The Marked Alpha Is Extremely Hard to Coax - Chapter 61

Zhou Die has always harbored doubts about Wen Lin.

 

If Wen Lin were an abnormal Alpha, Jiang Yunbian would not have remained friends with him for three years, nor would he have allowed him to get close to his sister.

 

Wen Lin’s almost pathological possessiveness would chill anyone to the bone.

 

If Wen Lin were to fade from Jiang Yunbian’s life without any further interaction, perhaps Zhou Die would not pursue the truth that makes Jiang Yunbian nauseous.

 

But Wen Lin appeared, and Zhou Die discovered him.

 

Wen Lin might have mistakenly identified Jiang Yunyi in heat as Jiang Yunbian back then, which led to his inability to control his Alpha nature.

 

Click.

 

The bathroom door opened.

 

When Jiang Yunbian came out, his ears were flushed red from the steam. He was a bit startled to see Zhou Die next door.

 

“You’re not planning to lie in wait, are you?” Jiang Yunbian assumed a defensive stance, eyeing Zhou Die cautiously.

 

Zhou Die took Jiang Yunbian’s hand and said softly, “I always feel like there are many people coveting you.”

 

Jiang Yunbian was slightly tickled by Zhou Die’s gentle grip on his fingertips. He didn’t expect Zhou Die to say that.

 

Jiang Yunbian composed himself, looking serious. “Zhou Die, I’m an Alpha. For others, only if I’m interested will there be a possibility of marking.”

 

“What if you meet an Omega who you think is good and devoted to you?”

 

Jiang Yunbian wanted to say it was impossible but was met with Zhou Die’s gaze in the next moment.

 

“They can mark my brother, who loves my brother, unlike me…”

 

Jiang Yunbian didn’t expect Zhou Die to be waiting for him here. “Little Zhou, I find you a bit petty sometimes.”

 

Zhou Die wrapped his arms around Jiang Yunbian’s waist, holding him close. “Hmm, so when will you fulfill the promise?”

 

Under the stalemate of their gazes, Jiang Yunbian belatedly realized Zhou Die was referring to the bet he had proposed.

 

A bet must be honored.

 

Jiang Yunbian pulled Zhou Die close and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

 

“Next time for sure.”

 

“…”

 

Zhou Die’s faint smile at the corner of his lips disappeared after Jiang Yunbian fell asleep.

 

In the darkness, Enigma’s gaze was like deeply ground ink, gradually revealing a fierce and intense emotion, as if weaving a dense net to entrap those around him.

 

Jiang Yunbian did not know that, while he was completely under Zhou Die’s control, Zhou Die had considered breaking the last boundary.

 

Since Alpha loves him and indulges him, he can’t do without it.

 

Zhou Die had thought of this more than once.

 

But in the end, he restrained himself.

 

He could control himself, manage Jiang Yunbian’s emotions, and accumulate patience slowly.

 

But when the scent of ylang-ylang was present, all his terrifying thoughts completely eroded his rationality.

 

If Jiang Yunbian hadn’t held his hand in front of everyone today, Zhou Die would have found a good reason for his controlling desires and devoured him completely.

 

Zhou Die looked at Jiang Yunbian’s serene and deep sleeping face and placed a gentle kiss on the back of his neck.

 

“Little Yunbian, don’t make me wait too long.”

 

*

 

With the start of the new semester, military training for freshmen began. C University’s policy was to take all new students to a training base for a half-month closed management period.

 

Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die were not in the same department, but fortunately, they were in the same dorm building. Jiang Yunbian managed to arrange for a room exchange with Zhou Die.

 

When he received the dorm list, Jiang Yunbian felt he had made a wise decision.

 

He was in the same dorm as Wen Lin.

 

The reason was simple: based on academic performance, Jiang Yunbian ranked first, and Wen Lin second.

 

“I’m sorry.” Before getting on the bus, Wen Lin said with his suitcase, “I really didn’t know the teachers would arrange it this way. I’ll go to the director and request a room change with the one next door.”

 

His tentative greeting was cautious, and Wen Lin hadn’t spoken a word to him since the beginning of the semester, which felt somewhat helpless.

 

“Jiang Yunbian, I know my previous apology…”

 

“Classmate,” Jiang Yunbian said with a polite smile, “don’t worry about these things. Just prepare well for the military training.”

 

Jiang Yunbian’s response was unexpectedly gentle. Wen Lin hesitated for a moment. “I won’t bring up any past matters. Jiang Yunbian, I don’t expect to be your friend during university, but I hope to be your classmate.”

 

Jiang Yunbian smiled faintly. “The relationships you’ve determined I can’t change. It seems pointless to discuss it with me?”

 

Wen Lin was momentarily stunned, his gaze involuntarily following Jiang Yunbian’s silhouette.

 

It seemed there might still be a chance.

 

He nodded and took the seat farthest from Jiang Yunbian, pulling out his phone and starting a song.

 

“Secret.”

 

It was the first song Jiang Yunbian learned to play on the guitar three years ago, which Wen Lin had secretly recorded at that time.

 

Wen Lin never expected this song would become his best remedy for sleepless nights.

 

Jiang Yunbian closed his eyes slightly, his gaze drifting outside the window until the bus stopped.

 

“Hey, isn’t that the East District’s campus heartthrob? Aerospace!” A girl pressed her face against the window, astonished.

 

“Yes! It’s him!” A classmate next door excitedly said, “I was wondering how their department ended up in the same training camp as us, and now we see him right away?”

 

Wen Lin’s eyes, previously lowered, suddenly opened wide. He almost bumped into the window as he turned to see Jiang Yunbian walking out from the sparse crowd.

 

The sound through the glass had a bit of distance, even though the speaker was right there.

 

But Wen Lin heard it clearly.

 

A girl with a red face approached, wanting to ask about Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die’s relationship.

 

“He,” Jiang Yunbian smiled brightly, his gaze slightly lifting to the end of the bus.

 

Just in time to meet Wen Lin’s eyes.

 

“His name is Zhou Die. He’s my boyfriend.”

 

Buzz—

 

The sharp, intense tinnitus exploded in Wen Lin’s ear, and he felt as if his heart and breath had momentarily stopped. All sounds seemed to fade away, and only one sentence echoed in his mind:

 

“He’s Zhou Die, my boyfriend.”

 

It was said plainly, without the slightest fear or shock, casually announced to the world.

 

At that moment, it felt as though all of Wen Lin’s blood had congealed.

 

No wonder Jiang Yunbian smiled at him and spoke with such indifference.

 

Jiang Yunbian had long been aware.

 

Everything he had done was merely to make this moment come with ease and pleasure.

 

Jiang Yunbian had given Wen Lin a glimmer of hope, teasing out his deepest desires, and then, just as he began to float, he sliced open the dark, damp, and eerie thoughts hidden in the shadows, tearing them apart under the light.

 

Back when they were still friends, Wen Lin had tested him in every way, like a clown hiding in a humble corner, constantly tossing various colored balls to seek an answer.

 

“Yunbian, if— I mean if… one day an Alpha liked you, what would you do?”

 

Jiang Yunbian, plucking at the strings of his instrument, didn’t even look up: “Don’t make such disgusting jokes.”

 

From then on, Wen Lin never probed further.

 

But now?

 

Why did Jiang Yunbian openly announce that he was with another Alpha?

 

Was it not a matter of not accepting same-sex relationships but just not accepting him?

 

Jiang Yunbian and Zhou Die walked side by side to the dormitory, which was even older than the previous training place. The bed creaked with every movement.

 

“So old and shabby.” Jiang Yunbian put down his luggage and turned to look for a rag.

 

Zhou Die reached out and held him by the waist, pinning him against the door.

 

“Was that intentional?”

 

“What intentional?” Jiang Yunbian thought for a moment, “Or do you think being my boyfriend is something that should be kept secret?”

 

Zhou Die leaned in close to his lips.

 

Jiang Yunbian quickly ended the kiss and pushed against his shoulders.

 

“We still have a meeting tonight; no more nonsense.”

 

Zhou Die embraced him, resting his head gently on his chest, listening to the steady heartbeat of the Alpha.

 

Jiang Yunbian reached to touch the back of his neck, his voice low: “Zhou Die, I’ve made up my mind.”

 

Some decisions need courage and time. Jiang Yunbian didn’t know if the person before him would be a surprise or an unexpected reaction.

 

Zhou Die saw through Jiang Yunbian’s fleeting nervousness.

 

“Yunbian,” he spoke first, “After we go back, I want to mark you. Is that okay?”

 

“…Okay.”

 

*

 

The scents of rosemary and ylang-ylang tangled in the air, sweet to the point of suffocation.

 

Tang Ruo gripped the bedsheet tightly, unable to make any sound.

 

Wen Lin sat at the edge of the bed, holding a cigarette burned down to its end, “Are you alright?”

 

Tang Ruo nodded, struggling to get up as his legs felt weak. He forced himself to go to the bathroom to clean up before coming out.

 

“Spray some scent blocker spray, or the smell will be too strong,” Wen Lin said with a thin smile, “Thank you for your hard work.”

 

Tang Ruo shook his head, cleaned up his things, and carefully sprayed the scent blocker.

 

“The money has been transferred. There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss,” Wen Lin said, putting on his usual gentle smile, “While you’re in your sensitive period, help me get close to an Alpha.”

 

Tang Ruo shivered and looked back at him: “What do you mean?”

 

“If I’m not mistaken, an Omega in estrus can affect an Alpha. I just want to see the reaction.” Wen Lin shook the ash off his cigarette, “As long as you agree, I can end the current contract early and give you an extra sum. How about it?”

 

Tang Ruo was chosen by the Wen family as a mate for Wen Lin, specifically because he was a high-ranking Omega with a poor background and a scent that perfectly suited Wen Lin’s preference.

 

But on the first day he met this Alpha, Wen Lin smiled and kissed his face, only telling him: “I quite like you, but I won’t be with you forever.”

 

Tang Ruo was well aware of his own purpose but didn’t care.

 

As long as the money was right.

 

“I didn’t give you a deep mark this time; your estrus should last another five days. I’ll create an opportunity later.” Wen Lin took out his phone and showed him a photo.

 

“This one, Zhou Die.”

 

Tang Ruo remembered the face on the phone, feeling a vague sense of familiarity but didn’t think much of it. He nodded and quickly left.

 

The Omega dormitory was far from the Alpha dormitory, and Tang Ruo, feeling weak all over, walked very slowly.

 

“…It smells so good, did you notice?” The returning Alpha detected the anomaly in the air.

 

Tang Ruo hugged his coat tightly, walking faster with his head down but ended up bumping into someone due to blurred vision.

 

“Sorry, I…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.

 

Zhou Die stood before him, his expression indifferent.

 

“Is that how your Alpha treats you?”

 

Author’s Note: “Secret” is a song by Zhang Zhenyue!

 

Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tropical flowering tree native to the Philippines and Indonesia. Its flowers are yellow and have a rich, sweet, and exotic fragrance often used in perfumes and essential oils. The scent of ylang-ylang is known for its floral and slightly fruity notes, adding a luxurious and calming quality to fragrances.