The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 36

Even though he had given advance notice, Jiang Yunbian was still a bit nervous when he returned home on Saturday.

 

His mother was in the kitchen helping Jiang Yunyi prepare the tools and reminded him to be careful with the knife to avoid injuring himself.

 

Jiang Yunbian lowered his eyes and said softly, “Mom.”

 

Ji Min’s voice was casual: “You’ve remembered the steps. Pay attention to the temperature while heating, and don’t get hurt.”

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t heard his mother’s concern in a long time, and suddenly being reminded left him unsure of how to respond.

 

Ji Min handed him two aprons: “Go ahead. Auntie will be here soon. I have to go to work.”

 

Jiang Yunyi quietly approached him and whispered, “Brother, you said you were going to make chocolate. I was planning to prepare it secretly.”

 

Jiang Yunbian helped her hang up the small white rabbit apron and tied it for her: “And then?”

 

“That day when I was browsing online stores, Mom saw me and took me to the supermarket.” Jiang Yunyi held up the aprons, “These two aprons were picked out by Mom.”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at his plain black apron and his eyelashes fluttered: “Let’s get started.”

 

An aunt at home who knew how to make desserts was there to help.

 

Knowing that the siblings were inexperienced, Ji Min had bought plenty of chocolate. Jiang Yunbian cut it into pieces and heated it in a double boiler, while Jiang Yunyi watched the fire with him.

 

“Brother, can I ask you something?” Jiang Yunyi leaned next to him, curious as a little rabbit.

 

“Sure.”

 

“Do you have an Omega you like?”

 

“No.” Jiang Yunbian turned his face, “Why do you say that?”

 

“You didn’t like chocolate before. Now you suddenly want to make it, it must be for someone else.” Jiang Yunyi bit her lip, “Who is it?”

 

Since their parents divorced, Jiang Yunyi had seen how much Jiang Yunbian had suffered.

 

Having suddenly gained a friend was both surprising and pleasing to her.

 

“Really not.” Jiang Yunbian bent down and gently patted her head, “I won’t be in a relationship until you can return to normal life.”

 

“The doctor said I’m almost recovered and can return to school. Mom discussed it with me, and I’ll be going to Omega University.” Jiang Yunyi smiled and broke a piece of chocolate, “Everything will get better, Brother.”

 

Jiang Yunbian pinched her chubby cheek, thinking Omega really is adorable.

 

“Really not. Just a bet with a friend, and I lost, so I’m making chocolate for him.”

 

Jiang Yunyi blinked: “Who?”

 

Jiang Yunbian sighed and pulled out photos from the school sports meet: “Here, this person.”

 

“Handsome!” Jiang Yunyi looked at the photo and simply said, “Just like my brother!”

 

After melting the chocolate, Jiang Yunyi brought over ice water and held a tablet in front of Jiang Yunbian: “Brother, this chocolate rose looks amazing!”

 

Jiang Yunbian glanced at the twenty-minute tutorial: “We’re both beginners, let’s forget it.”

 

Jiang Yunyi was determined and insisted on trying. Jiang Yunbian observed her for a while: “This looks like a mess.”

 

Jiang Yunyi: “…”

 

After Jiang Yunbian whipped the chocolate to fluffiness, he filled a piping bag with it.

 

When choosing molds, Jiang Yunyi recommended heart shapes repeatedly.

 

Jiang Yunbian refused: “This is for a guy. Sending hearts is awkward.”

 

Jiang Yunyi blinked: “Then I’ll use heart shapes. Will you help me make one too?”

 

Jiang Yunbian had no choice. After finishing, he sent a message to Zhou Die: [My sister also wants to give you chocolate. Is it convenient to receive one more?]

 

[Zhou Miaomiao: Is someone trying to cover for a lost bet?]

 

Jiang Yunbian, still using the remaining chocolate to make petals, heard his sister’s cold laugh.

 

“Don’t make it for Zhou Die.” Jiang Yunbian put his phone away, expressionless, “He doesn’t deserve it.”

 

By dinner time, Ji Min came out, and the chocolates were done.

 

Seeing his mother, Jiang Yunbian felt a bit awkward and maintained his silence at the dinner table.

 

Ji Min took a sip of tea and looked at Jiang Yunbian: “You’ve moved out?”

 

Jiang Yunbian replied, “Moved back to school.”

 

“Didn’t go to Jiang Mu’s place?”

 

Jiang Yunbian pressed his lips together and didn’t answer.

 

Ji Min scrutinized his face, her fingers tapping lightly on the cup: “If you’re truly unhappy, you can come back.”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked up at his mother. She seemed a bit weary from the afternoon’s work and gently rubbed her forehead while sitting in a chair: “You’re about to take your college entrance exams, right? At home, at least there’s Auntie to cook for you and someone to help with laundry.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken aback, realizing what his mother had said.

 

This was the first time in three years his mother had suggested he return home.

 

But he didn’t dare to be overly surprised: “It’s okay. I’m doing fine at school.”

 

Ji Min looked at him deeply, her voice soft: “Yunyi said she wants to go to your school’s New Year’s Eve party. The doctor agreed. You should take care of her that day.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s hand dropped, gently holding his sister’s fingers: “Okay.”

 

*

 

By mid-December, the weather had turned cold.

 

When Zhou Die saw Jiang Yunbian, he was wearing a white down jacket with fur trim and a brown scarf around his neck. His fair skin was fully on display.

 

With his new clothes, Jiang Yunbian felt even fresher.

 

Ji Min had bought him many clothes, and Jiang Yunbian was a bit out of breath carrying them back to the dorm. He adjusted his scarf slightly and was about to open the door when Zhou Die was preparing to go out.

 

“Back already?” Zhou Die looked at his flushed profile and stepped aside.

 

“Yeah.” Jiang Yunbian placed the clothes on the table and then turned around, “Zhou Die.”

 

The person preparing to leave took another step back and looked at him.

 

Jiang Yunbian coughed lightly and pulled out a palm-sized box from his coat, stepping forward to stuff it into Zhou Die’s coat pocket.

 

“Alright, you can go.”

 

Zhou Die raised an eyebrow and, seeing the red bow on the box, couldn’t help but smile: “Can I open it?”

 

“…I’m not tying your hands.”

 

He opened it, and four round pieces of black chocolate lay quietly inside.

 

“Well, I tried a bit myself,” Jiang Yunbian admitted honestly, “The taste is average, not as good as the ones I bought. My cooking skills aren’t great, so you’ll have to make do.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Die had already taken a piece.

 

Zhou Die licked his finger lightly and said with a smile, “It’s very sweet.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian returned to the classroom after cleaning up, it was noisy around his seat.

 

He approached and found that it was Gao Zining, the loudmouth, saying, “Who is it! Which scheming Omega! Really gave Zhou Die chocolate!”

 

Another male student followed with a lament, “Our class’s two prime spots were actually taken! Who is this little sweet O with such ability!”

 

When Jiang Yunbian looked closer, he saw his own box of chocolates on Zhou Die’s desk corner.

 

Zhou Die lifted his eyes meaningfully from his seat, “Jiang Yunbian saw it. Ask him.”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned to Jiang Yunbian, and he said, “…If you want to die, come and ask me.”

 

Everyone fell silent; they didn’t want to die.

 

Back at his seat, Jiang Yunbian quietly warned, “Don’t mess with my mindset.”

 

Zhou Die lightly tapped the chocolate box with his fingertips, “Okay.”

 

“I want to go to the music classroom with you!” Xu Zhan leaned on Jiang Yunbian’s desk with a pitiful expression.

 

Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die had already decided on their program, and they had special permission to use the music room this week.

 

Jiang Yunbian propped his chin up and asked, “Why do you want to go?”

 

“I can do everything, like serving tea and water!” Xu Zhan said earnestly, “As long as it gets me out of evening self-study, I can do anything.”

 

Seeing Gao Zining’s eager eyes next door, Jiang Yunbian ruthlessly pushed Xu Zhan’s hand aside, “I do not allow it.”

 

After saying that, he dramatically turned back and said, “Concubine Die, let’s go.”

 

The music room had been cleaned, and when they arrived, there was a faint smell of air freshener.

 

Jiang Yunbian opened the window to let in the evening breeze and stretched lazily, “So comfortable.”

 

Zhou Die put down his backpack, and his phone rang.

 

[Xu Zhaoruo: Someone received chocolate today, and everyone is suspecting they’re in a relationship. O class’s fangirls are crying in droves. Guess who it is?]

 

Zhou Die noted it on the screen and replied, “Thank you for the kind words.”

 

As Jiang Yunbian was about to take off his coat, Zhou Die helped him catch it.

 

Zhou Die chuckled, “Does the concubine help the emperor change clothes?”

 

Jiang Yunbian couldn’t help but smile, “You’ve had enough.”

 

After putting things away, Zhou Die sat at the piano and played with his phone. Jiang Yunbian calculated the dates, “Friday is the first round, and next Friday is the New Year’s Eve party. Do you think we should just do a casual performance?”

 

Zhou Die found a song and put his phone on the desk, “How about this one?”

 

It was an English song, and Jiang Yunbian was surprised when he heard the intro because it was a song he used to like a lot.

 

“‘It’s You’? Pretty tasteful, Zhou Die,” Jiang Yunbian glanced at the lyrics and remembered sitting in his room, playing and singing it while his sister recorded him.

 

During the Ten Star period, this song was also the hottest among cover tracks.

 

“Yes, I really like it,” Zhou Die’s hand lightly rested on the desk, leaning slightly forward. His face was partly hidden by his arm, leaving only his eyes visible as they looked at Jiang Yunbian.

 

The gentle light of his eyes was softer than the moonlight outside, with a subtle smile like stardust falling into those dark pupils.

 

He quietly waited with a deep and intricate affection for the Alpha before him.

 

When Jiang Yunbian spoke, there was a narrow space in his heart that felt momentarily emptied and then instantly filled with something.

 

It was slightly heated, making his whole heart flutter.

 

“If I’m ever gonna fall in love, I know it’s gonna be you.”(english)1

 

In the deep nights when sleep doesn’t come easily, the Ten Star, which gently lights up the entire starry sky, is right in front of him.

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t sung this song for a long time. He stumbled over a few words and felt a bit embarrassed after finishing, “Why does this song seem so difficult…”

 

When he looked up, he found Zhou Die watching him intently.

 

The gaze was different from usual, making Jiang Yunbian feel a bit flushed. He turned his eyes away and asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

If he had paid a bit more attention to the girls in the audience who were obsessed with him during his part-time jobs, he might have recognized the tenderness in Zhou Die’s eyes that seemed to be etched with Jiang Yunbian’s name.

 

“I think you sing very well,” Zhou Die said softly, “Thank you.”

 

“Thank you for what…” Jiang Yunbian was puzzled, not understanding why he should be thanked for singing a song. “I think this song isn’t great. It’s too focused on love and romance.”

 

Zhou Die straightened up slowly and nodded slightly, “You’re right.”

 

No one else should hear Jiang Yunbian sing this song.

 

Zhou Die found the sheet music for their performance and played it twice before mastering it. They rehearsed twice and felt it was good enough.

 

“You really have a talent,” Jiang Yunbian said, looking at the sheet music on his phone and lightly touching the piano keys, “You learned it just by seeing it twice?”

 

Zhou Die looked at his slender fingers and gently pressed the white keys, “Do you want to learn?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was a bit interested, “A short section?”

 

Zhou Die briefly explained the rules of the keys. Jiang Yunbian sat to his right, and the faint mint scent warmed by Zhou Die’s body wafted through Jiang Yunbian’s hair.

 

“Is this a chord?” Jiang Yunbian gently pressed the keys as instructed.

 

Zhou Die’s eyelashes drooped slightly. He placed his right hand lightly over Jiang Yunbian’s left hand, his index finger resting on the joint of Jiang Yunbian’s ring finger, moving it slightly outward.

 

The warmth of his palm intertwined with the coolness of the Alpha’s fingertips was just right.

 

He repressed his emotions and softly corrected him, “Wrong. You need to separate this one.”

 

Jiang Yunbian, unfamiliar with the piano keys, made a mistake. He simply withdrew his hand, “Let me see you play it.”

 

Zhou Die smiled lightly, “Be patient; it’s easy to remember.”

 

Jiang Yunbian focused intently on Zhou Die’s fingertips, and when the rhythm picked up, he began to softly sing the lyrics.

 

Zhou Die had never imagined being closer to the Ten Star than when he was wearing headphones. Jiang Yunbian sang with such focus, like a feather sinking into a dream, making Zhou Die’s ears tingle.

 

The singing distracted him, and Zhou Die heard Jiang Yunbian chuckle softly.

 

He paused slightly and looked back at him, “What’s wrong?”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s eyes reflected light, just smiling, with no negative emotions, “You played it wrong. I noticed.”

 

Zhou Die gazed into his eyes, feeling as if his heart had been lightly touched.

 

And then his whole heart felt helplessly, endlessly swaying.

 

*

 

On Friday after school, many people rushed to the small auditorium to see Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die.

 

“I just submitted my materials and rushed over. Who’s on now?” A girl who had struggled to get through the door pulled on her friend’s sleeve and peeked inside.

 

“Almost. By the way, some of the singers from the first and second year are pretty good. I’m a bit worried about Jiang Yunbian… I really want to see him perform with Zhou Die!”

 

“They’re coming, they’re coming!” The girl excitedly leaned on the railing, watching Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die walk into the center of the stage.

 

It wasn’t clear which corner started first, but the cheers rose like waves in the wind, and the entire small auditorium was suddenly filled with various confessions.

 

Zhou Die was still adjusting the chair’s height and didn’t seem embarrassed or surprised by the noise. Jiang Yunbian turned around with a neutral expression and put his finger to his lips.

 

Signaling for silence.

 

Although Jiang Yunbian was often the object of admiration, he seemed to have always conducted himself this way.

 

He didn’t care about others’ gazes, nor how many people followed him. When he needed to maintain discipline, he would act expressionlessly, without hesitation.

 

“Honestly, I can’t blame myself for liking these two from the senior year so much,” an Omega in the front row said, clutching her heart, “Just now, I saw a pretty good-looking Alpha from the second year. Someone cheered for him, and he threw winks and kisses—so greasy.”

 

“After all, they should know they’re liked by many, but they never seem to enjoy being admired by so many.”

 

“Zhou Die is so handsome. His gaze doesn’t seem to care about those cheers.”

 

“Really, his demeanor is colder than Jiang Yunbian’s, but it makes it hard to look away…”

 

As the piano keys were pressed, the auditorium quieted down.

 

Jiang Yunbian sat quietly in front of the microphone, and when he began, everyone’s eyes were focused on him.

 

That night, the duet from the third-year high school students became popular on various school idol forums.

 

The results of the first round would be known in two days. After the performance, Zhou Die received a message from Xu Zhaoruo.

 

“Want to go eat? Xu Zhaoruo has a classmate’s birthday and wants to invite us.” Zhou Die asked Jiang Yunbian.

 

Jiang Yunbian opened a small note he had in his hand. He didn’t know who had slipped it to him amidst the commotion—it was a WeChat ID.

 

“Not going,” he folded the note and put it in his pocket, then looked back at Zhou Die, “Are you going?”

 

Zhou Die didn’t answer. Jiang Yunbian then picked up his phone and said, “I was actually thinking of treating you to a meal.”

 

Zhou Die had spent a lot of time helping him practice and teaching him piano. Although he didn’t learn much, Jiang Yunbian felt he should treat him to a meal.

 

“Then let’s go.”

 

“Mm?”

 

“Weren’t you going to treat me to a meal?”

 

Zhou Die replied to Xu Zhaoruo’s message, and Xu Zhaoruo expressed regret but didn’t insist, just asking them to wait at the door before they left.

 

Jiang Yunbian had just reached the school gate when he received a call from his sister.

 

“Are you coming back? Mom is cooking tonight.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was a bit confused, “She’s cooking?”

 

“Yes, she thought you were coming back this week.” Jiang Yunyi said softly, “Bro, you are coming back, right?”

 

“I…” Jiang Yunbian moved the phone away and looked at Zhou Die, “Zhou Die, do you mind if I take you home?”

 

Zhou Die raised his eyebrows slightly, “Now?”

 

“My mom seems to have cooked. She thought I was coming back.” Jiang Yunbian also felt this invitation was a bit sudden, “If you don’t want to…”

 

“Then it’s no trouble,” Zhou Die looked up, “I want to buy some gifts.”

 

“No, no, no, that’s not necessary!” Jiang Yunbian stopped him and then spoke to Jiang Yunyi.

 

Jiang Yunyi seemed excited, “Is it that handsome friend? Bring him back!”

 

They agreed on a time, and Jiang Yunbian ended the call.

 

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t explain things clearly to my mom last time.”

 

“Going home more often is a good thing,” Zhou Die looked into his eyes and asked again, “Do you really not need to bring anything?”

 

“Really not needed!” Jiang Yunbian was perplexed by the rich family’s way of thinking.

 

This was when Xu Zhaoruo arrived, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

 

She handed two small bags to them, “These are extra Christmas gifts I prepared. One for each of you.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t expect to receive a gift and felt a bit awkward.

 

“I…”

 

“No need to reciprocate!” Xu Zhaoruo turned around, “I just bought these because they seemed suitable while shopping. I’m going to meet up with others now. Bye~”

 

Zhou Die opened the gift lightly, and inside were a pair of gloves.

 

They were fingerless with a white fur trim and had two little cat ears on them.

 

Jiang Yunbian, holding the gift, felt a bit awkward and looked at Zhou Die, “Shouldn’t we give something in return?”

 

Zhou Die smiled at him, “Mm, find a time to pick something out. I don’t seem to have prepared anything for you either.”

 

“Why would you prepare something for me?” The car arrived, and Jiang Yunbian opened the door, “I didn’t give you a gift.”

 

“You did.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was truly surprised, “What did I give you? I have no recollection.”

 

“Chocolate.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought that didn’t really count as a gift.

 

When he got into the car, he lightly opened Xu Zhaoruo’s gift and found it was also a pair of gloves, but his were black with two brown spots.

 

Like the two spots on a black dog’s face.

 

Jiang Yunbian gave a candid evaluation, “It looks very warm.”

 

When the car stopped and Jiang Yunbian opened the door, he noticed Zhou Die still hadn’t moved.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Zhou Die looked up, with a bit of a smile in his eyes, “I’m a bit nervous.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was surprised and didn’t know how to reassure him.

 

Zhou Die accompanied Jiang Yunbian out of the elevator. The first thing they saw was a woman standing at the door.

 

She had a dignified and serene demeanor, well-maintained and not showing her exact age. Holding a cigarette, her eyes were gentle, even against the light of the setting sun.

 

The tenderness was reserved for Jiang Yunbian.

 

But Jiang Yunbian didn’t look up and simply called out softly, “Mom.”

 

“Hello, Auntie.” Zhou Die greeted politely, “I’m Zhou Die.”

 

The surname Zhou.

 

Ji Weng remembered there was another Zhou in Jiang Yunbian’s class, from a very notable family.

 

“Mm.” Ji Weng extinguished her cigarette and cleared her throat, “Come in, dinner is ready.”

 

The apartment was not small, and Zhou Die noticed a faint scent of air freshener when he entered. Jiang Yunyi was sitting on the sofa, eagerly waiting at the door.

 

“Bro!”

 

Jiang Yunbian responded and patted her head.

 

This was Zhou Die’s first time meeting Jiang Yunyi. The siblings had some similar features, but the sister appeared more well-behaved and cute compared to her brother.

 

Zhou Die bent down and smiled lightly, “Hello.”

 

Jiang Yunyi smiled and showed a small dimple, “Hello.”

 

Ji Weng made two phone calls, seemingly for work matters, before joining them at the dining table.

 

She didn’t speak much to Jiang Yunbian, and the conversation was mostly handled by Jiang Yunyi.

 

Jiang Yunyi was very curious about Zhou Die, “You’re my brother’s classmate, right? I heard you took a break from school before?”

 

Zhou Die was patient, “Yes, I had health issues before.”

 

“Is my brother quite troublesome at school? Do you often get bullied by him?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was speechless at his sister’s words, “Do I have nothing better to do than bully people?”

 

Jiang Yunyi pouted, “Mom, didn’t he bully me a lot when we were younger?”

 

Ji Weng smiled with her eyes lowered, “I’m not sure, but I remember a little girl always wanted her brother to accompany her in wearing dresses, throwing tantrums if he didn’t.”

 

The siblings fell silent, behaving themselves.

 

Ji Weng glanced at them and smiled at Zhou Die, “Eat more, don’t mind them.”

 

Zhou Die smiled and thanked her.

 

Author’s Note: ① from the English song “It’s You” by Ali Gatie, with both the English and Chinese lyrics cited.