TAO | Chapter 46

Wei Xiaochi suffered from insomnia until the early hours of the morning and ended up waking up twenty minutes later than usual.

In a flurry, he quickly got himself ready, grabbed his backpack, and rushed to school, pedaling his bicycle at lightning speed.

When he finally walked his bike through the school gates, he was greeted by an unexpected sight: Jiang Zhan, wearing a brand-new blue-and-white school uniform, lazily sweeping the ground with a broom.

Wei Xiaochi had already seen Jiang Zhan in uniform the day before, so that wasn’t surprising. What shocked him was that Jiang Zhan was actually doing cleaning duty. He had never seen Jiang Zhan participate in such tasks before.

Could it be that Jiang Zhan had done it in the past, and he just never noticed?

It wasn’t just Wei Xiaochi who was startled. Every student who entered the school and saw Jiang Zhan in uniform wore a “have-I-seen-a-ghost” expression, craning their necks repeatedly to confirm the scene.

With just one lift of his gaze, Jiang Zhan’s piercing look sent the gawkers scurrying away faster than rabbits.

Amid the crowd, Jiang Zhan’s eyes fell on Wei Xiaochi. His usual arrogant and overbearing demeanor softened instantly as he gazed at him with a complicated look, as if he had words he wanted to say but couldn’t.

Wei Xiaochi’s lips moved slightly, uncertain what to do.

Jiang Zhan’s intense gaze made his intention clear—he wanted Wei Xiaochi to come over.

Just as Wei Xiaochi took a step toward him, a booming voice rang out from behind him—it was Wei Minzhen, the ever-vocal dean of discipline.

“Don’t think you’re exempt from wearing your uniforms just because it’s not Monday!”

“Open your eyes and look at the guy sweeping up ahead! See him? That’s Jiang Zhan! Even he’s wearing his uniform, and you still dare to show up dressed like this?”

Using the reformed Jiang Zhan as a model example, Wei Minzhen took the opportunity to scold every non-compliant student within earshot.

As for the “model student” himself, Jiang Zhan was currently shooting longing glances at his omega. The only reason he had decided to wear the uniform was that his usual outfits were too conspicuous. If he wanted to date Wei Xiaochi without getting caught by Wei Minzhen, the dean, this was his only option.

Unlike Jiang Zhan, Wei Xiaochi didn’t dare to take such risks under the watchful eyes of Wei Minzhen. He shook his head subtly at Jiang Zhan and retracted his step. Ignoring the increasingly dark expression on Jiang Zhan’s face, he pushed his bike and walked away.

Even so, Wei Xiaochi could feel a pair of burning eyes following him, making him quicken his pace nervously.

When he finally sat down in the classroom, his heart was still racing uncontrollably. He worried that Jiang Zhan might really be angry this time.

Caught between worry and hesitation, Wei Xiaochi opened his backpack and began pulling out his books. He debated whether he should take the initiative to message Jiang Zhan and explain, but before he could decide, a shadow fell over him.

Startled, Wei Xiaochi looked up to see Xu Yang standing at his desk, wearing a neutral expression as he placed a cup of milk tea on the table.

Blinking in confusion, Wei Xiaochi had no idea what this gesture was supposed to mean.

He wasn’t the only one surprised. Even Zhang Mingyang, who sat nearby, looked over curiously.

Xu Yang shot Zhang Mingyang a sharp glare, prompting him to immediately duck his head and obediently focus on his math practice sheet.

Wei Xiaochi glanced between Xu Yang and the milk tea on his desk, his heart filled with unease. After some hesitation, he pulled out the test papers their teacher had assigned the previous day and handed them to Xu Yang.

Without a word, Xu Yang took the papers and walked away with his long strides.

Hearing someone exhale a long sigh of relief, Wei Xiaochi looked around, thinking it was himself, only to realize it was Zhang Mingyang.

Zhang Mingyang shot a sneaky glance toward the back of the classroom before turning his gaze to Wei Xiaochi, giving him a strange, scrutinizing look.

Annoyed by the stare, Wei Xiaochi snapped, “What are you looking at?”

Zhang Mingyang adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and dropped a bombshell, “Xu Yang is chasing after you, isn’t he?”

Wei Xiaochi nearly choked on his own spit. He turned his head to sneak a look at the back row, then leaned over his desk to whisper to Zhang Mingyang, “Are you out of your mind?”

Zhang Mingyang leaned closer as well, propping his arms on the desk and covering his mouth to hide their conversation. “You’re the one who’s out of your mind. Why else would he buy you milk tea?”

“He just wants to copy my homework,” Wei Xiaochi argued quietly, refusing to believe it.

Zhang Mingyang shot back, “Then why didn’t he ask me for my homework?”

“Because you’re a tattletale! You’re 18 years old and still run to the teacher for everything.”

“Bullshit. You’re the tattletale. Are you seriously denying that you were the class snitch back in elementary school?”

Wei Xiaochi was momentarily at a loss for words because, well, it was true. But he puffed up his chest in defiance. “That’s all in the past. We’re talking about now.”

Changing his angle of attack, Zhang Mingyang added, “Have you ever seen a class bully pay someone just to copy their homework? I haven’t.”

Wei Xiaochi was stumped. He had to admit, Zhang Mingyang had a point. Most class bullies used intimidation, not politeness. Xu Yang’s approach was indeed rare.

Thinking for a moment, Wei Xiaochi offered a theory. “Maybe it’s because the class monitor is here, and he doesn’t dare use force.”

Zhang Mingyang nodded at the plausible reasoning but still remained skeptical. “Then why give you milk tea?”

“He’s given me chocolates before too. He just switched it up recently.”

Zhang Mingyang gave Wei Xiaochi another serious look before muttering, “Whoever falls for you must be blind.”

Wei Xiaochi ignored him, stashing the milk tea into his desk compartment like a hot potato. He didn’t believe Zhang Mingyang’s theory for a second.

After the morning reading session, Wei Xiaochi received a message from Jiang Zhan. The text instructed him to meet Jiang Zhan behind the indoor gymnasium in the small wooded area after the second period.

Though the location was far from the classroom, Wei Xiaochi dared not refuse again. As soon as the bell for the second period rang, he ran straight to the meeting spot.

When he arrived, Jiang Zhan was already there, idly plucking leaves off a tree. The sparse branches became even more barren thanks to his fidgety hands.

Upon seeing Wei Xiaochi, Jiang Zhan’s expression softened. “Come here. Why are you standing so far away?”

Despite his usual resilience, even Wei Xiaochi found the sun-baked clearing too unbearable. Still, under Jiang Zhan’s watchful gaze, he forced himself to step closer.

Jiang Zhan handed him a delicate porcelain lunchbox. “Aunt Zhou prepared this.”

The box was cool to the touch, with condensation indicating it had been stored on ice. When Wei Xiaochi opened it, he found neatly arranged fruit—apples, bananas, dragon fruit, and watermelon—topped with honey and yogurt.

“She said it’s good for low blood sugar,” Jiang Zhan muttered awkwardly, kicking the dirt with his foot. “And that you should eat small, frequent meals.”

Wei Xiaochi looked at him in astonishment. Jiang Zhan turned his head away. “What are you staring at? It’s what she said, not me.”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t know how Jiang Zhan had figured out his low blood sugar issue, but he remembered the chocolate Jiang Zhan had given him before.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

“There’s nothing to thank me for. Just eat it. Class is about to start,” Jiang Zhan replied gruffly.

Taking out a small silver fork, Wei Xiaochi offered a piece of dragon fruit to Jiang Zhan, remembering that he didn’t like bananas.

To his surprise, Jiang Zhan opened his mouth expectantly. Hesitating, Wei Xiaochi fed him the fruit.

After swallowing, Jiang Zhan turned his back to him, and Wei Xiaochi quietly ate a piece himself.

When Jiang Zhan finally turned around, his ears were slightly red. He stared at Wei Xiaochi intently.

“What is it?” Wei Xiaochi asked nervously.

“You’ve got something on your lips,” Jiang Zhan said, pointing at him.

It must have been dragon fruit juice. Wei Xiaochi instinctively licked his lips.

“There’s still some,” Jiang Zhan said, his tone tightening.

Wei Xiaochi wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “Is it gone?”

Jiang Zhan nodded, then suddenly leaned in and kissed him.