The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 13

Jiang Yunbian’s first reaction upon seeing Zhou Die was to adjust his collar and retract the hand that was covering the back of his neck.

 

He was a proper Alpha; why should he hide like an Omega?

 

Moreover, he had said earlier in front of this person that they couldn’t coexist, so there was no need for any pretense now.

 

Zhou Die closed the door and watched as Jiang Yunbian casually tossed the bandage into the trash can and picked up a book.

 

The scab had already fallen off. The wound was not deep and had not left a scar; the curve of his neck remained as clean and attractive as before.

 

When Zhou Die went to the balcony, he noticed that the new clothes he had lent to Jiang Yunbian were hanging there.

 

He didn’t think Jiang Yunbian would wash them.

 

Jiang Yunbian sat in the chair, expecting Zhou Die to be upset or even confrontational about what he had said at noon. However, Zhou Die took a shower and went out, returning only before the lights were turned off.

 

When the door was opened, there was a faint smell of a cream-like blocker… Jiang Yunbian recognized it as something popular among Omegas.

 

When Jiang Yunbian lay down, he suddenly felt a pain in the back of his neck, as if his body was reacting somehow.

 

Damn, what is this?

 

The so-called “sensitive period” had passed as the wound scabbed over.

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at the extra suppressants and suddenly realized that he and Zhou Die had been roommates for a week.

 

Zhou Die was as silent as a locked vault, and Jiang Yunbian naturally treated him as if he were dead. The feared dormitory chaos miraculously did not happen.

 

Before class, Xu Zhan tentatively asked, “Yunbian, how’s your relationship with your roommate?”

 

“What?” Jiang Yunbian didn’t look up. “Are you concerned about me or him?”

 

“Not really. We placed a bet on when you two will break up. I bet on a week.”

 

Jiang Yunbian snorted. “Home?”

 

“Uh…” Xu Zhan realized he had said something wrong and quickly changed the subject. “I also made another bet. For tomorrow’s monthly exam, I bet on you being the top in the grade.”

 

The Mid-Autumn Festival was on Tuesday, so the school moved next week’s exams to Saturday and Sunday, and after the exams, there would be a three-day holiday.

 

“Spare money can be donated to the Hope Project.”

 

“No, no, no, we’re betting not on money but on the dignity of foodies.” Xu Zhan pulled out a box of Haoliyou cakes from his bag. “Look, here’s the challenge!”

 

Xu Zhan seriously drew out a note from the box, which read, “Class 3 prospers, Wei Chu flourishes.”

 

He clicked his tongue. “Loving to stir up trouble.”

 

“…”

 

A bunch of lunatics.

 

Although Jiang Yunbian wasn’t keen on getting involved, his rich-class roommate seemed to have rarely studied seriously to this day. Coupled with previous provocations and early romance rumors, how could he compare to Wei Chu, the academic enthusiast?

 

Was he supposed to use the Zhou family’s assets?

 

“Tomorrow is the first test of the school year. You guys who wasted the winter break and tried to overtake at the curve, all of you need to face the exam.” Before leaving, the chemistry teacher smiled. “I can’t control other subjects, but if you can’t maintain the top position in chemistry, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

 

The entire class groaned in despair.

 

Before evening self-study, Jiang Yunbian still knocked on the back desk.

 

Zhou Die looked up and met his gaze without speaking.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s initially calm mood was inexplicably ignited by Zhou Die’s look, feeling an irritation like, “Why the hell are you acting so aloof when I’m trying to talk to you?”

 

Thus, the kind reminder of “remember the exam tomorrow” turned into: “Think carefully about whether you like ‘daddy’ or ‘papa.’”

 

It sounded like a bet between him and Zhou Die.

 

Zhou Die looked at him for a second and replied nonchalantly, “I don’t mind.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…” It’s not about which one you like; it’s about which one to choose!

 

Hopeless.

 

Jiang Yunbian successfully turned the silent estrangement of Room 707 into a chasm.

 

By Friday night, the class group chat was filled with final cries, and students resignedly endured the two-day exam. When the bell for the English exam on Sunday rang, every examination room erupted in various cries of despair.

 

Jiang Yunbian waited at the dormitory door for a long time but still didn’t receive a call from Jiang Yun. The holiday was too short; he wanted to save the chance to see his sister for National Day.

 

Lost in thought, his phone rang, showing Mr. Jiang.

 

Jiang Yunbian answered the call but didn’t speak first. After a moment of silence, a woman’s voice came through: “Yunbian, it’s Auntie. Um… you’re on vacation, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re planning to go back to your sister’s place, right?”

 

Jiang Yunbian caught on to the purpose of the call. “Where’s my dad?”

 

“He’s in a meeting. He asked me to call you and said if you come back, dinner will be a bit more elaborate.”

 

“No need. Thank you, Auntie.” Jiang Yunbian ended the call.

 

He actually had a subtle resentment toward his father. He had sensed his parents’ divorce when he was very young, having discovered evidence of his father’s infidelity.

 

Even now, he often wondered if he truly inherited some of his father’s flaws, as his mother claimed.

 

“Jiang Yunbian,” someone called his name from behind.

 

He turned around and saw Zhou Die, who was the first to initiate conversation this week.

 

Jiang Yunbian was in a bad mood and didn’t appear approachable, raising his chin slightly in an air of arrogance.

 

But Zhou Die detected a hint of loneliness in his demeanor.

 

Xu Zhan said this person… had no family.

 

“My mom asked if the little classmate wants to eat mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival. She’s learning to make them,” Zhou Die said casually, as if reluctantly following his mother’s command. “I told her you’re busy and won’t come.”

 

Damn, why am I being chased everywhere?

 

Jiang Yunbian’s hand, which was hanging at his side, tightened for a moment. Zhou Die’s voice seemed to overlap with the woman on the phone, and the tense string in his mind suddenly snapped.

 

Why is he making decisions for me?

 

“What do you mean, ‘busy’? Don’t make decisions for me.”

 

Zhou Die raised an eyebrow, looking at Jiang Yunbian’s almost-smiling expression.

 

“Tell Aunt Wen I’m coming.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian finally arrived at Aunt Wen’s place alongside Zhou Die, he realized how impulsive his words had been.

 

Why did I come!

 

Why did I come with Zhou Die!

 

When Wen Yue opened the door and saw them, she was pleasantly surprised. “You really came!”

 

Jiang Yunbian was caught off guard, grabbed by the wrist, and dragged into the living room. “I made steamed fish, my first time making fish. Come and try it!”

 

Jiang Yunbian was handed a pair of chopsticks and a bowl, and a piece of steaming, boneless fish was placed into his bowl.

 

Zhou Die stood at the door and, after a moment of silence, asked, “What about me?”

 

Wen Yue, smiling, also served him a spoonful of fish. “How could I leave you out?”

 

Hot food, dishes served, smiles.

 

Jiang Yunbian couldn’t remember the last time he had such a warm evening. He didn’t recall the taste of the fish, but by the time he realized it, he was already praising how delicious it was.

 

Zhou Die sat nearby, feeling a stark contrast between the appearance of meekness and the emotions underneath. But before he could analyze the emotions, Jiang Yunbian quickly hid any sign of it.

 

Like a stray puppy that has finally shown its belly, only to bare its teeth when someone reaches out.

 

This person is quite contradictory.

 

Wen Yue was a chatterbox, and at the dinner table, it felt like all the silent days Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die had spent were discussed. Just as Jiang Yunbian was about to kick Zhou Die to stop his mute act, he noticed Zhou Die subtly picking out ginger slices and scallions from his bowl.

 

Jiang Yunbian calmly took the spoon from beside the steamed fish and scooped a piece of fish and a large spoonful of ginger and scallions into Zhou Die’s bowl. “Thanks for inviting me to meet Aunt Wen.”

 

Zhou Die: “…”

 

Wen Yue: “Oh, don’t be so polite, Xiao Jiang. Auntie was worried you wouldn’t come home!”

 

Jiang Yunbian, feeling slightly better after teasing Zhou Die, smiled and said, “I was planning to stay at school.”

 

“You’re not going home for Mid-Autumn Festival?”

 

“My parents are divorced, so the idea of reunion feels a bit sentimental.”

 

Zhou Die’s movement of picking out scallions paused for a moment as he looked at Jiang Yunbian.

 

Jiang Yunbian had a joking expression. “Should I not have said that?”

 

Wen Yue put down her chopsticks, looking embarrassed. “Sorry, Auntie didn’t mean to…”

 

“It’s okay. My relationship with my parents isn’t that great either.” Jiang Yunbian felt he had been a bit abrupt but didn’t want Wen Yue to feel guilty for “interfering with his return home.”

 

He had chosen to come to someone else’s home, and if it ruined someone else’s mood, what did that matter?

 

Wen Yue quickly changed her expression to a smile and served more food. “Well, Xiao Jiang, if you don’t mind, you can spend the holiday here! For Mid-Autumn Festival, I’m also making mooncakes, so you must come help me!”

 

Jiang Yunbian was unexpectedly made into a mooncake assistant. He was about to refuse when the doorbell rang.

 

Wen Yue put down her chopsticks with a start. “Looks like another little friend has arrived.”

 

“Hello, Auntie! I’m here to mooch off the food and drinks this holiday!”

 

Zhou Die turned around to see Xu Zhaoruo enthusiastically hugging his mother.

 

His mother loved excitement, and he had thought Jiang Yunbian wouldn’t come, so he asked Xu Zhaoruo if she had time.

 

“By the way, I mentioned that particularly gentle and handsome little classmate is here too. Come and meet him.”

 

“The one you said had a voice as lovely as a piano, looked like an idol, and was incredibly gentle?” Xu Zhaoruo walked into the living room with enthusiasm.

 

When she saw the two people at the table, her smile instantly froze.

 

Where is the gentle, sweet Omega? Here are just two devilish Alphas!

 

“Come, come, come, I specially made the fish you like…”

 

When Xu Zhaoruo sat across from him, Jiang Yunbian paused slightly with his chopsticks, recalling Xu Zhan’s boring gossip from earlier.

 

Zhou Die and Xu Zhaoruo were a “pair.”

 

That sense of incompatibility and rejection suddenly resurfaced, and he felt a fleeting pain in the back of his neck.

 

Zhou Die ignored the introductions and Xu Zhaoruo’s confused look, calmly took a spoonful of scallions from the steamed fish and placed it into Jiang Yunbian’s bowl.

 

“Don’t be polite.”

 

Jiang Yunbian turned his face to see Zhou Die, who didn’t care about the atmosphere and had a smile of someone avenging a grudge.