TAO | Chapter 96

Xu Wenyi said, “First, no more trouble before the college entrance exams.”

Jiang Zhan: “Okay.”

Xu Wenyi continued, “Second, call your dad and apologize.”

The father-son relationship in the Jiang family had always been tense. The last time they met, they fought again because Jiang Zhan was ‘good-for-nothing.’ They hadn’t made up even by the time Jiang’s father returned to the military.

Jiang Lü was always busy. At most, he stayed home for ten days a year. And every time he came back, he and Jiang Zhan would argue.

Jiang Zhan frowned, obviously unwilling, and muttered, “Got it.”

Xu Wenyi looked at him. “If it’s really hard for you, then forget it. You’ll probably end up arguing again once the call connects.”

Jiang Zhan corrected his attitude, stiffly saying, “It’s not hard. It’s my fault to begin with. I should apologize.”

Seeing him like this, Xu Wenyi felt both exasperated and amused. Since when had her son ever taken the initiative to admit he was wrong? The first time he did… it was for an Omega.

And the more serious he was, the more worried Xu Wenyi got—scared the two of them might really go too far.

“Third,” she said, “if that kid’s father agrees to let him live out, then he should move into our home. I’ve finished the work I had on my plate—I’ll keep an eye on you two myself.”

Xu Wenyi didn’t even try to hide her lack of trust.

Jiang Zhan immediately refused, “No way.”

His attitude surprised Xu Wenyi a little. Unlike the usual temper-prone father-son duo, she had always believed in discussing things calmly.

She asked unhurriedly, “Why not?”

Jiang Zhan replied, “No reason. Just let him stay in the Jianghuai apartment. I promise we won’t do anything.”

“I don’t doubt you,” Xu Wenyi said seriously, “but I know a lot about AO physiology. Especially right now, at your age, your hormones are at their peak.”

“I’m not just saying this for your sake—I’m more worried about that kid. His glands, his reproductive system, all of that’s not fully developed yet. If you two get physically involved too early, it could harm him.”

“If something unexpected happens—like a pregnancy—it’ll ruin his dreams and his entire college life. You’ll destroy an Omega’s future. That’s not something you can fix just by being ‘deeply in love.’”

“I know that,” Jiang Zhan said firmly. “That’s why I won’t mark him permanently until he’s ready.”

No matter how much he wanted to, he would control himself.

Now Xu Wenyi was even more puzzled. “Then why not let him stay at our place? Wouldn’t it be better for you two to live together under my watch?”

Jiang Zhan pursed his lips. “Because he’s not used to it.”

Xu Wenyi gave him a confused look.

Jiang Zhan seemed to be thinking hard about how to phrase it. Each word was carefully chosen. “I want him to stay with me. But he’s been through a lot. In unfamiliar places, he feels unsafe.”

“So please don’t pay too much attention to him. That’ll only scare him. I won’t do what you’re worried about. I just don’t want him feeling uncomfortable living with us.”

His eyes were filled with tenderness. At that moment, Xu Wenyi finally realized—her son had grown up.

If this were the past, anything he liked, he would’ve brought home by any means. But now, he’d learned to consider the other person’s feelings. He was trying, he was compromising—for someone else.

And that was enough for Xu Wenyi. No matter the kid’s family background, it didn’t matter anymore in her eyes.

Because her son had matured. She trusted his judgment. That child must be pretty special if he could make Jiang Zhan change this much.

—

The school bell had long rung. The students had mostly gone home. The large campus gradually returned to its usual stillness.

Wei Xiaochi sat alone in the reception room, bathed in the warm golden rays shining through the windows. His head was lowered, eyes hidden in the shadows cast by his hair.

No one knew how much time had passed before the door finally opened.

Wei Xiaochi slowly lifted his head. The moment he saw Jiang Zhan, his eyes stung. Something heavy stirred in his chest, threatening to spill out.

His eyes remained clean and dry, but his vision blurred.

Jiang Zhan shut the door tight behind him and walked in. He wanted to hug Wei Xiaochi, but remembering the promise he made in the principal’s office, he held himself back and crouched down beside him.

Wei Xiaochi fidgeted with his hands, uneasy. “Sorry about today. I didn’t know my dad would call your mom.”

Jiang Zhan hated seeing him like this. He looked Wei Xiaochi in the eye and said, “This isn’t your fault.”

Wei Xiaochi swallowed, then nervously asked, “Is your mom mad?”

“No,” Jiang Zhan said, his eyes glowing softly in the light pouring in through the window. “She wanted you to stay at our house, but I turned her down. I know you wouldn’t be comfortable.”

Wei Xiaochi blinked, surprised. “I… I’m not uncomfortable.”

Jiang Zhan didn’t want to push him. “My mom and my sister are both easygoing. Once you get familiar with them, we can talk about it again. For now, just stay in the two-bedroom apartment.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Mm.”

Jiang Zhan added, “My sister’s gone to talk to your dad.”

Wei Xiaochi immediately tensed up. “Talk about what?”

Jiang Zhan sat down beside him. “About you staying at our place. My mom thinks it’s necessary to get your dad’s consent.”

No matter what Wei Dongjian said, Jiang Zhan had already decided—he was never letting Wei Xiaochi go back.

He was his. As long as he was around, Wei Xiaochi didn’t need to go anywhere else.

Wei Xiaochi lowered his head, staring at the patterns on the sofa, anxious as hell about the conversation between Jiang Tang and Wei Dongjian.

He knew his father too well—stubborn, arrogant, never listening to anyone. He was worried they’d end up arguing.

Right then, the door opened again. Jiang Tang stood at the entrance but didn’t come in. She simply said, “Relax, I’ve taken care of it.”

Wei Xiaochi couldn’t believe it. Jiang Tang had actually managed to persuade Wei Dongjian?

Faced with the Omega’s stunned expression, Jiang Tang smiled. “You haven’t changed your gender marker yet, right? I’ve already talked to a friend. I’ll take you to get it updated tomorrow. The school’s already processed it.”

Wei Xiaochi stammered, “…Thank you.”

Jiang Tang gave him a meaningful look. “What are you thanking me for? We’re family, aren’t we, Jiang Lanlan?”

Jiang Zhan’s face instantly darkened. He started ushering her out. “Alright, enough. Get going.”

Jiang Tang clicked her tongue and, for some reason, grinned mischievously. She looked at Wei Xiaochi and said, “I’ll show you pictures of our family’s Jiang Lanlan someday.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Huh?”

Jiang Zhan’s face twitched. He fished a candy out of Wei Xiaochi’s pocket and chucked it at Jiang Tang.

Jiang Tang reacted fast, closed the door with a “slam,” and blocked the candy inside.

Wei Xiaochi stood there for a while, confirming Jiang Tang was really gone. Then he walked over, picked up the candy, and tucked it back in his pocket.

He turned to look at Jiang Zhan, who had a face full of annoyance, and asked, “Who’s Jiang Lanlan?”

Jiang Zhan was both embarrassed and angry. “Don’t listen to her nonsense! There’s no such person as Jiang Lanlan!”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t dare ask again.

Jiang Zhan stood up and headed toward the door. “Let’s go, grab your backpack from the classroom. I’ll take you home.”

Wei Xiaochi still felt like everything that happened today was way too smooth. It didn’t feel real.

They were technically in an early relationship. And he had run away from home. His dad had come all the way to school, and even dragged Jiang Zhan’s mom into this.

The whole thing blew up like crazy, and yet it all got resolved so… easily?

Seeing him not moving, Jiang Zhan turned back and asked, “Why aren’t you coming?”

Wei Xiaochi licked his lips. “We’re just leaving like this? Shouldn’t we say goodbye to the principal… or your mom?”

Jiang Zhan: “No need.”

Wei Xiaochi shuffled to the door, looking left and right nervously.

He kept feeling like his dad or Wei Minzhen was hiding in some dark corner, waiting to jump out at any second.

His sneaky behavior made Jiang Zhan raise a brow. “What are you looking at?”

Wei Xiaochi quickly looked away. “Nothing.”

—

They stopped by Class 1 to grab Wei Xiaochi’s backpack, then dropped by Class 7. Just as they reached the school gate, Jiang Zhan suddenly cursed.

“Oh crap—we forgot to sell the recyclables.”

Wei Xiaochi had completely forgotten too. “Should we still go?”

Jiang Zhan: “Of course! That’s money!”

Hearing that from Jiang Zhan of all people, even Wei Xiaochi, who wasn’t in the best mood, couldn’t help but chuckle.

The two of them headed back, each carrying two trash bins out the school gate.

Once they got far enough from school, Jiang Zhan suddenly leaned over and kissed Wei Xiaochi on the lips.

Wei Xiaochi blinked, stunned, and looked at him.

The alpha, on the other hand, was totally shameless. “I said I wouldn’t get all touchy at school. I never said anything about outside.”

Wei Xiaochi’s gaze flickered in panic. His fingers curled slightly. Then he looked up and shyly kissed Jiang Zhan back.