The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 55

The laughter in Zhou Die’s eyes quickly faded to a dark hue. His hand, which had been hanging at his side, suddenly fell onto Jiang Yunbian’s thigh, pressing against his smooth, pale skin.

 

Did Jiang Yunbian realize what he was doing?

 

Was it because he felt Zhou Die was so tolerant and indulgent towards him, that he could act with impunity?

 

Jiang Yunbian felt as if the warmth of Zhou Die’s palm had burned him. He tried to turn away, but Zhou Die held him tightly.

 

“Don’t move.” Zhou Die’s voice grew deeper, carrying a possessiveness unique to Enigma. “Let me see.”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt Zhou Die’s hand resting on a hot spot, gently tracing the lines of his muscles. The soft touch made the air around his waist seem to heat up.

 

“Stop.” Jiang Yunbian still tried to back away. “Don’t touch me, it’s uncomfortable.”

 

Zhou Die watched him put his shirt back on, averting his gaze to control his heavy breathing.

 

He originally wanted to leave Jiang Yunbian with a pleasant, pure memory of summer.

 

Jiang Yunbian just wanted to let him know how much trouble he had caused him, completely unaware that he was provoking him.

 

“Jiang Yunbian.” Zhou Die suddenly drew close, trapping him between his chest and the door before he could open it.

 

Jiang Yunbian paused, feeling Enigma’s breath, and…

 

“Zhou… Zhou Die?”

 

The person behind him sniffed along his hairline and neck, his voice as heavy as the mood. “This is the trouble you’ve caused.”

 

“I just…” Jiang Yunbian suddenly realized his defense was weak. He had indeed acted provocatively.

 

“What should we do?”

 

“…They’re waiting outside.” Jiang Yunbian felt a gentle kiss on his gland.

 

A suggestive kiss.

 

But strangely, Zhou Die’s situation made him react not with urgency but with a sense of possessive satisfaction.

 

An Enigma had lost control because of his unintentional actions.

 

Jiang Yunbian lowered his gaze, finding his fleeting thought dark and sly.

 

He turned back, hiding his interest, and feigned concern. “So what do you suggest?”

 

Zhou Die, naturally catching his thought, kissed his earlobe. “Don’t cause trouble. Wait for me outside.”

 

Some things need the right timing.

 

Clearly, now was not the best time.

 

“Then take care of it properly.” Jiang Yunbian smiled lightly, his sense of control thoroughly satisfied, and rewarded Zhou Die with a kiss on his Adam’s apple. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

 

After he left, Zhou Die leaned against the door, remained silent for three seconds, then coldly laughed and cursed.

 

Dating an Alpha is quite thrilling.

 

Jiang Yunbian was also fired up, but the pleasure of being pleased had long outweighed his physiological reactions. As he waited at the door, a black jacket suddenly fell onto his shoulders.

 

Zhou Die, having composed himself, said softly, “Put this on.”

 

“Why?” Jiang Yunbian then realized it was Zhou Die’s jacket from the morning. “It will be too hot.”

 

“Do you have other short sleeves?”

 

“Yeah.” Jiang Yunbian took out two white short sleeves from his backpack.

 

Zhou Die left no room for negotiation. “Wear it.”

 

“Why the sudden CEO mode?” Jiang Yunbian wondered what had triggered him about the white shirts. “Light colors are cooler, don’t you know?”

 

“Too transparent.”

 

Jiang Yunbian hesitated slightly while putting on the jacket.

 

“After you get in the water, the clothes will cling to your body.” Zhou Die’s hand suddenly touched Jiang Yunbian’s cheek, his palm gently lifting along his jawline. “If others see, I’ll be unhappy.”

 

Although his tone sounded pitiful, Jiang Yunbian sensed another emotion fleeting in his eyes.

 

But Zhou Die quickly concealed it, leaving Jiang Yunbian unable to grasp what that fleeting sentiment was.

 

When Jiang Yunbian put on the jacket, he realized it was slightly big, and wearing it loose wasn’t too hot.

 

It shouldn’t be; he wasn’t much shorter than Zhou Die, so why was the jacket size different?

 

As they went out, the class monitor and academic committee member immediately focused on them.

 

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s Zhou Die’s jacket.”

 

“Sis, I’ll confirm you’re not mistaken.”

 

The faces of the class monitor and academic committee member gradually grew serious. They were excited when shipping CPs, but finding out it might be real… was a bit scary.

 

“Brothers, let’s go river rafting, charge!” Gao Zining, ignoring the strange details, dragged Xu Zhan and He Ru toward the ride.

 

Xu Zhan looked back at the two of them. “Come on, aren’t you two joining us?”

 

Jiang Yunbian surveyed the crowd and pretended to be casual. “Too many people. You go ahead, I’ll find a place to avoid the sun.”

 

Although there were indeed many people, Gao Zining was too excited to control himself, and Xu Zhan had no choice but to follow.

 

After they left, Zhou Die leaned close to Jiang Yunbian’s ear and asked softly, “Little Jiang, can’t you swim?”

 

Jiang Yunbian lazily raised his eyelids. “Why would you think there are things an Alpha can’t do?”

 

Zhou Die chuckled. “So you can swim?”

 

Jiang Yunbian maintained his composure. “I can’t.”

 

That previous statement was just for show.

 

“Want me to teach you?” Zhou Die observed his expression carefully and, noticing a hint of displeasure, changed his approach. “Or should I rent a float for you?”

 

Jiang Yunbian gritted his teeth and lowered his voice. “Do you dare?”

 

“I didn’t dare before.” Zhou Die zipped up the jacket hanging at his waist and said softly, “But thinking it might endanger your life makes me feel there’s nothing I wouldn’t dare.”

 

Jiang Yunbian confirmed that this person had a knack for talking nonsense.

 

“Little brother, you weren’t like this before we got together?” Jiang Yunbian’s leg got splashed by a wave, and he coldly snorted. “Where’s your aloofness?”

 

Zhou Die tilted his head and thought seriously. “Was I very aloof before?”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian thought their top student’s brain wasn’t functioning well.

 

At the start of school that year, he thought Zhou Die was like an iceberg sitting at the back of his neck in the summer.

 

Zhou Die’s fingertips gently held his wrist and led him into the continuous waves. “Interested in learning?”

 

Jiang Yunbian answered, “Not really.”

 

The reason Jiang Yunbian couldn’t learn to swim was quite peculiar.

 

In middle school, Jiang Yunbian had shown him a picture of a carefree jellyfish getting caught in a rising bubble ring, twisting and turning through what seemed like a convoluted path.

 

The picture lasted only about ten seconds, but the impact it had on Jiang Yunbian lasted for three years. It was like the end of the world.

 

As soon as Jiang Yunbian sank into the water, he couldn’t help but imagine himself as that little jellyfish, thinking that a bubble would rise up and trap him. Even when accompanying his sister to the swimming pool, he resolutely stayed by the children’s pool.

 

“I’m not interested.” Jiang Yunbian felt uneasy just watching the crowded deep-sea area.

 

Zhou Die gently pressed his fingertips. “How about trying the shallow water area? If they find out you’re unwilling to go in, they might think they’re causing you trouble.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t want his classmates to think he was being accommodating or forced, so hearing Zhou Die’s suggestion, he hesitated for a moment.

 

“I’ll pull you out in time, don’t be afraid.” Zhou Die held his hand and gradually led him into the water.

 

When the water reached his waist, Jiang Yunbian could still remain calm, but as soon as it covered his ribs, he felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation.

 

Noticing his stiffness, Zhou Die gently tugged on his right hand and brought him closer.

 

“Don’t be afraid. A brave dog won’t be knocked down by the waves.”

 

Despite trying to control his emotions, Jiang Yunbian felt a bit panicked seeing the waves following them.

 

“Who’s afraid? Open your eyes wide and see if I look scared!”

 

Zhou Die couldn’t help but laugh.

 

He kept glancing backward, gripping Jiang Yunbian’s wrist tightly, his voice trembling.

 

If this didn’t meet the standard of being afraid, then half the world must be fearless.

 

Zhou Die’s hand rested on Jiang Yunbian’s lower back, gently tracing his spine. “Feeling better?”

 

The touch seemed to push Jiang Yunbian’s nerves to their peak, then suddenly relax, making him lean towards Zhou Die involuntarily.

 

He realized that the sensation underwater was different.

 

“Relax, don’t be nervous. Let’s start with holding your breath, okay?”

 

Jiang Yunbian took a deep breath and nodded.

 

Before Zhou Die could say more, Jiang Yunbian had already closed his eyes and submerged.

 

Zhou Die found his resolute expression before entering the water quite adorable but also concerned for Jiang Yunbian’s safety. He followed him underwater to support him.

 

The sound of the water was in his ears, and Jiang Yunbian kept his eyes closed, feeling increasingly like a floating jellyfish, expecting a bubble to appear…

 

Then a hand pressed against his chest, and Jiang Yunbian felt himself rising slightly, stopping at a certain height.

 

The hand on his chest, with its palm feeling Jiang Yunbian’s heartbeat through the water, made Zhou Die’s gaze deepen as he looked at the slender, pale neck beneath the shimmering surface.

 

He belatedly realized that at this moment, Jiang Yunbian was right in his hand.

 

“Mm…” As a bubble emerged, Jiang Yunbian choked and struggled to slip away, but Zhou Die quickly wrapped his arms around his waist and brought him back.

 

“Cough, damn…” Jiang Yunbian, still shaken, clung to Zhou Die’s neck, wiped his face, and let water droplets slide down his cheek. “I almost thought I was going to spin around.”

 

Zhou Die, feeling his unconscious dependence, patted his back gently. “Spin around?”

 

Jiang Yunbian shook his head. “No more learning, I want to go ashore.”

 

As long as he was in the water, he lost all his Alpha composure.

 

The ice silk jacket and hair were thoroughly soaked, and Jiang Yunbian’s eyes were slightly red from the water. Breathing against Zhou Die’s chest, the cool minty scent mixed with the humid air nearby.

 

Zhou Die unconsciously kissed his wet eyelashes.

 

Jiang Yunbian, stunned, heard him say, “You did well.”

 

He belatedly realized how close he was to Zhou Die. Due to buoyancy, he was slightly standing on the water, supported by Zhou Die, with his abdomen pressed against Zhou Die’s chest.

 

The distance was so close.

 

Realizing this, Jiang Yunbian’s ears and face turned red instantly.

 

Zhou Die took in all his expressions and, leaning close to his side at the pool’s edge, said in a low voice, “Your face is so red. What bad things are you thinking?”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

Jiang Yunbian stiffened, then started struggling, pressing on Zhou Die’s shoulders. “Let go! I’m going back! Zhou Die, don’t think you’re great just because you’re a little tyrant in the water. I’ll beat you up as soon as we get out!”

 

Zhou Die: “Are you trying to cause a scene now?”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “Let go!”

 

When the water line reached his waist, Jiang Yunbian finally breathed a sigh of relief. The cool ice silk against his skin and the breeze felt incredibly refreshing.

 

Zhou Die followed him and asked gently, “Are you hungry? Want something to eat?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was a bit thirsty. After wringing out his sleeve, he turned around. “Let’s buy a bottle of water.”

 

Feeling uncomfortable being drenched, he sat on a bench, feeling a bit warm. He wanted to take off his jacket but remembered the jealous person.

 

While Zhou Die went to buy water, Jiang Yunbian sat under the sunshade. A little boy ran over with a small fan, blowing air towards him.

 

Jiang Yunbian shamelessly moved a little to catch the breeze behind him.

 

“Brother, why are you wearing such a thick jacket?” The little boy seemed curious about his attire and generously shared half of his fan’s air with him. “It’s hot under the sun.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought, I don’t want to either, but explaining is too troublesome, so he casually said, “Actually, I wear this to suppress the dark power inside me. Do you understand?”

 

The boy’s mouth formed a perfect circle, looking incredulous as if he had discovered a secret. “Are you a light?”

 

“I’m not. I’m…” Jiang Yunbian thought for a moment, “someone who lives underground.”

 

The boy lowered his voice. “So, you’re a demon?”

 

“I’m a gatekeeper for demons, a demon security guard. Do you understand?”

 

“A type of demon, I get it.” The boy nodded. “Demons aren’t ranked by status, don’t feel inferior.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…” For a moment, he didn’t know who was fooling whom.

 

Just as he was about to chat a bit more, Jiang Yunbian spotted Zhou Die standing in front of the small shop.

 

Zhou Die, with his fair skin glowing under the sun after getting wet, was revealing his well-defined physique through his short sleeves and pants.

 

Before Jiang Yunbian could even feel parched, he saw a girl with twin tails walking by.

 

She had an exceptionally cute loli face, wearing a very cute JK swimsuit. However, her face and figure were quite different, drawing quite a bit of attention as she walked by.

 

She approached Zhou Die, smiled, waved to stop him, and after saying a few words, took out her phone.

 

Zhou Die also took out his phone, seeming to scan a QR code.

 

Friend request?

 

The little boy had originally been asking about the salary of a demon security guard. Seeing that Jiang Yunbian hadn’t responded for a while, he followed Jiang Yunbian’s gaze.

 

“Wow, even demons like beautiful women,” the boy remarked, “makes you lose your mind.”

 

Jiang Yunbian snorted with a smile. “You know quite a lot.”

 

The boy said, “If you like her, go for it. You’re not much worse compared to that brother. You might still have a chance if you act now.”

 

Jiang Yunbian asked, “Oh? Master, how likely do you think my chances are?”

 

“Thirty percent.”

 

So, it seems the odds between himself and Zhou Die were originally three to seven.

 

Jiang Yunbian asked again, “What about me compared to the big beauty?”

 

The boy: “…”

 

The boy: “???”

 

Jiang Yunbian casually unzipped his jacket, which was almost dry, and tossed it onto the table. He turned to face the small fan and said, “To be honest, I like that brother more.”

 

The boy said, “I see. So you’re a demon and also an Omega.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

From a logical perspective, male Alphas and Betas tend to prefer Omega females. Since that brother seemed to exude Alpha vibes, the only conclusion was that this person was an Omega.

 

The boy covered his mouth with his hand, as if whispering a secret. “Did you come alone? It’s dangerous, so remember to take your inhibitors and blockers.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t bother to argue. He lay down on the table according to the boy’s setting, looking at him with sincere eyes. “Thank you. You’ve made me feel the warmth of society.”

 

The breeze blew over the water’s surface, and the faint scent of inhibitors spread through the water park. Jiang Yunbian’s relaxed, lazy silhouette merged with the shadows under the sunshade, blending into the boy’s outline.

 

The boy, feeling Jiang Yunbian’s gaze, involuntarily pressed the fan’s button, causing it to stop.

 

Jiang Yunbian, still teasing, frowned. “Aren’t you turning it back on?”

 

The boy turned his face away and hurriedly handed the fan to him. “You look so hot, I’ll give it to you.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was a bit surprised and slowly got up. “Giving it to me?”

 

He became cautious, quickly scanning around to make sure there were no adults fishing for trouble. This shouldn’t be some new type of scam.

 

“Yes, yes.” The boy sat up straight and said seriously, “A token of affection.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “?”

 

The boy looked up with his big, round eyes. “My dad is a high-level Alpha, and my mom is an Omega. The doctor said I have a seventy percent chance of becoming an Alpha in the future.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…That’s impressive.”

 

“So, so, wait for me a few years, and then I’ll come with you…”

 

At that moment, a glass of orange juice appeared in front of Jiang Yunbian, and Zhou Die’s dark gaze fell on the boy.

 

“How many years exactly?”

 

The boy suddenly choked up when he saw Zhou Die, his well-rehearsed lines falling apart.

 

Why did this big brother come over?

 

Jiang Yunbian saw the orange juice and casually said, “Did someone flirt with you and come back?”

 

Zhou Die returned his gaze. “Yeah, otherwise you would have already made a lifelong commitment.”

 

Jiang Yunbian smiled and returned the fan to the boy. “Sorry, I was just joking. I’m an Alpha.”

 

The boy stiffened for two seconds, stretching out his voice. “Ah?”

 

“Have fun. Thanks for the fan.” Jiang Yunbian smiled and handed the orange juice to the boy before standing up from the sunshade.

 

Zhou Die, with no expression, picked up the jacket from the table and followed with another glass of orange juice.

 

The teenager’s back was clearly defined in the sunlight, his damp short sleeves clinging to his lean muscle lines, showing off his physique.

 

Zhou Die came to his side. “Aren’t you going to drink?”

 

Jiang Yunbian glanced at him but didn’t take the drink. “I don’t want it.”

 

His tone indicated that he was sulking but pretending not to care. Zhou Die, with patience, said, “It’s sunny. Do you want to put on your jacket?”

 

“It’s too hot. I don’t want to wear it.”

 

“I’ll find you an umbrella later.”

 

“I don’t want it.”

 

“I’ll get you a small fan too.”

 

“If I wanted one of those, that kid would have given me one already.”

 

Zhou Die stood still, his tone becoming very serious. “So what do you want to do?”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought, I don’t want anything. I just want to enjoy the breeze in a clean and comfortable way.

 

Why does wearing a jacket make people so interested? Does he think everyone is focused on him? It makes him seem too self-conscious.

 

He was tricked into wearing it this morning by Zhou Die, and now he felt spoiled.

 

Zhou Die sighed. “Yunbian, everyone is having fun. If you’re not happy, just tell me, okay?”

 

Jiang Yunbian muttered curses inwardly. Did Zhou Die really not understand why he was unhappy? Why didn’t he refuse when that girl asked to add him on WeChat?

 

He was clearly watching from under the sunshade. Did he think Jiang Yunbian was blind?

 

“No, I’m not happy.” Jiang Yunbian’s face was sour as he emphasized each word.

 

Zhou Die looked down at the drink in his hand. “Do you want it or not?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was someone who responded to softness but not hardness. When he was unhappy and someone tried to argue with him, the result would be a confrontation until the other person was cornered.

 

But when someone showed weakness, he suddenly felt that he had been wrong to push so hard and began to struggle with whether he should retreat.

 

Zhou Die’s change in tone did indeed soften Jiang Yunbian’s anger considerably.

 

But thinking about how Zhou Die might be stored in other people’s photo albums in the future made him unhappy again.

 

Especially when he saw that the girl with twin tails was approaching from the poolside behind Zhou Die, his remaining flicker of anger reignited.

 

“No, I don’t want it.”

 

“Are they the ones?”

 

“Yes, yes, they gave it to me.”

 

The little boy’s voice came from behind Zhou Die. Jiang Yunbian came back to his senses and realized that the girl with twin tails was holding the little boy’s hand and standing behind Zhou Die.

 

“Thank you, big brother, for buying my little brother a drink. Sorry for causing you trouble,” the girl said, nodding repeatedly.

 

Zhou Die gave a polite smile. “You’re welcome.”

 

“By the way, I borrowed some money from a friend. Can I transfer the amount from earlier to you now?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken aback and turned to look at them.

 

Zhou Die, with an innocent look, said softly, “You can transfer it to him.”

 

The girl looked at the two of them, then approached Jiang Yunbian. “Big brother, my phone had some issues earlier, so I couldn’t make the transfer. Can I transfer it to you now?”

 

Jiang Yunbian cleared his throat, feeling awkward. “It’s not necessary.”

 

“Oh, but you lent me money and bought a drink for my little brother. I really feel bad about not paying you back!”

 

Seeing her urgency, Jiang Yunbian had to accept the transfer. After saying goodbye to them, he turned back, and Zhou Die was sitting under the sunshade, his jacket draped over his arm, looking pitiable.

 

Jiang Yunbian scratched his head and walked up to him.

 

“Um, is there any orange juice left?”

 

Zhou Die looked up at him with a melancholic gaze, slowly biting the straw. “There isn’t any left.”

 

“…Even if it’s what’s already been drunk, that’s fine.”

 

Zhou Die’s fingertips drooped slightly, his expression showing a mix of accusation and sadness.

 

Jiang Yunbian, feeling reluctant, said, “Forget it, you can have it.”

 

Zhou Die lowered his gaze to the ground, speaking softly, “Now you don’t want it.”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt like whatever he did was wrong.

 

“Zhou Die, I’m sorry.”

 

He scratched his head, realizing his behavior had been extremely immature and this wasn’t the first time he had made such a mistake.

 

He sat beside Zhou Die and awkwardly tried to hold his fingertips, attempting to apologize. “I was wrong. I won’t do it again. I’ll learn my lesson.”

 

“No more jealousy?” Zhou Die looked at him with disappointment. “If you don’t get jealous, then…”

 

“I mean I won’t throw tantrums anymore,” Jiang Yunbian corrected seriously. “Trust me, this is my first relationship, and I was a bit impulsive.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had no excuse. He had just been sulking and feeling jealous, creating trouble for himself.

 

He deceived himself, felt upset, and was too embarrassed to clarify things with Zhou Die.

 

“I’m worried that asking too much might seem controlling,” Jiang Yunbian thought. Omega had legitimate reasons to act spoiled and jealous, to cry and ask if their partner had exchanged contact information with someone else.

 

But he was an Alpha, and his pride didn’t allow him to act that way.

 

Zhou Die rotated the paper lid on the orange juice. “So you misunderstand me and then refuse my juice?”

 

Jiang Yunbian bowed his head and lightly rubbed against Zhou Die’s shoulder, speaking softly. “I’m sorry.”

 

Zhou Die’s eyes softened, and he calmly addressed the issue. “That kid also exchanged tokens of affection with you, and I caught him red-handed.”

 

“He was joking! He even thought I was a demon security guard and an Omega.”

 

“Who would mistake an Alpha for an Omega?”

 

Jiang Yunbian wanted to argue that the kid was only ten years old and it was normal to make mistakes, but realizing he was in the wrong, he admitted, “I’m sorry. I’ll definitely show my Alpha pride in front of others from now on.”

 

Zhou Die was about to continue the discussion but was unexpectedly amused by the last sentence.

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed and held his hand tightly. “I really know I was wrong. I don’t know how to make it up to you. Just tell me how to make you happy.”

 

Zhou Die turned, placed the orange juice on the table, and held Jiang Yunbian’s hand with his other hand.

 

As if waiting for the right moment, Zhou Die gently kissed Jiang Yunbian’s lips.

 

Zhou Die easily took Jiang Yunbian’s first kiss.

 

“Something like this.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…”

 

Author’s note: Die Die: Kissing makes you less intelligent.