Chapter 4: The Beta Who Hates Alphas

Training room.

Seeing only two people there, Lu Jinxia raised an eyebrow. “Where’s Yu Sui?”

“His foot’s injured,” Jiang Nianxing replied.

“How did that happen?” Lu Jinxia sounded surprised.

Alphas were built tough—how could one get hurt so easily?

“It’s my fault,” Shen Anliu said, his face etched with self-reproach.

Captain He Baiyan had no patience for their rambling. In a cold voice, he cut in, “He’s here now. Focus on training.”

Shen Anliu composed himself.

As for the online post, the company let it simmer all day before issuing a statement at eight that evening.

They announced termination of the offending artist, stating that any criminal matters would be handled by the authorities and not the company.

Star Sea said nothing about the penalties for the two involved, and outsiders remained none the wiser—lest every alpha in the industry erupt in rage.

Shen Anliu drilled pronunciation and the basics.

He threw himself into it relentlessly, asking questions without a shred of embarrassment.

A faint crack even appeared in He Baiyan’s perennial icy expression. He simply couldn’t fathom why any alpha would be so passionate about this line of work.

Lu Jinxia grew irritated with all the questions, but his public image was that of the caring senior who always looked out for his teammates. He forced himself to answer patiently.

All the while, he took care to keep his distance, wary of any accidental contact.

The four poured sweat into their dance practice while Yu Sui slumbered peacefully.

By ten o’clock that night, the session wrapped up.

They headed to the cafeteria together for dinner.

The other trainees had already cleared out by then.

The four exchanged no words, simply eating in silence.

Shen Anliu made a point of grabbing an extra portion. He had no idea if Yu Sui had eaten yet—his foot made things inconvenient, after all.

The others picked up on it, surprise flickering in their eyes.

They even stole occasional glances at the young man’s neck, wondering if he might be an Omega masquerading as an alpha.

Yet his nape was smooth and unmarked.

What a freak.

Lu Jinxia griped to himself.

Jiang Nianxing, though, suspected it was all an act. No alpha could possibly be this thoughtful and gentle.

Once dinner was done, Shen Anliu stood. “Seniors, I’ll head out first!”

He offered a polite bow before darting away in a flurry.

“What do you make of them?” With only three left, Jiang Nianxing asked.

“Weird,” He Baiyan said—an uncharacteristically direct opinion.

“Definitely,” Lu Jinxia agreed, cracking his knuckles with a nod.

“You watch yourself,” Jiang Nianxing warned Lu Jinxia. “This Shen Anliu might end up stepping on your toes with that persona of his.”

“I can’t let some newbie steal my thunder,” Lu Jinxia replied as he rose. “Caring about a teammate is just part of the job, after all.”

Jiang Nianxing curled his lip as Lu Jinxia left. “Always putting on a show. Doesn’t he ever get tired?”

“He’s weird too,” He Baiyan said, a glint passing through his eyes.

“True—acting strange out of nowhere today,” Jiang Nianxing nodded.

He Baiyan shot him a lingering look at that before standing.

“What’s with you?” Jiang Nianxing wondered if even the captain was off now.

“We’re not talking about the same thing,” He Baiyan said flatly. He checked his watch. “It’s getting late. I’m heading back to the dorm to rest.”

“You and your rigid schedule,” Jiang Nianxing ribbed him, not dwelling on the cryptic remark.

Carrying the food, Shen Anliu approached their dorm floor, tension creeping in.

He couldn’t help recalling the warmth of Yu Sui’s hand in his, the gentle way he’d stroked his hair.

Easing the door open, he found the room shrouded in darkness.

Shen Anliu frowned faintly and flicked on the light.

The sight of the soundly sleeping youth left him torn.

Had he eaten? Waking him might not be polite…

Knock knock knock.

Puzzled by the sound, Shen Anliu opened the door. “Senior?”

“Yeah, where’s Yu Sui?” Lu Jinxia craned his neck to peer inside.

“He’s asleep,” Shen Anliu said, stepping aside.

Lu Jinxia marched right in without a second thought.

Gazing at the youth curled on his side beneath the covers, he cracked his knuckles again. He wanted to test the waters once more.

Shen Anliu noticed the stare fixed on Yu Sui and didn’t understand. “He’s really out cold—not ignoring you or anything.”

“Which foot got hurt?” Lu Jinxia fished ointment from his pocket. “There’s something tomorrow. He can’t skip out.”

“Just give me the ointment,” Shen Anliu said, extending his hand. “I’ll pass on your kindness when he wakes up.”

“No need. I’ll apply it myself.” Lu Jinxia moved to the bedside. “It might get worse by morning.”

Shen Anliu flushed a little; he hadn’t even considered that.

Lifting the blanket exposed a stretch of pale leg—the ankle slender, the instep delicate enough to reveal the veins beneath.

The big toe on his right foot was indeed red and swollen.

Lu Jinxia scooped ointment onto his fingertip and gingerly touched the inflamed spot.

Still unsure whether his aversion stemmed from mere happenstance, he made contact as brief as possible.

No disgust welled up.

Lu Jinxia’s eyes flickered.

Shen Anliu set the food aside nearby and frowned at the senior’s bowed head and intense focus. “Senior, let me handle it.”

He stepped closer and reached for the tube.

Their hands brushed unavoidably.

Dizziness hit Lu Jinxia like a wave, nausea roiling in his gut. He nearly retched.

His face twisted. He bit his tongue hard to fight the urge to shove Shen Anliu away.

“Fine.”

He thrust the ointment into Shen Anliu’s hand and bolted from the room.

Perplexed, Shen Anliu still managed a “Good night.”

The words only made Lu Jinxia’s stomach lurch harder. He was on the verge of vomiting.

In the haze of sleep, Yu Sui registered an itch.

Unable to place it, he furrowed his brow and squirmed to roll over.

But then his foot was caught in a firm grip.

Wait—what?!

Yu Sui’s eyes snapped open. Propping himself up, he peered toward the foot of the bed. There sat Shen Anliu on a stool, holding his foot—his toes now cool with ointment.

What the hell?

This time, he didn’t lash out. Instead, he yanked his leg free, eyeing Shen Anliu warily. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I…” Shen Anliu’s cheeks colored, his gaze skittering away in guilt.

“Why are you blushing?” Yu Sui demanded, baffled.

“There’s an event tomorrow. Senior Lu Jinxia dropped off some ointment, but you were asleep, so I… took the liberty.” He mumbled apologetically. “Sorry if I overstepped.”

Yu Sui eyed his foot at the explanation. Ah, so it was ointment.

But he was fully committed to the role now—no room for gratitude. “Typical low-tier alpha. No manners at all.”

Shen Anliu stared at him in disbelief, clearly caught off guard.

Yu Sui sat up straight. “Surprised?”

Contempt twisted his features. “You think I’d stoop to being your friend—or teammate? Keep dreaming. You’re nothing but a 3S+ alpha. You’ll never measure up to me.”

“You… how could you…” Shen Anliu reeled.

“Heh, all an act.” Yu Sui pulled a face like he might hurl. “And yanking me around today? That was on purpose, wasn’t it? Holding grudges like a petty little alpha…”

He kept railing, even as anxiety gnawed at him inside.

This was going too far. What if Shen Anliu lost it and decked him?

Yu Sui had zero confidence against a full alpha.

As Yu Sui’s barbs grew fiercer, laced with raw hostility, Shen Anliu’s unease morphed into something else.

He was an alpha too. What was the point of this slander?

Had something happened to him?

Staring at Yu Sui’s striking face, Shen Anliu thought of his own shameful secret. Could it be…

His complexion drained. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you. Please don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Yu Sui nearly choked. Unbelievable.

After all that abuse, the protagonist shou wasn’t even pissed? Was that normal?

“You…”

“Have you eaten dinner?” Shen Anliu asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Huh?”

Yu Sui couldn’t keep up.

“I brought some food. Eat if it’s not too much trouble.” Shen Anliu headed to the bathroom to wash his hands.

Yu Sui watched his retreating back, expression conflicted. “This guy’s a straight-up saint.”

[This is the angel.] The system sighed. [Pity he can’t save you.]

Yu Sui felt the same.

Grrrrumble.

His stomach growled. Yu Sui wavered. “I’m supposed to be a Beta who hates alphas. How can I take his charity? But damn, I’m hungry…”

[Host, you don’t have to method-act this hard.] The system said, touched. [Nail the key tasks—that’s enough. Skip the fine print.]

“Can I…?”

[Play it flexible.] The system advised. [Plus, scarf it down then trash-talk? Makes your character even more loathsome, spotlights the protagonist’s pure goodness.]

“Then amp it up?”

[Hell yeah, go big.]

In the bathroom, Shen Anliu washed his hands, lips pressed thin with self-reproach.

How had he forgotten? Alphas naturally repelled each other. He was the outlier; no one else saw things his way.

And liking alphas—liking guys? That had to disgust anyone normal.

Shen Anliu patted his cheeks. From here on, distance. Even if Yu Sui was exactly his type.

Yu Sui dug into the food without so much as glancing up or murmuring thanks when Shen Anliu returned.

Shen Anliu said nothing, grabbing his pajamas before heading to shower.

He emerged bundled head to toe, then dealt with the trash.

Yu Sui thought to himself: This guy’s too damn nice. What a shame I’m such an ass.

He swung his legs out of bed to wash up, momentarily forgetting his foot. His big toe took weight, his knee buckled, and he nearly crumpled to the floor.

Shen Anliu reacted in a flash, dropping to one knee and catching him.

“Are you all right?” Shen Anliu gripped Yu Sui’s waist tightly, his heart still pounding from the scare. “Whatever you need, just tell me.”

In that moment, Shen Anliu completely forgot to keep his distance from others.

Yu Sui felt deeply uncomfortable, his earlier gloom evaporating. “Let go of me.”

“What do you need?” Shen Anliu knew Yu Sui hated him, but what if the injury worsened…

He didn’t budge an inch.

The pressure around his waist made goosebumps rise all over Yu Sui’s skin.

This was too bizarre…

“I need to use the bathroom,” he said, unable to wriggle free.

“I’ll help you.” Relieved that Yu Sui was at least speaking to him, Shen Anliu eased his hold slightly and supported him as he stood.

Yu Sui’s big toe had swollen badly, forcing him to hop on one foot.

He wanted to spit up blood.

Unsteady, he leaned his entire weight against the young man’s arm.

It was too embarrassing, too disastrous. Yu Sui forgot all about their intimate position.

Shen Anliu held his breath and stole a sidelong glance at Yu Sui’s reaction. Seeing no sign of distress, a restless impulse stirred within him.

He doesn’t reject me? Then maybe I can get just a little closer…