The Alpha’s Hidden Marriage, Public Obsession - Chapter 54

Lin Yulan did take Xia Ran’s advice but not entirely. At noon, she made a special trip to the company and took Ming Zelan’s phone, the one she often used to chat with Jiang Xue. Then, posing as Ming Zelan, Lin Yulan sent Jiang Xue an invitation to dinner that evening.

After receiving Jiang Xue’s reply, Lin Yulan deleted the entire conversation and stealthily returned the phone to its place while Ming Zelan was busy.

However, Lin Yulan worried that Jiang Xue might call Ming Zelan on her way over in the evening. Though she knew Ming Zelan would likely cover for her, if the ruse was exposed, Jiang Xue would definitely refuse to come. Unable to wait until evening, Lin Yulan decided to head to the school gate early to intercept her.

It was Monday, and Jiang Xue was swamped. She had originally planned to pack the shoes and send them back to Lin Yulan via a courier to avoid giving that infuriating Alpha another excuse to bother her. But just as she stepped out with Lin Yulan’s shoes, she received a sudden notice from the school administration summoning her to a meeting.

There was no time to put the shoes back, she couldn’t afford to be late. There were many things she could compromise on, but her bonus was non-negotiable.

Left with no choice, Jiang Xue ended up carrying Lin Yulan’s shoes straight into the conference room.

To her surprise, Xia Yin was also attending the meeting.

Jiang Xue knew Xia Yin’s primary job wasn’t teaching at the school she only held an honorary position there and was rarely seen on campus unless something specific required her presence.

This reminded Jiang Xue of the words Xia Yin had spoken during their meal at the themed restaurant: “The reason I stay at this school is because of you.”

Jiang Xue felt this couldn’t go on. Xia Yin was clearly pursuing her, and despite Jiang Xue’s firm rejection, she showed no signs of backing down.

So, after the meeting and her afternoon classes, Jiang Xue arranged to meet Xia Yin in a seldom-used classroom, intending to lay everything out clearly.

But as luck would have it, the window of the classroom Jiang Xue chose happened to face the school gate. And Jiang Xue had a habit of gazing out the window while waiting. This time, her eyes landed on a familiar car parked near the entrance.

She didn’t even need to double-check she was certain that the car belonged to that damned Alpha!

Jiang Xue glanced down at the shoes in her hand. Surely Lin Yulan didn’t need this pair given the Lin family’s wealth, one pair of shoes meant nothing.

With that thought, she decided to toss them in the trash on her way out. If that bastard Alpha dared to use this as an excuse to harass her again, she’d simply quit and disappear somewhere far beyond her reach.

“She’s waiting for you, isn’t she?”

Jiang Xue had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Xia Yin’s arrival. Startled by the voice, she spun around.

“Xia Yin, you’re here!”

Xia Yin’s gaze lingered on the bag in Jiang Xue’s hand clearly containing a pair of shoes. Recalling last night’s events, she instantly understood. “You didn’t wear your own heels back last night. Are these hers?”

Jiang Xue didn’t feel guilty there was no reason for her to feel guilty about this in the first place. She just sensed that Xia Yin was acting differently than usual and instinctively took a step back.

But she was already standing too close to the window, with nowhere left to retreat. Any further, and she’d be pressed against the wall.

“Xia Yin, since you’re here, there are some things I need to make clear to you. I—”

Before she could finish, Xia Yin cut her off. “Before we talk about that, can’t you answer my question first, Professor Jiang?”

When Jiang Xue remained silent, Xia Yin continued, “The Alpha you like her name is Lin Yulan, isn’t it? She’s the one, right? The female Alpha we ran into at the restaurant that night, the first time you agreed to go out for supper with me. The one you called your ‘classmate’ it’s her, isn’t it?”

There was no point in lying now that Xia Yin had caught her red-handed. Jiang Xue could only sigh and nod. “Yes, the Alpha I like is her. We graduated from the same university, and we were classmates. What she told you wasn’t a lie.”

“Then do you know what she said to me back then?”

“I know.”

“She said she didn’t like you at all and even encouraged me to pursue you. Did you know that too?”

“I know.”

Jiang Xue’s voice was calm, her expression unreadable like a still lake, undisturbed by even the slightest ripple.

This made Xia Yin frown. “Then do you know that three weeks ago, she drove to the school looking for you, saying she had something important to discuss, but I ran into her instead? I told her to stop harassing you, or I wouldn’t be polite. She seemed scared she didn’t even have the courage to insist. Did you know about that too?”

Jiang Xue froze. “What did you say?”

Lin Yulan had mentioned running into Xia Yin before and being verbally threatened, told to stay away. Jiang Xue had assumed Lin Yulan was just making it up out of resentment for Xia Yin always hovering around her.

But it turned out Lin Yulan hadn’t lied.

“So she didn’t tell you.” Xia Yin’s voice was steady. “Xiao Xue, you really do like her, but she doesn’t like you at all, does she? The reason you two can’t be together isn’t because of your parents’ objections, if I had to guess, it’s because her parents agreed, but she refused to be with you.”

“Yet she keeps coming back to you because she suddenly realized how good you are, how much you truly love her, and now she’s changed her mind. Am I right?”

Jiang Xue opened her mouth to argue, but Xia Yin didn’t let her speak. “But her past actions hurt you, so you’ve grown disillusioned. You just didn’t expect her to be so shameless, so persistent, trying to win you back. Isn’t that it?”

Xia Yin was almost entirely correct maybe a little off on some details, but the gist was accurate. “Xia Yin, I don’t want to talk about her right now. You’re right, but I really don’t want to discuss this. Let’s drop it.”

But Xia Yin clearly wasn’t done. She took another small step forward, closing the distance between them.

“Xiaoxue, since you’re already completely disappointed in her, why can’t you consider me?” Xia Yin asked. “Last time at the theme restaurant off campus, the question I asked you can you give me an answer now? At the very least, I want to know where I lost out.”

“Xia Yin, you didn’t lose. But feelings aren’t something that can be measured by winning or losing.” Jiang Xue had no room left to retreat, yet Xia Yin’s demeanor made her feel utterly unfamiliar. “I really appreciate that you like me, but emotions can’t be forced. Not liking someone is just that there’s no special reason. I—”

Before she could finish, Xia Yin grabbed her arms and pinned her against the wall. “But Xiaoxue, that Alpha isn’t worth your affection. Haven’t you heard the saying? Late-coming affection is cheaper than grass!”

Of course, Jiang Xue knew that was precisely why she hadn’t agreed to Lin Yulan’s attempt to mend their relationship.

“Xia Yin, let me go first. It hurts.”

Xia Yin didn’t release her. Her eyes remained fixed on Jiang Xue’s flushed lips. “Xiaoxue, the best way to forget someone is to start a new relationship. If you keep holding on, it’ll only bring you pain.”

Jiang Xue understood the implication behind her words and didn’t hesitate to call her out. “Xia Yin, what you said isn’t wrong. But even if I were to start a new relationship, it would have to be with someone I have even the slightest affection for, wouldn’t it?”

So, Jiang Xue, do you really not feel anything for me at all?

This shattered Xia Yin’s confidence.

She prided herself as a master in matters of the heart, never having faced defeat before. She had always been the one pursued, never imagining she would hit a wall with Jiang Xue.

“We could try it out first. If it really doesn’t work, we can break up, okay?” Xia Yin urged, her voice frantic. “Tell me what you liked about her, and I’ll learn. I’ll become exactly what you love.”

Jiang Xue was genuinely frightened by her behavior. She tried to push her away, but the disparity in their strength made it impossible.

“Xia Yin, let me go first. Whatever you have to say, say it after you release me.”

But Xia Yin clearly wasn’t listening. The more Jiang Xue struggled, the more agitated she became, tightening her grip.

Jiang Xue was terrified. It reminded her of those sleazy Alphas Zhang Rong had introduced to her, who had tried to force themselves on her. So she struggled even harder.

And the next second, Xia Yin forcibly kissed her.

Jiang Xue’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Xia Yin in disbelief. Without a moment’s hesitation, she shoved her away with all her might.

Xia Yin hadn’t expected Jiang Xue to be so strong. Caught off guard, she fell to the ground, wincing in pain. When she finally looked up, she froze.

Jiang Xue was covering her lips, her eyes filled with horror and beyond that, revulsion.

“Xiaoxue, listen to me,” Xia Yin forced herself to stand.

But Jiang Xue had no intention of listening. Glaring at her, she said, “Xia Yin, I’ve already rejected you firmly. You wanted to know why, didn’t you? Then I’ll tell you, I’m already married to her. Do you understand now?!”

With that, Jiang Xue turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The classroom was empty except for Xia Yin. She widened her eyes in disbelief and let out a bitter laugh. “So, you’re already married to her? I really was the fool, I never even considered that possibility.”

Fine. Just fine.

That Lin guy’s acting skills were truly impressive. She had seriously underestimated him.

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