The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 29

Jiang Yunbian’s voice is pleasant to hear, but Zhou Die had never heard him sing.

 

When he speaks, his tone often ends with a slightly frivolous uplift, not in a superficial way but with the unique arrogance of youth.

 

What would he be like when he sings?

 

When Zhou Die came back to his senses, his fingertips had already turned off the music on the screen. He smiled slightly and looked towards the stage.

 

But Jiang Yunbian hadn’t appeared yet when his phone vibrated again.

 

It was a message from Mrs. Zhou.

 

[Little Die, are you at school?]

 

Zhou Die furrowed his brows slightly and replied: [What’s up?]

 

[Zhaoruo’s mother just called me, saying her daughter is missing.]

 

Zhou Die quickly stood up and gathered what had happened from Mrs. Zhou.

 

Xu Zhaoruo had agreed to return home by 7 PM, but over an hour later she still hadn’t shown up, her phone was unreachable, and the school’s surveillance showed she left at 5 PM.

 

Jiang Yunbian was still backstage changing clothes when he heard the lead singer call his name.

 

“Yunbian, your phone has been ringing non-stop.”

 

Jiang Yunbian set down his still-untidied collar and came out to see Zhou Die’s call.

 

He answered: “What’s wrong?”

 

“Xu Zhaoruo is missing. I’m going back.”

 

Hearing Zhou Die’s slightly out-of-breath voice, Jiang Yunbian instantly understood the urgency: “Okay, do you need any help?”

 

“No, I’ll let you know once I find her.”

 

“Alright.” After hanging up, Jiang Yunbian inexplicably felt a bit of numbness in his palms, a sense of foreboding rising.

 

The lead singer looked at him with concern: “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

 

Jiang Yunbian frowned at his phone, remaining silent.

 

The keyboardist and guitarist, having changed into their outfits, were chatting idly: “Damn, is this for real?”

 

“Why would I lie to you? Just the day before, a perverted Beta from Ning Gao was using illegal catalysts specifically targeting female students, casting a wide net.”

 

“So they used catalysts among a group of students? And if they encountered an Omega, they’d induce them into a heat?”

 

“Yeah, I heard a female student from Ning Gao got hurt, and the parents caused a ruckus with the school.”

 

The lead singer furrowed his brows and joined in: “Did they catch the pervert?”

 

“No, the police are investigating. If he were an AO, it’d be easier to track him down due to identity verification, but he’s just a damn Beta…”

 

The incident was sudden, like a warning of danger. Jiang Yunbian didn’t hesitate and immediately sent the information he knew to Zhou Die.

 

Zhou Die replied with an “okay,” advising him not to worry too much and to focus on his part-time job.

 

After Jiang Yunbian went on stage, he couldn’t help but think about the situation, the terrifying potential consequences intertwining with past events, causing him to appear quite troubled.

 

During the intermission, the lead singer stopped him.

 

“What’s wrong with you?” The lead singer brushed his forehead and looked at his downcast eyes. “The girls in the audience are saying you look sick, your face is so pale.”

 

Jiang Yunbian frowned and avoided his hand, first checking his phone to message Zhou Die.

 

[Have you found her yet?]

 

After waiting five minutes with no reply, his anxiety grew as he stared at his phone.

 

Jiang Yunbian coughed and instinctively called his sister.

 

In the thirty seconds before the call connected, he felt his heart race and the anxiety and helplessness that came with it.

 

“Hello…”

 

Only when Jiang Yunbian’s voice, hoarse and indistinct, came through did all his emotions abruptly subside.

 

“What’s up, brother? I was just sleeping.” Jiang Yunbian’s sister yawned, clearly annoyed at being woken up from a good dream.

 

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Yunbian gently apologized, soothing her: “Wrong number. Get some rest, goodnight.”

 

As the call ended, Zhou Die’s reply came in.

 

[Found her, now at the police station. She’s fine.]

 

She’s fine.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt a great deal of relief. After finishing his work, he called to ask what happened.

 

Zhou Die seemed to be in transit, with some background noise: “There was a pervert.”

 

Given how rare Omegas are, it was particularly concerning that a criminal was targeting Xu Zhaoruo.

 

It was said that Xu Zhaoruo was followed to a mall, induced into a heat, and lost her phone while hiding. She ended up hiding in a remote restroom, too scared to come out.

 

Zhou Die, having deduced her route from surveillance footage and finding her in time to send her to the hospital, said she was okay.

 

Jiang Yunbian furrowed his brow: “Did they catch him?”

 

“Yes, he didn’t expect the police to be so quick. He was arrested in the basement.”

 

It seemed Zhou Die had arrived at his destination. Jiang Yunbian vaguely heard the driver mention a place.

 

It sounded familiar. He asked: “Where are you?”

 

“At the entrance.” Zhou Die looked at the now-closed bar and adjusted his coat. “But it seems I missed it.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken aback for a moment, then went outside through the staff passage and saw Zhou Die standing at the entrance: “Zhou Die, do you know what time it is? Three in the morning!”

 

The youth’s voice came through the phone and in front of him.

 

The night wind blew Zhou Die’s hair, his coat draped to one side, his school uniform collar showing under the streetlight, looking exceptionally handsome.

 

A few women leaving work looked at him, giggling and whispering: “Must be here to pick up his girlfriend. Youth is so sweet.”

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled, thinking to himself, “Sorry, I’m not his girlfriend.”

 

He approached Zhou Die: “Why did you come here instead of going home?”

 

To accommodate the performance, Jiang Yunbian had changed into a new outfit with some hair gel. Unlike the school’s usual scowling bully, under the dim streetlight he appeared cool and obedient.

 

Zhou Die looked at his dark blue pilot’s jacket and guessed who might have lent it to him, remaining expressionless: “I thought I could make it.”

 

“Make it for what?” Jiang Yunbian said dismissively. “There aren’t any special dishes or performers here.”

 

“To pick you up,” Zhou Die calmly interrupted his rambling thoughts, speaking leisurely. “My mom said breakfast tomorrow will be pudding cake and asked if you’re interested.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t expect this reason, and he couldn’t help but laugh: “Sounds sweet. Was it prepared just for you?”

 

“Yeah.” Zhou Die looked at him with a faint smile. “So if you refuse, I’ll eat it all.”

 

“Well, I definitely can’t refuse.” Jiang Yunbian’s competitive Alpha nature was triggered. “I’m definitely having some.”

 

Zhou Die chuckled, lowering his eyes to look at his coat: “Then this student needs to change clothes before entering my home.”

 

He had spent the whole night in the bar, picking up various smells. Jiang Yunbian knew this and took off his coat right in front of him.

 

“Is this okay now, Young Master?”

 

Zhou Die said nothing but smiled.

 

As it was late, Jiang Yunbian didn’t want to stand out in the cold. He turned to change clothes.

 

When he came out, he had changed back into his school uniform and quickly washed his hair. Without the styling, he returned to his original, slightly rebellious look, walking briskly to Zhou Die’s side.

 

“You really have nothing better to do than to wait for me at this hour?”

 

Zhou Die, used to pushing his luck, replied, “You promised to treat me to something.”

 

Jiang Yunbian laughed: “Unfortunately, you missed out.”

 

Zhou Die nonchalantly looked at the roadside, then threw out his question: “Can you sing?”

 

“I’m not joking. I do have a bit of talent in singing,” Jiang Yunbian said, gesturing with his hand. “Just a little bit.”

 

Zhou Die understood and smiled in agreement: “Just a little bit, huh?”

 

Jiang Yunbian confidently nodded: “Just a little bit.”

 

Zhou Die called a cab. While Jiang Yunbian was sitting inside, he rolled down the window and asked him: “Does it smell very strong?”

 

Realizing Jiang Yunbian was asking about any lingering pheromones, Zhou Die lowered his eyes and leaned closer to him.

 

When Zhou Die’s face was close to his neck, Jiang Yunbian froze for a second, not fully processing the sensation before he heard Zhou Die say.

 

“I don’t know, let me smell.”

 

The breath brushed over his neck and ear, and Jiang Yunbian flinched instinctively.

 

The cool, cedar-like scent of Enigma dispersed the lingering smells from the night.

 

Jiang Yunbian looked back at him. Zhou Die leaned back against the window, his expression calm: “It’s okay.”

 

He hadn’t picked up any other Alpha’s scent.

 

For a moment, Jiang Yunbian had some strange thoughts. The action by Zhou Die just now clearly made him feel that his territory had been encroached upon, yet he didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable.

 

Was it an illusion?

 

The car grew quiet. After nearly half an hour, Zhou Die thought Jiang Yunbian had fallen asleep.

 

Just as he was about to roll the window up, Jiang Yunbian asked, “How is Xu Zhaoruo?”

 

“Her heat came early. She might need a check-up, but the doctor says there’s no major issue.”

 

“Make sure she gets a good check-up for things like average RBC pheromone levels, so she doesn’t have any lingering effects.”

 

Zhou Die paused and turned slightly, “You seem to know a lot about this?”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked out the window, the fleeting light and shadow cast a cold hue on his outline.

 

“My sister was once induced into a heat.”

 

His voice was as thin as the night breeze, fragile, revealing the sadness in his mood through his words.

 

For Jiang Yunbian, this was a painful past he couldn’t touch.

 

Zhou Die hadn’t expected him to lay out his secret like this. After a moment of silence, he said, “You’re very sad.”

 

Everyone in class knew that Jiang Yunbian was very protective of his sister.

 

He lowered his eyes, “It’s my responsibility.”

 

Jiang Yunbian could never forgive himself. If it weren’t for his neglect as an older brother, Jiang Yunyi would never have been isolated like this.

 

“I am an unqualified brother. I’ve made many mistakes…”

 

“Jiang Yunbian.”

 

Zhou Die’s hand gently landed on his head, seeming to control the pressure, his fingertips gently massaging his hair, “You’re not as hopeless as you think.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had never been comforted like this before. Zhou Die gently rubbed his head, spoke softly, and even tried to put a mint candy into his palm.

 

“Zhou Die,” Jiang Yunbian fiddled with the serrated candy wrapper, a hint of a smile on his face, “You don’t seem very good at comforting people.”

 

Zhou Die quickly understood that Jiang Yunbian was someone who avoided others’ concern.

 

Like a sad puppy hiding its pain, not wanting others to worry.

 

Zhou Die did not deny this, “Let’s go.”

 

By this time, Wen Yue was already asleep. The two of them had a sense of being on a secret mission when they reached the bedroom.

 

“Go take a shower. I’ll tidy up,” Zhou Die pulled out the clothes Jiang Yunbian had worn last time.

 

Jiang Yunbian thanked him softly. As he entered the bathroom, he recalled how Zhou Die had pressed him under the showerhead when they first met.

 

It was quite inappropriate.

 

Maybe if there hadn’t been the initial misunderstanding, he might have gotten to know Zhou Die better.

 

As the various smells from work were washed away, Jiang Yunbian felt unexpectedly tired, whether from the hot water or just exhaustion.

 

He splashed water on his face and walked out of the bathroom. Zhou Die had already spread two blankets on the floor.

 

The damp mint scent was like a fragrance in a rainy night, seeping into every inch of his skin with a deliberate purpose.

 

Zhou Die quickly noticed the change in pheromones.

 

He looked back at Jiang Yunbian, who was drying his hair with a towel, squinting slightly, “Are you alright?”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s wet hair was messy, and his bangs fell over his eyes, “What?”

 

The pheromones had retreated again.

 

Zhou Die frowned slightly and took out the pheromone blocker and the hairdryer from the drawer.

 

“Do you need to wash up?” Jiang Yunbian yawned, clearly feeling sleepy.

 

“Yeah, dry yourself before you sleep,” Zhou Die said, walking past Jiang Yunbian with the clothes.

 

As he passed, the mint scent brushed against Jiang Yunbian’s eyelids, causing a tingling sensation to shoot up his spine and spread through his body.

 

Jiang Yunbian staggered, stepping onto the soft mat Zhou Die had just laid out.

 

His strength seemed to vanish suddenly, and by the time he realized it, he was half-kneeling on the floor. The feather-light cedar scent seemed to awaken a deep craving within him, making his body burn with heat.

 

Jiang Yunbian struggled to stand up, his rationality urging him to reach for the pheromone blocker on the table, but every inch of skin seeking the Enigma scent found a better substitute.

 

Zhou Die’s bed.

 

Jiang Yunbian took a few steps toward the table, his eyes already reddened. It felt as if his rationality was about to collapse with one more step.

 

Instinctively, he knew he wanted the pheromone, not the blocker.

 

No other scent would do.

 

Outside, the minty scent was like falling snow. Zhou Die wiped his face and knocked on the frosted glass before leaving.

 

The unusual action seemed to hint at the prideful Alpha outside.

 

Zhou Die waited a few seconds and then opened the door, stepping into a cloud of minty cotton candy.

 

The source of the pheromones was in his bed.

 

Zhou Die had heard that some Alphas, like Omegas, exhibit nesting behavior during a heat, desperately needing their partner’s pheromones.

 

He had previously thought such behavior contradicted the Alpha’s social status, being quite laughable and weak.

 

But seeing Jiang Yunbian, who was hugging a pillow with a dazed expression, wrapped in the blanket, and gently rubbing the collar of his shirt as if self-soothing, all prejudices were shattered in an instant.

 

Cracks rapidly covered every bit of disdain and contempt. After the pieces fell away, Zhou Die was left with one thought—this situation was quite dire.

 

Enigma’s self-control was significantly provoked.

 

The heat had long overridden rationality. Jiang Yunbian’s mind had never been this chaotic. He just wanted the cedar scent to envelop him and ease the out-of-control craving.

 

The ankle exposed outside the blanket was as white as early winter snow, lightly rubbing against the bedding. His delicate toes curled and trembled, drifting into Enigma’s sight.

 

Zhou Die looked away, his voice husky, “I’ll get you some suppressants.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

But the Alpha in the bed let out a faint sound, a fleeting moment that deeply made Zhou Die feel reprimanded by Jiang Yunbian.

 

The temporary mark was like a blind spot in their ongoing interactions, a move that had become mutually ignored over time.

 

Zhou Die lowered his gaze and moved to the edge of the bed, his fingertips brushing aside the damp hair from Jiang Yunbian’s eyes, calling his name: “Yunbian.”

 

Jiang Yunbian flinched momentarily, but after tasting the sweetness, he moved closer again, responding with a nasal tone: “Hmm.”

 

Enigma’s tone was steady, without any apparent emotional stir: “You should know that showing weakness at times like this is equivalent to enticing.”

 

He tried to reason with him, but Jiang Yunbian only craved the cool sensation, following it as it moved from his fingertips to his palm. Then his thin lips lightly exhaled warm air as they approached Zhou Die’s wrist.

 

In usual OA situations, this would have crossed the line long ago.

 

Zhou Die did as he wished, letting his entire hand rest on Jiang Yunbian’s face, moving from his jawline to his pale neck, fingertips tracing the elegant Adam’s apple, settling on the collarbone.

 

Further down was another territory.

 

Zhou Die tried to withdraw his hand, but Jiang Yunbian lightly grasped his wrist, his fingertips burning hot.

 

The scent he unconsciously sought was right in front of him. Jiang Yunbian seemed to make a significant decision, throwing aside the pillow and half-falling into Zhou Die’s embrace.

 

Zhou Die was enveloped in a minty scent.

 

As he looked closely, he noticed Jiang Yunbian’s eyes had a slight droop, revealing what seemed like puppy eyes.

 

He bit his teeth together, uttering two words with a hint of threat: “Give me…”

 

Despite being in a submissive state, the “puppy” spoke words of defiance.

 

Zhou Die’s index finger curved slightly, lifting his chin, his thumb pressing on the corner of his lips, which had a hint of moisture.

 

His eyes were deep but carried an inexplicable low laugh: “Give you what?”

 

“…A temporary mark.” Jiang Yunbian wasn’t quite aware of the danger approaching. As he pressed his lips together, that bit of lip covered Zhou Die’s fingertip.

 

Perhaps because of his Alpha nature, he wasn’t as cautious as an Omega, afraid of being hurt.

 

But the more straightforwardly he expressed his demand, the more tempting it was.

 

Zhou Die was not one to be swayed by a hesitant invitation.

 

Jiang Yunbian used his canine teeth to press against Zhou Die’s fingertip, as if saying, “If you don’t agree, I’ll bite you.”

 

He was fierce, but unfortunately, Zhou Die only felt ticklish, not even pain.

 

He lowered his head, closing the distance enough for their breaths to mingle.

 

“Do you know what you’re asking for?”

 

“Yes,” Jiang Yunbian complained, “Give it to me. Why are you being more unreasonable than an Alpha…”

 

If Zhou Die had been less rational, the meaning of “giving” would have been entirely different.

 

Soon, Jiang Yunbian was pressed onto the pillow he had used to relieve discomfort, his damp hair pushed aside, the weight pressing down on his shoulders.

 

Then, a dense pain settled on the back of his neck.

 

With the pheromone infusion, everything was relieved.

 

After staining his pheromones, Zhou Die licked his canine teeth, a malicious desire for taming emerged from the shadows. He caressed the back of Jiang Yunbian’s neck, intending to scold him further, only to find Jiang Yunbian had already fallen asleep.

 

His breathing was steady, and his eyes were lightly closed, showing no awareness of being in danger.

 

In the dark night, Enigma maintained this position for a long time, letting out an ambiguous “hmm.”

 

“You’d better remember nothing about this tomorrow.”

 

*

 

When Jiang Yunbian woke up the next day, he was enveloped in the scent of cedar.

 

His consciousness was not fully clear. He felt like his right arm was wrapped around something. After his fingertips casually touched it, someone suddenly grabbed his hand and unceremoniously threw it back.

 

When his hand hit his stomach, Jiang Yunbian was bewildered.

 

What dared to treat him so rudely?

 

He got up and saw Zhou Die sleeping next to him.

 

Zhou Die’s eyelids lifted slightly, revealing deep lines and a hint of fatigue.

 

After a moment of eye contact, Jiang Yunbian looked down at the blanket wrapped around him, his first reaction was: “Damn, why am I in bed?”

 

Zhou Die pressed his temple and seemed reluctant to respond, turning over.

 

“Hey, tell me!” Jiang Yunbian was displeased, kneeling on the bed and addressing Zhou Die’s back: “I clearly remember lying on the floor…”

 

As he spoke, Jiang Yunbian seemed to recall something, raising his hand to touch the back of his neck.

 

There were small wounds and bite marks. Jiang Yunbian’s temper flared: “Zhou Die! You bit me again!”

 

Last night, he was a little puppy seeking comfort, and now he was starting to cause trouble.

 

Zhou Die slowly sat up, bending one leg: “Yeah, maybe I didn’t bite hard enough. Otherwise, how could you be so active this early?”

 

“I—” Jiang Yunbian’s voice began, then he remembered it was his home, and lowered his voice, “Zhou Die, have I been too indulgent with you recently?”

 

Zhou Die chuckled lightly.

 

He dared to say indulgent.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, I suggest you think carefully about who was hugging my pillow, wrapping in my blanket, and refusing to leave my bed last night.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s mind was still not fully awake, but Zhou Die’s description conjured a bizarre image in his memory.

 

Seeing him go silent, Zhou Die pressed on: “Before I went to shower, I had already set up the pheromone blocker for you. Why didn’t you use it? I went down to get suppressants for you. Why did you let me mark you? I didn’t sleep all night because of you. Why don’t you feel guilty at all?”

 

“I…”

 

Jiang Yunbian was confused by Zhou Die’s counter-questions, and his memory slowly pieced together.

 

He had grabbed Zhou Die’s hand, fallen into his embrace, and seemed to have even bitten him…

 

The memory of that “give me” phrase filled Jiang Yunbian with a mix of shame and anger, and he practically jumped out of bed, rushing into the bathroom and locking the door.

 

Zhou Die sighed, changed his position, and was about to fall back asleep when the bathroom door opened again.

 

This time, the Alpha said confidently: “No, a temporary mark solves my problem completely. You didn’t even draw blood. It’s a good thing. Why should I hide?”

 

Zhou Die: “……”