The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 38

Zhou Die became the center of attention. He casually traced his fingers along the edge of the card, his expression a mix of amusement and aloofness.

 

It was just an answer to a question, but the nosy classmates noticed that the aloof young master from the start of the school year seemed to be back.

 

Jiang Yunbian also felt that the question was a bit much. He turned to Zhou Die, “Isn’t this question a bit too much? Should we switch it out?”

 

They were sitting by the window, with the light falling on Jiang Yunbian’s right eye. The two different lights reflected in his eyes, and Zhou Die leaned in a bit closer.

 

Jiang Yunbian caught a faint hint of cedarwood fragrance.

 

Zhou Die said, “It’s a bit much. I’m not very inclined to answer. What should we do?”

 

“What are you doing!” Gao Zining, oblivious to the atmosphere, said, “No whispering in public!”

 

Jiang Yunbian clicked his tongue and looked up casually.

 

Gao Zining then noticed that Zhou Die’s expression had changed slightly, as if he was quite pleased with Jiang Yunbian’s protective attitude.

 

…Why does the dynamic between these two feel so subtle?

 

Jiang Yunbian couldn’t be bothered to argue with Gao Zining and whispered, “Just talk about me. I’m an Alpha, so they won’t misunderstand.”

 

Zhou Die’s gaze traced Jiang Yunbian’s profile, his smile hidden in his words. “Is that alright?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Stop plotting! Just say it!” Gao Zining urged impatiently, like a hungry dog waiting for food.

 

“Jiang Yunbian,” Zhou Die leaned back in his chair, his demeanor calm and composed, “Share with him.”

 

The class monitor and the class leader exchanged a meaningful glance.

 

Yang You scratched his head. “Sharing pheromones with an Alpha? Isn’t that a challenge?”

 

The class leader handed the flower to him, not wanting the naive one to ruin the mood. “Come on, start from you. Next question!”

 

The flower ended up in Jiang Yunyi’s hands. She still didn’t remember everyone’s faces and couldn’t handle dares, so she said softly, “Truth.”

 

The class monitor picked a card, a common question: “If you had the chance to travel to the past or the future, which would you choose?”

 

This question was so common it was almost dull.

 

Everyone waited quietly for Jiang Yunyi’s answer.

 

Jiang Yunyi placed her hands on her knees, and after a moment, she said quietly, “To the past. I want to be stronger.”

 

Zhou Die noticed a change in Jiang Yunbian’s mood after this answer.

 

He had been smiling before, but after Jiang Yunyi’s response, the smile on his lips almost faded completely.

 

After two rounds, Jiang Yunyi became more familiar with the girls. Jiang Yunbian coughed lightly. “I’m going to the restroom. Take good care of my sister and don’t bully her.”

 

Not long after Jiang Yunbian left, someone came to call Zhou Die’s name. “The teacher wants you to confirm the equipment for the stage.”

 

Zhou Die responded quietly and left the game.

 

Since he needed to use the piano that night, Zhou Die needed to fill out a simple form. Instead of returning to the classroom, he went to the restroom.

 

Jiang Yunbian had gone to the restroom in the neighboring experimental building, which was already sparsely populated. The place was even quieter with the event happening.

 

Zhou Die’s hands were in his pockets, and his fingers felt a bit cold from the winter wind. He originally wanted to warm himself, but seeing Jiang Yunbian, who hadn’t noticed him approaching, he felt a playful impulse.

 

He lifted his hand and lightly touched Jiang Yunbian’s cheek, and then clearly saw Jiang Yunbian’s eyelashes flutter slightly.

 

Jiang Yunbian turned his face and chuckled. “You startled me.”

 

Zhou Die withdrew his hand, lightly rubbing his fingertips in his pocket. “Just catching the breeze?”

 

Jiang Yunbian tilted his head, the close distance allowing Zhou Die to see the color of his pupils, a deep brown, clear and pure.

 

“Do you know why my sister wants to go back to the past?” he suddenly asked.

 

Zhou Die knew he didn’t need to respond, so he listened quietly.

 

“It’s because I made a serious mistake in the past.” Jiang Yunbian was smiling as he spoke, but his gaze was extremely lonely. “Sometimes I think she might still harbor a bit of resentment towards me, but she just doesn’t want to admit it.”

 

Zhou Die felt as if he was seeing a dog hiding its wounds.

 

When dogs are hurt, they often curl up in a corner waiting for their wounds to heal, only licking them occasionally when the pain is too much, and running away as soon as they sense someone approaching.

 

A multitude of emotions burst open in an instant, and Zhou Die felt the most vivid sensation was a soft, aching pain.

 

“It seems so heavy, let’s not talk about it.” Jiang Yunbian smiled and turned to leave.

 

“Yunbian.”

 

Someone softly called his name from behind.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s footsteps paused slightly, and the gentle warmth felt like a warm cloth enveloping his entire heart.

 

Just for a brief moment, he didn’t dare to turn around.

 

“Go back. I can’t leave Yunyi alone for too long.”

 

The classroom had become quite lively. When Jiang Yunbian returned, his sister was gently tugging at his sleeve. “Bro, your classmates are so interesting. Just now, one of them was rejected when trying to flirt.”

 

She was talking about He Ru. His dare was to go outside and compliment someone first, then borrow 500 yuan.

 

He Ru’s first attempt at flirting made a second-year girl run away as if she had encountered a scammer.

 

Jiang Yunbian poured her some orange juice and smiled, patting her head. “Yeah, they’re all quite interesting.”

 

Xu Zhan also had his turn. He had to block the first person to return at the door and dance the waltz with them.

 

As soon as he reached the door, he bumped into Zhou Die.

 

Xu Zhan: “Cough, Zhou, do you want to dance the waltz with me?”

 

Zhou Die: “No.”

 

Xu Zhan was ruthlessly rejected and ended up taking a compromise. He danced a segment of Swan Lake by himself.

 

In the end, during the game of “Pass the Flower,” Gao Zining was determined to make Jiang Yunbian suffer and secretly made a deal with the class leader.

 

The class leader accepted a bag of chips from him and tampered with the music, leading Jiang Yunbian to end up with the flower.

 

“Quick, quick! Let’s see the school bully choose Truth!”

 

“No way, I want to see a Dare. I just saw a card that asks for a cute photo!”

 

Jiang Yunbian sneered and randomly picked a card from the Truth pile.

 

“Who is the person you like? If not, please describe your ideal type!”

 

Xu Zhan read out the card, and the class leader, class monitor, and the surrounding girls screamed.

 

“Damn, how can you do this to us! I just picked a card, and none of you were interested!” Gao Zining was furiously frustrated.

 

Everyone gathered around Jiang Yunbian, ignoring him.

 

Gao Zining pushed in angrily. “Let me hear too!”

 

Zhou Die sat nearby. Although the crowd’s curiosity was intense, they didn’t dare disturb him.

 

He observed the serious expressions of the people around him, slowly becoming more attentive.

 

Under the eager gazes of everyone, Jiang Yunbian slowly began to think about the closest person to his ideal type.

 

A name suddenly came to mind.

 

“There should be one,” Jiang Yunbian answered.

 

“Who!”

 

“Which Omega is lucky enough to catch our Jiang Ge’s eye!”

 

“Ah, I’m getting excited! Are we going to set up a couple today?”

 

Zhou Die’s eyelashes fluttered, and a subtle color rippled in his eyes.

 

If Jiang Yunbian had a specific answer, he believed it would be a name that would disappoint him.

 

Jiang Yunbian answered seriously, “Nai Tian Xiao Miao? I think that’s the name.”

 

Zhou Die’s fingers, which were about to grab his phone, paused slightly. He then looked back at Jiang Yunbian, a subtle ripple in his eyes.

 

Jiang Yunbian likes whom?

 

Everyone: “……”

 

Everyone: “???”

 

“Ah? What is this?”

 

“Wait, who in our grade has the surname Nai?”

 

Xu Zhan pulled out his phone with a troubled expression. “Jiang Yunbian, is this it?”

 

Jiang Yunbian saw that the search result was: 【Nai Tian’s Xiao Miao Mi】

 

Jiang Yunbian: “……”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “Do I look like someone who would be into online dating and non-mainstream trends?”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s serious response about “Nai Tian Xiao Miao” seemed like a mere formality. With no further questioning, everyone’s interest shifted back to the next round of the game.

 

In the next round, the flower fell to Zhou Die, who stared at the orange juice on the table for several seconds without moving.

 

Zhou Die never thought he’d hear Jiang Yunbian say those five words in such a setting.

 

He wasn’t sure whether to feel flustered or moved.

 

Should he admit it? That he is indeed this “non-mainstream” person.

 

Xu Zhan thought Zhou Die might be lost in thought like Gao Zining, and waited a while before realizing Zhou Die was actually spaced out. “Brother Zhou?”

 

Jiang Yunbian also tapped on his desk. “Zhou Die?”

 

Hearing his voice, Zhou Die came to his senses and looked at Jiang Yunbian. “Hmm?”

 

“Tsk, everyone is calling you, but only Jiang Yunbian works!” Gao Zining complained.

 

It was just a casual remark, but Xu Zhan seemed to sense something off.

 

“Time’s up!” The class leader announced, “Come on, Zhou Shao, Truth or Dare.”

 

Zhou Die then realized the bow had fallen to him again and picked a card.

 

He read the card aloud: “Take a cute photo with another player.”

 

When Jiang Yunbian realized something was wrong, Zhou Die had already grabbed the sleeve of his coat.

 

Holding onto him, Zhou Die turned to the class leader. “Anyone is fine, right?”

 

The class leader nodded vigorously.

 

“Jiang Yunbian.” Zhou Die leaned in with a playful smile, tilting his chin towards the direction of the camera. “Look at the camera.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was extremely reluctant but not the type to refuse completely. After a curse, he leaned in.

 

The exaggerated beauty filter of the camera rendered their already superior features even more striking, with round eyes, full faces, and cute animal ears.

 

The juvenile Jiang Yunbian seemed to have returned to the age of the boy in the photo album.

 

Zhou Die was very close to Jiang Yunbian.

 

Jiang Yunyi held the phone and smiled brightly. “Brother, 3, 2, 1!”

 

*

 

At 7 p.m., the evening party began, and students from all grades took their seats.

 

After the host’s and school leaders’ speeches and the school song, the performances started.

 

The performance by Class 6A of the senior year was the third. Jiang Yunbian positioned himself on the playground right after the first performance ended.

 

He saw his sister at the back of Class 6, waving a glow stick.

 

Nearby girls whispered, “Who did Jiang Yunbian just smile at? So charming!”

 

“Zhou Die is playing the piano. Ah, I’m already obsessed with him.”

 

“The finest ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods. Even the purest handsome guy in school uniform can hold the scene.”

 

“Ugh, the only thing on my mind now is ‘a perfect match’…”

 

After the second performance, the host came on stage, and someone helped set up the electronic piano and microphone.

 

“Next up is the piano performance by Class 6A—”

 

Applause erupted, and cheers from the senior year spread throughout the school.

 

When the stage lights dimmed, the girls in the audience screamed as Jiang Yunbian took the stage.

 

Though Zhou Die was not the main focus and stood in the dim light in the corner, he was still impressive.

 

His inherent charisma was hard to ignore.

 

Class 6A cheered loudly, giving their classmates a grand appearance.

 

As the piano began to play, the lights fell like curtains, and Jiang Yunbian sat casually on the chair, his right leg resting on the footrest and his left foot lightly tapping the ground.

 

He hadn’t performed in such a setting for a long time. Saying he wasn’t nervous would be a lie. He even felt a faint sense of unreality, as if he wasn’t the one in the center of the stage.

 

His fingertips lightly touched the microphone. The school’s equipment wasn’t very good. The microphone used for meetings was the same, lacking echo effects. It relied purely on his natural voice.

 

As soon as Jiang Yunbian began singing, a low murmur rose from the audience. Unlike the original, his voice had a slight, subtle lilt, like a hint of bubbles in wine, catching everyone’s ear.

 

Just sitting on stage, he was enough to make people’s faces flush and hearts race.

 

A small light broke through the darkness from the crowd, and Jiang Yunbian noticed a student had turned on their phone’s flashlight.

 

The school prohibited students from bringing phones. Turning on the light so boldly was undoubtedly challenging the school rules.

 

The supervising director pointed sternly at the student.

 

But the silent resistance didn’t yield; the light spread from one point to a sea of lights, transcending class boundaries. The unique audacity and rebellious spirit of adolescence merged into a sea of lights that responded to Jiang Yunbian’s song.

 

Xu Zhan had just turned on his light when he noticed the nearby students had already started waving their lights in rhythm.

 

“Damn, this is so passionate.” Gao Zining held up his phone high, taking a deep breath. “Getting lost late at night under stars…”①

 

And was pulled back by the class leader. “Are you slaughtering pigs?”

 

Gao Zining: “Isn’t this a chorus?”

 

His loud voice first stirred laughter, and then a few brave ones joined in, keeping pace with Jiang Yunbian’s rhythm.

 

The director tried to intervene a couple of times but was stopped by the class teacher.

 

“Ah, youth. Let them be.”

 

As the lyrics’ enunciation slightly drifted, Jiang Yunbian realized his little finger on the microphone was trembling.

 

A sea of sparkling lights, like a starry sky fallen to earth.

 

When it ended, Jiang Yunbian smiled lightly, moving the microphone from his chest to his lips, his eyes still holding a smile.

 

“The sea of lights is beautiful. Thank you, everyone.”

 

*

 

When Zhou Die saw Jiang Yunbian again, he was sitting in a corner of the small auditorium, looking at his phone.

 

When he got closer, Zhou Die realized Jiang Yunbian was looking at his phone, where someone had recorded their performance. The sea of lights from the audience was truly spectacular.

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed Zhou Die approaching and lifted his phone to show him. “It seems like the recording didn’t come out very clear.”

 

“It’s all good,” Zhou Die simply replied.

 

Jiang Yunbian said he was sure Zhou Die hadn’t looked closely. Zhou Die reached out and patted his head. “Let’s go to the rooftop.”

 

After two or three performances, the students in the audience could no longer sit still. At first, a few people changed seats, and gradually the boundaries between classes disappeared, blending into one another. Once it became chaotic, even the teachers couldn’t manage it.

 

Xu Zhan and others sneaked out from the edge of the darkness and headed up to the art building’s rooftop.

 

“Brother Jiang is here!” The girl at the door announced. When Jiang Yunbian arrived, he saw his sister standing next to Xu Zhaoruo.

 

“Please take care of her,” Jiang Yunbian said, gently pinching his sister’s cheek.

 

Xu Zhaoruo waved and moved away from the crowd.

 

Jiang Yunbian was carrying various snacks that everyone had given him. Jiang Yunbian helplessly helped his sister place the snacks on the table.

 

“Can’t you find a place to put them down?”

 

Jiang Yunyi took out the lollipop from her mouth. “I’m afraid I’ll forget later. They specifically brought these for me.”

 

Jiang Yunbian crouched down. “What time do you want to go back?”

 

Jiang Yunyi’s smile stiffened a bit as she glanced around the lively rooftop. She finally smiled and said, “It seems a bit late.”

 

The latter part, about wanting to go home, she hesitated to say out loud.

 

Jiang Yunbian saw this and didn’t say anything.

 

Gao Zining was organizing a card game, shouting for his sister to join and telling Jiang Yunbian not to be a nuisance.

 

Outside the excitement, Zhou Die stood in a corner with a glass of orange juice.

 

“Won’t you come over? You can’t see the fireworks from this spot,” Xu Zhaoruo said, offering him a variety of candies, clearly implying he could choose whatever he liked.

 

Zhou Die selected two candies and watched Jiang Yunbian at the card game.

 

At this moment, Jiang Yunbian was just like an ordinary student, without any of the usual school bully arrogance.

 

“Why did you name it ‘Nai Tian Xiao Miao’?” Zhou Die asked.

 

Xu Zhaoruo paused, then realized Zhou Die was asking about the Weibo account she had set up for him.

 

Back when the Weibo account was created, Zhou Die had signed up casually.

 

“I thought the quickest way to get a small internet celebrity to remember you was to pretend to be a cute girl.”

 

Back then, Zhou Die followed others with a garbled account name and was just happy not to have his account deleted as a zombie follower.

 

“How long ago was that? You’re not planning to settle scores, are you?” Xu Zhaoruo asked warily.

 

Zhou Die chuckled softly, his voice so light that Xu Zhaoruo almost thought she was imagining it.

 

“Well, he did remember.”

 

Xu Zhaoruo realized what she had heard and wanted to ask more, but Zhou Die had lost interest in answering.

 

The literary evening on the playground was nearing its end. The two hosts still maintained high enthusiasm. “Congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 17th Literary Evening of the Third High School!”

 

Fireworks rose into the sky, launched from an open space on the playground. Though there was some distance from the rooftop of the music building, it provided an excellent vantage point.

 

Jiang Yunyi looked at the sky, making a small sound of awe and gently tugging at Jiang Yunbian’s sleeve.

 

Zhou Die stood behind the crowd, watching the scattered lights in the sky fall on Jiang Yunbian’s silhouette, creating a fleeting, brilliant beauty.

 

What started as an unnoticed moment of observation turned into Jiang Yunbian turning his head, looking around and finally resting his gaze on Zhou Die.

 

From a distance, Jiang Yunbian’s eyes slightly curved as he smiled and said, “Aren’t you coming over?”

 

The fireworks that had just burst seemed to explode again in Zhou Die’s heart.

 

Someone raised a glass first. “To us, may our wishes come true in the future!”

 

He He shouted loudly, also raising his drink. “May everyone get into their desired universities!”

 

“Cheers!”

 

To protect the environment, there was only one cluster of fireworks. Gao Zining shouted about moving to the next venue.

 

“Let’s go get barbecue! The place two stations away, I’ve already reserved a table!” Gao Zining rallied everyone, creating a lively atmosphere. “If you don’t come, you’re not giving me face. Let’s go, let’s go!”

 

Though he said not coming would be disrespectful, Gao Zining didn’t force anyone who wanted to go home. In the end, only a few boys stayed over with him.

 

Jiang Yunbian glanced at his sister, who was holding onto his sleeve without speaking but clearly expressing her reluctance to go home.

 

He asked softly, “Do you really want to go?”

 

“… Not really.”

 

Jiang Yunbian sent a message to his mother and then discovered there were unread messages.

 

His father’s call came in again.

 

“It’s already 8:30. Why aren’t you back yet?” Jiang Mu’s voice was cold.

 

Jiang Yunbian frowned. “I’m staying at school tonight. I can’t go back.”

 

“Auntie Bai has cooked a whole table of dishes waiting for you.”

 

“Tell her I’m sorry,” Jiang Yunbian said, looking down. “I really can’t make it.”

 

After the call ended, his mother’s message came through. Jiang Yunbian looked back at his sister. “Mom says the latest is by 10.”

 

Jiang Yunyi’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, brother.”

 

Xu Zhaoruo’s family had sent a driver, and those going included Gao Zining, Xu Zhan, Yang You, and Jiang Yunbian, who was protecting his sister. He asked Zhou Die if he was going, and Zhou Die nodded.

 

“There are still a few people missing,” Gao Zining said, hands on his hips. “I booked a big table!”

 

Xu Zhan was looking at his phone. “Let’s wait for Zheng Xinglin. His class is finished. They’ll come along.”

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t seen Jiang Yunyi this happy for a long time. Although she always smiled at home, it seemed like she was forcing herself to avoid worrying her family.

 

Playing a little longer was fine.

 

“Zip up your jacket, it’s cold outside,” Jiang Yunbian reminded her as they got out of the car.

 

Just after he said that, he looked back at Zhou Die, whose coat was open, and his scarf not properly wrapped.

 

“Are you not cold?”

 

Zhou Die lightly adjusted his scarf. “Not cold.”

 

Gao Zining’s outdoor table was set up, and a gust of cold wind greeted them as they sat down.

 

“Are you an idiot? Barbecuing outdoors in the middle of winter,” Xu Zhan shivered.

 

Gao Zining sneezed twice. “I thought we’d warm up while eating.”

 

He He and Yang You were almost looking for wood to start a fire. Jiang Yunbian took off his coat and gave it to his sister, sneering at Gao Zining. “I’m going to the convenience store. Idiot.”

 

Gao Zining looked at Zhou Die with grievance. “He’s still cursing me.”

 

Zhou Die stood up from his seat and said before leaving, “You deserve it.”

 

Gao Zining: “…”

 

The temperature difference in the evening was still quite large. Jiang Yunbian went to a convenience store on the street to ask for hand warmers.

 

The store clerk said they had them and went to get them. Then, the doorbell rang.

 

When Zhou Die entered, he took his hands out of his coat pockets. “It’s really cold.”

 

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Yunbian turned sideways. “I’m going back after buying the hand warmers.”

 

Zhou Die looked at his thin sweatshirt. “I want to buy some too.”

 

“I’ll give you two packs.” The clerk brought a whole package. After Jiang Yunbian paid, he opened it and handed two packs to Zhou Die. “Do you know how to use them? Tear them open and stick them inside your clothes.”

 

Zhou Die’s hands went back into his pockets. He lifted his clothes along the open zipper. “I don’t know.”

 

Jiang Yunbian clicked his tongue. “Spoiled.”

 

He then opened the hand warmer and lifted Zhou Die’s loose sweater.

 

Zhou Die didn’t expect Jiang Yunbian to be so direct. As his hand pressed the hand warmer against his abdomen, he slightly closed his eyes.

 

Alpha’s hand, through the hand warmer and clothes, pressed against his lower abdomen.

 

Jiang Yunbian placed the hand warmer towards the inside, believing it would keep him warm to the fullest. He then ripped another piece. “This one should go on your stomach or your waist?”

 

Zhou Die looked down and seemed to seriously consider. “On the waist.”

 

When Xu Zhan arrived with Jiang Yunyi, he saw Jiang Yunbian’s hand inside Zhou Die’s sweater.

 

The two were very close, and at first glance, it looked like a winter couple embracing. 

 

Author’s Note: ① From the song “Paris in the Rain” by Lauv.