Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 46

A complex storm of emotions surged within Xie Bufei.

This was a long-standing grievance of the Xie family, and she didn’t want to drag Yu Qiao into this murky water. Yet, hearing Yu Qiao’s words, she found herself losing her focus again and again.

 

Yu Qiao clearly had no obligation to wade through this mess with her.

 

She whispered softly, “What if I want to do something bad?”

 

Yu Qiao replied, “Then I’ll stay with you.”

 

She didn’t want Xie Bufei to be too heartbroken, so she tried her best to sound lighthearted, saying warmly, “If you’re going to be the mastermind, I’ll be your accomplice.”

 

Xie Bufei froze, looking up at her through teary eyes.

 

Yu Qiao used the pad of her finger to wipe away the tears, her fingertip brushing against soft eyelashes that trembled like a butterfly resting on a finger.

 

She could never bear to see Xie Bufei cry. Whenever she saw those tears fall, she felt the sadness as if it were her own.

 

They locked eyes for a moment. Xie Bufei reached out, wrapping her arms around Yu Qiao’s waist and burying her head in the other girl’s shoulder. She didn’t make a sound, simply letting the tears flow in silence.

 

Strong-willed since childhood, she never cried easily in front of others; if she did, she was used to hiding away alone.

 

She didn’t know why, but in front of Yu Qiao, the floodgates simply opened, and the tears fell uncontrollably.

 

Yu Qiao reached out and stroked the fluffy head sobbing against her shoulder. At this moment, she felt Xie Bufei needed a little comfort. After a thought, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to the girl’s forehead.

 

It was a kiss devoid of desire just a gentle touch, like a moist feather landing on her face.

 

Xie Bufei paused and looked up. The girl’s nose was red, her eyes were wet, and two faint tear tracks marked her pale cheeks. She looked like a lily of the valley battered by rain, possessing a fragile, heartbreaking beauty.

 

“Kiss me again,” she requested softly, leaning closer to Yu Qiao.

 

Yu Qiao leaned down and kissed her again. This time, her warm lips touched Xie Bufei’s eyes, quietly brushing the tears away.

 

A faint breath fanned across her face. Xie Bufei couldn’t help but squint her eyes, her hands climbing Yu Qiao’s shoulders as she pressed closer, nudging Yu Qiao with her nose like a wronged little animal acting spoiled.

 

Witnessing the truth behind the lies had left her feeling cold and discouraged for a moment. It felt as if no one in the world cared about her anymore, now that the one person who did was dead.

 

But Yu Qiao was still willing to stand by her side. Even though her words of comfort sounded like a joke, they smoothed over the wounds she couldn’t let go of.

 

Did this mean Yu Qiao actually cared for her?

 

At that moment, Yu Qiao pulled back slightly and asked in a low voice, “Senior, do you want to see the birthday gift I prepared for you?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Xie Bufei blinked, momentarily forgetting her bad mood as anticipation took hold.

 

They put the photo album back in its place and returned to Xie Bufei’s room. Yu Qiao opened her backpack and pulled out an exquisitely wrapped box.

 

“Senior, happy birthday,” she said. “I hope you are forever happy.”

 

Xie Bufei held the gift with both hands, her heart racing. With trembling fingers, she tore open the packaging and pulled out a pair of socks.

 

She stared at the white wool socks, which featured a very familiar ragdoll cat pattern embroidered on them. Xie Bufei asked blankly, “Why socks?”

 

Yu Qiao smiled and said, “Winter is coming.”

 

She had thought about what to buy for Xie Bufei, but after much deliberation, she chose something practical. After all, socks were something that could be worn year-round.

 

Feeling the delicate texture of the wool, a sudden realization hit Xie Bufei. She asked, “Did you sew these yourself?”

 

Yu Qiao nodded.

 

Xie Bufei was stunned. She thought to herself: What kind of treasure is this girl? She can even knit socks—talk about being a perfect partner.

 

She immediately praised, “Qiaoqiao, you’re so skilled this embroidery of Curry is practically lifelike.”

 

Xie Bufei leaned over and put the socks on. They were a bit long, covering her ankles, and felt very comfortable. She looked left and right, wiggling her toes, and nodded with satisfaction. “Cute.”

 

Yu Qiao gave a bashful smile and whispered, “Once I have a bigger budget in the future, I’ll buy something even better for you.”

 

“That sounds great.”

 

Xie Bufei loved hearing her use the word “future.” It made it feel as though there was a very long road ahead for them together.

 

She asked jokingly, “If I hang these socks on the door at Christmas, will I get a gift?”

 

Yu Qiao looked at her for a moment and said, “You will.”

 

Xie Bufei chuckled. “On Christmas Day, I’ll stay up all night waiting for Santa Claus.”

 

Yu Qiao smiled. “Santa doesn’t like children who stay up late. No gift for you this year.”

 

“Then I’ll threaten him,” Xie Bufei said, bumping Yu Qiao’s shoulder gently. “If you don’t give me a gift, I’ll start crying right now.”

 

Yu Qiao acted shocked. “Oh, how terrifying…” She touched Xie Bufei’s cheek. “Okay, okay, don’t cry. I’ll give you one.”

 

Xie Bufei burst out laughing. Afterward, she leaned against Yu Qiao and murmured, “Qiaoqiao, you really are my ‘happy pill’.”

 

She had felt it for a long time.

 

This feeling wasn’t just the attraction between pheromones. Simply being by the other girl’s side made her feel relaxed and happy, allowing her to drop her guard and be her truest self.

 

She thought of the pheromones of Xie Hongxin and her mother; they were also highly compatible, yet they hadn’t loved each other. Fortunately, the bond between her and Yu Qiao was genuinely a perfect fit.

 

“As long as you’re happy, Senior, that’s what matters most,” Yu Qiao said.

 

They chatted, and before they knew it, noon was approaching. A gentle knock came at the door, and a servant said in a low voice, “Eldest Miss, please get ready. It’s time to head out.”

 

Xie Bufei immediately sat up straight, smoothing her hair and dress. She asked Yu Qiao, “Do I look like I’ve been crying?”

 

Yu Qiao leaned in to look closely and whispered, “Your eyes are still a bit red.”

 

Xie Bufei glanced in the vanity mirror and saw that, as Yu Qiao said, a faint redness lingered around her eyes. Because her skin was so pale, that slight flush was quite obvious.

 

She picked up her makeup bag. “I’m going to the bathroom. Wait for me in the room; we’ll head out together in a bit.”

 

Yu Qiao sat on the bed like a loyal dog waiting for its owner, nodding obediently. “Okay.”

 

Xie Bufei hooked her chin with an index finger before pushing the door open and walking out.

 

Steady footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. The tall figure of a middle-aged man drew near, it was Xie Hongxin.

 

The moment Xie Bufei saw him, she felt an intense wave of nausea, wanting nothing more than to turn around and walk away.

 

“Feifei,” Xie Hongxin said, not noticing her distress. “Go and tidy yourself up. Look at your hair; it’s a mess. What kind of state is that?”

 

Xie Bufei gave a perfunctory hum. She then heard him say, “When you meet those aunts and uncles later, remember to greet them. Be a bit more charming; don’t always walk around with that icy face. This is where you fall short compared to your sister…”

 

Xie Bufei remained silent for a beat before saying hoarsely, “She’s perfect in every way. Why don’t you just let her inherit the family business instead?”

 

Xie Hongxin stopped and frowned at her, his tone stern. “What kind of talk is that?!”

 

“Xiao Ke isn’t in good health and her personality is too soft; she’s not suited to be a leader. You’re an Alpha; your methods are firmer. You’re the perfect fit.”

 

“And if I were an Omega?” Xie Bufei looked at him. “Would you still let me be the heir?”

 

Xie Hongxin paused and said, “There is no such ‘if’.”

 

Xie Bufei pressed, “What if there was?”

 

She stared fixedly at Xie Hongxin’s expression, and sure enough, she caught a tiny crack in his facade.

 

“There is no such hypothesis,” he quickly regained his indifferent expression. “If you were an Omega, I would have married you off a long time ago.”

 

In other words, everything she currently possessed was granted solely because of her identity as an Alpha.

Hearing that answer, Xie Bufei wasn’t particularly surprised, she had guessed as much long ago yet a wave of profound sorrow, fueled by peak indignation, surged in her heart.

If she admitted to being an Omega, she would be nothing more than a pawn and a tool in the Xie family, completely stripped of her rights and freedom to control her own life. Perhaps she wouldn’t even have the chance to meet Yu Qiao.

“When my mom started the business with you, building it from nothing, she didn’t drag you down, did she?” She couldn’t suppress her emotions, mocking him, “Why didn’t you think an Omega was unfit to be a leader back then?”

Xie Hongxin narrowed his eyes as if a sore spot had been touched, and roared, “Xie Bufei, shut your mouth!”

Xie Bufei let out a cold laugh and brushed past him with long strides toward the bathroom.

Closing the door, she leaned heavily against the sink, her fingertips trembling. She slowly bent her waist, gasping for air in deep, ragged breaths.

In her second year of high school, she had gone to the hospital for a gender pre-screening, and the doctor’s report labeled her an Alpha.

Thus, everyone in the Xie family assumed she was an Alpha. It wasn’t until the day of her awakening that she realized the diagnosis was wrong.

She went home and told her mother that she had differentiated as an Omega.

The woman’s expression had been complex. She gripped Xie Bufei’s hand tightly and said through gritted teeth, “Don’t tell him, don’t tell your father. Say nothing.”

At the time, Xie Bufei didn’t understand her mother’s intent. The pale woman sat on her sickbed, looking deep into her eyes as if looking at a ghost of the past.

Now, she suddenly understood. That look was one of shared pain and pity, anguish for the freedom her daughter was about to lose.

For all those years, her mother had lived under Xie Hongxin’s shadow, and she had died with such resentment.

Xie Bufei slowly straightened her back, looking at her reflection with an expressionless face, her fingertips tracing the features so strikingly similar to that woman’s.

She would make sure Xie Hongxin and Lin Qingwei paid the price they deserved.

Ten minutes later, Xie Bufei and Yu Qiao arrived at a hotel by car.

The lobby was magnificent, the marble floors reflecting the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead. As they stepped into the elevator, a staff member greeted them and pressed the floor button.

Standing in the rising elevator, Yu Qiao felt a sense of trance.

Without Xie Bufei, she likely would never have stepped into a place like this in her entire life.

Entering the private banquet hall, they saw a large open space in the middle with round tables and wooden chairs arranged around it. The banquet hadn’t started yet, but many guests had arrived, standing in small groups, chatting and observing.

Yu Qiao quietly sized up their attire, feeling that her own outfit might not be formal enough.

Xie Bufei gave her hand a secret squeeze and said, “Don’t be nervous. We’re just here to eat.”

Just as they were about to sit, Xie Hongxin called her from a distance: “Feifei, come here. I want to introduce you to some people.”

Xie Bufei pursed her lips and comforted Yu Qiao, “I’ll be back soon.”

Yu Qiao nodded, watching her follow Xie Hongxin to a group of people and begin a conversation.

“This is your Uncle Tang,” Xie Hongxin introduced.

Uncle Tang looked at her and smiled, “Haha, Feifei is getting prettier and prettier. This poise… she really takes after you, Old Xie.”

Xie Bufei gave a polite smile. “Hello, Uncle Tang.”

Uncle Tang nodded and patted the shoulder of the girl beside him. “This is my daughter, Sijia. She’s a year younger than you and also studies at A-University. Perhaps you know each other?”

Xie Bufei glanced at the girl. She had no memory of her and gave a faint smile. “I’m not sure which department Junior Tang is in?”

The girl looked at her nervously with eyes full of admiration, whispering, “I… I’m in the Computer Science Department.”

Computer Science too?

Xie Bufei blinked and smiled. “That’s nice.”

Yu Qiao watched them talk from afar. The two adults left first, seemingly intentional in creating a private space for the younger generation.

The girl standing before Xie Bufei gripped her skirt, her expression shy, while Xie Bufei occasionally nodded and smiled with a lazy, elegant posture.

Yu Qiao felt the girl looked more and more familiar. As she moved closer, she saw the girl brush her hair back, revealing her full profile.

Tang Sijia?!

She froze. How could it be such a coincidence to meet her here?

Tang Sijia appeared to have dressed up meticulously; her small cocktail dress highlighted her delicate figure, and her styling was playful and cute.

Knowing that Tang Sijia had always liked Xie Bufei, Yu Qiao felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She wanted to step forward immediately and pull Xie Bufei away.

Seeing the smile on Xie Bufei’s lips, her heart felt heavy with a bitter taste.

Why are they chatting so happily?

Could it be that Senior likes this type.

With her mind in a mess, Yu Qiao took a step forward, only to be stopped by a gentle voice: “Hello.”

She turned around to see a short-haired woman looking at her, offering a business card with a smile. “May I get to know you?”

Xie Bufei continued the small talk distractedly.

Xie Hongxin was still standing not far away, glancing over occasionally. She couldn’t leave for the time being, so her responses were half-hearted.

Fortunately, Tang Sijia was so immersed in the excitement of talking to her goddess that she didn’t notice at all.

She saw Xie Bufei suddenly turn her head and stare fixedly in one direction, the expression on her face shifting slightly into something that looked like displeasure.

Tang Sijia followed her gaze, puzzled. “Senior Xie, is something wrong?”

Xie Bufei watched as the short-haired woman approached Yu Qiao, chatting her up with a beaming smile. She felt her hair practically stand on end.

She had only been gone for a moment was her “little blockhead” about to be hit on and snatched away?