The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 56

After the kiss, the two of them let go of each other’s hands and stared in different directions, remaining silent for a long time.

 

Jiang Yunbian thought Zhou Die was being quite pushy. He had already apologized and kissed him, and now Zhou Die was still silent. How long did he plan to stay awkward?

 

“Ahem, why aren’t you saying anything?” Jiang Yunbian, unable to hold back, asked. The feeling from the kiss was still fresh on his lips, and his heart was still racing. He didn’t want to admit his own embarrassment, so he shifted the blame to Zhou Die.

 

But Zhou Die, who had previously seemed so composed, remained quiet. Jiang Yunbian found it odd and mustered up the courage to turn around, only to realize that Zhou Die’s cheeks and the corners of his eyes were also flushed.

 

…Even his cat is shy.

 

Jiang Yunbian was always like this—if someone else was more embarrassed than him, he felt less embarrassed himself, and he watched Zhou Die with curiosity.

 

Zhou Die was a bit awkward and raised his hand as if to cover his eyes, but Jiang Yunbian stopped him.

 

“Don’t look,” Zhou Die said, turning his face away. “It’s too sweet. Let me take my time to calm down.”

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled. “Are you a primary school student? It’s just a kiss. Why are you being so innocent?”

 

Zhou Die really didn’t understand where this person got the confidence to act so casually.

 

“Well, you seem quite experienced. Why don’t you analyze your emotional journey for me? I’d like to learn from your experience.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was stumped and couldn’t keep up the act. He looked at Zhou Die and instinctively touched his lips, his heart racing at the thought of Zhou Die’s touch.

 

“It’s just a touch of the lips. There’s no emotional journey… I’m so thirsty, I’m drinking the orange juice.”

 

As he said this, he picked up the orange juice and was about to leave, but Zhou Die held his hand.

 

“Put on your jacket.”

 

Jiang Yunbian grumbled about the trouble but obediently put his arm through the sleeves.

 

After putting on the jacket and walking a few steps with the orange juice, he noticed Zhou Die hadn’t followed and walked back.

 

“What’s the matter? Still not over it? Let’s go.”

 

Zhou Die looked at his extended hand, gently touched it, and rubbed his fingertips. “I’m over it, but I think I’m a bit addicted to it. I’m just calming down.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “…Let’s hurry up!”

 

Gao Zining and the group had completed several activities, from the winding slide to the rafting, and only then realized they had forgotten Zhou Die and Jiang Yunbian.

 

Xu Zhan grabbed Gao Zining’s phone pouch. “Class monitor, can you hold the dog leash? I need to find Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die.”

 

Gao Zining: “What dog leash? Show some respect!”

 

Xu Zhan was about to make a call when the academic committee member patted his hand. “I think I found them.”

 

Xu Zhan looked in the direction the academic committee member pointed. In the deep water area, there was a small yellow duck inflatable, and Jiang Yunbian was sitting on it.

 

Zhou Die was pulling him towards the deep water area.

 

Gao Zining rubbed his eyes. “What the heck is this strange scene?”

 

“Is this strange?” Yang You sneered. “This is a switch, right? Jiang Yunbian must have switched places with the king or prince of some small duck kingdom.”

 

The class monitor hesitated for a moment before whispering, “So you’re saying Zhou Die switched places with the guard of the duck kingdom?”

 

Academic committee member: “…I’m starting to get creeped out.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought it was indeed embarrassing to sit on the duck, and he even felt that Zhou Die renting it was just to mess with him.

 

They were looking for Xu Zhan, but Zhou Die didn’t want to leave him alone on the shore, so he came up with this ridiculous solution.

 

Jiang Yunbian was frustrated that Zhou Die’s jacket didn’t have a hood and nearly wanted to find a paddle himself. “Alright, I don’t see them. Let’s go back to the shore!”

 

Zhou Die leisurely guided the small yellow duck, giving off a feeling of walking an elderly pet.

 

“There’s still more to search over there.”

 

“Zhou Die, listen. If you don’t turn around in five seconds, I’ll push you into the water.”

 

Zhou Die: “I’m so scared. Please don’t push my head.”

 

Though he said this, he showed no intention of changing course and even moved toward the waves.

 

Jiang Yunbian, having had a past experience of capsizing, tightly hugged the duck’s head, squinting his eyes.

 

“Zhou Ge—” Gao Zining called out from a distance.

 

The sound came with the waves. Zhou Die steadied himself through the waves, and Jiang Yunbian was pulled tightly by him, while the others were caught in the waves.

 

Xu Zhan helped the two girls up, while He Ru and Yang You were left disoriented.

 

After fishing everyone out, they realized Gao Zining had been thrown about ten meters away by the waves.

 

“Even artificial waves can throw you that far?” Xu Zhan pulled him back.

 

“Damn, my pants almost fell off!” Gao Zining tightened his belt and looked at the two people in front of him. “We’re struggling here, and you two are on vacation?”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at Gao Zining’s disheveled appearance and suddenly felt quite fortunate, at least he wasn’t thrown out by the waves.

 

“Yes, a magical drifting experience. You understand?”

 

“And people drift with Bengal tigers, while you’re drifting with a duck from Nicaragua?” Gao Zining scrutinized the duck boat with a special code for the water park.

 

Jiang Yunbian patted the duck’s head. “If you think that way, I can’t help it.”

 

The class monitor and academic committee member were tired and discussed where to eat.

 

The class monitor checked the phone map, put the phone back in the waterproof bag, and pointed in a direction. “There’s a Thai restaurant over there. Shall we go?”

 

Yang You chimed in, “It’s four o’clock now. We can go, and the sooner we eat, the sooner we can grab a spot at the artificial beach and enjoy the music festival tonight!”

 

The shortcut to the restaurant passed through the rambunctious deep water area. Jiang Yunbian initially wanted to walk on the ground, but according to the map, taking a detour would be twice the distance.

 

“I’ll lead you over,” Zhou Die smiled gently. “Stay well and don’t cause trouble.”

 

Jiang Yunbian suddenly felt it was really foolish not to learn how to hold his breath earlier in the morning.

 

Gao Zining, seeing Jiang Yunbian’s helpless and awkward situation, secretly patted Yang You’s back. “Bro, how about we follow behind that little yellow duck?”

 

Yang You: “…If you want to, just rent one.”

 

Gao Zining: “No, I just want Jiang Ge to experience the treatment a prince of the duck kingdom should have.”

 

In other words, they wanted to add a few more guards to make Jiang Yunbian’s social death even more complete.

 

As they moved closer to the yellow duck, Jiang Yunbian coldly laughed. “If you come any closer, I’ll immediately jump into the water and become a water ghost. None of you will escape.”

 

Yang You: “As expected of a top student’s logic.”

 

Gao Zining: “Damn.”

 

When they reached the deep water area, everyone realized there were even more people here.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt trapped on the duck, unable to move easily.

 

“Keep an eye on the class monitor and the academic committee member; they’re both girls…”

 

Before Jiang Yunbian could finish, Xu Zhan turned around. “Don’t worry, they swam over when there were fewer people. They’re practically swimming champions.”

 

He Ru: “What does that mean?”

 

Yang You: “It means the class monitor, the academic committee member, and their useless male teammates.”

 

Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die: “…”

 

The group walked slowly, encountering a family with a child being held by the father, who looked a bit scared of the waves.

 

Jiang Yunbian was about to ask Zhou Die to help out and let the child ride with them when a scream came from the narrow entrance.

 

“Waves coming!”

 

Everyone in front seemed ready for a splash and opened their arms.

 

But the waves were indeed quite large, and rolling in with significant force. Many people, hearing the commotion, came over to catch the wave.

 

Jiang Yunbian instinctively hugged the duck’s head but didn’t expect that the parent in front lost their balance. Zhou Die briefly looked away to help stabilize them.

 

“Damn, Zhou Die!”

 

In that brief second, the yellow duck was quickly swept far away.

 

Jiang Yunbian found himself in a very passive situation, using all his strength just to avoid capsizing. By the time he came to his senses, he had drifted back several meters.

 

The waves kept coming, and many people swam over to catch them, causing him to be increasingly pushed away from the group.

 

When things finally quieted down, he had returned to the starting point.

 

Damn, he really had to rely on this stupid duck for everything.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt that, after eighteen years, nothing was more humiliating than being stuck on a duck boat at a water park.

 

He was at odds with Zhou Die!

 

Jiang Yunbian’s phone was still with Zhou Die. He was about to resign himself to drifting to the shore and then go to the broadcast station to find someone when the small float was suddenly yanked.

 

He looked back to see Zhou Die emerging from the water and climbing onto his boat. “I found you.”

 

With water in his eyes, Zhou Die’s eye sockets were still slightly red, his long bangs swept back, and his chest rising and falling with each breath.

 

“Were you scared? Are you hurt anywhere?” Zhou Die gasped. “I’m taking you to shore now.”

 

Jiang Yunbian held his breath, initially planning to punch Zhou Die in the stomach when they reached the shore. Instead, Zhou Die picked him up as he got off the yellow duck.

 

“Be careful.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s anger dissipated, and he placed his chin on Zhou Die’s shoulder, his voice low. “I told you to walk to shore…”

 

Zhou Die gently rubbed his head. “Sorry, I’ll listen to you next time.”

 

As he comforted him, moving from his neck to his shoulders, Jiang Yunbian suddenly noticed the scent of cedar was close. He lowered his eyes and buried his face in Zhou Die’s neck.

 

“I was just thinking about what to do if the float overturned.”

 

Zhou Die held him tightly and then noticed Jiang Yunbian’s body temperature was a bit unusual.

 

The scent of mint mixed with water quickly wrapped around his senses.

 

Zhou Die’s tone grew serious. “Yunbian.”

 

“I know,” Jiang Yunbian mumbled. “I think it’s a heat.”

 

“Let’s go to the hotel.” Zhou Die quickly zipped up his jacket. Fortunately, the hotel was very close to the park, and they managed to book a room before Jiang Yunbian completely lost control.

 

Xu Zhan kept calling, but Zhou Die only said that everyone was fine and they would arrive later, then stopped answering.

 

Xu Zhan knew about their marking relationship and guessed what might be happening with Jiang Yunbian.

 

When Jiang Yunbian entered the room, he stumbled, and Zhou Die quickly grabbed his arm, realizing he was still wet.

 

“Change your clothes first.” Zhou Die removed the jacket he had just put on, but the next moment, Jiang Yunbian’s lips were on his.

 

“Pheromones,” Jiang Yunbian blushed, with a faint glimmer in his eyes. “Give me some first.”

 

Unlike their previous hasty touch in the morning, Zhou Die’s gaze darkened, and he pressed his hand to the back of Jiang Yunbian’s head.

 

Jiang Yunbian’s mind was a blur. By the time he realized, he was pressed against the pillow, with a sharp pain in his neck.

 

Zhou Die’s hand held his wrist, soothing him with gentle caresses. The infusion of pheromones was increasingly tender.

 

When things settled, the only sound left in the air was their intertwined breathing. Zhou Die was about to get up and head to the bathroom to deal with the aftermath when Jiang Yunbian’s leg hooked around his foot.

 

Then Jiang Yunbian pinned him to the bed.

 

Though his strength was not yet fully restored, his other emotions were driving him relentlessly.

 

Zhou Die intended to protect his waist, worried he might fall off the bed due to exhaustion, but was instead roughly pinned down by the Alpha.

 

“Don’t move.” Jiang Yunbian’s hoarse voice was commanding, his gaze fixed on Zhou Die’s eyes. “You think you can run off after biting me? It won’t be that easy…”

 

Zhou Die felt the pressure from Jiang Yunbian’s knee and narrowed his eyes slightly.

 

“Are you sure you want to complicate this?”

 

“We’re a couple. What’s wrong with doing this?” Jiang Yunbian’s fingertips brushed aside Zhou Die’s wet short sleeves, his palm pressed against his abdomen, annoyed. “Why don’t you have any patterns? It’s so unfair.”

 

Zhou Die knew it was Alpha’s pride at play. It seemed he had been suppressed for too long at school. Although this moment was too rushed, he needed to release his feelings.

 

Jiang Yunbian was not the type of Omega who could be calmed down just by pheromones.

 

The pocket of his pants was pulled open. Zhou Die’s hands, which had not struggled, held Jiang Yunbian’s wrist, showing a subtle weakness in his tone.

 

“Don’t rush, take it easy.”

 

“Are you allowed to move?”

 

Zhou Die chuckled and withdrew his hand. “Okay, I’ll do as you say.”

 

*

 

Jiang Yunbian, feeling groggy, slept for a while. In a moment between dreams and wakefulness, he seemed to hear a gasp next to his ear, and he suddenly opened his eyes.

 

He lay in bed, breathing heavily for a while, and then realized his mouth was filled with the scent of cedar.

 

The scenes replayed in his mind, and after three seconds of hesitation, he buried his head under the blanket.

 

After the sound of water from the bathroom stopped, Zhou Die came out and saw Jiang Yunbian wrapped in the blanket. He leaned in slightly. “Feeling better?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was about to reply that he was okay, but then he noticed Zhou Die was only wearing a towel.

 

He instinctively pulled the blanket up over his face, his mind blank, and after a while, he managed to blurt out, “Why aren’t you wearing clothes?”

 

Zhou Die calmly accepted the question and flicked his forehead. “Didn’t you get it dirty?”

 

Jiang Yunbian hesitated for three seconds, then burrowed back under the blanket.

 

Zhou Die sat on the edge of the bed, finding Jiang Yunbian’s ostrich-like behavior somewhat amusing. He leaned in and placed his hand on the side of Jiang Yunbian’s body.

 

“Little Jiang, you were so brave and fierce just now.”

 

Jiang Yunbian shouted at him from under the blanket, “Shut up!”

 

Zhou Die had calmed down completely in the bathroom, but Jiang Yunbian’s reaction unexpectedly made him laugh, and the image of their temporary marking replayed in his mind.

 

Zhou Die’s hand rested beside Jiang Yunbian, the soft blanket and mattress sinking together, closing the distance between them.

 

Jiang Yunbian had intended to get some fresh air, but Zhou Die seized the opportunity to grab the blanket.

 

He clung tightly to the blanket, not sure why he felt so weak in front of Zhou Die. He stared at Zhou Die and demanded, “What do you want?”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought the period of intimacy was over and that Zhou Die was now just intimidating him. Just as he was trying to regain his Alpha arrogance, Zhou Die’s lips descended on his.

 

Replay of his actions when sober was torturous. Jiang Yunbian’s suppressed instincts suddenly burst forth, and Zhou Die could sense his aggressive intent.

 

Unfortunately, Zhou Die couldn’t take charge in front of Enigma.

 

Jiang Yunbian, dazed, tried to push Zhou Die off but struggled in vain several times.

 

“Damn it… get off!”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s last bit of strength seemed desperate, and Zhou Die noticed it. He complied and lay down as Jiang Yunbian had wanted.

 

Jiang Yunbian had initially wanted to pull back the blanket to demonstrate Alpha’s courage but wrapped himself tightly once the wind came through.

 

“Get away. I’m warning you, don’t provoke an Alpha.”

 

Zhou Die slowly turned to his side, placing his hand on Jiang Yunbian’s blanket, gently pinching it. “What if I provoke you?”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t have an answer, only thinking he’d deal with Zhou Die later when he was past this period.

 

Zhou Die lay beside him, propped up his chin, and lightly pinched the blanket. “Yunbian, it seems we have a serious issue we haven’t discussed.”

 

Jiang Yunbian inched closer to him, maintaining a serious expression. “What is it?”

 

Zhou Die squinted, moved closer, lifted Jiang Yunbian’s chin, and as their pheromones intertwined, said, “The issue of who dominates whom.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was startled by Zhou Die’s sudden closeness, leaning back slightly. He was soon enveloped by Zhou Die as if wrapped in a spring roll.

 

Zhou Die slowly raised his eyelids, capturing Jiang Yunbian’s hand through the layered blanket, and chuckled at Jiang Yunbian’s flustered expression.

 

Possessiveness and control desires swirled in Zhou Die’s eyes, like a thick mist enveloping the person before him.

 

Jiang Yunbian suddenly felt that the cat before him was a bit dangerous.

 

“I’m serious.” Zhou Die reiterated, his other hand gently wrapping around Jiang Yunbian’s neck, his cool fingertips tracing his lines. “I want to mark you.”

 

Zhou Die’s gaze lowered as he softly hugged Jiang Yunbian’s waist, his voice tender.

 

“I know you want to mark me too,” he spoke softly, as if using sweet talk, “but I’ve told you, Enigma only allows those who have their lifetime marks to approach their gland.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was tightly constrained by this physiological instinct.

 

He was frustrated but felt powerless.

 

After a while, Jiang Yunbian averted his gaze. “Let’s talk about it later.”

 

He couldn’t accept it now.

 

Zhou Die, having regained his composure, gently leaned against the blanket in front of Jiang Yunbian, like a large cat cuddling with its owner.

 

His actions spoke of his unhappiness.

 

Jiang Yunbian adjusted the blanket on his shoulders. “What about the clothes?”

 

“I told Xu Zhan,” Zhou Die’s fingertips traced inside the window to Jiang Yunbian’s waist.

 

Jiang Yunbian was startled and quickly held the blanket.

 

“Stop moving.”

 

Zhou Die looked up at him, softly saying, “Let me see your abdomen.”

 

Jiang Yunbian quickly lifted and then pressed down the blanket. “It’s already fading, no need to look.”

 

“Does it fade after a temporary mark?”

 

“Yes,” Jiang Yunbian answered quickly, fearing Zhou Die would find more reasons to pull off the blanket.

 

The doorbell rang at that moment. Jiang Yunbian quickly found an excuse, nudging Zhou Die through the blanket. “Go answer the door.”

 

Zhou Die withdrew his hand, securing the loosely wrapped towel and putting on a bathrobe.

 

At the door was Xu Zhan, who, after ringing the bell, quickly covered his eyes.

 

When he heard the door open, he promptly reported his status. “I didn’t see anything because I covered my eyes. I bought two T-shirts and pants from the souvenir shop since I didn’t have the key. Here’s the key; I’ll go get your stuff later.”

 

“Thanks,” Zhou Die took the items. “I’ll get it myself later. Have you eaten yet?”

 

Xu Zhan took a while to assess the situation, ensuring there were no strange, hoarse, or somber tones in Zhou Die’s voice. He gradually relaxed his fingers.

 

It seemed like there were no unusual signs.

 

“You two…”

 

Zhou Die calmly responded, “We didn’t do anything.”

 

Xu Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, though he found it puzzling.

 

Wait, wasn’t Enigma supposed to be the most possessive? Jiang Yunbian was in a heat, and everything was perfectly timed, yet… they did nothing?

 

Was Jiang Yunbian going to get into a fight with him?

 

As Xu Zhan was about to look inside at Jiang Yunbian, Zhou Die’s hand suddenly blocked the door, and the cedar-scented pheromones slowly spread, as if to warn him.

 

“I’ll take him downstairs once he’s rested.”

 

Xu Zhan then realized the chill creeping in and quickly withdrew his hand. “Alright, I won’t disturb you then.”

 

He had underestimated Zhou Die; Zhou Die wasn’t one to do nothing with Jiang Yunbian.

 

Huddled under the blanket, Jiang Yunbian was anxiously wondering if the conversation at the door had ended. Then, a hand patted his back.

 

“Damn it.” He suddenly popped his head out from under the blanket. “Is he gone?”

 

Zhou Die pulled out the clothes Xu Zhan had bought: “Pick one to wear for now.”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked at the bright yellow and vibrant pink T-shirts, one with a corgi wearing swimming goggles and the other with a cat hugging a life preserver, and was momentarily speechless.

 

Zhou Die glanced at the shirts and chuckled: “They’re even couple shirts.”

 

Jiang Yunbian: “Ha.”

 

He eventually chose the yellow corgi shirt because he couldn’t accept the pink one.

 

When he emerged in the new clothes, Zhou Die was blowing a black pair of swim trunks with a hairdryer. When Jiang Yunbian saw the pattern on the trunks, he briefly wondered if he or Zhou Die would perish on the spot.

 

“Stop blowing it! Give it back!” Jiang Yunbian said, his hands shaking slightly as he grabbed it back. “I can blow it myself, no need for you to do it.”

 

Zhou Die, holding the hairdryer, looked at the bright swim trunks on Jiang Yunbian and raised an eyebrow: “I just wanted you to put them on quickly.”

 

Jiang Yunbian bared his teeth: “We’ll still be swimming tonight, so if they get wet, I’ll just change before we leave.”

 

He was eighteen and had never let anyone touch his clothes before.

 

Zhou Die sighed, as if he had no way to handle Jiang Yunbian’s rebellion, and softly said, “Then come over, and I’ll help you dry your hair.”

 

Jiang Yunbian hesitated for a moment, making sure Zhou Die only intended to dry his hair, before slowly moving over to sit down.

 

The next moment, Zhou Die leaned in, hugged Jiang Yunbian’s shoulders, and whispered with a hint of a raspy laugh near his ear.

 

“Jiang Wangwang(puppy), why are you so easy to trick?”