Chapter 44: The Hated Beta Part 2

Yu Sui glanced at him twice, his own body stiffening in empathy, scalp prickling again.

Had he put too much in the drink?

“Bro, I’m dying here.”

At those words, Yu Sui frowned. “Don’t say that!”

Shen Anliu paused. “Bro.”

Yu Sui cupped his face. “Don’t.”

Shen Anliu stilled. “Bro, I won’t say it anymore.”

He leaned in closer, pressing his forehead forward before kissing Yu Sui on the lips.

Yu Sui’s body went rigid for a moment, but he didn’t push him away.

Shen Anliu’s eyes lit up. He scooped him into his arms and kicked the door shut with his leg.

The young man was scorching hot all over. Yu Sui shivered and bit down on his finger, still feeling mortified.

Sure enough, facing it head-on required some mental prep.

He regretted it now and tried to sit up to stop things.

But Shen Anliu had held back for so long—there was no way he’d back down.

“Bro, you have no idea how jealous I was that day,” he said, recounting the scene Yu Sui had witnessed in the woods.

Yu Sui’s scalp crawled; he hadn’t realized anyone else had been there at the time.

Shen Anliu drew in a sharp breath, his eyes turning bloodshot.

Meanwhile, the other two had finished up their work and were staying in the company dorms, but Lu Jinxia decided to swing back to the apartment.

His injury hadn’t healed yet, and he’d left his medicine there.

The apartment was pitch black when he flicked on the lights. He headed to his room to freshen up and tend to the wound.

He thought back to Yu Sui’s coldness after they’d returned that day.

It seemed deliberate, ignoring them without much questioning—just silence. In contrast, he’d been especially close to Shen Anliu.

Reflecting on his own failure left Lu Jinxia feeling helpless.

Maybe they should have a proper talk. While the others were away.

With that in mind, he headed upstairs.

He approached the door to Yu Sui’s room.

A sliver of light leaked out from inside.

Lu Jinxia raised his hand to knock but caught some sounds.

His steps halted. He twisted the doorknob—the door wasn’t locked.

Through the narrow gap, he took in the entire scene inside.

Red marks crisscrossed Shen Anliu’s back. The legs draped over his shoulders were taut, trembling, toes curling tight.

Lu Jinxia sucked in a sharp breath, his pupils contracting as he stared unblinking.

They were…

Jealousy ignited in his chest.

Soon, Shen Anliu shifted while holding him, turning them around.

From this angle, it was perfect…

Sensing the gaze, Shen Anliu looked up, his brows furrowing.

But Lu Jinxia didn’t leave.

Shen Anliu bristled with displeasure, remembering how Yu Sui had shown this guy special attention before. He hugged Yu Sui tighter and walked right toward the door.

The view grew larger, accompanied by the sounds.

Lu Jinxia stood there dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Shen Anliu to…

“Can’t you take a hint?” Shen Anliu shot him a hostile glare.

The young man in his arms let out a plaintive whimper. Hearing the commotion, he struggled to open his eyes wide—and then spotted Lu Jinxia.

His mind went blank with a buzz, his body tensing before going limp.

Both of them froze.

Lu Jinxia glanced down at his own clothes.

Shen Anliu regretted letting someone else catch such a sight. He slammed the door shut, steeling himself.

Lu Jinxia wandered off in a daze.

That night, he had a vivid dream.

Yu Sui didn’t wake until noon the next day. His throat was parched like smoke, and as he slowly sat up, memories of the night before flooded back, leaving him utterly mortified.

Damn that Shen Anliu.

Because of this—and fearing the guy’s stamina—he kept up a cold front, picking fights at every turn.

Shen Anliu knew he was in the wrong and tried to make it up to him in every way.

That evening, all three others returned to the apartment.

Yu Sui lounged on the sofa, with Shen Anliu yammering beside him to strike up conversation.

“You’re so annoying.”

“My bad. Won’t happen again.”

“You think there’s gonna be a next time? Fat chance!” Yu Sui had no intention of doing those tasks anymore. After all, Shen Anliu would never end up with anyone else.

He was scared—truly scared.

He Baiyan eyed the vibe between them and picked up on something.

Jiang Nianxing understood even more. He had to admit that Yu Sui liked Shen Anliu.

His gaze dimmed intensely.

Lu Jinxia swallowed hard. These past few days, he’d thrown himself into work to distract himself, but it hadn’t worked at all.

Whenever he had a free moment, his thoughts drifted back, fantasizing how great it would be if it had been him instead.

He felt like he was going mad.

Yu Sui saw them return but ignored them.

Shen Anliu breathed a sigh of relief.

Vacation over, all five dove back into work.

With the buzz still going strong, the company suggested they hold a concert.

Yu Sui’s eyes lit up.

The plot didn’t specify which concert, so once he got past this hurdle, he could stir up a few more incidents, reveal his identity, and finally leave.

He threw himself into the new songs and choreography with total seriousness—no complaints about the grind. His eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of departure.

Seeing his dedication, the others guided him earnestly too.

Yu Sui had real talent.

They were surprised, knowing he was a Beta.

At the post-concert dinner, he was supposed to drug Lu Jinxia. In the original plot, it paved the way for the protagonists, so this was a mandatory task he couldn’t cannon-fodder his way out of.

Yu Sui started worrying for himself.

The company hyped it early with promotions and ads, hot searches popping up one after another.

As the first official stage with the new member, fans were beyond excited.

The abrupt end to the variety show left many disappointed and restless, especially with no updates from Yu Sui and Shen Anliu in the meantime, which had fans worried sick.

Tickets sold out fast.

That was exactly why Yu Sui didn’t want to embarrass himself, hold back his teammates, or let down the fans.

The next day was a rest day. His teammates all left, but Yu Sui stayed behind in the dance studio, practicing in front of the mirror.

[Host, you’ve got some serious talent.] The system’s tone held awe. [And in such a short time, too.]

“Not bad.” Yu Sui’s lips curved up, his motivation surging.

Again and again, following the music, his timing grew spot-on.

The door creaked open.

He Baiyan walked in with some late-night snacks. “Eat something.”

“You didn’t leave?” Yu Sui was surprised.

Over this time together, his teammates hadn’t crossed any lines, so Yu Sui had stopped ignoring them.

“Figured you’d still be training.” He Baiyan set down the food.

Yu Sui was starving. He washed his hands first, then came back, thanked him, and dug in without hesitation.

He Baiyan sat nearby, studying his face.

The young man looked a bit disheveled right then, but his eyes were clear and bright.

He realized he didn’t really know Yu Sui.

At the start, the guy had seemed like he was just messing around for fun, but now he was showing such passion.

“Do you really love this industry?” He Baiyan asked curiously.

Yu Sui paused. “Nah.”

“Then why…?”

“So many people bought tickets. I don’t want to disappoint them.” Yu Sui answered honestly.

He Baiyan’s throat bobbed. “You really captivate me.”

Yu Sui paused again, rolling his eyes at him.

He Baiyan chuckled.

After eating and resting a bit, Yu Sui got back up.

He Baiyan watched from the side at first, then stood to guide him, correcting his moves.

By the time Yu Sui found himself pinned against the mirror, he realized he’d let his guard down.

“You!” Yu Sui raised his leg to kick him.

He Baiyan kissed his cheek. “Shen Anliu must’ve pissed you off. Want to dump him?”

He asked that, but acted first without permission.

Yu Sui’s lips were claimed.

His breathing grew labored, cheeks flushing deep red.

He Baiyan pulled back. “Sui Sui.”

The mirror against his back was icy cool, while the man before him burned like a furnace.

His kisses trailed from cheek to earlobe to neck.

Yu Sui frowned. “I’m all sweaty.”

“You smell good.” He Baiyan said.

He kissed down to the young man’s waist. Seeing little resistance, he knew what was on his mind.

He had Yu Sui’s number down pat.

The guy who’d been solid as iron moments ago went weak in the knees instantly.

He Baiyan steadied his waist.

But in the end, it felt utterly unfamiliar.

Yu Sui snapped to, trying to shove him away, but got pulled into a tight embrace instead.

This steady-looking man had no restraint at all.

Yu Sui gripped his shoulders, wanting to speak, but his words fragmented into gasps.

Soon, he had no strength left for dancing.

He thought that was the end of it.

The man straightened his clothes for him, then carried him back to the dormitory and into the bathroom.

Only then did Yu Sui realize that this was just the beginning.

Under the shower, the warm water washed away his sweat and tears.

Yu Sui’s eyes were dazed, and he was completely held in the man’s embrace.

He pursed his lips, unwilling to make a sound, and bit down on the man’s shoulder.

“Sui Sui.” He Baiyan kissed his face. “Mark me.”

He tilted his head, gesturing for Yu Sui to bite the back of his neck.

Yu Sui didn’t fully understand, but he opened his mouth and did as instructed.

Alphas didn’t have glands and wouldn’t react to a marking, yet in that moment, it felt like an electric shock to him. His scalp tingled, and his heart pounded fiercely.

His breathing grew tight, his eyes darkening.

The next day, a fight broke out at the company. Several TYE members had beaten up their captain.

Since no pheromones had been used, the company turned a blind eye.

The other members gleefully headed to the infirmary to watch the excitement.

They hadn’t aimed for the faces, after all—their faces were too important.

Shen Anliu’s hand was swollen; he had struck the hardest.

The others weren’t in much better shape.

Yu Sui’s expression was grim. He shooed away the onlookers and then walked into the inner room. “What is going on with you all?”

“Bro…” Shen Anliu looked at him aggrievedly. “Did he threaten you?”

“No.” Yu Sui shook his head.

“Why?” Jiang Nianxing stared at Yu Sui. “He can, so why can’t I?”

“This was an accident.” Yu Sui made his scumbag declaration.

“Sui Sui has already marked me. I’m his now.” He Baiyan spoke up.

This statement sent their pheromones into chaos.

Yu Sui felt an oppressive pressure bearing down on him, and his head throbbed.

Seeing his unpleasant expression, they quickly reined in their pheromones.

“Sui Sui, if he can…” Jiang Nianxing was eager to try.

He had assumed Yu Sui had given up a whole forest for Shen Anliu, but now that wasn’t the case—his heart suddenly leaped with anticipation.

“Are you all treating me like I’m dead?” Shen Anliu’s expression turned ugly.

He Baiyan kept insisting that he belonged to Yu Sui.

Lu Jinxia remained silent, his mind racing: They can, so why can’t I?