The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 37

The first winter rain fell after dinner. The wind carried a chill, and the rain, mixed with the cold wind, felt like needles pricking the skin.

 

Zhou Die sat quietly in Jiang Yunbian’s room, observing the layout.

 

The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the curtains, the light brown carpet on the floor, and the guitar on the top shelf of the bookcase all matched what appeared in the Ten Star video.

 

Knock knock—

 

There was a knock on the door. Zhou Die stepped back slightly and saw Jiang Yunyi gently opening the door.

 

She carried tea and snacks: “I brought some snacks for you. While my brother and mom are chatting, do you want to look at some photo albums?”

 

Zhou Die raised his eyebrows slightly, showing interest.

 

Jiang Yunyi sneakily glanced outside the door and pulled out a photo album from the bookshelf: “It’s from when my brother and I were little.”

 

On the small coffee table, Jiang Yunyi opened the album to the first page.

 

Zhou Die saw two six or seven-year-old children in matching floral dresses, sitting on a swing in a small courtyard.

 

Jiang Yunyi seemed a bit proud: “Can you guess which one is my brother?”

 

Zhou Die: “The one on the right.”

 

“Even though my brother and I don’t look alike,” Jiang Yunyi touched her brother’s little braid in the photo, “you recognized him too accurately.”

 

Zhou Die felt a bit of a tingle in his palms as he looked at the children in the photo.

 

Perhaps to please his sister, Jiang Yunbian wasn’t just wearing a dress but had his hair tied in two small puffs. The photo was candid, and his beautiful eyes held a hint of surprise.

 

Very cute, like a sweet, creamy ice cream ball.

 

Jiang Yunyi flipped through the album, her eyes reflecting nostalgia: “My brother hasn’t brought friends home in a long time.”

 

Zhou Die listened quietly.

 

“I was worried about my brother before. I was afraid he’d trap himself in place.” Jiang Yunyi’s voice grew softer, but she seemed to muster up her energy at the end, “But since he brought you here, I’m relieved.”

 

Zhou Die’s fingertips paused slightly.

 

Jiang Yunyi was about to continue flipping through the album when Jiang Yunbian returned: “What are you doing?”

 

Jiang Yunyi looked alarmed, trying to put the album away, but it was already too late.

 

“You’re getting brave.” Jiang Yunbian lightly tapped her on the head, “Showing your brother’s privacy to others?”

 

Jiang Yunyi covered her head and muttered, “You’re so cute, what’s there to hide?”

 

As soon as Jiang Yunbian sat down, Zhou Die joined forces with his sister, smiling and replying, “Yes, so cute.”

 

Jiang Yunbian sighed and didn’t argue with Zhou Die.

 

Ji Weng had just confirmed that this Zhou Die was indeed the young master from Jiang Yunbian’s class.

 

Jiang Yunbian saw his mother finish a whole cigarette, extinguish it in the ashtray, and then in a husky voice told him to take good care of the guest and send him back when the rain lessened.

 

The young master was too precious to be caught in the rain.

 

Their home didn’t have many entertainment options, but since flipping through the album was a bit awkward, he had to watch a horror movie with Jiang Yunyi.

 

Jiang Yunbian chose two movies and asked Zhou Die before starting, “Is there anything you want to watch?”

 

Zhou Die: “Anything is fine.”

 

Jiang Yunbian chose the one his sister had been clamoring to see and set it up on the projector.

 

Once the movie started, the room was filled with the sounds of rain and the film.

 

Zhou Die wasn’t paying much attention to the movie but quietly observed Jiang Yunbian’s room with his gaze.

 

The books on the bookshelf, the childhood photo frames on the desk, and the guitar in the corner—he seemed to be silently peering into the past of someone he cared about.

 

The movie was a popular thriller, but Jiang Yunbian wasn’t really into jump scares. By the time the film was two-thirds through, he hadn’t really paid attention to it. Instead, the rain outside was so soothing that he fell asleep leaning to the side.

 

As Zhou Die was observing the bookshelf, he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder and then a faint scent of mint.

 

Jiang Yunyi was startled by a ghostly figure that appeared in the movie. When she turned to find her brother, she saw Jiang Yunbian had already fallen asleep on Zhou Die’s shoulder.

 

This scene was even more surprising than the movie. Jiang Yunyi wanted to move him back but hesitated when she met Zhou Die’s gaze.

 

Zhou Die gently explained, “He’s been busy at school all day.”

 

“Thank you for taking care of him.” Jiang Yunyi spoke softly to her sleeping brother and then looked at Zhou Die, “My brother might be troublesome, but the fact that he brought you here means you must be someone he values.”

 

Zhou Die listened attentively.

 

From this statement, he also inferred that Jiang Yunbian didn’t often bring people home.

 

Jiang Yunyi continued softly, “My brother tends to get stuck in his own problems. If he ever argues with you, please wait for him, okay?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“What are you two talking about?” Jiang Yunbian’s slightly hoarse voice interrupted them.

 

He gently pressed his temples and glanced at the movie, which was nearing the end.

 

The rain had almost stopped.

 

He turned around and noticed how close he was to Zhou Die.

 

“What’s wrong?” The person beside him seemed unaware, their deep eyes fixed on him.

 

“The rain has stopped. Let me take you home.”

 

Still groggy from sleep, Jiang Yunbian only thought about getting the young master home as soon as possible and then crashing into his own bed.

 

Jiang Yunyi waved her hand lightly, reminding them to be careful on the way.

 

Jiang Yunbian grabbed two umbrellas and discovered how cold it was outside.

 

Zhou Die was only wearing a sweater and jacket, which didn’t seem very warm.

 

The young master wouldn’t catch a cold, would he?

 

“Wait a moment.” He took off his white down jacket and handed it to Zhou Die, “It’s too cold outside. Wear this. I’ll find another one.”

 

Zhou Die wanted to refuse but touched the remaining warmth of the jacket.

 

He then surrendered to his own desire.

 

Jiang Yunbian grabbed another denim jacket, and as they went downstairs, he handed Zhou Die an umbrella.

 

Seeing Zhou Die accompany him to the station, Zhou Die tilted his head slightly, “Aren’t you going back?”

 

“My mom is resting tomorrow, so I don’t want to stay and be in her way.” Jiang Yunbian hadn’t warmed up in his new jacket yet and switched to holding the umbrella with the other hand, stretching his cold fingers.

 

Zhou Die handed Jiang Yunbian the gloves Xu Zhaoruo had given him.

 

“Aren’t these the ones someone else gave you?” Jiang Yunbian didn’t take them, “I’m not that cold.”

 

“You gave me your jacket, so I’m borrowing these for a while,” Zhou Die said.

 

“You’re quite meticulous,” Jiang Yunbian noticed, “Oh, these are mine?”

 

The black shiba inu gloves were Jiang Yunbian’s.

 

He said, “I’ll just wear them. I’ll return yours tomorrow.”

 

“No,” Zhou Die gently interrupted, “I’m cold. I need to wear them home tonight.”

 

Jiang Yunbian handed them back, “Then you wear them for now.”

 

Zhou Die: “It’s not warm yet.”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian laughed, “So you want me to be your hand-warmer?”

 

Zhou Die smiled faintly, “Hmm.”

 

The bus arrived, and Jiang Yunbian suddenly remembered something, his fingers touching the glass.

 

“I think the first time I went to Auntie’s house, it was raining too.”

 

Zhou Die closed his umbrella: “Yes, it was pouring rain.”

 

Jiang Yunbian found it amusing: “Our relationship was so bad back then.”

 

Recalling the days he stayed at Aunt Wen’s house, Jiang Yunbian looked out the window: “I’m sorry, it seems like the atmosphere at my home has always been a bit off.”

 

He had been questioning whether it was right or wrong to bring Zhou Die back for a meal.

 

Jiang Yunbian had his own motives. He wanted to bring Zhou Die back to reassure his sister and show his mother that he could still make reliable friends.

 

But it seemed he had overlooked Zhou Die’s feelings. Zhou Die hadn’t smiled much all evening.

 

“It’s fine.” Zhou Die looked at him, the neon lights outside blending into color blocks in his dark pupils.

 

Jiang Yunbian was momentarily distracted.

 

“I had a great time tonight. Thank you for bringing me to your home for dinner.”

 

The temperature inside the car was much warmer than outside, and Jiang Yunbian felt his face flushing.

 

He turned his face away: “No, there’s no need to thank me.”

 

He tried to hide his blush, but Zhou Die noticed the slight redness in his ears.

 

It was enough for tonight. Jiang Yunbian turned his gaze away, his lips curling slightly.

 

After Zhou Die returned to Wen Yue’s house, he asked Jiang Yunbian if he wanted to come along, but Jiang Yunbian declined.

 

It wasn’t appropriate to keep staying over at other people’s homes, especially in winter.

 

He didn’t want to compete with Zhou Die for blankets.

 

After arriving at the bus stop, he took off his gloves and handed them to Zhou Die: “Send me a message when you get home.”

 

Zhou Die agreed and watched the bus leave after getting off.

 

Once the distance was sufficient, he lowered his eyes and gently brought the gloves to his nose.

 

The mint scent was very pleasant.

 

*

 

With the New Year holiday, the week passed quickly.

 

By the last class on Friday morning, the class was nearly dispersed, and the homeroom teacher sighed, “There’s just one minute left until freedom, alright, that’s enough.”

 

“No, there are ten seconds left!” Gao Zining counted down with his watch: “Ten, nine…”

 

When it reached one, the class bell rang, and the students cheered.

 

“Come back and sign in after lunch, those who need to practice, practice, and make sure to be on time, understood?” The teacher reminded with a smile.

 

As the class was dismissed, everyone grouped up to buy snacks for the evening. Xu Zhan excitedly turned to Jiang Yunbian: “Yunbian, do you want to come with us to the supermarket?”

 

Jiang Yunbian checked the time: “Sure, but after we finish buying, I need to pick up my sister.”

 

Gao Zining had just called Zhou Die, and the group squeezed onto the bus at the school gate.

 

“Wow, all students.” Yang You leaned towards Jiang Yunbian, looking delicate, “Come on, school bully, use your aura to take care of me.”

 

A few female classmates laughed quietly, their eyes intentionally or unintentionally lingering on Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die.

 

After a moment, Jiang Yunbian realized Zhou Die might be uncomfortable.

 

He then took a small step to the side, giving Zhou Die some space: “Are you alright?”

 

Zhou Die’s face was partially hidden by a gray scarf. Noticing Jiang Yunbian’s special consideration, he moved closer, reducing the distance between them.

 

Jiang Yunbian heard him quietly say, “Thank you for looking out for me.”

 

The girls who had been watching the two noticed the school bully awkwardly turning his head, gently touching his ear.

 

When they arrived at the supermarket, the eight people split into small groups for snacks, drinks, and board game entertainment.

 

“Since we’ll be buying a lot of things, let’s take a taxi back together after, is it alright to meet here at two?”

 

“What should I be responsible for?” Jiang Yunbian asked.

 

The class monitor glanced at him and then at Zhou Die: “Your sister is still coming, right? So you can pick her up.”

 

Jiang Yunbian agreed, then turned back: “Want to get something to eat?”

 

Zhou Die nodded.

 

The two chose a restaurant. As soon as they sat down, Jiang Yunbian’s phone rang, and he frowned slightly at the caller ID.

 

Dad.

 

“You order first. I’ll take a phone call.” Jiang Yunbian pointed at a dish and then stepped outside.

 

After Zhou Die placed the order, he looked out the window to see Jiang Yunbian on the phone.

 

He didn’t seem to be afraid of the cold, wearing only a brown sweater and a white jacket. He looked particularly striking in the light.

 

“Um, hello…” A soft and delicate female voice reached Zhou Die’s ears. He turned around to see two girls standing shyly by the table.

 

Their school uniforms were different from those at San Zhong, and he recognized them as students from Ning Gao after a moment.

 

“Are you Zhou Die?” One girl, looking increasingly nervous at Zhou Die’s handsome profile, said, “I’m from Class 2 of the second year at Ning Gao…”

 

Zhou Die remembered the boy who had caused trouble before when he saw the Ning Gao school emblem.

 

When the girl hopefully asked, “Can you exchange contact information with me?” Zhou Die realized he hadn’t heard what she said.

 

He turned his gaze away, his voice distant and cold: “Sorry.”

 

The girl’s face turned pale, and she waved her hand: “It’s fine, I’ll still continue to like you.”

 

The last sentence was said very quietly. Zhou Die calmly averted his gaze, maintaining a dignified demeanor without further embarrassing the girl, but the two girls didn’t leave.

 

Seemingly sensing the awkwardness, the girl who had failed in her confession gently pulled her companion back: “Sorry, I’ll wait here for Jiang Yunbian.”

 

Zhou Die saw Jiang Yunbian hang up the phone and come back, lifting his eyes with a hint of laziness: “Looking for him?”

 

The girl, a bit bolder than her friend, looked directly at Zhou Die: “Yes, I like him.”

 

Zhou Die had once speculated about the type Jiang Yunbian might like.

 

Given Jiang Yunbian’s personality, he might not be very inclined to interact with those soft, delicate, and vulnerable Omegas. He might be somewhat slow to respond to a girl’s coquetry, and rather than genuinely liking them, he might just treat them like a younger sister.

 

On the other hand, an Omega who straightforwardly and openly expresses their feelings might catch Jiang Yunbian off guard.

 

Although Jiang Yunbian is slow to pick up on things, he is always gentle and cannot stand to see others making unilateral efforts. That’s why he might end up being won over even if he resists a bit.

 

The girl knew Jiang Yunbian was coming back and hid all her nervousness and hesitation well, her prepared lines at the tip of her tongue.

 

But before she could say anything, she heard the boy sitting next to her gently laugh.

 

Zhou Die’s fingers rested on the drink just served, stirring it lightly with a small silver spoon.

 

The smile was light and untainted with malice: “What a coincidence, I’m also pursuing him.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian returned, the two girls walked past him with their heads down, looking somewhat as if they were escaping.

 

He stepped aside to let them pass and returned to his seat, where Zhou Die was staring out the window in a daze.

 

“Did those two girls just now look for you?”

 

Zhou Die propped up his face with his left hand, a faint smile at the corners of his eyes. Yet, his emotions seemed subdued, giving him a casual appearance.

 

“Yes, they confessed and wanted to exchange contact information.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t clearly remember the girls’ faces or features, but he was supportive: “They all looked pretty.”

 

Zhou Die’s tone was neither heavy nor light: “You observed quite carefully.”

 

Jiang Yunbian found Zhou Die’s mood a bit off but dismissed it as his own misunderstanding and teased: “Looks like you’ve got some admirers, young master.”

 

Zhou Die responded with a faint smile: “Sorry, I didn’t add them.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “……”

 

If Zhou Die had used that expression with him before, Jiang Yunbian would have thought he was flirting.

 

“What about you?” Zhou Die quickly changed the topic, “Your sister’s call?”

 

“No, it’s my dad.” Jiang Yunbian frowned, “He asked me to come home for dinner tonight. He forgot that tonight’s the New Year’s Eve party.”

 

Last New Year’s Eve, Jiang Mu didn’t even call him, but this year, he’s asking him to come home for dinner, and saying it’s Mrs. Bai’s request.

 

Jiang Yunbian instinctively felt something was off.

 

Zhou Die paused in stirring his tea: “Are you going back?”

 

“No, I’m not. I have to go on stage tonight, and afterwards, Xu Zhan and the others will definitely go out for late-night snacks. My sister will be coming over too.” Jiang Yunbian wouldn’t willingly go back to that house to suffer.

 

Zhou Die casually agreed.

 

After Jiang Yunbian had lunch and returned, Ji Meng sent Jiang Yunbian’s sister to the square, and Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die had been waiting for a while.

 

His sister was wearing a beige down jacket with a furry edge, and it fluttered wildly in the wind as she descended.

 

She wore a mask, said goodbye to her mother obediently, and then bounced over to Jiang Yunbian’s side.

 

Jiang Yunbian received a message from Xu Zhan; they had bought a lot of things and would head back first.

 

Jiang Yunbian replied with a “good” and ordered a car.

 

“Thirsty?”

 

Before the car arrived, he went to a nearby bubble tea shop to order, getting Jiang Yunyi’s favorite grape milk cap, full sugar.

 

Zhou Die observed the distance between the siblings, standing still with his head down, looking at his phone with no visible emotions.

 

But within five minutes, a cup of bubble tea appeared in front of him.

 

“My sister is particular about her bubble tea. This one’s good. You should try it.” Jiang Yunbian had a tone of coaxing a child, “Full sugar, as you wanted.”

 

Zhou Die blinked lightly and accepted the cup: “Thank you.”

 

Jiang Yunyi clinked her cup with Zhou Die’s with a smile.

 

When news of Jiang Yunyi visiting the school spread in Class Six, people gathered to watch with increasing excitement.

 

“Wow, the school bully’s sister is so pretty, a real beauty!”

 

“I thought she’d be around six or seven years old, didn’t expect her to be about the same age as Jiang Yunbian? She must be an Omega, really beautiful!”

 

“……Maybe it’s just me, but when I went to look, I thought Jiang Yunbian also looked pretty.”

 

The boys in the restroom suddenly fell silent.

 

“You can’t be serious. Jiang Yunbian was already the school prince Alpha. Are you blind?”

 

“No, no,” the person, struggling for words, finally explained, “It’s just that kind of beauty. I felt his features changed a bit? If he were an Omega, I might be moved.”

 

When the stall door behind opened, Zhou Die came out, and the voices of the boys were instantly cut off.

 

He washed his hands with a cold expression and left the restroom.

 

“……Is that Zhou Die? Why does he look like he’s going to steal his girlfriend? It startled me.”

 

The two people next to him couldn’t find a reason and tugged at their hair: “Maybe you complimented Jiang Yunbian too much? Is he unhappy?”

 

Unclear.

 

When Zhou Die returned to the classroom, everyone was gathered in the lower left corner, chatting. The center of attention was Jiang Yunbian’s sister.

 

The girls surrounded her, and the boys who tried to join were pushed aside. Jiang Yunyi answered the questions with a smile, but her hand touched Jiang Yunbian’s desk, her fingers sliding over all the books.

 

“Your sister looks about the same age as Jiang Ge?”

 

“Senior year, I’m just half an hour younger than my brother.”

 

The class monitor was taken aback: “Are you twins?”

 

“Yeah. Fraternal twins.”

 

When Zhou Die returned to his seat, Jiang Yunyi leaned slightly forward, seeming reluctant to get too close.

 

The class representative saw this and smiled: “It’s fine, Zhou Ge isn’t scary at all.”

 

Zhou Die took out his textbook and casually flipped to a page: “Yeah, don’t be afraid.”

 

Jiang Yunyi chuckled softly: “I’m not afraid, my brother’s protecting me.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian returned, he brought a stack of program sheets: “Distribute these yourself.”

 

Then he went to Jiang Yunyi’s side, looking at the coat on his chair: “Cold?”

 

Jiang Yunyi shook her head.

 

Xu Zhan came back and opened his arms when he saw Jiang Yunyi: “Sister, my sister—”

 

Jiang Yunbian kicked him away grumpily: “Stop trying to be close.”

 

Xu Zhan cried and shrank to the back: “Look, the spoiled sister demon.”

 

The items bought at noon gradually arrived in the class. The class representative eagerly suggested: “Shall we play? It’s been a long time since we played this!”

 

Voices of agreement followed, and soon, several tables were piled up. Jiang Yunbian showed little interest.

 

Jiang Yunyi, however, was very excited, so he nodded towards her chair: “Let’s go play together.”

 

Jiang Yunbian took Xu Zhan’s chair and sat between his sister and Zhou Die, helping them pour drinks and prepare cards.

 

They played the basic game of passing the flower while drumming. The class monitor chose a 30-second audio clip and began passing a bow.

 

Gao Zining got the bow first and made a show of growling at the class representative: “Come on, it’s thirty seconds, I’ll hold on for twenty-five seconds before letting go~”

 

The class representative was exasperated: “Stop playing games! Give it to me!”

 

Gao Zining stood up, using his height advantage, and smirked: “Come on, try to grab it.”

 

Jiang Yunbian observed the whole scene, feeling quite speechless: “There’s a reason he’s single.”

 

Xu Zhan, the class monitor, He Ru, and Yang You agreed.

 

In the end, the class representative managed to grab it and immediately passed it to the next person. After a five-second frantic rush, the bow ended up in the class monitor’s hands.

 

She chose “Truth” and was forced to reveal her elementary school crush.

 

The bow continued to be passed, and luck favored Gao Zining, who drew a “Dare” card.

 

“Go outside and bark loudly three times. GO!”

 

Gao Zining immediately refused: “No way, I didn’t draw this, you guys…”

 

Xu Zhan: “Eh, can’t someone handle Truth or Dare?”

 

He Ru: “Eh, he was bullying girls just now, but now he’s chickening out.”

 

The two of them gave Jiang Yunbian knowing glances, and Jiang Yunbian smiled and reluctantly joined in: “Eh.”

 

Gao Zining: “……”

 

Gao Zining flung his coat open, looking as if he was going to play along to the end, and went to the door, barking loudly: “Woof woof woof.”

 

The third time the bow landed in Zhou Die’s hands, he drew a “Truth” card.

 

The class monitor read the card carefully: “If you had to share your pheromones with one person present, who would you choose?”

 

Since the question involved pheromones, it was quite significant.

 

If an Omega answered, it would be tantamount to a confession.