Chapter 22: The Beta Who Hates Alphas

He Baiyan hurried forward to pull the two apart.

A wave of alpha pheromones hit him in the face, leaving him deeply uncomfortable. The hostility laced through those pheromones made veins bulge on his forehead. He Baiyan was grateful he’d injected an inhibitor just beforehand.

Jiang Nianxing clung to Yu Sui like a wolf guarding its prey.

The man in his arms trembled, his small face deathly pale and his eyes unfocused. He had clearly been scared out of his wits.

Afraid the out-of-control alpha would hurt the young man, He Baiyan pressed his temple and stepped out to make a phone call.

The presence of this unfamiliar alpha must have alerted Jiang Nianxing to the danger. He stopped ravaging the man in his arms and instead sat up, still holding him tight.

Yu Sui was just recovering from the shock of having his back slathered in saliva when his waist was gripped hard, forcing him to straddle the young man’s lap.

Sensing something pressing against him, Yu Sui’s face darkened. He began struggling wildly, heedless of everything.

Hot, ragged breaths washed over his ear. Jiang Nianxing’s thoughts were swept away again by the man in his arms.

He kissed Yu Sui’s earlobe, his hands wrapping around him. One palm pressed firmly against his chest while the other dug into his slender waist, jostling with every twist of Yu Sui’s body.

He Baiyan finished explaining the situation and returned to find this exact scene.

Without hesitation, he unleashed his own pheromones, launching an assault on the deranged alpha.

The sharp tang of strong liquor clashed violently against the chill of a deep icy pool.

Yu Sui felt an unbearable pressure on his chest, as if a massive boulder were crushing him. He struggled for breath, sweat streaming down his face.

With overwhelming force, He Baiyan yanked Jiang Nianxing away. The sight of the marks littering Yu Sui’s body made him clench his fist and swing it straight at the young man’s face.

Exhausted and limp, Yu Sui knelt on the floor. Oxygen deprivation left his mind buzzing; he could barely hear anything.

Noticing something was off with him, He Baiyan abandoned Jiang Nianxing. He reined in his pheromones and strode over, scooping the young man into his arms bridal-style.

“Don’t be scared.”

His head throbbed faintly, but he softened his voice to comfort Yu Sui anyway.

Fortunately, the medical staff arrived right on time.

He Baiyan murmured a few more reassurances before carrying Yu Sui away.

The doctor watched their retreating backs, puzzled. “Isn’t that Yu Sui an alpha too? Doesn’t he need a check-up?”

“He didn’t release any pheromones. Probably already took an inhibitor,” someone beside him replied.

They entered the dance studio and immediately felt an oppressive weight bearing down on them. Sweat beaded on their skin. So this was the power of a 3S alpha?

Exchanging a glance, they approached Jiang Nianxing and administered an injection.

The agitated alpha soon slipped into unconsciousness.

“Is this his phone?”

The nurse hefted him onto a stretcher and spotted the phone lying on the floor. Muttering to himself, he casually slipped it into Jiang Nianxing’s pocket.

He Baiyan took the elevator straight back to his dorm.

Away from the chaotic dance studio, Yu Sui gradually calmed down.

By the time they reached the dorm, his mind had cleared completely.

But he would have preferred to stay in a daze.

The memory of what had happened twisted his expression.

He Baiyan set him down on the bed. “Are you alright?”

Yu Sui opened his mouth, but his throat hurt too much to speak. The recollection of his futile curses only deepened his frustration and rage.

“Don’t worry,” He Baiyan said, stepping back. “I’ll make sure you get justice for this. Even if Jiang Nianxing was set up by someone else, he still crossed a line by laying hands on you.”

Yu Sui wanted to retort at the mention of a “setup.” A setup? It had been a blatant frame job!

“I’m heading out first.” He slid off the bed, desperate to get home and shower.

“With an alpha’s pheromones all over you, going out like that could stir up trouble,” He Baiyan warned.

Yu Sui froze. Having witnessed their potency firsthand, he didn’t dare argue.

“Can I borrow your bathroom?”

He Baiyan nodded.

Yu Sui rushed into the bathroom, stripping off his ruined clothes and standing under the warm spray. He scrubbed his skin furiously, over and over.

“Damn it.”

Disgust churned in his gut as he cursed under his breath.

He Baiyan heard the water running and averted his gaze. Expressionless, he dialed his manager.

That arrogant alpha hadn’t hidden his misdeed. He’d even bragged to the other alphas that one of them would come out of it worse for wear.

He Baiyan had been the first to leave the medical office and hear the boast. He’d rushed straight to the dance studio.

He hadn’t expected…

He tightened his grip on the phone. “This incident has caused serious repercussions…”

The company wouldn’t care about a team member’s safety or reputation. But if it affected their profits? They wouldn’t stand by.

“I’ll handle it,” the manager said before hanging up.

He Baiyan sat on the sofa, waiting for Yu Sui to emerge. But after an hour, there was still no sign of him.

His expression darkened. He approached the door and knocked. “Yu Sui?”

No response, though the water kept running.

What if…?

Considering how much Yu Sui hated alphas—yet seemed to like Shen Anliu—this ordeal might push him to some extreme thoughts.

He kicked the door open.

Warm water pattered down as Yu Sui obsessively scoured his skin.

His body was flushed red, on the verge of breaking the skin.

Startled by He Baiyan’s sudden entrance, Yu Sui whipped his head around and hurriedly covered himself. “What the hell are you doing?”

“You keep this up and you’ll hurt yourself,” He Baiyan said.

“Get out!” Yu Sui snapped, on high alert.

“Why don’t you…” Knowing simple persuasion wouldn’t work, He Baiyan changed tack. “Why do you have no pheromones at all? A 3S alpha suppressed you completely—you couldn’t even fight back.”

Yu Sui, jumpy as a startled bird and seeing threats everywhere, suddenly calmed at the skepticism in his tone.

Forgetting his current state, he shot back defensively, “I took an inhibitor! And I’m not some lowly alpha who loses control to pheromones like a beast in heat!”

At that, Yu Sui spat, “Alphas really are just primitive animals!”

Relieved that Yu Sui wasn’t spiraling into despair, He Baiyan exhaled slightly. “Is that so?”

“Of course! I’m a 4S alpha,” Yu Sui declared, lifting his chin proudly.

Yet with his eyes red-rimmed and his pale skin covered in telltale red marks, his bravado rang hollow.

“The medical office called. Jiang Nianxing’s awake,” He Baiyan said, looking away and clenching his fists. “Hurry up and finish washing. We’re going to settle this with him.”

He Baiyan didn’t buy that Jiang Nianxing had been completely mindless. How much of it was his own desires? Only he knew.

Hearing that, Yu Sui stopped fixating on the marks.

He Baiyan left the room.

Yu Sui dried off quickly, only to realize he had no clothes.

Wrapping a towel around himself, he stepped out and spotted a set of clothes at the foot of He Baiyan’s bed. He blinked in surprise.

The man at the desk turned his head. “The clothes are clean. I got them ready for you.”

Yu Sui opened his mouth, caught off guard by the kindness.

[As expected of the captain.]

[You don’t know the half of it…] Seeing the system finally online, Yu Sui grabbed the clothes and ducked into the bathroom to change, chattering nonstop about his miserable ordeal.

[Even out of his mind, the protagonist gong didn’t forget the protagonist shou,] the system remarked in surprise.

“That’s not out of his mind?” Yu Sui gritted his teeth, pointing at his neck.

[In typical plots, a drug like that would’ve had them rolling in the sheets right away,] the system explained. [But he didn’t. That means his mind overcame his body. That’s love.]

“But he slobbered all over me,” Yu Sui grumbled darkly. “Doesn’t that count as betraying the protagonist shou?”

[In this genre, morals are just window dressing,] the system replied. [As long as it doesn’t go all the way, it’s deep devotion.]

“Hard to say.” Yu Sui felt his worldview shatter again.

This world kept upending his understanding. He rubbed his face and opened the door.

His body really ached all over. Cursing Jiang Nianxing inwardly, he forced himself to stay composed.

He Baiyan noticed his discomfort and frowned slightly. “When we get to the medical office, grab some ointment too.”

Yu Sui said nothing.

Jiang Nianxing lay on the medical office bed, his face ashen.

The heavy dose in that injection would take a toll on his body.

But he had bigger concerns right now.

Memories flooded back, and despair hit him as he recalled what he’d done to Yu Sui.

He’d kissed him… slathered him in saliva…

“You’re awake. Anywhere hurting?” The nurse entered and noticed him staring blankly.

Jiang Nianxing shook his head.

“Rest here for now. Call if you need anything.” He nodded, then pointed to the phone on the table. “This yours?”

At her words, Jiang Nianxing glanced over.

Wasn’t this Yu Sui’s phone?

He picked it up and checked the screen—it was intact.

As he moved to set it down, a notification popped up.

Jiang Nianxing tapped it, switching to WeChat.

Shen Anliu was asking about Yu Sui?

Guilt stabbed at him. He really was the worst.

Distracted, he didn’t notice what his thumb brushed.

When he refocused, a list of accounts filled the screen.

That wasn’t the point. The point was one account that looked incredibly familiar.

Jiang Nianxing grabbed his own phone from the bedside and opened it.

He got friend requests all the time, mostly from company folks, and he’d approve some.

He tapped one he’d ignored before and compared. Identical.

Bewildered, Jiang Nianxing stared. Why would Yu Sui add him on an alt account?

He must hate me so much he wanted to cuss me out anonymously.

Jiang Nianxing’s gaze dimmed. He tapped to agree, then pretended he hadn’t seen it at all as he set the phone back down on the table.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside.

The curtain was pulled open.

He Baiyan’s eyes were as cold as ice. Jiang Nianxing met his gaze but quickly averted his eyes in guilt.

If not for the captain, he didn’t even dare imagine what else he might have done to Yu Sui…

Yu Sui poked his head out from behind He Baiyan and glared furiously at Jiang Nianxing on the hospital bed.

“Yu Sui…” Seeing the disgust in his eyes, Jiang Nianxing’s heart sank. “I’m sorry, I…”

“You’re so disgusting.” Yu Sui cut off his apology and took the opportunity to tear into him further.

Though the System had said the Protagonist Gong must feel terrible too—thinking the one cuddling him was his beloved, only to find out it was him—Jiang Nianxing’s face grew even paler. No explanation would help now. He knew how much Yu Sui despised alphas, and his own actions had left deep scars. The young man probably never wanted to lay eyes on him again.

He clenched his fist, then raised his eyes with resolve. “I know words of apology ring hollow. I’ll compensate you for your mental distress, terminate my contract with the company, leave TYE, and turn myself in.”

“Huh?” Yu Sui was dumbfounded.

[It looks like this hit him really hard.] The System’s tone grew grave.

“Is that so?” Yu Sui hadn’t picked up on it.

[He’s willing to pay through the nose in breach fees and go to jail just to avoid seeing you in the group. Oof, cuddling with someone you hate really is torture.] The System sighed.

“I…” Though Yu Sui still felt down about it, a sense of balance suddenly washed over him.

[Host, he can’t leave TYE.] The System pressed on. [The tasks all revolve around the boy band. If the protagonist leaves, we’ll fail our missions.]

Yu Sui’s expression turned solemn.

“It’s good that you’re aware of this.” He Baiyan nodded approvingly.

As he watched them start handing over team matters, Yu Sui lost his composure. “Hold on!”

Both men turned to him. Jiang Nianxing kept his eyes downcast and compliant. “Anything else you want, just name it. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“It’s not that serious, right?” Yu Sui figured the guy had no real interest in him, so he spoke without thinking. “It’s not your fault. We’re both guys—nothing to it.”

“Nothing to it?”

Jiang Nianxing hadn’t even opened his mouth when the captain beat him to it. Yu Sui couldn’t read the emotions in that icy gaze, but it felt dangerous somehow.

“You…” He Baiyan’s brow furrowed, his face darkening. “He kissed you, groped you, slobbered all over you—and that’s nothing?”