Chapter 39: Hating That Alpha’s Beta Part 1

Hearing the noise, Yu Sui glanced over, and Jiang Nianxing sat up as well. “What’s wrong?”

“Cough cough. Since you two haven’t shown up on camera, we were worried something might have happened,” the staff member explained.

“We’ve been brainstorming ideas for the shoot,” Jiang Nianxing replied. “To keep the mystique around the project, we picked this spot on purpose.”

Yu Sui breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Jiang Nianxing hadn’t spilled that he was scared.

“Oh, got it.”

The camera shook a few more times before the staff member finally left.

[Whoa, now I’m hyped!]

[That moment felt straight out of a ghost romance.]

[Super excited for this song.]

[Don’t go! I refuse to believe they were just plotting the script!]

But no matter how the viewers begged them to stay, the staff member left without a backward glance. To ensure no one interrupted their creative process, they even warned the NPCs to steer clear.

Now, only the two of them remained in the infirmary.

As the footsteps faded away, Jiang Nianxing turned to Yu Sui. “Let’s start filming.”

“Mm.” Yu Sui nodded. He just wanted to wrap this up and get out of here.

“You lie down first,” Jiang Nianxing instructed.

Yu Sui stretched out flat on the white sheets.

Jiang Nianxing stared at his lips, his eyes brimming with jealousy. “Sui Sui, what did you and He Baiyan get up to yesterday?”

Yu Sui frowned slightly at the question. “What’s it to you?”

Talk about bringing up the absolute worst thing.

Jiang Nianxing was already simmering with envy over how Yu Sui treated everyone else better than him. Now these cutting words only hardened his resolve.

“Fine, Sui Sui. If you don’t want to say, don’t.”

He set the camera aside. “My concept is about two people in love. One gets into an accident, and the other turns into a walking corpse. But he doesn’t know his lover has been right there all along.”

“Mm.” Yu Sui had no objections. The setting did lend itself to that vibe.

Jiang Nianxing pointed to himself. “I’m the dead one.”

Yu Sui’s brow furrowed again. “Don’t say inauspicious stuff like that.”

Jiang Nianxing blinked. “It’s hypothetical.”

Yu Sui pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Jiang Nianxing went over and flipped on the room lights. He gazed down at the man on the bed.

The young man wore a white dress shirt with black suit trousers, his soft black hair framing damp, lustrous eyes and vivid red lips. Lying there motionless, he looked like a gorgeously preserved corpse.

Jiang Nianxing swallowed hard. He adjusted the camera angle and hit record.

“Sui Sui, this MV needs intense emotion, so let’s get into the feeling of it,” Jiang Nianxing said.

With the room lit up, Yu Sui felt less on edge. He sat up. “What do I do?”

Jiang Nianxing didn’t answer. Instead, he strode over, leaned down close to Yu Sui’s face. “Something like this. We might need to kiss.”

“Mmph…”

This time, there was no asking permission.

Yu Sui fell back onto the bed. The red-haired man loomed over him, hands planted on either side of his shoulders, utterly commanding.

Whatever Yu Sui had meant to say was swallowed up. Worse, Jiang Nianxing seized the opening to plunge deeper.

A spark lit in Jiang Nianxing’s eyes.

So this was what kissing felt like?

He laced their fingers together tightly, breaths mingling indistinguishably.

Their chests pressed flush, heartbeats thundering against each other.

Fabric tangled in a haze of intimacy.

Mist gathered in Yu Sui’s eyes as his breathing grew labored.

At last, Jiang Nianxing pulled back. “Sui Sui.”

His voice came out hoarse, his desire plain as day.

Yu Sui’s ears burned. His eyes flew wide as he struggled to shove the man away.

But Jiang Nianxing wouldn’t budge, his grip ironclad. The resistance only seemed to stoke the fire.

Yu Sui sensed the shift and froze.

Jiang Nianxing’s gaze flickered. “Sui Sui, you have no idea how jealous I was looking at those photos of you before.”

With that, he dipped his head and nipped at Yu Sui’s shirt buttons.

Yu Sui’s scalp prickled. “Jiang Nianxing, what the hell are you doing?”

No way. Fine, if the guy wanted to throw himself at fame, that was his funeral—but he wasn’t dragging Yu Sui down with him!

Jiang Nianxing didn’t respond.

Rip—

The buttons flew open.

Jiang Nianxing spotted the marks right away—clearly from whatever those two had been up to yesterday after vanishing.

Jealousy surged through him. Why… why had this guy provoked him first, only to turn coldest toward him now?

Jiang Nianxing swallowed again and steeled himself.

Yu Sui went rigid, not daring to twitch.

“Jiang Nianxing, you bastard!” All he could do was curse.

But that only earned him retaliation—brutal retaliation.

The beast wasn’t tamed yet; it couldn’t control its teeth or its force.

Skin so delicate it bruised at the slightest touch—what chance did it have against this savagery?

Yu Sui hissed through his teeth, his voice shaking, curses tumbling out in fragments.

Jiang Nianxing gripped his hands tighter, eyes shut in fierce focus.

Here, his rapper’s stamina came in handy.

Yu Sui clenched his jaw. A shiver ran through him, scalp tingling.

His back arched taut, like he was offering himself up, meek as a lamb walking right into the lion’s den. Tremulous gasps escaped now and then.

Emboldened, Jiang Nianxing pressed on.

He gave neither side short shrift—perfectly balanced, symmetrical.

Lifting his head at last, he admired his handiwork: equal parts shy thrill and raw excitement. His breathing grew heavier.

Yu Sui bit his lip, those eyes melted into pools of spring water.

The look sent Jiang Nianxing’s heart racing.

He leaned down to kiss Yu Sui’s forehead, cheeks, the corner of his eye, nose tip—and finally, his lips.

Kissing was addictive; he couldn’t tear himself away.

Yu Sui refused to give in, but damn Jiang Nianxing for targeting his throat next.

The tickle made him gasp, mouth opening—and Jiang Nianxing pounced again.

The shirt slipped off his shoulders. Chests pressed tight once more. Yu Sui scowled.

Jiang Nianxing’s shirt was covered in trendy little pendants and chains—pokey and irritating right now.

Lost in the moment, Jiang Nianxing paused at Yu Sui’s pained yelp. He looked up, eyes apologetic. “Sorry, Sui Sui.”

With that, he shrugged off his top.

Yu Sui’s eyes widened. “That’s not what I meant! What are you doing?”

“There are too many dangly bits on my shirt. Didn’t want them to scratch you,” Jiang Nianxing said solemnly.

Freed at last, Yu Sui bolted upright. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the camera. His brow creased. “You’re filming this?”

Jiang Nianxing flushed. “Don’t worry, I won’t post it.”

“I don’t believe you.” Yu Sui eyed him warily. “I get you want to go viral, but not like this. I can play along with the fan service on camera, but I draw the line at leaking private videos.”

Jiang Nianxing frowned. “What are you talking about? Fan service?”

“Aren’t you getting close to me just for the Queerbaitingpairing to rake in fans?” Yu Sui clutched his shirt closed, chill in his gaze. “What’s with the act now?”

He’d never compromise that far.

“You… you think I’d leak the video to attract followers?” Jiang Nianxing’s hurt ran deep. “And that all my closeness with you is fake? Just for the cameras?”

Yu Sui stayed silent, but his expression screamed, Isn’t it obvious?

Jiang Nianxing’s heart sank. “That’s how you see me? As some scheming opportunist?”

“What else?” Yu Sui shot back, swinging his legs off the bed.

He had to delete that video.

But as he reached the edge, the man on the other side grabbed his wrist. “Sui Sui, you think I’d get this casual just for hype?”

Yu Sui panicked. “L-let go first, you…”

“Say it!” Jiang Nianxing demanded, eyes bloodshot. His heart ached. Call him unloved, toy with him—fine. But don’t trash his feelings like this.

“We can talk this out,” Yu Sui backpedaled, scared he might snap.

Jiang Nianxing saw the fear in his eyes—yes, Yu Sui thought he’d hit him.

He bit his lip and released him, his gaze darkening.

Oblivious to the change, Yu Sui exhaled in relief and started pulling away.

“Sui Sui, if you think it’s all hype or whatever, fine. I don’t care anymore.”

Jiang Nianxing’s tone turned resolute.

A bad feeling twisted in Yu Sui’s gut.

Jiang Nianxing headed for the camera. Yu Sui’s heart lurched. “What are you doing?”

“You said I’d leak it? Then I’ll leak it.” He sounded like he was past caring, breaking bad. “We’re locked in now.”

“You!” Yu Sui hadn’t expected this. “I… I’ll play along on camera from now on. Don’t do anything rash.”

Shipping them was one thing; he didn’t want the internet flooded with that kind of gossip about him.

Seeing Yu Sui so desperate to escape him, Jiang Nianxing smiled.

But his eyes held no light—just oppressive darkness. The smile grated, forced from his throat.

“I won’t post it, but you have to answer some questions,” Jiang Nianxing said.

Yu Sui’s face twisted unpleasantly. “Fine. Shoot.”

“What did you and He Baiyan do yesterday?” He still couldn’t let it go.

Yu Sui didn’t want to answer, but Jiang Nianxing’s expression soured, patience fraying.

“I… we…”

He tried to dodge.

“Yu Sui, don’t you dare lie to me,” the man warned.

Yu Sui swallowed hard. “It was just like that. He wanted to hype us up too, so…”

Jiang Nianxing stared, baffled.

Why on earth would Yu Sui think that kind of behavior was for fan service?

Not that it mattered.

“Is that so? Show me exactly how he did it.”

Yu Sui lifted his gaze and glared at him. “Didn’t you agree…”

“You have no right to argue back. After all, in your eyes, I’m the kind of person who stoops to anything.” Jiang Nianxing’s tone carried a hint of self-mockery.

Yu Sui didn’t refute him. He pinched his fingers together and finally gave in.

Jiang Nianxing’s heart twisted in pain. So he really does think that of me…

He took a deep breath to steady himself, his eyes locked intently on the young man.

Yu Sui’s chest heaved dramatically. At the sight, the man’s expression softened just a fraction.

Soon, his own breathing grew tight, and his pupils shrank.

Yu Sui’s belt had come undone.

Pink…

Jiang Nianxing could scarcely imagine anyone looking so delicately beautiful.

Yu Sui sensed the burning gaze and stiffened, his back going rigid. “You…”

He raised his eyes and realized Jiang Nianxing was staring fixedly at him. He jolted in fright.

“Keep going.” The hoarse voice drifted over.

But in an environment like this—under duress—how could Yu Sui possibly stay focused?

Jiang Nianxing watched him for a long moment with no response, then stepped closer. “Sui Sui.”

“What are you doing?” Yu Sui’s face was full of wariness. “You… you promised…”

He could do it with the captain, with Shen Anliu—but not with him?

A surge of defiance rose in Jiang Nianxing’s chest. He’d only meant to watch, but now he had a single burning desire.