Chapter 15: Ji Laili Isn’t an Alpha?

It’s him! That scheming Alpha!

A patrol team member who had a deep impression of Ji Laili immediately recognized him and sincerely believed that this kid was doomed.

Daring to greet Shen Yu? Clearly, he hadn’t suffered under him before.

However, to their shock, the always indifferent and equally hostile Shen Yu actually nodded in response to Ji Laili’s greeting.

The Alphas in the patrol team: ?

Their gazes toward Ji Laili became even more complicated.

Ji Laili remained oblivious. His legs had gone numb from squatting, and as he stood up, he glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye. His usually aloof roommates, who had just been bickering moments ago, had now turned into silent statues.

“Disturbance and noise—five points deducted.”

Shen Yu stated coldly, signaling to the team behind him to record it.

Five points?!

Ji Laili’s roommates were no longer calm. The Federal Military Academy had strict GPA requirements—students needed to maintain at least 70 points per semester, or else they’d face “advisement to withdraw.”

And that so-called advisement? Well, these aggressive Alphas knew that it wasn’t going to be a polite discussion. If you refused to leave, they’d just beat you out the door.

The only way to earn points back was by completing various missions. Losing five points in one go? Unacceptable.

One Alpha, unconvinced, protested, “Senior Shen, isn’t the usual penalty three points? What’s with the five?”

“Since this is your first offense, the penalty is increased.”

Shen Yu’s tone was indifferent. His military uniform was crisp, his demeanor cold and oppressive. He lifted his eyes and gave the speaking Alpha a sharp look.

“A harsher punishment ensures you remember. Isn’t that right?”

The Alpha was left speechless, frustrated, and resentful.

But there was nothing they could do except watch as their names were recorded one by one.

When it came to Ji Laili’s turn, Shen Yu suddenly asked, “Did you hear his voice?”

The patrol team member responsible for writing down names was momentarily stunned, not understanding what Shen Yu meant.

Ji Laili’s roommates grew wary, clearly aware of Shen Yu’s notorious reputation. They thought he was about to target Ji Laili next.

What did their little curly-haired roommate do wrong?

Once an aloof squad, now bonded through shared punishment, the roommates had developed a sense of camaraderie.

More importantly, Ji Laili had warned them earlier. How could they let him take the fall now?

Roommate #1 snapped, “Senior Shen, Ji Laili still had a nutrient pack in his mouth. Don’t tell me you’re trying to frame him too?”

Roommate #2, the tallest among them, muttered cautiously, “Yeah… since we’re already punished, just let him off.”

Roommate #3 adjusted his glasses and suggested, “Senior Shen, perhaps you shouldn’t consider him as an Alpha.”

Ji Laili, initially touched by their support, suddenly felt something was off.

What do you mean ‘not consider him an Alpha’?!

He understood their reasoning, but—he wasn’t accepting it!

Ji Laili hesitated. “Uh… maybe just consider me an Alpha, even if only a little?”

He had no plans to undergo a gender transformation anytime soon.

His three roommates looked at him like he was an idiot.

We’re trying to save you!

Do you know how sadistic Shen Yu is?! He’ll torment you to death!

Ji Laili blinked, seemingly understanding their intention.

The roommates felt relieved, thinking they had successfully protected him, only to hear Ji Laili ask, “Senior Shen, am I getting points deducted too?”

Damn it! You just reminded him!

To their surprise, Shen Yu replied, “No.”

An unexpected answer.

All eyes turned to him.

The pale, cold-faced young man didn’t even glance at them. His long, jet-black eyelashes were sharp and distinct, much like his presence—powerful even in silence.

He fixed his gaze on Ji Laili and said slowly, “I heard it. You didn’t say anything.”

So naturally, he wouldn’t record his name.

What were these dumb Alphas staring at?

What were they doubting?

Shen Yu looked into Ji Laili’s brightening eyes and thought, with absolute certainty and detachment, There’s nothing to doubt.

Ji Laili was genuinely happy, grinning around the nutrient pack in his mouth. “He’s actually a nice guy.”

Three freshly penalized roommates: “…”

Other captured Alphas who overheard: “…”

And the patrol team: “…”

If we didn’t know him, we might’ve believed that.

At that moment, Ji Laili was the only happy one.

---

The following days were filled with physical training. As the longest and most grueling part of their training schedule, Ji Laili quickly rose from an underdog to a dark horse.

Rumors about him flooded the forums.

The hottest topic?

Why did Shen Yu go easy on him?

Shen Yu, who loathed Alphas, had let him off the hook.

Unless…

Ji Laili isn’t an Alpha?!

Alphas who read the post were shocked.

The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!

There were Betas at the academy too, right?

And thus, the rumor that Ji Laili wasn’t an Alpha stayed pinned to the forums for days.

Even Shen Yu saw it.

For the first time, his usually indifferent expression shifted.

Staring at those words for a long time, he recalled that Ji Laili had shown no reaction to his pheromones that day.

And in all these days of rigorous training, he had never once caught even the faintest whiff of Ji Laili’s pheromones.

Shen Yu’s senses had become unnaturally sharp lately, likely due to being in the midst of an Alpha-to-Omega secondary differentiation.

He could smell various Alpha pheromones around him.

They all registered as toxic gases in his mind.

Yet, he had never smelled Ji Laili’s.

Even under intense physical strain, not a single leak.

Thinking it over, Shen Yu found himself strangely convinced.

Was he… a Beta?

His cold lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down from the high platform toward Ji Laili below.

---

Lately, there were an increasing number of Alphas watching him.

At first, Ji Laili thought it was Shen Yu.

After all, Shen Yu had said he would “keep an eye on him.”

But soon, Ji Laili realized something was off.

The stares weren’t from Shen Yu.

The gazes that landed on him first were cold, detached—like the damp moss that grows after a spring rain.

And just like moss, it spread around him, dense and suffocating.

Being watched for too long breeds anxiety.

Yet Ji Laili, with his carefree nature, simply shrugged it off.

If Shen Yu wants to watch, let him.

Maybe if he watches long enough, he’ll realize I’m actually a good Alpha.

Then, he’d let Ji Laili get closer—closer to lowering his corruption level.

But now? The people watching weren’t Shen Yu.

And there were more of them every day.

Ji Laili caught them multiple times a day.

Perplexed, he confided in Lei Po.

To his surprise, Lei Po burst into laughter.

His shoulders shook violently, leaving Ji Laili utterly baffled.

The little curly-haired Alpha radiated confusion and innocence, making Lei Po feel as if he was bullying a puppy.

Finally, Lei Po stifled his laughter and raised an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you a Beta?”