Chu Tao instinctively covered his neck, his eyelids lowered, and the creases at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

He glanced sideways at Jiang She, his long eyelashes steady, and said softly, “Quit messing around.”

The classroom door was wide open, and a refreshing breeze blew down the corridor, flooding into the room and brushing against Chu Tao’s face.

Only then did he realize how hot his face felt.

Jiang She’s close proximity was making him anxious, though he wasn’t exactly sure why.

Jiang She raised an eyebrow, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. “Why are you blushing?”

Chu Tao’s lashes fluttered slightly as he quickly turned his gaze away.

He couldn’t tell if Jiang She was teasing him again, though he knew his skin felt quite warm.

But he wasn’t usually the type to show it; he didn’t flush even when he drank alcohol.

“Where?” Chu Tao asked calmly, holding his breath a little.

“Hm?”

Chu Tao tapped his test paper with a pen. “I asked where you’re struggling. You didn’t write anything on the whole paper—what am I supposed to correct?”

“Tsk, then the reading section,” Jiang She replied without much thought. He simply liked Chu Tao’s handwriting, so he wanted to keep it.

Reading questions usually required a lot of writing.

Jiang She lifted his own test paper, propping himself up on the desk with his left hand. His right arm brushed past Chu Tao’s ear as he placed the paper on Chu Tao’s desk, then leaned forward, stretching his arm to point at the reading section on the page. “This part—just the reading.”

In this position, Chu Tao was nearly enveloped within Jiang She’s arms.

If he straightened his back or leaned back even slightly, he’d be against Jiang She’s chest.

Jiang She’s right arm rested lightly on Chu Tao’s shoulder, and the sleeve of his uniform brushed faintly against Chu Tao’s ear.

The scent of the minty suppressant lingered in the air, enveloping his nose along with the warmth radiating from Jiang She.

Jiang She’s breath brushed against the back of his neck, and even though he couldn’t see him, Chu Tao could still sense the subtle motion of Jiang She’s Adam’s apple moving.

Chu Tao tried to stay composed, but even his eyes grew a bit misty with the effort.

He felt an itch inside, the kind that teenagers experience after watching an R-rated scene, driving them to act on their impulses.

Yet, Jiang She had clearly sprayed suppressant, and his pheromones shouldn’t have been affecting Chu Tao at all.

And even if they were, his physiology wasn’t supposed to react to an alpha’s pheromones.

Chu Tao felt like he was going crazy.

Having just gone through his change to be an Alpha, he barely understood these physiological matters and wasn’t comfortable asking his parents about them.

Quickly, he pushed Jiang She’s hand away, shifting closer to his desk with a slightly hunched posture, shoulders pressed low. “Sit properly, and I’ll help you with your paper.”

Jiang She was almost disappointed that Chu Tao had agreed so quickly.

Reluctantly, he pulled his hand back, but not without his fingers somehow, as if guided by some instinct, grazing Chu Tao’s face.

His skin felt warm and smooth, so soft that even pores seemed non-existent.

Chu Tao jerked back, like he’d been shocked.

Jiang She smiled innocently. “Not on purpose.”

Chu Tao pressed his lips together, then scrubbed the spot where Jiang She had touched with the back of his hand, murmuring, “I’m going to the restroom.”

With that, he left the classroom.

Meanwhile, Jiang She absentmindedly rubbed his two fingers together, as if savoring the lingering sensation.

Fang Sheng, who’d witnessed everything from up close, frowned and said, “A-She, you’ve gone too far. He’s an alpha. Treating him like an omega could hurt his pride.”

Jiang She scoffed, raising an eyebrow with a carefree tone. “Since when have I ever held back?”

He wasn’t wrong.

Fang Sheng had known Jiang She for a long time. Originally, there had been more people in their group, but as everyone went to different schools, they’d gradually drifted apart.

Back then, their gang had been wild, so wild that even the school bullies in neighboring schools feared them.

The kind of trouble that could land one in juvenile detention—they’d done it all countless times.

But Jiang She had connections; his mother worked in administration and always managed to pull him out of trouble.

Now, Jiang She had toned down, at least enough that he no longer frequented the detention center.

Messing with Chu Tao was minor compared to before, but Fang Sheng still felt uneasy.

Jiang She had never needed to provoke anyone. A mere crook of his finger would draw attention from the prettiest faces in school.

Yet, when it came to Chu Tao, it seemed like he’d changed.

After leaving the classroom, Chu Tao went straight to the regular classes section.

His face was icy as he stormed to the door. Just as he was about to step in, he remembered this wasn’t his class anymore, so he knocked awkwardly.

“Tao Song, come out.”

“Damn! You finally remembered to come to your dad for help!”

Tao Song dropped his book and ran over, giving Chu Tao a punch on the chest.

Without Chu Tao’s help with homework, he’d been having a hard time lately.

“Becoming an alpha really changed you, huh? Even your muscles are tougher now. I can’t even make a dent,” Tao Song grumbled.

“That’s because I actually enjoy exercise,” Chu Tao shot back bluntly.

Tao Song scowled, throwing his arm around Chu Tao’s shoulder as he naturally changed the subject. “So, what’s up? Need backup?”

Chu Tao hesitated for a moment. “Come with me to the restroom.”

He led Tao Song to a private stall on the third floor, usually reserved for Omegas applying suppressant patches. Ensuring no one was watching, he locked the door.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Tao unzipped his uniform jacket and pulled open his collar, exposing his collarbone and neck.

Tao Song instinctively hugged himself, looking at Chu Tao like he was crazy. “What are you doing? I’m not into my bros.”

He liked soft, cute girls.

Chu Tao rolled his eyes. “Blow on my neck—hard.”

Tao Song didn’t move but reached out to feel Chu Tao’s forehead. “You have a fever?”

“Stop asking questions. Just do it.”

Class was about to start, and Chu Tao didn’t have time to waste.

Reluctantly, Tao Song placed his hands on Chu Tao’s shoulders and gave his neck a big puff of air, muttering, “I’m not even an Omega; blowing on you won’t do anything.”

Chu Tao’s expression darkened.

“Even an Omega wouldn’t help.”

“Huh?”

“I’m around my brother all the time, and he’s no help either.”

Tao Song looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

Chu Tao stayed silent.

Damn.

He wasn’t sure anymore if he felt that way toward all alphas or if it was just Jiang She.

At this point, he really felt like cursing the situation.

---

Author’s Note: Jiang She: Only I can have him!

Thank you to everyone who gave me votes and sent nutrient fluids from 2020-02-29 20:35:39 to 2020-03-02 07:15:02~

Special thanks to those who gifted landmines: Yan·Lu, 1128yuan, 39472940, and to those who sent nutrient fluids: 1128yuan with 10 bottles; Jun with 3 bottles; and “I am the Sinner” with 1 bottle.

Your support means the world to me! I’ll keep working hard!