Chen Songyan’s eyes darkened as he asked hoarsely, “Where are you going?”

Chen Songyan’s expression was really scary. He was always so well-behaved at school. Who knew he could endure so much in private? That was an artificial gland after all. Xu Jiu couldn’t imagine how painful it must be.

Chen Songyan was suffering through his rut with the artificial gland throbbing painfully. He desperately needed relief.

But he couldn’t bear to hurt Xu Jiu. Seeing the fear in Xu Jiu’s eyes, Chen Songyan drew in a sharp breath, endured the intense pain, and tossed his travel bag to Xu Jiu.

During his rut, the unstable hormones kept pressuring the artificial nerve endings in the gland. The severe pain made it difficult for Chen Songyan to move his shoulder and neck.

Chen Songyan exhaled, “There’s a gun and bullets in here. Take it and find someone with suppressants.”

“Protect yourself.”

The rain outside had stopped, but the sky remained dark. Large clouds stretched northward in waves, but dawn seemed to be approaching. Neither of them had rested well all night. As Xu Jiu went to leave, he glanced down and realized he was still wearing Chen Songyan’s clothes.

Chen Songyan led him to this cave and gave him dry clothes. In the rain, Chen Songyan held his hand so they wouldn’t get separated. Now Chen Songyan, seeing his fear, wanted him to leave for his own safety.

Xu Jiu weighed things in his mind. Chen Songyan’s kindness on one side, his demands on the other. The scale quickly tipped toward kindness.

He walked in the opposite direction from what Chen Songyan expected. He went to Chen Songyan’s side and sat down just in front of him, leaving only a small gap between them.

Xu Jiu said firmly, “Chen Songyan, do you remember what I once told you?”

Chen Songyan replied, “What?”

“You help Xu Jiu, Xu Jiu helps you.”

With that, Xu Jiu straightened up and brought his gland close to Chen Songyan’s mouth. Usually, Alphas couldn’t mark other Alphas. Even forced marks would be faint and fade away.

So helping Chen Songyan wouldn’t cost him anything. He could still like Ranran in the future.

Xu Jiu said solemnly, “Chen Songyan, you can bite me. I’ll help ease your rut.”

Chen Songyan looked down at the gland giving off a white camellia scent. Xu Jiu’s neck was fair, and after speaking, a faint blush spread across it, like an enticing strawberry daifuku.

“But you can’t tell anyone about this.”

“Ten years.”

Xu Jiu was about to ask “What ten years?” but before he could say “ten,” Chen Songyan bit down. His fangs pierced the gland, his domineering cedar scent thoroughly invaded the gentle white camellia. Xu Jiu grimaced in pain, but compared to the agony of Chen Songyan’s artificial gland, this was nothing.

Xu Jiu gritted his teeth against the heat flooding his body. But what was that about ten years just now? Why did Chen Songyan always look at him like they’d known each other for ages?

If they had met before, how could he possibly forget someone as outstanding as Chen Songyan?

It had been ten years since their last contact like this,

Chen Songyan had waited ten years for this day,

Chen Songyan had secretly loved Xu Jiu for ten years,

It had been ten years since Chen Songyan got his artificial gland,

And ten years since Xu Jiu forgot Chen Songyan.

Yet after ten years, his Xiao Jiu was still just as kind.

Chen Songyan wasn’t originally the heir. The intended heir had died from a serious illness, so Chen Songyan was brought in from a branch family. His life hadn’t been good before. Long-term malnutrition had caused problems with his gland.

Chen Songyan had a difficult personality and rarely spoke. For the sake of socializing, his father sent eight-year-old Chen Songyan to an Alpha summer camp.

Because Chen Songyan was slightly weaker than other Alphas his age, he was often bullied.

One night, things got especially bad. They tried forcing Chen Songyan to sneak out with them by climbing the wall. When he refused, they got physical. Several of them pinned him down, landing punch after punch on his already weak gland.

Chen Songyan fought back hard. His noise attracted Xu Jiu from the next class. Xu Jiu had a temper too back then. Not only was he spoiled, but he was also at the age of playing hero. So he jumped in to fight alongside Chen Songyan.

When the teachers arrived, Xu Jiu had lost a baby tooth and his face was black and blue. He quickly helped Chen Songyan up, using his sleeve to wipe the blood off Chen Songyan’s face. His words whistled through the gap in his teeth, his little face round and worried.

“Are you okay, classmate?”

Chen Songyan had never smelled such a pleasant scent. Xu Jiu’s white camellia scent, he remembered it for a very long time.

Chen Songyan secretly picked up Xu Jiu’s baby tooth.

Xu Jiu was soon taken home by his family, while Chen Songyan, with his severely damaged gland, went into surgery.

“The artificial gland will be extremely painful. Very few Alphas can endure it,” the doctor told Chen Songyan.

Chen Songyan just stared at the operating room ceiling and said, “It’s fine.”

He thought that the next time he met Xu Jiu, he could protect him too. The artificial gland always hurt, but Chen Songyan got used to it. Compared to meeting Xu Jiu again, what was a little pain?

He cut his rather long hair, saying goodbye to his timid, sensitive past. He walked toward the bright end where Xu Jiu was.

But Chen Songyan never saw Xu Jiu again after that, until the school opening ceremony three years ago, when Chen Songyan recognized him.

Xu Jiu stood out in the crowd. He wore a brown DK zip-up jacket with a gold nameplate that read “Grade 10 Class 7¹高一 (Gāo yī): This means “Grade 10” or “first year of high school” in the Chinese education system. “高” stands for high school, and “一” means first year. 七班 (Qī bān): This translates to “Class 7.” “班” means class, and “七” is the number seven. Xu Jiu.” Underneath was a white shirt with a red and silver striped tie. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets as he looked up at Chen Songyan speaking on stage with disdain.

It was clear Xu Jiu didn’t remember him.

Watching Xu Jiu chase after Omegas, Chen Songyan wanted to walk up to him several times. He desperately wanted to tell Xu Jiu,

“Look at me, Xu Jiu. I’m a powerful Alpha now. I’m different from before. I’m strong enough to protect you now.”

He spoke to that Omega called Ranran, hoping they would pass along his contact information, but Xu Jiu ended up throwing away the note.

Now they could go on missions together. Chen Songyan felt heaven was still looking out for him.

The memories flowed past like water as Chen Songyan released his bite. A bright red mark was etched onto Xu Jiu’s neck. His fingertips gently brushed over Xu Jiu’s gland.

Chen Songyan’s pain had eased considerably.

As Xu Jiu turned his head, Chen Songyan placed a kiss at the corner of his mouth, so light it seemed like an accidental brush. Xu Jiu’s body temperature rose from the hormones coursing through him, his gaze unfocused as if still dazed.

It was then that Xu Jiu heard Chen Songyan’s thoughts.

Chen Songyan: [Xu Jiu, after ten years, why are you still so good?]

Chen Songyan wrapped his arm around Xu Jiu’s waist. Xu Jiu lay against Chen Songyan’s chest, his burning temperature searing Chen Songyan’s heart through their clothes.

Their heartbeats overlapped.

“You haven’t rested properly all night. Get some sleep.”

TL Notes

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  高一 (Gāo yī): This means “Grade 10” or “first year of high school” in the Chinese education system. “高” stands for high school, and “一” means first year. 七班 (Qī bān): This translates to “Class 7.” “班” means class, and “七” is the number seven.