The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 19

Jiang Yunbian was surprised that Zhou Die would actually treat everyone to a meal just because of a joke. Watching Xu Zhan and the others scramble over the menu at the restaurant was somewhat amusing.

 

“Are you guys from the Beggars’ Sect who’ve been starving for 800 years? Why is ordering food such a competition?”

 

“Hey, He Ru and Yang You, are you even human?” Xu Zhan hurriedly grabbed the phones of the two people, “We’re all brothers here, just order together.”

 

Zhou Die sat inside, watching Jiang Yunbian hesitate for a moment before sitting next to him.

 

“What do you want to eat?” Zhou Die asked.

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t care much: “Everything here is pretty good, just order whatever.”

 

The noise from the group across the table was too distracting. Jiang Yunbian simply got up and took the menu from Xu Zhan’s hands: “I’ll order.”

 

“Then get the sizzling beef. I was craving it when I got here!” Xu Zhan quickly said.

 

He Ru excitedly chimed in, “I want the blood duck, I want the blood duck! Why are you looking at desserts? No one eats desserts here, right?”

 

Jiang Yunbian paused with his finger hovering over the osmanthus cake.

 

He was reluctant to order something he liked since they were treating. How much face did these people have?

 

After ordering dishes according to everyone’s preferences, Jiang Yunbian slowly stood up: “I’m going to make a phone call.”

 

Yang You glanced at the menu and shook his head: “Our Jiang Ge really is a considerate little angel, fulfilling three wishes at once.”

 

Xu Zhan knocked on his head and looked at Zhou Die: “The one truly fulfilling your wishes is right here.”

 

He Ru grinned: “Zhou Ge is the real big brother! I thought you were difficult to approach, especially since you fought with Jiang Yunbian at the beginning of the school year and barely spoke to anyone. But after getting to know you, I realized I was just prejudiced.”

 

“Well, you used to say the same about Jiang Yunbian.”

 

He Ru awkwardly scratched his head, and Yang You continued: “But it’s not really our fault. Both of you are handsome and high-level Alphas. Just standing there, your aura is different from ordinary people. Who would dare approach easily?”

 

Xu Zhan said seriously, “Indeed, it’s not your fault. After all, Jiang Yunbian was very soft and cute in middle school, approachable and friendly.”

 

As Xu Zhan said this, Zhou Die mentally matched each of those descriptors—soft, cute, and approachable—with Jiang Yunbian, but unfortunately, none fit.

 

The two people at the neighboring table got excited: “Is that true? I don’t believe it unless you give examples.”

 

Just as Xu Zhan was about to respond, his expression changed slightly.

 

Zhou Die looked up and saw students from Ning High School passing by.

 

In the school rankings, Third High and Ning High were neck and neck, and every unified exam was a competition for the top spot. Teachers at Third High always said things like “Ning High students work harder than you.”

 

Students from the two schools naturally observed each other, but Xu Zhan’s reaction was unusually stiff.

 

The next second, a tall student from Ning High walked up and said to Xu Zhan, “Long time no see.”

 

Indeed, they knew each other.

 

He Ru and Yang You also realized something was wrong and looked at the two with curiosity.

 

Xu Zhan smiled, “Jiang Ye, long time no see.”

 

The person glanced around the table: “Just you? Where’s Jiang Yunbian?”

 

“Not here.”

 

Jiang Ye snorted, “Typical of him, even someone like you can’t serve him.”

 

Xu Zhan frowned: “You didn’t come over just to greet us, did you come to insult us?”

 

“Not really, I dislike Jiang Yunbian but not you,” Jiang Ye said, lifting his chin. “Don’t hang around with potential criminals like Jiang Yunbian. He might have another outburst and end up hitting you too, and no one else will come to your rescue.”

 

Potential criminals?

 

Zhou Die lowered his eyelashes, feeling that his understanding of Jiang Yunbian was like a card collection game, always pulling new tags unexpectedly.

 

“Have you said enough?” Yang You really thought Jiang Ye was here to cause trouble. “Are all Ning High students this rude?”

 

Jiang Ye tilted his head, showing contempt. As a high-level Alpha, he used the most direct and brutal methods of suppression on his peers.

 

Yang You sensed the threat in his pheromones.

 

“Classmate.”

 

The previously silent Zhou Die slowly put down his cup, lifting his eyes in a relaxed manner: “This is a public place. It doesn’t seem appropriate for you to be playing with pheromone suppression here.”

 

Jiang Ye turned around but was startled by Zhou Die’s gaze.

 

The pressure and intimidation from someone above Alpha level instantly weighed down on him. His arrogance was rendered ineffective in front of this person.

 

Jiang Ye knew his own level and had rarely been suppressed. He had never met an Alpha who could make him fall silent with just a look.

 

After a tense moment, he finally averted his gaze in a panic: “Who cares about you?”

 

Yang You and He Ru were sweating. Xu Zhan watched as the Ning High students left the restaurant before smiling at Zhou Die: “Thank you.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian returned, the atmosphere in the restaurant was completely different from what he had expected.

 

“What’s going on? I just went to make a phone call, why do you all look so subdued?” He sat down and looked at Zhou Die with a questioning glance.

 

Zhou Die only gave him a faint glance and changed the subject: “What was the call about?”

 

“My sister. She said she sent me something, and I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”

 

Xu Zhan returned to normal: “I haven’t seen your sister for a long time. I miss her.”

 

“To meet my sister, you’ll have to get through me first,” Jiang Yunbian said with a smirk. “You can judge for yourselves.”

 

“Yang You, why are you so sneaky? I want to meet her too!” Xu Zhan said.

 

Jiang Yunbian raised his eyebrows, placing his hand on Zhou Die’s shoulder: “My brother-in-law has to meet these standards at least. You should consider it.”

 

The three of them: “……”

 

Zhou Die: “.”

 

After dinner, Jiang Yunbian lazily skipped evening study and fell asleep as soon as he lay down in bed after taking a shower.

 

When Zhou Die returned, he was fast asleep, with the blanket covering most of his face and only a part of his hair visible.

 

His phone, set to silent and placed on the table, was ringing, displaying “Yi Yi” as the caller ID.

 

Zhou Die looked at the contact’s wallpaper, then calmly turned his attention back. 

 

—

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t expected to sleep from 7 PM to 8 AM. When he woke up, Zhou Die had already washed up and was ready to head to class.

 

As Zhou Die was about to leave, he saw Jiang Yunbian tumble out of bed and start washing up clumsily.

 

His hair was still sticking out in all directions, and he was messing with it in frustration.

 

Zhou Die smiled and went out the door to the classroom.

 

After the morning study session, the weekend holiday finally began. Jiang Yunbian called his sister, then went to pick up the package she had sent to the dormitory.

 

When he opened it, he found some snacks and two sets of earrings.

 

Looking at the black earrings and the silver ones, Jiang Yunbian sent a question mark to his sister.

 

Jiang Yunyi replied: “You said you like the black ones, but I also picked out the silver ones for you. Put them on and send me a photo.”

 

Some people get so pampered they grow wings.

 

Jiang Yunbian sighed and took out the small mirror his sister had sent. He first took a photo of the earrings, then changed to the earrings she had sent.

 

With two ear piercings in his right ear, he put on the earrings and gently fiddled with them.

 

It was okay; his taste was always a bit better than Jiang Yunyi’s.

 

Just as he was about to take a photo, he heard the sound of the door opening.

 

Jiang Yunbian looked up in shock, his first thought being: Zhou Die is staying here for the weekend?

 

He quickly shoved the mirror and earrings back into the package, but before he could remove the earrings, Zhou Die had already walked in.

 

Jiang Yunbian could only pinch his earlobe with one hand, relieved that he was only wearing one earring.

 

When Zhou Die entered, he saw Jiang Yunbian standing stiffly at the desk, holding his earlobe with his right hand.

 

It felt like he had stumbled upon someone’s secret.

 

“…Should I step out for a bit?”

 

Jiang Yunbian hesitated, avoiding eye contact and walking towards the balcony.

 

Zhou Die watched as he awkwardly walked to the balcony, then returned nonchalantly after a while. His face showed no change, but his earlobe was slightly red.

 

For a moment, Zhou Die wanted to reach out and touch him.

 

*

 

After the long wait for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the National Day holiday finally arrived.

 

Yang You seemed restless and started planning a small group outing on Thursday morning, eager to invite everyone.

 

Xu Zhan eagerly signed up and then turned to ask the others if they were available, only to realize Jiang Yunbian was missing.

 

“Zhou Ge, Zhou Ge!”

 

Zhou Die looked up, and Xu Zhan looked hopeful: “Do you want to join us for the National Day outing? They’re planning a picnic in the city!”

 

Zhou Die was initially going to refuse, but his gaze fell inexplicably on Jiang Yunbian’s desk. Jiang Yunbian seemed to have been solving problems and was now doodling a turtle on some scrap paper.

 

Noticing Zhou Die’s gaze, Xu Zhan guessed that Zhou Die might not be very familiar with his classmates and might need Jiang Yunbian’s help.

 

He called out again, “I can sign you and Jiang Yunbian up together!”

 

Zhou Die was silent for a moment, then replied, “Okay.”

 

After Xu Zhan had reported the number of people to Yang You, Jiang Yunbian returned: “What are you plotting?”

 

“We’re going out for National Day! I signed you up.”

 

“I can’t go.”

 

Xu Zhan froze and instinctively glanced at Zhou Die.

 

Uh-oh, Jiang Ge isn’t going.

 

“Why not? It’s a great opportunity to enhance our friendship!”

 

“My sister is waiting for me to come back.”

 

“Oh, are you a sister’s boy?”

 

“I’m a son’s boy. Do you understand, son?”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at Xu Zhan, who was about to speak but then looked back at Zhou Die: “Are you going? You should go; it’s good to make more friends. If anyone bullies you, come back and tell me, and I’ll help you deal with them.”

 

The last part sounded somewhat dismissive.

 

Zhou Die looked out the window and waited until he saw Jiang Yunbian walking towards the school gate with his backpack.

 

After thinking for a while, Zhou Die took out his phone and typed a message.

 

Jiang Yunbian had just boarded the bus when his phone pinged.

 

“There will be a second susceptibility period in October. Take a day off during the holiday and go to the hospital for a check-up with me.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had almost forgotten about this. He replied to Zhou Die: “Let’s do it on the 7th. After the check-up, I’ll go back to school.”

 

Ten minutes later, he received a simple “Okay.”

 

After a while, Jiang Yunbian sent another message: “Add me on WeChat.”

 

Soon, he received a new friend request on WeChat.

 

The profile picture was of a white stuffed animal, and the WeChat name was ZD.

 

He accepted the friend request and, after a moment’s hesitation, sent a period as a reply.

 

He thought his greeting was very cool and aloof. While imagining how Zhou Die might respond with a symbol of his own, a cat suddenly popped up on his screen.

 

It was the same stuffed animal as Zhou Die’s profile picture, probably rolling around in some blanket, with its messy fur eventually revealing a pair of beautiful, pure blue eyes.

 

Zhou Die sent him a cat emoji.