The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 21

The Zhou family owned an entire building in the most valuable part of South City. As Jiang Yunbian sat at the Zhou family dining table, he felt somewhat disoriented.

 

How did he end up being invited to dinner?

 

Old Mr. Zhou seemed to see through his unease and went straight to the point, skipping any preliminary inquiries. “For Enigma, individuals who induce development are very important, whether they are A or O. I learned about your situation from the school; Xiao Jiang is a good kid. I can help you get into the school you want, but Grandpa hopes you can stay close to Xiao Die.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s normally expressionless face tilted slightly. “Do you mean…”

 

Zhou Die frowned slightly. “No need.”

 

Old Mr. Zhou’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the indifferent young man.

 

Jiang Yunbian glanced at him and gave a faint smile. “No need.”

 

He had watched his share of melodramatic shows with Jiang Yunyi, but he hadn’t expected a situation like this—“I’ll give you money if you leave my grandson”—no, wait, “I’ll give you money if you stay with my grandson”—to happen to him.

 

The Zhou family’s door opened, and the housekeeper by the table bowed her head. “Madam.”

 

Mrs. Zhou had likely just finished work, still wearing her business suit, looking much more capable than she did that day.

 

She adjusted her hair and smiled at everyone at the table. “Dad, Xiao Die, what have you been discussing?”

 

Old Mr. Zhou replied, “We haven’t discussed anything yet.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had a bad premonition and silently envisioned possible scenarios. If the Zhou family tried any threatening tactics today, he would not hold back.

 

Mrs. Zhou seemed to understand. “Xiao Jiang, right? Come talk with Auntie.”

 

Before Jiang Yunbian could react, Zhou Die had already stood up. “Madam.”

 

This action made the atmosphere even more awkward.

 

“So, you’re already protecting him? Then let’s talk here,” Mrs. Zhou said with a smile, covering her mouth. “Xiao Jiang, you should know that Xiao Die is an Enigma. As the heir to the Zhou family, his health is our top priority. After his differentiation, he needs your company.”

 

Zhou Die interrupted Mrs. Zhou, “I can control myself, there’s no need to trouble anyone.”

 

“You may not need to trouble others, but hasn’t his body been affected by you?” Mrs. Zhou’s voice was gentle, with a hint of a smile as she looked at Jiang Yunbian. “Our family needs to take responsibility, doesn’t it?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was left speechless.

 

“It’s getting late. Xiao Jiang should stay here tonight; the room is ready.”

 

Jiang Yunbian waited in the guest room for a long time. He instinctively felt that Zhou Die’s conversation hadn’t gone well.

 

But before Zhou Die left, Jiang Yunbian repeatedly declared that he didn’t need any unnecessary responsibilities or so-called special treatment.

 

He would decide where to go on his own.

 

But perhaps because he was in Zhou Die’s house, he could feel the subtle cedar scent clinging to his skin.

 

Jiang Yunbian believed he should be repelled by pheromones other than Omega’s, yet he didn’t find staying here as uncomfortable as he had imagined. In fact, he even felt somewhat drowsy.

 

When the door knocked, Jiang Yunbian struggled to lift his eyelids and suddenly thought maybe he should just take a nap here.

 

Zhou Die stood outside the door, holding his coat. “Let’s go.”

 

“Did you sort things out?” Jiang Yunbian tried to muster some energy. “Did you argue with them?”

 

Zhou Die didn’t answer that question. “It won’t be like this next time. I’ll take you back to school.”

 

Jiang Yunbian paused for two seconds, suddenly sensing a feeling of remorse or a promise from Zhou Die. When he realized that Zhou Die was yielding, he felt a sudden heat at the back of his neck.

 

Zhou Die instantly caught the fresh mint scent in the air, which seemed to rise from his fingertips and envelop his senses.

 

His gaze fell on Jiang Yunbian’s neck for a second before quickly looking away. “I’ll get you some suppressants.”

 

“…Okay.” Jiang Yunbian hadn’t expected this to happen at such an awkward moment, as if something was breaking through his self-control, surging out uncontrollably.

 

This sensation was different from the sudden burning heat from before. Perhaps because he was in Enigma’s territory, he even felt a strange sense of “maybe I don’t need the suppressants.”

 

But when Zhou Die returned, the cedar scent completely shattered his ridiculous illusion.

 

His entire blood seemed to boil in an instant. Jiang Yunbian had never been so convinced that Zhou Die must feel very cool to the touch. When Zhou Die entered his line of sight, Jiang Yunbian’s first instinct was—he wanted to hug him.

 

Jiang Yunbian was shocked by his own thoughts. As he retreated, he bumped into the edge of the bed and awkwardly fell down.

 

Zhou Die looked at his frightened and helpless expression and lowered his eyelashes slightly. He crouched in front of him, his voice soft. “Do you need help?”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt his throat burning even as he swallowed.

 

He realized an embarrassing fact… his pheromones had become more wanton because of the person in front of him, almost as if deliberately entangling Zhou Die.

 

The collision between Alpha’s instincts and the desire to be marked sparked a fire. His vision began to blur, and the hand clutching his chest trembled slightly, with a red hue spreading from the corners of his eyes down to his neck.

 

From the first meeting, Jiang Yunbian’s arrogant side had been repeatedly challenged. The current appearance was a clear break from all previous perceptions.

 

He was in a rare state of weakness, but Zhou Die’s growing thoughts were about possession and dominance, even maliciously thinking: You’ve let your guard down yourself.

 

This intrusive thought only existed in Zhou Die’s mind for a moment. He whispered, “Can you move?”

 

The rational voice screamed no, but Jiang Yunbian raised his hand to take the box from Zhou Die. However, when his fingertips touched the cool surface of the box, the doctor’s words echoed clearly in his ears.

 

Suppressants prepared from Enigma’s blood.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s fingertips uncontrollably gripped Zhou Die’s wrist, trying to cover his nervousness with a somewhat commanding tone. He whispered, “Help me out.”

 

Zhou Die felt a fleeting pleasure from being pleased but did not show it. He followed Jiang Yunbian’s intention and took out the suppressant.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s wrist was very slender, with veins slightly protruding and skin on his arms more delicate than usual for a male.

 

After Zhou Die injected him, he could feel the tension in his muscles gradually dissipate, and it seemed driven by instinct as Zhou Die’s fingers continued to hold his arm.

 

The suppressant didn’t take effect immediately. Jiang Yunbian still felt uncomfortable but didn’t dare ask for help.

 

Zhou Die licked his lips, inexplicably sensing that Jiang Yunbian was hesitant.

 

He had to put on a show, hiding his own thoughts.

 

Zhou Die vaguely felt he had encountered the switch to a hidden corner, looking down at the cautious Alpha.

 

Didn’t he say he was fierce? How come he doesn’t even have the courage to face a bit of pheromone?

 

Jiang Yunbian pretended to still be weak, cunningly letting the pheromones in the air soothe him. He thought Zhou Die hadn’t noticed, but when he finally decided to pull his hand away, Zhou Die suddenly twisted his wrist.

 

Jiang Yunbian was startled for a moment before being pulled into Enigma’s embrace.

 

It felt like falling into a lake filled with floating ice cubes, and the heat around him instantly diminished by half. Once the fragile barrier of rationality was broken, Jiang Yunbian was entirely driven by instinct, his right hand slipping around Zhou Die’s lower back.

 

His mind went blank, with only one thought remaining: getting close to this pheromone would make him feel more relaxed.

 

Zhou Die held still for a moment at Jiang Yunbian’s unconscious embrace, realizing that Jiang Yunbian wasn’t a docile Omega, and couldn’t be passively accepting like a little rabbit.

 

Zhou Die’s Adam’s apple moved as his gaze traveled from Jiang Yunbian’s chest to the back of his neck.

 

—If he wasn’t obedient, he’d have to be disciplined until he was.

 

Zhou Die’s hand moved along the line of Jiang Yunbian’s jaw, gripping his neck and shoulder. Just as he applied force, he paused.

 

This was Jiang Yunbian, and his resistance came from his desire to be an Alpha. Relying on Zhou Die now was merely because the Enigma in front of him had set such a trap that he was bewildered and ferociously fell into it.

 

Jiang Yunbian never wanted to be marked by anyone.

 

As soon as Zhou Die’s hand moved, Jiang Yunbian immediately lowered his head. It seemed that Alpha’s residual defensiveness detected his intent, and the next moment, he bit Zhou Die’s index finger as a warning.

 

Zhou Die narrowed his eyes, thinking, How many times has this been?

 

But this time, even though Jiang Yunbian was disoriented, Zhou Die didn’t just give him a simple lesson.

 

Perhaps because he directly received the relaxing pheromones from the blood, Jiang Yunbian involuntarily licked the wound.

 

It felt like a wary little stray dog suddenly licking his hand one day.

 

Zhou Die found it strange and itchy, so he pulled back.

 

However, Jiang Yunbian was now restless, making distressed sounds. Zhou Die, unable to help it, gently stroked the back of his neck.

 

Jiang Yunbian finally settled down.

 

Once he had controlled the situation, Zhou Die saw the message Mrs. Zhou had sent him.

 

[Still not leaving?]

 

[Tomorrow.]

 

After replying, Zhou Die leaned against the wall and casually remarked, “The sandwich hasn’t been eaten yet.”

 

*

 

When Jiang Yunbian woke up, his legs and feet were numb from an awkward sleeping position. As he struggled to get up, he first tasted the lingering cold aroma in his mouth.

 

Cedar?

 

He then recalled all the memories from last night.

 

Horrified, he looked down and discovered that he was actually in the room with Zhou Die! He was still lying on top of him!

 

Damn? Did they stay up all night like this?

 

The details of his actions last night—his aggressive pouncing and biting—flashed in his mind, and the string in his brain seemed to snap tight.

 

Did he really… need this person’s pheromones so much?

 

His body was sore and numb, and he didn’t dare move too much. Yet, in the close proximity, he suddenly noticed Zhou Die’s slightly turned neck and shoulder.

 

The skin there was pale and cool, with the pheromones lingering in front, making it irresistibly tempting to taste with his lips.

 

He was uncomfortable from the awkward position, so he gently pressed his hand against the wall beside Zhou Die, smelling the more distinct pheromone scent.

 

…It did smell much better.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s gaze involuntarily drifted back to the back of Zhou Die’s neck. This area was fair and clean, exposed and defenseless right in front of him.

 

It looked very tempting to bite.

 

Jiang Yunbian stared for a long time, his Adam’s apple moving involuntarily.

 

He wanted to bite.

 

At the moment this thought was confirmed, it seemed to spread into countless branches in his mind, stirring numerous impulses that urged Jiang Yunbian to get closer to this person.

 

Just one bite would make him feel a bit better.

 

Jiang Yunbian bit his lip, leaned closer, and lowered his eyes to select a suitable spot.

 

But he overestimated his physical strength. As he bent down, his calf tensed, and he collided directly with Zhou Die’s chest.

 

When they both fell to the ground, he heard Zhou Die’s soft groan.