TAO | Chapter 57

Xu Yang sat diagonally across from Wei Xiaochi, with a stack of books in front of him that seemed perfectly suited for resting his head on to nap.

From what Wei Xiaochi knew about Xu Yang, he was probably there to rest, just like Jiang Zhan, though Wei Xiaochi had no idea when Xu Yang had arrived.

The moment he saw Xu Yang, Wei Xiaochi’s heartbeat quickened, almost bursting out of his chest.

But then he told himself there was no need to panic. Xu Yang wasn’t the type to report his and Jiang Zhan’s early dating to the administration. He wasn’t that petty.

Still, Wei Xiaochi had a poor mental fortitude, and under Xu Yang’s sharp, almost piercing gaze, he found himself swallowing hard.

Jiang Zhan quickly noticed something was off. Half-asleep, he blinked his drowsiness away and followed Wei Xiaochi’s frozen gaze to see another alpha, also dressed in No. 2 High School’s uniform, sitting across from them.

That alpha was staring intently at Wei Xiaochi.

Jiang Zhan’s demeanor changed instantly. The lazy air about him disappeared, replaced by a cold, wolf-like glare. He sat up straight, every muscle tense and ready to attack.

Noticing Jiang Zhan’s reaction, Wei Xiaochi quickly averted his eyes.

Xu Yang observed how Wei Xiaochi whispered something softly to Jiang Zhan. Jiang Zhan, still wearing an unpleasant expression, turned his face away, clearly annoyed. But Wei Xiaochi leaned in closer, speaking with quiet patience. Whatever he said seemed to calm Jiang Zhan slightly.

Without warning, Wei Xiaochi hastily gathered up the books and notebooks on the table, clutching them to his chest. He tugged Jiang Zhan’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhan shot a cold glance at Xu Yang, his arms crossed. “Why should I leave? Who is that guy? What are you hiding from?”

More and more people started noticing the tension in the room. Sweat began to bead on Wei Xiaochi’s forehead.

He took Jiang Zhan’s hand firmly and spoke in a low voice. “This is the library. Let’s talk outside; we shouldn’t disturb others.”

Although Jiang Zhan looked displeased, he stood up the moment Wei Xiaochi pulled him.

As Wei Xiaochi struggled with the pile of books in his arms, Jiang Zhan reached over with one large hand and took them all.

Wei Xiaochi looked up at Jiang Zhan’s hand, adjusting his glasses nervously. “I-I can carry them myself.”

“Stop talking nonsense, and don’t look at him,” Jiang Zhan said, using his hand to block Wei Xiaochi’s view of Xu Yang. “Let’s go.”

He intentionally walked on Wei Xiaochi’s left side, shielding him from Xu Yang’s line of sight.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t dare glance around and kept his head down, walking quickly out of the library.

Jiang Zhan held Wei Xiaochi’s hand confidently, leading him out in full view of everyone.

Xu Yang’s lips straightened into a thin line, his expression ice-cold.

The moment they stepped outside, Wei Xiaochi was bombarded with questions.

“Who is that guy? Why was he staring at you?”

“Was he the one who gave you chocolates and milk tea?”

“Wasn’t it him who carried you to the infirmary during your first-year military training and gave you chocolate?”

The rapid-fire questions left Wei Xiaochi utterly bewildered. He was also stunned—how did Jiang Zhan know all this? Who told him?

The events from their first-year military training were so long ago that even Wei Xiaochi barely remembered. All he could recall was how exhausting it was and how unbearable the sun was.

Wei Xiaochi’s nervousness made him slow to react. During military drills, he was always half a beat late when the instructor ordered left or right turns. When he was hungry, it was even worse, and he’d often get scolded in front of everyone for being unable to tell east from west.

Now that Jiang Zhan mentioned it, Wei Xiaochi vaguely remembered fainting from low blood sugar during training and being carried to the infirmary.

Back then, everyone was still getting to know each other, so Wei Xiaochi had no clear memory of who had helped him. The dizziness and weakness caused by low blood sugar had left him disoriented.

As he thought back, he recalled there were two people involved. One of them was their class monitor, Li Suilin.

Li Suilin had been the class monitor from the start, personally chosen by their homeroom teacher. After Wei Xiaochi fainted, Li Suilin stayed with him in the infirmary for over two hours.

As for the other person…

Was it Xu Yang?

It clicked. Yes, it had been Xu Yang. But all he did was carry Wei Xiaochi to the infirmary before leaving.

With Li Suilin acting as the middleman, Wei Xiaochi had thanked Xu Yang in person once he had recovered.

And that was the end of it.

Xu Yang’s response had been a simple, “No need to thank me,” delivered in a polite but distant tone.

At the time, Xu Yang had already differentiated into an alpha. His good looks and privileged background gave off an air of arrogance, as if he were looking down from a pedestal.

Wei Xiaochi, sensitive to others’ emotions, had just escaped the miserable years of junior high and was terrified of social interactions. If Li Suilin hadn’t accompanied him, he wouldn’t have dared to approach someone as tall and imposing as Xu Yang.

After sensing Xu Yang wasn’t as warm as Li Suilin, Wei Xiaochi had quickly categorized him as someone to avoid.

So, there was no dramatic tale of gratitude, reciprocation, and friendship development.

Now Wei Xiaochi finally understood how Jiang Zhan knew so much—it must have been Li Suilin who told him.

Wei Xiaochi corrected Jiang Zhan, albeit hesitantly. “It wasn’t just him who took me to the infirmary. The class monitor was there too.”

“And the lifesaving chocolate—it was from the monitor, not him.”

As for the later chocolates and milk tea, those were indeed from Xu Yang, but there had been reasons for them. They hadn’t been given without cause.

Hearing this revised version of events, Jiang Zhan realized that Li Suilin had been messing with him. Grinding his teeth, he decided to settle the score with Li Suilin another day.

Even so, Jiang Zhan couldn’t shake off the feeling that Xu Yang’s gaze earlier had been strange. Trusting his alpha instincts, Jiang Zhan knew something wasn’t right.

He reached out and pinched Wei Xiaochi’s cheek. “From now on, stay away from him. Don’t interact with him anymore.”

“But we’re in the same class. It’s impossible to completely…” Wei Xiaochi’s words trailed off under Jiang Zhan’s intimidating glare. He quickly caved. “Okay, I get it.”

Jiang Zhan added firmly, “And don’t like anyone other than me.”

Wei Xiaochi felt a lump in his throat and lowered his head, remaining silent.

His silence made Jiang Zhan anxious. “Say something.”

After a moment, Wei Xiaochi pressed his lips together and nodded slowly. “I understand.”

Jiang Zhan frowned. “Say it louder. I didn’t hear you.”

Wei Xiaochi raised his voice slightly. “I understand.”

“What do you understand?”

“Not to like anyone other than you.”

Jiang Zhan grunted in satisfaction and muttered awkwardly, “Good. I know now that you don’t like anyone but me.”

“…?”

Wei Xiaochi was completely dumbfounded. How did this turn into a confession from him to Jiang Zhan?

Sigh.

Returning to the classroom, Wei Xiaochi secretly pulled out his journal.

Not only did it track his expenses and income, but it also recorded the date of his differentiation and his calculated heat cycle.

Omegas experienced their special period every 45 days. Earlier, when Jiang Zhan kissed him, Wei Xiaochi had noticed something unusual around his neck glands.

Counting the days, he realized his heat cycle was approaching. Thankfully, he still had four inhibitors and one suppressor.

Taking out a brooch from his bag, he noticed that two of its decorative gems had worn off from being pinned on his pocket before his differentiation.

Touching the empty spots where the gems used to be, Wei Xiaochi felt a pang of heartache. The brooch had been expensive—losing just one gem would cost dozens.

Though his heat was still a few days away, Wei Xiaochi pinned the brooch back on his pocket just to be safe.

He considered his options: waste an inhibitor or… let Jiang Zhan bite him.

Given their current relationship, letting Jiang Zhan bite him wasn’t unreasonable. The only question was—would it hurt?

Just as his thoughts began to drift, Xu Yang entered the classroom.

The moment Wei Xiaochi saw him, he shrank in his seat, wishing he could crawl into his desk pocket.

Xu Yang paused at Wei Xiaochi’s desk.

Wei Xiaochi caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye and lowered himself even further, silently praying, Please leave, please leave.