The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 52

“Wen Lin, I don’t know what you’re thinking.” Xu Zhan sighed, “Yun Bian has made it very clear that he doesn’t want to have any more involvement with you. You already paid such a big price back then, why are you still so…”

 

He couldn’t bring himself to say the words *ungrateful* to his former friend.

 

“I don’t mean it that way.” Wen Lin’s smile faded, and his expression turned serious. “Our family has really found a specialized doctor and a psychological counselor. I want to do my best to make up for the mistakes I made back then.”

 

“I know that what happened can’t be changed, but is it fair not to even give me a chance to make amends?”

 

Xu Zhan clenched his jaw.

 

“Let’s not talk about Yun Bian. Do you still remember us back then? We raised our glasses, talked about our dreams and the future—wasn’t everyone sincere? Can’t three years of friendship at least give me a chance to atone?”

 

“Don’t say this to me.” Xu Zhan pushed himself up from the table. “You shouldn’t be telling me these things. Yun Bian said he doesn’t want to see you, so he doesn’t want to. It’s not like only your family can find doctors in this world.”

 

Wen Lin’s hand, resting on the table, tightened slightly before relaxing into a fist. “Sorry.”

 

Xu Zhan didn’t say much more and turned to leave.

 

“By the way, Xu Zhan, one last question.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“That top student in your school, Zhou Die—are they close with Jiang Yunbian?”

 

Xu Zhan froze in place, a sudden chill creeping up his spine. He turned his head slightly.

 

Wen Lin remained seated, his expression unchanged, with a smile that was hard to interpret, as if he was just casually asking.

 

If Xu Zhan hadn’t been close to Jiang Yunbian, he might have brushed off the question as a casual inquiry between ordinary friends.

 

But he knew the relationship between Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die.

 

This question, though wrapped in a veneer of nonchalance, hid a sharp blade beneath.

 

Why was Wen Lin paying attention to Jiang Yunbian’s social circle?

 

“Just average.” Xu Zhan replied casually as he walked out of the restaurant.

 

Xu Zhan didn’t want to get involved in the conflict between Wen Lin and Jiang Yunbian, but he couldn’t help remembering the past.

 

There really were days when they sweated for their passions.

 

As he composed himself and returned to school, he remembered that Jiang Yunbian hadn’t eaten yet.

 

After picking up some food from a nearby shop, he realized that Jiang Yunbian was alone.

 

Wasn’t Zhou Die with him?

 

When he got to the dormitory, Jiang Yunbian was leaning back in his chair, watching a movie with deep concentration.

 

Xu Zhan had just passed by a few dorms where the guys would rather wrap their books in plastic and take them to the shower with them. But Jiang Yunbian, ever different from the rest, even watched movies in a more relaxed manner.

 

Xu Zhan knocked on the door.

 

“Coming.” Jiang Yunbian paused the movie and turned around, a slight furrow in his brow.

 

Xu Zhan placed the food on the table. “Here, Dad brought you dinner. Eat it while it’s hot.”

 

Jiang Yunbian tapped his fingers on the table, then took the food over to his seat. “Thanks.”

 

“Where’s Zhou Die?”

 

“Something came up. They won’t be around for the next two weeks.” Jiang Yunbian lowered his head, unwrapping the meal.

 

“Oh.” Xu Zhan’s gaze wandered around. “Yunbian, the college entrance exams are coming up. What’s your sister planning to do?”

 

“She just went to take a test at school a few days ago. She said she did okay.”

 

“An Omega-exclusive university?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

So, she still can’t interact with Alphas normally.

 

“Has she…” Xu Zhan hesitated, “received any counseling or treatment?”

 

“Xu Zhan.” Jiang Yunbian put down his chopsticks. When he looked up, his eyes were cool, showing no emotion. “Did you run into Wen Lin today?”

 

Xu Zhan felt a tightness in his throat; Jiang Yunbian’s sharpness always made him uneasy.

 

But this wasn’t a question he could avoid.

 

“Yeah, I saw him during dinner.”

 

The way he said “saw him” was ambiguous, making it unclear whether they had bumped into each other by chance or met intentionally.

 

“You know I don’t want to talk about him,” Jiang Yunbian said.

 

“Of course I know,” Xu Zhan said a bit hastily, “but he, I…”

 

“That’s enough. I’m eating now.” Jiang Yunbian had thought he was over Wen Lin, but he didn’t expect that his ability to keep his emotions in check during training was only because Zhou Die was there.

 

Once Enigma left, everything was laid bare.

 

“Yunbian.” Xu Zhan took a deep breath, summoning his courage, “Wen Lin said he found a professional doctor and psychological counselor.”

 

*Clatter.*

 

The sound interrupted Xu Zhan. The meal that had just been opened was thrown into the trash can.

 

Jiang Yunbian stood up, his expression unchanged, not even glancing at Xu Zhan’s face. “I’m in a bad mood. Going out for some air.”

 

Xu Zhan knew his words had touched a nerve for Jiang Yunbian. His instinct was to apologize, but the words got stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t make a sound.

 

Jiang Yunbian was always like this, shutting down any topic he didn’t want to discuss. No matter who tried to bring it up, they would hit a wall.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, isn’t this holding on to the past?” Xu Zhan chased after him, his voice trembling. “It’s been almost three years. I just want you and Yun Yi to move on from that dark memory. Neither of you did anything wrong, did you?”

 

The noise had drawn some attention, and a few passing guys were startled by the tense atmosphere between them. Jiang Yunbian had just stepped down half a flight of stairs when he let out a cold laugh.

 

The passersby looked on in confusion. Everyone in their grade knew about the close relationship between Jiang Yunbian and Xu Zhan, so this sudden conflict was a shock.

 

Xu Zhan’s chest heaved. “Why are you imprisoning yourself with someone else’s mistakes?”

 

Jiang Yunbian licked his back teeth and turned to look at Xu Zhan, a cold smile on his face. “So what? Should I act like a saint and forgive him? Accept the arrangements he made to torment Yun Yi?”

 

“I’m not…”

 

“Xu Zhan, I consider you a friend. So,” Jiang Yunbian’s eyes were as cold and deep as ice submerged in the ocean, “don’t bring this up again.”

 

He didn’t want to know that a friend he cared about had any connection with that person.

 

Even if they did, he didn’t want to know.

 

Jiang Yunbian let go and continued down the stairs. The few guys who had been eavesdropping scattered like frightened animals at his glare.

 

After he left, the dormitory building slowly returned to life.

 

“What the hell happened? Why did Jiang Yunbian suddenly revert to his school bully mode?”

 

“And with Xu Zhan, of all people. What was it about? A girl? An Omega?”

 

“Maybe the stress of studying is getting to them… Jiang Yunbian is so dangerous. Even Xu Zhan, the nicest guy around, almost got into a fight with him…”

 

The sudden incident, combined with Jiang Yunbian’s expression, inevitably led to some negative speculation among those watching him leave.

 

“Enough.” Xu Zhan gave a cold glare to the guys in the next dorm who were getting more and more out of line. “If you don’t know, don’t speak.”

 

The group reluctantly fell silent and dispersed.

 

Xu Zhan returned to his dorm, frustrated, and raked his hand through his hair. How could he have done something so foolish?

 

On the way back, he had naively imagined that maybe their relationship could be restored to what it once was.

 

When Zheng Xinglin walked in, he saw Xu Zhan regrettably pounding the desk.

 

“Xu-ge, what’s wrong?”

 

Xu Zhan let out a long sigh, muttering, “Nothing, just let me be quiet for a while.”

 

He pulled out his phone and opened his chat with Zhou Die.

 

*

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t felt this irritable in a long time. Just a few days ago at the training base, he could pretend Wen Lin was invisible, but as soon as Xu Zhan said a few words, his temper flared.

 

The tip of his tongue tasted bitter. Jiang Yunbian walked out of the school and stood at the entrance of the convenience store but dismissed the thought of buying cigarettes.

 

Relying on external objects to vent emotions—what kind of man does that?

 

But he still skipped evening self-study. By the time he took the bus to the riverbank, he realized he might really be losing it.

 

Spending over half an hour just to catch some cold wind—he must be seriously out of his mind to do something like this.

 

He found a spot to sit down casually. As he watched the occasional ripples on the river’s surface, he suddenly remembered the New Year’s Eve party last year.

 

After all the conflicts and arguments ended, Zhou Die had waited for him in the cold wind outside the tavern for over an hour.

 

He had been quite an asshole that night.

 

Thinking about it, Jiang Yunbian’s hand, hanging by his side, suddenly clenched into a fist.

 

His palm hurt, along with his fingers and heart.

 

He stared at the lake for a long time before gritting his teeth and cursing under his breath.

 

He missed Zhou Die.

 

This is damn one-sided love, isn’t it?

 

When Zhou Die told him that morning that he was going home, he thought it didn’t matter—it was just two weeks.

 

But now, it had only been a few hours, and he was already disgusted with himself.

 

Jiang Yunbian propped his chin up with one hand while holding his phone with the other, opening WeChat. He had pinned “Zhou Meow Meow” to the top, so it didn’t take much effort to find him.

 

He couldn’t even waste time looking for the contact.

 

Jiang Yunbian stared at the chat box for a long time, switched the keyboard from the 26-key layout to the 9-key one, but then felt uncomfortable and switched it back. Yet still, he couldn’t type a single word for a long time.

 

Are you being dramatic, Jiang Yunbian!

 

Angrily, he turned off the screen and stuffed the phone back into his pocket, glaring at the river for a long time. Then, without much resolve, he fished the phone out again.

 

He wanted to chat, to hear his voice, to see him.

 

The phone suddenly vibrated, startling Jiang Yunbian, who almost dropped it into the water.

 

When he saw the caller ID, recognizing the name “Zhou Meow Meow,” his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a bit scared.

 

What is this? Did Zhou Die plant a bug in his heart? How did he know to call at this exact moment?

 

Hiding his flustered emotions, Jiang Yunbian cleared his throat and forced a casual tone: “Hello?”

 

There was a pause on the other end, then a hint of a smile: “Hello, I’m looking for Jiang Woof Woof. Can you let him take the call?”

 

“No such person here.” Jiang Yunbian snorted. “I’m hanging up.”

 

Zhou Die didn’t respond. Jiang Yunbian stared at the phone for a moment. “Don’t play dead. Stop me.”

 

“I’m looking for Jiang Woof Woof. If he’s not there, then forget it. Hang up.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought this guy was really cunning.

 

“Then tell me what you need to say, and I’ll pass it on later.”

 

Zhou Die responded calmly, “No, I need to speak to him directly.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had raised the stakes himself and now found himself speechless, gritting his teeth and using great determination to hang up the phone.

 

Then he started to regret it. What if Zhou Die really had something important to say? Was it appropriate for him to hang up just like that?

 

But luckily, after only ten seconds, the phone rang again.

 

All his previous anxiety was thrown aside. Proud Jiang Woof Woof resisted the urge to pick up immediately and counted to five before answering.

 

Zhou Die’s smile was evident, his voice tinged with affection and helplessness: “I’m looking for the little bully Jiang Woof Woof. Is he there?”

 

“He’s here this time.” The smart dog wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Jiang Yunbian replied cheerfully, “Go ahead.”

 

“I’ve arrived home. Mom’s doing well. Remember to eat properly.”

 

It was a concise and straightforward message.

 

All of Jiang Yunbian’s awkward emotions softened like melting cream, sticky and yielding.

 

Feeling overly relieved, he quietly stared at the darkening sky for a long time before murmuring, “I haven’t been eating properly.”

 

Zhou Die hadn’t actually arrived home yet; there was a traffic jam.

 

It seemed there had been an accident ahead, and the cars behind were honking impatiently. The dusk light appeared ready to burn away at the horizon.

 

Five minutes earlier, Xu Zhan had messaged him, explaining everything and even apologizing.

 

Zhou Die figured that anything he said now wouldn’t get through to Jiang Yunbian, so Xu Zhan had to ask for help.

 

Zhou Die didn’t hesitate to call Jiang Yunbian, initially not noticing his emotional state. It wasn’t until Jiang Yunbian mentioned not eating properly that Zhou Die realized how low his spirits were.

 

Jiang Yunbian probably didn’t even realize how pitiful and heart-wrenching those seven words sounded.

 

“Why aren’t you eating properly?” Zhou Die asked in response. “Good dogs shouldn’t be picky eaters.”

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled lightly, “Screw you and your picky eating. I just don’t have an appetite.”

 

“Should I order you some takeout?”

 

“No need, thanks.” Jiang Yunbian leaned back on his hands, tilting his head to look at the night sky that had begun to descend. The wind brushing over his head finally made him feel at ease.

 

Even though there wasn’t a hint of cedar in the air, this person could still perfectly calm all his emotions.

 

“You said you had something to tell me earlier. What is it?”

 

“Just wanted to check if, in the one hour and forty-five minutes since I left, my Woof Woof has missed me.”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian suddenly felt his heartbeat quicken.

 

This guy was three months younger than him!

 

How could he have Jiang Yunbian wrapped around his finger like this?

 

“Are you bored or something?” Jiang Yunbian muttered, “If you are, go do some extra practice questions. The future of the new era awaits us. At seventeen or eighteen, you should have ambitions to revitalize the nation and pursue great ideals!”

 

“Hmm, you’re right.” Zhou Die replied with amused patience, “Jiang Woof Woof’s awareness is something I should learn from.”

 

“Glad you understand.”

 

“So, what are you planning to eat tonight?”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian didn’t understand why this guy was so persistent about him eating.

 

“Let me use it as a reference.”

 

“Dragon meat, got it?”

 

“Where’s it sold? Let me buy half a pound too.” Zhou Die added, “Half a pound might not be enough. See if you can strike a deal with the seller to get a steady supply for you.”

 

“Zhou Die, why are you full of nonsense?”

 

“My front-row seatmate taught me.”

 

“Could you stop blaming everything on your seatmate? They’re innocent.”

 

“My roommate taught me.”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian was at a loss. How could he have so many identities in Zhou Die’s eyes!

 

The sound of car horns suddenly came through, and Jiang Yunbian caught it, squinting his eyes, “Zhou Miaomiao, you’ve become mischievous, haven’t you? You’re lying?”

 

Zhou Die chuckled, “Your ears are that sharp, huh?”

 

“You’re still on the road? Why did you call me?”

 

“Although the form of the question has changed, I think I’ve already given you the answer.”

 

It took Jiang Yunbian two seconds to realize he was referring to the question, “Did Xu Zhan say something to you?”

 

Zhou Die sighed, “Do you want to talk about it?”

 

“It’s nothing, just a small disagreement. By the time I go back and sleep under the covers tonight, I’ll have forgotten it.”

 

“Speaking of that, turn the air conditioner up a bit tonight. You keep kicking the covers off.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t know how he could so smoothly change the topic. He suddenly stood up, “Mind your own business!”

 

Then, in a fit of anger, he hung up the phone.

 

On WeChat, Zhou Die only replied with two emojis.

 

[Zhou Miaomiao: Cat scratching.jpg]

 

[Zhou Miaomiao: Cat biting.jpg]

 

[Jiang Wangwang: Going to get rabies shots, bye. Smile]

 

Zhou Die looked at his phone and chuckled, thinking to himself that Jiang Wangwang was still cute.

 

The car finally started moving again. What should have been a half-hour drive took almost an hour, and by the time he got home, Wen Yue was already sitting in the living room waiting for him.

 

“I was just about to call you,” Wen Yue helped him take off his backpack and coat, “You must be exhausted.”

 

Zhou Die shook his head, “No need to wait for me for dinner next time. How’s your health?”

 

“What could be wrong? You worry too much.” Wen Yue smiled, “Do I look that frail and weak to you?”

 

As they walked to the dining table, Wen Yue suddenly turned back.

 

“You told Yunbian that you’d be staying home, right? You two share a dorm; won’t he be scared staying alone?”

 

If Jiang Yunbian heard the word “scared,” he’d probably blow up again.

 

“I told him, he doesn’t mind.”

 

“Bring him home for dinner over the weekend. The restaurants near your school don’t seem that great,” Wen Yue said gently. “It’s a good opportunity for me to cook and use these fine ingredients.”

 

Speaking of cooking, Zhou Die remembered, “Are you planning to make breakfast tomorrow?”

 

“Yes.” Wen Yue had been strictly following a regimen to restore her health, which required early to bed and early to rise, “Anything specific you want? I’ll make it for you. And I’ll make an extra portion for Yunbian.”

 

Zhou Die agreed.

 

Wen Yue served him some food, “In two months, you’ll be an adult. Have you thought about your future with Yunbian?”

 

Zhou Die’s hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly as he looked up at his mother.

 

“It’s not that I don’t support you two,” Wen Yue set down her bowl.

 

Ever since her health issues had been openly discussed, she suddenly became aware of the problems within EA.

 

Jiang Yunbian was fundamentally different from an Omega. He wasn’t the type to go with the flow; the unique pride and dignity of an Alpha made him shine brightly. She suddenly found herself worrying about her child.

 

She knew how exceptional Jiang Yunbian was, and she also knew how special Zhou Die was, but transforming an Alpha into a designated Omega wasn’t a simple task.

 

And what if, after growing up and entering different worlds, the two of them regretted it?

 

If Jiang Yunbian decided to leave Zhou Die, it wouldn’t just be a matter of removing a mark.

 

By deciding to become a designated Omega, he was already destined to be different from Alphas.

 

Even though his pheromones wouldn’t undergo drastic changes like those of an Omega, and he wouldn’t be at a similar disadvantage, his body would still be affected.

 

In a way, her son really had messed with someone’s life.

 

Jiang Yunbian was an outstanding Alpha.

 

“I won’t let him down,” Zhou Die said softly, looking at his mother, his tone light but full of promise.

 

He was aware of all the consequences and didn’t plan to force Jiang Yunbian to make any decisions right after they both became adults.

 

“But Xiao Die, instincts are much harder to control than you might think.”

 

Frequent temporary markings would create a dependency between the two of them, and if that feeling kept building up without a lifelong bond, it would become a torment for both of them.

 

Especially for an Enigma, whose control and possessiveness would only deepen over time. When they reached their limit, he might do something even he couldn’t control.

 

It was impossible not to worry.

 

Zhou Die listened quietly.

 

“You must respect the other person and take things step by step. If he chooses to be with you, he’s making a huge sacrifice.” Wen Yue finally smiled, “I believe you understand.”

 

Every step Jiang Yunbian took closer to Zhou Die was against his nature. An Alpha would never willingly be the one controlled and possessed.

 

Zhou Die agreed softly.

 

The next morning, Wen Yue made two portions of an exquisite breakfast. When Zhou Die brought it back to school, Jiang Yunbian was still lying on his desk catching up on sleep.

 

Morning inspection was done by Xu Zhaoruo, who, upon seeing the breakfast Zhou Die brought, sighed bitterly, “Back when I was still the ‘fiancée,’ I used to enjoy this kind of treatment too.”

 

Jiang Yunbian, just waking up, stretched and only then noticed the breakfast Zhou Die had brought him.

 

Xu Zhaoruo pointed at him, looking like someone banished to the cold palace, “Now, all I hear is the laughter of the new and none of the tears of the old…”

 

Jiang Yunbian hadn’t figured out what was going on, “What’s she doing?”

 

Zhou Die thought for a moment, “Competing for favor?”

 

Xu Zhaoruo: “Your humble servant wouldn’t dare, your humble servant just had a craving for drama. I’ll take my leave after inspecting the classroom.”

 

Zhou Die tapped on Jiang Yunbian’s desk, “Breakfast, it’s hot.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had overslept and hadn’t eaten anything. Last night, he went back to the dorm and fell asleep until morning. Hearing about breakfast, he felt a bit hungry.

 

He was just about to say thank you when he noticed Zhou Die’s gaze on the desk in front of him.

 

Jiang Yunbian had a rough idea that Zhou Die had learned about what happened last night, feeling a bit embarrassed.

 

Why did this feel like a primary school student needing the teacher to mediate a conflict with a classmate?

 

Jiang Yunbian ran a hand through his slightly messy hair and then noticed Xu Zhan.

 

He seemed to have been watching him wake up, looking like he had something to say.

 

“…What is it?” Jiang Yunbian averted his eyes, feeling a bit uneasy.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ignored your feelings and said those things,” Xu Zhan admitted readily. “I won’t help Wen Lin pass on messages anymore.”

 

Jiang Yunbian responded with an “oh,” but felt that such a simple reply might be a bit rude, “Um, want some breakfast? Zhou Die’s mom…”

 

Halfway through, he turned back to ask for permission, “Can I share it with my desk mate?”

 

Zhou Die, amused by his demeanor, then playfully encouraged, “Sure, eat with your little friend.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

In the final year of high school, there wasn’t much time to waste on conflicts. After the matter was settled, various exams followed one after another.

 

The scorching summer sun baked the ground, and it wasn’t until the countdown changed from double digits to single digits that Jiang Yunbian suddenly realized something.

 

Zhou Die’s eighteenth birthday was the day before the college entrance exams.