Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 37

Xie Bufei held her beer mid-air, staring at her blankly. “How did you get here?”

“I wanted to see you,” Yu Qiao smiled at her. “So, I came.”

 

Xie Bufei felt as if she were dreaming. Her beautiful fox-like eyes widened slightly, and her expression went blank as she froze in place.

 

She missed Yu Qiao more than anyone, yet because she couldn’t accept the consequences of her lies being exposed, she had repeatedly run away, afraid to face her.

 

She had imagined encountering Yu Qiao in various corners of the school countless times, but she never expected to meet under these circumstances. She was entirely unprepared and caught off guard.

 

Taking advantage of Xie Bufei’s daze, Yu Qiao sat down at the bar beside her and gently took the beer can from her hand.

 

“Senior, don’t drink anymore. It’s not good for your health.”

 

Xie Bufei’s gaze was frantic; her bright eyes dodged Yu Qiao’s stare as if she were deeply uneasy. She lowered her head and asked in a tiny voice, “Do you not hate me?”

 

Yu Qiao was somewhat taken abashed. Seeing her anxious expression, Yu Qiao’s voice softened instinctively.

 

“Why would I hate you?”

 

“Because I left without saying goodbye,” Xie Bufei kept her eyes down, curling up in the booth looking somewhat wilted. “I was avoiding you.”

 

“It doesn’t matter,” Yu Qiao looked at her and said, “I don’t mind.”

 

The bartender and Cheng Yeli exchanged glances nearby. The latter couldn’t help but break the somber atmosphere. “Yu Qiao, how did you know we were here?”

 

Yu Qiao replied, “Senior Bai Yi told me.”

 

Twenty minutes ago, after Yu Qiao dropped Meng Ling back at Area B, she returned to the Area A dormitory.

 

Meng Ling’s words about the definition of “liking” someone, and what that feeling actually felt like, echoed in her mind, leaving Yu Qiao feeling confused.

 

For the first time in her eighteen years of life, she was seriously considering what it meant to truly like someone.

 

By the time she snapped out of it, Yu Qiao looked up and realized she had stopped in front of Room 401.

 

Without realizing it, she had walked all the way to the fourth floor.

 

The door was locked as usual. Yu Qiao hesitated for a moment before raising her hand to knock. There was still no response.

 

She paused, then spoke up: “Senior.”

 

“If you are inside, if you can hear me; no matter what happened, or for whatever reason you are avoiding me, it doesn’t matter.”

 

“Anything is fine. I just want to see you.”

 

Minutes passed, and there was still no reply from the other side of the door.

 

After a long silence, Yu Qiao took a deep breath. She stopped waiting and turned to leave.

 

As she headed downstairs, a swaying figure climbed the steps bit by bit, leaning against the railing.

 

The person had disheveled hair, reeked of alcohol, and wobbled like a drunkard.

 

Yu Qiao stopped as she passed her, surprised. “Senior Bai Yi?”

 

“Hmm?” The drunkard turned her head slowly, leaning in to look at her through a dizzy haze. Her breath was heavy with the thick scent of alcohol. “Oh! It’s yooou!”

 

“Are yooou Yu Qiao?”

 

“It’s me.” Yu Qiao supported her arm. “Are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine! Just had a few bottles, small case!”

 

Bai Yi flashed her an “OK” sign. Although her speech was slurred, her logic was relatively clear.

 

Yu Qiao breathed a sigh of relief and asked quietly, “Senior Bai Yi, do you know where Senior Xie has been these past few days?”

 

“Mm, yooou’re looking for Xie Bufei,” Bai Yi paused, struggling to process the words before speaking slowly. “Her? She hasn’t been in the dorm these past few days; you won’t find her there.”

 

Yu Qiao’s breath hitched. “Then where is she now?”

 

Bai Yi grinned and waved the bottle in her hand. “Hehe, I just came back from drinking with her.”

 

“Feifei is at Cassy’s Bar on the Old Street corner every day. Didn’t she tell you?”

 

Upon hearing this, Yu Qiao let out a long breath, and her racing heart finally began to settle.

 

“No.”

 

Bai Yi belatedly covered her mouth. “Was I not supposed to tell yooou? Whatever, just don’t tell her I was the one who said it.”

 

Yu Qiao had already brushed past her and was sprinting down the stairs, leaving only one sentence behind: “Thank you, Senior Bai Yi. Go back and get some rest.”

 

Bai Yi watched her fast-receding back and muttered to herself, “Why is she running so fast?” After that, she wobbled her way upstairs.

 

Yu Qiao said, “I took a taxi from school and found this place.”

 

Cheng Yeli laughed in frustration. “Damn, that drunkard blabs to everyone whenever she’s wasted!”

 

Meanwhile, Xie Bufei remained silent, staring at Yu Qiao without saying a word.

 

The latter met her gaze and stopped talking as well, quietly looking back at her.

 

As their eyes met, it seemed as if a thousand words were flowing between them. Though the surroundings were filled with ambiguous laughter and chatter, a tall barrier seemed to rise around the two of them, isolating them from the external chaos.

 

Cheng Yeli felt the atmosphere between them was strange. He took a step back and said considerately, “You two talk. I’ll go find my friends.” With that, he beat a hasty retreat.

 

The bartender also tactfully moved away, leaving the two of them alone at one side of the bar, staring at each other in silence.

 

After a long time, Xie Bufei turned her head away and asked softly, “Qiaoqiao, do you know how to drink?”

 

Yu Qiao said, “I’ve never had alcohol.”

 

Xie Bufei smiled and shook her head. “Don’t drink it in the future either. It’s not a good thing.”

 

Yu Qiao looked at the pile of empty cans behind her and frowned instinctively. “Then why did you drink so much, Senior?”

 

Xie Bufei paused, then suddenly turned to look at her.

 

The dim, yellow light from above reflected in the girl’s eyes, making them look misty and bright. Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be something deeper within them, something Xie Bufei found difficult to understand.

 

“Qiaoqiao, why did you want to see me?”

 

Yu Qiao froze and opened her mouth. “Because…”

 

Xie Bufei interrupted her. “You’re not going to say it’s because we’re friends again, are you?”

 

Yu Qiao was struck dumb, unable to give an answer for a moment.

 

She only knew that among everyone else, Xie Bufei was the only one: the special one.

 

Seeing her reaction, the light flickering in Xie Bufei’s eyes vanished bit by bit. Along with that deeper emotion, the light slowly went out.

 

She bit her lip hard and suddenly lowered her head, her voice husky. “This is so annoying.”

 

The girl’s voice was broken, suppressing a slight sob. After a long while, a tear slid down her cheek and soaked the back of her hand.

 

Yu Qiao’s heart tightened instantly. She looked at her, at a total loss.

 

“So annoying,” Xie Bufei covered her eyes with the back of her hand and whimpered quietly. “How, how can anyone be this stupid?”

 

Her fair shoulders trembled slightly. In the middle of the happy crowd, she looked as if she had been stripped bare, shrinking into a ball in embarrassment.

 

Yu Qiao could only hold her hand, fruitlessly saying over and over, “Senior, I’m sorry. It’s my fault, I was wrong.”

 

She tried everything, feeling anxious and restless, but the girl remained with her head down, sniffing gloomily and crying silently.

 

What exactly was the reason?

 

She didn’t dare to ask, and Xie Bufei didn’t give her an answer.

 

“It’s not your fault.”

 

Not liking someone isn’t a mistake.

 

Xie Bufei spoke suddenly, then grabbed the beer can beside her and drained it in one go.

 

Immediately after, her slender fingertips hooked the ring pull of a new bottle and opened it. The movement was seamless and aggressive.

 

She tilted her head back, her eyes red. With her lips against the bottle, the stinging beer rushed down her throat, her slender neck moving slightly as she swallowed.

 

Yu Qiao’s attempts to stop her were in vain. She watched helplessly as Xie Bufei downed four or five more bottles, a faint flush gradually creeping across her cheeks.

 

A passing man saw this and approached with a smile. “Hey beautiful, heartbreak? Interested in coming to play with me?”

 

Under the dim lights, the girl leaned against the bar with dark hair, snowy skin, long curled eyelashes, and eyes shimmering with moisture. Her black tube dress outlined her slender waist. Her posture was fragile yet cold and elegant, breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Xie Bufei glanced at him sideways and let out a scoff through her nose, though the redness at the corners of her eyes was exceptionally alluring. The man’s breath caught as he stared, dazed.

 

A black jacket was suddenly draped over Xie Bufei’s shoulders, blocking the man’s view. Yu Qiao turned her head and looked at him coldly. “Get lost.”

 

The man awkwardly retracted his gaze and slunk away.

 

Xie Bufei looked at the clothes on her shoulders and pursed her lips. “I don’t want to wear this.”

 

“Keep it on,” Yu Qiao coaxed in a low voice. “The AC is cold. Don’t catch a chill.”

 

Xie Bufei gazed at her with a haunting look in her eyes. “Don’t, don’t be so good to me.”

 

Yu Qiao didn’t answer. She stayed by her side silently, watching as Xie Bufei downed two more cans of beer before finally slumping onto the bar in a muddled heap.

 

Seeing that the girl hadn’t moved for a while, Yu Qiao cautiously patted her shoulder. “Senior?”

 

Xie Bufei let out a mumble, buried her face in the crook of her arm, and nudged it unconsciously.

 

As it moved late into the night, the bar began to empty. Cheng Yeli returned to the bar area, his brow furrowing at the sight. He questioned, “How is she drunk again? Weren’t you watching her?”

 

Yu Qiao lowered her head guiltily. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop her.”

Cheng Yeli rubbed his temples with his fingertips and sighed. “Forget it. Once she sets her mind on something, no one can stop her. It’s late; you should take her back.”

He handed Xie Bufei’s handbag to Yu Qiao and said, “She’s been staying at a hotel these past few days. The room card is in the bag.”

 

Yu Qiao took the small bag and thanked him.

 

“Yu Qiao,” Cheng Yeli started, hesitating for a moment before continuing. “Even though I have no right to interfere in your business, Xie Bufei has been my friend since we were kids. This woman looks proud, but in reality, she’s nowhere near as carefree as she appears.”

 

“In short, just… be good to her.”

 

Yu Qiao paused and nodded seriously. “I will.”

 

She carefully helped the drowsy girl up from the booth, letting Xie Bufei lean against her as she supported her toward the exit.

 

Watching their retreating backs, Cheng Yeli shook his head with mixed emotions. “There’s always someone who can tame the untamable.”

 

Yu Qiao called a taxi and stood by the roadside with Xie Bufei, waiting for the driver to arrive.

 

By the quiet street, the night breeze was slightly cool. Xie Bufei slowly opened her eyes and shook her heavy head.

 

She only remembered downing a lot of alcohol, and then…

 

A forest-like scent of vegetation drifted from beside her, light and faint, making her want to drown in it. Dazed, Xie Bufei turned her head and saw Yu Qiao supporting her.

 

The girl stood tall and elegant, her features handsome and refined. She had her head lowered, staring fixedly at her phone.

 

Xie Bufei frowned, instinctively displeased, and reached out to block the phone screen.

 

“Don’t look at that.”

 

Yu Qiao looked up at her and put her phone away. “Okay, I won’t look.”

 

Xie Bufei added overbearingly, “You’re only allowed to look at me.”

 

Yu Qiao smiled softly, following her lead. “Alright, looking at you.”

 

Xie Bufei leaned closer. Her eyes were hazy with intoxication, her cheeks flushed, and her gaze flickering as she deliberately tried to entice the person beside her.

 

“Then, am I pretty?”

 

Yu Qiao paused, her voice slightly raspy. “Yes, you are very beautiful.”

 

Xie Bufei pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved. “Then why do you still…” Not like me?

 

Yu Qiao asked, “What?”

 

“I’m not telling you,” Xie Bufei turned her head away as if in a huff. “You blockhead, guess for yourself.”

 

Yu Qiao observed her for a while and asked, “Senior, do you know who I am?”

 

Xie Bufei put a hand on her hip. “I know you. You’re an idiot.”

 

Yu Qiao was certain she was drunk and couldn’t help but chuckle. It was the first time she had seen her like this, and it was quite cute, like a temperamental child.

 

Just then, the car arrived. Yu Qiao helped Xie Bufei into the back seat. The girl immediately grabbed Yu Qiao’s hand tightly and blinked.

 

“Where are you taking me?”

 

Yu Qiao squeezed her hand back to reassure her. “We’re going back to the hotel.”

 

Xie Bufei’s eyes widened, her expression innocent and artless. “Are you going to get a room with me?”

 

Her voice was a bit loud. The driver caught their reflection in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but cough dryly.

 

Yu Qiao felt helpless. She held down the restless Xie Bufei and said, “No, I’m just taking you back.”

 

Xie Bufei leaned in, gently sniffing the gland on the back of Yu Qiao’s neck. Her eyes were sparkling. “Can’t you stay?”

 

Yu Qiao stopped the girl from crawling further onto her neck, held her by the shoulders, and coaxed her in a low voice. “If you behave, I’ll stay.”

 

Hearing this, Xie Bufei obediently lowered her eyes. “Oh.”

 

Throughout the ride, the driver frequently glanced at Yu Qiao in the mirror with a complicated look. Yu Qiao sat there stiffly, feeling as though she were being mistaken for some scumbag luring an innocent drunk girl.

 

“I’m her junior,” she eventually said, pulling out her student ID to show him. “I’m just taking her back to her hotel.”

 

The driver laughed awkwardly. As soon as they stepped out of the car, he hit the gas and vanished at the end of the street.

 

After supporting Xie Bufei into the hotel lobby and showing their IDs, Yu Qiao led her into the elevator.

 

In the enclosed space, only the two of them remained. Xie Bufei had been clinging to her the whole time. She stared directly at Yu Qiao with her beautiful eyes and asked in a whisper, “Was I very good?”

 

Yu Qiao patted her soft hair. “Very good.”

 

Xie Bufei smiled with satisfaction. Her lips were red and her teeth white; her face was filled with a triumphant, spirited glow that was so beautiful one couldn’t look away.

 

Yu Qiao was dazed, a sense of bitterness rising in her heart. It felt like she hadn’t seen Xie Bufei smile like this in a long time.

 

The elevator gave a soft ding, interrupting her thoughts.

 

Upon entering the room, Yu Qiao helped Xie Bufei onto the bed and turned to boil some water for her.

 

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around her waist, and a soft head rubbed longingly against her back.

 

Yu Qiao froze.

 

“Qiaoqiao.”

 

The girl behind her raised her face and buried it against the gland at the back of Yu Qiao’s neck, her nose twitching. “You smell so good.”

 

The gland is a very private area for Alphas and Omegas; this gesture was almost a transgression. Yu Qiao’s throat moved as she said in a strained voice, “Senior, don’t rub against me like that.”

 

Xie Bufei let out a dissatisfied grumble. “I want to.”

 

Warm lips brushed against the back of her neck, intentionally or not, and a scorching sensation instantly swept through Yu Qiao’s body.

 

Yu Qiao trembled almost imperceptibly. She grabbed Xie Bufei’s arms and pulled them away, stopping her increasingly bold movements.

 

Xie Bufei looked up, her red lips slightly puckered and her eyes shimmering with moisture as she looked at Yu Qiao reproachfully.

 

She pointed a finger at Yu Qiao as if making an accusation. “You’re being mean to me.”

 

Yu Qiao was speechless. “I’m not.”

 

“You are being mean,” Xie Bufei insisted. “How can you be like this? Both stupid and mean.”

 

Knowing better than to argue with a drunk person, Yu Qiao sighed helplessly. “Fine, it’s my fault.”

 

She added, “Be good and go take a shower first, okay?”

 

Xie Bufei tilted her head and thought about it. She sniffed herself and noticed the strong scent of alcohol. She immediately frowned and whispered, “I want to shower.”

 

She wobbled over to her suitcase and irritably pulled out a set of pajamas.

 

Seeing her unsteady movements, Yu Qiao asked worriedly, “Can you manage on your own?”

 

“Of course I can.” Xie Bufei turned back to look at her, clutching the pajamas, and suddenly blinked. “Or… do you want to join me?”

 

Yu Qiao stammered, “N-no thanks.”

 

Xie Bufei huffed. “Coward.”

 

Before entering the bathroom, she turned around once more, feigning a fierce look. “You’re not allowed to sneak away!”

 

Yu Qiao waited for the water to boil and laughed at her words. “I won’t leave.”

 

“If I find out you sneaked away, I’ll…” Xie Bufei pondered for a moment, then set her face and threw out a cold threat. “I’ll sleep with you.”

 

Yu Qiao was at a loss for words.

 

An intimate phrase sounded like a threat coming from her. Yu Qiao shook her head, and only relaxed once she saw Xie Bufei enter the bathroom safely.

 

The shower turned on, and the sound of running water filled the air as the frosted glass of the bathroom clouded over with white mist.

 

A faint floral fragrance drifted through the gap in the door, flowing out like a lingering vapor.

 

Alone in the quiet room, Yu Qiao felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

 

She gazed at the dark night outside the window and thought silently: I’ll head back after she falls asleep.

 

After tonight, their relationship seemed to have become even stranger. Some things were starting to make sense to her, but she still couldn’t be sure.

 

After a long while, the water stopped.

 

The bathroom door opened. The sweet scent of flowers accompanied the swirling mist, drifting toward the person sitting quietly by the bed.

 

A pair of long legs stepped out. Water droplets rolled off her pale skin. Her ankles were slender, and her toes were neat and well-groomed.

 

The girl wore a light-colored slip nightdress. The overhead light fell upon her exquisite collarbones and her striking features, making her look like a hazy figure from a dream.

 

Perhaps because of the alcohol, her lily-of-the-valley scent had grown even more intense. As she drew closer, the scent amplified. Yu Qiao’s pupils constricted, and her heart suddenly gave a violent thud.

 

Xie Bufei stopped in front of her. She reached out and hooked her finger under Yu Qiao’s chin, tilting it upward.

 

Forced to look up at her, Yu Qiao saw the girl narrow her eyes and smile. She looked down like a fox—a bit mischievous, yet very alluring.

 

“You really didn’t leave,” she whispered, her fingertips gently brushing against the seam of Yu Qiao’s lips.

 

A jolt of electricity surged through Yu Qiao’s body. Her face flushed instinctively, and she tried to pull back.

 

Xie Bufei pursed her lips, looking aggrieved again. “Do you hate me?”

 

Yu Qiao heard herself say, “I don’t.”

 

However, her heart was beating so fast it felt like it might explode. These unfamiliar feelings were coming on strong, nearly sweeping away all of her logic.

 

“If you don’t hate me, that means you like me.” Xie Bufei cupped Yu Qiao’s cheeks and leaned down toward her.

 

A warm sensation touched her lips. A soft tongue licked past her teeth, clumsy and unrefined. Yu Qiao’s pupils shrank as her mind seemingly exploded with a bang.

 

In the midst of the kiss, their breaths became ragged. Xie Bufei stated her conclusion with absolute certainty.

 

“You like me.”