Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 35

Xie Bufei immediately looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“My heartbeat,” Yu Qiao lowered her head, pressing a hand to her chest to feel the throbbing of her heart. “It’s so strange.”

“Is it because you’re too tired?” Thinking Yu Qiao was in pain, Xie Bufei quickly took her hand and pulled her back toward the shore. “Let’s go sit in the back for a while.”

Yu Qiao let herself be led obediently. She sat on the stone steps by the beach, her head hanging low, looking both dejected and confused. “I don’t know either.”

Xie Bufei asked with concern, “Besides your heart, is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?”

Yu Qiao shook her head.

“It might be because you’ve been staying up late so often lately, causing an irregular heart rhythm. You should go to bed earlier from now on.” Xie Bufei gently brushed Yu Qiao’s fluffy hair. “Rest more. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Yu Qiao nodded without speaking. She felt that in that very moment, her heartbeat seemed to quicken again. Other than that, there was no discomfort.

What on earth was the reason?

The two sat side by side on the edge of the beach for a while, watching the afterglow gradually spill over the sea. The orange-red light of the sunset spread across a vast area, brilliant and magnificent.

Xie Bufei rested her chin on her hands, gazing out at the fiery distant sea. “It’s so beautiful.”

Yu Qiao looked at her. The girl’s lips were slightly parted; her soft eyelashes and dark eyes were tinted a pale orange. She looked hazy, like a yellowed, peaceful old photograph.

Yu Qiao couldn’t help but echo, “Yes, it’s very beautiful.”

“I suddenly understand why my mom wanted to be buried here.” Xie Bufei stretched and stood up. “When the sea breeze blows, the troubles of the world don’t seem like much anymore.”

She suddenly said softly, “Mom, I miss you. Is everything okay where you are?”

Yu Qiao watched her back quietly and said nothing. She knew she shouldn’t disturb Xie Bufei right now; she should let her be alone for a moment.

After a long time, black clouds like thick ink emerged from the horizon, and the afterglow gradually faded. Xie Bufei turned to look at her and smiled faintly. “Let’s go home.”

Yu Qiao said, “Okay.”

On the way back, they saw a barbecue stall by the sea, its rich aroma wafting far into the air.

Skewers of vegetables and raw meat were placed over the crackling charcoal fire, roasting until the fat sizzled. They were brushed with golden sauce and bright red chili powder, then delivered hot into the hands of each customer.

Xie Bufei felt a bit of a craving. She couldn’t help but stop and swallow.

Seeing this, Yu Qiao asked, “Does Senior want to eat?”

Xie Bufei pursed her lips a bit shyly, smiled, and said, “I do. I haven’t had it in a long time.”

“Then let’s have this for dinner tonight,” Yu Qiao said. “I’ll let my mom know and bring some back for her too.”

They ordered two bags of barbecue and ate as they walked.

The seaside wasn’t far from the alley. After a slow twenty-minute walk, the narrow entrance to the alley came into view. Dim streetlights stood there, illuminating the mossy stone slabs along the path.

“My dad never used to let me eat this stuff.” Xie Bufei lowered her head to bite into a lamb skewer. “He said street food is dirty and cheap, and that it was beneath the Xie family status. Later, just to spite him, I ate barbecue for a week straight. It felt great.”

Yu Qiao said, “What your father said wasn’t entirely without reason, but he shouldn’t have stopped you. What you want to eat is your own freedom.”

Xie Bufei shrugged. “That’s just how he is. He prides himself on everything being the best, the most expensive, and the most perfect. Anything that doesn’t fit his values gets thrown away.”

Yu Qiao’s brows furrowed. “That’s not right.”

Xie Bufei began to count on her fingers, pointing out his flaws one by one. “He also has a bit of OCD. Everything in the house has to be arranged in a specific order.”

Yu Qiao: “That’s also not right. Even if you have OCD, you can’t force others.”

“Yeah. And also, my dad doesn’t really like Omegas.” Xie Bufei paused, her expression becoming somewhat complicated. “He thinks Omegas are flawed, like dodder flowers that depend on others. Or rather, in his mind, the ideal successor is an Alpha. Only Alphas are perfect.”

“Because he believes Alphas are born noble, rational, and decisive, unlike those indecisive and frail Omegas.”

Yu Qiao shook her head, her expression serious. “I believe that is a gender stereotype. It’s a prejudice and is unacceptable. Just like Alphas and Betas, there are excellent Omegas and mediocre ones. It has nothing to do with gender.”

Looking at Yu Qiao’s deadpan, serious face, Xie Bufei’s lips gradually curled upward. “You’re right.”

“When I get home, I’ll talk back to him exactly like that.”

She looked up at the sky where stars flickered gently against the night curtain and suddenly asked, “Qiaoqiao, do you have anyone you particularly hate?”

“My dad,” Yu Qiao said.

She would find it difficult to forgive that man for the rest of her life.

“I especially hate my dad too, but sometimes I feel like he’s actually okay to me.” Xie Bufei asked casually, “Other than that, are there no other people you hate?”

“No more.”

Yu Qiao thought for a moment and then added, “However, I hate it when people lie to me.”

She walked forward for a moment, only to realize the girl beside her hadn’t followed. Instead, she was standing still, looking at her.

Yu Qiao was confused. “Senior, what’s wrong?”

Xie Bufei pursed her lips. Her bright eyes were clouded with an emotion Yu Qiao couldn’t understand, and her face looked pale under the streetlight. “It’s nothing.”

She suddenly spoke again, pressing urgently, “No matter what kind of lie it is, and no matter who it is, would you still hate them?”

Yu Qiao was startled and said honestly, “It depends on the specific situation. If it’s a white lie, I won’t care.”

“But if it’s out of self-interest or some other malicious thought, and they hide it from those around them, I would find it very repulsive. If that person were a friend close to me, it would be even harder to accept.”

Out of self-interest…

The meat in her mouth seemed to have been chilled by the wind, becoming dry and astringent. Xie Bufei chewed woodenly and let her lips twitch into a faint smile.

She stared at Yu Qiao, smiled somewhat forcedly, and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

She continued walking forward. The alley after dark was bumpy and uneven. Xie Bufei stumbled forward, nearly falling several times.

This time, even Yu Qiao could see her lack of focus. She grabbed her arm and asked worriedly, “Senior, are you really okay?”

“I’m fine,” Xie Bufei’s fingertips trembled, but she finally stood steady and said softly, “Let’s head back quickly. Your mom must be worried.”

She pulled away from Yu Qiao’s hand, looked up, and smiled just as she usually did, clear and light.

“Let’s go, Qiaoqiao.”

Watching her back, Yu Qiao felt that the girl tonight was somehow different from before.

Her heart sank to the bottom, letting out a sour, muffled thud.

When they arrived home, Gu Cuilan was sitting on the sofa watching television.

Hearing the door open, she turned and asked warmly, “You’re back? How was your day?”

“Qiaoqiao accompanied me to the seaside.” Xie Bufei placed the bag of barbecue on the coffee table in front of her. “Auntie, this is for you.”

Gu Cuilan smiled and nodded. “Oh, thank you, Xiao Fei.”

Yu Qiao said, “Mom, it’s getting cold. Eat it while it’s hot.”

“You guys eat first. I’m full. I’ll go take a shower first.” Xie Bufei smiled, grabbed her pajamas, and walked quickly into the bathroom.

Gu Cuilan picked up a grilled wing and watched Xie Bufei’s back, wondering, “What’s wrong with Xiao Fei today? She looks like she’s in a bad mood.”

Seeing this, Yu Qiao lowered her eyes and said gloomily, “I’m not sure either.”

“You two didn’t have a fight, did you?” Gu Cuilan looked at her, her brows furrowed slightly in worry. “You’ve been slow-witted and quiet since you were a child. Don’t go upsetting her.”

Yu Qiao said nothing.

She pursed her lips, listening to the rushing sound of the water from the bathroom. Her mind was in a haze of confusion: Did I say something wrong just now? Did I make Senior feel bad?

Was it because mentioning her father was a bad idea, or was it about something else?

A blank social history and a late-blooming puberty left her with only a half-baked understanding of emotional matters. Sometimes, when she expressed her views, she was instead mocked by those around her for being too serious or hurtful.

Gu Cuilan saw her dilemma and advised her softly, “Ask her about it in a little while. If there’s a misunderstanding, clear it up quickly and offer an apology. There shouldn’t be grudges between good friends that last overnight.”

Yu Qiao stared at the floor and gave a heavy grunt of agreement.

Ten minutes later, Xie Bufei finished her shower and walked into the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking down as she fiddled with her phone’s charging cable.

A moment later, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Yu Qiao pushed it open and entered.

The air was very quiet, so quiet it felt almost stifling. Xie Bufei felt the bed sink slightly beside her. She turned her head and saw Yu Qiao sitting there, her clear eyes silently watching her.

“Qiaoqiao?” Xie Bufei paused, trying to speak in her usual tone and acting relaxed. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Yu Qiao looked at her, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Sitting in the dim, yellow glow of the desk lamp with her dark eyes shimmering, she looked wilted, like a listless large dog.

“Senior, is it because of something I did?”

Xie Bufei was taken aback. “Hm?”

“Is it because I said something wrong that you’re unhappy?” Yu Qiao lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting her sleeve. “Or is it because of something else?”

Xie Bufei gradually came to her senses. Feeling both pained and helpless, she whispered, “It’s not.”

“It has nothing to do with Qiaoqiao.”

It’s all my fault. It’s clearly me who is in the wrong.

Yu Qiao looked up and asked urgently, “Then why exactly is Senior unhappy?”

The girl’s gaze before her was too clear and clean. Xie Bufei found it difficult to meet her eyes, so she could only look away hurriedly, burying her shameful thoughts deep in her heart.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you right now.”

She suddenly felt like a coward, afraid to speak out. If she told Yu Qiao that she was actually an Omega and had been lying to her for her own selfish desires, she might be completely hated.

If she kept it hidden, at least they could continue being friends.

“Okay,” Yu Qiao went quiet for a moment, then said dejectedly, “Then tell me when you want to talk about it.”

Xie Bufei whispered, “Okay. Thank you, Qiaoqiao.”

The two lay in bed. Xie Bufei didn’t roll into Yu Qiao’s arms as she usually did. Instead, she turned her back to her, exposing her slender spine and the back of her neck.

The night outside the window was gentle. Moonlight flooded over the curtains like water, spilling a layer of silver-white across the floor.

Yu Qiao developed insomnia.

She rarely suffered from insomnia, but tonight she couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

With a knot of frustration in her heart, Yu Qiao let out a heavy sigh. Afraid of waking the girl beside her, she could only stay with her back turned, staring blankly at the ceiling.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of fabric rubbing together came from behind her. The girl’s soft voice rose in the quiet of the deep night: “Qiaoqiao, are you still awake?”

Yu Qiao’s heart skipped a beat. She said hoarsely, “Yes.”

Xie Bufei: “Then turn around for a moment, okay?”

Yu Qiao turned around, and their eyes met. The girl was lying on her side on the pillow, her dark hair falling against her pale neck. Her beautiful eyes were somehow a bit misty.

Yu Qiao asked, “Senior, what’s wrong?”

Xie Bufei smiled at her. The corners of her lips turned up, yet for some reason, it made one feel sad.

“I have a wish,” she said. “Can Qiaoqiao help me fulfill it?”

The light scent of lily of the valley surged forward like morning mist, enveloping her. Yu Qiao suddenly felt a dizzying sense of being lost, and her heart rate gradually accelerated.

“Of course,” she said subconsciously.

Under the pale moonlight, the girl gently bit her lip. Her eyes rippled with emotion and her red lips were lush, like an alluring siren resting on a reef.

“Qiaoqiao, can you give me a kiss?”

As if acting spoiled, she curled her lips into a smile: “I can’t sleep. Give me a bedtime kiss.”

Yu Qiao stared at her blankly, making no move for a long time. After waiting a while, Xie Bufei calmly lowered her eyes with a hint of self-mocking realization.

“It’s okay,” she said. “If you can’t, then forget it.”

Before the words had even left her mouth, the girl beside her suddenly flipped over and sat up. She cupped Xie Bufei’s cheek with one hand, tilted her head, and kissed her.

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