From Trashy A to the Heiress’s Little Son-in-Law After the Idol Competition (GL, ABO) - Chapter 30

In the following days, the two of them seemed to be hiding something from each other. Whenever they crossed paths, they would silently distance themselves without a word. Gone were the days when Xiao Yanjin would follow behind Ji Yunuo, deliberately trying to provoke Chu Luo, or visit their practice room to drag Ji Yunuo out for meals and sweet moments.

Chu Luo, on the other hand, was quite pleased, occasionally mocking Xiao Yanjin for being a “simp who ended up with nothing.”

Meanwhile, Ji Yunuo grew even colder than before, preoccupied with her thoughts and treating every alpha with the same detached attitude especially Xiao Yanjin.

It was as if they had become strangers, avoiding each other’s gazes even when they passed by.

Even Jiang Nan, who loved shipping them, noticed something was off.

These two are acting so awkward. No way, I need to keep watching!

After finishing training, Xiao Yanjin walked out with Jiang Nan and Zeng Heshi, chatting and laughing.

Coincidentally, the group from the neighboring practice room also stepped out.

Ji Yunuo was the last to leave, and for a brief moment, her eyes met Xiao Yanjin’s.

Without a word, they parted ways, exchanging nothing.

“Hey, didn’t you used to cling to Miss Ji all the time? She’s alone now, why don’t you go eat with her?” Jiang Nan nudged Xiao Yanjin’s arm.

Xiao Yanjin replied coolly, “Forget it. She probably can’t stand the sight of me. Besides, He Rou’s going to teach me some dance moves later. I need to eat quickly!”

She spoke in a normal tone, but Ji Yunuo heard every word.

He Rou…

The name echoed in her mind.

“Is He Rou teaching you dance now?” Jiang Nan asked.

“Yeah, my basics are terrible, and He Rou’s an amazing dancer. Plus, she’s a great teacher, always encouraging me, telling me I can do it. I really enjoy practicing with her.” For the first time in a while, Xiao Yanjin smiled, a smile that didn’t go unnoticed by a certain someone.

Ji Yunuo’s steps faltered slightly. Only when the hallway had emptied did she finally react.

Watching Xiao Yanjin’s retreating figure, Ji Yunuo sighed helplessly, lowering her gaze. Then, Wei Qin’s words resurfaced in her mind, stirring up frustration. Her fingers clenched involuntarily before she suddenly slammed her fist against the wall.

She couldn’t understand it, no matter how firmly she resolved to stay away, every time she saw Xiao Yanjin, she couldn’t help but pay attention. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she whispered to herself, “Ji Yunuo, don’t fall for an alpha. It’s not worth it. You’re not allowed to do this!”

Her outburst happened to be witnessed by He Rou, who was passing by.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Ji Yunuo glanced at her reddened knuckles and averted her gaze. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? Your hand is all red! I know a lot of people are under pressure lately, but you shouldn’t take it out on yourself.” He Rou looked at her hand with concern. “Such pretty hands. Let me take you to the infirmary.”

Not wanting to refuse the kindness, Ji Yunuo followed her.

He Rou personally applied ointment to her hand, her delicate features softening with a touch of vulnerability as she focused.

“I heard you’re teaching Xiao Yanjin dance?” Ji Yunuo didn’t understand why she even asked.

“Yeah, her dancing is pretty rough, so I thought I’d help her out.”

Ji Yunuo simply nodded. I used to be the one teaching her.  Now it’s someone else.

“Does she like learning from you?”

“Of course! She smiles every time she sees me.”

Like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her, Ji Yunuo felt an unexpected chill.

She had to admit, He Rou’s beauty was striking, like a blazing flame capable of igniting anyone who admired her.

Xiao Yanjin only got along well with her roommates, but outside of them, He Rou was the one she was closest to.

Sometimes, they even walked side by side.

One was attracted to Omegas, the other to alphas so why were they so close?

Ji Yunuo still didn’t understand, but now that she’d discovered how kind and beautiful He Rou was, what alpha wouldn’t like her?

Ji Yunuo’s group was doing exceptionally well. The members respected her so much that they not only voted her as leader but were even willing to hand over the center position. Of course, Ji Yunuo wouldn’t accept an unearned center spot, but after competing for it, the position still ended up in her hands.

During a break after practice, Ji Yunuo habitually used the training room’s coffee machine, she always had a cup after rehearsals.

“Hey, He Rou’s been getting pretty close to Xiao Yanjin lately,” some members gossiped.

“Well, He Rou’s stunningly beautiful and sexy. Rumor has it many alphas pursued her during her trainee days. It’s no surprise Xiao Yanjin would take a liking to her.”

“Xiao Yanjin likes someone?”

Hearing Xiao Yanjin’s name, Ji Yunuo’s ears immediately perked up, and the words slipped out before she could stop herself. The moment she asked, she startled even herself.

Everyone knew Xiao Yanjin and Ji Yunuo were a popular fan-made pairing, but they understood it was just for show, a solo performance. With the Xiao family’s decline, it made sense for Xiao Yanjin to seek influential connections, and Ji Yunuo was one such option.

Too bad the young miss was out of her league. When that plan failed, shifting her sights to the equally popular He Rou was only natural.

“Xiao Yanjin and He Rou, don’t you think they’ve been awfully close recently?”

Ji Yunuo froze, recalling how she’d seen them laughing together several times lately, not to mention earlier encounters. The first time was when Xiao Yanjin accidentally vomited, and He Rou helped her take her to the hospital. He Rou had looked genuinely concerned then, making Ji Yunuo wonder if there was something improper between them.

The second time was when He Rou cheered for Xiao Yanjin before a performance, and then their playful banter, all those exchanged smiles they really did seem close.

And that one time He Rou hugged Xiao Yanjin, whispering something with a bright smile.

Only that moment had started making her suspicious.

She tried hard not to pay attention to Xiao Yanjin.

Ji Yunuo,  you must stop focusing on Xiao Yanjin.

Pursing her lips, Ji Yunuo helplessly scratched her head. “I think it’s fine.”

Someone joked, “But He Rou’s only into alphas. Unless Xiao Yanjin’s also into alphas, they’d totally hit it off.”

Cheng Ling shrugged. “If they like each other, so what? Though He Rou and Shi Zhengyi’s CP is so popular wouldn’t Xiao Yanjin be ruining her friend’s image by doing this?”

As they chattered back and forth, Ji Yunuo remained dazed.

Would Xiao Yanjin really fall for He Rou?

That time at the infirmary, He Rou had been so easy to get along with gorgeous and radiant. It made sense she’d attract many alphas.

“Ah, but Shi Zhengyi and Xiao Yanjin are such good friends too. How shameless of her.”

Ji Yunuo’s expression darkened with anger.

Cheng Ling noticed. “Yunuo, why do you look so pale?”

“I’m fine,” Ji Yunuo said coldly before walking out.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yanjin and He Rou were still chatting in the café.

He Rou: “Did you handle what I asked?”

Xiao Yanjin: “Finished long ago. Just worried you might not be satisfied.”

He Rou smiled, her charm radiant as she poured water and cooed, “Yanjin, you’re so wonderful.”

Xiao Yanjin averted her gaze. “Oh my god, don’t smile at me like that, I can’t take it.”

He Rou: “My fans call me the icy-sexy idol, you know. Me smiling at you is an honor, you should be grateful!”

“Oh? Are you some imperial concubine with such a lofty status?”

“Concubine? Please, I’m the empress!”

Xiao Yanjin couldn’t help but laugh this beta was just too amusing.

Little did she know, someone had witnessed her laughter.

Despite there being a coffee machine in the practice room, Ji Yunuo had come here anyway. Was it because she’d heard rumors about He Rou and Xiao Yanjin getting cozy?

The two noticed someone had entered and immediately composed themselves.

Xiao Yanjin glanced sideways and saw it was Ji Yunuo.

He Rou, unaware of who had arrived, patted Xiao Yanjin’s hand earnestly. “Anyway, I really appreciate it. How about I treat you to a meal next time?”

For some reason, Xiao Yanjin felt a nervous guilt and chuckled awkwardly. “Nah, don’t worry about it. Helping you was the right thing to do.”

He Rou frowned. “What do you mean, ‘don’t worry about it’? I have to treat you! No alpha has ever been this genuine with me before. I always return favors this is non-negotiable!”

Xiao Yanjin grew increasingly tense. Just moments ago, she had been chatting and laughing effortlessly, but now that Ji Yunuo was here, she felt like a sour lemon, her teeth practically aching from the bitterness.

Ji Yunuo silently took a seat, sipping her coffee. She seemed normal but too normal, in a way that felt off.

Only then did He Rou realize it was Ji Yunuo. Straightforward as ever, she didn’t pick up on the faint awkwardness in the air and greeted her cheerfully. “Yunuo, you came without a word! I thought you were Shi Zhengyi.”

“Do I look like Shi Zhengyi?” Ji Yunuo countered. The question itself was harmless, but her tone carried a slight chill, as if she was spoiling for a fight.

He Rou froze. Shi Zhengyi and Ji Yunuo looked nothing alike not in appearance, demeanor, style, or even hair length.

“I just mistook you, that’s all,” He Rou muttered.

Ji Yunuo swept her long hair back, its fragrance drifting toward Xiao Yanjin.

Xiao Yanjin’s nose tingled, and she rubbed it awkwardly.

Ji Yunuo smiled elegantly. “Mistaking me for Shi Zhengyi? I don’t mind. Shi Zhengyi is a great person handsome, talented, a cut above the rest among the alpha trainees.”

Xiao Yanjin wiped her sweat. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far…”

“Does Miss Xiao have any objections?” Ji Yunuo’s voice grew even cooler.

Xiao Yanjin pressed her lips together. Of course she had no objections, Ji Yunuo could praise any alpha she wanted.

Shrugging, Xiao Yanjin said, “Sister Zhengyi is great, no doubt. I’d be the first to agree.”

He Rou, however, disagreed. “I don’t know about her, but I think our Yanjin is pretty amazing.”

“Our?” Ji Yunuo emphasized the word.

Xiao Yanjin nodded. “Yeah, I am pretty great. He Rou has high standards, she wouldn’t misjudge me.”

He Rou nodded vigorously. “Weren’t you two close before? How come Miss Ji doesn’t even know what kind of person Yanjin is?”

“Absolutely not!” The two retorted in unison.

Ji Yunuo stared at Xiao Yanjin for a long, long time, her fingers suddenly clenching tightly.

Noticing Ji Yunuo’s gaze, Xiao Yanjin smirked coldly. “Miss Ji and I are only tied together out of necessity, it’s purely a business relationship. To be honest, we barely knew each other before, and now we’re practically strangers.”

Ji Yunuo suppressed her emotions and stood up. “I have training to attend to. Goodbye.”

She left without even taking her coffee cup, clearly upset. Yet Xiao Yanjin feigned indifference, refusing to remind her.

“Miss Ji! You forgot your coffee!” He Rou called out, holding the cup.

Ji Yunuo paused, then turned back. “Thank you.”

He Rou smiled. “No need. I don’t know what happened between you two, but Yanjin is a good alpha, she’s not like the rumors say. If you’ve had an argument, make sure to talk it out.”

Would talking even help?

Ji Yunuo gave a faint smile. “I know.” The two locked eyes for a long moment.

“Well, I’ll be going then,” He Rou said cautiously.

“Wait!” Ji Yunuo suddenly looked up, a flicker of hope in her expression.

“What is it?”

“Do you like Xiao Yanjin?”

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