Part 2
Someone else. He knew, of course, that referred to Lin Mo.
Pei Lian looked aggrieved, his voice unconsciously lowering. “I stayed up all night reading the materials. You can’t do this.”
Tang Xingye: “…”
He let out a breath. “Write honestly. If you draw again, I’ll tear it up and throw it in the trash.”
He picked up the materials and got up to leave the room. Pei Lian thought he was going to find Lin Mo, but was nailed to the spot by the command: “Sit. Don’t follow.”
Not doing it with him.
Doing it with Lin Mo.
He wasn’t that bad.
Jealousy coiled around him like a poisonous snake. He was jealous of Lin Mo’s talent and hated how easily Lin Mo stole Tang Xingye’s attention.
Ji Chen watched his expression, his lips slowly curving into a playful arc.
“You won beautifully yesterday,” Shen Qing leaned against the table, her fingertips tapping on a cookie tin. “I saw Gu Lao’s face looked as sour as a palette. Really satisfying.”
Shen Qing noticed his gaze on the small box near her hand. She opened it with a smile. “I made cranberry cookies. Want to try one?”
Tang Xingye wasn’t very interested in sweets, but seeing Shen Qing’s rare enthusiasm, he picked one up. The moment the cookie entered his mouth, the sugary sweetness mixed with a faint bitterness exploded on his tongue.
“Hey!” Shen Qing’s eyes widened—she had just offered out of politeness. She didn’t expect Tang Xingye, this picky eater, to actually eat it.
“Spit it out! My hand shook when I put in the sugar,” Shen Qing reached out for it.
Tang Xingye found her wide-eyed expression novel. He hooked his lips slightly and took another bite. “It’s okay.”
Shen Qing pinched his hand. “Don’t eat it if you don’t want to. Treating me like an outsider?” She kept a straight face.
Tang Xingye quickly closed the box, fast enough to rival someone clocking in for an 8 AM class.
Seeing this, Shen Qing blamed the online recipe tutorial. She mentioned the club’s gift box and laughed. “Everyone likes you. The Discipline Department has caught a lot of stalkers recently, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Ji Chen was quite dedicated to this matter.” Shen Qing was glad Tang Xingye’s roommates were normal people. If a pervert had mixed in among them, that would be terrifying.
Tang Xingye didn’t know Ji Chen had put so much effort into this behind the scenes. By that logic, he should thank Ji Chen.
A bit annoying.
Shen Qing stopped smiling and gazed at Tang Xingye, her voice suddenly softening. “You don’t seem very happy?”
Yes, why am I still not satisfied?
Tang Xingye felt that many people liked the facade presented by his name—a smart but humble and gentle good boy—not him personally.
What was the real him like?
Proud, vain, jealous.
Growing out of rotting mud, striving toward the sun. Surrounded by disdain and fear, yet still struggling upwards regardless of personal safety.
Tang Xingye would sooner or later walk ahead of everyone and become the most dazzling existence.
Shen Qing didn’t treat him as an outsider, so there was no need to pretend. Tang Xingye understood the subtext. He evaded the heavy topic and said lightly, “Just a bit tired from staying up late.”
“Health comes first.” Shen Qing knew about his sub-healthy lifestyle and couldn’t help nagging like a mother hen.
Tang Xingye nodded obediently. “I’ll adjust.”
Actually, Tang Xingye knew that his body was his capital. Adjusting his schedule and proceeding step-by-step was best; he shouldn’t let his rhythm be disrupted.
Tang Xingye passed the office holding a report when he suddenly heard the teachers inside mention his name. He subconsciously slowed his steps.
Listening for a moment, Tang Xingye realized they were selecting student representatives for the school anniversary opening ceremony. Every year, the anniversary used a dual-representative system for speeches.
“Are we still doing dual speeches this year?” A female voice asked amidst the sound of flipping pages. “The top entrant, Tang Xingye, is Old Ye’s student. His academic presentation last time was quite good.”
Tang Xingye’s eyes brightened slightly. Can I go on stage?
“The opening process has been compressed,” a male voice tapped on the schedule, sounding impatient. “Two representatives taking turns to speak takes too much time. Tu Si, Shen Yuli… add Ji Chen.”
“Forget about Tang Xingye. Don’t use a Beta for the freshmen.”
“The upper grades have already set Omega and Beta representatives. It’s safer to choose an Alpha for the freshmen,” someone interjected. “As for Tang Xingye, he’s only a freshman. We can arrange it next year.”
“Besides,” the voice suddenly lowered, “it’s also the school board’s intention.”
The sycamore leaves outside the window rustled suddenly, drowning out the subsequent discussion in the office.
Tang Xingye lowered his eyes, unconsciously gripping the report in his hand. An unhappy emotion surfaced on his snow-white face.
The excitement he felt thinking he might be chosen now seemed a bit stupid.
Tang Xingye dragged his feet, staring at the ground, zoning out as he walked. Those few sentences echoed repeatedly in his brain, replaying over and over.
Forget about the Beta. Forget about the Beta.
Professor Ye’s voice startled him into looking up sharply.
“Why are you here?”
Tang Xingye, nearly having his inner thoughts exposed, immediately restrained his emotions and blinked rapidly. “A bit sleepy, wanted to sleep.”
“Go back and rest.” Professor Ye noticed the dark circles under his eyes and patted his shoulder, consoling him, “Don’t be too anxious about the project.”
Tang Xingye didn’t know how to explain to the teacher, so he could only nod in agreement.
In fact, Tang Xingye had heard many adults say similar things since he was a child: “It’s a pity he’s a Beta and wasn’t born into a wealthy family…”
Pity what?
He couldn’t get an answer. His grandmother pointed out the direction for him: Climb up. Do better and be stronger than the Alphas.
Now it was pointed out to him that he wasn’t as good as Ji Chen because he wasn’t an Alpha?
Tang Xingye hated Ji Chen to the extreme right now.
Consequently, he had no appetite. Too lazy to go to the cafeteria, he gave everyone a cold glance and didn’t want to pay attention to anyone.
The students watching in secret didn’t dare to breathe loudly, discussing quietly in the forum posts.
[What’s wrong with Wifey? Who made him unhappy?]
[It’s that look of viewing trash. The school beauty looking at me with a cold face feels so good; I feel like I have new dreaming material for tonight.]
[Is Baby tired from receiving too many Moon Laurel Festival gifts? I told you not to stuff gems, jewelry, and jade. Baby’s elementary school bag can’t fit it all, and now he’s angry.]
[Upstairs, something is wrong with you. Is the ‘elementary school’ you’re talking about decent?]
[Don’t derail the thread. Princess clearly didn’t sleep well all night; he must have been worn out. Fragrant and soft Princess, hehe… hehe…]
[I’m collapsing. Can you guys stop fantasizing about Tang Xingye… [Eye roll] I really want to arrest all of you making dirty rumors! Saying it one more time: My husband is a Beta, and what he loves most is studying!]
He didn’t know if it was that cookie or a psychological effect, but his stomach was churning as if a hand were constantly stirring it.
His chest felt like a rapidly expanding balloon, ready to explode at any moment. Tang Xingye only allowed his emotions to be uncomfortable for one night. He picked up his phone and typed furiously, writing down all his thoughts at once.
[Alphas are so amazing, huh? Alphas are so powerful!]
Before he could type out the part after “Ji Chen go die,” Tang Xingye stopped. The weight of life was too heavy; such words couldn’t be said lightly.
Tang Xingye didn’t deny his dark and despicable parts; those fragmented evil thoughts made up who he was. Even knowing that individuals are independent, he couldn’t help feeling jealous.
Tang Xingye suddenly felt tired. He was giving too much of his attention to Ji Chen, which was meaningless.
He needed to do something to relax. Let’s solve two more sets of problems.
Just as he was about to turn off his phone, a shadow loomed over him.
“What are you typing?”
The sudden voice startled Tang Xingye. The phone slipped from his hand and flew to the person’s feet.
Seeing the person’s face clearly, Tang Xingye froze in place, his vocal cords unable to make a sound.
Ji Chen bent down to pick it up. The phone screen was still on, the editing page hadn’t been closed, and written clearly on it was:
[Ji Chen go die]
T/n: OMG 😱
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