What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 – Jealousy

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“Commander Sheng, you haven’t eaten yet?” Jiang Wangshu returned with a pass, seeing Duan Yi holding someone tight. He looked shocked.

“Duan-bao, wake up. We have a pass. Let’s go.”

Jiang Wangshu pulled Duan Yi’s hand. Duan Yi was weak from fever, but he was pulling hard. Jiang Wangshu had to work hard to pull him, making even Sheng Yunze sway.

“You’re going to the hospital with him?” Sheng Yunze asked, turning his head.

“Yes, Commander Sheng. Please take his homework tonight and remember his name. Also, please ask Ah-Mi for leave for Duan Yi and me. He’ll be in charge of evening self-study today.”

Duan Yi was half-awake and didn’t want to get up. Sheng Yunze asked, “Did he take his medicine?”

“No,” Jiang Wangshu said.

Sheng Yunze: …

Jiang Wangshu felt it was a bit embarrassing to say, but it was Duan Yi’s embarrassment, not his. He didn’t hesitate to sell Duan Yi out, “He’s afraid of bitter taste.”

After thinking, he added, “Okay, actually, Duan Yi can’t swallow pills.”

“What do you mean he can’t swallow pills?”

Jiang Wangshu was speechless. “He just can’t swallow. He’s always been like this since childhood. He can’t even drink water properly—it just stays in his mouth until it dissolves. Or he ends up spitting it out. No matter what, he’s the one who suffers. You don’t understand. Xiaoduan has no other skills—he’s just really delicate. He has all the problems that only princesses have.”

Sheng Yunze: “He won’t drink it mixed with water either?”

Jiang Wangshu: “He refuses even more. To him, mixing the pill’s powder with water is no different from holding it in his mouth to dissolve.”

Sheng Yunze: …

He picked up the medicine box from the table, chose a milder cold granule, then went back to his seat to fill a cup with hot water from the dispenser. After adding the cold granule, the water instantly turned gray-brown.

Jiang Wangshu, surprised by this attention, asked, “Commander Sheng… are you making Xiaoduan’s medicine?”

Sheng Yunze: “Do you want to drink it instead?”

Jiang Wangshu suddenly felt like he was sending off a daughter. He patted Duan Yi’s shoulder. “Your ex-husband bro is personally making your medicine. Won’t you get up and drink a few sips to show him respect?”

Without waiting for Duan Yi’s answer, Jiang Wangshu, knowing the situation, said, “Commander Sheng, don’t make it for him. He’ll absolutely refuse to drink it.”

Sheng Yunze ignored Jiang Wangshu, put the blanket on the table, and said, “Drink it.”

Duan Yi’s eyes moved silently to Sheng Yunze’s cup. The cup looked ordinary, not special at all.

After saying these two words, Sheng Yunze didn’t leave. He stayed in the same place.

Jiang Wangshu felt a strange tension in the air. He’d always thought Sheng Yunze was a bit of a pervert…

Seeing is believing. Just from the way he spoke to Duan Yi, Jiang Wangshu suddenly felt a strange, almost sexual feeling. How embarrassing.

He must be crazy.

Duan Yi also gave a performance of being crazy. Under Jiang Wangshu’s shocked look, he frowned and drank all of Sheng Yunze’s medicine.

He stuck out a piece of his tongue, red and soft-looking. Without thinking, he licked the cup’s edge, then shivered. “So disgusting! Not bitter, not sweet, not sour. What’s this weird taste?”

Jiang Wangshu stood frozen for a moment, wondering why his face was red.

Duan Yi licking the cup alone made Jiang Wangshu think it was gross, like a dog. But seeing Sheng Yunze watching made Jiang Wangshu feel something wasn’t right.

It was like watching a pure Japanese high school girl romance movie in a sacred classroom.

Amen. Jiang Wangshu patted his chest. I really had a vision today.

“Commander Sheng’s methods are amazing,” Jiang Wangshu quickly said, giving a thumbs-up. He couldn’t stay a moment longer. He pushed the disciplinary office’s note into Sheng Yunze’s hand. “I’m leaving Xiaoduan’s future to you. I remember I have something to do, so I’ll be going!”

He left the classroom, entered the next hallway, and ran into Nan Yi as the second-year class ended.

Nan Yi asked, “Where’s Duan Yi? Didn’t you take him to the hospital?”

Jiang Wangshu: “Where’d you get that gossip?”

Nan Yi said strangely, “Why are you blushing?”

“What blushing?” Jiang Wangshu refused to admit it. “I had the school beauty take Duan Yi.”

Nan Yi’s face changed. “You had Sheng Yunze take him? Why didn’t you ask me?”

Jiang Wangshu thought it was normal. “He was already there, so I asked Sheng Yunze to take Duan Yi. I had other things to do. Besides, Duan Yi wouldn’t be happy if I asked you. You two are ex-husband and ex-wife—is that proper?”

“Have you never heard of ‘one night of marriage brings a hundred nights of affection’? Besides, ex-couples do get back together. Get lost! I’m calling Duan Yi. How long have they been gone?” Nan Yi was frantic to find them, but suddenly stopped.

“What?” Jiang Wangshu asked.

Nan Yi sniffed Jiang Wangshu’s shoulder. “What smell is that? Did you drink coconut milk?”

“Like hell I did,” Jiang Wangshu retorted. “I only drink Mrs. Taitai Oral Solution. Back off! I still care about my reputation in daylight.”

Jiang Wangshu was a Beta, so he couldn’t smell Omegas’ pheromones. But he’d been in the same space as Duan Yi for too long, picking up some of his pheromones that Nan Yi could smell.

“No milk?” Nan Yi pressed. “Then why did you go see an Omega?”

“You’re crazy,” Jiang Wangshu snapped. “Why would I see an Omega? I just saw the school beauty and Duan Yi.”

Both froze.

Jiang Wangshu’s face cracked into a grin. “So the school beauty’s actually an Omega pretending to be an Alpha?! Damn, I knew it! He’s too pretty to be an Alpha…”

Nan Yi: ……

“Whatever. I’m not talking to you. I just feel like Duan Yi’s acting strange lately.” Nan Yi took out his phone and called Duan Yi.

Jiang Wangshu leaned against the hallway wall, arms crossed. “Hey, I want to ask you something.”

“Spit it out.”

“If you really liked Duan Yi, why did you cheat in middle school?” Jiang Wangshu asked.

“I told you I didn’t—” Nan Yi’s voice cut off. He kicked the trash can in frustration. “You won’t believe me anyway. I only ever liked Duan Yi.”

“Oh.” Jiang Wangshu’s face showed neither belief nor disbelief. He just said, “Then hold on tight. I think Duan Yi’s in high demand.”

Duan Yi walked behind Sheng Yunze, quietly glancing at his back.

When they reached the school square, Duan Yi said, “I’ll go myself.”

“You’ll walk there and crawl back?” Sheng Yunze asked.

“It’s just a cold. Jiang Wangshu’s the one with problems. He likes to make mountains out of molehills.” Duan Yi continued, “We’ll take the small path, not the square.”

Sheng Yunze was famous at school. As they walked, many upper and lower classmen stared at him.

Not to mention Duan Yi was walking with him. “I’m not worried about girls seeing you. I’m worried about my own safety. A person’s handsomeness can’t be hidden even with a mask.”

Sheng Yunze: “You can talk so much even with a mask on?”

“What else should I do? You’re so stuffy and won’t talk to me, so I have to talk myself.”

At the end of October, Second High School was busy with the sports meet. The sound of marching on the field could be heard all the way to the front square.

On the green grass of the front square, cheerleaders were practicing. Every afternoon, club activities on the square increased. Besides cheerleaders, you could also see the psychology club and street dance club.

Sheng Yunze didn’t join any clubs at school. He just glanced briefly before leaving. Duan Yi, on the other hand, joined a club called “Midday Nappers.” They applied for a large classroom to sleep in together.

Passing by the music classroom, the sounds of piano and chorus came from inside.

“Practicing dance?” Duan Yi couldn’t help but glance inside.

Sheng Yunze saw him looking around restlessly all the way, even when sick. He kept peering here and there like a newborn kitten, constantly pawing and touching things, which annoyed Sheng Yunze.

“What’s there to see?” Sheng Yunze said coldly. “Go to the hospital quickly. I have things to do.”

Duan Yi didn’t mind. “If you have things to do, you can go. I can go alone.”

Sheng Yunze’s face darkened.

Duan Yi spoke sincerely, not seeing anything wrong.

But being around Sheng Yunze made him feel better. He couldn’t stop himself from touching him. He was afraid if he kept Sheng Yunze there longer, he might do something terrible he couldn’t take back.

They stood at the music classroom door. Jian Qiao pushed open the window. “Duan Yi!”

Seeing Sheng Yunze, her voice brightened. “Sheng Yunze, you’re here too?”

A crowd of girls quickly gathered at the music classroom windows.

Duan Yi: ……

“Why does it feel like you’re watching monkeys?”

Jian Qiao: “Are you feeling better?”

Duan Yi: “Not bad. What are you doing?”

Jian Qiao: “Preparing for the city competition.” She looked up slightly. “What about you two? Where are you going? Did you meet by chance?”

Feeling guilty, Duan Yi said, “I… I’m going to the hospital. He’s just coming with me.”

Jian Qiao looked suspicious. “When did you two get so close?”

Duan Yi: ……

“Maybe fate can’t be stopped.”

Sheng Yunze said coldly, “Are you done? I don’t want to waste time.”

Jian Qiao shivered, grabbed Duan Yi’s collar, and pulled him close. “Hey, help me talk to Sheng Yunze.”

Duan Yi frowned. “What can I say… You’re going too far, Jian Qiao. Since when do you make your suitor be your wingman?”

Jian Qiao blinked. “What suitor? You think I can’t see through your crush on me isn’t that much? Go. Help me get Sheng Yunze today. Got it?”

Duan Yi thought, if I had that power, I’d already have two sons with Sheng Yunze. Why would I be here getting mocked?

Wait. He realized he’d already had a son with Sheng Yunze.

Jian Qiao kept grabbing him. She wouldn’t let go unless he agreed.

“Fine, fine. I’ll talk. What should I say…?”

Jian Qiao made up a line, “Just say I’m smart, gentle, and good at cooking…”

Duan Yi: “Since when can you cook?”

Jian Qiao: “I’ll learn if you say it.”

Sheng Yunze grew more impatient. Duan Yi and Jian Qiao leaned closer together. With a dark face, he asked, “Still not done?”

Jian Qiao let go, showing mercy. “Go!”

Duan Yi put on his mask and stretched lazily.

“What did she say to you?” Sheng Yunze asked.

After asking, he felt he shouldn’t have asked.

Duan Yi didn’t notice Sheng Yunze’s coldness. He said, “Whatever she asked about you, Jian Qiao couldn’t find out anything. She just saw you with me and asked about you.”

Sheng Yunze hadn’t thought of this.

“You like her, don’t you?” Sheng Yunze asked.

“Yes. What? Are you showing off?” Duan Yi asked. “Don’t get too happy. Jian Qiao only likes you because she can’t see well. Anyone else would pick me.”

Sheng Yunze was silent.

Duan Yi turned to look at him. “Why aren’t you talking?”

“I don’t want to talk,” Sheng Yunze said.

Duan Yi couldn’t help moving closer, smelling Sheng Yunze’s pheromones.

The school banned students from releasing pheromones. Except for Betas, everyone used blocking agents.

Sheng Yunze had sprayed his pheromones just at noon. By all logic, there shouldn’t be any pheromones on him for Duan Yi to smell. Even if there were, it would be very little.

Duan Yi could smell it. This meant the pheromones from Sheng Yunze’s parallel timeline were starting to act up inside him.

By 6 PM, the hospital was closed. Most doctors had finished their shifts.

Second High School wasn’t in the city center. Nearby were only small hospitals and community clinics.

When Duan Yi arrived, only the emergency room was open. The doctor on duty took his temperature and checked his ID, which showed he was an Alpha. They immediately ruled out the possibility of him being in rut and simply diagnosed him with a common cold.

They also gave him a bunch of pills he couldn’t understand.

“I shouldn’t have come,” Duan Yi muttered, flipping through the pills. “This wasted my time.”

He kept complaining as he walked. Soon, sweat formed on his forehead and he felt weak. He sat down to rest.

Sheng Yunze asked, “Are you hungry? I’ll buy you something to eat.”

Duan Yi chuckled, “I didn’t expect you cared about me. I thought you hated me.”

Sheng Yunze replied, “I never said I hated you.”

Duan Yi checked his WeChat messages. They kept popping up. Hao Shanshan and Jiang Wangshu had sent messages asking him to bring back bubble tea and KFC when he returned to school.

“I’ll buy it on the way back. Jiang Wangshu asked me to bring him milk tea.” Duan Yi waved his phone.

Sheng Yunze frowned. “If he wants it, he can buy it himself. Does he have no legs? What can you possibly bring back like this?”

Even Duan Yi’s breathing sounded heavy. “I’ll bring some. It’s on the way anyway. Not a big deal.”

Sheng Yunze sensed something was wrong. “Should we go to another hospital? You don’t look like you have a cold.”

Duan Yi waved his hand. “All hospitals are closed now. Any change would mean emergency care. I’ll just drink more hot water when I get back.”

He tried to stand, but Sheng Yunze couldn’t watch this unsteady man struggle. He helped him up. “What’s wrong with you?”

He’d been fine before coming to the hospital, but now he seemed worse.

Sheng Yunze gave an order. “Find somewhere to get water and take medicine.”

Duan Yi shook his head. “I want to get back to school quickly.”

He didn’t know why, but a strong feeling came over him—not a good one, a very bad one.

Duan Yi’s heart raced the whole way. His steps quickened, and he wasn’t as calm as before. Before, he’d even tried to joke with Sheng Yunze.

Duan Yi walked faster and faster, becoming more silent. Sheng Yunze caught up to him. “Duan Yi, something’s wrong. You’re not acting normal.”

Duan Yi suddenly stopped walking. His face was flushed, but the night hid it.

He swallowed. “Right… You’re right. I feel off too. I… my cold seems worse.”

Sheng Yunze smelled faint pheromones in the air—a sweet scent, just like the one he’d noticed these past days.

Duan Yi used the school’s recommended pheromone suppressant three times daily. Even during his heat, his pheromones didn’t leak into the streets.

“I need to sit,” Duan Yi said, breathing deeply.

“Find somewhere to take your meds first,” Sheng Yunze said.

He wasn’t sure if Duan Yi was sick. The boy acted more like he was in rut.

But Sheng Yunze quickly rejected that thought—Alpha ruts weren’t like this. They weren’t this severe or this gentle.

Duan Yi’s behavior looked more like an Omega’s heat.

How was that possible?

Sheng Yunze was shocked by his own thought.

Duan Yi was an Alpha—a real one. He wasn’t just meeting him now.

Though they weren’t in the same class before, everyone knew Duan Yi was an Alpha—arrogant, troublemaker, skipped classes, climbed walls to skip school, did every bad thing. He stood for daily self-criticism during Second High’s flag-raising ceremony, was a regular at the Student Affairs Office. No Omega was as naughty as him.

Besides, the school did two health checks each year. If Duan Yi was an Omega, they’d have found out long ago.

And Duan Yi being an Omega? That’s like a fairy tale.

Sheng Yunze kept repeating this in his mind, but a secret thought grew in the crack of his heart. What if he really was an Omega?

He knew what he should think, but strange things happen in the world. What if he caught some weird disease and changed from an Alpha to an Omega?

If he was an Omega…

Sheng Yunze didn’t look down at Duan Yi, but his hands on his waist tightened.

A wild thought flashed through the young man’s mind. Then his waist would be soft and delicate, like an Omega’s.

Scared by his own thought, he quickly pushed it away.

“There’s a small bed in the music classroom. Go lie down there.” Sheng Yunze checked his phone battery, less than 10%.

They were already at school. He’d get the charger from his classroom later.

But Duan Yi, covered in cold sweat, couldn’t make it to the dormitory.

Second High School’s music classroom was at the school’s back door, far from the main buildings and next to the sports field.

Normally only media class students trained here. The rest of the time it was empty.

Sheng Yunze pushed open the door. The music classroom was empty. He helped Duan Yi upstairs and found an unused bed.

Duan Yi sat on the bed, half-awake. “Am I in the dormitory?”

“No. Rest here. You can’t walk. There’s hot water here. Take your medicine.”

Duan Yi didn’t know what he said. His whole body burned like fire.

After the burning, he felt cold. He hugged himself on the bed, teeth chattering.

Sheng Yunze took off his school jacket and covered Duan Yi with it. Then he mixed a packet of cold medicine in warm water.

“Drink this fast.” He reached to pull Duan Yi, but was shocked when he touched his hand.

Before, Duan Yi’s forehead was just a little sweaty from fever. Now he looked like he’d been fished out of water.

The music classroom was dark. Weak streetlight showed Sheng Yunze that the jacket he’d covered Duan Yi with was now clutched to his chest, the bottom half wedged between his legs.

Sheng Yunze sat down quickly. Duan Yi tossed and turned on the bed in pain.

“Duan Yi, get up and drink the medicine.”

Duan Yi’s fever made him dizzy and confused. He recognized Sheng Yunze’s voice and sat up. As soon as he touched the disposable cup, he grabbed it and drank deeply.

He thought it was water, but it was bitter medicine. He coughed and spit it all over the floor.

“I’m thirsty! Sheng Yunze, I’m thirsty! It’s bitter! I want water…”

Sheng Yunze got him a cup of water. He stared at Duan Yi, not saying a word.

Duan Yi’s condition was clearly that of an Omega in heat.

Low fever, high fever, excessive sweating leading to dehydration—not just above, but below too.

Sheng Yunze forcefully pulled his clothes from Duan Yi’s grip. The rough fabric was torn between his legs, leaving Sheng Yunze’s hand to find only slickness beneath.

Duan Yi seemed unaware of what was happening, desperately clinging to the last piece of fabric. Sheng Yunze swallowed hard before asking, “Duan Yi, are you an Omega?”

Nearly unconscious, Duan Yi could only remember Sheng Yunze’s pheromones.

That school uniform jacket became his last lifeline. He refused to let go, clutching it tightly.

After a moment of shock, Sheng Yunze regained his senses. Though he didn’t know how Duan Yi became an Omega, his biology class knowledge told him to call the O-Rights Protection Association. Failing that, he needed to call 120 and let the hospital handle it.

The heat period of a minor Omega is very troublesome. They don’t have the legal right to let an Alpha fully mark them. If an Alpha takes advantage of this situation to mark a minor Omega, they could be sentenced to more than five years in prison.

But temporary marking is allowed. A bite is allowed.

Sheng Yunze tried to wake Duan Yi. “Duan Yi, wake up. You don’t have a cold. You’ve entered your heat period.”

Duan Yi clutched his school uniform, refusing to let go. He sensed stronger pheromones from Sheng Yunze and moved closer, ignoring everything as he burrowed into Sheng Yunze’s arms.

Sheng Yunze knew Omegas instinctively seek Alpha pheromones during heat. This was a basic instinct, not a conscious choice.

Duan Yi was now delirious from the heat. Any Alpha pheromones nearby would make him follow his instincts and try to claim them.

Sheng Yunze pushed him away. “Duan Yi, wake up.”

Both wore three-dose daily suppressants, but Duan Yi’s heat had arrived. An Omega’s pheromones now overwhelmed the chemicals. What had been a faint milky scent around Sheng Yunze now thickened into a sweet, milky fog that clung to him, permeating his entire body.

In his arms, Duan Yi closed his eyes and writhed, whimpering, “I’m dying… I’m dying…”

The pain was unbearable. Even clinging to Sheng Yunze couldn’t ease it.

“You’re not dying, Duan Yi. You’re just in heat.”

Sheng Yunze tried to push him away by grasping his thin shoulders, but his hands stuck fast. They clung tightly, refusing to let go.

Duan Yi pushed closer, his waist twisting like a snake. He needed Sheng Yunze’s pheromones like a fish needs water. Sheng Yunze was his husband, lover, legal partner. Craving him was natural.

But he’d forgotten this was all happening in a parallel world.

Sheng Yunze was just a seventeen-year-old boy. No matter how others called him a genius, steady, aloof, or expressionless, facing an omega’s heat, he felt helpless and confused.

Duan Yi had survived the early stages of his heat and was slightly calmer. But he still clung to Sheng Yunze, refusing to let go.

Sheng Yunze’s waist was full of strength, covered with thin abs, full of youthful energy and vitality, dangerously hot.

Duan Yi rubbed against him, regaining a bit of clarity. “I feel like I’m going to die…”

He took deep breaths, but didn’t feel any relief. He wanted water, but it couldn’t quench his thirst. He was so hot he wished he could lock himself in an ice cellar.

Sheng Yunze’s pheromones, cold like frost, were his best medicine.

Duan Yi held Sheng Yunze tightly. After a short struggle, Sheng Yunze calmed down, following his true feelings.

When he stopped pushing Duan Yi away, Duan Yi suddenly looked up at Sheng Yunze. Half of his face was hidden in darkness, making his expression unclear.

Duan Yi didn’t know where his courage came from. He stared at Sheng Yunze for a while, then suddenly asked, “If I die now, can I make a last wish?”

Sheng Yunze was a normal teenager—a normal, young man full of energy.

Duan Yi wasn’t ugly. In fact, he could be called handsome, pretty, cute, or any other praise. His face had a baby-fat look, and his cat-like eyes stared at him—moist but lifeless, carrying a hint of cuteness and pleading.

Facing a beautiful omega, he couldn’t stay calm. And this omega was Duan Yi.

How did he feel about Duan Yi…?

Sheng Yunze’s mind was blank.

How did he feel about Duan Yi?

Unaware of his thoughts, Duan Yi urgently asked, “Can you grant me a wish?”

“What?” Sheng Yunze asked.

“I want to kiss you,” Duan Yi said quickly.

Sheng Yunze lowered his head.

Duan Yi grew more desperate, “You can kiss me too.”

He desperately needed Sheng Yunze’s pheromones.

But reason told him Sheng Yunze wouldn’t help him.

Forget full marking. Given their current relationship, even temporary marking would likely upset Sheng Yunze.

But besides marking the nape, effective kisses and saliva exchange during heat could temporarily ease his symptoms.

Sheng Yunze sprayed a blocking agent. His body’s pheromones were pitifully low. The more Duan Yi craved him, the more he wanted to press against Sheng Yunze’s body.

But no matter how close he got, it was useless.

The blocking agent stopped Sheng Yunze’s pheromones.

Only by kissing him could Duan Yi get pheromones from Sheng Yunze’s saliva.

Sheng Yunze was stiff like a puppet.

Duan Yi’s clear mind lasted only a moment. The heat of his mating season quickly swallowed his reason.

He kept repeating his request, obediently hiding in Sheng Yunze’s arms. He lifted his chin slightly, not kissing Sheng Yunze’s lips, just rubbing his face against Sheng Yunze’s cheek like a puppy.

“Just kiss me once. I’ll be quick… I’ll be quick… I won’t bother you anymore…”

Even the slowest person would see Duan Yi’s situation was bad by now.

But his mating season-controlled mind left no room for thinking.

After ten minutes of Duan Yi’s persistent begging, Sheng Yunze finally gave in.

Duan Yi’s arms naturally went around Sheng Yunze’s neck, as if he’d done it a thousand times before.

After a long internal struggle, Sheng Yunze finally lowered his head and gently brushed his lips against Duan Yi’s.

Duan Yi had just tasted Sheng Yunze’s lips when Sheng Yunze pulled away before any pheromones could reach his mouth.

A wave of panic hit Duan Yi. His omega instincts took over—he needed things connected to Sheng Yunze to surround himself with.

“No, not like this…” Duan Yi’s eyes went unfocused as he protested, sounding confused. “Don’t do this kind of kiss. I want the tongue kind.”

Only when Sheng Yunze opened his mouth could Duan Yi get his pheromones.

Getting desperate, Duan Yi instinctively moved closer to Sheng Yunze.

But Sheng Yunze was frozen in place by Duan Yi’s wild words, still trying to process what he’d heard.

Thinking Sheng Yunze didn’t know how to kiss, Duan Yi blurted out, “Do you not know how? It’s fine if you don’t—I have lots of experience.”

After sleeping with Sheng Yunze for over a decade, and knowing how much Sheng Yunze loved to tease him in bed, how could Duan Yi not know how to kiss?

After all, having slept with Sheng Yunze for so long, how could he not know how to kiss his own husband?

But to the high school student Sheng Yunze, these words sounded like a thunderclap in his ears.

Duan Yi said he had experience?

Duan Yi said he had lots of experience?

What kind of experience?

Where did he get this experience?

His only relationship was with Nan Yi. Did he learn this from Nan Yi?

Sheng Yunze’s mind churned with conflicting emotions. He’d never felt this angry before, though he didn’t know why. He just hated Duan Yi, and hated their past even more.

A wave of fury swept through Sheng Yunze. His voice turned icy, “Where did you get this experience?”

Duan Yi couldn’t answer clearly. He clung to Sheng Yunze’s shoulders, begging for pheromones to help him through his heat.

He’d already been marked by Sheng Yunze. Unlike other Omegas who needed reproductive marking, he could be calmed by pheromones alone.

After waiting too long for a response, Duan Yi climbed onto Sheng Yunze’s lap and started nuzzling his face.

He kissed wildly for a while, growing frustrated until he finally collapsed weakly on Sheng Yunze’s legs.

The autumn school uniform only had one layer of trousers, made of black cotton fabric. The black fabric had darker areas, as if soaked with water, spreading upward from below. Through two layers of fabric, Sheng Yunze felt burned by the heat.

His ears turned bright red. Even with his composure, he’d never seen such a scene before.

“Duan Yi!” Sheng Yunze pulled him away, giving him a warning look.

Duan Yi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. “Just this once, Sheng Yunze, just once… I’ll never bother you again, never pester you. Help me, just this once…”

Never bother him again.

Never pester him.

Hearing these words didn’t make Sheng Yunze happy.

“Duan Yi, listen to me. No matter what, your situation is bad right now. I can’t help you.”

Sheng Yunze pushed Duan Yi away.

Duan Yi opened his eyes wide. “You can’t kiss me?”

Sheng Yunze was stunned by his sad look.

Duan Yi seemed to look at him, yet also through his skin, at someone else.

Who was he looking at?

A wave of anger Sheng Yunze couldn’t feel rose in his heart.

He stared hard at Duan Yi’s lips. The water had made them wet and soft, like ripe fruit waiting to be picked.

Sheng Yunze bit down hard. Duan Yi cried out in pain. Without thinking, he opened his mouth—following instinct and years of experience.

Sheng Yunze’s tongue pushed in, blocking Duan Yi’s lips.

A kiss—not sure if forced or not, not sure if planned or not—happened between the two boys.

Duan Yi wanted his pheromones. He swallowed big mouthfuls of what Sheng Yunze gave him. The Alpha’s pheromones exploded in Duan Yi’s body.

The burning pain was put out completely by a cold frost.

Duan Yi held Sheng Yunze’s neck tightly. His long eyelashes fell across his face, making shadowy patterns.

Sheng Yunze let go only when Duan Yi couldn’t breathe properly.

Duan Yi licked his upper lip. His body wasn’t so hot anymore. He rested quietly in Sheng Yunze’s arms for a moment.

Sheng Yunze’s mind cleared. He suddenly noticed the music classroom was filled with an unusually strong mix of pheromones.

Alpha and Omega’s. Anyone who entered could guess what happened in the classroom.

He and Duan Yi hadn’t done anything, but Sheng Yunze still felt guilty.

Sheng Yunze pulled Duan Yi off himself and put him on the bed. Their wrinkled school uniforms had fallen to the ground during their struggle, covered in dust. They couldn’t use them to cover Duan Yi.

First, he opened the music classroom window to let out the pheromones. Then, with a serious face, he carefully put back the chairs Duan Yi had knocked over.

After fixing everything, Sheng Yunze checked Duan Yi’s body.

Duan Yi was much calmer now, lying on the bed like he was asleep.

Sheng Yunze didn’t dare touch Duan Yi’s lower body. He only touched his forehead for a moment. When he felt Duan Yi’s fever was gone, he let out a breath of relief.

But questions came with it.

If Duan Yi was really an Omega, just kissing couldn’t stop his heat.

Sheng Yunze had taken the unified health education class in his third year of middle school. He knew that when an Omega goes into heat, especially a minor Omega, the only ways to ease it are with special hospital-prescribed suppressants or through gland marking—even final marking.

Omegas like Duan Yi who can ease their heat through kissing usually have a fixed Alpha after marriage and have already been marked.

Sheng Yunze looked silently at the sleeping Duan Yi. A strange thought rose in his mind, one that made his anger grow.

He reached out and ripped open Duan Yi’s school shirt sleeve.

The jacket hung loosely on his arm. Sheng Yunze had pulled the shirt collar open, exposing the Omega’s neck gland to the young Alpha’s eyes.

On Duan Yi’s neck gland was a faint tooth mark.

It was so light it was hard to see, but Sheng Yunze could tell—this was a…

A man’s tooth mark.

Only a male Alpha could leave a mark like this.

Left as a mark, for showing off and claiming ownership—a symbol of territorial rights.

He sat on the bed, shocked and angry. Never before had he felt so furious. The emotions of resentment and jealousy nearly burned through his rational mind.