Song Mian was giving Chu Tao the silent treatment.

It was because he didn’t want to join the chemistry class and also because he was rude to Aunt Tang.

But she soon realized that Chu Tao didn’t seem to mind the cold war between them.

In the past, Chu Tao would always come around eventually, trying to make peace and apologize.

The process of making up was simple: Chu Tao just needed to come over, rub his stomach, and innocently, in a soft voice, say, “Mom, I’m hungry.”

Song Mian would grumble a bit more, and then the matter would be over.

But not this time. She waited the whole weekend, not even going out for dinner with colleagues.

At night, unable to sleep, Song Mian tugged on Chu Jiangmin and muttered, “What’s going on with Chu Tao lately? Why is he growing more distant from me?”

Chu Jiangmin turned a page in his book, replying casually, “He’s in high school now, no longer a child. It’s normal for him to be less close to his mom.”

Song Mian paused for a while, then nudged Chu Jiangmin, “But he’s not close to you either. Has he talked to you about anything?”

Chu Jiangmin hesitated, adjusted his glasses, and said, “It’s normal if he doesn’t. After all, we’re his parents. If he has something to say, he’ll talk to Xingning. They’re brothers—why are you so worried?”

Chu Jiangmin was starting to feel sleepy. He closed his book, tucked it under his pillow, and prepared to sleep.

Song Mian, annoyed, said, “Yeah, you never care about anything, no wonder he doesn’t talk to you! Chu Tao used to be the least of our worries, but now he’s constantly on my mind. Really!”

Chu Jiangmin curled up under the blanket, covering his ears and eyes, trying to fall asleep.

Seeing him like that, Song Mian angrily yanked the blanket away and wrapped it entirely around herself. “Heartless!”

“Hey!” Chu Jiangmin shivered from the cold, sighing as he helplessly scooted over and hugged Song Mian.

On Monday morning, the sky was brilliantly clear, with sunlight suspended halfway in the sky. The bright light evaporated the dew on green leaves, and milky white clouds drifted across the pale blue sky.

Time flew by, and daylight arrived earlier.

Chu Tao dropped his backpack off in the classroom and turned to head to the broadcast station.

Today, Tao Song was supposed to give the speech under the national flag, but he had suddenly come down with a stomach ache and was stuck in the bathroom. With no other option, Chu Tao had to fill in.

He bent over to carefully adjust the equipment, downloading the prepared BGM from his email onto the old computer in the broadcast room.

Just as he was about to test the microphone, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Chu Tao straightened up and turned around, saying, “Come in.”

The door opened a sliver, and Mo Xi peeked in, saying shyly, “Senior, I’m here to report in today.”

Chu Tao paused for a moment, then smiled, “Alright, let me show you how to use everything.”

Ever since Mo Xi had confessed to him last time, Chu Tao had been avoiding him.

Mo Xi had also seemed embarrassed, skipping several days before finally showing up at the broadcast station. Chu Tao had almost thought he wouldn’t come back.

Of course, Mo Xi still liked Chu Tao, but he was timid, worried about making Chu Tao uncomfortable. That’s why he had chosen a day when Tao Song was supposed to be on duty. But as fate would have it, he ended up running into Chu Tao anyway.

Chu Tao didn’t bring up the past and focused on turning the computer screen toward Mo Xi, patiently explaining everything.

Although Mo Xi had a good voice, he knew nothing about the equipment in the broadcast room. And while Chu Tao explained, Mo Xi was barely listening, feeling both nervous and thrilled as he glanced at Chu Tao.

The senior was just too gentle, too handsome.

How could he ever give up on someone like this?

If the senior was worried about his studies, then Mo Xi could wait.

Determined, Mo Xi calmed his racing heart, leaned down beside Chu Tao, and stared at the screen intently.

The Omega’s scent was clean and sweet. Mo Xi was wearing a chocolate-milk-scented suppressant, and as he leaned in, he subtly observed Chu Tao’s reaction.

“This button is for playing the BGM. Select mono for this one. We have a BGM pack on Tao Song’s USB drive, which he’ll share with you later, so you can choose the right tracks on your own in the future.”

Chu Tao explained seriously, the corners of his eyes soft and his gaze focused and clear, seemingly unaffected by the sweet scent.

Mo Xi felt a bit disappointed but admired him even more. The senior’s self-control was amazing; clearly, he held himself to high standards and had great discipline.

How could someone so perfect even exist?

“Hey, Chu Tao.” A lazy voice sounded from outside the broadcast room door.

Both Chu Tao and Mo Xi recognized that voice instantly.

Chu Tao’s back tensed. After a brief pause, he turned around and asked Jiang She seriously, “Excuse me, is there something you need? The flag-raising ceremony is about to start, and only authorized personnel are allowed in here.”

Mo Xi, frightened, shrank behind Chu Tao, biting his lip and staring wide-eyed, unable to say a word.

Jiang She intimidated him too much; he was the type who did whatever he wanted without a reason.

Even though the flag-raising ceremony was about to begin, Mo Xi fully believed that Jiang She would cause a scene in the broadcast room if he felt like it.

Jiang She smirked, running his tongue over his teeth, and in a low voice, said, “So, I’m an outsider, and he’s an insider?”

Chu Tao knew Jiang She was jealous again.

But with Mo Xi there, he couldn’t exactly explain that this was just a coincidence.

Chu Tao had to respond with a hint of suggestion, “Let’s talk after the flag-raising ceremony.”

Jiang She leaned lazily against the wall, twirling a bottle of aloe vera flavored yogurt in his hand. After a brief silence, he replied lightly, “There are still ten minutes until the flag-raising. Not enough time to explain?”

Mo Xi bit his lip, the dimples in his cheeks barely visible as he tugged at Chu Tao’s sleeve and murmured, “Senior, am I causing you trouble again?”

He was worried Chu Tao would end up in trouble because of him, yet he felt powerless.

If he kept being a burden to Chu Tao, how could Chu Tao ever like him?

Mo Xi was on the verge of tears.

Chu Tao felt a headache coming on, his temple pulsing. He kept his patience, turning to Mo Xi. “Step out for a bit. I’ll talk to Jiang She.”

The sight of that aloe vera flavored yogurt made it hard for Chu Tao to stay mad at Jiang She.

After all, Jiang She had brought it specifically for him, worried his throat might be dry.

It was just bad timing that Chu Tao happened to be teaching Mo Xi how to use the equipment.

Jiang She finally moved, making space for Mo Xi to pass, clearly eager for him to leave.

Mo Xi hesitated, glancing around nervously, then slipped out.

As soon as he stepped outside, the door shut firmly behind him with a loud bang, making him jump.

The closed door separated him from whatever was happening inside, leaving him with no way of knowing what might be going on between Chu Tao and Jiang She.

Once they were alone, Chu Tao took a deep breath and lowered his voice, soothingly saying, “I didn’t know he’d be reporting in today. I’m only here to fill in for Tao Song.”

In truth, Jiang She wasn’t truly angry. He might be a bit jealous, but he was still reasonable enough to know better than anyone else that Chu Tao had no interest in Mo Xi.

But he did enjoy teasing Chu Tao. If he didn’t take advantage of his moral high ground every now and then, when would he get another chance?

Jiang She took a step forward, drawing closer to Chu Tao. He set the yogurt bottle down on the table and placed his arms on either side, trapping Chu Tao between them.

He leaned down, his face close enough to almost brush Chu Tao’s nose, and asked in a low voice, “So, am I an outsider or an insider?”

Jiang She’s breath was light, but the pressure of his pheromones was intense. The fresh scent of the suppressant surrounded Chu Tao, along with the mellow pheromone scent that lay beneath it.

Chu Tao’s breathing grew unsteady, his ears flushed with heat, and the self-control he prided himself on began to crumble in front of Jiang She.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t trying—it was just that his gland’s reaction to Jiang She was growing stronger.

His chest rose and fell slightly as he was nearly leaning back on the table under Jiang She’s weight.

He grumbled, “You know exactly what I mean.”

Jiang She smirked and teased, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, class president?”

Chu Tao pushed at him, though not very forcefully, and, giving up, he muttered, “Fine, fine, you’re an ‘insider,’ okay? Now, can I get ready for the broadcast?”

After he said it, he felt his face get even hotter.

“Insider” had another, more intimate meaning—one they were too young to be thinking about.

Satisfied, Jiang She leaned back slightly, giving Chu Tao a bit more space.

But then his gaze fell on the microphone hanging nearby.

Chu Tao had already set up all the equipment; as soon as the microphone was turned on, their voices would broadcast throughout the entire school.

Jiang She felt a mischievous urge rise in him. Catching the faint scent of Chu Tao’s pheromones, he reached out and grabbed the microphone.

Chu Tao was startled, unsure of what new stunt Jiang She was planning. Instinctively, he held onto Jiang She’s arm.

Jiang She looked down, his gaze deep as the night sky, and said, “How about I tell the whole school I love you?”