TAO | Chapter 59

The student council conducted fewer spot checks than usual today. Before the morning reading session ended, Li Suifeng returned to Class 1.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi slumped on his desk with a lackluster expression, Li Suifeng raised an eyebrow in surprise.

What had Jiang Zhan been dragging him off to do every day? Turning a model student into such a wreck?

Knowing that Wei Xiaochi had a thin skin, Li Suifeng didn’t ask. He merely gave him a brief glance before walking into the classroom.

After straining his leg the night before and overexerting his arm, combined with a night of bizarre dreams, Wei Xiaochi was utterly exhausted. He flipped a page of his English textbook, yawning widely—only to choke back the yawn when Xu Yang showed up late.

To avoid further attracting Xu Yang’s interest as a newly emerged Omega, Wei Xiaochi decided to take Jiang Zhan’s advice seriously: stay far away from Xu Yang.

When Xu Yang approached, Wei Xiaochi discreetly scooted closer to Zhang Mingyang’s side.

However, Xu Yang didn’t stop, walking straight past him without a word.

All morning, Xu Yang didn’t initiate a single conversation, further confirming Wei Xiaochi’s previous assumption: Xu Yang had only a fleeting interest in him. Maybe as small as the size of a fingernail. Once he saw that Wei Xiaochi wasn’t reciprocating, the proud Alpha naturally wouldn’t lower himself to make further efforts.

That’s how it should be.

Both Jiang Zhan and Xu Yang had their eyes on him lately, making Wei Xiaochi almost believe he was some highly sought-after Omega.

During lunch break, Wei Xiaochi and Jiang Zhan went to the library again. After studying for over half an hour and taking a 20-minute nap, some of the mental exhaustion finally faded.

In the evening, Jiang Zhan wanted to take Wei Xiaochi out again—this time, to teach him how to swim.

Wei Xiaochi: …

Why did it feel like his budding romantic relationship wasn’t with a high school student, but with a private trainer determined to unlock his athletic potential?

Searching for a reasonable excuse, Wei Xiaochi politely declined Jiang Zhan’s offer. “I can’t. My grandma is visiting today, so I have to go home early.”

Jiang Zhan looked visibly disappointed but reluctantly walked him back home.

When they reached the neighborhood entrance, Wei Xiaochi bid Jiang Zhan farewell and started wheeling his bike toward home, only for the back seat of his bike to be tugged from behind.

It wasn’t the first time Jiang Zhan had done this. Last time, Wei Xiaochi had resolved it with a hug.

Turning around, Wei Xiaochi saw the Alpha looking down, his handsome face full of displeasure.

Wei Xiaochi hesitated and asked in a small voice, “Do you want a hug?”

Jiang Zhan immediately pulled Wei Xiaochi into his arms, pressing the Omega tightly against his chest.

Afraid that someone familiar might see them, Wei Xiaochi didn’t let Jiang Zhan hug him for long. Pushing him away, he said goodbye again, “I’m going now. See you tomorrow.”

As he moved forward, his bike was grabbed again.

Startled, Wei Xiaochi turned back a second time, puzzled. They had already hugged—wasn’t that enough?

Looking at Jiang Zhan’s tightly pursed lips, Wei Xiaochi glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then, quickly leaning in, he gave Jiang Zhan a peck on the lips.

The Alpha’s eyes lifted slightly. Leaning forward, he chased after Wei Xiaochi for another kiss, this time landing it softly on his forehead.

Feeling the lingering warmth from the kiss, Wei Xiaochi rubbed the spot, his face heating up. “Th-then… see you tomorrow.”

He pushed his bike to leave again, but for the third time, Jiang Zhan stopped him.

Now completely dumbfounded, Wei Xiaochi froze. Seriously? Wasn’t this enough?

Standing his ground, Jiang Zhan hooked a hand onto the bike seat, clearly not planning to let Wei Xiaochi leave so easily.

Unable to decipher Jiang Zhan’s intentions, Wei Xiaochi decided to ask directly, “Do you… still need something?”

The Alpha’s thick lashes, dark and long, lowered slightly, softening his usual arrogance. In a low voice, he said, “You’ve been to my house so many times, but I… haven’t been to yours.”

Wei Xiaochi’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Jiang Zhan to want to visit his house—especially tonight.

He immediately panicked. His home situation was complicated, nothing like Jiang Zhan’s, where his parents were often absent, making it easy to bring people over.

Struggling to find the right words, Wei Xiaochi carefully explained, “My grandma is visiting tonight, so there will be a lot of people. It might be noisy.”

Jiang Zhan replied without hesitation, “That’s fine. I can just stay in your room.”

Wei Xiaochi lowered his head. “I don’t have my own room. Our house is small. When my grandma comes, I have to share with my brother.”

Jiang Zhan frowned. “You have a brother?”

Nodding woodenly, Wei Xiaochi added, “Not just a brother—I have a sister too. They’re twins.”

“How old are they?” Jiang Zhan asked.

“Four and a half,” Wei Xiaochi replied.

Jiang Zhan looked at him, then awkwardly mumbled, “I’m actually pretty good with kids.”

Wei Xiaochi: …

Thinking back to how clingy Song Langlang was with Jiang Zhan, he did seem popular with kids, even if he didn’t seem to like them much.

But the real issue wasn’t whether Jiang Zhan got along with kids. It was his grandmother’s sharp tongue. Wei Xiaochi couldn’t imagine Jiang Zhan sitting at the same table as her—it would be complete chaos.

Trying to be as tactful as possible, Wei Xiaochi declined again. “Today really isn’t a good time.”

Jiang Zhan pouted, looking aggrieved. “Why not?”

Wei Xiaochi sighed, deciding to be honest. “My grandma and I don’t get along very well.” And I’m afraid you two would end up fighting.

Jiang Zhan had a spoiled temper and wouldn’t tolerate any insults. On the other hand, his grandmother was quick-witted and sharp-tongued.

“If you don’t get along, then why are you in such a hurry to go back?” Jiang Zhan’s hesitation vanished, replaced by a sharp, determined look. “Why don’t you get along? Does she bully you?”

Caught off guard by Jiang Zhan’s sudden intensity, Wei Xiaochi was at a loss for words. He tried to brush it off. “It’s complicated.”

Jiang Zhan, however, was not someone easily dismissed. “Then make it simple. Why does she bully you? Do your parents just stand by and let it happen?”

With that, Jiang Zhan pushed Wei Xiaochi’s bike forward. “Let’s go. I want to see what she’s up to.”

Wei Xiaochi never imagined things would escalate this way. Face pale, he hurried to block Jiang Zhan. “She doesn’t bully me! Really, she doesn’t.”

Jiang Zhan stared at him, as if trying to detect any lies.

Avoiding his gaze, Wei Xiaochi insisted, “She really doesn’t. How about another day? Today’s really not convenient.”

“Xiaochi.”

A familiar voice called out from behind, startling Wei Xiaochi so much that he shivered. Heart pounding, he turned to look.

Fang Yuan was riding an electric bike with Wei Zixin in the front child seat and Wei Zimo clutching her clothes from behind.

“Brother!” Wei Zixin waved her little hand at Wei Xiaochi, while Wei Zimo made playful shooting sounds at him: “Biubiu!”

Fang Yuan’s gaze landed on Jiang Zhan, then shifted to Wei Xiaochi. “Xiaochi, is this your classmate?”

Jiang Zhan, dressed in the No. 2 High School uniform like Wei Xiaochi, stood tall and broad-shouldered, exuding an aristocratic, rebellious air.

Wei Xiaochi’s heart raced, his nerves taut. Stiffly, he nodded. “My classmate, Jiang Zhan.”

Jiang Zhan shot a glance at Fang Yuan, then at the two children on the bike. Putting two and two together with what Wei Xiaochi had just said about his younger twin siblings, he asked himself: Is this his mom?

Jiang Zhan immediately softened his demeanor, straightening up and greeting politely, “Hello, Auntie.”

Wei Xiaochi looked at him in shock.

Fang Yuan smiled warmly. “Are you here to hang out with Xiaochi? Why are you two standing by the neighborhood gate? Come on in. Stay for dinner tonight.”

Half of her words were just polite, but Jiang Zhan wasn’t someone who did polite formalities. Without hesitation, he replied, “Alright.”

Fang Yuan froze, momentarily stunned.

Author’s note:

Jiang Zhan—a social butterfly with unstoppable charisma. Hahaha!