Chapter 49: Ch 49: Flames of Rivalry and Distant Cheers

The alphas gathered once more at the starting line, stretching their bodies with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Limbs twisted and muscles loosened under the bright afternoon sun, the cool autumn breeze doing little to ease the growing fatigue and hunger.

The morning’s earlier exertion still lingered in their muscles, but the promise of a substantial breakfast pushed them forward.

"Man, I’m hungry," Zhao Yichen grumbled, bending forward to touch his toes with a dramatic groan.

Qin Yuran nodded vigorously beside him, mirroring his stretch with dramatic flair. They had already pushed through one intense course back at the villa, and now this larger, more demanding park awaited them. The combination of physical exhaustion and empty stomachs weighed heavily.

Qin Yuran let out a long, lamenting sigh. "If I knew this would happen, I would’ve eaten more last night," she complained, her shoulders slumping theatrically.

Su Wanyan, standing a short distance away, watched their shared misery and let out a soft, sympathetic laugh. She wasn’t nearly as drained, thanks to the enduring effects of the Perfect Foundation Potion, but a quiet hunger gnawed at her stomach as well. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Nothing I can’t handle though, she thought, wisely keeping the observation to herself. Mentioning her relative ease would likely earn her playful (or not-so-playful) beatings from the two starving competitors.

Gu Chengze, on the other hand, stretched with mechanical precision, his face an unreadable mask. His sharp gaze flicked briefly toward Su Wanyan. I’ll beat you, he thought, the promise burning like acid in his chest. I’ll show Mo Xingxue who the better alpha is. Just you wait. He suppressed the surging fury, channeling it into his movements.

Further along the course, the omegas waited in a designated viewing area. Mo Xingxue stood gracefully among them, her rust-colored dress swaying gently in the breeze. Her gaze drifted toward Su Wanyan’s distant figure. When their eyes met across the distance, a soft, genuine smile bloomed on Mo Xingxue’s lips.

Su Wanyan, who had been quietly admiring her best friend’s elegant silhouette against the autumn backdrop, was momentarily stunned by that direct smile. A fresh surge of energy flooded her body, as if Mo Xingxue’s encouragement had ignited something warm and bright within her. Focus on the goal, she reminded herself, though the smile lingered in her mind.

A staff member’s booming voice cut through the air. "Teachers! Get ready into your positions!"

The alphas assumed their stances. Once everyone was set, the sharp blast of a whistle pierced the morning calm.

Su Wanyan exploded forward instantly, her enhanced agility and Flowing Steel skill propelling her ahead with powerful, fluid strides. "No fair!" Zhao Yichen’s indignant complaint rang out behind her, but she didn’t slow for even a fraction of a second.

She reached the tire run first. Her feet moved with practiced rhythm—right, left, right, left—navigating the long stretch without a single stumble. The others behind her were forced to slow their pace, wary of tripping and embarrassing themselves on camera.

Su Wanyan powered through and immediately charged toward the tall cargo net. She approached low and steady, minimizing sway, then climbed with controlled, efficient pulls. She was already halfway up when Gu Chengze arrived and started ascending aggressively, shaking the ropes with forceful movements.

Su Wanyan glanced down briefly. Seeing him closing in sparked her competitive spirit. She quickened her pace, climbing higher with determined focus. Despite Gu Chengze’s aggressive push, she maintained her lead and soon reached the top. With a final effort, she swung over and descended the other side, landing lightly before sprinting toward the monkey bars.

The live barrage erupted with admiration:

[Shit, that was so cool!]

[From now on, I declare Su Wanyan as my older sister! A bond that would bind us forever!]

[That’s the most alpha-like thing I saw an alpha do.]

[The demons! THE DEMONS!]

[Demons: WE AIN’T DOING ANYTHING TO YOU!]

[Can somebody please help the demons? I feel like they are being abused by the commenter upstairs.]

Su Wanyan swung across the monkey bars with graceful momentum, skipping bars where possible. The rest of the group was still navigating the cargo net, though Gu Chengze was closing the gap rapidly. He watched Su Wanyan’s fluid progress with bitter resentment. Unwilling to lose again.

From the sidelines, Lin Xuanyu cupped his hands around his mouth. "You can do it, CEO Gu!"

The cheer seemed to reinvigorate Gu Chengze. He finished the cargo net with renewed vigor. Inspired, the other omegas began cheering for their own partners. Mo Xingxue hesitated at first, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, but she soon joined in with a clear, encouraging voice.

Su Wanyan, mid-swing on the bars, nearly slipped when she heard Mo Xingxue cheering specifically for her. A bright laugh escaped her instead, joy sparkling in her eyes. I’ll win this. I can’t let Mo Xingxue’s cheering go to waste. She accelerated, using momentum to swing faster and more efficiently.

She finished the monkey bars and moved swiftly to the balance beam. Stepping onto the narrow surface, she extended her arms for balance, her focus narrowing to a razor’s edge. The beam stretched long before her, demanding complete concentration.

Mo Xingxue, noticing the intensity, wisely quieted her cheers, recalling how her earlier encouragement had startled Su Wanyan into a near-slip.

She remembered their high school days—quiet support rather than loud cheers due to embarrassment. But now, after everything Su Wanyan had done for her (even kneeling without hesitation), Mo Xingxue found herself wanting to make up for lost time. She cheered inwardly, heart full.

Su Wanyan maintained perfect focus, unaware of the shifting cheers. Gu Chengze and Qin Yuran caught up as Su Wanyan neared the end of the beam.

Su Wanyan maintained perfect form until a near-slip at the final quarter. Heart pounding, she steadied herself and completed the course without falling. Relief washed over her as she waved toward Mo Xingxue, who responded with another loud, joyful cheer.

The barrage teased them endlessly:

[These two are the sweetest pair here, I swear.]

[They are so cute!!]

[It’s like the school jock and her cheerleader girlfriend.]

[Omg, Jock x Cheerleader trope? Can someone write a fanfic if them about that?]

[Already on the fifth Chapter, boss!]

[Ooh, as expected of my trustworthy employee!]

[No one, and I meant NO ONE, should interfere in their relationship.]

[Hi, I’m no one. I’m here to interfere.]

[Upstairs, do you not want to walk ever again? I have the means to do that, wanna try it tonight?]

[STUPID IDIOT! THAT WAS MEANT TO BE JOKE? AND WHY IS SOMEONE KNOCKING ON MY DOOR? YOU SAID "TONIGHT"!]

[Ayo?? Flirting or fighting?]

[None of the above—fucking.]

Su Wanyan hopped onto the wobbling bridge next. She gripped the side handles firmly, her steps cautious yet steady across the unstable planks and missing sections. One wrong move would send her back to the start.

Behind her, against expectations, Zhao Yichen caught up to Qin Yuran and Gu Chengze. Qin Yuran laughed breathlessly and pushed harder. Gu Chengze, irritated by the "inferior" alphas closing in, gritted his teeth and accelerated—only to trip over his own foot in his fury.

He stumbled onto the padded safety area, ego bruised far more than his body. It’s all because of those inferior alphas! Gu Chengze fumed, quickly recovering and surging forward again.

Qin Yuran marveled at his tenacity but refused to yield. The three soon reached the wobbling bridge, but Su Wanyan had already cleared it. "What is with that monster!" Zhao Yichen exclaimed, laughing through his exhaustion as Su Wanyan finished the bridge far ahead.

Su Wanyan’s focus remained sharp as she approached the final rock climbing wall. Staff helped her into a safety harness. She waited patiently, glancing back to see the others still catching up.

Once secured, she chalked her hands thoroughly and began climbing with efficient, calculated movements—finding natural handholds and shortcuts where possible.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, but it was manageable. She was halfway up when Gu Chengze arrived and, ignoring warnings, refused the harness. He chalked his hands aggressively and started climbing bare, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared upward at Su Wanyan. I hope you fall off.

As if answering his dark wish, the stone Su Wanyan had stepped on suddenly gave way. She lost her footing and slipped, heart leaping into her throat. The harness caught her safely, and she quickly latched onto another hold, steadying herself with a quiet "Phew."

The barrage filled with concern and commentary:

[Brother Gu Chengze, wear the harness!]

[Yeah, yeah, it’s dangerous!]

[See? Su Wanyan almost fell, although that was partially her fault.]

[Is this thing safe? Luckily Su Wanyan was wearing a harness, what if she didn’t and she actually fell?]

[Come on, Su Wanyan isn’t dumb enough to not wear a harness..... Unlike a certain someone there.]

Su Wanyan continued climbing with a deepening frown. She glanced at Gu Chengze, now ahead of her, and her brows furrowed further. Is this the plot armor working again?