Xu Yang didn’t show much emotion on his face, but his eyes were locked on Wei Xiaochi.

Wei Xiaochi immediately felt a chill run down his spine. Nervously, he asked, “Is there something wrong?”

Xu Yang spoke in a calm tone, “You went into the wrong bathroom.”

Wei Xiaochi’s mind instantly went blank, his face flushing with embarrassment. “Sorry.”

Xu Yang didn’t say anything more. He pulled his hand back and walked past Wei Xiaochi, entering the restroom.

During class breaks, the bathroom was crowded, and since Wei Xiaochi and Xu Yang happened to be standing right by the door, many students passed by and looked at them.

As soon as Xu Yang left, Wei Xiaochi had to ‘enjoy’ the stares from everyone. He lowered his head and quickly walked into the male omega bathroom.

The school bathrooms were divided into four categories—male, female, male omega, and female alpha.

Male A and male B shared one bathroom, while female B and female O shared another.

After being a beta for eighteen years and suddenly transitioning into an omega, Wei Xiaochi was still struggling to adjust, often making mistakes like going into the wrong bathroom.

Just as Wei Xiaochi stepped out of the bathroom, he ran into Han Ziyang.

Seeing Wei Xiaochi, Han Ziyang cheerfully walked up to greet him. “I just went to Class 1 looking for you, didn’t expect to run into you here. No wonder people call us ‘monkey poop,’ we really are like that, huh?”

Wei Xiaochi was taken aback by Han Ziyang’s cheeky words.

“Uh, did you need something?”

“What else would it be, of course, it’s about Zhan Ge,” Han Ziyang said, reaching to grab Wei Xiaochi’s arm. But then he stopped, looking at him with a bit of suspicion. “Did you wash your hands?”

Wei Xiaochi paused, replying honestly, “Yeah.”

Han Ziyang smiled again and pulled Wei Xiaochi away from the restroom, chatting on the way.

“Zhan Ge called me last night, said he wanted to buy you a mountain bike from my place.”

“Why buy? My family has several mountain bikes, just pick one out and it’s definitely better than your old one.”

“I took some pictures. You can choose whichever you like. I’ll bring it over to you one day.”

Han Ziyang pulled out his phone and opened the photo gallery to show Wei Xiaochi.

“This one’s from last year, a professional racing bike, carbon wheels, disc brakes. Look at the lines on this bike, I’m not just bragging, if you had ridden this bike to the hospital yesterday, it would’ve saved you half the effort.”

“This one looks cool too, fluorescent green, but the wheels are carbon-coated aluminum, not as light as the one earlier.”

Han Ziyang went on, talking about everything from the specs to the performance of the bikes, clearly an expert.

Wei Xiaochi couldn’t help but interrupt, “Isn’t your family running a milk tea shop? How do you also sell mountain bikes?”

Han Ziyang’s pupils trembled, and he looked at Wei Xiaochi with disbelief.

He scanned the surroundings like a spy, and when he saw no one else paying attention, he leaned closer and whispered, “Who told you my family runs a milk tea shop?”

His voice was filled with a hint of panic.

Wei Xiaochi was confused by Han Ziyang’s exaggerated reaction. “Uh… what’s wrong?”

Han Ziyang stared at him, suspiciously. “Tell me, who told you that? Was it Zhan Ge?”

He immediately dismissed that idea. “No, it wouldn’t be Zhan Ge. He doesn’t care about these things. He probably doesn’t even know my dad has this business.”

“Could it be Li Suilin?” Han Ziyang’s face lit up with realization. “It must have been him.”

Han Ziyang’s expression darkened, “Tch, that bastard.” He’s been messing with me since we were kids.

“…”

If Wei Xiaochi didn’t know that Han Ziyang and Li Suilin were cousins, he’d have thought they didn’t get along.

Jiang Zhan and he weren’t related by blood, yet Wei Xiaochi always called him Zhan Ge, while Li Suilin, his own “brother,” got cursed out as a “bastard.”

Fearing to offend Li Suilin, Wei Xiaochi quickly explained, “It wasn’t the class president. I used to work part-time at your family’s milk tea shop.”

Han Ziyang was stunned. “Damn, this is too much of a coincidence.”

Wei Xiaochi didn’t dare to mention that it was even more of a coincidence that he had once delivered milk tea to Han Ziyang, though he guessed the other guy probably didn’t remember.

Han Ziyang gave Wei Xiaochi a look, like a vengeful ghost from a horror movie.

Wei Xiaochi felt a chill run down his back and instinctively took a few steps back.

Han Ziyang emitted an aura of annoyance. “Don’t tell anyone about this.”

If Jiang Rui and the others found out, they’d definitely give him the nickname “Milk Tea Prince.”

That would be too embarrassing, no one would respect him with that name.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t understand Han Ziyang’s idol complex. He wasn’t someone who would pry into others’ business, so he just nodded and said, “I understand.”

Han Ziyang let out a sigh of relief. “Good. Just remember, our family sells sports equipment. Now, let’s keep picking out a bike.”

Wei Xiaochi shook his head, “No need, thanks.”

Han Ziyang waved his hand casually, “What are you being polite for? We’ve got six or seven bikes at home, they’re just gathering dust. You should get rid of that old bike of yours.”

Wei Xiaochi said, “There’s no security guard at my housing complex. We’ve had several electric bikes stolen. If you give me a bike, it’ll probably get stolen too.”

Han Ziyang was stunned. “Why doesn’t your housing complex have a security guard?”

Wei Xiaochi sighed, “Many older complexes don’t have security guards.”

Han Ziyang shrugged, “Well, if it gets stolen, it gets stolen. I’ll just give you another one.”

“…”

Wei Xiaochi suddenly felt like he couldn’t communicate with these rich kids. It was like they weren’t living in the same world.

Han Ziyang didn’t manage to persuade Wei Xiaochi and mentioned it to Jiang Zhan over WeChat.

During lunch break, Wei Xiaochi received a video call from Jiang Zhan. The screen showed the alpha’s sharp features, his profile handsomely defined.

Wei Xiaochi wasn’t used to video calls and accidentally pressed the rear camera. He could see Jiang Zhan, but Jiang Zhan could only see a wall.

Summer break was long, and many people went home for lunch, leaving more empty seats. But Wei Xiaochi still instinctively chose a seat at the back.

Jiang Zhan’s brow twitched, clearly displeased. “What are you filming, a wall? Turn it back!”

Wei Xiaochi panicked and quickly adjusted the camera. Since it was so close to his face, his face filled the screen, almost like he was leaning in for a kiss.

Jiang Zhan’s ears twitched, and he turned his head with a soft grunt from his nose.

Wei Xiaochi noticed his mood and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Zhan turned his face back, his expression flat, “What did you get for lunch?”

Wei Xiaochi replied, “Rice with vegetables.”

Jiang Zhan asked again, “What vegetables?”

Wei Xiaochi thought Jiang Zhan might want to talk about something serious, but it seemed like he just wanted to chat. After a pause, Wei Xiaochi showed him the meal he had ordered.

A plate of rice, with scrambled eggs and zucchini.

Since the tomato and eggs, which paired perfectly with rice, were gone, Wei Xiaochi had to settle for something else.

Jiang Zhan’s throat tightened, but he held back the urge to tease Wei Xiaochi. “Why don’t you ever get any meat? Don’t you like it?”

Because it’s expensive.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t know where his sudden shyness came from. He avoided answering the question. “Uh, so, did you call for something important?”

As expected, Jiang Zhan didn’t bring up the food again. “Did Han Ziyang look for you?”

Wei Xiaochi paused his mixing, already knowing the purpose of Jiang Zhan’s call.

“Yeah,” Wei Xiaochi said quietly while mixing his rice, “My bike’s not broken, no need to get a new one.”

Jiang Zhan snapped, “Is that still not broken? Tell me, how many times did your chain fall off on the way to the hospital yesterday?”

Wei Xiaochi defended himself, “I don’t ride twenty kilometers to the hospital every day, you can’t compare it to this time…”

Jiang Zhan interrupted sharply, “That broken bike isn’t even worth scrap metal. Han Ziyang has some bikes lying around, and he’s not asking you to pay for one.”

Wei Xiaochi poked at his rice, muttering, “It’s just that it feels awkward to take something for free.”

“Quit the excuses and ride it if I tell you to,” Jiang Zhan said, then comforted him, “I’ll pay him back with something else later.”

Wei Xiaochi looked up at Jiang Zhan without meaning to.

Jiang Zhan frowned, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Wei Xiaochi stared at him for a long time, then eventually looked away.

Jiang Zhan treated him better than anyone else Wei Xiaochi knew.

It was strange.

Even stranger was that Jiang Zhan seemed to think it was completely normal.

Wei Xiaochi slowly spoke, choosing his words carefully. “You helped me repay Han Ziyang, but I still owe you… and I’ve already owed you a lot.”

Jiang Zhan’s expression suddenly turned awkward. “What do you mean? Don’t tell me you’re planning to repay me by offering yourself.”

His ears turned pink, but his chin remained high, putting on a tough act. “I’m not into that.”

Wei Xiaochi blinked, shocked by Jiang Zhan’s wild thoughts.

After a moment, he snapped back to reality. “I… didn’t mean that.”

Jiang Zhan said, “You always say that. Can’t you come up with something new?”

Wei Xiaochi felt like he was being lectured like a guilty little kid. Hesitantly, he replied, “I really didn’t think that way.”

In fact, he didn’t know how to undo the image Jiang Zhan had of him.

Jiang Zhan’s expression grew darker, and he opened his mouth, about to say something, but then stopped himself. He frowned again, and after a few moments of hesitation, he finally said stiffly, “I’ll be discharged tomorrow.”

Wei Xiaochi looked up. “Your sensitivity period is over?”

Jiang Zhan didn’t answer, only emphasizing, “I’m getting discharged tomorrow.”

Wei Xiaochi was at a loss for words. Under Jiang Zhan’s intense stare, he mumbled, “Oh.”

Jiang Zhan glared at him even more fiercely, and Wei Xiaochi froze, his face turning red. He managed to ask, “So… will you go to school tomorrow?”

Jiang Zhan’s face darkened completely, and he hung up the video call.

Wei Xiaochi rubbed his forehead and slowly put away his phone, scooping a spoonful of rice into his mouth.

The phone buzzed.

Jiang Zhan had sent a WeChat message, telling Wei Xiaochi to bring him a cup of lemonade after school tomorrow.

A moment later, Jiang Zhan sent another message with a red envelope and a voice note: “Take a cab here, don’t ride that crappy bike.”

Wei Xiaochi looked at the red envelope, his fingers curling slightly as he hesitated whether to accept it.

It was clear that Jiang Zhan had sent him the fare for the taxi, possibly including the money for the lemonade as well.

The lemonade was fourteen yuan a cup. Although Wei Xiaochi was poor and frugal, he wasn’t so strapped for cash that he couldn’t treat Jiang Zhan, especially since he owed him so many favors. Even if it was just one cup of lemonade, he should at least treat him to that.

Seeing that Wei Xiaochi wasn’t responding, Jiang Zhan quickly sent a voice message—“Speak!”

Wei Xiaochi hurriedly replied, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhan: “I’ll send you the location tomorrow.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Okay.”

A minute later, Jiang Zhan: “Come over early.”

Wei Xiaochi then remembered tomorrow was Tuesday, and hesitated a little. “I have duties tomorrow. Can I come after I finish?”

Jiang Zhan, surprisingly considerate, replied with a simple ‘Mmm’.

Wei Xiaochi exited the chat with Jiang Zhan and found Han Ziyang’s WeChat ID.

When he was tutoring the “slacker” group of four, Wei Xiaochi added their WeChat accounts, but apart from Jiang Zhan, he hadn’t really chatted with the other three.

Wei Xiaochi: “Are you there?”

Han Ziyang: “What’s up?”

Wei Xiaochi typed slowly, and just as he had finished part of his message, Han Ziyang sent several messages.

Han Ziyang: “Have you decided which mountain bike you want?”

Han Ziyang: “You want the red one, right? It’s got the best specs.”

Han Ziyang: “That bike used to be my favorite. I’m letting it go because of you.”

Han Ziyang: “Don’t be polite. Take it. I’ll buy a new one from the store in a couple of days.”

Wei Xiaochi finally sent: “Is Jiang Zhan’s house far from the school? How much would a taxi cost?”

Han Ziyang: “Why do you want to know that?”

Han Ziyang: “I’ve never taken a taxi there, but driving would take about half an hour.”

Hearing this, Wei Xiaochi immediately went back and accepted Jiang Zhan’s red envelope.

The taxi fare in A City started at a high price, and a 30-minute ride would cost at least eighty or ninety yuan. Wei Xiaochi could afford the fourteen-yuan lemonade, but the taxi fare was too expensive. Round trip, it would cost nearly two hundred, and biking that distance wasn’t realistic.

Jiang Zhan sent over another red envelope of two hundred, which should be enough to cover the fare.

Han Ziyang: “?”

Han Ziyang: “Why aren’t you saying anything? Which bike do you want?”

Wei Xiaochi: “No, thanks.”

Han Ziyang: “What the hell? Are you messing with me?”

Han Ziyang: “And why are you asking about the taxi fare to Zhan Ge’s house?”

Han Ziyang: “Come clean, what’s going on between you two?”

Wei Xiaochi received over twenty follow-up messages from Han Ziyang, but he pretended not to see them, locked the screen, and stuffed his phone into his pocket.

Han Ziyang waited for a long time without getting a reply and gritted his teeth.

“Damn, used and thrown away?”

“Such a toxic omega, as cruel as Li Suilin.”

Wei Xiaochi had planned to go early and leave early. When the school bell rang at the end of the day on Tuesday, he didn’t waste a second and quickly did his duty.

Opposite the school gate were three or four milk tea shops, including Han Ziyang’s Tea-Color Tea Art.

Tea-Color Tea Art was a little more expensive, but it used high-quality ingredients and had a better reputation than the other brands.

Knowing that Jiang Zhan was a very picky person with a delicate stomach, Wei Xiaochi walked straight to Tea-Color Tea Art without thinking twice as soon as he stepped out of the school gate.

“Hello, one lemonade with ice.” Wei Xiaochi took out the cash he had prepared in advance and handed it to the cashier.

“That’ll be fourteen yuan, you gave me twenty.” The cashier returned six yuan to Wei Xiaochi. “Here’s your receipt, come back with the number to pick it up.”

“Thank you.”

The after-school rush was already over, and Wei Xiaochi didn’t have to wait long as there were only a few people ahead of him. It wasn’t long before it was his turn.

He grabbed the lemonade and rushed out, only to bump into someone.

His shoulder was knocked back by the other person. Wei Xiaochi looked up—it was Xu Yang again.

“Sorry.” Wei Xiaochi apologized as he hurried down the stairs. “I didn’t mean to.”

Xu Yang stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at Wei Xiaochi with a cold expression, but didn’t say anything.

Wei Xiaochi cautiously walked down the stairs, relieved when Xu Yang didn’t lash out. He quickly headed towards Jiang Zhan’s house. Once he was out of Xu Yang’s sight, he broke into a run.

He hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address.

He wasn’t sure if Han Ziyang had exaggerated the distance or if the driver had taken a longer route on purpose, but the car took more than forty minutes to reach a villa area.

Seeing the meter reading 138 yuan, Wei Xiaochi felt a twinge of pain and shakily took out his phone to pay.

After getting out of the car, Wei Xiaochi called Jiang Zhan to tell him that he had arrived at the entrance of the neighborhood.

Jiang Zhan told him to wait right there—Wei Xiaochi, carrying his school bag and holding the still-warm lemonade, obediently waited.

Two minutes later, a clean, modest-looking aunt walked over, gave Wei Xiaochi a once-over, and approached him.

“You’re a classmate of young master’s, right?”

Wei Xiaochi: “Is it Jiang Zhan? I’m his classmate.”

The aunt smiled warmly, her tone friendly. “He hasn’t passed his sensitivity period, so he can’t go out. I came to pick you up. Is your bag heavy? Let me take it for you.”

Wei Xiaochi, who was already carrying two bags, quickly shook his head. “No need. I won’t go inside. Could you please take the lemonade to him?”

With the evening still a little light, he needed to hurry back. He didn’t know how far the nearest subway station was.

The aunt hadn’t expected him to want to leave. Her smile froze for a second before she smiled again.

“Why don’t you come in for a bit? He’s been waiting for you all day. He’ll be upset if he knows you just left like this.”

Wei Xiaochi thought about Jiang Zhan’s temper and, in the end, followed the aunt inside.

Jiang Zhan’s house was much bigger than Wei Xiaochi had imagined. As soon as he entered, he saw the five-meter-high living room with bright and open views. The walls were adorned with colorful geometric oil paintings, and the floor was covered in sound-absorbing carpet.

The aunt handed him a pair of new slippers. “Young master’s room is on the second floor, the second one on the left.”

Wei Xiaochi awkwardly changed his shoes. “Thank you.”

The spiral staircase was wide, with gold-trimmed handrails, and the walls were painted with simple, elegant murals.

When Wei Xiaochi reached the second floor, he stood at the door of the second room. Before he could knock, a voice called from inside, “Come in.”

Wei Xiaochi turned the handle and pushed open the wooden door.

The room was dimly lit, with only a few orange wall lamps casting a soft glow. The light outside was blocked by pale gray curtains.

Jiang Zhan was lying on the bed, wrapped in a summer blanket. His face was mostly hidden in the dark, his side profile blurred, but his eyes shone brightly.

“Why are you standing so far away?” Jiang Zhan’s voice was hoarse. “Come here.”

Wei Xiaochi slowly walked towards him.

Jiang Zhan was fully covered by the blanket, only his face visible, his chin resting against the edge of the quilt.

As Wei Xiaochi got closer, he noticed Jiang Zhan’s flushed face, his eyes slightly teary, like he was running a high fever. Even his lips were a deep shade of red.

Wei Xiaochi bit his lip. “Do you have a fever?”

Jiang Zhan gave a reluctant “Mm.”

Wei Xiaochi: “Why didn’t you go to the hospital?”

Jiang Zhan hung his head, sounding down, “I don’t want to stay in the hospital.”

Wei Xiaochi, unsure of how to comfort someone, didn’t know what to say next.

Jiang Zhan, wrapped in the blanket, was sitting up with his long legs stretched out, looking miserable and unwilling to talk.

Wei Xiaochi awkwardly tried to make conversation, “I wanted the lemonade with ice, but it melted. Do you want to drink it?”

Jiang Zhan didn’t even look at him, mumbling, “Put it on the table.”

Wei Xiaochi placed the lemonade on the table.

The atmosphere grew heavy and uncomfortable, and Wei Xiaochi felt strangely tense, unsure of why.

It was rare to see Jiang Zhan so quiet. His eyelashes fluttered as they drooped, and his ears, hidden in his hair, were tinged with red. Even his neck, barely visible beneath the blanket, showed a hint of pink.

He was still burning with fever.

Wei Xiaochi licked his lips and quietly asked, “Do you still feel unwell?”

Jiang Zhan, feverish, didn’t respond. He pulled the blanket higher, covering his chin, and lowered his eyes like a child who didn’t want to take bitter medicine.

Wei Xiaochi, seeing this, felt a sense of helplessness, like he had been called into an operation but had no medical skills to help.

No wonder his grandmother said he was like a wooden person—Wei Xiaochi suddenly felt she wasn’t wrong.

Wei Xiaochi shifted uncomfortably and asked, “Do you want some water?”

Jiang Zhan: “No.”

Wei Xiaochi sighed and said, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhan furrowed his brow. If he had looked like a sulky child refusing medicine before, now he seemed like a child who had been forced to drink bitter medicine.

Wei Xiaochi glanced at him again, feeling the room grow even more suffocating.

“If you’re still not feeling well, you should get some rest,” Wei Xiaochi said, trying not to disturb him. “I should leave now.”

Jiang Zhan suddenly raised his head and glared at him, his eyes glowing fiercely in the dim room. Even when he glared like that, he still looked good.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t have the nerve to admire Jiang Zhan’s looks in that moment. His survival instinct kicked in as he quickly realized Jiang Zhan was angry.

“How about…” Wei Xiaochi said cautiously, watching Jiang Zhan’s face, “I stay for a little longer?”

Jiang Zhan’s angry glare softened, but then he recalled what the aunt had said about Jiang Zhan’s sensitivity period not being over. Wei Xiaochi hesitated and asked, “Do you need some pheromones?”

Jiang Zhan’s expression softened slightly, and he pulled the blanket back over himself, lying down again.

Seeing him close his eyes, Wei Xiaochi cautiously sat at the edge of the bed. Since Jiang Zhan didn’t react, Wei Xiaochi released some calming pheromones.

Jiang Zhan, feeling faint from the fever, subtly moved closer to Wei Xiaochi.

Wei Xiaochi didn’t know when he fell asleep, but when he woke up, the room was even darker. There was still a faint trace of calming pheromones in the air, but the person next to him was gone.

Jiang Zhan propped himself up, his voice hoarse as he called, “Wei Xiaochi.”

He called twice, but no one responded.

Jiang Zhan rubbed his temples, feeling his headache coming on. He grabbed his phone from the bedside and dialed Wei Xiaochi’s number.

Wei Xiaochi seemed to have his phone in hand, as he picked up the call almost immediately.

“Where are you?” Jiang Zhan’s voice was tense, and his head throbbed with discomfort.

Wei Xiaochi: “I’ve already gone home.”

Jiang Zhan pressed his temple harder. “Why didn’t you say anything when you left?”

“I saw you were asleep, so I didn’t wake you,” Wei Xiaochi explained, noticing how hoarse Jiang Zhan’s voice sounded. “You should get more rest and drink more water.”

Wei Xiaochi had some experience with fevers. As long as Jiang Zhan slept well under the covers, it shouldn’t be too serious.

That’s why he hadn’t woken him up and quietly left.

Jiang Zhan massaged his throat, his voice sounding rougher now. “Are you home yet?”

“Not yet.”

Jiang Zhan listened closely, realizing something was off with Wei Xiaochi’s voice. “What are you doing? Did you take a taxi home, or did you ride your bike again?”

Wei Xiaochi had been walking for over forty minutes, and his voice was a little out of breath. “No, the taxis around your place are hard to find. I’m taking the subway back. I’ll be at the station soon.”

When Jiang Zhan heard “subway station,” his mind blanked for a second. Was there even a subway station near his house?

Then he remembered there was a subway station about seven or eight kilometers away. Jiang Zhan cursed under his breath. “Damn.”

“Wei Xiaochi, you’re really going to kill me.” Jiang Zhan turned on his desk lamp and started looking for his slippers. “Stay where you are.”

Wei Xiaochi wasn’t the type to cause trouble, so he hurriedly said, “I’m almost there, you don’t need to come.”

“You’re almost there, my ass…” Jiang Zhan was so angry he started coughing, supporting himself on the bed.

The subway station was still at least an hour away on foot, and with the sky getting darker and his house being in such a remote location…

“Damn.”

The more Jiang Zhan thought about it, the angrier he got, coughing several times in a row.

Wei Xiaochi really was almost there, but hearing Jiang Zhan’s relentless coughing, he didn’t dare to say anything to provoke him.

Finally, after a few more coughs, Jiang Zhan’s voice grew even rougher. “Don’t move, wait for me. Got it?”

Wei Xiaochi wasn’t sure what he felt, but if Jiang Zhan had slept a little longer, he might have already made it home.

Jiang Zhan growled, “Did you hear me? Cough…”

Wei Xiaochi quickly said, “I heard you, I heard you.”

Jiang Zhan insisted on coming to pick him up, so Wei Xiaochi had no choice but to wait for him with his bag in hand.