TAO | Chapter 76

Jiang Zhan somehow heard that collecting waste paper made more money than plastic bottles, so—of course—he went out and bought three more trash bins.

Early Wednesday morning, while every class was still deep in morning reading, Jiang Zhan’s voice suddenly rang out from the loudspeaker by the podium—

“We’re collecting old newspapers, used exercise books, notebooks, extracurricular reading, test papers, and cardboard boxes.”

“In short, all kinds of paper. I’ve placed three new bins around the school. If you’ve got paper or books you don’t need, toss them in.”

“Each bin is labeled. Make sure to read carefully before you throw anything. Don’t just chuck stuff randomly.”

“Paper bins must stay clean and tidy…”

“Bottle caps must be tightly screwed on…”

“Don’t leave water in bottles. Empty them before putting them in the bin…”

“Every trash bin has a camera. If you’re gonna throw something, throw it properly. Don’t let me catch you messing around…”

Everyone in Class One stared up at the loudspeaker, mouths hanging open like they’d just witnessed an alien landing.

That included Wei Xiaochi.

In all his life, he’d never seen anyone collect recyclables with this much drama.

“Jiang Zhan!” came Wei Minzhen’s furious roar through the loudspeaker. “Are you done yet? Get your butt out here!”

The speakers gave a high-pitched screech. Everyone winced from the auditory assault.

Wei Xiaochi covered his ears, frowning as he shrank back a little.

Everything Jiang Zhan did was loud, brash, and disruptive. Even collecting trash had to be earth-shattering—shaking the whole school awake. He was the polar opposite of quiet, invisible, “please-don’t-notice-me” Wei Xiaochi.

Normally, if something this socially awkward happened, Wei Xiaochi would hide as far away as possible.

But now… he just felt helplessly amused.

His lips were just starting to twitch up when Zhang Mingyang’s razor-sharp gaze swept over, making him immediately pull his smile back.

Zhang Mingyang was like a seasoned predator, watching his prey for the slightest movement.

That sharp, X-ray stare made Wei Xiaochi nervous. He quickly looked down and pretended to read, flipping a page of his physics book.

Zhang Mingyang scanned his face inch by inch, voice cold as ice. “Well? Did you break up with him yet?”

Wei Xiaochi kept his head down, not even looking at him. “It’s none of your business.”

Zhang Mingyang sneered, full of disdain. “Seriously? You really think a guy like that would look at you if you weren’t an Omega?”

Wei Xiaochi stayed calm like a meditating monk. “But I am an Omega.”

Zhang Mingyang, seeing he still didn’t get it, absolutely snapped.

“What, you don’t look in the mirror when you wash your face? Or is your vision so crusty with eye gunk you can’t see what you look like?”

“Guys like him love messing around with people like you—scared, clueless, easy to fool. Say one nice thing and you’re completely lost.”

“Let me tell you, Wei Xiaochi, in all my life I’ve never met anyone uglier or more annoying than you.”

“Looks? Trash. Background? Trash. Personality? Double trash. And you don’t even have the bare minimum of self-awareness. What exactly do you think makes you worthy of someone like him?”

“Forget Jiang Zhan—look around this entire school. Randomly pick someone and they’d still be too good for you.”

“You really think Jiang Zhan likes you? He’s just using you. You’re easy, cheap, and when he’s done with you, he walks away without any consequences.”

Zhang Mingyang absolutely tore into him. Not a single curse word, but the damage? Brutal.

Wei Xiaochi was stunned at first, then furious. “What’s it got to do with you?! What’s it got to do with you?! What’s it got to do with you?!”

He grabbed his book and turned away, ignoring Zhang Mingyang completely.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Smack—he slammed the book shut, turned his head, and fired back word for word.

“In my whole life I’ve never seen anyone uglier or more irritating than you!”

“Mind your own business. I’ll do whatever I want.”

“I want to. I’m happy. Not your problem!”

Zhang Mingyang blinked—clearly shocked that Wei Xiaochi would talk back. Then he let out a cold, mocking laugh. “As if I care.”

Wei Xiaochi shot right back, “Great. Don’t.”

Everyone else in class was busy gossiping about Jiang Zhan’s latest madness. No one noticed that the two quiet little glasses-wearers at the front desk were having a full-blown face-off.

Zhang Mingyang ground his teeth, voice icy. “Fine, I can’t stop you, but someone can. I’m reporting your early relationship to the teacher.”

Wei Xiaochi panicked. “T-then I’ll tell Jiang Zhan!”

Zhang Mingyang glared. “You threatening me?”

Wei Xiaochi swallowed, bluffing hard. “You started it. If you tell the teacher, I’ll tell Jiang Zhan you snitched.”

Zhang Mingyang’s face turned green. He shot to his feet.

Wei Xiaochi immediately stood up too.

Zhang Mingyang’s expression turned even worse. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he glared at Wei Xiaochi, voice low and threatening, “I’m going to tell the homeroom teacher right now. Just wait.”

Wei Xiaochi’s heart pounded like crazy, knees trembling from nerves, but his mouth stayed tough. “Then I’m going to find Jiang Zhan right now.”

Zhang Mingyang stuttered, “Y-You think I won’t?”

Wei Xiaochi: “If you go, I’ll go too.”

Zhang Mingyang: “You really think I’m scared?”

Wei Xiaochi: “If you dare, go ahead!”

Zhang Mingyang took a step forward. Seeing that, Wei Xiaochi quickly stepped forward too.

Zhang Mingyang raised his other leg. Wei Xiaochi followed suit.

Zhang Mingyang’s foot landed. Wei Xiaochi’s foot landed right after.

The two of them locked eyes, necks stiff, faces practically reading, “If you dare, I’ll dare too.” Neither of them backed down—but neither moved any further either.

Just then, Li Suilin walked into the classroom, smiling as he looked over. “What are you two standing up for?”

His words gave them the perfect excuse. Both of them quickly and obediently sat down at their desks, each letting out a subtle sigh of relief.

One was afraid the other would go tattle to the teacher. The other was just as scared the other would go complain to the school tyrant.

Li Suilin gave them each a glance, then let his gaze sweep over to the back row—towards Xu Yang’s empty seat.

Xu Yang had suddenly entered a sensitive period yesterday afternoon. He missed the last two classes and hadn’t shown up at all today.

Li Suilin’s gaze returned to Wei Xiaochi and, for some reason, a quiet smile tugged at his lips.

—

With Li Suilin back in the room, the atmosphere shifted. Everyone tucked away their nonsense and focused on their studies again.

Of course, Wei Xiaochi never really planned on going to Jiang Zhan. He was just bluffing to scare Zhang Mingyang.

Once he saw Zhang Mingyang hadn’t tattled to the teacher, he finally let out a long breath of relief.

Though whatever was going on in Zhang Mingyang’s head, Wei Xiaochi couldn’t tell. His face stayed stormy all day. He didn’t say a single word to Wei Xiaochi, and even when he scored two points higher than him on a pop quiz, he didn’t show off like usual.

Wei Xiaochi stayed on high alert all day, bracing for a sneak attack.

When the final bell rang for dismissal, Zhang Mingyang grabbed his bag and left without even glancing at him.

Wei Xiaochi secretly followed from behind. When he saw Zhang Mingyang walking out of school, that constantly uneasy heart finally settled down.

Today’s bottle haul? Still solid.

Everyone was still obsessed with the robot, Xiao Q. The “toss a bottle, chat for 30 seconds” trend was alive and thriving. During the second long break, the line stretched to 80 or 90 people.

Compared to plastic bottles, Jiang Zhan’s new “waste paper zone” didn’t take off as much, but with No. 2 High’s sheer numbers, they still ended up with around 7 to 8 jin of paper.

At 0.9 yuan per jin, that paper brought in 7 yuan. The bottles brought in 9 yuan. Today’s total profit: 16 yuan.

After selling everything, Wei Xiaochi spent 2 yuan on two popsicles. He and Jiang Zhan sat by the fountain in front of a mall, enjoying their icy treat.

The summer heat hadn’t eased at all, even with the setting sun. The air was still thick with warmth.

A fine layer of sweat shimmered on Wei Xiaochi’s nose, and his cheeks were flushed bright red from the heat. But he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

The omega looked completely relaxed, head down, quietly biting at his popsicle. His lips were slightly wet, and when he licked and pressed them together, they finally took on a bit of healthy color.

He looked like a poor kid who’d finally gotten his hands on candy—so happy, so easy to please.

Jiang Zhan kept his eyes on him. Suddenly, the fountain burst into a musical display, and in the misty spray, he reached out and grabbed the still-dazed omega’s hand.

Wei Xiaochi, popsicle still in mouth and looking dumbfounded, got pulled away from the fountain. His heart was pounding like crazy, his palms sweating, and his face burning hot.

On the way back, Jiang Zhan never let go of his hand. Wei Xiaochi let him hold on, head bowed, not saying a word.

The two of them, each pushing a trash bin with one hand and holding hands with the other, made for a strange yet somehow harmonious sight. People couldn’t help but stare.

Whenever someone tried to throw random trash into their bins, Jiang Zhan would immediately snap at them—unless it was a water bottle or a flyer, something with resale value.

—

After returning the bins to school, Jiang Zhan walked Wei Xiaochi home.

The alpha’s side profile melted into the sunset glow. Light and shadow danced across his brows and lashes. His gaze, fixed on Wei Xiaochi, shimmered with soft warmth.

Wei Xiaochi only dared look at him for a second before lowering his head, curling his fingers into his palm, nervously rubbing them against each other.

He had a feeling Jiang Zhan had something to say. So unlike usual, he didn’t rush into the house—he stayed, quietly waiting for Jiang Zhan to speak.

Finally, Jiang Zhan said, “Don’t forget your blockers and suppressants tomorrow.”

Wei Xiaochi nodded.

Ever since Jiang Zhan had caught that faint whiff of pheromones on him, he’d been reminding him every single day to bring those two things. Twice a day—once in the morning, once at night.

Jiang Zhan was seriously anxious. He couldn’t stop worrying—what if something went wrong midway, what if another alpha marked Wei Xiaochi, what if he wasn’t there in time? Even reminding him twice a day didn’t feel like enough. He wished he could just stuff Wei Xiaochi in his pocket and take him everywhere.

“Keep your phone on. Remember to charge it.”

“Mm.”

“If something happens, call me.” He paused a moment, then added in a low mutter, “Even if nothing happens… you can still call.”

Wei Xiaochi’s cheeks suddenly flushed. His head dipped lower. “Mm.”

Jiang Zhan went on with another long list of reminders. Wei Xiaochi vaguely remembered—back when he was about to present as an omega, Jiang Zhan had said similar things.

Back then, he thought Jiang Zhan was just being a warm-hearted guy. But now… there was something else in his tone. A hint of anxiousness, a bit of frustration. Or maybe it was just his imagination.

Once Jiang Zhan was finally done talking, Wei Xiaochi went back inside. While the twins were outside watching TV, he quietly locked his door, pulled out his ledger, and wrote down today’s earnings.

Inside the notebook, there were still 300 yuan tucked in neatly. The creases had all been pressed flat. The bills now lay smooth and quiet between the pages.

Wei Xiaochi gently touched them before closing the notebook and stashing it in the deepest, most hidden layer of his backpack.

—

Author’s Note:

AAAAHHHH I accidentally uploaded this chapter into the folder for my last finished novel 😭

OMG AHHHHHHHH

There should be a second update today… I’m dizzy… someone help meeeeeeee 😭