Jiang Wan was held in Che Chenying’s grip, weak, pitiful, and helpless.
At this moment, he was like a little white flower trembling in the wind. His face was pale, his eyes rimmed with a faint redness, and his sharp chin trembled, making him look both pitiful and endearing.
Che Chenying sneered, clearly unimpressed by this display.
It’s 202 years into the new millennium, and there are still Omegas this fragile?
Not far away, Dou Ming stood silently, watching the two of them. He was sharp and imposing, his aura razor-sharp.
He didn’t say a word, but the sheer pressure of his presence slowly bore down on them, and his cold pheromones gave a silent command: Let go of him.
Che Chenying released Jiang Wan, crossing his arms with raised eyebrows. “Are you sure he’s not yours?”
“Bullying the weak doesn’t make you strong.” Dou Ming gave Che Chenying a deep, cold look before turning to leave.
That look could freeze someone’s very soul.
The onlookers hugged their companions tightly, their teeth chattering from the chill.
The crowd instinctively parted, making way for Dou Ming.
Che Chenying rubbed his chin, realizing he might’ve crossed an Alpha’s line.
But Dou Ming didn’t lose control.
Given Alpha’s explosive possessiveness, if Jiang Wan were truly Dou Ming’s Omega, there’s no way Dou Ming would walk away so easily.
“Looks like I misunderstood.” Che Chenying said, glancing down at Jiang Wan from above. His tone was far from an apology. With long, slender fingers, he flicked Jiang Wan’s collar, lightly pressing on his trembling gland. Omega pheromones began to leak, as a seductive rose wrapped itself around the sour scent of green plums. Jiang Wan’s trembling gland shrunk in reaction, but the rose seized the opportunity, swirling around it.
No trace of cedarwood pheromones could be found. Jiang Wan wasn’t Dou Ming’s Omega, after all.
“Stay away from him, at least until I’m done with him. Got it?” Che Chenying said, without bothering to see if Jiang Wan would respond. He strutted off like a proud rooster, followed by a flock of bright and flashy Omegas.
Jiang Wan remained silent, looking down at his wrinkled collar.
The onlookers exchanged glances. The fragile Omega stood alone, head bowed, with even the back of his head radiating a sense of injustice.
“What are you staring at?” Wu Qian and the others rushed over, shielding Jiang Wan as they glared at the crowd. “Get lost! Everyone, scatter!”
The crowd slowly dispersed. Wu Qian, unsure of what to do, stood in front of the Omega, remorsefully knocking on his own head. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you to watch the drama.”
Xu Wansi, sharp-eyed, noticed Jiang Wan’s lips moving as if he was muttering something. He quickly stopped Wu Qian’s self-punishment and asked gently, “Wan Wan, what are you saying?”
Jiang Wan lifted his head. His eyes were unfocused, his lips trembling, and he looked like a broken doll, muttering repeatedly, “I’m dirty… I’m dirty…”
Xu Wansi: “…”
Wu Qian: “…”
Tan Jun: “…”
Bro, seriously?
After a chaotic scramble, they figured out that Jiang Wan’s breakdown stemmed from his cleanliness obsession. The poor neat freak was rushed to the nurse’s office, where the school nurse disinfected him, gave him a sedative, and called his family to take him home to rest.
The homeroom teacher personally escorted the unconscious Jiang Wan to the car. As soon as he turned around, his face darkened like a storm cloud. He still remembered why Jiang Wan transferred—because of bullying!
It’s only been a few days, and there’s trouble again!
He wasted no time going to the vice principal—this needed to be dealt with seriously!
The vice principal, upon hearing that Jiang Wan had been bullied, immediately declared that the perpetrators would be severely punished. But when the investigation revealed that the bully was Che Chenying, the precious gem of the influential Che family, his attitude changed.
The truth behind Jiang Wan’s background was unknown even to the principal. His return to high school was arranged through a special backdoor by the city’s education bureau. The vice principal naturally assumed Jiang Wan was just another wealthy Omega from an affluent family.
Compared to the Che family’s precious child, Jiang Wan, an Omega with a bit of money, seemed insignificant.
The vice principal, now all smiles, tried to brush things off with the homeroom teacher. The teacher, however, stood his ground, even going as far as to argue heatedly with the vice principal.
Jiang Wan knew nothing of the school’s internal conflict. After being taken home, Aunt Xue bathed him, changed him into a cute little monster onesie, and tucked him into bed. The afternoon flew by, and after a long, restful nap, Jiang Wan bounced down the stairs, refreshed and ready for dinner.
Kneeling in the living room were Du Yanjing and Gang Ya: “…”
Standing beside them, Aunt Xue held a bamboo whip, her expression calm as she glanced at Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan: “…”
Du Yanjing: “T^T”
Gang Ya: “QAQ”
Jiang Wan waved his hand dismissively. “Aunt Xue, enough already. I told you, this punishment is outdated.”
Aunt Xue replied, “They were with you, yet you were still frightened. They deserve to be punished.”
Jiang Wan lifted his chin, signaling for the two to stand up. “I’m fine.” He strolled to the kitchen door, took a deep breath—there was meat cooking! With his heart at ease, he turned back to the living room. “I was just putting on a show for outsiders, don’t take it seriously.”
With the boss’s words, Du Yanjing and Gang Ya leapt up in joy. Aunt Xue nodded, putting away the bamboo whip. “As long as you’re fine, I’ll go count how many pills you have left.”
“?” Jiang Wan thought, Wow, your memory’s really something. Thinking quickly, he said, “Oh, those pills expired, I flushed them down the toilet.”
“Oh.” Aunt Xue, not doubting him for a second, gave him a kind look. “I’ll ask Dr. Hao to prescribe some more for you, but don’t overuse them, understand?”
Jiang Wan nodded obediently, feeling a little guilty.
Aunt Xue went upstairs to tidy his room, while Gang Ya eagerly ran to the dining room, pulled out a chair for Jiang Wan, and waited on him. Meanwhile, Du Yanjing, a step too late, thoughtfully grabbed a small stool and a nail clipper, offering to trim Jiang Wan’s toenails.
Jiang Wan kicked them both away: “Can you guys chill?”
Only then did the two laugh and sit down.
The chef served up a hot, delicious meal, and Jiang Wan dug in with gusto.
As Du Yanjing sipped soup, he reported, “The vice principal called, suggesting we let this slide. He said it’s just normal friction between students, nothing to dwell on. We should take a break and not overthink it.”
Jiang Wan rubbed his chin. “So all that acting was for nothing?”
Du Yanjing, sulking, said, “Your performance was so good, Gang Ya and I were nearly scared to death.”
Jiang Wan threw down his spoon in frustration. “If Che Chenying doesn’t apologize, I’m not going back to school!”
He looked as if he’d been grievously wronged.
But Du Yanjing blinked knowingly. “Did you finally find an excuse to skip school?”
Jiang Wan: “…”
Gang Ya shook his head. “Boss, you were the one who insisted on going to school, now you’re the one trying to skip.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
With a pained expression, he lamented, “Getting up at six every morning—is this any way to live?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Gang Ya’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he tensed and showed the screen to Jiang Wan. “It’s Dou Ming.”
Jiang Wan wiped his mouth, crossing his arms. “Answer it.”
Gang Ya nodded and was about to pick up.
Jiang Wan added, “Ask him if he’s got a little Omega at school.”
Gang Ya: “…”
He answered the call, turning on the speakerphone. With a monotone voice, he asked, “What’s up?”
Dou Ming’s cold voice, sounding even deeper over the phone, replied, “Am I working today?”
“…” This guy’s work ethic was way too strong. Gang Ya glanced at Jiang Wan’s expression and said, “You’ll be notified when you’re needed. What happened at school today? Don’t try to anger Boss Jiang; he’s more terrifying than you can imagine.”
Dou Ming responded calmly, “Since the moment I signed the contract, my body and soul belong to Boss Jiang.”
Gang Ya: “…”
Du Yanjing: “…”
Jiang Wan: “…”
Dou Ming really took this whole being kept thing seriously.
Gang Ya mouthed to Jiang Wan: What’s the plan?
Jiang Wan, annoyed, said: Hang up.
After ending the call, Jiang Wan angrily resumed eating, but the food no longer tasted good. He finished his meal, threw down his chopsticks, stomped upstairs like an enraged bull, and made the whole house shake with his footsteps.
Then came the sound of him yelling in frustration: “How many times have I told you, don’t touch my stuff!”
Aunt Xue’s patient voice replied, “I saw it was a mess, so I tidied up for you.”
“It might look messy, but I know where everything is! Now I can’t find anything!”
Aunt Xue remained calm. “What are you looking for? I’ll help you find it.”
“I don’t need help!”
“I’m going to bed!”
Bang!
The door slammed shut, leaving Aunt Xue standing outside holding a feather duster, neither angry nor rushed.
Back at the dining table, Gang Ya muttered softly, “Doesn’t Boss just want that Alpha? So why’s he mad now that the guy’s offering himself up?”
The cook, who had remained silent, furrowed her brow at the untouched food and sighed. “You men, you’re all the same.”
Gang Ya scratched his head innocently.
Du Yanjing opened his mouth to defend his buddy, but before he could speak, Aunt Xue arrived at the table, looked at the wasted food, and casually said, “That’s right. Men are just trouble.”
Du Yanjing: “…” He had no words.
That “trouble” was upstairs, tossing and turning in bed, unable to settle down.
Dou Ming, an Alpha with such cold pride, has turned into a complete lackey for a rich Omega.
A cold, aloof male god—actually just a little puppy for his sugar daddy behind the scenes.
Morning greetings, evening check-ins, all just to fulfill his end of the sugar contract.
Jiang Wan tossed and turned, feeling more and more frustrated.
Cheap pheromones, sold for fifteen grand a month? No thanks!
He stared at the ceiling, seriously considering putting an end to this ridiculous game.
Then his phone buzzed.
Rolling over onto his stomach, feet dangling in the air, he lazily picked up his phone.
It was a notification from Dingding.
—Dou Ming has accepted your friend request.
Getting something so easily made Jiang Wan feel less inclined to treasure it.
He almost deleted Dou Ming right then.
But Dou Ming’s message came through quickly.
—How are you feeling?
Jiang Wan replied casually.
—Fine, fine.
Dou Ming, in classic Alpha fashion, offered his advice.
—Drink more hot water.
Jiang Wan opened his gallery, ready to send back a meme mocking his straight-A advice.
But then Dou Ming sent several messages in quick succession.
—Today was on me.
—Che Chenying won’t bother you again.
—Don’t worry about coming back to school.
—Don’t let unrelated people get in the way of your studies.
Jiang Wan blinked, then sat up cross-legged and frowned as he typed.
—What do you mean?
—Don’t scare me. Did you go find Che Chenying?
—I heard from Wu Qian and the others that Che Chenying has a lot of Alpha guards!
—Hello, hello, are you still there? Dou Ming?
—I’m calling the cops!
Jiang Wan sent a string of frantic messages, but Dou Ming didn’t reply.
A sinking feeling gripped Jiang Wan, and the carefree expression on his face disappeared.
At the same time, in a narrow alley near the school, the young Alpha put away his phone. Ignoring the flashing green light on the screen, he looked at the Omega standing across from him, surrounded by a few other Alphas. His expression was calm as he said, “A life for a life. A debt must be repaid. That’s the law.”
“Come on, I just grabbed him for a second.” Che Chenying said, baffled. “It’s not like I killed anyone. Why are you lecturing me? He went home to rest because he’s too weak! And I already apologized.”
“The homeroom teacher told me he was bullied at his previous school.” The snow atop the mountain silently collapsed, and the lone pine on the cliff extended its branches, vast and cold, blotting out the sky.
Under the growing pressure, Che Chenying took a step back, rolling his eyes. “So, it’s my fault he has PTSD? And you said he’s not your Omega, but look how much you’re protecting him. Admit it, you’ve got a crush on him.”
Dou Ming’s expression remained cold. “If he doesn’t come to school tomorrow, you’re going to his house to apologize.”
Che Chenying waved his Alphas forward, fuming. “It’s such a tiny issue. He’s being dramatic. I’m not going anywhere! What are you gonna do about it, drag me there?”
The Alphas advanced on Dou Ming, their knuckles cracking ominously.
A flurry of pine needles drifted down. In the cold, desolate world, the vibrant green of the pine lost its last hint of warmth.
Dou Ming, serious as ever, said, “What might seem insignificant to you could be a disaster for someone else. He may be soft and weak, but he’s a person. His happiness and his fears deserve respect from everyone.”
The image of a young boy, clutching an adult’s leg and crying, begging not to have his mother’s belongings taken away, flashed through Dou Ming’s mind. That boy, who was once mocked for being afraid of the dark despite being an Alpha, had now reached adulthood. Today, he decided to give himself a special birthday present.
—To tell those strong, optimistic, and fearless people that, even if we don’t share the same sorrows, we should at least try to understand each other’s fragility and fears. Whether it’s being afraid of the dark or having a cleanliness obsession.
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