Why Did the Top Alpha Suddenly Stop Acting Out? - Chapter 51

Ye Shuyi shoved her phone into her pocket with visible irritation and hurried toward the parking lot.

Just as she opened the car door, someone reached out and held it in place. She turned to see Song Kechi gently patting her head before saying calmly, “Don’t rush. I’ll drive you there.”

Ye Shuyi took a deep breath, nodded, and then moved to the passenger seat.

The car soon left the dim underground parking lot, speeding forward under the glow of the setting sun.

Ye Shuyi clutched the seatbelt tightly in front of her. Once her emotions had settled slightly, she took out her phone and dialed the number again.

The first time, the call rang for about half a minute before being disconnected.

The second time, it lasted less than three seconds.

Song Kechi glanced at her through the rearview mirror, then at the navigation on the phone mounted on the dashboard. Just then, two messages popped up on the screen.

She opened them, skimmed the contents, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, “Fang Xin says Yi Qian waited for you until after five this afternoon. When you didn’t show up, she went ahead on her own.”

“Fang Xin was worried, so she followed. She says Yi Qian seems fine on the surface, but she made a one-hour trip in just thirty minutes. They’re already at the venue now.”

She sighed. “Stop calling for now. Whatever it is, you can talk it out in person. It’s not something you can resolve over the phone.”

Seeing that Ye Shuyi’s expression remained grim, she patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. If she still refuses to listen, I’ll tie her up for you, force her to hear you out whether she wants to or not.”

Ye Shuyi’s expression instantly turned complicated. She replied flatly, “Thanks in advance, but let me remind you, you can’t beat her in a fight.”

Song Kechi raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “I’m not planning to fight her. I’ll just, restrain her a little, hold her down.”

Ye Shuyi seemed to recall something, her lips quirking unconsciously. “And you think she’d just stand there and let you?”

“Well!” Song Kechi noticed her mood lightening slightly and grinned. “Maybe she’s just that dumb?”

Ye Shuyi slowly turned her gaze toward her profile before uttering dryly, “You’re the dumb one.”

Song Kechi glanced at her, reached over to pinch her cheek lightly, and cheerfully conceded. “Fine, fine. As long as you’re happy, I’ll be dumb, stupid, tall, short, fat, thin, pale tan, whatever you say.”

Ye Shuyi kept her eyes on the road ahead and scoffed. “Definitely dumb.”

The car soon arrived outside the rehearsal venue. Ye Shuyi and Song Kechi entered together, spotting Yi Qian already on stage, listening to the stage designer’s instructions.

Song Kechi scanned the venue, located Fang Xin, and nudged Ye Shuyi. “Let’s head over there.”

Ye Shuyi nodded, and the two walked toward Fang Xin.

When Fang Xin saw Song Kechi, she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. But as her gaze shifted to Ye Shuyi, her brows furrowed.

Ye Shuyi paid no mind to her reaction, nodding back before turning her attention to the figure on stage.

Song Kechi circled around to Fang Xin’s side, leaned in, and whispered, “What’s with that look?”

Fang Xin tilted her head and gave her a strange look, forcing a smile before glancing at Ye Shuyi and whispering in reply, “What kind of expression should I have? A standard eight-tooth grin while hugging your arm and spinning in circles to welcome you?”

Song Kechi poked the corner of her mouth with a laugh, saying, “Well, no need to be that exaggerated.”

Fang Xin unceremoniously swatted her hand away.

As the staff moved two handrail-free treadmills onto the stage, the stage designer gathered around them with Yi Qian and the others, explaining something while demonstrating movements on the treadmills.

Ye Shuyi frowned, scanning the venue for the director. Spotting him under the stage-right lights, she walked over.

Just as she reached him, a staff member approached to discuss something, so she waited quietly, her gaze fixed on the stage. Yi Qian repeatedly stepped onto the moving treadmill, attempting to sing while walking, but each time she lost balance and fell off.

Ye Shuyi’s brows furrowed deeply, her face filled with concern.

Once the director finished speaking with the staff, she introduced herself, “Hello, Director. I’m Ye Shuyi, Yi Qian’s manager.”

–

The director nodded. “Hello, what can I do for you?”

“Actually, when your team went over the schedule with me earlier, they didn’t mention treadmills being part of the stage design,” she said, glancing back at the stage where Yi Qian had fallen yet again. “Singing already requires significant focus, and their performance already incorporates a skit, which is demanding enough. Adding a treadmill especially one without handrails without any visible safety measures seems far too risky for the performers.”

The director kept his eyes on the stage. “Manager Ye, no need to worry. The treadmill idea was a spontaneous suggestion from the stage designer. Both artists agreed to try it, so we incorporated it. If they can’t adjust, we’ll—”

“Ah! Senior Yi!”

Before he could finish, Rou Rou’s panicked scream rang out from the stage.

Ye Shuyi whipped her head around to see Yi Qian collapsed on the treadmill, clutching her arm in pain as she slid off the moving belt onto the floor.

After a stunned moment, she snapped into action and sprinted over.

At the same time, Fang Xin and Song Kechi, standing on the opposite side of the stage, rushed forward as well.

Several nearby staff members helped Yi Qian up, but her shoulder hung limp, completely immobile. “Her arm might be fractured. She needs to go to the hospital immediately,” one said grimly.

The director grabbed a megaphone. “Get a team together take her to the hospital now!”

Ye Shuyi ran up to them and stopped, her chest rising and falling slightly as she reached out her hand. “Give her to me. I’ll take her there.”

The staff exchanged glances, thinking it was a good idea, and were about to hand Yi Qian over. But then Yi Qian slightly opened her eyes. Seeing who was in front of her, she stubbornly turned her body away, placing her uninjured left arm around Fang Xin, who had just arrived on the scene. Resting her chin on Fang Xin’s shoulder, her voice trembled as she said, “Xin Xin, you take me there.”

Song Kechi, standing next to Fang Xin, frowned and glanced at Ye Shuyi, who stood frozen in place, clearly still processing what had just happened.

Taking a deep breath, Song Kechi swiftly pulled Yi Qian’s arm off Fang Xin’s shoulder and draped it over her own instead.

Yi Qian struggled to open her eyes and looked at her, her voice weak but unmistakably questioning, “What are you doing?”

Song Kechi raised an eyebrow, her expression half-smiling yet indifferent. “Isn’t it obvious? Helping Xin Xin take you there. Can’t you see your petite best friend is about to collapse under your weight?”

Fang Xin was speechless but didn’t deny it, silently allowing Song Kechi to help. She urged, “Who takes her doesn’t matter. Getting to the hospital does. Let’s go, no more delays.”

Obediently, Song Kechi supported Yi Qian as they walked out. Perhaps the pain from her injuries was too much, as Yi Qian kept her face scrunched in discomfort and didn’t protest further, letting herself be led away.

Ye Shuyi watched their retreating figures, wanting to follow, but hesitated and ultimately stayed behind. Just then, Song Kechi turned her head and nodded at her, signaling not to worry.

Due to the accident, Yi Qian’s rehearsal had to be postponed temporarily.

Ye Shuyi stayed behind to coordinate with the relevant staff. They informed her that there were still two days before the official performance, during which other artists would rehearse. If Yi Qian’s medical examination showed she was in good condition during that time, the organizers could arrange a rehearsal at any moment. However, if her injuries were severe enough to prevent her from performing, the act would have to be canceled.

This was an unforeseen circumstance beyond anyone’s control, and for now, this was the only option.

As Ye Shuyi left the rehearsal venue, her phone buzzed with a message from Song Kechi.

Song Kechi: [At Star City Hospital, 9th floor, Orthopedics, Room 1008. The doctor is examining her now. Do you want to come?]

Ye Shuyi didn’t reply. She quickened her pace to her car, tossed her phone onto the passenger seat, and drove straight to Star City Hospital without delay.

But when a red light forced her to stop at an intersection, she hesitated.

She recalled the look in Yi Qian’s eyes when she had avoided her help, identical to the cold, distant gaze from her dream the night before. And how, despite the pain, Yi Qian had stubbornly turned away from her.

Yi Qian probably didn’t want to see her at all.

Closing her eyes, Ye Shuyi leaned back in her seat, taking a deep breath before slowly exhaling. When she opened her eyes again, the traffic light’s countdown had already begun.

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

The countdown ended.

Ye Shuyi turned the steering wheel, making a U-turn, and headed home instead.

No sooner had she arrived home and placed her bag on the sofa than her phone chimed twice from inside it.

Song Kechi: [She’s fine. The doctor said she has a minor wrist fracture, and the abrasions on her arm are more serious because of the large area, but they’ve all been treated.]

Following the message was a photo.

In the picture, Yi Qian’s arm was in a cast, slung around her neck, looking so severe it seemed like a level-ten disability.

Just as Ye Shuyi was about to reply to ask for details, a new message popped up in the chat box.

Song Kechi: [“It’s really just a minor fracture. The doctor said it could heal in four or five days at best, or a week at worst. But she said even four or five days was too slow, she needed it to heal faster. So the doctor suggested putting on a cast for stability, saying it might heal in just a day or two without any issues.”]

Song Kechi: [“But this actually makes things more troublesome. When it’s time to apply medicine to the abrasions, the cast will have to be removed. And even though the cast is breathable, it’s still completely enclosed, which could delay the healing of the abrasions. Sigh, I don’t know what she’s thinking.”]

After reading the messages, Ye Shuyi let out a sigh of relief and replied: [“As long as it’s nothing serious, just go along with her wishes.”]

Song Kechi quickly responded: [“Alright, we’ll do as she says.”]

Ye Shuyi didn’t reply further. She returned to her room, placed her phone on the desk, and collapsed onto the bed, closing her eyes.

Drip, drip-drip!

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the sound of raindrops began tapping against the window. Slowly, Ye Shuyi opened her eyes and turned her head to look.

It was the rain.

Why had it started raining so suddenly? The weather had been fine just moments ago.

The rain grew heavier, pelting against the window in a relentless rhythm.

Outside, the darkness was absolute, the thick rain mist dimming even the streetlights in the neighborhood.

The streaks of rain against the floor-to-ceiling window vanished as quickly as they appeared, only to be replaced by new ones, as if the downpour would never end.

The fleeting reflections of rain filled Ye Shuyi’s eyes. At some point, it felt as though the rain had seeped into her eyes, turning them red. The small space of her eye sockets couldn’t hold back the flood, and eventually, tears spilled from the corners.

So, was that dream from last night destined to come true after all?

Yi Qian!

She had never seen such a stranger in Yi Qian before. Even in the coldest moments before they had met, the Yi Qian in her memories had never felt this distant.

Her gaze flickered as if suddenly remembering something. She sat up, hurried to the cabinet, and pulled out a photo frame.

Inside was the only photo she had with Yi Qian taken during their first date by the riverside.

She had indeed deleted the photo back then, but that night, unable to sleep, she had restored it. Over the years, she had kept it hidden, until the day they broke up, when she printed it out, framed it, and carried it with her everywhere.

The frame had originally been placed on her nightstand, but after Yi Qian stayed over the night they finished filming the show, she had tucked it away.

Even though Yi Qian now lived almost entirely under the scrutiny of cameras, for some reason, she still didn’t want her to see this photo.

Why?

She didn’t know.

Looking at the familiar face of Yi Qian in the photo, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, but a tear escaped and fell onto the frame.

Before she could wipe it away, the doorbell suddenly rang.

She hesitated. Who could be visiting so late?

It couldn’t be Song Kechi, she knew the passcode to her apartment.

Quickly, she wiped the tear from the frame, washed her face in the bathroom, and then stepped out of her room.

Arriving at the entrance, she checked the door monitor to see Fang Xin on the screen, her expression displeased, with Song Kechi standing behind her.

She opened the door to find Fang Xin standing with arms crossed, exuding an intimidating aura as she blurted out abruptly, “I know everything now.”

“?”

Ye Shuyi looked questioningly at Song Kechi behind her, why did this person always start conversations by leaving out crucial context?

Just as Song Kechi opened her mouth to explain, the woman in front cut her off: “What I mean is, I know why you left Yi Qian.”

Ye Shuyi froze momentarily before quickly recovering, shifting her gaze to Song Kechi.

The latter merely shrugged helplessly and said, “I thought I needed reinforcements.”

Ye Shuyi exhaled silently, glanced at Fang Xin, and stepped aside: “Come in first.”

Fang Xin marched in without ceremony but paused abruptly at the entryway, turning back indignantly to ask the homeowner, “Should I take off my shoes?”

Before the host could respond, the homeowner’s best friend interjected, “What do you think? You just walked through the rain.”

Even as she spoke, Song Kechi was already moving past Ye Shuyi toward Fang Xin. She knelt on one knee before her, rummaged through the shoe cabinet for a pair of pink slippers, and reached for Fang Xin’s ankle.

Fang Xin recoiled in shock, eyes wide like a startled rabbit as she stared down: “What are you doing?”

Looking up with a faint smile, Song Kechi replied nonchalantly, “Helping you change your shoes. Didn’t you refuse to?”

A blush crept up Fang Xin’s cheeks. After an embarrassed glance at Ye Shuyi, she protested, “Who said I refused? I was asking if I should!”

She immediately crouched down to swiftly untie and remove her shoes. Meanwhile, Ye Shuyi observed the two facing each other in their crouched positions before stepping over them with arms crossed to enter the living room first.

When Ye Shuyi returned from the bathroom with a towel, the pair had moved from the entryway to the sofa. She tossed the towel onto Song Kechi’s shoulder and said flatly, “Dry your shoulders, or go change clothes.”

Only then did Fang Xin notice that half of Song Kechi’s shoulder was soaked. Looking down at her own dry clothes, she recalled how Song Kechi had shielded her with the umbrella, her expression turning guilty.

Noticing her reaction, Song Kechi leaned forward with elbows on knees, grinning as she closed the distance: “Now you owe me an ice cream and a cake. If that frown means you’re worried about me, how about adding a drink?”

“Bubble tea?” Fang Xin tacitly acknowledged the concern, turning to meet her gaze only for their sudden proximity and mingled breath to startle her into hastily retreating. Flustered, she added, “Or do you prefer coffee?”

“Whatever you like is fine with me.”

Having achieved her goal, Song Kechi straightened up and began drying herself with the towel.

From her seat on the farthest sofa, arms crossed, Ye Shuyi’s gaze sharpened at Song Kechi’s “fine with me” remark. Since when did this person drink either of those?

Since when was she so accommodating?

She was just about to speak when the person drying their hair with a towel looked up and said, “Shuyi, you two chat first. Being all wet is too uncomfortable, I’m going to change my clothes.”

Did this really require reporting to her?

Ye Shuyi glanced up indifferently and instantly understood what the other person was scheming.

Song Kechi stood up slowly, walked leisurely behind Fang Xin, deliberately paused, but seeing no reaction from the person on the sofa, she sighed and continued toward the room.

Fang Xin turned to glance at her retreating figure and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “By the way, I meant to ask earlier, do you two live together?”

Before Ye Shuyi could answer, Song Kechi, like a peacock flaunting its feathers, took two steps back to stand behind Fang Xin again, leaned down, and whispered by her ear, “Tell me why you’re curious first, and then I’ll give you the answer.”

Fang Xin was startled, instinctively shifting away slightly before turning back with a slightly alarmed look.

Ye Shuyi let out a soft “Hmm,” raising her eyes to gaze coolly at the two of them. “Should I excuse myself for a bit?”

“No need, I’ll go change right away.” As she spoke, she patted Fang Xin’s head, smiling brightly. “Listen well, we’re not living together. I just stay here occasionally, so I keep spare clothes here.”

“And later, speak properly. Don’t scare my precious Ye.”

“???”

The speaker left, thoroughly satisfied, leaving the listener utterly bewildered.

Fang Xin pointed at herself, unwilling to believe what she’d just heard: I scare people?

Ye Shuyi looked at her, the corner of her lips curling up unconsciously. Yi Qian’s best friend was adorably clueless, she’d never imagined Song Kechi would be into this type.

Seeing the other girl still lost in self-doubt, Ye Shuyi cleared her throat and broke the silence. “So, what did you come here to tell me today?”

At that, Fang Xin’s head snapped up as if she’d finally remembered her purpose. She blurted out, “Don’t you think?”

Mid-sentence, she suddenly recalled someone’s earlier warning: Don’t scare my precious Ye.

So she cleared her throat, unfolded her crossed arms, and softened her tone as if negotiating. “Don’t you think?”

Then she stopped again, a question popping into her mind: Why should I listen to her?!

She crossed her arms again, expression serious. “Don’t you think you’re being too selfish?”

Another abrupt, cryptic statement.

Ye Shuyi sighed, replying calmly, “Could you elaborate, Miss Fang?”

“I told you earlier, I already know the reason you left Yi Qian.” Fang Xin’s tone turned earnest. “You left her based solely on your own reasons. Don’t you think that’s selfish?”

“Song Kechi said that before the breakup, you repeatedly told Yi Qian to find a job instead of staying home with you all the time. So why didn’t you tell her the reason you needed her to do that?”

“Even if you didn’t want to explain your reasons, why didn’t you ask for hers?”

“Do you think you’re the only one with fears? The only one from a broken home? The only one affected by your family?”

The three rapid-fire questions left the entire living room in stunned silence.

At that moment, even the sound of rain outside the window seemed to quiet down.

Fang Xin spoke, tears unconsciously streaming down her face. As she raised her hand to wipe them away, another hand suddenly rested on her head.

Song Kechi’s voice came from behind her, tinged with helplessness: “I told you to speak properly, and now you’ve made yourself upset, didn’t you?”

Fang Xin ignored her and continued, “Yi Qian must have mentioned her parents’ divorce to you, but she probably didn’t tell you the reason behind it. Just like how you only told her your parents divorced during your middle school years, but never explained why they separated or how it affected you.”

A barrage of questions followed, yet Ye Shuyi offered no rebuttal.

What could she possibly refute?

Fang Xin hadn’t said a single word that was incorrect.

Lowering her gaze, her eyelashes casting shadows on her cheeks, Ye Shuyi hesitated before finally looking up and asking, “So,  why did her parents divorce?”

Fang Xin met her eyes, tears glistening, and answered succinctly, “They were rarely together.”

“That’s all I’ll say. You can ask her for the details yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Ye Shuyi stood up, grabbed her coat from the armrest, and headed for the door.

Song Kechi reached out and caught her arm.

Ye Shuyi looked up, her eyes already reddening, and choked out, “I can’t wait until tomorrow.”

Song Kechi gazed at her tenderly, gently smoothing her hair. “I just wanted to remind you to take an umbrella. Don’t overthink while driving—safety comes first. And when you get to her place, talk things through properly.”

The car came to a slow stop in front of Yi Qian’s house. Seeing the lights on inside the villa, Ye Shuyi took a deep breath, opened the door, unfurled her umbrella, and stepped into the rain. She walked up to the familiar front door and pressed the doorbell.

A moment passed, but the door remained still. Instead, her phone chimed with a notification.

Yi Qian: [“Go back.”]

Ye Shuyi froze briefly at the message before walking over to the railing facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, peering inside.

Yi Qian stood in the living room, looking back at her.

Their gazes collided through the rain-drenched glass, the relentless downpour, and the vines tangled around the railing.

Ye Shuyi’s lips moved, forming words, but the roar of the rain drowned out even her own voice let alone reaching someone separated by so many barriers.

She pulled out her phone, its glow illuminating her feigned composure. Her fingers trembled slightly as she typed, but she still sent the message swiftly: [“You didn’t say you didn’t want to see me, did you?”]

She didn’t know about other people’s habits, but from what she understood of Yi Qian, if the other woman truly didn’t want to see her, she would have said so outright, just like that night at Fang Xin’s place.

If Yi Qian didn’t want to see her now, she would have added after [“Go back”]: [“I don’t want to see you.”]

But she hadn’t.

Seeing Yi Qian typing again, Ye Shuyi lowered her head just as a new message popped up: [“I’m going to take a shower. Go back.”]

When she looked up again, the living room was empty.

Ye Shuyi didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she stood in the rain, gripping her phone tightly.

Soon, another message arrived:

Song Kechi: [“Fang Xin said that girl might not open the door for you, but she suggested you try entering on your own.”]

Enter on my own?

Ye Shuyi frowned. She didn’t know the passcode, how was she supposed to,

Passcode lock?

The thought struck her. She walked up to the door and entered the code.