TAO | Chapter 118

As December rolled in, the weather turned cold all of a sudden.

Wei Xiaochi walked out of the teaching building, and the freezing wind sneaked right into his collar. He hurriedly zipped up his down jacket all the way to his chin, hugged the books in his arms, and made his way toward the school gate.

“Xiaochi!”

Just as he neared the gate, someone called out behind him. Wei Xiaochi stopped and turned around.

A good-looking young man was walking over, wearing a warm smile. “Do you still remember me?”

Wei Xiaochi stared at him blankly for a few seconds but couldn’t place the face. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he said, “Sorry, I have a pretty bad memory. You are…?”

The young man didn’t mind and chuckled as he reminded him, “I’m Zhang Ziming, Wu Yue’s friend. We met at the library last time. I even bought you guys milk tea. Ring a bell?”

Wu Yue was one of Wei Xiaochi’s current classmates and was also in the same project group. They’d been spending a lot of time in the library recently.

With that reminder, Wei Xiaochi did recall him a little. “Oh, right. Did you need something?”

Zhang Ziming, however, replied with a question that had nothing to do with it. “Want to grab dinner?”

Wei Xiaochi had no idea why he was asking that, but he nodded. “Mm.”

Zhang Ziming had a little tiger tooth that showed when he smiled, making his grin really contagious and friendly. “Are you meeting someone?”

Wei Xiaochi wasn’t really used to chatting with strangers he wasn’t familiar with. “Yeah.”

Seeing how awkward and reserved he was, Zhang Ziming chuckled and teased, “Meeting your boyfriend?”

That question was kind of personal. Wei Xiaochi froze for a second, but out of politeness, he replied, “Yeah.”

Zhang Ziming’s smile faltered a bit, and he asked seriously, “You really have a boyfriend?”

Just as Wei Xiaochi was about to answer, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Something in his gut told him to look toward the school gate.

And sure enough—Jiang Zhan was standing right outside the retractable electric gate, staring at them with a thunderous expression.

Zhang Ziming followed Wei Xiaochi’s gaze and saw a tall, well-built alpha.

He was wearing a camel-colored cashmere coat over a black sweater. The slim fit accentuated his broad shoulders and straight posture. His features were sharp, and his brows and eyes carried a cutting edge, like a finely honed blade slicing right toward Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming felt his heart lurch and forced a bitter smile. “That’s… your boyfriend? Sorry.” He apologized, but didn’t say what exactly he was apologizing for.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t ask. Jiang Zhan’s displeased look had already taken over all his attention.

He hurriedly said goodbye to Zhang Ziming and walked briskly toward the gate.

“Did you wait long?” Wei Xiaochi figured Jiang Zhan was in a bad mood from waiting outside for too long.

Jiang Zhan jerked his chin toward Zhang Ziming and asked angrily, “Who’s that guy?!”

“A friend of my classmate,” Wei Xiaochi answered casually, brushing Jiang Zhan’s hand. “Are you cold?”

Wei Xiaochi had a weak constitution—sensitive to both heat and cold. Every winter, he felt like wrapping himself in two down jackets just to go out. So when he saw how little Jiang Zhan was wearing, he instinctively worried.

But Jiang Zhan’s eyes were still locked on Zhang Ziming. “Why was he talking to you? What did you two talk about? Did you add each other on WeChat?”

Seeing that Jiang Zhan was still hung up on this, Wei Xiaochi was a little caught off guard. “We didn’t really talk about anything. Just ran into each other on campus and said hi. We didn’t add WeChat.”

Honestly, even Wei Xiaochi wasn’t sure why Zhang Ziming had come over to talk—maybe he was just a naturally warm and sociable type, like Han Ziyang.

“He was looking at you weird.” The alpha suddenly said. “Stay away from him from now on.”

Wei Xiaochi finally realized—oh, someone’s jealous. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, finally managing a soft, “N-no, he wasn’t.”

Jiang Zhan leaned in, staring into his eyes like he was handing down a sentence. “Yes, he was!”

Wei Xiaochi started to suspect Jiang Zhan had seriously overestimated his own charm level.

Then again, Zhang Ziming had come on a bit flirty… or maybe he was just naturally super chill around people, like Han Ziyang—one of those with zero sense of personal boundaries. Classic social extrovert.

Even though Jiang Zhan’s jealousy felt kinda out of nowhere, Wei Xiaochi still obediently said, “Okay, got it. Are you hungry? What do you wanna eat tonight?”

Jiang Zhan’s temper flared fast but disappeared just as quickly. In a second, he was back to normal. “I want fish.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Sure, let’s go to the market now.”

Jiang Zhan: “Forget it, I don’t want it anymore.”

Wei Xiaochi blinked. “Why?”

The delicate Jiang Lanlan replied, “The seafood section at the market reeks.”

Wei Xiaochi couldn’t help but laugh. “Then wait for me at the entrance—I’ll go buy it.”

Jiang Zhan pouted. “What are you laughing at? What’s so funny? It does smell! Am I wrong?”

That’s just how he was. Anything that might ruin his image or make Wei Xiaochi laugh at him—he’d immediately deny. Even if Wei Xiaochi’s laughter wasn’t the teasing kind.

Jiang Zhan had one hell of an image complex, and Wei Xiaochi’s smile only deepened.

“No laughing!” Jiang Zhan got mad out of embarrassment and physically tried to straighten Wei Xiaochi’s smiling lips.

“……”

This man was so bossy.

As the ‘bickering-lovey-dovey’ AO couple slowly walked away, Zhang Ziming stood there looking a little dejected. At that moment, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Wu Yue had messaged: So, how’d it go bro? Did you get the date?

Turns out, the whole “coincidental” run-in with Wei Xiaochi was planned. The moment Wei Xiaochi left the classroom, Wu Yue had quickly messaged Zhang Ziming to go stake out the route and “catch the bunny.”

Zhang Ziming’s plan had been to create a chance encounter, then casually suggest dinner. After that, he’d try to get his contact info, take it slow, and build a connection.

Zhang Ziming sighed and replied: Figures. All the great ones are already taken.

Wu Yue: ……

Wu Yue: My condolences.

Wu Yue: Okay fine, blame your bro for not doing the intel right. I didn’t know the pretty flower already had an owner. Wait there, I’ll come treat you to a beer and apologize in person.

Zhang Ziming didn’t say much but agreed to the offer. He locked his phone and shoved it back into his pocket. By the time he looked up again, Wei Xiaochi and his fierce-looking boyfriend were long gone.

His heart was a little sour, but even he had to admit—they really did look good together.

One calm and quiet, the other wild and overbearing. Their personalities were opposites but complemented each other well.

Zhang Ziming’s first impression of Wei Xiaochi had been a good one. He thought he was like a little lily of the valley blooming quietly in the dirt—gentle and reserved.

He and Wu Yue lived in a mixed dorm—four guys from four different majors. It was the perfect setup for gossip and intel collecting. Whenever anything happened in any of the departments, the other three knew instantly.

That afternoon, Zhang Ziming didn’t have class. He was chilling in bed on his phone when he got a call from Wu Yue, who’d forgotten to bring some materials to the library and begged him to drop them off.

So Zhang Ziming had no choice but to put down his phone and hike all the way there—that was the first time he met Wei Xiaochi.

Back then, Wei Xiaochi was hugging his laptop, organizing documents. Zhang Ziming’s arrival didn’t even register with him.

The Omega had delicate, soft features and a quiet, clean aura. He gave off a very comfortable first impression.

Originally, Zhang Ziming planned to hand off the stuff and head back to his game. But something made him pull a random book from the shelf and sit down across from the Omega.

Wei Xiaochi still didn’t react. He didn’t even glance up.

Zhang Ziming sat for a while before lightly tapping the desk in front of Wei Xiaochi. That finally made him look up.

The moment he lifted his head, Zhang Ziming froze.

Those were some seriously beautiful eyes—deep black irises, the outer corners slightly lifted, almost like light was flowing in them.

But his expression was so calm, it made even those expressive eyes seem quiet and restrained.

Zhang Ziming quickly came back to his senses and pointed at the book beside Wei Xiaochi. “Can I take a look at this?”

His voice was quiet—only a few people nearby could hear it. Wu Yue glanced over and immediately got what was going on.

Wu Yue helped him out, saying, “Xiaochi, he’s my friend.”

Since it was a library, they couldn’t really chat freely. Wu Yue made sure to say Zhang Ziming wasn’t just some weirdo asking for books out of nowhere, then dropped the subject.

Wei Xiaochi, not understanding what was going on, just blinked and pushed the book over to Zhang Ziming before going back to his work.

Zhang Ziming’s attempt at striking up a conversation had clearly failed. Under Wu Yue’s teasing gaze, he helplessly blew the hair off his forehead.

After they finished their research, the study group moved locations to start working on their assignment together.

Thanks to Wu Yue, Zhang Ziming tagged along. He even bought everyone milk tea halfway through, then just sat quietly off to the side listening in.

Outstanding people are all proud—only the level varies from person to person.

Zhang Ziming realized that Wei Xiaochi was one of a kind—the type who was “brilliant but completely unaware of it.”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t talk much and rarely voiced his opinions. He quietly got things done, only speaking up when someone directly called on him. And whenever he did offer a suggestion, it was always practical and spot-on.

He didn’t say much, but everything he said hit the nail right on the head.

Zhang Ziming wandered nearby, pretending to scroll through videos on his phone, pacing back and forth around the group until he finally drifted to Wei Xiaochi’s side.

He opened his mouth and reminded the Omega, “Why haven’t you had your drink yet? It’s gonna go cold.”

Wei Xiaochi looked up at him like he’d only just realized someone was there. His eyes blinked blankly. “Thanks, but I’m good,” he said automatically, then lowered his head and kept working on his assignment.

Zhang Ziming wanted to strike up a conversation but had no idea how to even start. He had never met someone like this before.

At first, he wasn’t sure if Wei Xiaochi was just naturally oblivious or if he’d picked up on his intentions and was gently turning him down in his own way.

Now, Zhang Ziming finally got it—dude had a boyfriend, so he’d activated his anti-flirt shield, automatically filtering out anyone who approached with less-than-pure intentions.

Maybe it was because of Zhang Ziming, but now Jiang Zhan wasn’t just waiting outside the school gates anymore. Nope. He had the audacity to wait right at the department entrance.

It didn’t take long for word to get around their study group—Wei Xiaochi had a boyfriend. Wu Yue aside, the other two group members started teasing him non-stop.

“Xiaochi, I’m telling you, we should fly the flag of peaceful development! Let those who’ve successfully found love lead the rest of us single folks into the promised land.”

“I second that with all my limbs. I’m not asking for a boyfriend as perfect as yours—tall, hot, and rich—but just someone like… slightly less.”

“Please, Wei-classmate, teach us your ways. We beg for the sacred text of how to stop being single.”

“Same here! Knock knock, where’s the guidebook?”

Wei Xiaochi: “…”

Since he was the first in their four-person group to “graduate” from singledom, he’d been the butt of jokes for days now.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhan had been acting all mysterious lately, taking calls outside and whispering who-knows-what. Always secretive, never letting Wei Xiaochi overhear.

One night, Wei Xiaochi was lying in bed, half-asleep, when something felt off. He groggily opened one eye—a sliver of warm orange light from the bedside lamp slipped into his vision.

He was sure he’d turned the light off before sleeping. So why was it on now?

Blinking drowsily, he saw a shadowy figure crouched beside the bed, fiddling with something near his ring finger.

He frowned in confusion. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Jiang Zhan flinched like he’d been caught red-handed, jerking back before leaning over to cover Wei Xiaochi’s eyes. “Who told you to wake up? You’re not allowed to wake up! Go back to sleep!”

With how guilty he looked, Wei Xiaochi’s sleepy brain couldn’t even process what was going on.

He hesitated a moment, then mumbled, “Then… you should sleep too. Whatever it is, do it tomorrow.”

Jiang Zhan didn’t say anything, still keeping his hand over his eyes.

Wei Xiaochi could hear the drawer opening. His mind was gradually clearing up, but he stayed obediently on the bed, not asking anything.

Two minutes later, the hand finally moved away from his face, and Wei Xiaochi blinked back into the light, quietly watching Jiang Zhan.

Jiang Zhan swallowed. “You’re the one who didn’t sleep. I told you to sleep.”

Before Wei Xiaochi could figure out what that meant, the alpha leaned in and kissed him.

The Omega, once slender and delicate, had filled out over the past year. He lay on his stomach, soft lines of muscle and bone rising and falling with his breath.

Wei Xiaochi had no energy left. His eyelids were so heavy they could barely stay open.

Somewhere on his back, Jiang Zhan found another mole—this made it the nineteenth one.

From the first to the nineteenth, each one had its own number, neatly catalogued in Jiang Zhan’s phone gallery.

Just to be safe, Jiang Zhan had even set a password lock on that album so no one else could ever see it.

After taking a photo, the alpha excitedly showed it to Wei Xiaochi. “Look, this one’s brown.”

Hearing the tone of joy in Jiang Zhan’s voice, like he’d just harvested a bumper crop, Wei Xiaochi’s scalp tingled. What was this hobby?

But when he saw the pure, bright look in Jiang Zhan’s eyes, his heart felt like it got zapped by a tiny current—warm and tingly all over.

This wasn’t like some weird hand or foot fetish. Jiang Zhan didn’t have a thing for moles. He just liked Wei Xiaochi—a lot. So everything about him felt fresh and amazing.

Emotionally, Jiang Zhan was simple and sincere. Even though he liked to act all tsundere, his body language was always straightforward—especially when it came to loving Wei Xiaochi.

Once you accepted that he was trash at talking but great at showing love through actions, it was really easy to feel just how crazy he was about you.

Wei Xiaochi felt his face heat up. He lifted his head slightly and planted a soft kiss under Jiang Zhan’s jaw.

Jiang Zhan froze for a moment, then saw the sleepy fondness in Wei Xiaochi’s eyes. “Tired?”

He wrapped Wei Xiaochi tightly in the blanket, turned off the light, and pulled the Omega into his arms. “Go to sleep.”

“Mm.”

In the days that followed, Jiang Zhan was still being all secretive, sneaking off to take even more calls.

Wei Xiaochi wasn’t too worried, though. He already knew what it was about—Jiang Zhan had custom-ordered a pair of rings from a jewelry shop.

Young Master Jiang, clearly not used to sneaking around, had zero experience and ended up letting Wei Xiaochi overhear it by accident.

Jiang Zhan’s request was super straightforward: the rings had to scream “wedding bands.” As in, obvious at first glance—you’re taken, off the market, unavailable.

It sounded simple, but the designer was completely stumped. What were they supposed to do, weld a little iron plate on the ring engraved with “Married, Do Not Disturb”?

They brainstormed until their hair nearly fell out but still couldn’t come up with anything that satisfied Jiang Zhan. Hence, the endless phone calls.

Wei Xiaochi figured it out the moment he overheard—this had to be because Zhang Ziming had triggered Jiang Zhan’s jealousy.

With this vinegar jar of a boyfriend, Wei Xiaochi could only laugh helplessly. The real kicker? Jiang Zhan saw him through a hundred layers of rose-tinted glass.

At this point, Jiang Zhan wasn’t just seeing a goddess in him—he was seeing some glowing, overpowered Jack Su character descended from the heavens.

J University was packed with academic elites. Ever since he got there, Wei Xiaochi had been totally average. He didn’t have any standout qualities. In the dating pool, he was basically invisible.

Not everyone was Jiang Zhan. Who else would like him that much?

After yet another call that ended with Jiang Zhan rejecting a design for not being “married enough,” he came back to the bedroom, face dark.

Wei Xiaochi took one look and knew the design still wasn’t working. He pursed his lips and softly said, “What matters most with rings is the meaning. It doesn’t matter what they look like.”

Jiang Zhan’s ears turned red instantly. “Wedding rings? W-who said anything about wedding rings?”

Wei Xiaochi looked at him. “I… heard you the other day.”

Jiang Zhan choked on air and stared at him for a long time. “Who told you to listen?!”

“I didn’t mean to overhear,” Wei Xiaochi said, then added, “And… no one’s trying to chase me.”

Jiang Zhan grumbled, “That guy obviously likes you. When I wait outside your school, they’re always staring at you.”

Seeing him getting more and more absurd, Wei Xiaochi laughed softly. “You didn’t notice? They’re looking at you.”

“I’m not an idiot. I know who they’re looking at!”

Seeing the conversation about to spiral into a full-on case of He Said, She Said, Wei Xiaochi quickly switched topics. “How about we go look at rings together tomorrow?”

As a pure STEM student, Wei Xiaochi had never really thought about wedding rings. But if Jiang Zhan cared, then something that was once optional had now become important.

Jiang Zhan suddenly turned away, back facing Wei Xiaochi, ears glowing red. “Other people’s proposals are surprises. Y-you just said it out loud like that?!”

Wei Xiaochi: …………

Wait, who’s proposing to who again?

—

Wei Xiaochi had a natural love for studying. He believed knowledge changed fate, so he never skipped class—no matter how minor.

Jiang Zhan didn’t quite share that conviction. As a result, it was always him coming to find Wei Xiaochi, rarely the other way around.

This time, since they’d agreed to check out rings together, Wei Xiaochi skipped class for once and took the bus straight to Jiang Zhan’s school.

It was a cloudy day, the weather forecast predicting snow. The cold wind slapped against his face and quickly turned his lips purple.

He found a wind-sheltered spot and waited outside the school for Jiang Zhan to come out.

Just minutes after getting Wei Xiaochi’s call, Jiang Zhan rushed over—only to see the Omega curled up by a wall, sniffling from the cold.

His brows knit tightly. He took off the black scarf around his neck and wrapped it around Wei Xiaochi twice.

The fluffy scarf covered most of Wei Xiaochi’s face, still carrying the alpha’s warmth and scent.

Wei Xiaochi unzipped his down jacket and pulled out a hot cup of milk tea, smiling with his eyes. “For you.”

Jiang Zhan chuckled too, peeled the wrapper off the straw, stabbed it into the cup, and held it to Wei Xiaochi’s mouth.

Wei Xiaochi glanced at him, then took a sip. The warm, sweet liquid slid down his throat and spread all the way through his stomach.

He smiled and pushed the milk tea back to Jiang Zhan.

Worried that Jiang Zhan would catch a cold, he tried to return the scarf—but Jiang Zhan grabbed his wrist. “I’m not cold,” he said, pulling Wei Xiaochi’s hand into his coat pocket.

Holding hands, they walked forward together. The alpha’s palm was big and warm, and the heat radiated through their joined hands, making Wei Xiaochi’s heart flutter uncontrollably.

He suddenly remembered that summer in their second year of high school—Jiang Zhan had also held his hand like this. And just like now, his heart had skipped a beat back then, too.

The sky was overcast, the wind growing stronger, snowflakes as fine as salt blowing against every hurried passerby.

This was the first snow of the winter. On this blustery street, with fingers intertwined, the hearts of these two AOs were anything but cold.