Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 40

In mid-October, A-University holds its annual autumn sports meet. The Student Union and the Sports Department begin preparing the venue and rehearsing the formations. For a period of time, Xie Bufei is incredibly busy, moving non-stop between classrooms, the playground, and meeting rooms.

Yu Qiao is not idle either. She attends classes by day and prepares course projects late into the night. The two of them only occasionally find time to eat together.

 

In Dorm Room 401:

 

“I’m so tired,” Xie Bufei said, leaning her face against the table. Her cheeks puffed out as she looked at Yu Qiao gloomily. “Qiaoqiao, I don’t want to work hard anymore.”

 

Sitting beside her, Yu Qiao reached out to rub her head and said warmly, “You’ve worked hard. Take a break.”

 

The phone on the table suddenly chimed. Yu Qiao looked down; it was a message from a classmate.

 

He Li: “Yu Qiao, I have some things to do tonight. Can you help me write the last two parts of the system task manual?”

 

He Li: “I heard the teacher needs it for class tomorrow. I’m afraid I won’t make it in time…”

 

Yu Qiao looked at the work she had on hand and felt there was still time. She replied, “Okay.”

 

A sudden weight settled on her shoulder, accompanied by the gentle fragrance of lily of the valley. Xie Bufei rested her chin in the crook of Yu Qiao’s neck and asked lazily, “Who is it?”

 

“A classmate,” Yu Qiao said. “She has something to do tonight and asked me to help with the homework.”

 

Xie Bufei frowned. “What kind of business is so important that she can’t even do her homework? Why are you helping her?”

 

Yu Qiao explained simply, “Because we’re in the same group. If her part isn’t finished, the group project won’t get a grade.”

 

This was a midterm assessment for their Java course. Students were assigned to groups of three by student ID. The task was to create a simple project, with weekly progress checks during class.

 

Since He Li had been the first to claim the easiest task—writing the documentation manual—the other two didn’t mind. Yu Qiao was responsible for the back-end code, while the other student handled front-end development.

 

Xie Bufei’s expression softened slightly. “Fine. But be careful; don’t let her take advantage of you.”

 

She checked her phone and said, “The delivery is here. I’m going down to get it.”

 

Yu Qiao hummed in response and refocused on her computer screen. A message suddenly popped up in the bottom right corner.

 

He Li said ecstatically, “Wuuu, thank you, Yu Qiao! You’re the best! (Heart gesture)”

 

Soon after, she sent the portion of the manual she had written. Yu Qiao clicked to receive it, opened the document, and frowned after scanning a few lines.

 

Even for a small project, this document was written far too crudely. There were many careless typos and grammatical errors, and the images didn’t match the descriptions.

 

It was obvious He Li hadn’t put any heart into it.

 

Yu Qiao pressed her temples and began typing slowly, carefully correcting the typos and replacing the images.

 

The next day in class, the teacher came to check their group’s work and nodded with satisfaction.

 

“The code section is well-done. Who wrote this manual? The format and content are very professional; it could be used as a model for the class.”

 

He Li, who had been secretly chatting, immediately raised her hand enthusiastically. “Teacher, I wrote it!”

 

The teacher gave a look of approval. “Good. Keep it up next time.”

 

Yu Qiao rubbed her sore eyes and said nothing. Beside her, Yao Rudong said dejectedly, “What? Most of it was obviously corrected by Qiaoqiao…”

 

She had personally seen Yu Qiao continue working on it until the early hours of the morning after returning to the dorm.

 

After class, just as the three left the classroom, hurried footsteps came from behind them.

 

“Yu Qiao!” He Li caught up with her, smiling. “Thanks for helping me with the homework yesterday.”

 

Yu Qiao said flatly, “You’re welcome.”

 

He Li stared at the faint shadows under Yu Qiao’s eyes and let out a chuckle. “Did you not sleep well? You even have dark circles.”

 

Lu Yun couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “From writing that manual, obviously.”

 

He Li paused, then suddenly pursed her lips shyly and giggled. “Well, actually… I have something else to trouble you with today…”

 

An ominous premonition rose in Yu Qiao’s heart. Sure enough, in the next second, He Li clasped her hands together and looked at her piteously. “I have something to do today, too. I have to go out. Please, please, could you write the remaining two parts for me?”

 

Yao Rudong was absolutely shocked by her thick skin. “So what exactly is this ‘business’ you have to go out for?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing much. My boyfriend called and asked me out on a date,” He Li pretended to be troubled, pouting. “He’ll be mad if I don’t go.”

 

“So, I’m counting on you, Yu Qiao!” she said with a grin. “You’re single, right? I really envy how much time you have for studying. Unlike me, I’m just too busy; I have no time at all.”

 

Yao Rudong wanted to hit someone. “What did you just say?!” Was this how someone asked for a favor?

 

He Li stuck her tongue out. “Sorry! I’m a straight shooter; I just talk like that. Don’t mind me.” She looked at Yu Qiao. “Just this last time, okay?”

 

Yu Qiao was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

 

He Li was overjoyed and blew her a kiss. “Thanks! I knew you were the best!” With that, she skipped away.

 

Yao Rudong turned to her in shock. “Qiaoqiao, are you okay? Why did you agree to help her!”

 

Lu Yun also thought it was unreasonable. “He Li clearly sees you as a pushover and is using you as free labor. Otherwise, why didn’t she ask Xu Boyu to help?”

 

Xu Boyu was the third person in their group. He was a tall, large boy with a fierce face who looked very difficult to deal with.

 

“I will help her write it,” Yu Qiao pushed up her glasses and said. “But when the project is finally submitted, I won’t include her name.”

 

Yao Rudong realized. “Then doesn’t that mean she won’t have a midterm grade?”

 

“That’s a ruthless move,” Lu Yun said with schadenfreude. “Half of her Java grade is gone.”

 

Yao Rudong felt a secret sense of satisfaction. She smirked and said, “I bet she’ll come looking for Qiaoqiao again next time.”

 

As expected, after that first time, He Li approached Yu Qiao for help three or four more times, and each time Yu Qiao agreed.

 

Yu Qiao had strong practical skills, and the manual was actually almost finished, but she pretended it wasn’t done yet and reluctantly agreed to He Li’s requests. “Fine. Remember to write it yourself next time.”

 

He Li was used to it. “Don’t worry! Definitely next time!”

 

After replying to Yu Qiao, she sat in front of the vanity mirror, humming while applying makeup. Her roommate teased her, “Busy person, going out on another date tonight?”

 

He Li chatted with her boyfriend, a sweet smile on her face. “You bet.”

 

“How come it feels like you never have homework? Is the midterm project done?”

 

“We have our top student for that. Yu Qiao will definitely help.” Picking up her handbag and spraying perfume, He Li left behind a fragrant scent. “Gotta go, see you tonight.”

 

The roommates exchanged glances. “Yu Qiao is so pitiful. Isn’t this just bullying an honest person?”

 

“She’s too easy-going, agreeing every time. I’m just glad I’m not in a group with He Li, or I’d have to do two people’s work. I’d rather die.”

 

Friday afternoon, Yu Qiao walked out of the library carrying her books, stepping through patches of sunlight as she crossed the long tree-lined path.

 

The playground was near the library. The plastic track was crowded with people. Looking past the rows of green wire fencing, she could see many students practicing for the sports meet.

 

Among the crowd, a tall, fair figure was particularly eye-catching.

 

She wore the same ink-blue shirt dress from that day, her long black hair tucked behind her ears. Her calves were slender and straight, looking dazzlingly white in the autumn sun.

 

It felt as though just by standing there, she was the most striking focus of the crowd.

 

Yu Qiao stopped to watch for a while, then walked inside.

 

When Xie Bufei wasn’t smiling, her expression was very faint and looked cold. There was no emotion in her fox-like eyes as she stood with her arms crossed, looking as if she were detached from the world, with nothing able to pique her interest.

 

Many members of the Student Union were moving around her, rehearsing the opening ceremonies of the sports meet.

 

Yu Qiao walked near them and watched silently. Xie Bufei looked very busy, so she didn’t speak to disturb her; she just watched.

 

“Where is the logistics team? Is the broadcasting station sorted out?”

 

A girl said, “Not yet. No one from the broadcasting station is responding.”

 

Xie Bufei glanced at her and said, “Then call the station head’s number. Keep calling until she picks up.”

 

The girl looked into her eyes and couldn’t help but shrink back. She nodded repeatedly and started calling frantically.

 

A boy ran over, panting. “School, Vice President, the list of school leaders has been printed.”

 

Xie Bufei took the printed paper from him, scanned it, and raised an eyebrow. “Student, what is your name?”

The boy blushed and said, “Yu Jin. ‘Jin’ as in cautious.”

“Student Yu Jin, would it be alright if I changed the ‘Jin’ in your name to the one that means ‘merely’?”

 

The boy froze. “That… probably wouldn’t be good.”

 

Xie Bufei flicked the printed paper in her hand, her expression unreadable. “Then why did you tamper with the Principal’s name?”

 

A wave of snickering broke out around them. The boy took the paper back with both hands, his face turning beet red as he apologized, “I, I’m sorry… I made a typo and didn’t notice.”

 

Xie Bufei tilted her chin up and said coldly, “Go fix it.”

 

The boy ran off without a moment’s delay.

 

Yu Qiao dazed for a moment. She had never seen this resolute, efficient side of Xie Bufei. It was quite novel to her, possessing a unique charm of a leader.

 

“Hey, you student, can you help me out?”

 

A boy, having finished talking to several members of a formation team, looked around and landed his gaze on Yu Qiao.

 

He called out several times before Yu Qiao reacted, pointing at herself in confusion. “Are you looking for me?”

 

“Yes, you.” The tall, large boy scratched the back of his head, speaking in a familiar tone. “Could you please go to the supermarket and buy a case of mineral water?”

 

Yu Qiao was startled, then realized she had likely been mistaken for one of the logistics staff. She explained, “I’m not with the Student Union…”

 

The boy interrupted her, “Sorry to bother you! A lot of people here are desperate for a drink. Just move the case over here once you’ve bought it.”

 

With that, he hurried off in the other direction.

 

Yu Qiao opened her mouth but found herself speechless. She glanced at the sweating crowd around her, then at Xie Bufei, who was currently cooling herself with a small handheld fan, and turned to walk out of the playground.

 

A case of mineral water wasn’t particularly heavy. She cradled it easily in her arms and lugged it back to the field. The moment she set the cardboard box down, the crowd swarmed over like a hive of bees.

 

“Thanks, student!”

 

“Damn, I’m dying of thirst. How is it still over thirty degrees in the middle of autumn?”

 

“Hey, why is there a bottle of ice-cold Coke here?”

 

Yu Qiao blocked the girl’s reaching hand. “This bottle isn’t for you.”

 

The girl with the ponytail looked at her, bewildered. “What do you mean?”

 

Xie Bufei walked over. When she saw who it was, she froze for a second. Her frost-cold features suddenly softened, like a spring breeze blowing over frozen earth, melting the snow and ice into an exceptionally gentle smile.

 

The crowd watched, stunned, not daring to speak. Their hearts were filled with shock.

 

“Why did you come over?” Xie Bufei walked to Yu Qiao’s side, her eyes curving like crescents.

 

“I was passing by.” Yu Qiao unscrewed the cold Coke and handed it to her. “Here, for you.”

 

“Thank you, Qiaoqiao.” Xie Bufei smiled brilliantly. Seeing the case of water at her feet, she frowned. “Did you bring this over?”

 

Yu Qiao spoke the truth, “No, someone asked me to buy it just now.”

 

Xie Bufei’s eyebrows shot up instantly. She turned to the crowd of onlookers and asked, “Who asked her to buy things?”

 

The crowd trembled. In the dead silence, the tall boy stepped forward, hanging his head. “It was me. I thought she was logistics…”

 

“She isn’t logistics; she’s my friend.” Xie Bufei looked at him. “Ask clearly before you go ordering people around next time.”

 

The boy accepted the rebuke crestfallen, “I understand, Vice President.”

 

“The cost of the mineral water will be deducted from your department’s budget.” Xie Bufei scanned the group, her tone flat. “Don’t just stand there. Drink your water and get back to work.”

 

The crowd lowered their heads and got back to work, stealing a few glances at the backs of the two girls. Their minds were reeling.

 

Damn, who is that Alpha? How is she so close to the school beauty?

 

The usually stoic Vice President is actually smiling at her! Is this even legal?

 

Yu Qiao looked around and asked hesitantly in a low voice, “Am I disturbing you, Senior? Should I head out?”

 

“Don’t go, you’re not disturbing me.” Xie Bufei immediately grabbed Yu Qiao’s wrist and led her a bit further away to an empty spot. “Ignore them. I have something I want to tell you.”

 

They stopped once they reached a deserted, shaded area. The noisy crowd was now far away. Yu Qiao asked, “Senior, is something the matter?”

 

Xie Bufei tilted her head and looked at her for a while, her long eyelashes glistening in the sunlight.

 

She let go of Yu Qiao’s arm, her fingertips tracing lightly across the back of the other girl’s hand.

 

“Are you free next Saturday?”

 

Yu Qiao felt a jolt like a burn. Her ears turned red, but she feigned composure. “Of course I am. Isn’t next Saturday your birthday, Senior?”

 

“Mhm…” Xie Bufei gave a soft laugh. “My dad said I can bring a few friends home for my birthday. There will probably be a large banquet. If I’m all by myself that day, Xie Ke will have something else to mock me for.”

 

Yu Qiao paused, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. “So, I’m going to your house?”

 

“Yes.” Xie Bufei pursed her lips slightly, her dark eyes looking down at the ground. She looked a little lonely. “If you don’t want to go, Qiaoqiao, it’s okay…”

 

Yu Qiao immediately said earnestly, “No, I really want to go. I do.”

 

Xie Bufei looked at her, the corners of her mouth slowly curling up. “That’s good.”

 

She took the chance to ask, “By the way, I forgot to ask when your birthday is?”

 

“May 18th,” Yu Qiao said. “It passed a long time ago.”

 

Xie Bufei smiled. “It doesn’t matter. We can spend it together next year.”

 

Yu Qiao didn’t say anything. She didn’t usually celebrate her birthday; it was never any different from any other day.

 

But perhaps because of Xie Bufei’s “together next year,” she suddenly felt a spark of anticipation.

 

“Strange.” Xie Bufei tilted her head back to take a sip of Coke and suddenly paused. “I think I just got a shock. It felt tingly.”

 

“Static electricity happens easily in autumn,” Yu Qiao said, her finger gently poking Xie Bufei’s arm. “It’s normal.”

 

“It seems to be gone now.”

 

Xie Bufei leaned in closer, her beautiful eyes blinking. “Try touching me again.”

 

The warm breath was suddenly very close. Yu Qiao paused, her index finger tracing a light line across the girl’s cheek.

 

A crackle sounded. It felt like a tiny prick followed by a wave of numbing electricity. Both of them froze, their heartbeats accelerating instantly.

 

“There really is static electricity.”

 

“Mhm.”

 

Xie Bufei’s gaze flickered. She suddenly whispered, “Actually… it actually feels quite good.”

 

The tips of Yu Qiao’s ears turned red, and she hummed in response, maintaining her outward calm.

 

Xie Bufei bit her lip gently, her narrow fox-eyes shimmering. She looked exceptionally alluring.

 

“Qiaoqiao, do you think… there would be static electricity when we kiss?”

 

Yu Qiao’s throat felt like it was on fire. She suddenly felt very thirsty and hurriedly looked away.

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Xie Bufei looked at her and gave a light laugh. “Then, do you want to try and see?”