TAO | Chapter 38

Under the pressure of Jiang Zhan’s dominance, Wei Xiaochi didn’t dare expose him. He mumbled something and quickly withdrew back into the bathroom.

He liked to pet the cat but didn’t admit it, and then he had to blame the poor cat.

Wei Xiaochi sighed. If only the cat could talk, it would have been furious at his antics.

Poor cat.

When Wei Xiaochi came out of the bathroom again, there was no longer a cat in Jiang Zhan’s arms.

Wei Xiaochi took a quick glance around the room but didn’t see the orange cat. It was probably “exiled” by an embarrassed and furious alpha.

When their eyes accidentally met, Wei Xiaochi shivered and obediently climbed back onto the bed, lying in the same spot as yesterday.

Jiang Zhan’s expression softened a little. He got up and walked toward the bathroom, but halfway there, he suddenly turned around and shouted at Wei Xiaochi, “It’s the cat that’s sticking to me. I felt sorry for it, so I reluctantly accepted it.”

Before Wei Xiaochi could react, Jiang Zhan proudly walked away with his head held high.

Wei Xiaochi stared at his retreating figure, stunned by how shamelessly confident Jiang Zhan was.

Just as Wei Xiaochi was about to turn away, Jiang Zhan suddenly looked back, his sharp, dark eyes locking onto him like a predator catching a scent.

Wei Xiaochi felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively pulled the blanket over his head, burying his face in it.

At that moment, he didn’t dare even think about teasing Jiang Zhan.

That night, they went their separate ways. When Wei Xiaochi woke up, he was still lying on his side of the bed, with no awkwardness from yesterday morning, but the throw pillow was scattered on the floor.

He woke up early today, with plenty of time, and had breakfast in the Jiang family’s dining room.

Jiang Zhan, in a bad mood, didn’t come downstairs for breakfast, even though he was awake.

“Don’t worry about him. If he’s hungry, he’ll come down,” Aunt Zhou said, placing a sunny-side-up egg on Wei Xiaochi’s plate.

The Jiang family loved runny eggs, but when she saw Wei Xiaochi couldn’t get used to them, Aunt Zhou kindly made him another one.

Wei Xiaochi was touched. “Thank you, Aunt Zhou.”

Aunt Zhou looked at him lovingly. “It’s no trouble at all. If you like anything, just tell me, don’t be polite. The more you come, the better, it’s my way of thanking you.”

“Mr. and Mrs. are busy with work, so they’re rarely home. Having you here makes it livelier.”

“Young Master has a bad temper, but he’s not a bad person at heart. He’s pure-hearted, too. You’re the first person he’s brought home,” Aunt Zhou joked.

Wei Xiaochi burnt his tongue on the egg and quickly said, “We’re not that kind of relationship, please don’t misunderstand. Also… early relationships are not good.”

Aunt Zhou chuckled and teased, “Why isn’t early dating good?”

“It affects studies,” Wei Xiaochi mumbled, also adding, “and makes it harder to make money.”

Aunt Zhou laughed and gently patted Wei Xiaochi’s head. “You’re a bookworm, huh? Focus on your studies and get into a good university, that’s the best.”

“If Young Master could be as diligent as you, he wouldn’t get scolded by Mr. so much,” Aunt Zhou sighed. “I hope he learns from you.”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t respond to that.

He knew very well he couldn’t control Jiang Zhan, but as long as Jiang Zhan was willing to learn, Wei Xiaochi would teach him.

Aunt Zhou asked with a smile, “Are you coming after school today? If you do, I’ll make you some xiao long bao.”

Seeing the expectant look in Aunt Zhou’s eyes, Wei Xiaochi awkwardly lowered his head. “Well… that depends on whether Jiang Zhan’s sensitivity period is over.”

He couldn’t keep taking advantage of other people’s meals, even though the Jiang family treated him exceptionally well.

Aunt Zhou smiled. “No matter whether his sensitivity period is over or not, you can still come. But I heard he needs to go to the hospital for a check-up this morning.”

Wei Xiaochi nodded. He would wait for the check-up results before making a decision.

Jiang Zhan’s car was too eye-catching, so Wei Xiaochi asked the driver to stop in a secluded area before getting out.

But sometimes, the more you try to hide something, the more obvious it becomes.

As soon as Wei Xiaochi had walked two steps, he heard Han Ziyang’s loud voice behind him.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Wei Xiaochi, why are you getting out of Jiang Zhan’s car?”

Wei Xiaochi stumbled at the sound, turning to see Han Ziyang riding a cool mountain bike, accompanied by three of his basketball teammates.

Jiang Rui couldn’t help but shed a dramatic tear. “Life really has it out for us single dogs. I don’t even have a girlfriend, and these guys have wives and kids at home.”

Another teammate chimed in, “The world’s gone downhill. Who would’ve thought that Jiang Zhan would be the first one to get a girlfriend?”

Han Ziyang, feeling deeply, continued, “I thought we’d be brothers for life, but who knew he’s just a single dog now.”

But what shocked him more was that Wei Xiaochi had completely won over Jiang Zhan. Wei Xiaochi might not have a social butterfly personality, but he definitely had some serious love skills.

And they were skills to be reckoned with.

Wei Xiaochi pale, defended himself, “It’s not what you think… You can ask Jiang Zhan about it.”

“No need to worry about my feelings. I can accept the fact that you’re with him,” Han Ziyang sighed dramatically, looking up at the sky, his side profile filled with sorrow.

The others joined in with mock howls.

Jiang Rui commented, “Han Ziyang still knows the term ‘established fact,’ you’re a model student!”

Han Ziyang proudly responded, “Of course. After all, I passed all the subjects in the mock exams.”

Jiang Rui smirked. “Says the person who failed the mock exams.”

The other two teammates echoed, “Says the person who failed the mock exams.”

Han Ziyang grinned, “Me passing all subjects is definitely not the same as you guys.”

The morning sunlight filtered through the tree-lined road as a group of tall, muscular alpha males pushed and shoved, teasing each other as they followed behind a slender boy.

The No. 2 High School basketball team was famous, especially with someone like Jiang Zhan, who was a hot topic. Plus, the starting lineup consisted entirely of alpha males.

Alpha males were synonymous with height and looks.

Han Ziyang and the others kept a bit of distance from Wei Xiaochi, following behind him like a group of bodyguards.

This unusual group attracted a lot of attention when they entered the school.

Wei Xiaochi clearly didn’t fit in with them, and at first, everyone thought it was just a coincidence that they were walking together. But soon, everyone was saying goodbye to him.

Jiang Rui, not in the same building, waved first. “See ya.”

Han Ziyang, not holding back, shouted, “Get lost.”

As they were leaving, Jiang Rui pointed at Wei Xiaochi and said, “Teacher Wei’s leaving.”

Wei Xiaochi was confused but still politely responded.

The other two teammates also greeted Wei Xiaochi as they left, “Teacher Wei’s leaving.”

The basketball team had been intimidated by Jiang Zhan recently, and now they all called Wei Xiaochi “Teacher Wei,” even though he had never actually taught them.

Han Ziyang was the last to say goodbye, and he stood out by saying, “Old Wei’s leaving,” before heading up to the third floor.

As they walked through the school, Wei Xiaochi felt the eyes of students on him—curious, surprised, or confused. He felt incredibly awkward and quickly entered the classroom.

It was really Li Suilin who made this nickname famous.

After morning study, he jumped on the trend and greeted Wei Xiaochi, “Teacher Wei, are you still collecting homework? I haven’t turned in my physics assignment yet.”

Wei Xiaochi: …

The entire class was confused, but many of the students started teasing him, calling him “Teacher Wei.”

For the entire morning, Wei Xiaochi was reluctantly called “Teacher Wei” by at least ten people, and his presence in class was higher than ever before.

“Teacher Wei?” Zhang Mingyang sneered. “Who do you think you are?”

Wei Xiaochi, feeling overly self-conscious from all the attention, quickly shot back, “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

Zhang Mingyang choked, “What are you acting so smug for? Ugly people always make a fuss.”

Wei Xiaochi: “You’re the ugly one.”

Zhang Mingyang pushed Wei Xiaochi’s arm. “Your arm crossed the line, move it back.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Your line’s not even straight, it’s shifted toward you.”

Zhang Mingyang: “No, you’re the one who drew it wrong. Your eyes are crooked, this isn’t even a proper line, it’s all messed up.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Prove it with a ruler!”

Zhang Mingyang: “I’ll measure it!”