The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 58

When Jiang Yunbian came out of the bathroom, it was already completely dark. Zhou Die had not returned yet. He sat on the empty living room floor, feeling the warmth dissipate from his skin.

 

Ah—daytime debauchery.

 

Jiang Yunbian leaned his head against the wall, gazing at his right hand. His slender fingers were stretched out, then he clenched them lightly.

 

Although he knew that new couples like them would want to see each other 25 hours a day, clinging to each other to the point of wanting to merge into one another’s bones…

 

If they were ordinary AOs, they would have done multiple deep markings by now, right?

 

The thought of deep marking suddenly left Jiang Yunbian feeling confused.

 

Was he really going to be marked by Zhou Die, to belong to Enigma?

 

No.

 

That was the answer his instincts gave him.

 

Jiang Yunbian felt distressed, pulling at his hair. Even though he had never talked about this matter and Zhou Die had always been patient and tolerant of his emotions, even every touch was gentle, Jiang Yunbian still felt unable to take that step.

 

He couldn’t fully open up and let Zhou Die brand him.

 

“Damn, I’m really selfish…” Jiang Yunbian muttered to himself.

 

Click.

 

The sound of the door opening came. Jiang Yunbian collected his emotions and looked up. Zhou Die had returned with takeout.

 

“Did you finish washing up?” Zhou Die put the food in front of him with a hint of affection and then leaned in to kiss Jiang Yunbian’s eyelid.

 

“How childish.” Jiang Yunbian smiled and patted his shoulder. “What did you buy?”

 

“The place you liked near school.” Zhou Die took out his phone. “I’ll buy a new table too.”

 

“No need for that.” Jiang Yunbian picked up the takeout and opened the sliding door to the balcony. “It’s just dinner. It doesn’t matter where we eat.”

 

“What major do you want to apply for?” Zhou Die followed him, stepping onto the balcony where the evening breeze lifted his bangs and revealed his handsome features.

 

“Medicine.” Jiang Yunbian said without hesitation. “For research work and so on.”

 

The reason Jiang Yunbian wanted to study medicine was simple: for his sister and himself.

 

This was something he had decided a long time ago.

 

“And you?”

 

Zhou Die rested his chin on his hand and didn’t answer immediately.

 

It seemed that for him, it didn’t matter much; he had no particular interests or clear goals.

 

Those in high positions always appeared calm.

 

“Aerospace, perhaps.” Zhou Die chuckled. “I’ll pick stars for you in the future.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was taken aback, not expecting Zhou Die’s answer to be like that.

 

“You…” he cleared his throat and looked away. “Think it through yourself.”

 

It only took a week to arrange the furniture. After that, Zhou Die visited Ji Yi and personally brought up the matter.

 

When Ji Yi learned that her son would be living with his boyfriend after starting college, she, who usually positioned herself as a calm and kind mother, was somewhat stunned.

 

She wasn’t sure whether to be surprised that Zhou Die had so quickly won her son over or that he had made such meticulous plans.

 

Jiang Yunbian, oblivious to Zhou Die’s careful planning, kept glancing nervously at his boyfriend, as if afraid of being rejected.

 

“Yunbian.” Ji Yi stood up. “Come with me.”

 

Jiang Yunbian responded softly, getting up and giving Zhou Die’s hand a gentle squeeze.

 

“Wait here.”

 

Ji Yi lit a cigarette for the first time in front of her son.

 

“I’m not against you being together, but you’ve just turned eighteen, and he’s an Alpha. Have you really thought about living with him?”

 

Jiang Yunbian remembered that Zhou Die had asked him more than once if he was sure. His answer had always been: “Do I look like the kind of person who hesitates?”

 

“I’ve thought it through.” Jiang Yunbian lowered his gaze. “I like him and need him. There’s nothing to hesitate about.”

 

“Yunbian, these are the same things I told your sister,” Ji Yi shook off the ash. “Once you’re sure about the person you can entrust yourself to, you can certainly accept his mark. But removing a mark is a painful process with various aftereffects.”

 

“I hope you love each other bravely, but I also hope you take care of yourselves.”

 

Ji Yi eventually agreed and even helped Jiang Yunbian pack his things.

 

Jiang Yunbian started to cry while packing, nearly giving him the illusion of returning to when his parents divorced three years ago.

 

Ji Yi hugged her daughter with a smile, promising not to stop their meetings this time to comfort her.

 

Before leaving, Jiang Yunbian pinched his sister’s cheek. “You’ll be going to college soon, so don’t cling to home or me so much.”

 

Ji Yi rubbed her reddened pen. “Brother, you don’t have to worry about me. Go and enjoy your relationship.”

 

After moving to the small apartment, Jiang Yunbian found that within less than a week, everything had been arranged exactly according to his and Zhou Die’s plan.

 

“Sofa!” Jiang Yunbian lay down on it and used his body length to measure it. “Not bad, very big, very comfortable.”

 

Zhou Die helped him move the suitcase into the bedroom. “My mom will come over tomorrow.”

 

Jiang Yunbian got up after lying down for a while and walked to the door. “Is Auntie’s health still good?”

 

“The nutritionist is taking care of it. It’s currently very stable.”

 

Jiang Yunbian nodded and went to the side of the suitcase. “This has clothes and pants. I’ll handle it myself.”

 

Zhou Die leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Why are you still shy? How many times has it been?”

 

Jiang Yunbian felt a flash of heat in his ear, blushing as he pushed Zhou Die away. “Is it not okay for me to handle my own things?”

 

“Alright.” Zhou Die made a gesture inviting him. “Go ahead.”

 

Jiang Yunbian saw the provocation in Zhou Die’s eyes and quickly opened the zipper, grabbing his clothes and stuffing them into the wardrobe.

 

The scent of cedar mixed with mint in the small space, making Jiang Yunbian’s tongue feel sweet. The sticky scent went down his throat, and he wanted Zhou Die even more.

 

It would be so much better if that person were an Omega.

 

Jiang Yunbian estimated that he would cling to Zhou Die for four days and three nights, not stopping until he had worn him out to the point of not being able to get out of bed.

 

“What are you thinking about in front of the wardrobe?” Zhou Die opened the door, his hand casually resting on Jiang Yunbian’s waist. “Or did you smell something?”

 

Jiang Yunbian was caught off guard, turned to glare at him, and feigned calmness. “You Enigmas only think about those kinds of things.”

 

Zhou Die chuckled and patted the back of his head. “Get everything ready, and let’s watch a movie.”

 

Since Wen Yue was coming the next day, both Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die obediently went to bed early and got up early. As soon as the phone rang the next morning, they got up to wash and get ready.

 

By the time Wen Yue arrived, Jiang Yunbian had already prepared lunch. She sat at the dining table, feeling a bit awkward and at a loss for what to do.

 

“I didn’t expect Yunbian to be such a good cook,” Wen Yue said in surprise, looking at the table full of dishes. “I thought you two would be eating takeout every day.”

 

“It’s not that bad.” Zhou Die poured a glass of warm water for his mother.

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed the needle marks on her arm when she took the water, and he realized that Wen Yue had lost a lot of weight.

 

Wen Yue was still undergoing treatment but was worried about the two kids and had come over to cook lunch.

 

“Since that’s the case, I’m relieved.” Wen Yue smiled gently.

 

Jiang Yunbian noticed that Zhou Die’s mood had become heavier.

 

Wen Yue had a special diet, so Zhou Die stopped Jiang Yunbian from making dishes she wanted to eat.

 

“Next time, Yunbian can cook according to the diet plan.” Zhou Die gently reassured her. “Otherwise, you’ll end up with a stomachache.”

 

“Then I’ll go check how you two are doing.” 

 

Wen Yue took action herself. The two kids sat at the table, silent in front of the spread of food.

 

Jiang Yunbian had always thought his cooking was decent, but now every bite felt bland.

 

Wen Yue’s condition was worse than it appeared.

 

“Not bad. The study is decorated in your father’s style,” Wen Yue said as she came out, lightly covering her mouth, taking one last look at the interior decoration. “It’s very cozy.”

 

Zhou Die was about to say something when Mrs. Zhou called, saying the driver was downstairs and ready to take Wen Yue back.

 

Zhou Die wanted to stay a bit longer, but he ended up saying, “Alright.”

 

Jiang Yunbian accompanied Zhou Die to send Wen Yue off. Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou were both there, and they looked somewhat relieved when they saw Wen Yue return, then smiled at the two of them.

 

Wen Yue finished her meal properly. After the doctor came to check and confirmed there were no issues, she lay down on the bed, beginning to feel drowsy.

 

Zhou Die stayed in the room to talk with her while Jiang Yunbian waited downstairs.

 

“I wanted her to use video calls to reduce her movements,” Mrs. Zhou said in the living room. “But she insisted on seeing you both in person to feel reassured, so she mentioned it to the doctor.”

 

“Is Auntie’s condition not good?” Jiang Yunbian asked quietly.

 

“Her resistance is decreasing, and she has quite a few minor issues,” Mrs. Zhou rubbed her brow. “She still doesn’t want to remove the mark, so her physical burden is growing.”

 

“Zhou Die will persuade her properly.”

 

“Just focus on preparing for college. The Zhou family will take good care of her, so you don’t need to worry.”

 

Jiang Yunbian agreed, and Zhou Die came downstairs.

 

“It’s getting late. You two should go back and rest. Xiao Die, the company has arranged an internship for you. You can come by when you have time.”

 

“Okay, good night, Mrs. Zhou.”

 

As Jiang Yunbian was led by Zhou Die, he asked, “Are you going to the internship?”

 

“Not quite; just going to take a look.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought it made sense, considering Zhou Die was the future heir.

 

But then he paused. “Aren’t you studying aerospace? What if the major isn’t related?”

 

“It’s not necessarily about me taking over,” Zhou Die said, his slender fingers gently gripping the steering wheel. “I’m just observing for now, but the final decision is up to me. If my plans change in the future, I can still pursue further studies.”

 

Jiang Yunbian thought that made sense; wealthy families usually have more than one path available.

 

He wanted to say something more but was reminded of Wen Yue, and his chest felt as if it was filled with cotton, making him uncomfortable.

 

It wasn’t until the car stopped that Jiang Yunbian realized he hadn’t spoken much to Zhou Die the whole way.

 

Jiang Yunbian waited at the apartment door for a while, still lost in thought when Zhou Die came back from parking.

 

Zhou Die lightly touched his eyelashes, and Jiang Yunbian looked back to find him gently cupping his face.

 

Zhou Die’s voice was soft. “What are you thinking about, so lost in thought?”

 

Jiang Yunbian looked down, then suddenly hugged Zhou Die’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.

 

“Zhou Die, I will always be here.”