The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 39

Xu Zhan’s first reaction was to shield Jiang Yunyi behind him, and he was startled by his own absurd thoughts, breaking into a cold sweat.

 

Zhou Die and Jiang Yunbian… how could that be possible!

 

Jiang Yunyi didn’t expect him to suddenly stop, and questioned, “Xu Ge, what’s wrong?”

 

“Yunyi?” A male voice came from behind, carrying a hint of surprise.

 

Before Jiang Yunyi could react, Xu Zhan had already pulled her behind him.

 

On the other side of the street stood a group of people, with the leading boy wearing Ninggao’s school uniform.

 

Jiang Yunyi took a moment to recognize that the leading boy from Ninggao seemed to be a classmate of her older brother from middle school.

 

“Jiang Ye.” Xu Zhan’s face darkened slightly, showing no intention of greeting.

 

Jiang Ye noticed the change in Xu Zhan’s expression, snorted, and greeted his companions before crossing the street to approach them.

 

He completely ignored Xu Zhan’s warning glare and turned to smile at Jiang Yunyi, “Long time no see, what are you doing here?”

 

Memories resurfaced with this person’s appearance, making Jiang Yunyi shiver and take a step back, her deep-seated fear suddenly resurfacing.

 

Jiang Ye saw her resistance and the slight smile he had faded into awkwardness. He clicked his tongue, “One after another, all acting like this. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I owe Jiang Yunbian a lot of money!”

 

Xu Zhan didn’t back down, his voice lowering, “Jiang Ye, what are you trying to do?”

 

“Do what? Can’t I just say hello?” Jiang Ye was thoroughly annoyed by Xu Zhan’s attitude but didn’t want to lose his temper in front of the girl. Instead, he pushed Xu Zhan lightly, “What’s the big deal? What does our business have to do with Yunyi? Why do you have to draw lines…”

 

“Jiang Ye.” The cold male voice interrupted his rudeness. Jiang Yunbian stepped behind him, grabbing the back of his collar and pulling him away, “What are you doing?”

 

Zhou Die observed the change in Jiang Yunbian. The Alpha, who had previously appeared relaxed and smiling, now had an edge of hostility.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s voice was casual but carried a gloomy intensity.

 

This was the first time Zhou Die had seen Jiang Yunbian with such an expression.

 

It was a unique Alpha ferocity that brooked no intrusion.

 

Jiang Ye instinctively flinched, then remembered that Jiang Yunbian was a higher-level Alpha.

 

Suppressing his anger only resulted in a worsening mood for both sides, but his pheromones exploded ahead of his emotions.

 

The raw wood-scented pheromones burst out with a purpose and lost control as soon as they touched Jiang Yunbian.

 

Zhou Die’s brows furrowed, his fingers touching the scarf around his neck.

 

The Alpha pheromones appeared, causing Jiang Yunyi to instinctively tighten her coat and step back, her pupils trembling uncontrollably.

 

Jiang Yunbian saw everything clearly, his chest feeling like it had been cut with a serrated knife. He turned and threw a punch at Jiang Ye’s face.

 

Jiang Ye hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from Jiang Yunbian. His cheekbone went numb with pain, and after staggering a few steps, he lost his composure.

 

He then lunged forward, shouting, “Jiang Yunbian, you motherf**ker!”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t make a sound while fighting. His arrogance came from his strength, not from shouting.

 

He was prepared for a serious fight, but Jiang Ye’s fist was intercepted by Zhou Die.

 

“What are you going crazy for?”

 

The cedar-scented pheromones and Zhou Die’s voice hit Jiang Ye simultaneously, causing his hand to go numb instantly.

 

It was like a sharp pain as if all the blood had been drained from his body. Just holding his wrist was enough to make him suffer.

 

Ninggao’s people sensed the situation was going bad and came over but were stopped by Zhou Die’s pheromone barrier. No one dared to approach.

 

Jiang Yunbian gritted his teeth, “Get your pheromones under control, both of you.”

 

The cedar scent no longer intensified, but Jiang Ye’s pheromones were still close but not retreating. “What the hell are you pretending to be? It’s just pheromone suppression, I can handle it…”

 

Jiang Yunbian grabbed his collar, looking down with a cold voice, “There’s also an Omega here!”

 

Jiang Ye then remembered Jiang Yunyi. She was hiding in the corner, wrapped tightly in her older brother’s oversized coat, her face pale.

 

“Let go of Jiang Ye!”

 

The cedar-scented pheromones diminished. An Alpha from Ninggao stepped forward to pull Jiang Yunbian away but dared not move when meeting Zhou Die’s gaze.

 

Jiang Ye, embarrassed and furious, reduced his pheromone release, “Damn it, if you want to fight, then fight. Don’t use that pheromone trick!”

 

“Who the hell started with the pheromones?” Jiang Yunbian threw him off.

 

Ninggao’s people were unsure of where the conflict started and could only support Jiang Ye.

 

Jiang Ye panted heavily, his neck red, “Jiang Yunbian, you really are a coward! Haven’t you felt guilty in these three years? Or do you still think you should be at the center of attention?”

 

“What the hell are you talking about!” Xu Zhan roared, “Jiang Ye, you don’t know anything about what happened back then. Don’t meddle and stir up trouble!”

 

“Are you still protecting him?”

 

Xu Zhan couldn’t hold back, “You should ask that person yourself who was recorded by the police for causing trouble back then! He…”

 

“Xu Zhan.” Jiang Yunbian interrupted the conversation in a deep voice as his phone rang incessantly from his pocket.

 

Jiang Yunbian was about to answer.

 

“Xu Zhan!” Jiang Ye was still stubborn, “Wen Lin said recently that he missed you a lot. Can’t you wake up and stop mixing with this traitor Jiang Yunbian?”

 

“Who knows when his mental illness will act up and send you to the hospital! People like him probably even…”

 

Jiang Ye’s uncontrolled remarks were cut off as he found himself on the ground, his abdomen in intense pain.

 

As his vision focused in a daze, Jiang Yunbian’s fiercely angry face was right in front of him, touching a nerve.

 

Before Jiang Ye could feel fear, a car skidded to a halt by the roadside.

 

Jiang Yunyi’s gaze had been on Jiang Yunbian, anxiously worried about whether he was injured.

 

Until the man from the car walked up to her, her expression shifted from fear to shock as she hesitantly called out, “Dad.”

 

Xu Zhan turned around abruptly, realizing that the person getting out of the car was Jiang Yunbian’s father, Jiang Mu.

 

Jiang Mu didn’t have time to talk to Jiang Yunyi and turned to look at Jiang Yunbian.

 

The fight had been stopped, and no one expected a parent to appear at such a moment and place.

 

“No, no fighting.” Bai Yinglian, who had come running over, clutched Jiang Yunbian’s hand tightly. Even though he had no intention of hitting anyone, she wouldn’t let go, “You can’t do this!”

 

Zhou Die, who had initially stepped forward, stopped and stayed calm nearby, not adding to Jiang Yunbian’s troubles.

 

The appearance of another annoying person at a crucial moment made Jiang Yunbian lose all patience. He coldly said, “Let go.”

 

The Alpha’s emotions were volatile, and he was even more repulsed by being touched by someone he disliked. Jiang Yunbian tried to pull his hand back, but Bai Yinglian stumbled forward and fell to the ground.

 

“Ah!” She cried out in pain.

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t understand why she insisted on clinging to him and was sure he hadn’t used much force.

 

Zhou Die, who had witnessed the whole thing, also found the lady’s reaction somewhat exaggerated.

 

Even though he disliked her, he couldn’t be rude. Jiang Yunbian bent down, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

 

When Jiang Mu arrived, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

 

The lady who had fallen didn’t respond to Jiang Yunbian’s apology but was instead helped up by her husband, speaking in a voice that both Jiang Yunbian and Jiang Mu could hear, “It hurts so much, my child…”

 

She then placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

 

Jiang Yunbian and Jiang Mu both froze.

 

Her… what?

 

Bai Yinglian sobbed, “I was planning to wait until the New Year for the whole family to be together before telling you this, but I’m pregnant… But why did you have to go fight outside and not come home…”

 

Jiang Mu’s face darkened as he turned to Jiang Yunbian, “Did you just push her?”

 

Faced with this sudden accusation, Jiang Yunbian could only react with one thought—no wonder.

 

No wonder his father had been insisting he come home, no wonder he had come out in the middle of the night to find him.

 

It turned out he wanted to announce the “good news” of a new family member when the family was gathered together.

 

“Jiang Yunbian!” Someone grabbed his wrist, calling his name.

 

Jiang Yunbian paused for several seconds before he smelled the faint cedar scent.

 

Zhou Die was right behind him.

 

“My brother didn’t push her. My brother wouldn’t do such a thing!” This was Jiang Yunyi’s sobbing voice.

 

Jiang Mu looked at him with a complicated expression, then helped Bai Yinglian, “Forget about him. Let’s go to the hospital first.”

 

He then had Ninggao’s students help Jiang Ye into the car.

 

After the car left, Jiang Yunbian’s spirit seemed to return to his body as he looked down at Jiang Yunyi, “Did I scare you? Sorry, Yunyi.”

 

Jiang Yunyi held his hand, crying uncontrollably, “Brother, are you hurt?”

 

Zhou Die, who was closest to Jiang Yunbian, heard the gentle tone and softly reassured him, “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt.”

 

As if the person in the center of the turmoil wasn’t him.

 

“Can you call a cab for me? I’ll take my sister home first,” Jiang Yunbian turned to Zhou Die and Xu Zhan and asked quietly.

 

From losing control, being shocked, to now calming down, Jiang Yunbian’s emotional adjustment was incredibly swift.

 

Xu Zhan quickly took out his phone.

 

Zhou Die gently squeezed his wrist and whispered, “Okay.”

 

Jiang Yunbian bit his lip, the pain numbing his entire mouth, and when he could, he quietly told Xu Zhan, “Sorry, I’ll leave first. Please let them know.”

 

Afterward, when the cab arrived, Zhou Die went back with the siblings.

 

Jiang Yunyi was only frightened. Her brother’s fight and their father’s sudden appearance had made her very uneasy, but she remained quiet in the car.

 

During the latter part of the journey, she neither cried nor spoke to Jiang Yunbian.

 

When they arrived home, Ji Mingxuan was a bit surprised, “Isn’t it ten o’clock? There’s still half an hour.”

 

Jiang Yunbian stood in the hallway, maintaining distance, “It’s too late to be safe.”

 

Yunyi smiled, clinging to her mother’s arm, “I missed Mom, so we came back early.”

 

Ji Mingxuan patted her daughter’s head but her gaze fell on Jiang Yunbian’s face outside the door.

 

Whether it was the night’s lighting or his weary expression, he looked somewhat haggard.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Yunyi turned around, “Brother, come in. Your room has been tidied…”

 

“It’s late, so I’ll go back to school first.” Jiang Yunbian quickly said and turned to head downstairs.

 

After taking care of his sister, the next thing was dealing with his own repressed emotions.

 

It seemed that the emotional turmoil was too intense. When Jiang Yunbian got off the elevator, he found himself feeling a bit dizzy and was about to sit down by the flower bed when he noticed Zhou Die still standing downstairs.

 

“There’s something I need to handle. I might be late.”

 

“Mm, have fun and let Grandpa rest early.”

 

“Good night to you too.”

 

Seeing Zhou Die approach, Jiang Yunbian sighed as the cab neared.

 

At the hospital, he finally began to piece together what had happened today.

 

Bai Yinglian was pregnant, but she hadn’t told her husband immediately. Instead, she called to urge him to come home.

 

The purpose was clear: to have Jiang Yunbian see his father’s joy at learning about the new family member.

 

When they arrived at the hospital, Jiang Yunbian’s expression was composed, walking into the ward with no visible emotion.

 

“The tests are clear, the person is fine.” Jiang Mu fixed his gaze on him, questioning, “You didn’t want to come back today because you were scheduled to fight someone?”

 

Jiang Yunbian remembered telling him about the New Year’s Eve party, but his father seemed to have forgotten.

 

He couldn’t be bothered to explain, “No.”

 

“Do you know your sister was crying in the corner? Do you know what she’s most afraid of in her life? And you still fought in front of her? Afraid she wouldn’t forget the past, right?”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought he was mature enough to control some emotions.

 

But he couldn’t help but sneer, “I didn’t realize you cared so much about her.”

 

Smack—

 

A slap landed on his cheek.

 

Jiang Yunbian pressed his tongue against his cheek, the new pain quickly tormenting his nerves.

 

“Jiang Yunbian,” Jiang Mu called his name, “Don’t speak to your father with this attitude.”

 

“What attitude?”

 

The usually subdued mood now had a crack, the distance between them freezing.

 

“Unchangeable.” Jiang Mu turned back to the ward, “Apologize to Aunt Bai now.”

 

“No matter if you believe it or not,” Jiang Yunbian didn’t move, “I didn’t start the fight. When Aunt Bai came over, I didn’t push her with force. She was…”

 

“Even if she did it on purpose, you should still apologize.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s voice died in his throat.

 

He had hoped that with age, his father would understand that some conversations should shift from one-sided commands to mutual listening.

 

But in the end, it was just his hope.

 

This man always just wanted obedient children, not the truth.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, now she’s your mother.”

 

Does it matter who is whose mother?

 

Anyway, he wasn’t the one who was loved.

 

“Dad.” Jiang Yunbian looked at his father with a thinly veiled mockery, “I’m unrepentant. I won’t say I’m sorry.”

 

“If you’re really angry, just pretend you don’t have this son.”

 

*

 

As expected, Jiang Yunbian saw Zhou Die waiting outside the hospital.

 

It was already midnight.

 

He reached to touch his eyelashes but found his face was still hurting a lot, and his eye sockets felt a bit dry from the wind.

 

This was probably the first time Zhou Die had seen him looking so disheveled.

 

When Zhou Die approached, Jiang Yunbian squinted and waited for him to speak.

 

“Are you okay?” Zhou Die’s voice was soft, and the faint cedar scent lingered around him, which Jiang Yunbian found quite soothing.

 

“I’m fine. It’s getting late. You should go back.”

 

“And you?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“You’re going back to school? I’ll go with you.”

 

“Zhou Die.” Jiang Yunbian’s voice was very hoarse, as if the emotional aftermath was hitting him hard, and he was a bit tired. “I’ll be okay. Can I be alone for a while?”

 

The last part carried a hint of helpless pleading. Jiang Yunbian really didn’t have the energy to deal with him anymore.

 

He lowered his eyes, tightened his coat, and didn’t wait for Zhou Die’s response.

 

He probably didn’t need Zhou Die’s response anyway.

 

He really needed to be alone right now.

 

After wandering aimlessly for a long time, Jiang Yunbian found himself near a quiet bar.

 

It took almost an hour by taxi from the school, and Jiang Yunbian only realized his phone was dead and turned off when he tried to check the time.

 

His fingertips were trembling slightly, and when he took a deep breath, he noticed his eyes felt excessively dry.

 

“Yunbian?” The lead singer’s voice came from behind.

 

He turned around and saw the band members behind him.

 

“What are you doing here?” The lead singer was surprised. He had no work tonight and just wanted to see what another band could do, not expecting to run into him.

 

The keyboardist squinted and looked at him for a while, “Wait, why are you crying?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken into a small pub owned by a female Beta who was a friend of the lead singer.

 

Hearing that the young man was upset, she specially opened a private room for the band.

 

“You’re young, heartbroken? Just drink a bit more and you’ll forget all about it.” The owner smiled as she placed the menu on the table and said to the lead singer, “I’ve added it to your tab.”

 

The lead singer thanked her, told everyone to order some food, and then came over to sit next to Jiang Yunbian.

 

“Wow, the chances of rain in the Sahara are higher than the chances of seeing Jiang Yunbian cry. I must be extremely lucky to see you like this.” He laughed and handed him two packs of tissues.

 

Jiang Yunbian wasn’t sobbing uncontrollably. His tears had dampened his long eyelashes. He used the tissues only when he felt the tears about to fall and otherwise tried hard to suppress his emotions.

 

Seeing he wasn’t talking, the lead singer didn’t want to pry into his wounds.

 

When the drinks arrived, he poured a few glasses for Jiang Yunbian.

 

“Alright, let’s just drink and not talk. After we’re done, we’ll sleep and tomorrow will be a brand new day!”

 

The lead singer was carefree. For him, dealing with a breakup involved drinking, handling conflicts involved drinking, and dealing with loneliness involved drinking.

 

Jiang Yunbian had rarely joined him in this craziness before, but perhaps due to his mood, he downed a glass in one go.

 

The lead singer whistled, “Not bad. Come on, let’s drink until we’re done.”

 

He spoke with enthusiasm. By 3 a.m., Jiang Yunbian had drunk two rounds, and the band members were all passed out quickly.

 

When the owner came in and saw the band sprawled all over, she couldn’t help but laugh, “Kid, you’ve gotten them all drunk. Are you feeling any better?”

 

Jiang Yunbian raised his glass and finished the last drink without showing much emotion.

 

It seemed he still wasn’t better.

 

The owner, not intending to serve more alcohol, hesitated for a moment before saying, “There’s someone standing at the door downstairs. Normally, I wouldn’t interfere, but he’s wearing the same school uniform as you…”

 

“Please take care of them,” Jiang Yunbian stood up, realizing the effects of the alcohol, his legs a bit unsteady. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if he was stepping on the lead singer or just wobbling himself.

 

Staggering a few steps and leaning on the door, he took a deep breath and shook his head.

 

Damn it, he felt even dizzier.

 

The awkwardness of his uncoordinated limbs mixed with an unnamed frustration, combined with the alcohol, created an intensifying sensation.

 

Hadn’t he told that person to go back!

 

It was already 3 a.m.!

 

There were hardly any customers left downstairs. When Jiang Yunbian stepped out, the cold wind gave him a jolt, and it took him a while to see Zhou Die standing by the roadside.

 

It really was him.

 

With heavy footsteps, Zhou Die was pushed violently by Jiang Yunbian when he turned around.

 

The Alpha seemed to have thrown himself into it. Zhou Die stumbled back a few steps before steadying himself. When Jiang Yunbian pushed him again, Zhou Die reached out to hold his shoulders and said softly, “Jiang Yunbian.”

 

“I told you to go back! What are you doing! Do you know what time it is!” Jiang Yunbian was dizzy from the wind, using full force for the first push, while the subsequent punches were weak and soft.

 

His voice shifted from anger to grievance, and finally to choked sobs, as he stood still.

 

Zhou Die sighed and gently embraced him.

 

“I was worried about you.” His voice was hoarse but gentle.

 

“In the middle of the night, neither going back to school nor home, wandering alone on the street.”

 

“No replies to messages, phone calls not connecting.”

 

“Ended up here and went into a pub with adults, drinking for two or three hours.”

 

After speaking, he helplessly asked, “Jiang Yunbian, how can I not be worried?”

 

“Why do you care about me…” Jiang Yunbian took a deep breath, his voice heavy with nasal tones, “Anyway, no one cares about me. It doesn’t matter where I go, no one…”

 

“Who says that?” Zhou Die’s hand gently fell, clasping Jiang Yunbian’s tightly clenched right hand.

 

Even after drinking, he wasn’t warmed up. His fingertips were as cold as ice.

 

Zhou Die sighed, lightly enveloping his hand with his own, then placed Jiang Yunbian’s hand inside his sweater.

 

The hand warmer was warm, and Jiang Yunbian’s fingertips quickly warmed up.

 

Noticing that his tensed body finally relaxed, Zhou Die’s hand rested on the back of his head.

 

“I care about you.” He patted Jiang Yunbian’s head lightly, “Since you say no one wants you, then from today on, this little drunk mess is mine.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was held close, his mind muddled by alcohol and cold wind, and he angrily cursed, “Who are you! What do you mean it belongs to you!”

 

“I’m Zhou Die, your seatmate,” Zhou Die patiently took off his scarf and wrapped the warm scarf around Jiang Yunbian’s neck, tying it securely, and then gently wiped away his tears.

 

“This little drunk who’s making a scene and hitting people belongs to me.”