The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 12

As Zhou Die sat down, his front desk mate lazily pulled out two bags of breakfast and dropped them with a slouch. His backpack slid off his shoulder at an angle, and just his back gave off a disheveled vibe.

 

Jiang Yunbian kicked Xu Zhan’s chair and, after receiving a perfunctory response from the front desk, sneered, “Do you need a wake-up service?”

 

Xu Zhan straightened his back instantly. “Jiang Yunbian, you have quite the temper. When I disturbed your sleep, you hit me. Now that you’re disturbing mine, are you going to hit me too?”

 

Jiang Yunbian raised an eyebrow. “Got a problem?”

 

Xu Zhan replied, “Nope, you’re my ancestor, so I have to serve you.”

 

Someone from the adjacent desk laughed and came over to ask Jiang Yunbian for his science homework. The noise quickly picked up.

 

Jiang Yunbian casually pulled out his homework, only to notice that his seatmate was staring out the window alone. The morning light, with its early chill, fell on his brows, giving him a somewhat cold appearance.

 

Yet he still lied to Aunt Wen about having good relations with people.

 

The tall classmate borrowing his homework whistled, and Jiang Yunbian shifted his gaze. The person threw him a candy.

 

Unfortunately, Jiang Yunbian missed it, and the candy rolled onto Zhou Die’s desk.

 

“Damn, the trajectory was off,” the tall classmate said.

 

“Yeah, no wonder you’re the sports committee member and basketball team captain,” Jiang Yunbian gave him a thumbs-up.

 

He couldn’t be bothered to get the candy from Zhou Die. He lazily said, “It’s for you.”

 

“Mint flavor, Little Yunbian candy,” the tall classmate added with a smile.

 

Jiang Yunbian, who was originally quite laid-back, was suddenly choked by the mint flavor of the candy. His half-turned face became stiff.

 

What kind of ridiculous name is that?

 

Xu Zhan got excited. “Hey, if I go sell this candy to Class O, wouldn’t I make a huge profit?”

 

“Xu Zhan, do you want Jiang Ge to slice you or do you want to be stabbed by Class O’s students, hahaha!”

 

In the midst of the commotion, Zhou Die curved his lips into a slight smile and, pretending not to hear Jiang Yunbian, picked up the candy and placed it in Jiang Yunbian’s palm.

 

“Little Yunbian candy.”

 

“…Shut up.”

 

Monday mornings were filled with science classes. After three periods, it felt as if the students were drained. Xu Zhan, extremely tired, turned around and saw Jiang Yunbian already tackling physics problems.

 

“Damn, are you a beast?” Xu Zhan shook his instant coffee packet. “We’re already rushing to keep up with the pace in our class, and you’re working at escape velocity.”

 

Jiang Yunbian twirled his pen with his long fingers. “Make me a cup too.”

 

Xu Zhan, giving up on making coffee, brought last class’s problems to Jiang Yunbian. “Here, explain these to me first, and I’ll help you make coffee.”

 

Jiang Yunbian went over his thought process with Xu Zhan.

 

“No wonder you’re my big brother. You explain things way clearer than the math teacher,” Xu Zhan said, impressed.

 

The neighboring class also sent out a distress signal. When Jiang Yunbian reached out for the notebook, he realized that Zhou Die was already slumped over, with the chemistry book from the first period spread out on the desk, untouched and frighteningly clean.

 

Is he really daring enough to challenge Wei Chu from last night? A legendary truant who wants to leave a glorious history of calling others “Dad” in the broadcast station before graduation?

 

Although it pleased Jiang Yunbian to see Zhou Die in trouble, the thought that Wei Chu was the one who made the bet left him feeling a bit annoyed.

 

Jiang Yunbian expressionlessly corrected the wrong steps in the exercises and returned the notebook, then continued writing.

 

By the time Zhou Die woke up, the fourth period was already halfway through. He slowly sat up, and his drifting gaze involuntarily fell into the drawer in front of him.

 

Jiang Yunbian was responding to messages from the drawer, with no intention of hiding it, playing around recklessly.

 

Before going to sleep, he remembered that Jiang Yunbian wasn’t exactly glued to the blackboard, but at least his pen never left his hand, and his problem-solving thoughts were uninterrupted. Now, as soon as his phone had a message, Jiang Yunbian would immediately put down his pen to check it… He seemed more like an ordinary top student now.

 

When the class bell rang, Jiang Yunbian simply covered his book and focused on his phone.

 

Jiang Yunyi sent a photo of the sky.

 

Jiang Yunbian lifted the curtain next to him, opened the window, and took a photo of the sky with his phone.

 

It was indeed quite blue.

 

Clear September days weren’t rare. The wind rustled the leaves outside the teaching building, the rustling sound mixed with the shadows of the trees, blowing a small flower from an unknown branch.

 

As that flower drifted past Zhou Die’s sight, Jiang Yunbian had already pulled the curtain back and returned to his seat. The sunlight finally fell on the back of his neck. When he lowered his head, a small scab peeking out from under a bandage was quite conspicuous against his white neck.

 

Zhou Die squinted, recalling the mint candy from the morning.

 

As the last class approached its end, Jiang Yunbian received another text message from the band, asking what he was doing.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s previously good mood had soured again.

 

The café had been inspected and the live singing project was canceled. The band, along with him, had lost their source of income, and now they seemed to be looking to settle accounts with him.

 

When the class bell rang, Xu Zhan, about to turn around to grab Jiang Yunbian and head to the cafeteria, found that Jiang Yunbian was already in a foul mood, putting on his jacket and leaving without a backward glance.

 

Xu Zhan was about to mimic Adam’s Creation and reach out when he made eye contact with Zhou Die for the last time.

 

“…” Xu Zhan felt a bit awkward, hesitated for a moment, and said seriously, “Children grow up and can’t be kept.”

 

Zhou Die: “…”

 

Descending the teaching building, Jiang Yunbian made a phone call. “I’m not really afraid of threats. Just settle the accounts clearly and stop whining.”

 

“Don’t talk so harshly; who lit your fire?” The lead singer sighed. “We found a new place, but it’s still under renovation. It’ll open around October or November. Come and sing then. The pay remains the same.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was somewhat surprised.

 

“Anyway, the notice is here. If you don’t believe it, that’s up to you.”

 

“Alright,” Jiang Yunbian agreed. “Give me a call when the time comes.”

 

After ending the call, Jiang Yunbian walked to the dormitory and hesitated for a moment before heading to Room 705.

 

Zheng Fangxing answered the door, holding a bowl of instant noodles. “Looking for Xu Zhan? He hasn’t returned yet.”

 

Not back yet? Did Xu Zhan go to a peach banquet?

 

“Is it okay if I come in?” Jiang Yunbian gave the real reason, “I don’t really get along well with my roommates.”

 

Just as he finished speaking, he saw Zhou Die coming up the stairs.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s palms tingled, and his first reaction was to feel that his words might have been a bit off, but Zhou Die’s gaze never fell on him from start to finish.

 

Wait, why should he feel guilty?

 

Zheng Xinglin, holding the noodles, watched Zhou Die walk past with an expressionless face and close the door to Room 707. He suddenly felt a bit awkward.

 

The atmosphere that night didn’t seem as tense as it was now.

 

“Jiang Jiang, my dear!” Xu Zhan, having finished eating and drinking, opened his arms to hug Jiang Yunbian with enthusiasm.

 

Jiang Yunbian said, “If you call me that again, I’ll sew your mouth shut.”

 

Xu Zhan made a gesture of closing his mouth and then said mysteriously, “Hurry up, come in. Let me tell you some gossip. Our senior flower in Grade 3 actually delivered food to Zhou Die!”

 

Zheng Xinglin put down his noodles. “Senior flower? Xu Zhaoruo? Aren’t they rumored to be a couple?”

 

Jiang Yunbian leaned against the desk, his gaze sweeping over Xu Zhan’s exercise books.

 

“Damn, I thought Young Master’s life was probably the same as ours, but it turns out he has a beautiful person delivering food to him. The life of luxury is so annoying!” Xu Zhan pretended to slam the desk angrily. “So jealous!”

 

Xu Zhan stared at Jiang Yunbian. “Why are there only handsome guys around me? I can’t even get a good one.”

 

Zheng Xinglin followed his gaze to Jiang Yunbian and asked casually, “Does Jiang Ge have one too?”

 

Jiang Yunbian seemed lost in thought. When his name was mentioned, he slowly replied, “Hmm?”

 

“He can’t possibly,” Xu Zhan said, placing his hands in front of him. “Let me tell you a secret. Elder Jiang has…”

 

Then he was lightly kicked by Jiang Yunbian.

 

Xu Zhan rubbed his butt. “Ah, I also want to have a little sweet O, and try giving a temporary mark!”

 

Though it was a fairly normal complaint, Jiang Yunbian suddenly felt a bit warm on the back of his neck. When he tried to touch it, he noticed Zheng Xinglin across from him was staring.

 

Jiang Yunbian put his hand down. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Ah, nothing.”

 

Jiang Yunbian fell silent for a moment. “I’ll go back to the classroom.”

 

Upon reaching the classroom, Jiang Yunbian noticed a small backpack had been added next to his desk, containing suppressants with detailed instructions in a booklet.

 

Maybe this is a compensation from a wealthy family, Jiang Yunbian thought, looking at the suppressants, and a strange thought crossed his mind—

 

Would being marked by Zhou Die affect his future relationships?

 

But Zhou Die could still mark others, right?

 

A sudden pain shot through the back of his neck, and an unwarranted sense of agitation surged. While washing his hands, Jiang Yunbian realized he really wanted to bundle up Xu Zhan, that gossiping jerk.

 

Being friends with such a person really messes with one’s mindset.

 

The afternoon classes flew by, with Jiang Yunbian and the student behind him still living in separate worlds.

 

After school, Jiang Yunbian patted Xu Zhan. “Cover for me during self-study.”

 

Boarders needed self-study and didn’t have assigned seats, so the back row in the evening was a popular spot. Everyone avoided sitting in Jiang Yunbian’s seat, so Xu Zhan had to move.

 

Xu Zhan grumbled while moving his things, and out of courtesy, greeted Zhou Die. “Die Ge, if nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be sitting in front of you for self-study from now on. Please take care.”

 

Zhou Die, eyes on his book, responded indifferently, “He often skips evening self-study?”

 

“No, he didn’t board before,” Xu Zhan answered. “He used to rent a place outside. Now it seems he’s boarding because he lost his part-time job and had no other choice.”

 

This explanation made Jiang Yunbian seem even stranger. Xu Zhan added, “Don’t misunderstand, Jiang Ge isn’t a bad person. He just doesn’t have a home.”

 

Zhou Die: “…”

 

It sounded even stranger.

 

Realizing he might have said something wrong, Xu Zhan fell silent. Fortunately, Zhou Die didn’t seem very interested.

 

Of course, with their poor relationship, how could they be interested in each other?

 

Two hours of evening self-study passed, and the class’s students returned to the dormitory in scattered groups. When Zhou Die returned to the dorm, he found the light was on in Room 707.

 

As the door opened, Jiang Yunbian’s T-shirt was draped loosely, exposing half his shoulder. His right hand covered the back of his neck, and a bandage had fallen to the floor.