Chen Songyan thought Xu Jiu was just overly excited, trying to explain why he had asked him to meet at the back gate, perhaps worried about misunderstandings or something along those lines. The flustered and restless Xu Jiu really reminded him of a spotted puppy he once had.

Chen Songyan continued reading coldly, sitting upright, exuding the air of a noble young master, completely unaffected by Xu Jiu. Meanwhile, Xu Jiu was the only one on the verge of an awkward meltdown, his face red as he fidgeted, unable to focus on the lesson.

He suddenly understood why his mom said he was the Alpha with the smoothest brain cortex in the world. How could a smart Alpha be so straightforward and speak without thinking?

From the corner of his eye, Chen Songyan saw Xu Jiu’s face was about to explode from blushing. He reluctantly spoke in a lowered voice. Sitting so close, Xu Jiu felt the voice right next to his ear.

Chen Songyan asked, “What do you want from me?”

Xu Jiu slumped onto the desk, turning his head toward the aisle, leaving only the back of his head visible to Chen Songyan.

After a while, he mumbled, “I’m going to get a van full of people to deal with you.”

Chen Songyan: [What a silly chuunibyou.]

Hearing Chen Songyan’s thoughts, Xu Jiu got angry again. How was he chuunibyou? If Chen Songyan hadn’t stolen his wife in the first place, would he be acting like this?

Chen Songyan: “Deal with me?”

Xu Jiu: “Yeah, let’s fight. I want to prove I’m the strongest Alpha.”

Chen Songyan let out a light chuckle, so faint it passed like a breeze. His eternally cold face showed signs of melting, but he seemed to catch himself and suppressed his upturned lips.

Even someone as knowledgeable as Chen Songyan couldn’t find the right words to describe Xu Jiu.

What was Xu Jiu like? Like a stray cat bustling around the streets fighting for territory but only able to guard its small patch of land.

And a chubby one at that.

Then Xu Jiu added, “This way, Ranran will change her mind and come back to me.”

Ranran was the Omega Xu Jiu had been pursuing.

Chen Songyan’s upturned lips instantly froze. A low pressure suddenly swept through the back half of the classroom. Even though everyone wore suppressant collars, they still felt a chill down their spines.

The pheromone concentration indicator on Chen Songyan’s collar shot up from “12%” to “88%”.

The collar emitted warning beeps. The rare mechanical sound made the entire class fall silent. The students unanimously looked toward the source – Chen Songyan.

An Alpha’s pheromone concentration only reached around “92%” during their susceptible period.

“88%” indicated that an Alpha was in an emotionally explosive state like extreme rage.

At that moment, Xu Jiu heard Chen Songyan’s thoughts.

Chen Songyan: [Does this idiot even know what it means to like someone?]

Xu Jiu became angry too. Why was he insulting him? That Omega was good-looking and gentle, so of course he liked them. Just seeing that Omega made him happy.

But seeing Chen Songyan made Xu Jiu feel as uncomfortable as if his body was crawling with fleas.

Chen Songyan let out a long breath. The suppressant collar couldn’t handle or restrict such a high concentration of Alpha pheromones.

After a long series of “beeps,” it made one final “click” before giving up. The suppressant unlocked and fell from Chen Songyan’s neck.

Chen Songyan tucked the suppressant into his drawer and stood up to bow to the teacher whose class he had disrupted. The Alpha was both dignified and polite. Only after the teacher resumed teaching did Chen Songyan sit down.

The suppressant collar could restrict an Alpha’s own pheromones and block others’ pheromones.

But since Xu Jiu sat too close and the concentration was too high, he still caught a whiff.

Chen Songyan’s pheromones matched his personality. It has the scent of snow cedar, an intense woody fragrance mixed with the freshness of snow.

However, Xu Jiu was curious why Chen Songyan suddenly lost it. He didn’t think he had said anything wrong.

What a weird Alpha. No wonder no one in class hung out with Chen Songyan, though no one hung out with Xu Jiu either.

For the entire afternoon, Chen Songyan didn’t speak to Xu Jiu. As usual, Xu Jiu went to other classes to hang out with his rowdy buddies¹狐朋狗友 (hú péng gǒu yǒu) – a pack of rogues (idiom); a gang of scoundrels; a Chinese idiom that literally translates to “fox friends and dog companions.” It is used to describe a group of friends who are often seen as unreliable, mischievous, or troublemakers. and bother Ranran.

After getting scolded by Ranran, he slunk back to the classroom where Chen Songyan was still brooding at his desk.

Xu Jiu discovered during his time away that he could only hear Chen Songyan’s thoughts when he was near him.

As soon as school ended that evening, Xu Jiu arrived at the back gate on time. His phone buzzed constantly with messages. Chen Songyan would be a bit late since he had cleaning duty.

The buddies Xu Jiu called were also on their way.

But Chen Songyan arrived earlier than expected. He carried a light blue backpack over one shoulder, his high-end DK uniform gleaming under the yellow lights. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, sharp and cold features, he had one hand in his pocket, exposing a pale white wrist.

Even in this run-down place where weeds grew between the paving stones of the back gate, Chen Songyan stood out, appearing exceptionally noble and dignified.

Although Chen Songyan’s face remained expressionless as always, Xu Jiu could sense his displeasure hidden beneath the surface. Chen Songyan asked coldly, “Where are the people from your van?”

At 179cm, Xu Jiu was shorter than Chen Songyan who was nearly 190cm tall. If it came down to a fight, Xu Jiu wasn’t sure he could win. He was worried Chen Songyan might throw the first punch.

Without missing a beat, Xu Jiu explained, “The van broke down. They’re on their way.”

Chen Songyan raised his hand.

Xu Jiu immediately shouted like a guilty monkey trying to cover up his tracks²欲盖弥彰 (yù gài mí zhāng) – trying to hide it makes it more conspicuous (idiom); A cover up only makes matters worse., “What are you doing? Follow the rules! No throwing the first punch!”

Chen Songyan: [The coward’s clothes have rust stains from the gate.]

“I won’t fight you. Your clothes are dirty.”

As Xu Jiu was dusting off his clothes, a bright light suddenly flashed from afar. It was the bobbing beam of a flashlight, followed by the grade director’s loud shout:

“Who’s there?”

“Don’t move! What are you doing out so late instead of going home?”

“Shit,” Xu Jiu cursed under his breath. Didn’t the director just do an inspection? It used to be once a month for the past few months, why twice this month? He’d just been disciplined and couldn’t afford another violation.

Xu Jiu tried to run but Chen Songyan grabbed his sleeve.

Xu Jiu knew Chen Songyan was up to no good. With his reputation as a good student, all Chen Songyan had to do was tell the director that Xu Jiu was organizing fights, and Xu Jiu would be put on behavioral probation immediately.

When the director reached them, just as Xu Jiu was about to admit his wrongdoing, Chen Songyan stepped forward to shield him. Xu Jiu found himself standing in Chen Songyan’s shadow.

Chen Songyan spoke:

“Good evening, Director. My pheromone collar malfunctioned, so I came to borrow one from classmate Xu Jiu since I have night duty at school.”

Seeing it was Chen Songyan, the director’s concern eased by half.

“But why here?”

As expected of a top student, even his lies came out smoothly.

“There are fewer people here. We didn’t want the pheromones to affect others in other places.”

TL Notes

• 1
  狐朋狗友 (hú péng gǒu yǒu) – a pack of rogues (idiom); a gang of scoundrels; a Chinese idiom that literally translates to “fox friends and dog companions.” It is used to describe a group of friends who are often seen as unreliable, mischievous, or troublemakers.
• 2
  欲盖弥彰 (yù gài mí zhāng) – trying to hide it makes it more conspicuous (idiom); A cover up only makes matters worse.