Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 49

When Xie Bufei found Yu Qiao, she was sitting alone on the stairs leading to the rooftop.

Cold wind swept through the stairwell, creating a hollow, booming echo. The girl sat on the steps, holding her phone in one hand and hugging her knees with the other, her head buried in her arms, motionless.

 

“Qiaoqiao?”

 

Hearing the familiar voice, Yu Qiao slowly raised her head.

 

Her face was terrifyingly pale, the tip of her nose was red, and her deep black hair was messily plastered against her cheeks like a clump of tangled seaweed.

 

Yu Qiao peeked out from her arms, her eyes wet as she gazed at her.

 

She looked like a small animal curled up in a cardboard box, abandoned on a rainy day.

 

Xie Bufei had been searching for her for a long time and finally breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over and knelt down. “Are you okay?”

 

Yu Qiao met her gaze, but her eyes were out of focus, as if staring through her at a void in space.

 

It took her a long moment to react. She shook her head gently, then gave a slight nod.

 

Xie Bufei felt an uncontrollable ache in her heart.

 

She had seen many versions of Yu Qiao—confident, determined, shy… each possessing a unique charm that shone brightly.

 

But this was the first time she had seen Yu Qiao so fragile, disheartened like a flimsy piece of paper that would collapse with a single gust of wind.

 

Xie Bufei knelt in front of Yu Qiao and reached out to rub her head, her voice gentler than it had ever been. “It’s okay now.”

 

Brilliant sunlight poured through the open door of the rooftop, drenching the floor. Yu Qiao watched her silently for a moment. The bright light fell into her eyes, shimmering as if it were about to overflow.

 

Xie Bufei stepped forward and pulled her into her arms.

 

“Don’t be afraid…”

 

Yu Qiao closed her eyes, her whole body trembling. She suddenly reached out and gripped Xie Bufei’s shoulders tightly, like a drowning person clutching at a single piece of driftwood.

 

Warm liquid seeped into the hollow of Xie Bufei’s neck, sliding down soundlessly.

 

Xie Bufei gently stroked her back, moving down the length of her spine. Once the girl in her arms had gradually calmed down, she said softly, “Qiaoqiao, let me take you back to the dorm first.”

 

The head on her shoulder moved slightly.

 

“You don’t want to go back?” Xie Bufei followed her lead. “Then we’ll stay here a while longer.”

 

Yu Qiao gave a low “Mm.” She narrowed her eyes and rested quietly on her shoulder in a posture of complete defenselessness.

 

“Senior…” Her voice was a bit hoarse, like wind blowing through dry fallen leaves.

 

“I’m so tired.”

 

She had never complained about the burden, anxiety, and poverty of her eighteen years of life, but they were still piled high, constantly accumulating. No matter how hard she worked, she could only shave off a tiny bit.

 

These rumors were like the final straw that broke the camel’s back, causing the pains she usually ignored to be infinitely magnified, surging forward like a tide to drown her.

 

She pressed all her weight against Xie Bufei and said hoarsely, “So tired.”

 

It was as if she had lost every reason to keep fighting.

 

Xie Bufei suddenly pulled back, cupping her face with both hands. “Don’t give up.”

 

“If you abandon yourself at a time like this, you aren’t the Yu Qiao I know.”

 

She paused, then said coldly, “The person who posted that anonymous message is also hiding behind a keyboard, waiting to see you utterly defeated. You cannot let them have their way.”

 

Yu Qiao stared at her blankly, reached out to wipe her eyes forcefully, and nodded with a tremble.

 

Xie Bufei put on a relaxed smile and leaned in close. Her thumb gently brushed away the tears around Yu Qiao’s eyes as she whispered, “You don’t need to worry right now. Just focus on preparing for the competition, okay?”

 

Yu Qiao paused, then shook her head gently.

 

“The competition… is gone.”

 

“Gone?”

 

“The qualification.” Yu Qiao raised the hand resting at her side, showing her phone screen. “Canceled.”

 

Xie Bufei looked at the chat logs on the screen, her expression shifting instantly.

 

Counselor: Student Yu Qiao, the department just found out about this matter. Don’t be anxious; we will give you a result.

 

Counselor: Before that, the Dean is giving you a week of leave. We hope you can take a break for a while.

 

Yu Qiao: What do you mean?

 

Counselor: It’s like this: we teachers discussed it, and this National University Information Security Competition is very formal; it concerns the school’s public image. Several teachers do not agree with having a controversial student participate, as it would affect how other schools view us and the mindset of other students.

 

Yu Qiao: This is my private business and has nothing to do with the competition. Moreover, my competition topic is ready, and the framework is built.

 

Counselor: I’m sorry, but this is the result of our college’s discussion. Your grades have always been excellent, and you’ve never been disciplined. We believe in your character. But going to the competition in your current mental state, I’m afraid you won’t get a good result. It’s better to give this opportunity to someone else.

 

Yu Qiao: Teacher, I can do it…

 

Counselor: Furthermore, we just checked your high school records. You were indeed disciplined for fighting with a classmate.

 

Yu Qiao: I can explain that.

 

Counselor: Even if I’m willing to listen, the other teachers might not believe you. Yu Qiao, we are doing this for your own good. Just rest for a while.

 

Counselor: I will do my best to fight for your student aid status, don’t worry.

 

Xie Bufei narrowed her eyes.

 

This was a classic “slap followed by a sweet treat,” successfully silencing Yu Qiao. Even if she wanted to have a fallout with the counselor, she was held back by the financial aid issue.

 

Xie Bufei locked the phone and handed it back. “Don’t look at your phone for now. I’ll handle this.”

 

“Let’s go back with me first, okay?”

 

Yu Qiao was silent for a moment, then gave a low “Mm.”

 

They hurried back to Dorm 301. No one was there; Yao Rudong and Lu Yun were still in class.

 

Seeing Yu Qiao’s listless appearance along the way, Xie Bufei said, “Go rest for a bit.”

 

Yu Qiao was now exceptionally sensitive to the word “rest” and immediately said, “I don’t need to.”

 

“Be good. I’m just telling you to go up and take a nap.”

 

Yu Qiao pursed her lips. Sitting in her chair, she looked up at her from below and whispered, “I’m not sleepy.”

 

“You can barely keep your eyes open,” Xie Bufei said. “You’ve stayed up late a lot recently for the project, haven’t you?”

 

Yu Qiao was silent and lowered her head again. The stray hairs on her forehead hid the faint dark circles under her eyes.

 

For some reason, Xie Bufei felt she looked quite helpless right now.

 

Accustomed to Yu Qiao’s usual firm and steady manner, she now felt the girl was like a puppy that had lost its way, crouching in place with a look of lost desolation.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll stay here with you.” Xie Bufei leaned down and took her hand.

 

She coaxed Yu Qiao in a soft voice to go take a shower. The girl was finally moved, walking into the bathroom while looking back every three steps.

 

After washing up, Yu Qiao rushed out immediately.

 

Xie Bufei, sitting in the chair, turned to look at her while holding a glass of water. She laughed, “Why did you come out so fast?”

 

Enveloped in a faint mist of moisture, Yu Qiao walked quickly to Xie Bufei’s side and gently took her hand, her gaze clear.

 

A light scent of herbs wafted from her, like a forest under the autumn sun—gentle and fresh.

 

Xie Bufei squeezed her hand back. “Go take a nap?”

 

She added another sentence: “I’m not leaving. I’ll stay and accompany you.”

 

Yu Qiao’s eyelashes fluttered. Under that expectant gaze, she nodded obediently.

 

Xie Bufei breathed a sigh of relief. She finally tucked Yu Qiao into bed and smoothed the corners of the quilt.

 

She reached out, her fingertips slowly caressing Yu Qiao’s face. Her voice was soft, like an evening breeze blowing across a meadow. “Sleep well. You need to rest.”

 

Yu Qiao curled up under the covers, showing only her pale face, watching her without blinking.

 

After a long while, she spoke in a low voice: “Actually… a long time ago, when I was in middle school, I went through something like this too.”

 

Her words carried a slight nasal tone. “The news reported my father going to prison. The whole class saw it, and it spread through the school like wildfire.”

 

“At that time, no one was willing to talk to me anymore. Everyone couldn’t wait to stay away from me. I heard them being afraid of me and mocking me behind my back. One day, someone in class suddenly said I was violent just like my father—that ‘it takes two to tango.’ I explained many times, but he said I deserved it instead.”

 

“At the time, I wondered, was I really in the wrong?” Yu Qiao tilted her head, using the back of her hand to cover her eyes. “Was being a victim of domestic violence really my and my mom’s fault?”

 

Xie Bufei sat beside her and gripped her hand tightly. “Of course it wasn’t your fault.”

 

“I’m not the same as my father… I won’t become him,” Yu Qiao swallowed hard and said hoarsely.

 

Xie Bufei: “You hit that person, didn’t you?”

 

Yu Qiao looked at her uneasily, her words disjointed. “I… I was… so angry then. It was my first time hitting someone. I completely lost my mind. I’m not the same as my father…”

 

Xie Bufei gave a light laugh. “You hit him well. You have to fight back so they know you are in the right.”

 

“Later, he had a mild concussion and was hospitalized,” Yu Qiao said. “I also transferred schools.”

 

“Don’t be afraid. You did the right thing.” Xie Bufei lowered her eyes, comforting her over and over. “Qiaoqiao, I will help you. Trust me.”

 

This time, you are not alone.

 

Yu Qiao’s eyes were red, and she nodded vigorously.

 

She wanted to speak, but Xie Bufei placed her index finger against her lips and said softly, “Don’t think about these things for now. Just sleep peacefully.”

 

Yu Qiao closed her eyes obediently, her fine eyelashes trembling slightly.

 

Lying in the warm bedding, she gradually relaxed. Fatigue surged forward, numbing her tense nerves.

 

“Senior, I don’t want to trouble you.” Yu Qiao’s voice grew fainter as she gripped her hand. “Can you please not leave.”

 

Xie Bufei whispered, “Okay, I won’t leave.”

 

She gazed at Yu Qiao’s sleeping face until her breathing became steady. Only then did she slowly release her hand and walk out to the balcony.

 

Closing the door behind her, she opened her phone. WeChat messages from Yao Rudong and Lu Yun were flooding in.

 

“Senior Xie, how is Qiaoqiao? Is she okay now? Nothing happened to her, right?” “Senior, did you find Qiaoqiao? I’m worried sick. We’re rushing back as soon as class ends…”

 

“I found her. Don’t worry, she’s in the dorm now.”

 

After replying to everyone, Xie Bufei opened her contacts and dialed a number.

 

A lazy male voice came from the other end. “Hello?”

 

“Help me look someone up.” Xie Bufei squinted at the clear sky in the distance. “Who exactly is running the school’s confession wall?”