The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 33

It was just a joke, but Zheng Xinglin looked momentarily stunned and averted his gaze from Zhou Die.

 

He awkwardly laughed a couple of times, turned his attention to the waiter who was bringing the dishes to the table, and avoided looking at the two people next to him.

 

When the yogurt rabbit arrived, the class representative was a bit surprised. “This is actually a bit on the sweet side. Who ordered it?”

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed Zhou Die’s hand pause slightly as he opened the box, then he gracefully pointed to the box. “I did. I felt like having something sweet today.”

 

The class representative wanted to say something more, but the class monitor had gently grabbed her hand, and she nodded in understanding, “Hmm, it’s good.”

 

Yogurt melts easily, and hardly anyone wanted to save the rabbit for last. The boys ate in a straightforward manner, either scooping out the ears or breaking off the bottom, finishing it in two or three bites.

 

Before eating, Jiang Yunbian glanced at Zhou Die again. The people next to him were casually looking around, but the tips of Zhou Die’s right hand were lightly tapping the little rabbit’s behind with a silver spoon.

 

The yogurt rabbit wobbled slightly, like it was shivering before being slaughtered.

 

Jiang Yunbian suppressed his smile, took a bite, and found it pleasantly tangy and sweet.

 

After the hot pot began to boil, a lot of food was put into the pot. Xu Zhan, taking on the role of a mother, was responsible for scooping and cooking, ensuring everyone got their fair share and no one was left hungry.

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t care if there was spicy oil in his own bowl, but he placed two bowls in front of Zhou Die. When Xu Zhan served food to Zhou Die, Jiang Yunbian pushed the bowl forward.

 

Xu Zhan was initially puzzled, but soon realized that Zhou Die wasn’t touching the spicy food and figured out that Zhou Die didn’t like spicy food.

 

He stirred the food in the pot with his chopsticks, but his thoughts wandered far away.

 

It was hard to imagine that at the start of this semester, Zhou Die and Jiang Yunbian were at odds.

 

He couldn’t tell if their relationship had improved or crossed boundaries.

 

It was impossible, though; they were both Alphas.

 

“What are you thinking about?” He Ru noticed Xu Zhan had stopped eating and pointed to her mouth, then patted her stomach. “Xu nanny, can’t you see your kid is starving?”

 

Xu Zhan wanted to give this ungrateful person a chopstick jab.

 

After finishing what was in his bowl, Jiang Yunbian noticed Zhou Die hadn’t touched his spicy bowl and scooped some beef from the broth pot into his bowl, then secretly transferred the remaining bits into his own bowl.

 

“Want to try something spicy?” he asked in a low voice after putting down the serving chopsticks.

 

Zhou Die looked up at him for a moment, seemingly noticing the anticipation in Jiang Yunbian’s eyes, and gently picked up a slice of beef.

 

Jiang Yunbian watched as Zhou Die frowned slightly after swallowing the beef, clearly displeased. He took a small breath, reached for the water next to him, and blushed. He covered his mouth, turned his face, and coughed lightly.

 

He really couldn’t handle spicy food.

 

Jiang Yunbian smiled and moved Zhou Die’s spicy bowl in front of him, placing two cherry tomatoes on the side. “Just stick with the clear broth; no need to try the spicy one.”

 

Zhou Die focused on grabbing some beef from Xu Zhan’s portion and didn’t notice the subtle actions between the two. Zheng Xinglin, sitting nearby, observed everything.

 

His expression darkened slightly as he looked at a small piece of chili pepper in his bowl.

 

In fact, he couldn’t handle spicy food well either, but no one noticed.

 

When he reached for the water, he found his cup was empty and looked at the kettle on the edge of the table without moving.

 

In his daze, Jiang Yunbian placed a cherry tomato in front of him as well.

 

“There’s one more left. I’ll get another plate.”

 

Zheng Xinglin looked at the cherry tomato on his plate and blinked. “Thank you.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian went to get the cherry tomatoes, he texted Xu Zhan not to add more meat to Zhou Die’s bowl.

 

Xu Zhan replied with an “OK,” and when Jiang Yunbian returned to his seat, Zhou Die was leisurely finishing the meat in his bowl.

 

Though the young master might be meticulous, their dining table operated on the principle of eating slowly means eating less. To ensure Zhou Die could eat his fill, Jiang Yunbian added a few more slices of meat to his bowl.

 

Zhou Die watched his actions, tapped his chopsticks on his bowl, and whispered to Jiang Yunbian, “You don’t need to worry about me. I won’t finish it.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was a bit surprised. “You have such a small appetite?”

 

“I can’t eat much during hot pot.”

 

“Alright.” He put down his chopsticks. “Then buy something when we go back, in case you get hungry.”

 

Eating spicy food was intense. Jiang Yunbian’s lips were shining, and he ended up drinking two bowls of sour plum soup to cool down.

 

After eating and drinking enough, when Xu Zhan called for the bill, the waiter said it had already been settled.

 

Before he could figure out who the generous benefactor was, Jiang Yunbian had already picked up his coat. “I need to buy something. You guys head back first.”

 

As he was leaving, he tapped Zhou Die’s chair with his fingertips, and Zhou Die, having put down his napkin, stood up.

 

Before anyone could react, the two of them had already left side by side.

 

He Ru said goodbye and stayed in place. “Who was that? This meal must have cost quite a bit.”

 

The class monitor elbowed him. “Fool, who in our class has such deep pockets?”

 

The class representative said, “Zhou Die.”

 

On the escalator.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt a bit stuffed and patted his stomach. “Wow, I’m so full.”

 

Zhou Die’s gaze followed the curve of Jiang Yunbian’s arm to his abdomen and joked, “Give birth, I’ll support you.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t expect him to make such a comment out of the blue. He laughed and nudged him with his elbow. “Sure, milk powder, diapers, future kindergarten tuition, including my own nutritional needs, postpartum care, and confinement expenses…”

 

“I’ll provide for all of it,” Zhou Die said sincerely, following Jiang Yunbian’s words, “I’ll be a good dad.”

 

“Okay, I’ll make sure the beef, shrimp slices, tripe, and kidney in my stomach all call you ‘daddy.’”

 

Jiang Yunbian found himself laughing at his own words, holding onto the handrail of the escalator and chuckling, “What a joke.”

 

Zhou Die looked at him smiling and moved a bit closer. “Feeling full?”

 

“Just a bit,” Jiang Yunbian replied, demonstrating with his hand. “When I eat hot pot, I can’t always tell if I’m full until after I’ve finished.”

 

Zhou Die took out his phone and searched for nearby pharmacies. “Let’s get a box of digestive tablets later.”

 

“No need, a short walk will help with digestion,” Jiang Yunbian said, pressing down on his phone. “I’m not that delicate.”

 

Zhou Die noted the nearest pharmacy and turned off his phone, holding it in his hand.

 

“By the way,” Jiang Yunbian thought for a moment, “if you don’t like something, you can always say so. Our class is pretty united and considerate.”

 

Spiciness really varies from person to person—some people can drink bowls of spicy oil, while others feel a burn from just a couple of chili pieces.

 

Zhou Die clearly belonged to the latter group.

 

If Jiang Yunbian hadn’t realized he couldn’t handle spice well, Zhou Die’s stomach might have been in turmoil by now.

 

“Alright,” Zhou Die’s eyes reflected the starlight-like lights in the mall, with a faint smile. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

 

Jiang Yunbian patted his shoulder grandly. “It’s nothing.”

 

Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die went to the third floor, where there were bulk candy and small cakes. They were greeted by a sweet smell, as if staying here long enough would cause sugar to crystallize on their hair.

 

Many children were playing. A boy, running without watching where he was going, nearly bumped into Jiang Yunbian. He reached out to gently guide the child away from him.

 

“Be careful.”

 

The child looked up, blushing slightly upon seeing Jiang Yunbian, and said softly, “Thank you, big brother,” before running off.

 

Zhou Die observed his actions, and when Jiang Yunbian looked up, he said, “You’re very gentle.”

 

“Well, it’s a child. I can’t just yell at him,” Jiang Yunbian said as they stopped in front of a cake shop with a display case shaped like a small car. “Kids nowadays are so delicate. You have to coax them.”

 

The orange light in the display case highlighted Jiang Yunbian’s profile. His long eyelashes, viewed from the side, looked like butterfly wings.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s eyes were always striking, with their natural shape and slightly upturned corners, clear and bright like a pristine lake.

 

“Do you have anything you want to eat?” Jiang Yunbian straightened up. “I don’t often eat cake, so I’m not sure how good it is.”

 

Zhou Die glanced briefly and didn’t see a cake he liked but noticed a shop selling handmade chocolates.

 

He turned back and lightly tapped Jiang Yunbian’s pinky finger. It was a subtle touch that caught his attention. “That one.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Jiang Yunbian accompanied him to the chocolate shop. While Zhou Die was talking to the shopkeeper, Jiang Yunbian remembered Zhou Die had mentioned wanting handmade chocolates while shopping at the mall earlier.

 

Are the young master’s tastes so delicate?

 

Before he could ponder further, his phone rang.

 

Jiang Yunbian glanced at the screen—another call from an unknown number.

 

All the good mood from earlier seemed to evaporate. Jiang Yunbian instinctively wanted to hang up.

 

But seeing the caller ID, he sneered, walked to a corner, and answered the call.

 

“Do you think this is funny?” he spoke coldly. “Or do you think changing your number will make me not recognize you?”

 

There was, as usual, no response from the other end.

 

But Jiang Yunbian felt an inexplicable sense of being watched, as if someone at the other end of the call was quietly observing him from somewhere in the mall.

 

He said, “If you think the previous matter hasn’t been settled, you can confront me face-to-face. Don’t hide and skulk around.”

 

With a mocking tone, he added, “Don’t make me look down on you.”

 

When the call ended, Jiang Yunbian leaned against the railing. This was an open floor, and looking down, he could see people moving between the first and second floors.

 

The weekend crowd was substantial, and he looked for a long time but didn’t spot anyone suspicious.

 

They better stay hidden or he’ll catch them.

 

After regaining his composure, he turned around. Zhou Die was sitting on a small bench in the center.

 

The bench was backed by a tree, surrounded by children playing. Zhou Die had chosen such a lively spot. A little boy and girl were playing games around him.

 

“You can’t catch me! You can’t… catch me!” The girl jumped on the bench as if Zhou Die were the target of her game, while the boy laughed and circled around.

 

Zhou Die was bumped and kicked occasionally, and with bad luck, had to hold onto the girl’s hair to keep her balanced. His face clearly showed his displeasure.

 

But despite his annoyance, he quietly let the kids have their fun, like a human plaything.

 

Jiang Yunbian watched him from a distance and couldn’t help but laugh. Zhou Die turned his face, looking resigned to being laughed at.

 

“Oh no—” The girl lost her balance and screamed as she fell backward.

 

Zhou Die quickly caught her in his arms and used his other hand to block the approaching boy.

 

“Ah!” The girl was probably startled, as she started to cry.

 

Zhou Die sighed, rubbed her scraped knee gently, and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m not mad at you.”

 

Being used as a tool and then having to comfort someone was a bit unlucky.

 

The girl was soothed by his kindness, her loud cries turning into soft sobs.

 

When Jiang Yunbian approached, he heard Zhou Die say, “Don’t play like this again, okay?”

 

The girl nodded tearfully, “Okay.”

 

He set the two kids down, and the chocolates were packed.

 

“You have quite a good temper,” Jiang Yunbian commented.

 

Zhou Die took the chocolates, quietly said “Thank you,” and then looked back at him. “Even the school bully doesn’t argue with kids. There’s no reason for me to be angry.”

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled. “Then why didn’t you apologize when you bumped into me by the road?”

 

Zhou Die answered calmly, “Because someone told me to ‘get away from him.’”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken aback by the response and felt a bit embarrassed, scratching his head. “I was in a hurry to meet my sister. She came to visit during the summer, but my mom took her back.”

 

Zhou Die recalled Jiang Yunbian had been carrying a bag of goldfish at the time.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“…It’s all in the past, right?” Jiang Yunbian said, even though he hadn’t apologized yet. “I should apologize too. I misunderstood you.”

 

Zhou Die smiled. “I forgive you.”

 

“Tsk, you really have a thick face.”

 

As Jiang Yunbian was heading downstairs with the chocolates, he suddenly felt a burning pain in his lower abdomen.

 

“Ugh…” He slightly turned to the side, pressing on the painful spot.

 

Zhou Die noticed. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Sudden pain,” Jiang Yunbian’s first thought was that maybe he had overdone it with the spicy food, and it was hitting him now.

 

The next moment, he realized the pain wasn’t coming from his stomach.

 

What a strange sensation, why was it suddenly burning?

 

Zhou Die gently touched his elbow and led him to the area next to the elevator. “Is it very painful?”

 

“Not too bad, just uncomfortable.”

 

“I’ll go get some stomach medicine.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was increasingly confused about his reaction, and he just said, “Okay.”

 

Zhou Die told him to wait there, but Jiang Yunbian still felt strange and went to the bathroom.

 

The pain was unusual, not like it was coming from his organs, but more from his skin.

 

He entered a stall, locked the door, and then suddenly noticed very faint red marks on his lower abdomen.

 

They looked like thin branches, showing only their general direction without much detail.

 

He leaned against the door, stunned, realizing it was the pattern from the Enigma mark.

 

Damn, it really does appear?

 

Looking again, there were two lines emerging from around his hip bone, crossing and spreading into a vague arc in the center of his abdomen.

 

It didn’t look like a specific flower but rather like floating flower petals.

 

Jiang Yunbian covered the marks with his palm until the burning sensation faded, and he felt no other unusual sensations. Only then did he remove his hand.

 

But the pattern didn’t fade or deepen; it remained faintly on his skin, like a preliminary imprint.

 

Jiang Yunbian was bewildered and incredulous.

 

As the footsteps in the bathroom faded, he suddenly smelled pheromones.

 

It was a sweet ylang-ylang scent, like vines quickly spreading through the space, occupying it.

 

Though the scent wasn’t aggressive, it gave Jiang Yunbian goosebumps.

 

His expression darkened instantly, and he turned to look at the closed door.

 

He had only lived seventeen years, and in his memory, the Alpha with this pheromone was only one person.

 

That person was outside the door now.

 

Not daring to confront him, yet still finding ways to make his presence felt, Jiang Yunbian thought this bastard was really a coward.

 

The refreshing minty scent suddenly erupted, forcefully dispelling the floral scent. Unlike the cautious testing before, this time the pheromones carried emotion.

 

A fierce, dominating, and tearing emotion, exclusive to Alphas.

 

It was a show of intimidation and suppression, confident and haughty.

 

Jiang Yunbian had always been a proud Alpha.

 

The floral scent quickly faded, and the pheromone’s owner shifted to an escaping emotion. By the time Jiang Yunbian noticed, the person had already run off.

 

“Damn it.” His fist hit the door, and he walked to the sink, pressing the emergency ventilation button. A barrier agent descended from above, washing away the intertwined pheromones.

 

He looked at himself in the mirror, sneering as he cleaned off all the lingering smells from his skin.

 

When he left the bathroom, he noticed Zhou Die had called him four times.

 

His phone was on vibrate, and he hadn’t noticed at all.

 

He redialed, and the call was answered almost immediately.

 

“Where are you?”

 

“I’m in the bathroom,” Jiang Yunbian saw Zhou Die rushing towards him. “Sorry, I wasn’t feeling well.”

 

Zhou Die’s eyes deepened as he approached.

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed his expression and awkwardly touched the back of his neck. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Flower scent,” Zhou Die said. “Was there an Alpha releasing pheromones in the bathroom?”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought Zhou Die’s nose was too sensitive, considering the barrier agent had been in the bathroom.

 

“Yes, I don’t know who it was,” Jiang Yunbian said, sniffing his sleeve. “Was the smell strong?”

 

“The barrier agent here is very cheap,” Zhou Die said, unable to hide the scent at all.

 

Zhou Die handed him the stomach medicine and then took out a bottle from his bag. “Use this.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was surprised. “You bought barrier agent too?”

 

“Your scent has been quite strong recently,” meaning Jiang Yunbian probably hadn’t been using the barrier agent often.

 

But actually, as long as an Alpha is consciously controlling it, few people can smell their pheromones. Zhou Die could sense it because he was Enigma.

 

“I actually have a small bottle left,” Jiang Yunbian said, needing to suppress the distasteful floral scent. He sprayed the barrier agent on the back of his neck. “But thanks, I’ll pay you back.”

 

“Does your stomach still hurt?” Zhou Die asked.

 

Jiang Yunbian shook his head, thinking about the pattern that appeared and feeling a bit of a headache. “Let’s talk about it later.”

 

Zhou Die called a cab, and when Jiang Yunbian got into the car, he leaned against the window and rolled it down.

 

As Zhou Die opened the car door, an aggressive floral scent hit his nose. He quickly turned around, and Enigma’s sharp senses allowed him to spot a figure on the second floor.

 

It was a teenager, about seventeen or eighteen, staring darkly at the car.

 

When their gazes met, the person’s eyes momentarily showed shock, followed by a colder stare.

 

Though it was a floral scent, it didn’t seem friendly at all.

 

Zhou Die glanced briefly, dismissing the Alpha’s displayed hostility with contempt.

 

He wasn’t afraid and didn’t take the person seriously at all.

 

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yunbian asked.

 

Zhou Die turned back, his eyes softened slightly in reassurance.

 

“It’s nothing, let’s go back.”

 

Enigma’s emotions weren’t easily detectable. Once in the car, Zhou Die’s expression was neutral, his gaze calmly resting outside the window, appearing somewhat cold.

 

Jiang Yunbian had a strange thought—was Zhou Die angry?

 

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yunbian couldn’t read his mind, and said quietly, “I’m really fine now, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

 

Zhou Die looked at him, his gaze taking in Jiang Yunbian’s profile but thinking about something else.

 

He said, “Don’t eat so much spicy food next time.”

 

“Okay.” Jiang Yunbian sighed with relief. “Actually, I’m really fine, probably just ate too much after the meal and then… then exercised.”

 

That excuse was rather weak, but Jiang Yunbian didn’t know how to explain his body’s changes to Zhou Die, especially in the car with others around.

 

Zhou Die noticed the subtle changes in his expression and gently opened his chocolate box, picking up a piece with a small fork.

 

“Jiang Yunbian.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Open your mouth.”

 

Jiang Yunbian turned around and found Zhou Die offering a piece of creamy chocolate to his lips.

 

He hesitated for two seconds, unsure whether to eat it, but his mouth opened on its own.

 

The sweetness spread on his tongue, and he reflexively said, “It’s so sweet.”

 

Zhou Die calmly fed him, observing Jiang Yunbian’s light licking of his lips, and his expression relaxed slightly.

 

An Alpha’s obedient appearance could briefly soothe Enigma’s restless emotions.

 

“This one is quite good,” Jiang Yunbian said sincerely.

 

At that moment, Zhou Die’s desire for sweets decreased significantly.

 

Rather than tasting it himself, feeding the Alpha in front of him seemed to give him more pleasure.

 

He picked up another piece of chocolate and brought it to Jiang Yunbian’s lips. “How about another piece?”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt he shouldn’t eat more but found it quite tasty, so he bargained, “Last piece.”

 

“Mm.”

 

This time, Zhou Die deliberately brushed the chocolate against Jiang Yunbian’s lips.

 

Just then, they hit a red light, and the chocolate left a faint mark on Jiang Yunbian’s lip.

 

He only felt the sweetness was just right, not realizing he looked like a puppy sneaking a treat.

 

Zhou Die put down the fork and, taking advantage of the moment Jiang Yunbian was about to speak, reached up to his face.

 

His index finger touched Jiang Yunbian’s chin, lifting it gently, and his thumb pressed over his lips, applying a bit of pressure.

 

The warm, moist residue and chocolate were wiped away.

 

The Alpha’s face was incredibly soft.