A Stand-in Alpha Awakens - Chapter 28

Meng Wei had suffered a humiliating defeat at Jiang Lu’s hands, and her emotional management had been tested like never before. After running into Song Wushuang, she finally snapped and threw a massive tantrum on the spot.

Image and dignity were thrown to the wind.

Passing students were left dumbstruck. Consequently, for an entire week afterward, the whole school was buzzing with gossip about the drama between that mother and daughter.

Jiang Lu was too busy studying to listen to their idle talk; she only cared about the specific date of Song Wushuang’s withdrawal. After breakfast on Saturday morning, she and Liang Shuang wandered over to the school bulletin board and were surprised to find that the school had posted a notice long ago.

Liang Shuang nodded with her arms crossed, looking quite satisfied. “It came out on Tuesday. I thought they just posted it today.”

Jiang Lu turned toward the teaching building. “The result is the same. Sooner or later makes no difference.”

“True.” Liang Shuang followed Jiang Lu, her peripheral vision catching a few Alphas with loose hair standing on a side path.

As if sensing her gaze, the one closest to them suddenly let out a whistle. Jiang Lu looked back; the girl was smiling and waving at her in the sunlight. “Hello there, top student from the key class.”

Liang Shuang caught the provocation in her tone and slowed her pace. “Bottom student from the regular class?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, and the rustling leaves in the wind seemed to drown it out for those on the other side. Jiang Lu, who heard it clearly, nudged Liang Shuang’s arm with her elbow, her brow furrowed slightly. “Why even bother with them?”

“I’m not bothering. Just responding to her greeting,” Liang Shuang shrugged. “Aren’t ‘school bullies’ supposed to hate being ignored? I’m just being cooperative.”

“Those people aren’t right in the head. Stay away from them if you see them later; don’t get involved,” Jiang Lu said, clutching the water she brought from the cafeteria and quickening her pace up the steps.

Liang Shuang watched Jiang Lu’s retreating back and squinted her eyes as she replied, “I know.”

No. 1 High was a gathering place for top-tier students, but that didn’t mean it was devoid of “bullies.” Every year, a fair number of students went astray. Even among a group of short people, you could find one or two “tough” ones.

Jiang Lu wasn’t entirely sure what made them “tough,” but based on rumors, she gathered that they were very “sticky.” Specifically, they were incredibly patient when looking for trouble and possessed great persistence once they targeted someone. She hadn’t seen it personally and had no desire to, but right now, she wanted nothing to do with anything that might slow her progress.

If they really didn’t know how to quit… then they would see.

In contrast to Jiang Lu’s indifference, Liang Shuang’s understanding of the school bullies was much deeper. She knew the girl who had whistled was Jiao Li from Sophomore Class 19. Someone in the gossip group had once said Jiao Li was a “bad student” with a very distinct personality. Since the second semester of tenth grade, she had developed a strange obsession with targeting “good” students who had conflicts with those in the regular classes.

The fact that she had proactively called out today was, in a sense, a declaration of war.

Jiang Lu didn’t want to waste time or energy on them, and Liang Shuang felt the same. But knowing what Jiao Li intended, it was impossible to just wait for things to happen. Thus, after the second period of evening study that night, Liang Shuang told Jiang Lu she was heading out and went downstairs alone to find Jiao Li.

Ten minutes of break time was plenty for students on the first floor, but for Jiao Li, it wasn’t quite enough. She was leaning against a bathroom stall finishing a cigarette, thinking about when would be best to corner Jiang Lu, when a dull thud sounded on the door.

“Are you blind! Why are you knocking! Can’t you see someone’s in here?!”

Liang Shuang didn’t answer; she just knocked twice more. Jiao Li had run rampant in No. 1 High for over six months—when had she ever met someone so ungrateful?

Fuming, she yanked the door open, her foot ready to kick. Suddenly, she locked eyes with Liang Shuang’s terrifyingly long eyes and froze as if her connection had been cut.

Liang Shuang leaned against the clean, square white tile wall, her voice cooler than an autumn night after rain. “What are you planning to do to Jiang Lu?”

“None of your business.” Jiao Li avoided her gaze. Afraid of losing face, she looked down to flush the cigarette butt and continued her tough act. “What I do is my business. You can’t control it.”

Liang Shuang had seen plenty of truly ruthless people. Seeing Jiao Li acting like a rebellious brat, her expression grew even colder. “Jiang Lu’s business is my business. I don’t think you can actually do anything to her, but just you try touching her.”

“Holy shit?” Jiao Li exploded. “Are you fucking threatening me?”

“Your ‘Great-Auntie’ is kindly reminding you,” Liang Shuang said, stepping up onto the platform, forcing the Alpha girl standing at the door to retreat back into the stall.

Upstairs, Jiang Lu finished her water before realizing what Liang Shuang had said before leaving. She glanced at her watch; there were less than two minutes until class. She decisively grabbed a pack of tissues and patted Chen Xueyao’s shoulder. “Liang Shuang has a stomachache and isn’t back from the restroom yet. I’m going to go check on her.”

The corridor outside the classroom was empty. Jiang Lu headed straight downstairs, and the warning bell rang just as she reached the first floor. Worried that Liang Shuang had run into trouble, she cleared the remaining steps in one bound and ran toward the restroom behind the Xiuyuan Building.

The bell ended, and the area in front of the teaching building was completely deserted. Under the dim streetlights, Jiang Lu rushed into the Alpha restroom. “Liang Shuang? Are you there?”

“Liang Shuang?”

As her voice fell, a flush sounded from the furthest stall. Jiang Lu looked around warily, noting that all the other doors were ajar except for that one. Just as she was about to call out again, that door opened as well.

“Liang Shuang?” Jiang Lu approached.

“Hey, I’m here. Why’d you come looking for me?” Liang Shuang said, stepping out of the stall and intentionally pushing the door shut behind her.

Jiang Lu noticed the small movement and pulled the tissues from her pocket. “I was afraid you forgot paper.”

Liang Shuang laughed. “How could I make such a rookie mistake?”

“Just in case.” Jiang Lu stuffed them back, but her eyes were fixed on the partially closed stall door. “Why did you close the door after coming out?”

Liang Shuang grabbed Jiang Lu just as she was about to walk over. “It’s smelly, I just used it. You need to go? Use the next one.”

“Are you serious? You got that many veins popping on the back of your hand just from using the toilet?” Jiang Lu pried the hot hand away and kicked the stall door open.

Jiao Li was pressed against the wall with a look of pure terror, her voice trembling: “W-what else do you want?! I’m warning you, don’t come any closer! Or else… or else I’ll…”

Seeing she couldn’t hide it, Liang Shuang stood openly beside Jiang Lu and glared at Jiao Li. “Or else you’ll what? Tell the teacher? Tell a police officer?”

“I didn’t hit you, I didn’t curse you. You can bring the King of Heaven himself, and I wouldn’t be afraid.”

“…” Jiang Lu’s eyelids twitched. When she realized Liang Shuang hadn’t returned, those “distinctive” Alphas from the morning had flashed through her mind. she had considered that Liang Shuang might be cornered—after all, this happened often in middle school. But she truly hadn’t expected such a quick reversal.

However, since it had already happened, Jiang Lu didn’t care to dwell on what was going on with Jiao Li. Confirming Liang Shuang was unharmed, she hooked her arm around her shoulder and led her out. “Don’t go running off alone next time. Remember to call me.”

Liang Shuang muttered, “I could handle it.”

“I believe you,” Jiang Lu nodded. “Doesn’t stop me from worrying about you.”

Liang Shuang arched an eyebrow in surprise, her heart feeling toasted and warm, and even a little sweet. Back at the teaching building, Jiang Lu let go and sprinted up the stairs first. “It’s Old Yan’s class, I’m going ahead!”

Liang Shuang: “Damn it—wait for me!”

Jiang Lu sprinted away, stifling a laugh.

The last period of evening study ended, and only two hours remained of Saturday. Back in the dorm, Jiang Lu washed up and leaned against the wall by her bed, tapping on her watch. The tiny screen scrolled through the few chat records between her and Bai Yue.

On the night they added each other, Bai Yue had made an appointment to meet her tomorrow at noon. At the time, it didn’t seem like much, but now that there were only ten-plus hours left, Jiang Lu suddenly felt nervous. And an indescribable sense of anticipation.

To be honest, she didn’t like this feeling, but no matter how she tried to suppress it, she couldn’t; it even felt counterproductive.

…Whatever, time for sleep.

With her efforts proving fruitless, Jiang Lu pursed her lips and lay down, closing her eyes to steady her heartbeat. When she opened them again, she met Liang Shuang’s scrutinizing gaze and jumped. “Holy—! What are you doing leaning over like that?”

“You’re being weird. What are you thinking about?” Liang Shuang asked, bracing herself on the bedrail.

Jiang Lu closed her eyes again. “Nothing.”

“Really nothing?” Liang Shuang didn’t believe her.

Jiang Lu: “Nothing. I’m sleeping.”

“Oh…” Liang Shuang retreated and lay down, her fingers tapping gently on the rail. “By the way, almost forgot to tell you. Chu Zishan came by while you were washing up. Said her sister wants to treat you to afternoon tea tomorrow. She mentioned where she booked a table, but I forgot.”

Jiang Lu hadn’t seen Chu Ziyan all week. Hearing this, she looked up. “You didn’t refuse?”

“Chu Zishan said my refusal was useless. If you’re unwilling, you have to tell her yourself tomorrow.” Liang Shuang rolled her eyes, remembering Chu Zishan’s attitude. Seriously, it was hard to believe Chu Zishan hadn’t been beaten yet for keeping her head held so high.

Jiang Lu didn’t say another word, closing her eyes and letting the melodious lights-out bell lure her into sleep.

At breakfast the next morning, Jiang Lu had just entered the cafeteria when she saw Chu Zishan leaning against a pillar waiting for her.

“Liang Shuang told you last night, right? Are you going?”

Jiang Lu didn’t stop. “No.”

“Why not?” Chu Zishan chased after her, confused. “Do you have plans for the afternoon?”

Jiang Lu nodded. “Yes. My schedule is full. I don’t have time for afternoon tea.”

Chu Zishan was shocked. “Full? For the whole afternoon? What did you arrange? You can’t even squeeze out time for a bite to eat?”

“Exactly. Can’t squeeze it out.”

Chu Zishan: “Jiang Lu, are you for real…”

“Of course I am. Why would I lie to you?” Jiang Lu bypassed her to catch up with Liang Shuang in the queue.

Sunday morning’s three periods were used to continue reviewing the weekly test papers they hadn’t finished. The fourth period was PE. After finishing her laps, Jiang Lu received a new message from Bai Yue.

The message scrolled across her watch face—

Bai Yue: Sorry, I might be a few minutes late.

Bai Yue: There’s some traffic.

Jiang Lu, out of breath, tapped out a reply: It’s okay, I’ll wait for you at the cafeteria entrance.

Bai Yue: Thank you so much.jpg

Bai Yue: Hug.jpg