FSO Chapter 20

Another day of classes finally over, Jiang Wan packed up his things, getting ready to head home.

He noticed that his classmates seemed unusually excited today. He overheard some of them making plans to go to the library, the city sports center, or even the zoo…

Ah, it was a rare weekend off for seniors.

His desk mate, Wu Qian, was chatting animatedly with his friends. “Let’s go to that new escape room downtown! I heard there’s a really fun script.”

“How many people for that one?”

“Six.”

“Then we don’t have enough people.”

Wu Qian glanced in Jiang Wan’s direction.

All Jiang Wan wanted was to go home and sleep, so he quickly said, “Don’t look at me, I’ve got tutoring this weekend.”

As someone who had just improved to an average level in the class, this excuse was especially convincing.

Wu Qian nodded. “Makes sense. Plus, with your cleanliness obsession, you wouldn’t like public places much anyway.”

Jiang Wan nodded and grabbed his bag, ready to make his escape.

“Come on, it’s a rare chance.” Tan Jun reached out to grab Jiang Wan, but suddenly, he felt a wave of hostility and retracted his hand as if it had been burned. He glanced at the person now standing next to Jiang Wan and muttered, “You and Dou Ming should come! We’re only one person short.”

Xu Wansi twisted Tan Jun’s leg, causing his face to contort in pain.

“What the hell?!”

“What are you doing? Can’t you see they’re not paying attention to you?!”

The tall Alpha stood by Jiang Wan’s side, like a sleeping giant beast.

Wu Qian and the others started sweating under the natural pressure that came with being near an Alpha.

Jiang Wan misunderstood their tense expressions as pleading, and after thinking about it, he realized that while he was an adult, Dou Ming was still young. The kid had spent most of his life studying or working—he probably hadn’t had many chances to go out and have fun.

He looked up and asked Dou Ming, “What do you think? Want to try it?”

“I’m fine with whatever.” Dou Ming’s face practically said, You decide.

Jiang Wan nodded and turned back to Wu Qian and the group, smiling brightly. “Alright, let’s all go. I’ll treat this time.”

“!” Wu Qian rubbed his hands. “How can we let you do that?”

Tan Jun shamelessly chimed in, “Yeah, yeah!”

Xu Wansi shot him a glare and asked politely, “Are you sure it won’t interrupt your alone time?”

“No worries.” The more Jiang Wan thought about it, the more he felt it was necessary to let Dou Ming have some fun. “It sounds like a lot of fun, and I’ve been meaning to treat you guys ever since I transferred.”

“Didn’t know that was a rule.” Tan Jun said in surprise. “Let’s get a few more transfer students in here then.”

Xu Wansi smacked him. “Shut up already.”

Jiang Wan laughed, made plans with the group for the time and place, then walked out of the classroom with Dou Ming.

Everyone watched as Jiang Wan led the way, chatting happily, while Dou Ming listened attentively. Without missing a beat, Dou Ming casually reached out, grabbed Jiang Wan’s bag off his shoulder, and slung it over his own.

“This is what love looks like.” someone sighed.

Wu Qian, with sharp ears, heard someone else’s voice and turned around. “What the hell, Zhou Kui, what happened to you?!”

The single Alpha was crouched on his chair, his eyes red as if he had conjunctivitis.

“Nothing!” Zhou Kui snapped, jumping down from his chair and furiously packing up his things.

Wu Qian, feeling sorry for him, asked, “Want to come with us tomorrow? We’re still one person short.”

“No, no, no!” Zhou Kui yelled, spraying Wu Qian with spit.

Wu Qian wiped his face. “Alright, then.”

He forgot that at this moment, Zhou Kui wasn’t really a person—just a heartbroken dog.

A very, very pitiful dog.

Jiang Wan walked out of the classroom but didn’t head straight for the school gate. Instead, he went directly to the music room, as if he’d done this many times before.

Dou Ming followed him in silence. Jiang Wan could feel the hairs on his body standing up.

There was a feeling of being stalked by a hunter.

Today, Dou Ming was definitely acting differently.

Jiang Wan stepped into the music room and turned around, intending to ask Dou Ming what was going on, but before he could, he was enveloped in the thick scent of cedar pheromones.

His body had long since memorized this Alpha’s unique scent. Even though the warm cedar aroma had a hidden aggression beneath it, his body recognized the smell as safe, and it automatically relaxed, becoming soft and pliant.

Dou Ming wrapped his arms around the now-limp Jiang Wan, pulling him into his embrace to prevent him from getting dust on his clothes. Otherwise, Jiang Wan would insist on scrubbing himself for two hours when they got home.

Jiang Wan nestled against Dou Ming, feeling comfort and peace surrounded by the layers of cedar scent, but soon, an emptiness began to creep into his heart.

His body craved more than just a hug.

Dou Ming kicked the door shut, then scooped Jiang Wan up and sat down on the piano bench. He placed Jiang Wan on his lap, lifted his hair, and sank his fangs into Jiang Wan’s gland.

Like a hunter biting down on his prey’s neck, Jiang Wan trembled under the intense sensation, but Dou Ming held him firmly, sinking deeper, giving him more.

…

Jiang Wan slumped in Dou Ming’s arms, panting heavily.

That had been… intense.

Honestly, it felt pretty good.

He sincerely praised, “You’ve gotten better, kid. Not bad.”

Dou Ming massaged Jiang Wan’s overheated gland and asked seriously, “Why do you call me kid? Are you old?”

The word “old” struck a chord in Jiang Wan’s heart. “N-No, it’s just a joke. People online say stuff like that all the time. Even girls who are only 17 or 18 call themselves old aunties.”

Dou Ming made a small sound of acknowledgement and continued, “So, does that mean young people like to call themselves old, while those who are really old like to act young?”

The phrase “act young” stung Jiang Wan again. “It’s… kind of like that, I guess.” He slid off Dou Ming’s lap and walked toward the door, feeling a bit annoyed. “It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”

Dou Ming followed him out the door, now asking another question. “Why is it that when an A is a bit older than an O, no one cares, but when an O is older than an A, people always have something to say?”

Jiang Wan didn’t want to answer that. “…” Why is he talking so much today?

He didn’t used to talk this much. Maybe he knows he’s really good at hitting where it hurts, so he usually stays quiet!

Jiang Wan’s temple throbbed, but he held back his irritation, thinking of giving a snarky answer like, “Why did Little Ming’s grandpa live to be 90?”

But Dou Ming ended up answering his own question, “Maybe it’s because people are bitter inside and can’t stand to see others happy. Personally, I think it’s great if the O is older than the A—it actually has a special advantage.”

Jiang Wan’s anger disappeared, and he stopped, suddenly curious. “What advantage?”

Dou Ming looked at him seriously and said, “You don’t have to worry about getting too old to satisfy your Omega.”