As Long as It Was Xie Lin, That Guy Would Never Give Up, Even If He Were an Alpha

Red smoke billowed up, immediately drawing the attention of quite a few people nearby-

Some were from the Blue Team, others from the Red Team.

The three had only just been picked up when several more Red Team members came over.

Their leader was none other than Xiao Lie.

Standing on the opposite shore, he looked at Fu Yunxi and He Jianing tied to the tree, his brow twitching hard.

"You couldn't spot such a fucking obvious trap? Huh?"

Then he raised a hand toward the helicopter gradually flying away and roared.

"Don't ever tell anyone you left the same unit as me! You're a disgrace!"

Once eliminated participants boarded the helicopter, each had an electronic screen in front of them showing the battle in real time.

Hearing Xiao Lie's shouts, the three who had just been picked up all lowered their heads in shame.

One of them looked utterly miserable.

"You can't blame me for not spotting it. The guy tied up was way too good at acting. Fuck, is he some award-winning actor?"

"So you're saying everything he said was fake? He was tricking us?"

"Of course. A coward like him would dare covet Lu Ye's omega? Xie Lin alone could beat him half to death!"

"Our Xiao Lie's the only one who might stand a chance against him."

Lu Ye climbed down from the tree with Xie Lin in his arms and stared at Xiao Lie across the lake.

"Smart!"

"Heh, quit playing these little tricks. See you at the finish line!"

Xie Lin raised an eyebrow.

"Why bother? Fourteen of you have already been eliminated. You few stragglers are all the Red Team has left, aren't you?"

At that clear, melodious voice, a suspicious redness crept over the tips of Xiao Lie's ears, and he began to stammer.

"Well... it's not over yet. You... mm, you'd still better be careful."

"???"

The Red Team members beside him were all dumbfounded. One nudged his arm.

"Xiao Lie, why are you being so polite to him? We're enemies! Mortal enemies!"

"Tsk, shut up. It's just a competitive match. Since when was it life or death?"

"Come on, Xiao Lie, that's not what you said earlier!"

The man curled his lip and spoke in a pinched voice.

"Who was it who said, 'Beat the Blue Team to death when you see them,' and 'This is a soldier's honor'? What, is it different when it's Xie Lin?"

Xiao Lie cleared his throat and glared at him.

"Enough. Quit talking. Move out!"

As the six across the lake disappeared into the depths of the forest, Fu Yunxi's timid voice came from behind them.

"Can... can you let us down now? Those are all the Red Team has left, and they've gone."

Yue Lan and the others emerged from behind the trees, untied the two, and set them on the ground, their faces all showing they wished it could have lasted longer.

Just then, another announcement rang out overhead. Two more Blue Team members had been eliminated.

Lu Ye's expression remained indifferent.

"Everyone, be careful and don't go off alone. The Red Team has fewer people left, but Xiao Lie is very good at fighting solo. If you run into him, your best bet is to run."

Song Yunshen trembled as he hid behind Xie Lin.

"He's not hunting down the Blue Team, is he?"

"He must be. Otherwise, there's no way to make up the difference in numbers."

Xie Lin sighed and spread his hands.

"Let's hope those Blue Team members have their wits about them."

After dark, the group rested on a large fallen tree.

During that time, more Blue Team members were eliminated one after another.

With over thirty hours remaining, the Red Team had six people left, and the Blue Team had nine.

Xie Lin shrugged.

"We're screwed. All the scattered players out there have been taken out."

Song Yunshen nodded as he ate.

"When we did the outdoor adventure on 'Star Rush Rush Rush' before, Xiao Lie was really impressive. He often helped our celebrity team."

Yue Lan frowned, chewing slowly.

"Everyone out there's been wiped out. That just leaves us..."

She glanced at Fu Yunxi and He Jianing on the edge of the group.

"Let's call it nine for now. They'll probably go all out for the finish line next."

Smelling the sweet aroma drifting over, Fu Yunxi found the rock-hard whole-wheat bread in his hand difficult to swallow.

"Why do I get this while you get self-heating hot pot? I contributed too, you know!"

Xie Lin glanced at him.

"I promised you bread and a drink. Did you get them or not?"

Fu Yunxi looked down at the bottle of Erguotou-flavored soda in his hand, then at the bottle of Sprite in Xie Lin's.

"Could I... have what you're drinking?"

"Go to sleep. You can have anything in your dreams!"

Lu Ye stood and walked toward him, his lips curling.

"Are you drinking it or not? If not, hand it over!"

"I am, I am!"

It tasted bad, but it was still soda. That was better than nothing. At least it could replenish his energy.

Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Lu Ye kept watch as before while the others settled down to rest.

At first light the next morning, everyone immediately got up and continued onward.

Suddenly, Director Sha's serious voice came through their earpieces.

"Lu Ye, Xiao Lie, respond if you can hear me!"

Lu Ye paused, then nodded.

"I hear you."

"Good. I'm now announcing that the competition is temporarily suspended. There's something we need you to do."

Xie Lin sat up straight and listened carefully to the voice coming through his earpiece, his expression growing solemn.

A gang of at least seven kidnappers had abducted two children and demanded a ransom.

While preparing the money, the children's parents had also called the police, but the suspicious kidnappers had found out.

Instead of immediately killing the hostages, the kidnappers had chosen to flee by car with the children.

While evading the police along the way, they had abandoned their car and entered the dense forest where the show was being filmed.

"Team members without combat capability, find somewhere safe and stand by. Notify us immediately if you spot the kidnappers."

"Lu Ye, Xiao Lie, take a few alphas with strong combat skills-mm, and Xie Lin. Split into two groups and head toward the suspected location to rendezvous nearby."

"The police suspect this isn't their first offense. They may have guns and may also be involved with drugs. You must be careful."

"No matter what, first confirm whether the children are safe. Protecting the hostages is the top priority."

"Don't act rashly. Follow instructions. Is that clear?"

"Understood!"

"Also, I'm temporarily connecting your communications systems. Talk directly if anything comes up."

Xie Lin immediately stood and went to meet Lu Ye.

Yue Lan abandoned her usual languid demeanor, her face filled with a deadly severity.

The three exchanged glances, then turned toward Wu Xinyou and Song Yunshen together.

Both nodded slightly.

"We'll stay here. Don't worry!"

Fu Yunxi opened his mouth, but for once, at such a life-or-death moment, he said nothing.

He Jianing bit his lip.

"Yunxi is an alpha too..."

[I'm fucking done. What use is an alpha who got beaten up by an omega? Going to hand himself to the kidnappers on a platter?]

[Ningbao was just making a suggestion. What's wrong with that? Whose toes did he step on? Was he wrong?]

[Lives are at stake. Can He Jianing's fans stop making a scene here?]

[Oh my god, those kidnappers are inhuman. I hope both children are safe! (hands clasped in prayer)]

[Go, Tao Miaomiao and Lu Gougou! Kill them!]

For a time, the live comments filled with the words "I hope both children are safe."

Expressionless, Xie Lin slipped the Boning Knife into his boot without so much as looking at He Jianing.

He stepped out first, with Lu Ye and Yue Lan close behind. The three moved as fast as lightning, disappearing into the depths of the forest in the blink of an eye.

Song Yunshen smacked his lips.

"So all this time, they've only been moving so slowly to accommodate us."

Yu Zhiwei pressed her lips together and silently clenched her fists.

She had thought she was already working hard to catch up to them. She had never imagined the gap would be so wide.

But that was no reason to back down. She would keep trying!

Wu Xinyou slowly sat back down on the tree and tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"Yeah!"

He had thought there was a gap between him and Xie Lin, but not a very large one.

Now, though, it seemed he would never catch up.

Xie Lin was the one who should have differentiated into an alpha!

If he really were an alpha, Lu Ye would probably cry himself to death.

Mm... then again, not necessarily.

Perhaps, as long as it was Xie Lin, that guy would never give up, even if he were an alpha.

Alpha-alpha romance?

Eugh!

Then she might as well become an alpha herself and pair up with Xie Lin!

A smile appeared at the corners of Wu Xinyou's mouth, sending a chill down Song Yunshen's spine.