TAO | Chapter 89

Jiang Zhan had suddenly developed a huge interest in Wei Xiaochi’s past life, and not just vaguely—he wanted to know everything, from middle school, elementary, all the way back to kindergarten.

His thoughts were wild and all over the place, and his way of seeing things was super left-field. Wei Xiaochi often got completely stumped by him.

They chatted almost all night. At first, they each stuck to their own side of the bed, but eventually got closer and closer. By the time Wei Xiaochi realized it, Jiang Zhan’s head was already snuggled against his shoulder.

Wei Xiaochi glanced at where he was on the bed, but just as he looked up, Jiang Zhan yanked the blanket over his head and snapped, “What are you looking at? Go to sleep!”

The heat of Jiang Zhan’s breath brushed across Wei Xiaochi’s neck, making his shoulder twitch. With his heart thudding fast, he quickly shut his eyes.

He didn’t know how long it had been when Jiang Zhan quietly pulled the blanket down from his head and left a soft kiss by his ear.

Wei Xiaochi couldn’t sleep, mind full of thoughts, but he didn’t open his eyes either—just let Jiang Zhan hold him.

The alpha’s body heat seeped through the thin layers of pajamas, strangely making Wei Xiaochi feel warm and safe. All the heavy weight he carried seemed to ease up a little.

At some point, with his eyes closed, Wei Xiaochi drifted off to sleep.

—

The next morning, Wei Xiaochi had breakfast at Jiang’s place. He didn’t go with Jiang Zhan to hand out flyers like yesterday—he was planning to go home.

Jiang Zhan, having gotten a clear picture of how things were for Wei Xiaochi at home, panicked the second he heard he was going back. His jawline tensed, sharp and cold.

“Why are you going back? You want to get yelled at or beaten again? Can’t you just stay at my place like a normal person?”

Wei Xiaochi’s lips moved slightly. “I can’t not go back forever. And even if I do move out, I still need to go back and grab some stuff.”

Getting kicked out by Wei Dongjia was the worst-case scenario in Wei Xiaochi’s mind—it wasn’t his first choice to leave home.

The final exams were coming up soon. Living in the dorms wouldn’t be an option until senior year started. So where would he stay for the summer? Was he really going to stay at Jiang Zhan’s place?

Jiang Zhan’s jet-black eyes sparkled like ink in snow, and his lips lifted slightly—clearly in a good mood. “Then I’ll go with you.”

“Okay.” Wei Xiaochi licked his lips, looking pleading. “But can you wait outside?”

Jiang Zhan wasn’t thrilled. “Why?”

Wei Xiaochi stammered before telling the truth, “I… I’m afraid you two will argue.”

Put Jiang Zhan and Wei Dongjia in the same room, and it’d be like throwing a match into a barrel of gasoline. A fight could break out any second.

Jiang Zhan furrowed his brows and said with a grim face, “As long as he doesn’t lay a hand on you again, what would I argue with him for?”

“Your parents are gonna come back one day and… I can’t stay here forever. They have no reason to keep supporting me,” Wei Xiaochi said quietly, head bowed.

Jiang Zhan turned to stare at him. “What do you mean?”

Wei Xiaochi handed over his bankbook to Jiang Zhan, treating it like a solemn promise.

“I wasn’t lying yesterday,” Wei Xiaochi looked at the restless alpha and said softly, “But I do have to go back. I need to tell my dad about us.”

Jiang Zhan didn’t get it. “Why do you have to tell him?”

“Because he’s my dad. He’s my legal guardian. I can’t just disappear without saying a word.” Even if he was scared, he had to face Wei Dongjia.

Jiang Zhan gripped Wei Xiaochi’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes, saying seriously, “He treats you like crap. He doesn’t deserve the word ‘dad.’”

Wei Xiaochi looked back at him quietly, lips pale and tightly pressed together. There was so much buried in his eyes.

Jiang Zhan hated that expression the most. His throat moved uncomfortably, voice low and rough, sounding like he was giving up.

“Fine. Your call. I won’t go in.”

—

This was a road he had walked countless times before, but right now, every step felt like stepping on knives. Wei Xiaochi was filled with anxiety and an urge to run away.

At the front door, he looked uneasily at the tall, handsome alpha beside him. “Wait here.”

Jiang Zhan’s lips were pressed into a hard line, but he still nodded reluctantly.

Wei Xiaochi took out the key, slid it into the lock, and opened the door.

Just as he pulled out the key, Jiang Zhan snatched it from his hand. Wei Xiaochi stared at him, stunned.

Jiang Zhan leaned in and whispered coldly in his ear, “He better not touch you again. I don’t care who he is—I won’t be polite next time.”

Wei Xiaochi swallowed hard.

Inside, Fang Yuan was in the kitchen cleaning. Hearing the door, she paused—maybe Wei Xiaochi had come back?

She put down the cloth and came out, and sure enough, there was Wei Xiaochi standing at the door, looking lost. Next to him was a tall, good-looking boy.

Fang Yuan stared in shock at the two of them, opening her mouth to say something—just then, Madam Wei’s loud voice came from the living room. “Is that ungrateful brat back?”

Wei Xiaochi instantly knew Madam Wei was talking about him.

Before she could start yelling, he rushed inside and shut the door, leaving Jiang Zhan outside.

Fang Yuan gave him a complicated look, then quietly turned and carried the twins back to their room.

This wasn’t something a stepmom should step into. She’d never interfered with how Wei Dongjia disciplined Wei Xiaochi.

—

The living room was full of smoke. Wei Dongjia didn’t have a shift today and had been chain-smoking on the couch since yesterday. Two packs were already gone.

He didn’t even glance at Wei Xiaochi when he came in, just kept puffing away with a grim face.

“You’re never home. You’ve embarrassed us right at our front door,” Madam Wei scolded, glaring at him. “You look all quiet and obedient, but you’re just like your mother—”

Realizing what she’d just said, Madam Wei shut up quickly.

Shen Yueran’s affair was a thorn in Wei Dongjia’s heart. No one was allowed to mention it. One word and he’d blow up.

His face darkened even more, like ink dripping from his skin. He smashed the cigarette into the ashtray, then coldly asked, holding back his rage, “Who was that guy? Did he force you?”

Wei Xiaochi clenched his fists, voice stiff as he shook his head. “No. I was willing.”

“Willing?!” Wei Dongjia finally exploded, veins bulging on his temple. “You’re willing to let some guy kiss you?! You’re a kid, for fuck’s sake!”

Wei Xiaochi had been afraid of Wei Dongjia for years. One shout from him was enough to make his knees weak, cold sweat soaking his back.

But he still braced himself and said, “I like him. It hasn’t… affected my grades or anything else.”

Before he could finish, Wei Dongjia kicked over the coffee table and shot to his feet.

“What the hell are you thinking? I feed you, send you to school, and you’re messing around with some guy?!”

Outside, hearing the furious yelling, Jiang Zhan’s face turned icy. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

He rushed over to stand in front of Wei Xiaochi, quickly scanning him. “Are you okay?”

Wei Xiaochi couldn’t speak. He just shook his head, face pale as a sheet.

Jiang Zhan immediately blocked him with his own body and glared at Wei Dongjia. “If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me.”

That protective stance made Wei Dongjia’s face twitch with rage. “You think you have a say in this? Get the hell out.”

Jiang Zhan lifted his chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Why should he leave?

Wei Xiaochi was here—he wasn’t going anywhere!

Wei Dongjia had never met someone like Jiang Zhan before. He looked at Wei Xiaochi, pointing at Jiang Zhan. “This is who you picked?”

To him, Jiang Zhan looked no different from some punk off the street.

Jiang Zhan fired back, “What’s wrong with me?”

“Make him leave!” Wei Dongjia shouted at Wei Xiaochi, veins bulging.

Before Jiang Zhan could say more, Wei Xiaochi quickly pulled him back, afraid he’d escalate things even more.

Gathering all the courage he had in his life, Wei Xiaochi looked at the furious Wei Dongjia, throat tight. “Dad… Can I talk to you?”

Wei Dongjia didn’t even listen, shouting like a dictator, “Didn’t you hear me? If you don’t like it here, then both of you get out!”

Wei Xiaochi’s lips trembled.

Jiang Zhan couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed his hand. “Fine, we’ll leave.”

Wei Dongjia hadn’t slept all night. His bloodshot eyes and twisted expression looked terrifying. “If you walk out that door, don’t even think about coming back!”

“Then I won’t.” Jiang Zhan pulled him toward the door. “Let’s go home.”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t move. Jiang Zhan tugged twice before he snapped out of it.

“Dad…” he said hoarsely.

Wei Dongjia glared at him, veins bulging in his neck and eye bags puffed out.

“Don’t call me Dad. I’m not your father anymore.”

“I can’t control you. I don’t want to either. From now on, you’re not my son.”

“You wanna leave with him? Go. But once you walk out that door, don’t ever think about coming back. I’ll pretend I never had you as a son.”

Wei Xiaochi stood there, lost. Jiang Zhan gave him another tug before he finally moved.

Jiang Zhan gave Wei Dongjia a cold glare and said to Wei Xiaochi, “Then you pretend he’s not your dad either. Come home with me—we’re never coming back here again.”

Madam Wei couldn’t help it anymore and started screaming curses at them both.

Wei Xiaochi’s shoulders dropped. Every word she spat was like a knife stabbing straight into his chest.

He hung his head low and started walking toward the twins’ room.

Jiang Zhan rushed over and grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to pack,” Wei Xiaochi murmured.

There wasn’t much he could take from this house. He grabbed a big bag and stuffed in his books, workbooks, and a manila envelope filled with test papers.

He pulled out his school uniform, a few casual T-shirts, and track pants from the closet and started packing.

His hands were weak. His mind was blank. His ears were ringing. Every so often he’d stop and just stare off into space.

Jiang Zhan came over and stuffed clothes into the bag without any order. “Anything else? Clothes, shoes—we can buy more. Just take the important stuff.”

Wei Xiaochi looked at the empty desk, hands hanging by his sides, and shook his head. “That’s all.”

Jiang Zhan grabbed both bags and held onto Wei Xiaochi’s hand as they walked out.

Madam Wei was still screaming. When she saw them leave, she chased them all the way to the door.

“That’s enough!” Wei Dongjia snapped. “He wants to go? Let him! What’s the point of yelling at him?”

Madam Wei shut up, lips pursed.

Fang Yuan came out of the room and tried to smooth things over. She stood at the stairs and tried to persuade Wei Xiaochi.

“Your dad’s just mad right now. Go stay with your friend for a couple days. When he cools down, come home and apologize. There’s no grudge a family can’t get over.”

Jiang Zhan had officially reached peak disgust with this family. The rose-tinted glasses he had for Wei Xiaochi’s family were completely shattered. Now that he saw Fang Yuan for who she really was, he didn’t even bother looking her way. He just tightened his grip on Wei Xiaochi’s hand and led him downstairs.

—

The temperature was brutal today—35°C. The air was hot and suffocating. Even the tree leaves hung limply.

But Jiang Zhan was in a great mood, holding Wei Xiaochi’s hand as they walked out of the rundown neighborhood.

Grinning, he asked, “Still wanna hand out flyers later?”

He didn’t get an answer. Curious, he turned his head.

The Omega had his head down, following behind like an old machine with worn-out parts, slow and sluggish.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t feel relieved after breaking free from the weight of that home. If anything, he felt lost—confused and unsure.

Noticing Jiang Zhan watching him, he slowly lifted his head, looking dazed.

He blinked a couple of times, like the old machine was finally rebooting. His expression slowly returned to normal.

Seeing how flustered and uneasy he looked, Jiang Zhan felt like he’d swallowed coal. His throat ached.

⸻

Author’s Note:

Still didn’t finish writing this arc. Originally planned to wrap it up here, but I was worried you’d misunderstand Chi Chi and think he was being melodramatic.

Time was tight—really tight. I was afraid I wouldn’t do justice to his internal struggle and conflict. This is a key point in Doggie’s growth, can’t write it half-assed. I’ll continue next chapter. Need to think this through properly.