The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 45

Jiang Yunbian, wearing a chestnut-colored scarf, stood with his arms open. His winter skin was as pale as frost on the tree branches, and he was dressed in a deep blue jacket.

Zhou Die couldn’t bear to make him wait long and bent down to hold him tightly.

The scent of cedar wafted over, and Jiang Yunbian took a deep breath, feeling completely relaxed.

Was this the sensation of high compatibility between two people? It was as if every inch of skin had been warmed by a fire, bringing comfort to his very bones.

Zhou Die lowered his head and nestled into his shoulder. “Yunbian.”

“Hmm?”

“There will be fireworks at midnight. I want to watch them with you.” Zhou Die gently placed his hand on the back of Jiang Yunbian’s head, rubbing his hair through the gaps. “Can we video call later so I can show you the fireworks?”

“Sure. Happy New Year. Good night.”

Leaving Zhou Die’s embrace, Jiang Yunbian felt slightly light on his feet, as if he were walking on cotton.

He arrived home just ten minutes before the New Year, greeted his mother, and then went to his room.

[I’m ready.]

[Zhou Meow Meow: Good.]

The video call came through. Jiang Yunbian quickly tidied his desk and placed his phone on it.

When the call connected, Jiang Yunbian first saw the view outside the window. Zhou Die was likely arranging the camera in his room.

“It should be about here,” Zhou Die adjusted the camera and then looked at the slightly dazed expression on Jiang Yunbian’s face on the screen.

He hadn’t removed his scarf properly, and his hair was a bit messy, looking like a little dog waiting for its owner to pat its head.

Jiang Yunbian really had run back. The room was warm with no ventilation. He took off his coat and hesitated whether to change his sweater as well.

“Jiang Yunbian,” Zhou Die’s voice came through with a sense of distance over the phone. Jiang Yunbian lowered his head. “Hmm?”

“Are you wearing the necklace I gave you?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yunbian leaned forward, pulled the necklace out from under his shirt, and held it close to the camera. “Can you see it?”

It had been winter since Zhou Die gave him the necklace. It was well-hidden under his coat, so no one knew that Jiang Yunbian wore a pendant carrying Zhou Die’s pheromones.

He felt a bit regretful but also thought it was fine this way.

Zhou Die responded with a sound of acknowledgment and then said, “It seems like some high schools in the province are organizing joint exams next semester. The principal messaged me a few days ago, asking if I was interested in training for it.”

Both of them had paid little attention to competitions during their second year of high school, and only had a vague idea about training.

“The principal is selecting people for training. It seems this joint exam is quite important.”

“He plans to choose the top ten students, but it’s still just a plan. He thinks I’m not interested,” Zhou Die said.

Jiang Yunbian asked, “Do you think I would be interested?”

“If you are, I’ll go too.”

Jiang Yunbian suddenly realized this might be a chance for them to be alone together.

He replied, “If the principal selects, then let’s go.”

The video call fell silent for a while. Jiang Yunbian leaned on the desk, feeling the camera shake.

“Fireworks.” Zhou Die opened the window, and the cold wind blew in, making him squint slightly.

Jiang Yunbian, who seemed to be counting down to the New Year, opened his own room’s door.

“Ten, nine, eight…”

Bang—

Fireworks soared into the sky, lighting up the night.

The voices of Zhou Die and his younger sister came through together.

“Happy New Year!”

*

Early on New Year’s Day, Ji Min woke the two kids up for breakfast and preparations for the New Year’s visits.

Jiang Yunbian, who had been out with a band last year, was surprised to find himself standing at the door of others’ homes with his sister this year, acting as a door god.

They first went to the airport to pick up their grandfather, who had been spending the winter in another city and had just managed to book a return flight on New Year’s Eve.

Jiang Yunbian and his sister met their grandfather at the terminal. The grandfather gave them red envelopes and praised his two grandchildren.

After sending their grandfather home, Jiang Yunbian spent the whole morning visiting several homes. Some he barely remembered but still followed his sister in greeting aunts and uncles.

Several younger relatives also clung to him, likely finding him interesting.

After a busy day, when Ji Min brought the two children home, Jiang Yunbian and Jiang Yunyi collapsed onto their beds almost as soon as they reached their rooms.

When he was called for dinner in the evening, Jiang Yunbian realized he had received a lot of messages.

Xu Zhan had sent him a red envelope at noon and complained about why he hadn’t wished him a Happy New Year.

There were other messages, some in groups and some private. It took Jiang Yunbian a while to sort through them before returning Zhou Die’s call.

He hadn’t had a chance to check Zhou Meow Meow’s messages.

After a short wait, the call connected, and Zhou Die’s voice was particularly calm. “Done with your chores?”

Jiang Yunbian could tell Zhou Die was in a hallway or garden-like place. He responded, “I’ve been to so many places today. I’m exhausted.”

Zhou Die laughed softly. “Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”

“It wasn’t necessary before,” Jiang Yunbian rubbed his legs, which were still a bit sore, “but now it seems like I need you to come and pick me up.”

The other end was quiet for a while, then Zhou Die’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “Spoiled.”

Jiang Yunbian felt a little ticklish in his ears and murmured, “Do you know calling an Alpha spoiled is quite offensive?”

“If I’m going to pick you up, is it still considered spoiled?” Zhou Die pondered. “Should I add a phoenix crown and a ceremonial robe?”

Jiang Yunbian was about to retort when he heard someone calling Zhou Die’s name in the background.

The Zhou family, unlike ordinary families, probably had a lot to deal with.

“You should go ahead. I’ll go out to eat and get ready to rest.” Jiang Yunbian yawned. Winter always made him feel like he didn’t get enough sleep.

Zhou Die was silent for a while before quietly apologizing.

Jiang Yunbian didn’t feel neglected. He stretched and went out to get dinner.

The band asked if he had any place to go for the New Year. Jiang Yunbian thought the band members’ remarks were quite harsh.

[No need to worry, I have a place to go this year.]

[Lead Singer: The stray dog cub has been taken in. I’m actually a bit lonely.]

[Lead Singer: This year, there won’t be a spot reserved for you at the barbecue. Enjoy your lazy days in the nest.]

Jiang Yunbian sometimes felt fortunate that he had been taken in by the band. He had met a great group of people during his low points.

The next morning, Zhou Die came to pick him up early. Jiang Yunbian was still half-asleep when he received the call, lazily washing up in the bathroom.

“Brother, Zhou Die is at the door!” Jiang Yunyi knocked on his room door with a bottle of milk.

Jiang Yunbian changed his clothes and told her to keep it down.

“Mom hasn’t woken up yet.”

Jiang Yunyi responded with an “mm” and ran to the door to open it for Zhou Die.

Zhou Die handed two red envelopes to Jiang Yunyi, who joyfully spun around, treating him like a god of wealth.

Jiang Yunbian came out dressed and received two envelopes from Zhou Die as well. “These are for my mom and Mrs. Zhou.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Yunbian took them readily and then instructed his sister on the time for the aunt to come over at noon. “I won’t be home for lunch today, so don’t wait for me.”

As they got into the car, Zhou Die sighed. “Yunbian, there are quite a few guests at the Zhou house today. I’ve told the elders that I’ll bring you there and then leave.”

The reason was likely due to Enigma’s popularity this year. Many people had come to visit, and a few had even brought younger relatives of similar age.

Zhou Die had only learned about this from Mrs. Zhou that morning. Some guests had even flown in, so it wasn’t feasible to turn them away.

Jiang Yunbian guessed the situation and leaned against the window. “The eldest son has to deal with social engagements. I understand.”

Zhou Die: “…”

Jiang Yunbian liked to use this term to tease him, with a hint of sarcasm but without any affectionate cooing, unlike how Zhou Meow Meow was cute.

Zhou Die disliked it.

When they arrived at the Zhou house, Jiang Yunbian was shocked despite being mentally prepared.

As soon as he walked in, he saw seven or eight Omegas sitting in the living room. They were all seventeen or eighteen, each more beautiful than the last, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Zhou Die.

For those who knew it was for New Year’s greetings, it might seem normal. But for those who didn’t, it looked like an imperial selection of concubines.

As soon as Zhou Die arrived, several elders called him over.

“It’s okay. You go ahead. I’ll wait here,” Jiang Yunbian said.

Zhou Die looked around, saw the person sitting at the far end, and waved.

Jiang Yunbian then noticed that among the Omegas was Xu Zhaoru, who had received Zhou Die’s signal and walked over politely.

“Take care of him.”

“Sure.”

After Zhou Die left, Jiang Yunbian heard someone calling her name.

Xu Zhaoru had a sweet and graceful smile, speaking softly, “Help me, help me.”

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

What’s wrong?

With Jiang Yunbian as a shield, Xu Zhaoru had an excuse to escape and quickly dragged him to the backyard.

“I’m so exhausted, so exhausted. I hate this kind of social event,” Xu Zhaoru’s demeanor and smile from earlier among the Omegas crumbled. She collapsed into a small swing in the garden, looking as if she had lost all hope. “Luckily you came. Otherwise, I’d probably have to sit in there all morning.”

They were all people Xu Zhaoru had only heard of by name, and since she couldn’t place their faces, there was no topic to discuss except Zhou Die.

One moment they talked about how handsome he was, the next about Enigma. It was increasingly dull.

Jiang Yunbian looked into the distance, thinking Zhou Die would probably get a headache after spending a whole day in such an environment.

“Brother Jiang, do you see it? From the door to the living room, they’re all your potential rivals,” Xu Zhaoru said. “But don’t worry, here, only you and Zhou Shao are a perfect match.”

Jiang Yunbian smiled aimlessly. “Are they all Omegas? No wonder they smell so good.”

Xu Zhaoru wanted to warn him to feel a sense of crisis instead of commenting on his rivals’ scent.

“There’s a younger sister who seems to be a year younger than us,” Xu Zhaoru pulled out her phone to show a photo. “This one. She’s been secretly in love with your Zhou Shao since childhood. When she heard the Zhou family was matching Zhou Die with a pheromone, she was especially attentive.”

“Unfortunately, her compatibility wasn’t high enough, so she wasn’t selected. Instead, I was personally summoned by Mr. Zhou.”

And thus, she mysteriously became Zhou Die’s fiancée.

“Later, this little girl gave me dirty looks at every meal. She probably hates me.”

Jiang Yunbian thought for a moment and took out a red envelope from his pocket. “Here, a little sympathy.”

“……” Xu Zhaoru: “Are you pitying me?”

“No. It’s a New Year’s red envelope. Do you want it?”

“Yes,” Xu Zhaoru quickly accepted it. “But since Mr. Zhou allowed Zhou Die to bring you back this year, it seems he wants you to secure your position and clear my name.”

Xu Zhaoru seemed to already see the dawn of victory. “From now on, you’ll bear all this responsibility.”

“……”

Xu Zhaoru and Jiang Yunbian’s statuses were a bit awkward. She felt out of place among the Omegas, so she sat in the yard.

However, avoiding her peers didn’t save her from the rowdy children.

A group of six or seven-year-olds playing hide-and-seek in a corner came over and started playing tag around Xu Zhaoru.

The noise was like a symphony, and Xu Zhaoru felt her head was about to explode.

Jiang Yunbian gently stopped one of the children. “Little friend, play over there and don’t disturb your sister.”

He thought he had spoken gently and reasonably, but the little troublemaker shoved his hand away. “This isn’t your home!”

Xu Zhaoru, Jiang Yunbian: “…”

The few children who had been stopped hid behind him, probably too scared to speak. Only the bold one in front was haughty. “When we play inside, we’re told it’s dangerous. When we play outside, we’re told to go somewhere else. How come adults are so annoying?”

Jiang Yunbian rolled up his sleeves.

Xu Zhaoru looked at the little brat’s face and suddenly remembered something. She grabbed Jiang Yunbian. “Don’t, this is the young master of the Huang family, a precious little darling. You can’t hit him.”

Jiang Yunbian knew that most of the guests at the Zhou family’s house were either rich or influential. This little master, who was so arrogant, must be pampered by his family. Teaching him a lesson might really cause trouble for Zhou Die.

“Okay, okay, you’re the masters. Play as you like.”

Xu Zhaoru stood up, adjusting her dress, and was about to walk away with Jiang Yunbian when the child crossed his arms. “Hmph, you’re smart.”

Xu Zhaoru: “You little…”

Jiang Yunbian said, “He’s surnamed Huang, a little brat, so he shouldn’t be hit.”

The two of them moved to a shaded spot under a tree and saw the little boy from earlier standing on the swing, holding onto the wobbly chains with an attitude of “the world belongs to me.”

“I’m going to be Enigma in the future!”

The other kids around him chattered, and one asked, “How do you know you’re going to be Enigma?”

The brat didn’t answer but said, “I’ll be stronger than Zhou Shi-ge!”

Jiang Yunbian asked, “Who is Zhou Shi?”

Xu Zhaoru explained, “Zhou Shi-ge is because his grandfather is an Enigma, and their family has the gene.” A girl with some understanding corrected him, “But Huang Yu, your family doesn’t have Enigma, so you probably can’t become an E.”

Huang Yu didn’t understand genes; he had only learned that Enigma was the strongest and had asked his parents if he could be the strongest.

“You don’t understand! You’ll definitely be a Beta in the future—unwanted, unloved, without pheromones!”

The girl’s face turned red with anger, and in a classic preschooler argument, she retorted, “You’re the one who’s a rebound!”

Jiang Yunbian found watching the six or seven-year-olds argue amusing and intended to watch for a while, but suddenly Huang Yu reached out to pull the girl’s braid.

“I already said, you…”

“Stop it!” Jiang Yunbian grabbed his wrist. “You can’t win a debate with a girl, and now you want to get physical? Are you even a man?”

Xu Zhaoru also came over, picking up the little girl and quickly comforting her as she started to cry.

Huang Yu tried to pull his hand back, but Jiang Yunbian easily lifted him off the swing by the collar. “Apologize, now!”

Then he turned to the other little kids huddled together. “And you, didn’t you stop them when you saw the fight?”

The kids were silent. The girl, leaning against Xu Zhaoru, timidly said, “Huang Yu, apologize to me, and I’ll forgive you.”

Huang Yu spat, “Peh.”

Jiang Yunbian gave him a light slap on the buttocks. “Argue with a girl, lose, and then still act out? No manners?”

Jiang Yunbian really didn’t want to get tough with kids, but this one needed a lesson.

“Who are you to boss me around!” Huang Yu struggled to push his hand away.

Xu Zhaoru was also angry. “This is Zhou-ge’s friend; you’d better show some respect!”

“He’s not my brother! My mom said he was picked up from outside…” Huang Yu started to say, but was cut off by Jiang Yunbian squeezing his cheek.

Jiang Yunbian thought he shouldn’t be rough with kids, but there were exceptions for filthy mouths and disrespect.

“I initially thought you were just spoiled,” Jiang Yunbian sneered, “but it turns out you’re genuinely bad.”

Huang Yu winced from the pain, his eyes filling with tears, and he turned to run.

But Jiang Yunbian, who believed in making a point once started, grabbed the kid by the collar and forced him to bow in front of the girl, holding him by the nape of his neck. “Apologize first, or you’re not going anywhere.”

With some effort, Huang Yu reluctantly bowed.

Jiang Yunbian glared at him again, and he begrudgingly, tearfully said, “I’m sorry.”

Xu Zhaoru thought Jiang Yunbian looked incredibly cool. This kind of bullying brat shouldn’t be pampered.

“And,” Jiang Yunbian said, pulling out his phone and showing a photo of himself and Zhou Die.

Though the photo was somewhat embellished, Zhou Die was recognizable.

Jiang Yunbian enlarged the photo and pressed it against Huang Yu’s forehead. “Apologize to your Zhou-ge again.”

Huang Yu was humiliated by being made to apologize while facing the photo, and with tears streaming down, he cried out, “I’m sorry, Zhou-ge.”

“Alright, you’re being reasonable now,” Jiang Yunbian said, letting him go. Huang Yu dashed back into the living room.

Xu Zhaoru took a moment to react and quickly turned to the group of kids. “You all know what happened, right?”

The kids nodded, trembling.

“If their parents come asking later, tell them the truth,” Xu Zhaoru said with a sinister smile. “If I find out anyone lied, I won’t let you off easily.”

The kids fled in panic.

Jiang Yunbian chuckled. “You seem to have a knack for handling rough situations.”

“It’s that kid who’s too much of a brat,” Xu Zhaoru said, handing tissues to the little girl and gently wiping her tears. “But Brother Jiang, you really spoil Zhou Die. You can’t stand anyone saying a bad word about him, can you?”

“That kid had a dirty mouth. If the elders don’t teach him, I will,” Jiang Yunbian said, patting the swing and sitting down.

At first, he had tolerated the kid because it was Zhou Die’s house and didn’t want to cause trouble. But that didn’t mean he would let the kid run wild.

Xu Zhaoru sighed. “I really want Zhou Die to see how you made Huang Yu apologize to his photo.”

She imagined if she were in Zhou Die’s place, she would probably fall in love instantly and never want to wake up.

Jiang Yunbian didn’t respond and sent a message to Zhou Die on his phone.

Zhou Die’s phone rang just as he finished talking with his grandfather.

[Jiang Yunbian: Caused trouble, save me QAQ.]

He raised an eyebrow, and then there was a knock on the door to his grandfather’s study.

“Mr. Huang?” Old Mr. Zhou looked at the door.

Mr. Huang, holding the tearful child, sighed. “Old Mr. Zhou, my child said he was bullied and is crying pitifully…”

Complaining?

Zhou Die instantly realized what had happened and asked, “Who dared to bully you?”

Huang Yu could only describe, “A man and a woman.”

“The boy, is he about my height and good-looking? And the girl, was she wearing a dress?”

Huang Yu nodded repeatedly, looking pitiful. “Zhou-ge, help me!”

Zhou Die turned to his grandfather, who understood at once.

Given Zhou Die’s description, it could only be Jiang Yunbian and Xu Zhaoru.

“Okay, I’ll take care of them. Mr. Huang, the child is crying hard; he probably misses home,” the old man said, lightly tapping the ground with his cane.

Mr. Huang’s smile stiffened as he realized the implication of the statement.

Their child was bullied, but they were the ones being chased away?

“Xiao Die, you should go out too. I need a rest.”

Zhou Die agreed and saw Mr. Huang awkwardly carrying his son out.

As the family hurriedly left, Zhou Die came downstairs intending to find Jiang Yunbian but was surrounded by a group of kids.

“Zhou-ge, Huang Yu bullied Xiao Chi just now!”

“Huang Yu even cursed at you, but the big brother stopped him.”

“The big brother made Huang Yu apologize to Xiao Chi and also to you!”

The kids chattered away, probably scared by Xu Zhaoru, and spilled everything to Zhou Die.

Jiang Yunbian and Xu Zhaoru were described as not just New Year’s guests but like emissaries of justice.

When Zhou Die heard “the big brother made Huang Yu apologize to your photo,” he couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Alright, thanks.”

Jiang Yunbian was waiting in the garden for the Huang family to come and settle things, but after waiting for a while with no sign of them, he decided to go inside to find them.

But the Zhou house was quite large, and he had only walked around a bit without finding anyone, ending up in an unfamiliar corner.

Just as he was about to call Zhou Die, someone suddenly hugged him from behind.

A low, amused male voice whispered in his ear, “Is it you who bullied the child?”