Chapter 30: Live Stream Accident (Part 1)

Chapter 30: Livestream Mishap (Part 1)

—Whoa, this boss really knows how to play.

—Is the production team pulling strings, or is the boss just a pervert? Xiao Yuan, hurry up and change into it on camera. As a fair and impartial judge, I’ll make my own decision. [Drooling emoji]

—Hehehehe... I want to see the little devil outfit!

Yuan Shiyuan left the café with the bag in hand, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.

Was this also a scripted part of the show?

The boss waved at Yuan Shiyuan with a smile. "If you try it on tonight, you can take a photo and send it to me. I’ll give you my thoughts!"

Yuan Shiyuan carried a ticking time bomb back with him.

The boss didn’t know he shared a room with his teammates, so there was no opportunity for him to try on the skirts. He could never change into one in front of the other members.

Yuan Shiyuan imagined the scene: him changing into different styles of skirts in a room full of S-class Alphas... No matter how he thought about it, it felt weird.

He’d only seen this kind of scenario in those kinds of videos.

Fortunately, the suite was big enough for Yuan Shiyuan to find a place to hide it. After some thought, he decided to tuck the bag of clothes under the bed.

Who would go digging under the bed for no reason, aside from mice?

Just as Yuan Shiyuan finished hiding the skirts, the other S-class Alphas returned one after another.

After working all afternoon, the S-class Alphas were sweating profusely, their hair messy. They didn’t bother cleaning up and immediately gathered around the coffee table to plan their next spending.

Under the coffee table, Yuan Shiyuan gently linked fingers with Pei Yanbing.

"Captain, I’ll put the money I earned with you and pretend it’s yours," Yuan Shiyuan whispered under his breath.

Yuan Shiyuan’s lips curled slightly, clearly in a good mood after his successful day.

Pei Yanbing: "Okay."

In plain sight, he took a stack of money from Yuan Shiyuan.

Luckily, no one noticed them.

Ying Mingche: "Bao Jin, you only made just over a thousand? You’re so pathetic."

Bao Jin’s face fell.

"Even a thousand is great!" Yuan Shiyuan patted Bao Jin’s shoulder and said, "At least we can cover our room fees now. The remaining star coins can be used for meals."

Bao Jin looked at him and promised, "I’ll earn more tomorrow."

"What about the captain? How much did the captain make?" Ying Mingche and the others had already placed their earnings on the coffee table. "We’re just waiting for you."

It wasn’t that Pei Yanbing didn’t want to take it out, but... he had quite a lot of star coins in his hand.

Putting them out seemed suspicious.

Under the urging of multiple gazes, Pei Yanbing still placed the stack of money on the coffee table.

"..."

"Captain, what did you do? Did you sell the piano at the shop? You earned thirty-three thousand star coins in one afternoon!"

Pei Yanbing remained silent.

Yuan Shiyuan guiltily averted his eyes.

The little butler had worked hard all afternoon—his tail and cat ears didn’t get touched for free. His income combined with Pei Yanbing’s was quite substantial.

Bao Jin, who was at the bottom, stayed silent. He turned to Pei Yanbing and asked eagerly, "How did you earn it? I’ll go do that tomorrow too."

Pei Yanbing: "..."

Jiang Hang: "He’s holding out on us and won’t say."

Yuan Shiyuan: "..."

Ying Mingxi said soothingly, "It’s fine if the captain doesn’t want to say. Maybe his method of earning money is a bit special and not convenient to share with us."

Ying Mingche muttered, "The captain is amazing, hiding his skills so well."

The S-class Alphas, who usually were at odds, were united this time, openly and subtly taking shots at Pei Yanbing, who had the highest income.

Yuan Shiyuan could feel the pressure on Pei Yanbing.

He coughed and changed the subject. "After paying the room fee and tips, we still have quite a bit of money left. At this rate, we’ll soon pay off our debt and start enjoying the cruise..."

"What are we eating tonight?"

"Of course, we’re having something good."

Ying Mingche draped an arm over Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulder and said, "But I’m too tired today and don’t want to go out. How about we just have food delivered?"

Bao Jin: "Sure, I don’t want to go out either."

Ying Mingxi: "Then after we order, how about we shower while waiting for the food? After all, 100 star coins only buys one hour of bathroom time."

Jiang Hang: "Let’s try to finish within an hour."

Pei Yanbing: "Okay."

They ordered some fruit first, then looked through the menu to place their actual meal orders.

The cut fruit was placed on the coffee table while the other Alphas discussed what to eat. Yuan Shiyuan originally wanted to chime in, but he noticed that all his favorites were already taken care of.

All by Jiang Hang.

It was only then that Yuan Shiyuan realized he and Jiang Hang had almost identical food preferences. Everything Jiang Hang ordered was what Yuan Shiyuan liked to eat, and many of Jiang Hang’s food aversions were also his.

Since that was the case, there was no need for him to join the discussion. He settled into the sofa to rest, occasionally flexing his wrists.

"We’re the ones who worked outside. You slept in the room all afternoon, so why do you look more tired than us?" Ying Mingche, almost silently, slipped closer. "And why do you smell of coffee?"

"Did any of you buy him coffee?"

All the Alphas turned to look.

Yuan Shiyuan jumped, followed by a flush of guilt.

Pei Yanbing: "I bought it."

"Oh." Ying Mingche smiled without mirth. "Money comes easy to the captain, huh? Can even afford coffee now."

Yuan Shiyuan shoved a grape into Ying Mingche's mouth. "Can you pipe down? Why do you always bully the captain?"

"Me, bully him?" Ying Mingche chewed the grape in his mouth and slumped bonelessly over Yuan Shiyuan's legs. "Clearly, you're the one bullying me. I worked so hard today, and you don't even care about me."

"I'm so tired, I think I have heatstroke." He pressed his face downward, nuzzling against Yuan Shiyuan's leg, his prominent nose bridge creating a subtle indentation in the skin. "I need to sleep for a bit... Ouch!"

It was unclear what part of Yuan Shiyuan Ying Mingche had touched, but he suddenly lifted his knee, hitting Ying Mingche right in the nose.

The impact left Ying Mingche dazed.

"Did I hurt you?" Ying Mingche immediately forgot everything else and scrambled back, carefully examining Yuan Shiyuan's leg. "Or did I bump something sensitive?"

"..."

About three to five seconds later, Yuan Shiyuan finally snapped out of it. He shook his head. "No. It just... it tickled."

Ying Mingche breathed a sigh of relief but then complained, "Are you implying my face is rough and it scraped your leg?"

"You just hit my nose—it’s all bruised now," he said. "Good thing I’m all-natural, or you would’ve knocked my implant crooked."

——I think YMC buried his face where he shouldn't have. [Chuckle]

——Is this the advantage of having a high nose bridge? Easily getting such a big reaction from Yuan. [Smirk]

——Xiao Yuan’s expression just now was so lewd—fingers gripping the pillow tightly, knees pressed together, looking spaced-out, like he short-circuited... [Fans cheering]

Yuan Shiyuan reached out his hand, and Ying Mingche immediately pressed his face against his palm.

He lowered his head for a closer look. "No bruise."

But he had kicked pretty hard earlier...

Yuan Shiyuan cupped Ying Mingche’s face with one hand and gently stroked his tall nose bridge with the other, then leaned down and blew on it softly.

"Does it really hurt?" he said. "Let me blow on it."

"Should we put some ointment on it?"

Ying Mingche froze instantly.

A warm, moist fragrance brushed against his face and the corner of his eyes, sending an electric tingle through his entire body. His eyelashes trembled lightly, and he squinted, leaning into Yuan Shiyuan’s chest.

"What medicine?" Ying Mingche nestled against Yuan Shiyuan’s chest, rubbing against him without hesitation. "Just a couple touches will fix me up."

How could Yuan Shiyuan not see that Ying Mingche was faking?

But since he was at fault for kicking him first, he had no comeback. After stroking it a few times, he withdrew his hand.

After making coffee all afternoon and interacting with customers, his hands were a bit sore.

"Why did you stop?"

"My hand is sore, wait a bit. I’ll have some fruit to grab a snack first."

As Yuan Shiyuan reached for the fruit platter nearby, his finger accidentally brushed against the edge of a magazine page. The paper edge nicked his fingertip, and blood slowly welled from the small cut...

A faint scent began to spread through the room.

The Alphas placing orders all paused, distracted for a moment by the scent floating in the air.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t notice at all that the Alphas around him were all staring at him. Instead, he instinctively sucked on his finger.

Ying Mingche, who was still lying on Yuan Shiyuan’s chest, had the best view in the house. He watched the entire scene unfold, seeing Yuan Shiyuan pull his slender, pale finger from his lips, leaving a transparent string of saliva.

In an instant, the fingertip was sucked until it was mottled and pink, glistening with wetness.

The Alphas stared at his finger.

Only then did Yuan Shiyuan realize everyone was looking at him.

Did they think he was gross? Well, maybe a little...

"Do you have wet wipes?" Yuan Shiyuan asked, turning sideways.

"Yes." Though Ying Mingxi replied, the usually gentlemanly Alpha didn’t offer to get them for him, instead continuing to stare at his hand.

Yuan Shiyuan: "Where are they? I’ll go get them."

Just as he was about to stand up, Ying Mingche pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him back onto the sofa. Ying Mingche braced one hand beside him, and their size difference made it look as though Yuan Shiyuan was being held in his embrace.

Yuan Shiyuan looked at Ying Mingche in confusion.

Ying Mingche said nothing but stared intently at his face. His gaze was blatant and intense, like a starved hyena finally encountering a delicious meal.

The rich scent spread, like bread fresh out of the oven—light and soft.

After a moment, Jiang Hang was the first to stand up. "Wet wipes, right? I’ll go get them."

He had to leave immediately.

Jiang Hang’s breath hitched, his mind kept replaying the image of Yuan Shiyuan sucking his finger, the finger glistening with moisture.

The glistening sheen on his finger seemed to emit an enticing aura.

The most terrifying part was...

He actually felt the urge to take Yuan Shiyuan’s hand into his mouth and lick it clean.

Yuan Shiyuan wiped his hand with a wet wipe and then went to wash his hands.

"Have you finished ordering food?" he said. "Then should we take showers now?"

"The order for the bed was decided by drawing lots, so the shower order should follow the earnings ranking," said Jiang Hang, who ranked second in income.

Ying Mingche: "That won’t work. My brother and I combined our income—how should we count that? I say we go by age, the youngest showers first..."

Before Yuan Shiyuan joined, Ying Mingche was the youngest member in the group.

Jiang Hang: "You’re not even pretending anymore, are you?"

Ying Mingche: "I’ve always been too lazy to pretend."

Ying Mingche had always been the competitive and grabby type, unlike his brother, who was more laid-back and indifferent about everything.

He had understood the rules of survival in this world from a young age and knew that resources were limited. To get more of the good stuff, you had to fight for it.

Bao Jin: "I also think following the income ranking isn’t very appropriate."

"Of course, you'd think it's unsuitable," Ying Mingche scoffed. "You're ranked dead last in earnings."

Bao Jin: "..."

Ying Mingxi interjected mildly, "Let Shi Yuan decide. Everyone agrees that Shi Yuan should be the first to shower, right?"

None of the S-class Alphas had any objections.

"Then let Shi Yuan decide the shower order after that."

Yuan Shiyuan thought for a moment and said, "Let's follow Jiang Hang's suggestion? According to the earnings ranking... It might also motivate everyone to work harder and earn more tomorrow."

Bao Jin's income being dead last meant he would shower last, while Yuan Shiyuan would be first...

He was the farthest position in line from Yuan Shiyuan.

"Then remember to leave more of your scent in the bathroom," Bao Jin said.

Yuan Shiyuan: "Leave my scent?"

Bao Jin: "You know how our pheromones clash and can't coexist peacefully. An hour divided among each of us gives only about ten minutes per person, and ten minutes isn't enough to ventilate the room."

"But if you leave your scent inside, we won't mind it as much."

The other S-class Alphas didn't object but rather fully agreed. Showering inevitably releases pheromones, and similar pheromones repel each other.

If Yuan Shiyuan could leave some more of his scent, it would be a good solution.

That way, they could also smell Yuan Shiyuan's pheromones while showering.

Yuan Shiyuan spoke up: "Wait, I have a question."

"You want me to go in and leave my scent—how? Should I go in and do a round of pheromones each time a new person goes in to shower?"

"Sure."

Ying Mingche tweaked Yuan Shiyuan's chin and said, "The best way is for you to actually stay inside the whole time, and we take turns going in."

Yuan Shiyuan: "..."

So he'd have to shower six times? His skin would get all pruny.

Jiang Hang sneered, "Then you'd never come out."

"Haha, true," Ying Mingche said frankly. He slung his arm over Yuan Shiyuan's shoulder, teasing, "If you're in there, how could I bear to come out?"

"I wouldn't mind living in there."

Once Yuan Shiyuan's decision was made, the shower order was settled.

Yuan Shiyuan would go first, followed based on the income ranking. Whoever earned the most money today would shower next.

When Yuan Shiyuan took his bathrobe into the bathroom, the other S-class Alphas wordlessly covered most of the cameras.

Although the bathroom had opaque glass, making it impossible to see inside clearly.

"I'm going in now," Yuan Shiyuan said. "I'll start timing and try to keep it quick."

Showering was fine, but washing his hair would take time.

"It's fine, take your time," the S-class Alphas said. "No rush," they assured him.

After Yuan Shiyuan entered the bathroom, the suite grew noticeably quieter. The five S-class Alphas each took a corner, fell silent, and rarely made eye contact.

Boring.

Ying Mingche sat on an armchair, leaning sideways, idly poking Yuan Shiyuan's little stuffie.

The stuffie was immediately taken away. Jiang Hang snapped, "Can you constantly stop touching his things?"

"I'm really curious—what's it to you if I touch his things?" Ying Mingche looked up with a mock-friendly smile. "Who do you think you are?" he retorted.

"Cut it out!" Yuan Shiyuan's voice came from inside the bathroom.

"..." Ying Mingche and Jiang Hang glared at each other but obediently shut up and returned to their respective areas.

"Really, can't I go in and shower with you?" Ying Mingche persisted. "I shower quickly, I won't disturb you at all."

Yuan Shiyuan: "Shut up."

Ying Mingche wanted to say more but sulkily fell back onto the sofa.

So boring.

Whenever Yuan Shiyuan was out of his sight, he felt restless and bored.

But as long as he laid eyes on Yuan Shiyuan, he felt excited and couldn't wait to stick by his side.

Ying Mingche, fidgeting with boredom, rolled over and suddenly spotted a remote control next to the tissue box.

A TV remote? But it had very few buttons, not like any TV remote.

Since he had nothing better to do, Ying Mingche, out of curiosity, pressed a button.

Click.

The S-class Alphas snapped to attention and saw the opaque glass of the bathroom instantly turn transparent. They could clearly see Yuan Shiyuan inside wearing only a shirt, his long legs partly visible beneath the hem.

—Damn! Damn! Damn!

—Xiao Yuan's bath scene!

—Production team, look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t have ulterior motives when you set up this room? [Smirk]

—I seriously suspect someone on the production team is a secret admirer of Xiao Yuan, trying to sneak a peek at him showering..

The surroundings suddenly grew quiet.

Yuan Shiyuan was completely unaware of the change in the bathroom. He was slowly bending over to take off his socks, his waist forming a flexible, almost folded curve.

The air seemed to grow somewhat heated.

The S-class Alphas' pupils dilated, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

It wasn’t until Yuan Shiyuan straightened up and began unbuttoning his collar one button at a time that Ying Mingche, as if waking from a dream, immediately pressed the remote button again. The other S-class Alphas quickly covered the cameras.

Click. Pei Yanbing unplugged the power.

It was the main power plug for all the live broadcast equipment in the suite.

All live footage in the suite instantly went black.

—What the???

—What are you trying to do? Why unplug the stream during Xiao Yuan's shower? Cutting the livestream now—doesn’t that mean they can do whatever they want, go wild?! [screaming]

—Holy crap, did the captain already know where the main plug was? Feels like this was planned all along...

—Hurry up and let me out, I need to see what happens next!!

—Production team, SOS, urgent urgent urgent!!!

The bathroom glass turned blurry again, obscuring even the internal outlines.

Pei Yanbing swiftly unplugged the main power source. The audience didn’t catch the final moments clearly, but the S-class Alphas in the room saw everything with perfect clarity.

After Yuan Shiyuan unbuttoned his shirt one button at a time, his clothes slipped off naturally, unveiling a vast expanse of snow-white back like a beautiful painting slowly unfurling. His shoulders were rounded and full, his slender frame covered with just the right amount of lean muscle…

The water temperature in the shower gradually rose, filling the space with steam.

A rich, intoxicating scent spread like an airtight net, silently enveloping the suite.

Drip—the sound of water droplets hitting the floor.

S-class Alphas have keen senses. They didn’t even need to rely on sight; just from the sounds, they could picture the scene inside—how the water from the showerhead flowed over Yuan Shiyuan’s body, how his pale, delicate skin flushed pink from the steam.

The sound of body wash being rubbed and lathered over Yuan Shiyuan’s skin produced a sticky, bubbling noise that seemed amplified endlessly in their ears. Even the slight sound of him reaching for toiletries caught their attention…

The air-conditioned room, once comfortably cool, was suddenly swept by a restless heat.

Listening to the sounds around them, the S-class Alphas suddenly felt overwhelmingly warm—and a thirst like never before.