TAO | Chapter 95

Xu Wenyi wore a light tea-colored linen casual outfit. Her hair was soft and fluffy, with slightly curled ends draping over her shoulders. Her features were proper and elegant.

She stood at the doorway, carrying a serene and gentle aura, exuding a strong scholarly vibe.

Jiang Tang was holding onto Xu Wenyi’s arm. Her features were delicate, and her lips were painted a bold fiery red.

When Jiang Zhan looked over, Jiang Tang raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows, the corners of her lips lifting into a teasing smile.

The principal quickly got up from his leather chair, walked over to shake Xu Wenyi’s hand, and spoke like an old friend, “It’s really been a long time.”

Xu Wenyi gave an apologetic smile. “Jiang Zhan has caused you trouble.”

Since they couldn’t just brush it off with a polite “it’s no trouble” in front of Wei Dongjian, the principal simply smiled and made a “please come in” gesture.

“Let’s sit down and talk. Coincidentally, the other parent is here too.”

The principal introduced the parents from both sides. “This is Wei Xiaochi’s father, Wei Dongjian. This is Jiang Zhan’s mother, Xu Wenyi.”

“Still the same thing—I hope everyone can stay calm. After all, we’re all here to resolve this properly, right?”

Xu Wenyi glanced at the dark-faced Wei Dongjian, her eyes swept past him and lingered briefly on the pale-faced Wei Xiaochi, before finally settling on Jiang Zhan.

She withdrew her gaze. “I already heard the general situation over the phone from Teacher Wei. As for the specifics, let’s hear it from the two kids first.”

The principal nodded in agreement. “Yes, let’s let the kids explain first.”

Jiang Tang picked up the thread of the conversation. “Jiang Zhan, you go first. What exactly happened?”

Jiang Zhan summed it up in one sentence, “His dad kicked him out, so I found him a place to stay. That’s it.”

Wei Dongjian was so mad he nearly had a stroke. He shouted, “Bullshit! If you hadn’t been all over him right in front of our house, would I have said something so harsh?”

Xu Wenyi frowned slightly.

Jiang Tang looked at Wei Xiaochi and asked gently, “Did Jiang Zhan touch you?”

Jiang Zhan stepped in front of Wei Xiaochi, taking the blame. “I was the one who kissed him first. If you want to punish someone, punish me.”

Wei Dongjian let out a cold laugh in rage. “See? I wasn’t wrong about him—this kind of punk…”

Before Wei Dongjian could finish, Wei Xiaochi suddenly stood up. His whole body was tense as he blurted out everything in one breath—

“He didn’t force me. I was willing. We… we’re in a relationship. It wasn’t him luring me into running away—I know what I’m doing… I like him.”

Even though Jiang Zhan had always believed that Wei Xiaochi liked him, this was the first time he’d heard him say it out loud.

Jiang Zhan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. His lips twitched slightly as he stared at Wei Xiaochi in a daze, joy practically spilling out of his eyes.

Even though the timing wasn’t right, he still reached out and gently touched Wei Xiaochi’s hand, their fingers silently lacing together.

The moment their palms met, it was like a current surged through both of them, rushing straight to their hearts.

Jiang Zhan’s heart pounded wildly. So did Wei Xiaochi’s.

Because of the seating angle, the only ones who saw them holding hands under the table were Jiang Tang and Wei Minzhen.

Wei Minzhen’s temple twitched violently. If it weren’t for the setting, he would’ve shouted right then and there—Let go of each other’s hands!

Since Wei Xiaochi’s parent was already emotionally unstable, Wei Minzhen forced himself to look away and pretend he didn’t see.

But he couldn’t help sneak glances from the corner of his eye—That’s enough, now let go already!

Wei Minzhen took a deep breath, silently chanting “Don’t get mad” in his heart to calm himself down.

Big picture. Gotta keep the big picture in mind.

Once today is over, he was absolutely going to teach those two a lesson!

—

Even at a time like this, Wei Xiaochi still spoke up for Jiang Zhan. Wei Dongjian slammed the table and stood up. “Are you going to school or are you dating now?!”

Jiang Zhan didn’t even spare him a glance, directly asked the principal, “Why does the school forbid students from dating early?”

The principal adjusted his glasses, folded his hands on the table, and patiently began explaining the downsides of early romantic relationships.

“First, you’re still very young. It’s not the right age for dating. It can distract you and negatively impact your studies. Second, emotionally you’re not mature yet—it’s easy to make bad decisions.”

The alpha’s eyes swept across everyone. With his sharp brows and deep-set eyes, his expression was rarely this serious and solemn.

He said earnestly, “I won’t let it affect his studies. I won’t do anything inappropriate with him on school grounds either.”

“I like him,” Jiang Zhan declared, loud and clear.

“I’m willing to become a better person for him—follow the school rules, no more skipping class, no more fighting, no more weird outfits. I’ll focus on my studies.”

“This time, I’ll aim to move up ten ranks in our class by finals. In the first semester of senior year, I’ll push myself into the top 200 of the whole grade. For the college entrance exam, I’ll at least make it into the Tier 2 university cutoff.”

“If I can’t keep even one of these promises, I’ll break up with Wei Xiaochi immediately.”

Jiang Zhan stood tall and broad-shouldered, his spine straight. He gently nudged Wei Xiaochi behind him, like he was trying to shield him from the world.

Wei Xiaochi’s eyes shimmered faintly, glistening with unshed tears. He leaned his head gently against Jiang Zhan’s broad back, like a tired bird finally returning to its nest.

—

The principal’s office fell into dead silence, not a sound to be heard.

Even Jiang Tang, who knew Jiang Zhan well, was a little stunned by what he just said—there was a fleeting moment where she felt like she was dreaming.

The last time she saw the two of them, it was during Jiang Zhan’s susceptible period. She had gone to visit him while he was sick, and that little omega had been right there in the hospital room. Back then, her little brother had still been a brat—clearly liked the guy but kept acting all tsundere.

Yet in just a month, not only were they together, her proud young master of a brother had actually grown up.

Seriously…

Jiang Zhan’s growth was way beyond anything she could’ve imagined.

Wei Dongjian was stunned for just a second before he snapped back and exploded with rage. His tone turned cold and sharp. “Don’t even think about it!”

“You think you’ll still stay with him once you meet an Omega with a higher compatibility score?”

“Your sweet words might fool that dumb kid, but I’m telling you—Wei Xiaochi will get married and have kids one day. He’s not going to stay tangled up with you Alphas.”

AOs were a gender of their own, without the usual male/female distinctions, but Betas did have male and female genders. Most of them ended up in heterosexual relationships.

Betas didn’t have pheromones—and just based on that alone, any Omega in the future could easily beat Wei Xiaochi, because that’s how Alphas are wired. No matter how much they like someone, they can’t resist during a heat.

What Alpha can fight against their instincts?

Jiang Tang was the first to notice something wasn’t right. “Wait—you don’t know? Xiaochi is an Omega. Who’s he supposed to marry and have kids with?”

Wei Dongjian looked like he’d just heard some crazy nonsense. He slowly raised his head to look at Wei Xiaochi, inch by inch.

“What’s she talking about? Why would she say you’re an Omega?” Wei Dongjian’s eyes were bloodshot. “Your mom and I are both Betas. How could you possibly be an Omega?”

Wei Xiaochi was speechless for a moment.

Even after everything that happened, Wei Dongjian’s question still made him feel deeply humiliated—utterly humiliated.

The shadows of childhood clung to him like shackles tightening around his neck, and Wei Xiaochi felt like he’d never be able to break free.

Jiang Tang was no fool. From the way Wei Dongjian said that, she could already guess what was going on. She smiled faintly and gently said, “Stuff like this is rare, but not impossible.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about your second gender? What were you so afraid of?” Wei Dongjian was practically hysterical, his veins bulging. “Say something! What are you afraid of?!”

His attitude was so harsh that Jiang Zhan was getting fed up, and just as he was about to speak, his arm was pulled from behind.

He turned to see the pale-faced Omega. Wei Xiaochi opened his mouth slowly, “I was afraid… you’d take me for another paternity test.”

Afraid Madam Wei would scream at him again, saying he wasn’t really part of the Wei family. Afraid the past would be dragged up again. Afraid Wei Dongjian would kick him out before he even graduated high school.

There were so, so many things he was afraid of—each one like a chain pressing down on his shoulders.

Wei Dongjian never expected Wei Xiaochi to remember something from so long ago. His bulging eyes twitched slightly, his voice hoarse. “Did I ever say I’d take you for a paternity test?”

Wei Xiaochi’s eyes welled up, his lips trembling. “But you always said I didn’t look like your son. You never treated me like your son. You only liked Wei Zimo and Wei Zixin.”

Wei Dongjian’s heart suddenly tightened, like a giant invisible hand was gripping it hard, the suffocating pain spreading across his chest.

—

What started as a serious early romance issue ended up turning into a melodramatic soap opera-level family drama.

No one expected things to go this far. The principal separated the father and son temporarily, and Wei Minzhen went to talk sense into Wei Dongjian.

As for Jiang Zhan, the principal left the three of them alone to talk, making up some excuse to leave the office.

Jiang Tang looked at Jiang Zhan, who was just standing there like a fool, and grinned with her flawless face, “Come on, you were so eloquent and heroic just now. Speak, Mom and I are all ears.”

Jiang Zhan glared at her, then cautiously peeked at the silent Xu Wenyi.

Jiang Tang didn’t try to persuade either side. She just propped her chin on her hand and enjoyed the show.

Jiang Zhan glanced at Xu Wenyi again, voice tight. “Anyway… I just want to be with him. Doesn’t matter what anyone says.”

Xu Wenyi still said nothing, her expression unreadable.

Jiang Zhan gave up and plopped down into a chair, lifting his chin stubbornly as he looked at her.

The two locked eyes for a while before Xu Wenyi finally spoke. “Where’s he living now?”

Jiang Zhan immediately straightened up and answered honestly, “The two-bedroom on Jianghuai Road.”

Xu Wenyi stared at him sharply. “Did you do anything to him?”

Jiang Zhan scratched his nail. “I-I just kissed him. Nothing else.”

Hearing that, Xu Wenyi’s expression softened a little. “That kid’s family situation is really complicated.”

Jiang Zhan got anxious. “So what? I’m with him, not his family.”

Jiang Tang glanced at her naive little brother. “Dating is between two people. Marriage is between two families. Unless you’re planning to date him forever without getting married.”

Jiang Zhan frowned in annoyance, just about to retort when Jiang Tang cut him off.

“But judging from today, Xiaochi seems really clear-headed. He may be young, and doesn’t seem super bold, but he’s got his own mind.”

Jiang Zhan firmly nodded at that.

Jiang Tang asked, “I heard he’s doing part-time jobs and saved over 20k?”

They had overheard Jiang Zhan’s passionate speech to Wei Dongjian when they arrived, including the bit about Wei Xiaochi saving up for college.

Jiang Zhan: “Yeah, he works really hard. He’s great at studying. He wants to go to J University.”

Jiang Tang: “So are you aiming for J University too?”

Jiang Zhan: “Probably not gonna make it, but I’ll try. Worst case, I’ll get into a nearby school.”

Jiang Tang laughed. “At least you know yourself. Xiaochi must be something else, even made a slacker like you try harder.”

Jiang Zhan proudly added, “We even work part-time together on weekends. We hand out flyers in the morning, and in the afternoon, he tutors me.”

Jiang Tang played along. “Wow, our young master knows how to make money now. Xiaochi really is amazing.”

“Enough,” Xu Wenyi cut in, “You two stop playing your little comedy duo.”

“We’re not acting,” Jiang Zhan mumbled. “He’s just… really amazing.”

Jiang Tang clicked her tongue. “Tsk, love really is blind. Can’t believe you’re actually praising someone.”

She wasn’t even exaggerating—her proud little brother had never complimented anyone before. His mouth was his hardest weapon. Always stubborn, always cocky.

Xu Wenyi thought for a moment, then said to Jiang Tang, “Go talk to that boy’s father. If it doesn’t work out, let him stay out for a few days. Might be better for both of them.”

Jiang Tang got up. “Got it.”

Xu Wenyi knew her daughter’s temper well, so she reminded her, “Be polite. Try reasoning with him. If he disagrees, don’t push it.”

“I know.” Jiang Tang’s eyes glimmered with amusement as she teased Jiang Zhan, “Don’t worry, I won’t offend your future ‘father-in-law.’”

Jiang Zhan scoffed, the disdain on his face plain to see.

As soon as Jiang Tang left, Xu Wenyi said flatly, “We need to set some ground rules.”

Jiang Zhan immediately straightened up, all serious, ready for negotiations. “Go ahead.”

⸻

Author’s Note:

Although I’ve written several ABO novels, the settings are different in each one. In this one, A and O aren’t gendered, while Betas are either male or female, and most of them are straight. This is all my personal setting, okay? My world, my rules.

There won’t be any pregnancy plotlines in this novel—even in extras, that kind of thing won’t appear.

—

Honestly, I agree with what Jiang Tang said—marriage is a matter between two families. Girls, when picking a husband, keep your eyes wide open.

Novels are just novels—don’t be silly, sisters!