “So gross. Why are you sweating?”

Jiang Nianxing’s ears turned beet red with embarrassment. “Sorry, Sui Sui.”

“Go wash your hands.” Yu Sui said.

“Yeah, wait for me.” Jiang Nianxing fidgeted with his fingers.

Yu Sui said nothing, his face full of impatience.

Jiang Nianxing headed off in one direction.

Rip—

The sound of a name tag tearing rang out.

Yu Sui dangled the tag from his hand, strutting triumphantly. “You’re way too easy.”

Jiang Nianxing froze mid-step. Hearing the noise, he turned. “Sui Sui, you tricked me.”

Inwardly, he marveled at how perfectly Yu Sui played him.

“Hmph.” Yu Sui tossed the tag back and strode off in the opposite direction without looking back.

He really worried Jiang Nianxing might snap from the deception and do something reckless.

But the mission had just popped up, ordering him to rip the other’s tag.

No choice—he had to stir the pot.

Jiang Nianxing clutched the name tag, watching Yu Sui’s retreating back, a smile tugging at his lips.

[Bro, you got played again.]

[So the hand-holding was bait?]

[What a way to go—die happy.]

[I’m too naive. Sui Sui’s a master, pulling the honey trap.]

[More interactions like this, please.]

[Xiao Jiang’s no match. Hand-holding and he’s done? At least wait till the heat of the moment… then rip it off.]

Yu Sui picked up his pace.

Fortunately, no mishaps this time. He successfully linked up with He Baiyan.

“Captain.” Yu Sui greeted first.

He Baiyan paused. “Mm.”

“Want to team up?” Yu Sui invited.

Here it comes—reeling him in.

He Baiyan’s mood lifted, the corner of his mouth twitching up pixel by pixel. “Sure.”

[Here we go again.]

[Is this how you play the game?]

[Sui Sui’s such a sly fox.]

[Lit af! Turning every game into CP bait.]

[Yu Sui casts Seduction on you. Do you resist?]

[Seduce me, I’ll be your loyal dog.]

[Pick up your pants, chat’s overflowing lol.]

They walked a ways. He Baiyan was pondering how to start a conversation when Yu Sui suddenly suggested, “Should we hide out and wait till it’s clear, then swoop in for scraps?”

“Your call.” He Baiyan’s breath hitched. Was it really just hiding?

He didn’t buy it.

[What kind of play is this?]

[Sneaky date vibes?]

[Captain, seize the chance!]

[Xiao He, don’t fall for it!]

Yu Sui led him to a storage room—no cameras.

“How about we hole up here?” He tilted his head toward He Baiyan beside him.

The man’s pupils shrank as he eyed the young man next to him.

This out-of-the-way spot saw little traffic. The room was tiny, two grown men in pitch black, no lenses…

What did he plan to do to him?

“You planned this?” He Baiyan probed.

“I…” Yu Sui stiffened. He took a deep breath and fired off a provocation. “Since you saw through me…”

“Got it.” He Baiyan cut him off. If things had come this far, backing down wasn’t manly.

He grabbed Yu Sui’s hand, pushed open the door to the Little Black Room, and strode in decisively.

The door slammed shut.

The room was pitch dark, filled only with their breathing.

A place like this was perfect for a secret tryst.

So Yu Sui wanted some thrills with him?

“You… what are you doing?” Yu Sui panicked as the man hugged him, a palm stroking his face.

They were pressed too close; he couldn’t see expressions, only felt the hot breath on his cheek.

“Of course…” He Baiyan swallowed hard, assuming Yu Sui wanted forced play.

He’d go along.

His fingers traced the young man’s lips. Hearing the soft gasp, He Baiyan licked his own dry lips. “Sui Sui.”

He wasn’t used to such intimacy, his gaze flickering away. Luckily, Yu Sui didn’t notice the awkwardness.

The young man froze—he’d sensed the man’s arousal.

“You… let go of me.”

Yu Sui’s voice trembled, sounding pitiful.

He Baiyan felt tenderness, but also an urge to bully him till he cried.

In the dark, sight gone, hearing and smell sharpened.

He Baiyan leaned down and captured those lips.

Just a light brush felt like a shock, making his heart pound wildly.

“Sui Sui.”

He Baiyan’s ears flushed, cheeks burning, pulse racing. So this was kissing?

His head swam like he’d downed a drink.

Greed filled his eyes; he wanted to kiss forever.

Yu Sui struggled for air, shoving hard.

The guy was like a dog. Yu Sui scowled, tempted to bite, but that only let the man take control.

Caught off guard again, his chest heaved with anger and embarrassment.

He Baiyan regretted not seeing the young man’s face—were his eyes unfocused from the kiss? Cheeks flushed shyly? Or smug triumph?

Yu Sui’s resistance faded; his legs went weak from the kissing.

He Baiyan’s throat bobbed greedily. Seeing no more struggle, he released him, letting Yu Sui pant in his arms.

Yu Sui’s eyes glazed over; his lips finally parted to gasp.

In the cramped room, occasional soft moans ramped up the intimacy, fraying the man’s restraint.

Veins bulged on He Baiyan’s hand. He reined in his breath, steadying his heartbeat.

Sweat beaded his forehead, but he knew now wasn’t the time.

Yu Sui was such a tease—picking this moment when they couldn’t, tempting him to risk it.

He kissed the young man’s cheek, murmuring by his ear, “Sui Sui, you’re making it so hard to hold back.”

His voice was hoarse, laced with barely restrained words of affection. His scorching breath seemed ready to melt Yu Sui away. In the cramped space, their intimacy swelled endlessly, blurring all boundaries between them.

Yu Sui finally snapped back to his senses and began to struggle again. “You… let me go!”

Seeing him squirm, He Baiyan let out a soft chuckle. “What’s there to fear, Sui Sui?”

His eyes narrowed. He was convinced Yu Sui was just putting on an act.

Yu Sui’s eyes widened. Fear? This man actually had the gall to ask.

The man’s arms held him in a vise-like grip, unyielding to any shove.

Yu Sui’s scalp prickled. This guy was clearly after him.

“He… He Baiyan!” Real panic set in. Even if it was just for the publicity stunt, Yu Sui couldn’t bring himself to go this far.

“Are you really that scared, Sui Sui?” He Baiyan caught the tremor in his voice and nuzzled his cheek affectionately.

“Hiss…”

A sharp sting bloomed on his cheek as Yu Sui bit down.

He Baiyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He sucked in a sharp breath. Damn, the kid knew exactly what he was doing.

Was this his ploy to strip away all reason and turn him into a willing slave?

“Sui Sui…”

The words that followed were murmured right against the young man’s ear—softly spoken, yet each one sent a jolt through Yu Sui’s heart.

He could scarcely believe that this poised and icy man could utter such raw, explosive filth.

“No, it’s not…” Yu Sui cut in hastily. “I… I was wrong. I shouldn’t have locked you in the storage room just because I was pissed off. I apologize.”

The System announced the task complete, but Yu Sui felt no joy.

A few kisses and cuddles were worlds apart from this. He simply couldn’t accept it.

“Locked me in the storage room?” He Baiyan paused. “Wasn’t your original plan to drag me into the Little Black Room for some fun?”

Yu Sui nearly spat blood. “What the hell are you talking about? As if I’d ever do that!”

“Why lock me up, then?” He Baiyan didn’t buy it. After all, the young man’s body told a different story.

“I…” Yu Sui went speechless. Admit he hated the guy? That would only pour oil on the flames.

He Baiyan saw right through the excuse. His gaze softened, his voice threaded with amusement. “Sui Sui, you’re just too adorable.”

He released his front-facing hold on Yu Sui and wrapped his arms around him from behind instead, resting his chin on the young man’s shoulder. “I could hold you like this forever.”

Yu Sui went rigid. Those words stirred something in his chest, and then he sensed the genuine concern radiating from his captain.