Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 14

On the way to the bar, Yu Zhihuai kept refreshing the messages repeatedly.

Shu Da’s clarification was direct and powerful, even providing the performance venue address outright, causing many onlookers to waver in their skepticism.

Seeing this, Yu Zhihuai immediately reposted a message using his own account.

[Avery Yu: I know this person, she can’t possibly play ancient instruments. I guarantee this video is fake. Tonight, I’ll personally go to the scene and expose their lies.]

Though not a major celebrity, Yu Zhihuai, as a nobleman, occasionally flaunted his lavish lifestyle on the interstellar network, effortlessly amassing a large following. He was an undeniable internet influencer.

His statement only fueled the wave of doubt further.

Shu Da, still en route to the bar, nearly burst into tears upon seeing this.

But with her limited fanbase, her desperate attempts to clarify were drowned in the sea of skepticism.

In the end, she could only give up in frustration, wiping her tears. “You’ll see for yourselves once we get there!”

Meanwhile, Yu Zhitao and Ah Jiu had just stepped off the bus.

Glancing at Ah Jiu’s face, Yu Zhitao felt a pang of guilt. “Did I hurt you earlier?”

Ah Jiu realized she was referring to when she had dozed off on her shoulder.

She shook her head. “No, it didn’t hurt.”

Yu Zhitao skipped ahead, then turned back upon hearing this.

Walking backward, she asked, “Then why do you look so unhappy?”

The gift had just been given, yet Ah Jiu didn’t seem as happy as she had imagined, making Yu Zhitao doubt herself.

Seeing this, Ah Jiu quickly stepped forward and pulled her back. “Be careful. Watch where you’re going.”

Yu Zhitao wrinkled her nose, clearly not intending to listen.

Ah Jiu pressed a hand atop her head.

Tall and slender, Ah Jiu stood a full twenty centimeters taller than Yu Zhitao. With just a bit of force, Yu Zhitao had no choice but to comply.

“I’m not unhappy,” Ah Jiu said.

Yu Zhitao flailed her arms, trying to resist.

Seeing her disbelief, Ah Jiu finally admitted, “It’s about my condition.”

Yu Zhitao froze instantly.

Though they had lived together for a while, Ah Jiu had always seemed perfectly healthy, to the point that Yu Zhitao had nearly forgotten about her illness.

She lowered her head. “I’m sorry.”

Ah Jiu was puzzled. “Why apologize?”

She always seemed a beat slow when it came to such matters.

Yu Zhitao mumbled, “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Ah Jiu eased her grip, gently ruffling her hair. “It’s fine.”

“Is it serious?” Now that the topic was open, Yu Zhitao pressed further. “Don’t give me that ‘won’t die’ excuse again. Medicine is so advanced now, what illness can’t be treated?

“You better not be avoiding treatment out of pride!”

Ah Jiu sighed. “It’s a hormonal disorder.

“‘Won’t die’ is true, but… functions related to hormones like reproduction and combat abilities will be completely lost or weakened to the level of an ordinary Beta.”

Yu Zhitao’s lips parted, but no words of comfort came to mind.

Ah Jiu’s expression remained as indifferent as ever, almost cold, yet Yu Zhitao’s heart ached for her.

Though she didn’t know Ah Jiu’s past, from their interactions, Yu Zhitao could tell that Ah Jiu was someone proud, someone who had every right to be.

People like her, who had become ordinary due to illness, suffered blows unimaginable to most.

Yet even so,Ah Jiu only showed some unavoidable despondency, never complaining about life like a child who had always been obedient and sensible, never troubling those around her.

Such people swallow the most bitterness, and precisely because they don’t cry or clamor for comfort, they are the easiest to overlook.

Thinking of this, Yu Zhiyao’s heart ached unbearably.

Meanwhile, Ah Jiu turned to see her on the verge of tears and nearly lost her composure.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “I told you, it’s not because of you.”

Yu Zhiyao sniffled.

She couldn’t say, It’s because my heart hurts for you, so she took a roundabout way instead: “Ah Jiu, I want dessert.”

Ah Jiu glanced at the time.

“Let’s go to the bar first,” she said. “We can order something to be delivered later.”

Yu Zhiyao shook her head.

She clung to Ah Jiu’s arm and whined, “No, I can’t wait! I need something sweet right now, or I’ll feel awful!”

Ah Jiu sighed helplessly.

But without realizing it, she had long grown accustomed to indulging this girl unconditionally. “Alright, let’s go then.”

Yu Zhiyao cheered, pulling her forward.

The bar manager readily agreed when informed that Yu Zhiyao would arrive later.

The recent performance schedule was flexible, they only needed to push back the guqin performance.

But this small delay nearly caused trouble.

Yu Zhihuai spotted Shu Da at the bar and sat down beside her.

Convinced she was the accomplice in Yu Zhiyao’s fake video, he spoke to her with open hostility.

“You actually dared to come here?” Yu Zhihuai sneered. “Did you really think no one in the Upper District of the Capital Planet uses the StarNet?”

Shu Da studied him. “You… are that StarNet blogger who swore the video was fake?”

Yu Zhihuai gave a haughty nod.

He took a sip of his drink and adjusted his tie. “I came specifically to expose you.”

Shu Da laughed in disbelief.

Crossing her arms, she asked, “You’ve never even seen it in person. How can you be so sure it’s fake?”

“Do you know spreading rumors violates StarNet regulations? Aren’t you afraid of getting banned?”

Yu Zhihuai shot her a disdainful look. “Oh, so you do know there are consequences for lying?”

“You should worry about your own account!”

Shu Da cooled down and said bluntly, “Fine, let’s make a bet.”

“If the guqin performance is fake, I’ll request my account be banned myself. But if it’s real, you have to issue a public apology and then request your account be banned. Deal?”

“Deal!” Yu Zhihuai slammed his glass onto the table.

He wiped the alcohol from his lips. “Not only will I get you banned, but I’ll also have Capital Security arrest you for inciting fraud!”

In his mind, Yu Zhiyao was still his clueless older sister, he was certain Shu Da had masterminded everything.

Shu Da nodded. “Fine.”

With no more words to exchange, the two fell silent, waiting for the performance to begin.

But soon, as the host announced the guqin performance had been replaced, an uproar broke out in the bar.

The electronic band took the stage, playing familiar melodies with high-tech instruments. Amidst the electronic sounds, Yu Zhihuai turned to Shu Da: “This trick of yours won’t work. Did you really think you could fool me by trying to escape at the last minute?”

Shu Da’s face turned pale.

Not just Yu Zhihuai, but all the viewers in her live stream were now voicing their doubts.

She quickly called over a hotel attendant to inquire about the situation.

The attendant replied, “It’s not canceled. The guqin performance has just been delayed and will continue later.”

Shu Da sighed in relief. “Okay, got it.”

Using this excuse, she temporarily calmed the skeptical crowd.

But as time passed, everyone grew impatient. The live stream was flooded with waves of negative comments.

[Don’t bother waiting. It’s definitely fake. I’ve seen this kind of trick from bloggers before, just stalling! You’ll never see that guqin performance.]

[No way, no way. Do people actually believe ancient instruments can be played? Even archaeologists can’t confirm this stuff, and some small-time bar performer has restored it?]

[I used to like this blogger, but this video fakery is too disappointing. Still stubbornly clinging to the lie? Unfollowing and leaving.]

[…]

Shu Da tried her best to explain, but she couldn’t pacify the agitated audience. Soon, most of the viewers left the stream, leaving only her die-hard fans and a few spectators who wanted to see the drama unfold.

She was on the verge of tears, helplessly watching it all unfold.

After a while, Yu Zhihuai couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed Shu Da’s wrist. “Did you hide that guqin performer?”

Shu Da struggled to break free. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! Let go!”

Yu Zhihuai gritted his teeth. “Stop pretending!

“I know the person in that video. If I don’t see her today, I’ll drag you to the police station myself!”

Having lost all patience, he began forcibly pulling Shu Da outside, determined to interrogate her about Yu Zhitao’s whereabouts.

Though Shu Da fought back desperately, as an Omega, she was no match for Yu Zhihuai, a high-ranking Alpha in terms of physical strength. She could only be dragged along.

Fortunately, Yu Zhihuai stopped at the entrance.

Not because the bar’s security intervened, but because he ran straight into Yu Zhitao and Ah Jiu, who had just returned.

“Yu Zhihuai?” Yu Zhitao was so shocked she nearly dropped her sweet cocktail. “What are you doing here? Wait, why are you holding Shu Da?”

She stepped forward and rescued Shu Da from Yu Zhihuai’s grip.

Shu Da gasped for breath, tears welling up the moment she saw her.

Yu Zhihuai gave Ah Jiu a disdainful once-over.

Standing close, he could smell Ah Jiu’s pheromones. It didn’t take long for him to confirm, Ah Jiu was the one who had marked Yu Zhitao.

“So you’re the bastard, huh?”

Seething with anger and with no outlet for his rage, he swung a punch at Ah Jiu.

Earlier, he had held back against Shu Da, an Omega, but Ah Jiu was an Alpha. Yu Zhihuai saw no reason to restrain himself now.

“Yu Zhihuai, what are you doing? Stop!” Yu Zhitao shouted.

But her protests fell on deaf ears. Yu Zhihuai was too furious to listen.

Seeing that Ah Jiu was handling the situation calmly, Yu Zhitao turned her attention to Shu Da.

After Shu Da explained, she quickly understood what had happened.

“…So that’s how it was.” Yu Zhitao felt deeply remorseful. “It’s all my fault for dragging Ah Jiu out to buy things last minute, delaying the performance a bit.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Shu Da smiled generously. “Then as compensation, could you give your contact info to your loyal little fan later?”

Yu Zhitao laughed. “Sure!”

She stood up and called out to Yu Zhihuai, “Didn’t you want to see the guqin performance? I’m here now, stop fighting!”

But Yu Zhihuai was beyond listening.

Originally, given the difference in pheromone levels between him and Ah Jiu, he thought he could defeat this woman in three or four moves.

Yet the reality of the fight was completely different.

Ah Jiu blocked all his attacks, making him feel like every punch landed on cotton.

What’s more, Ah Jiu didn’t counterattack at all, giving Yu Zhihuai the illusion that just a little more persistence would bring her down.

So, he found himself getting more and more carried away in the fight.

Seeing he’d lost all reason, Yu Zhitao turned to Ah Jiu instead. “Ah Jiu, please stop fighting now.”

Ah Jiu responded softly, “Alright.”

The next moment, Yu Zhihuai, who had been throwing fierce punches just seconds before let out a pained cry as he was pinned heavily to the ground.

Ah Jiu looked up at Yu Zhitao, her expression completely calm.

“Stopped,” she said.

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