The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 48

Jiang Yunbian felt his ears warm from Zhou Die’s voice as he wandered through the small shop, but he couldn’t find any mint candy.

 

Zhou Die stood at the shop’s entrance, with the winter sun and warm breeze moving slowly.

 

“There’s none of what you wanted,” Jiang Yunbian handed him a candy, “Use this as a temporary substitute.”

 

Zhou Die looked down and saw it was a grape-flavored lollipop.

 

He remembered that Jiang Yunbian didn’t really like sweets, but whenever he did have them, he always chose this flavor. Jiang Yunbian had found his favorite substitute.

 

Zhou Die’s eyes curved into a slight smile. “You didn’t have dinner. Aren’t you going to buy something to eat?”

 

“Not hungry,” Jiang Yunbian looked at the last bit of sunlight fading on the horizon, giving a vague excuse, “Maybe because I just woke up.”

 

“Yunbian.” Zhou Die unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth. “If you keep acting like this, I’ll get jealous.”

 

It took Jiang Yunbian a moment to react. “Jealous of what?”

 

“Whoever it is, however they do it, as long as you think about them every day, I’ll get jealous,” Zhou Die’s lollipop rested at the corner of his lips, watching the usually aloof boy’s cheeks puff out slightly. “Don’t be fooled by my appearance; I can be quite jealous.”

 

His voice carried a bit of lazy nonchalance, sounding extremely frivolous.

 

“Jealousy needs to be soothed in time; if not, it leads to sulking,” he concluded for himself, “It’s quite troublesome.”

 

Jiang Yunbian laughed at this and whispered, “You’re quite self-aware, aren’t you?”

 

“That comment sounds like an insult,” Zhou Die said, twirling the lollipop with his fingertips, leaning closer with a sweet grape scent, “So I’m going to sulk now.”

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed for the first time that Zhou Die’s lips were thin and slightly pink, with a very attractive shape.

 

“Not going to soothe me?”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt his ears heat up from Zhou Die’s low voice attack and awkwardly raised his hand.

 

He ruffled the top of Zhou Die’s head a couple of times.

 

“Is this… okay?”

 

Looking at Zhou Die from this angle, Jiang Yunbian noticed his facial structure was quite good—deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge. Yet, this person always looked at him with slightly lowered eyes, filtering the affection and fondness through his gaze.

 

Jiang Yunbian realized belatedly that Zhou Die was three months younger than him, but he felt like Zhou Die had him completely in his grasp.

 

“Constantly relying on you doesn’t seem like a solution,” Jiang Yunbian averted his gaze and thought seriously for a long time, “How about this…”

 

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Die easily interrupted, “I’m afraid of strangers and need to get used to the bed. How about this: you hug me to sleep at night?”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

Zhou Die: “How about it?”

 

Zhou Die often made these small, boundary-pushing jokes. At first, Jiang Yunbian ignored them, then blushed. But now…

 

“Wait until you’re of legal age.”

 

Jiang Yunbian said this and turned to leave, leaving Zhou Die standing there in a daze.

 

Placing his right hand on his neck, Zhou Die realized his temperature had risen quite a bit.

 

…Really can’t speak casually.

 

*

 

Although the Third School and Ning High were on the same floor, their schedules were different. On the first night, Jiang Yunbian didn’t see Wen Lin at all.

 

Classes started on Sunday, with schedules consistent with those at school. Jiang Yunbian was woken up early by the alarm clock.

 

After waking up, he wanted to stay in bed a bit longer, but he could already hear water running on the balcony.

 

“Are you up?” Zhou Die, now dressed in his outerwear, walked to Jiang Yunbian’s bedside and patiently leaned down, “Or do you not want to go to the first class in the morning?”

 

Jiang Yunbian pulled back the quilt, intending to startle him, but Zhou Die’s expression remained unchanged.

 

“Not feeling it.” Jiang Yunbian yawned and lazily got out of bed.

 

Zhou Die smiled, helping him smooth down his fluffy, slightly curly hair.

 

To foster competition among students, the training camp had arranged for two schools’ students to share one classroom.

 

When Jiang Yunbian arrived, Xu Zhaoru had already saved seats for him and Zhou Die and was waving at them.

 

The classroom had double desks, ten desks and chairs on each side. Xu Zhaoru had saved them the seats in the last row.

 

Ning High students sat on the right side. Wen Lin’s gaze followed Jiang Yunbian intently as soon as he appeared.

 

It had been three years since their last meeting. He thought Jiang Yunbian would still have the same aloof expression and sit in a corner away from the crowd.

 

But Wen Lin’s expression was calm, and he even showed a slight smile when someone called his name.

 

He showed no signs of avoiding or dodging.

 

Jiang Yunbian sat among the Third School students.

 

Wen Lin lowered his gaze.

 

“Is that the top student from the Third School? The aura is indeed different,” a boy from the next seat asked Wen Lin quietly, “But it seems like he has the same score as that Jiang? Doesn’t seem that impressive.”

 

Another person chimed in, “After all, our Ning High’s top student will always be at least ten points ahead of the second place.”

 

The whispers from Ning High were quite loud, and Xu Zhaoru found it difficult to ignore.

 

After Zhou Die’s comfort the night before, Jiang Yunbian suddenly realized his indifference to Ning High had reached a new level.

 

“Previously, I heard their school’s top students were quite arrogant, and it really seems to be true now,” Xu Zhaoru muttered, not looking up from his phone, searching for nearby takeout.

 

“They do have the capability!” Wei Chu was displeased, turned around to retort but changed his mind after a look from Jiang Yunbian.

 

“Wei Chu, since you’re so eager to flatter the other side, it’s not too late to transfer schools.”

 

“I,” Wei Chu’s face turned red, “I still prefer the Third School a bit more.”

 

His desk partner placed a test paper on his desk. “Then stop talking nonsense.”

 

Jiang Yunbian received the test paper; the first subject was math, with almost all questions being advanced problems.

 

Xu Zhaoru’s face turned pale, turning around, “Guys, I’m worst at functions. Is there any savior around?”

 

Jiang Yunbian took a pencil from Zhou Die’s desk and roughly categorized the questions on the paper. “These three problems have the same solving method; the following ones should consider intervals…”

 

“Not bad. As expected of the top ten students from the Third School. Even before the teacher started discussing the problems, you were already discussing them among yourselves,” the teacher who was adjusting the equipment in the classroom praised.

 

Xu Zhaoru: “You flatter me. I really don’t know.”

 

Because of the difficulty, the teacher thoroughly explained the problem-solving approach and then asked them to try similar problems.

 

“Classes are quite dull, and now that we have top students from both schools here, let’s have a competition.”

 

Jiang Yunbian observed for a while and confirmed that this teacher, besides being experienced, was quite adept at handling things.

 

“I won’t call names. One student from each class. Any volunteers?”

 

There was no response from the back row. Wei Chu, after flipping through the test paper twice, seemed confident and raised his hand.

 

Jiang Yunbian: “I’ll bet an ice cream that he can’t match the one from the next class.”

 

A boy in the front turned around, “Damn, definitely won’t match up.”

 

Xu Zhaoru, amused: “At least he’s one of us.”

 

The Third School’s side accepted the challenge, and naturally, Ning High didn’t back down, sending a tall, thin boy to the front.

 

“Got all the questions?” The teacher checked his watch. “Time starts now!”

 

Zhou Die’s mental calculation speed was fast. By the time Jiang Yunbian was still evaluating ranges on the scratch paper, Zhou Die already had his answer.

 

He patiently rested his chin on his hand, watching Zhou Die solve the problem. When Jiang Yunbian finished, he pinched his own knuckles. “Is it 378.2?”

 

Zhou Die responded, “Smart.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s face turned a bit red.

 

Despite being slower than Zhou Die, he was praised, which was confusing.

 

Wei Chu was furiously writing on the blackboard. His approach was correct, but he chose the most complicated method.

 

The Ning High student finished quickly, placing the chalk on the desk and disdainfully glancing at Wei Chu.

 

The front-row boys from the Third School started to get annoyed.

 

“Ning High has taken the lead,” the teacher patted Wei Chu’s shoulder. “Your approach was good; you’re just not familiar with this type of problem.”

 

Wei Chu blushed as he walked back.

 

Several more questions followed, with the Third School’s math experts evening out the score.

 

“For the last question before the break, this time it’s not from the test paper.” The teacher changed to a new PPT slide, and Jiang Yunbian frowned slightly when he saw the question.

 

It was indeed not easy.

 

Xu Zhaoru wrote a few numbers, staring blankly, “Why can’t I even understand the question?”

 

“Any brave volunteers who want to give it a try?” The teacher tapped the blackboard, smiling at the two classes below.

 

Ning High was the first to make a commotion: “Yes, yes, our top student wants to try!”

 

Wen Lin was pushed by his desk mate and stood up, albeit reluctantly.

 

Jiang Yunbian had originally thought of trying, but seeing that Wen Lin had stood up, he lost all inclination.

 

Zhou Die took advantage of the moment to lightly tap his hand. “I want to go up.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “Then go ahead.”

 

“Give me a cheer?”

 

Jiang Yunbian turned to look at him.

 

Zhou Die, sincerely: “This question is a bit difficult. It would be embarrassing if I’m slower than him. I’m a bit timid.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought to himself that Zhou Die’s timidity was quite the joke.

 

But with everyone waiting, it seemed that the Third School really had to rely on him.

 

While Zhou Die was waiting to see how Jiang Yunbian would respond, he suddenly felt his left hand being clasped.

 

It was a quick, ten-finger interlock, briefly touching palms before withdrawing. Jiang Yunbian kept his gaze on the screen without any change.

 

“Alright, go ahead. Good luck.”

 

The front row turned around when they heard the chair move, only to see Zhou Die smiling faintly as he got up.

 

Front row student: “Wow, as expected of our Die Ge, handling the situation with a smile, impressive.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

Zhou Die and Wen Lin stood on either side of the blackboard. Wen Lin was already preparing with chalk, while Zhou Die was still looking at the question.

 

“Start.” The teacher started the timer.

 

Wen Lin solved the problems very quickly, with precise formulas and every equation connecting perfectly.

 

Xiao Zhou looked at Wen Lin, who had already written half the answers, and Zhou Die, who hadn’t written a single word yet. Despite trusting him, he was still very nervous.

 

Zhou Die was the face of the Third School; if he lost like this…

 

But Jiang Yunbian suddenly chuckled.

 

Xiao Zhou was puzzled: “What’s with you two? One is smiling when going up to the stage, and the other is smiling when it’s almost over. Aren’t you afraid…”

 

In his peripheral vision, Zhou Die finally picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the answer on the blackboard.

 

It was an interval. Zhou Die only wrote the answer and the value range before putting down the chalk and stepping down.

 

The teacher was momentarily stunned, then smiled: “The Third School got it right first, victory to them.”

 

The people in the front row finally reacted: “Wow, awesome, Die Ge!”

 

“I wrote one formula and forgot another. How did you manage to get the answer directly?”

 

Zhou Die returned to sit next to Jiang Yunbian, while Wen Lin was still writing the final answer on the board.

 

Jiang Yunbian pushed the scrap paper on the desk. Zhou Die looked down and saw the elegant and handsome handwriting: “Didn’t disappoint me.”

 

Zhou Die’s fingertips rested on Jiang Yunbian’s desk, then he opened his hand.

 

“The buff you gave me.”

 

Jiang Yunbian smiled and placed the eraser in his palm: “Stop trying to take credit.”

 

Then he noticed that several people from Ning High were looking over, and he awkwardly straightened up.

 

The student in the front row leaned back: “Die Ge, did you know that the moment you tossed the chalk, I felt the hearts of the girls on the opposite side fly over to you?”

 

“You just effortlessly crushed their top student, tsk tsk.”

 

Wei Chu was patted on the shoulder.

 

His desk mate asked: “Come on, roommate, how do you feel seeing your idol being KO’d on the spot?”

 

Wei Chu’s face turned as dark as a bottomless pot, showing dissatisfaction, but when looking at Zhou Die, he lowered his head.

 

“Alright, alright, you’re impressive. Stop teasing me!”

 

After class, Xiao Zhou was still pondering whether to get bubble tea, and some girls from Ning High approached.

 

“Zhou, you’re amazing. I didn’t even understand the problem before you solved it.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, we want to hear your problem-solving approach. Can you?”

 

“If you don’t mind, can we exchange contact information? I have some other questions.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was still packing up when his phone lit up.

 

[Xiao Zhou: Isn’t the top student from Ning High also capable? Why do they have to come find our big boss?]

 

[Xiao Zhou: We’re all seasoned foxes. What are they playing at?]

 

[Xiao Zhou: Xiao Jiang, go defend your rightful place!]

 

He hadn’t replied yet when he received another message.

 

[Zhou Meow Meow: I saw it.]

 

[Zhou Meow Meow: I’m not adding them.]

 

[Zhou Meow Meow: Cat crying.jpg]

 

These two were sitting right across from each other, yet they were having their own little drama in the message thread.

 

The girls from Ning High were still waiting for Zhou Die’s response, but he placed his phone on the desk, finished packing up: “Sorry, my partner is very strict.”

 

The Third School students looked at each other in confusion, wondering when Zhou Die had gotten such a troublesome partner, only Xiao Zhou looked approving, as if seeing a father-in-law defending his daughter.

 

The girls’ expressions changed instantly, and they awkwardly walked away.

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

He was really fed up.

 

Each teacher in the training camp had their own style, breaking down complex and difficult knowledge points into interesting and memorable segments for the students.

 

Xiao Zhou often said: “I feel like I can do it, I feel like I’ve awakened, I feel like the doors of top schools are about to open for me!”

 

But when the first round of testing results came out, besides Zhou Die and Jiang Yunbian, who were firmly in the top two, Xiao Zhou had fallen to beyond the thirtieth place.

 

The gap between dreams and reality was a thin line.

 

“Tomorrow is the 100-day pledge ceremony.” Before the last class of the day ended, the teacher extended the class by ten minutes, “The specific arrangements are out, the list is posted in the group.”

 

Jiang Yunbian opened it and found that he and Zhou Die were not in the same group.

 

Jiang Yunbian and Wei Chu were in one group, and Zhou Die and Wen Lin were in another.

 

Someone finally realized: “Damn, Zhou Die’s group has the top students from various schools?”

 

What a cutthroat group assignment!

 

After class, Jiang Yunbian slowly packed up his things and waited for Zhou Die, who came out with his backpack, looking not very pleased.

 

Jiang Yunbian watched him for a moment and said softly: “It’s just one day tomorrow, treat it as a chance to move around. Don’t take it too seriously.”

 

In the midst of people coming and going, Zhou Die gently lifted his hand and held onto the corner of Jiang Yunbian’s clothing.

 

“Got a feeling there won’t be enough mint tomorrow.”

 

Like a droopy cat.

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at his hand, gently letting his fingertips fall, and pinched the back of his hand.

 

It was like holding hands, but not quite.

 

But Zhou Die quickly held his hand and leaned in.

 

“It wasn’t like this in the morning.”

 

Zhou Die tightly gripped his fingertips, the warmth of his palm intertwined, making Jiang Yunbian feel like he might sweat, but didn’t.

 

“Let go,” Jiang Yunbian ordered without much force, “I’m starting to sweat…”

 

“Omega sweat contains subtle pheromones that mark their Alpha, and they can smell the mixed scent.” Zhou Die gently rubbed Jiang Yunbian’s knuckles with his thumb. “I think Alphas can too.”

 

In other words, he might now be receiving mint in a different way.

 

Jiang Yunbian sighed, as if he had suddenly given up resisting or had made up his mind.

 

Then Zhou Die felt his hand being gently pressed.

 

“Is this enough?”

 

Their fingers interlocked.

 

“Enough.” Zhou Die chuckled softly, “Thank you, Xiao Jiang Ge.”

 

“……”

 

The training camp was large, with the cafeteria in the south and classrooms in the north. After class, students flocked to the cafeteria, leaving the area quite empty.

 

Jiang Yunbian held Zhou Die’s hand without any reservation.

 

He was a bit hungry: “Want to go eat? I heard dinner is pretty good.”

 

Zhou Die slowly looked down at their joined hands, seeming reluctant to separate.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt it and admitted that Zhou Die’s hand was indeed a bit larger than his.

 

“Alright, we’ll hold hands again when we get back.”

 

Zhou Die reluctantly released his hand.

 

As soon as they reached the cafeteria, Zhou Die received a call from the class teacher about tomorrow’s task arrangements.

 

“I’ll get the food for you. This seems like it can be taken back to the dorm.” Jiang Yunbian waved his hand. “Xiao Zhou and the others are in the cafeteria, don’t worry about me.”

 

Zhou Die glanced at him for a moment: “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt Zhou Die’s concern was a bit excessive. In two weeks’ time, they would inevitably run into Wen Lin.

 

He was just initially resistant due to his emotions, but now that he clearly knew someone cared for him, he no longer took that person seriously.

 

He couldn’t let his Meow Meow keep eating that inexplicable jealousy.

 

But Wen Lin was an Alpha and shouldn’t have any interest in him.

 

Jiang Yunbian went to get his meal, returned to the dorm smoothly, and heard footsteps in the stairwell just as he opened the door.

 

The person stopped right in front of him.

 

“Jiang Yunbian.”

 

Wen Lin called his name softly.

 

Jiang Yunbian placed the food on the table and turned around with a faint smile: “What’s up?”

 

“There’s something.”

 

Zhou Die had sent him a message, saying he would be back in about ten minutes.

 

Jiang Yunbian put down his phone and leaned against the doorframe: “Speak.”

 

Wen Lin controlled the distance between them, his voice calm: “When I woke up in the hospital later, I regretted it deeply.”

 

“So?”

 

“This is my inner conflict. I really did regard you as a good friend before, and I had no intention of harming your sister.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought he had matured somewhat over the past three years.

 

But when faced with this person, he still couldn’t control his fists.

 

By the time he came to his senses, he had already grabbed Wen Lin by the sleeve and pressed him against the balcony.

 

His fist struck Wen Lin’s face, causing his lip to split and bleed.

 

Wen Lin’s eyes narrowed as he took a sharp breath.

 

“I really didn’t want to…”

 

“Shut up.” Jiang Yunbian shook his fist, feeling that this venting was futile. “I won’t forgive you, and don’t let me see you near my sister.”

 

“Jiang Yunbian.” Wen Lin looked at him, his fists relaxed, feeling a strong sense of unease.

 

Jiang Yunbian should be angry, whether for physically attacking him or for the insults, he should be furious.

 

But now that he had withdrawn his hand… it was as if he was telling Wen Lin that he was moving on from the painful past.

 

When Jiang Yunbian turned around, his pupils contracted.

 

“What the hell are you doing?”

 

Wen Lin was kneeling in front of him.

 

Jiang Yunbian kicked him in the shoulder, sending him sprawling a good distance away.

 

Wen Lin lay on the ground like a doll for venting, slowly getting up.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, I was only fifteen then, I didn’t know…”

 

“Shut up!” Jiang Yunbian stepped on his abdomen, causing Wen Lin to cough violently.

 

All the pain Jiang Yunbian had suffered was caused by this person, and now he actually had the nerve to say he was only fifteen at the time?

 

“Other Alphas at fifteen know to get help if they have issues. What the hell are you?”

 

Wen Lin lay on the ground, his vision blurred, but the voice and Jiang Yunbian’s blurry figure mixed together, making him inexplicably excited.

 

Jiang Yunbian was dirty.

 

He was just like back then, with his hands covered in Wen Lin’s blood, saturated with his pheromones, and suffering in the same way.

 

Forever trapped in that cold, bone-chilling rainy night, unable to escape.

 

“Yunbian.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was embraced from behind.

 

The scent of cedar exploded in the air, quickly spreading into an invisible web, stinging Wen Lin lying on the ground and tightly wrapping around Jiang Yunbian.

 

Zhou Die held Jiang Yunbian’s waist with one hand and pressed his shoulder with the other, anchoring him firmly in his embrace.

 

“Don’t get violent.”

 

A soft kiss and gentle persuasion fell on Jiang Yunbian’s nape. He shivered, the unfamiliar stimulation making his glands tingle, instantly draining all his strength.

 

After calming the person in his arms, Zhou Die looked at the man lying on the ground.

 

Wen Lin was struggling in pain on the ground, as if being suffocated by the cedar.

 

Zhou Die slowly withdrew his pheromones.

 

He placed Jiang Yunbian aside and then walked over to Wen Lin.

 

“Classmate.” He lifted Wen Lin’s collar from behind, his voice cold: “The infirmary, will you go yourself, or should I get someone from your school to carry you there?”