TAO | Chapter 66

The gym was blasting the air conditioning.

The PE teacher had the class divided into groups of eight, each group running back and forth over 50 meters for six laps, after which they’d have free time to do what they wanted.

Class 7, who also had PE, had already dismissed. Everyone was either chasing each other around noisily or walking in groups towards the snack bar.

After finishing his laps, Wei Xiaochi, panting heavily, leaned on his knees and glanced across the gym.

Among the crowd, one figure stood out. He was wearing a white T-shirt that highlighted his lean and muscular waist, with the school’s blue and white pants just reaching his ankles.

Holding a ball in one hand, he bounced it off the ground indifferently, catching it and then slamming it down again.

Han Ziyang stood next to him, chatting nonstop, occasionally pointing towards Wei Xiaochi.

Seeing signs of an alpha about to look up, Wei Xiaochi quickly averted his gaze.

Wei Xiaochi hadn’t expected things with Jiang Zhan to turn out like this; he thought they would break up more amicably.

Sighing, Wei Xiaochi wiped the sweat from his face, feeling there was no point in staying around. He might as well go back to studying. Just as he was about to head back to the classroom, Xu Yang followed him.

Initially, Wei Xiaochi didn’t mind, but halfway back, he remembered he hadn’t taken his water bottle and turned around to retrieve it. When he turned back, Xu Yang was seemingly waiting for him.

Catching Xu Yang watching him from the corner of his eye, Wei Xiaochi hesitated, picked up his water bottle, and slowly walked towards the door.

Xu Yang slowed his pace to match Wei Xiaochi’s, maintaining a certain distance.

Feeling increasingly uneasy, Wei Xiaochi cautiously glanced at him. Xu Yang’s gaze also fell on Wei Xiaochi, his dark eyes unfathomable, showing no emotion.

Unsure of Xu Yang’s intentions, Wei Xiaochi instinctively quickened his pace to escape, sensing Xu Yang’s realization of his intent and his sudden pursuit.

Xu Yang blocked Wei Xiaochi’s path, calmly stating, “You don’t need to avoid me; I’m not planning anything.”

Wei Xiaochi, embarrassed, fiddled with his glasses and stared at the ground, not daring to speak.

Having just ended a fruitless early romance, Wei Xiaochi wasn’t ready to start another, no matter with whom.

Relieved that Xu Yang wasn’t interested, Wei Xiaochi felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

After an awkward silence, Xu Yang spoke again, “Aren’t we going back to the classroom?”

Before Wei Xiaochi could respond, a sudden roar echoed from a distance, accompanied by the loud bang of a basketball being smashed against the floor.

“Stay away from him!”

Startled, Wei Xiaochi looked up to see a shadow rushing past him, brushing his shoulder, and landing a punch on Xu Yang’s face.

Xu Yang staggered back a few steps, touching his lip where a tooth had drawn blood.

Jiang Zhan, his fists clenched, stepped forward, but Wei Xiaochi, mustering unexpected courage, grabbed his arm.

Jiang Zhan’s presence was intensely intimidating, his brows fierce and gaze chilling.

Wei Xiaochi, his voice caught in his throat, dared not speak out against the fighting.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi, the hostility in Jiang Zhan’s eyes gradually faded, his stare intense and primal.

As Wei Xiaochi locked eyes with Jiang Zhan, Xu Yang suddenly stepped forward and returned the punch, striking Jiang Zhan’s jaw, the clash of teeth audible to Wei Xiaochi.

Jiang Zhan grimaced, moving his jaw before withdrawing his hand and grabbing Xu Yang by the collar.

The two began fighting.

The PE teacher, still present, saw this and said with a headache, “Break them up.”

All of class 1’s alphas sprang into action, pulling Jiang Zhan and Xu Yang apart.

Wei Xiaochi also helped, holding Jiang Zhan back from further rash actions.
---

During the fight, Jiang Zhan landed a blow on Xu Yang’s nose, causing a relentless bleed that formed a small pool of blood on the floor.

The PE teacher quickly had someone take Xu Yang to the medical room to treat his wounds.

Fortunately, his nasal bone was intact. Wei Xiaochi lingered at the window, watching the school doctor clean the blood from Xu Yang’s nose.

An alpha from his class, who had brought Xu Yang, looked at the blood-soaked cotton balls in the trash can, complaining about Jiang Zhan’s ruthless nature.

“They’re always causing trouble, fighting and brawling.”

“Just because they have some dirty money at home, they think they can look down on everyone. I can’t stand how Jiang Zhan acts all high and mighty. What’s there to be proud of?”

“People like him will definitely end up as criminals once they leave school.”

The alpha kept talking, while Xu Yang remained silent.

After treating the wound, the school doctor advised, “Eat light foods for a while, and don’t rub your nose. I’ll get you some anti-inflammatory pills; take one three times a day after meals.”

As the school doctor left to fetch the medication, Xu Yang told the alpha, “Thanks for bringing me here. School’s about to end; you can go back, I’ll be fine alone.”

The alpha checked his phone for the time, confirmed it was indeed the end of the day, and asked Xu Yang, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Xu Yang simply nodded.

The alpha didn’t stay long and left the medical room.

The school doctor brought Xu Yang a box of anti-inflammatory pills and an ice pack, instructing him to apply the ice for ten minutes before leaving.

Seeing Xu Yang’s nose was fine, Wei Xiaochi finally felt relieved. He wasn’t planning to enter, but then someone inside spoke.

“Come in.”

Xu Yang looked towards the window, catching Wei Xiaochi off-guard.

Hesitating briefly, Wei Xiaochi finally walked to the main door and pushed it open.

Inside, the air conditioner was on, its cool breeze soothing Wei Xiaochi’s sweaty neck. He nervously twisted his thumb around his index finger.

Xu Yang sat on the bed, applying the ice pack to his prominent nose, his gaze somberly fixed on Wei Xiaochi.

Wei Xiaochi cleared his throat awkwardly, squeezing out a greeting, “Your… nose is okay?”

Xu Yang responded, “It’s fine.”

Wei Xiaochi apologized, “Sorry, he…”

Before Wei Xiaochi could finish, Xu Yang interrupted, “He did it, why are you apologizing? What position are you in to say sorry to me?”

His words were sharp, making Wei Xiaochi flinch and then fall silent.

Xu Yang coldly said, “Get out.”

Wei Xiaochi stiffened, turned around without a word, and left, not even hesitating.

Xu Yang watched Wei Xiaochi’s retreating figure and frowned.

After running out, Wei Xiaochi paused for two seconds before returning to close the slightly open door.

The school doctor, amused by Wei Xiaochi’s honesty in leaving immediately and remembering to close the door, chuckled to himself.
---

Wei Xiaochi still held his water bottle, which he had brought to PE class for water to save himself a trip downstairs.

After filling it at the water station, Wei Xiaochi trudged upstairs slowly.

Han Ziyang stood at the entrance of class 1, watching a person approach at a snail’s pace, like a retiree of several years.

No, even retirees moved more briskly than him.

Han Ziyang walked over and exclaimed, “Ancestor, you’re finally back. Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you, and you didn’t answer calls or WeChat.”

Wei Xiaochi candidly replied, “I was at the medical room.”

Han Ziyang was speechless. To find Wei Xiaochi, he had wandered around the cafeteria and snack bar but never thought to check the medical room.

“You really are…” Han Ziyang didn’t even know what to say, “Jiang Zhan just fought with him for you, and instead of staying away, you went to see him?”

Wei Xiaochi was also stunned by Han Ziyang’s mention of ‘fighting for you’, his expression blank, “He was bleeding so much from his nose, what if something happened?”

Han Ziyang disdainfully said, “What if something happened? Wouldn’t it be deserved?”

Wei Xiaochi was taken aback by Han Ziyang’s callous tone, opened his mouth to argue that fighting was wrong and could cause severe injury or even disability.

Not only would it ruin Xu Yang’s life, but Jiang Zhan might also end up in prison.

But hearing Han Ziyang’s indifferent tone, Wei Xiaochi realized it was futile to argue and remained silent.

Han Ziyang clicked his tongue twice, “Don’t look like that. Who asked your class to take sides.”

Looking at Wei Xiaochi’s studious face, Han Ziyang sighed helplessly and explained seriously.

“You don’t fight, so you don’t understand the intricacies here.”

“Let me ask you, during their fight, who had more people holding back Jiang Zhan, and who had more holding back Xu Yang?”

Wei Xiaochi thought for a moment, “It seemed like Jiang Zhan.”

“What do you mean seemed like? It was!” Han Ziyang angrily said, “That’s what I mean by your class people being unfair, always taking sides.”

“I’ll tell you, during a fight, you hold back the one you dislike, so the other can get a free hit, understand?”

“Why did Xu Yang get hit by an elbow? Because your class’s alphas all held back Jiang Zhan, and Xu Yang still moved to hit him. When Jiang Zhan struggled, he swung his arm.”

“If it wasn’t for Jiang Zhan’s experience, he’d be the one in the medical room.”

“So don’t blame us for being ruthless, your side isn’t righteous either.”

Wei Xiaochi listened, stunned. He had always been the one getting hit, honestly taking it, completely unaware of these convoluted tactics in fighting.

“Never mind, let’s not talk about this,” Han Ziyang pulled Wei Xiaochi towards class 7, “You should go check on Jiang Zhan. He’s alone in the classroom.”

Wei Xiaochi, compelled to follow, felt a tightness in his throat and whispered, “We broke up.”

Han Ziyang turned back with a mournful look at Wei Xiaochi, “Please make up soon. I can’t take it anymore. He’s been like a ticking bomb lately, so temperamental.”

Bringing up this made Han Ziyang nearly tear up, no one more eager than him for them to be together.

If they ended badly, Han Ziyang felt his future wouldn’t be easy either.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi about to speak, Han Ziyang stopped him.

“Don’t tell me. Talk to Jiang Zhan, communicate properly.”

“Do you know why melodramas can last sixty or seventy episodes? Because the main characters won’t speak up. If they did, everything could be resolved by the third episode.”

“I’m begging you, speak up. Do you really want to drag out a school drama for sixty or seventy episodes?”

Han Ziyang lamented, “If you keep this up, I doubt I’ll live to see the finale.”

“Talk about whatever issues you have today, and resolve things quickly. What big issues could you two possibly have?”

“It couldn’t be…” Han Ziyang looked cautious, “Did that Xie Chi say something to you?”

Wei Xiaochi shook his head, “No, it wasn’t him.”

Han Ziyang muttered, “Good, it’s not him.”

If it were Xie Chi, Han Ziyang wouldn’t be sure he could handle him, given that Xie was sharp-tongued and couldn’t be dealt with directly.

They’d need to call in an old schemer, like Li Suilin, to match Xie Chi—they were a perfect match, one a green tea and the other a schemer.

Damn, a perfect pair!
---

Han Ziyang led Wei Xiaochi up the stairs, pushing him into the classroom at the door, then quickly disappearing.

Wei Xiaochi stumbled forward into class 7.

Golden sunlight streamed through the window, Jiang Zhan sat by the window, his cheeks bruised, his expression haughty, seemingly oblivious to Wei Xiaochi’s arrival, completely ignoring him.

Wei Xiaochi stood awkwardly next to the podium, facing Jiang Zhan’s cold arrogance, his throat clogged.

In the two minutes of their silence, the air became thick and suffocating.

Unable to bear the atmosphere, Wei Xiaochi clumsily spoke, “Do you need some ointment for your face?”

Jiang Zhan snapped almost instantly, his first word coinciding with Wei Xiaochi’s last.

He growled, “Mind your own business!”

Wei Xiaochi was stunned by his shout, his mind went blank for a moment, then he slowly lowered his head and left the classroom without saying anything.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi leave, Jiang Zhan blurted out in frustration, “So you really won’t bother anymore?”

Wei Xiaochi paused, standing under the doorframe, back turned to Jiang Zhan.

Jiang Zhan’s gaze was firmly fixed on his back, his chest heaving slightly, his lips pursed tightly, like a three-year-old child throwing a tantrum for lack of parental attention.

Wei Xiaochi hesitated, then slowly turned around.

Jiang Zhan immediately averted his gaze, his lips pressed even tighter.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi remain silent, Jiang Zhan’s expression grew increasingly irritable, and he finally couldn’t hold back, glancing over.

Noticing Wei Xiaochi’s bare wrist, Jiang Zhan couldn’t restrain himself, speaking first, “You said you would always wear it.”

Wei Xiaochi’s eyelashes fluttered, slowly realizing Jiang Zhan was referring to a hair tie.

Jiang Zhan still wore a black hair tie with English letters on his left wrist, Wei Xiaochi’s throat bobbed twice.

Jiang Zhan’s reproach continued unabated, “You also waste food. Aunt Zhou wakes up an hour early just to make it for you.”

“I wait in that bald forest for thirty minutes every day, and you never show up.”

“I went back to look for you that day, and you weren’t there.”

“You never call me first, never initiate a WeChat.”

“Every time I ask you out, you seem reluctant, always eager to go home.”

Jiang Zhan argued forcefully, “Yes, it was you who liked me first, you who confessed to me first.”

Wei Xiaochi looked at the angry and aggrieved alpha, feeling as if a wet towel was suffocating him, a strong sense of helplessness enveloping him, yet unable to break free.

In a way, Jiang Zhan really resembled Wei Zimo at four years old, with the naive cruelty of a child.

He always hoped for your undivided attention, wanted you to play with him, simple and enthusiastic yet stubborn, forgetting everything else when excited.

But Wei Xiaochi wasn’t Wei Zimo, nor was he Jiang Zhan.

The former was genuinely a four-year-old child, the latter came from a good family, had enlightened parents, a loving sister, and friends who liked him.

Wei Xiaochi had nothing. He couldn’t tie his future to Jiang Zhan.

He had no time, no energy to play such games with Jiang Zhan. He needed to study, to earn money, to support himself.

If Jiang Zhan only dated him for an hour a day, didn’t disturb him on weekends, Wei Xiaochi could maintain this relationship for as long as Jiang Zhan found a new toy.

But he was taking up too much of Wei Xiaochi’s time now, and Wei Xiaochi really couldn’t handle it.

Wei Xiaochi spoke with difficulty, “I think… we’re not suitable.”

Jiang Zhan looked at him sharply, “What do you mean by that? Where are we not suitable?”

Seeing Wei Xiaochi silent, Jiang Zhan pressed urgently, “Speak up, what do you mean?”

Wei Xiaochi clutched his pants, speaking softly, “We’re not suitable anywhere.”

If not for Jiang Zhan’s persistent questioning, Wei Xiaochi would never have voiced these thoughts in his lifetime.

“Every date with you is exhausting, and I come home so late, I have no time to do homework, only managing to do it early the next morning at school.”

“We also don’t share common interests or hobbies. You’re great at sports, there might be some omegas who love sports and can talk to you.”

Wei Xiaochi shook his head gently, “But I’m not one of them. I’m dull, I only know how to study, I don’t have any other skills or hobbies.”

Jiang Zhan, on the other hand, wasn’t good at studying and didn’t like it; they didn’t even have that one topic to discuss.

Aside from being poor at studies, Jiang Zhan could be considered excellent in other aspects.

Their differences were just too vast; they weren’t from the same world and couldn’t possibly end up together.

Jiang Zhan didn’t expect Wei Xiaochi to say so much in one breath, feeling suffocated, his emotions rising to an extreme state of anxiety and irritability.

He stared at Wei Xiaochi, gritting his teeth, “So you have common interests with that Xu Yang?”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t understand how Jiang Zhan could conclude that, replying helplessly, “I have nothing with him. Even if we broke up, I wouldn’t be with him.”

Jiang Zhan’s legs trembled under the table, finally saying dryly, “I won’t take you to those places anymore, it’s no big deal.”

“It doesn’t mean we have to break up,” he muttered.

—

Author’s Note:

One last thing, don’t tell me Xiaochi says one thing and means another.

I’m not buying that act from Xiaochi!