The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 60

Jiang Yunbian was idly playing on his phone while sitting in the audience and discovered that Zhou Die had posted a status on his WeChat Moments last night—“Not single, please do not disturb.”

 

He had a habit of ignoring the number of likes, so his Moments notification had been stuck at 99+.

 

No wonder Zhou Die said he didn’t mind that he added that senior.

 

It had been waiting here all along.

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled, took a screenshot, and sent the Moments post with a question mark to Zhou Die.

 

[Zhou Meow Meow: The cat doesn’t know.jpg]

 

[Zhou Meow Meow: The cat only eats dried fish.jpg]

 

Jiang Yunbian found the pretense of ignorance too poor, ignoring the clumsy excuse and casually issued a command.

 

[Jiang Wang Wang: Come pick me up after school.]

 

After the self-introduction session for the new semester, the counselor tentatively assigned class duties and asked everyone to join the class group chat.

 

“As for the temporary class officials, let… Wen Lin stand up.”

 

The counselor, who struggled to remember faces, quickly added his contact information and asked him to distribute the new student manuals and some forms.

 

Wen Lin initially wanted to refuse, but his eyes caught the figure at the back of the classroom, so he silently accepted the forms.

 

Being an attractive Alpha as a class officer was a good thing, and several girls took the opportunity to strike up conversations while he was distributing the materials.

 

Until he reached Jiang Yunbian’s desk.

 

He didn’t lift his head.

 

“Classmate.” Wen Lin unconsciously emphasized the words, seeming a bit nervous but trying hard to hide it, “Here’s the new student manual.”

 

“Oh.” Jiang Yunbian, showing no change in expression, took the manual and put it in his bag. “Thanks.”

 

It was an exchange as ordinary as could be.

 

Wen Lin’s lips pressed into a thin line as he turned and left his seat.

 

Jiang Yunbian tapped lightly on the screen, typing out a message.

 

[Jiang Wang Wang: I’m in the same class as Wen Lin.]

 

After receiving the message, Zhou Die headed to Building Li in the East District after class.

 

New students were coming and going, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the handsome figure rushing up the stairs.

 

“What’s happening in the East District? The new students are all so good-looking…”

 

“Hey, isn’t that the one from the North District? I saw him on the confession wall this morning. Why is he here?”

 

“Probably here to pick up someone, look how anxious he is.”

 

Zhou Die paid no attention to the surrounding chatter and, upon reaching Jiang Yunbian’s classroom, was accidentally bumped into by a boy looking for his classroom.

 

“Wow, sorry…” The boy carefully stepped back and apologized, “Sorry, I was so focused on finding someone that I didn’t watch where I was going.”

 

“It’s fine.” Zhou Die replied briefly, slightly frowning before leaving.

 

The boy was likely an Omega, still in estrus, with a faint rosemary scent lingering around him.

 

Mixed with another scent of ylang-ylang.

 

This was an Omega with an Alpha mark.

 

Zhou Die withdrew his gaze, giving no further attention, and went to the classroom door with a somber expression.

 

Jiang Yunbian had just finished class.

 

“Everyone, go to the dorms and get your things organized, adjust your schedules. Tomorrow our school starts military training, and we’ll be going to the training base. I’ll give you the dorm details tomorrow. Meeting adjourned.”

 

Jiang Yunbian lazily packed his bag, originally intending to text Zhou Die to ask where he was. But then he heard a light knock on the back door.

 

“Wow…”

 

The nearby girls whispered excitedly, and he lazily lifted his gaze to see Zhou Die’s tall figure standing at the door.

 

The impatience stirred by the summer heat dissipated the moment he saw Zhou Die, and his steps became slightly lighter.

 

“Here?” He walked to the door, eyes following Zhou Die.

 

Zhou Die looked down to meet his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “Mm.”

 

Some girls next door stared curiously at the two, hesitating to ask about their relationship.

 

Jiang Yunbian saw through their intentions, turned back, and gave a simple smile before placing an arm around Zhou Die’s shoulders.

 

“Let’s go eat.”

 

Wen Lin, sitting in the classroom, saw the smiles from his classmates fade like a haze, his briefly lifted spirits shattered.

 

He waited for a while, then pulled out his phone to send a message.

 

Soon after, a breathless boy ran to him, panting heavily.

 

“Sorry, I went to the restroom to get another dose of suppressant and arrived late.” The boy’s voice was weak, his eyes wet with apology.

 

Wen Lin’s fingers lightly tapped the desktop as he looked at the boy’s eyes, which resembled those from his memory, and then showed a faint smile.

 

“It’s okay. Let’s go.”

 

*

 

As they left the parking lot, Jiang Yunbian noticed Zhou Die’s mood.

 

“Are you unhappy because of Wen Lin?” Jiang Yunbian looked into his eyes. “I swear to you, Zhou, that I have nothing to do with that person, and we won’t be in contact.”

 

Zhou Die looked at him seriously swearing, and after a while, he chuckled lightly. “I’ll take your word for it.”

 

“I have a grudge against him. How could we be friends?” Jiang Yunbian leaned over and gave him a kiss on the side of his face. “See, I even specifically asked you to pick me up today. Isn’t that being quite faithful?”

 

No concealment, no contact, no entanglement—a model boyfriend of the modern era.

 

Zhou Die smiled and ruffled his hair. “Alright, I’ll reward you with something delicious. What do you want to eat?”

 

“Let’s eat at home.”

 

Jiang Yunbian had his plan in mind but didn’t expect Zhou Die to receive several phone calls when they got home.

 

After dinner, Jiang Yunbian idly played a couple of games in the living room, thinking that military training would start tomorrow. Zhou Die didn’t come to discuss how to make up for lost time, and holding a meeting in the study didn’t seem right.

 

Jiang Yunbian quietly opened a crack in the door and peeked inside.

 

“Hmm, finish the handover with Sister Yang later. I won’t handle these things after the semester starts.” Zhou Die’s fingers pressed against his forehead, looking a bit tired. “Got it. Have a good meal.”

 

As soon as the call ended, he felt a gentle embrace around his waist.

 

Zhou Die looked down, feeling Jiang Yunbian’s breath on his back, and chuckled. “What’s wrong? Did I neglect you?”

 

“…” Jiang Yunbian found the choice of words sometimes quite absurd.

 

“Let’s interview this student. Military training is starting tomorrow for two weeks, and why aren’t you giving your boyfriend a kiss?”

 

Zhou Die turned around, his palm cupping Jiang Yunbian’s jawline, their breaths mingling at close range.

 

“Because my boyfriend took advantage of me at noon, and I’m sulking.”

 

Jiang Yunbian averted his gaze awkwardly, thinking to himself that Zhou Die was being unreasonable.

 

“…How can you call it taking advantage when it comes to couples?” Zhou Die reached out to touch his face, leaning in and whispering softly in his ear, “Aren’t you going to hug me?”

 

Zhou Die immediately tightened his grip and guided him into the bedroom.

 

“Military training starts tomorrow, and you still want to provoke me tonight?”

 

Jiang Yunbian chuckled, wrapping his arms around Zhou Die’s neck and pulling him close.

 

“Zhou Die, didn’t you say I should think carefully about marking?” He let his gaze trace Zhou Die’s profile.

 

“Let’s make a bet,” Jiang Yunbian whispered in his ear, “Whoever holds out longer gets to decide, okay?”

 

Zhou Die narrowed his eyes and grabbed Jiang Yunbian’s hand, which was trying to pull away. “Is it that simple?”

 

“Ha.” Jiang Yunbian sneered. “What if you lose? There won’t be any room for negotiation.”

 

His smile was both dazzling and cunning, making it hard for Zhou Die to discern whether he was genuinely negotiating or just indulging in the mingling of pheromones.

 

Regardless of which, Zhou Die was fully engaged.

 

A few days ago, Jiang Yunbian had paid the tuition fees to Xu Zhan, realizing that suppressing an Alpha too much wasn’t good, and similarly felt that he had neglected Zhou Die.

 

Tonight was supposed to be a compensation for him, but it unexpectedly triggered Zhou Die’s competitive nature.

 

Jiang Yunbian gritted his teeth and endured for thirty minutes, finally becoming disoriented from the cedar scent.

 

His voice became hoarse as he urgently pleaded, “I can’t take it anymore… Zhou Die, hurry up…”

 

Zhou Die remained calm and aloof, maintaining perfect control over his emotions, observing Jiang Yunbian’s momentary daze with his eyes, and his whispers sounded like a cat’s purr. “Do you remember, we’re in a bet?”

 

“Taking advantage… of someone’s… vulnerability…” Jiang Yunbian gasped for a moment, “Despicable.”

 

Zhou Die looked innocent. “Doesn’t Xiao Jiang Gege want to back out now?”

 

“You go first, let go.” Jiang Yunbian struggled to regain a bit of consciousness, “Let’s talk this over…”

 

Still backing out.

 

Zhou Die sighed and gently held Jiang Yunbian’s hand, which was clutching the pillow.

 

The Alpha was vaguely restrained, his wrist falling back to where it had been loosened.

 

Zhou Die clearly saw tears welling up in Jiang Yunbian’s eyes.

 

“I’ve let go, but Xiao Jiang Gege, how about you…”

 

“Don’t,” Jiang Yunbian didn’t expect Zhou Die to have this move, unable to cope, and felt somewhat overwhelmed, “Don’t…”

 

The markings of the Enigma glowed a light pink, and the mingled pheromones thickened the evening air with a sweet, dense aroma.

 

Jiang Yunbian fled in despair to the bathroom, locking the door and facing the consequences.

 

He thought he had thoroughly tested both their boundaries during their time together, but it turned out he was the one being manipulated.

 

Zhou Die’s boundaries remained an unknown territory he couldn’t reach with his current capabilities.

 

The steam enveloped him, and Jiang Yunbian felt a prickling pain on the back of his neck.

 

He had lost, utterly and completely.

 

Zhou Die sat at the door, satisfied, waiting for Xiao Yunbian to come out.

 

The sound of water flowed silently. Zhou Die initially planned to step back and let him calm down, but the phone on the bedside rang.

 

It was Jiang Yunbian’s phone.

 

“Yunbian.” Zhou Die glanced at the screen, “It’s your sister.”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t want to come out yet. “Answer it for me! Don’t say what I’m doing!”

 

Zhou Die chuckled and answered the call.

 

“Brother, how’s college life?”

 

“Your brother just stepped out, sorry.”

 

Jiang Yunyi responded with a surprised “Ah” and then chuckled, “Well, it seems he’s doing well. Mom asked me to find out when he’ll be home so we can plan a meal.”

 

Zhou Die took note and agreed to pass on the message.

 

Before hanging up, Zhou Die gently asked, “Yun Yi.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“May I ask you something?”

 

“Sure.” Jiang Yunyi responded cheerfully, “If it’s about my brother, I’ll tell you anything!”

 

“It’s not.” Zhou Die’s tone was calm. “What’s your pheromone scent?”

 

“Mint.” Jiang Yunyi replied. “I think it’s because my brother and I are twins; we both have a mint scent.”

 

Zhou Die hung up, his gaze growing deeper.

 

Both siblings had a minty pheromone, but one was an Alpha and the other an Omega.