Jiang She’s understanding of Chu Tao before had been limited to the idea that he was someone Jiang She could bully, but others didn’t have the right to do so.

But today, he realized that it might be much more than that.

Chu Tao, on the other hand, had even heavier concerns on his mind.

He rode his bike home at top speed, inevitably arriving late.

The class had already been going on for fifteen minutes. Song Mian, holding a cooking spatula, was standing at the kitchen door, silently fuming.

Chu Tao pretended not to see her, slipped back into his room, and quickly pulled out his computer, logging into the online class interface.

Whenever he was studying, Song Mian wouldn’t disturb him no matter what major issue she had.

The teacher was explaining ion equilibrium and had moved on to acid-base neutralization titration.

Chu Tao’s pen moved swiftly across his notebook, but his mind wasn’t on the lesson at all.

He was thinking about Jiang She.

The fact that he had a mental gland and was reacting to Jiang She was something that absolutely could not be known to Jiang She.

Otherwise, who knew how Jiang She would tease him.

Chu Tao’s pen paused for a moment, and he drew a period.

He looked down and read what he had written: it was a mess, looking like something a dog had chewed on. After a few chemical formulas, there were also a few curses thrown in.

**[KW=c[H+]·c[OH-] ion product of water, damn it, H2SO3, H3PO4, H2CO3 acid order, Jiang She, you bastard.]**

Chu Tao sighed, ripped the page out, casually crumpled it up, and threw it in the trash.

He didn’t absorb a single piece of knowledge throughout the entire class.

Now, Chu Tao fully realized why schools and parents didn’t want kids to start relationships early.

With their minds always wandering, how could they focus on studying?

After the chemistry teacher finished, he assigned a set of homework problems. Chu Tao downloaded them and closed the online class software.

Actually, the topics the teacher covered in class had already been discussed.

The knowledge areas he needed to focus on, or the ones that were important for exams, were not very accurate.

After all, the teacher from the training center didn’t just teach students from Huai City; they had to cater to many different provinces, so the focus would inevitably be skewed.

Chu Tao felt that he hadn’t benefited much, and there were still a lot of scattered knowledge points that hadn’t been connected.

What he needed more was someone who could help him organize and synthesize all the knowledge he had learned.

But Song Mian would definitely never spend that much money hiring such a teacher.

Chu Tao opened his email and pulled up the professor’s email address that he had written down in the gym earlier.

He wrote an email.

[Hello, Teacher. I am a student at Huainan No. 1 highschool. After listening to your lecture, I discovered that I might be one of the small portion  of alpha with a mental gland. I have also coincidentally encountered someone who can make me react, and he is also an alpha. However, I am very busy with my studies right now and don’t want to develop anything with him. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you.]

The email was sent, but it sank into the abyss. There wasn’t even an automatic reply.

Perhaps his email was directly classified as spam.

Or maybe, the professor, busy with lectures around different places, didn’t have the time to respond to a random student.

He closed the computer and walked out of the room.

He washed his hands and then wiped his face before heading to the kitchen.

The meal had already been prepared and was covered with a lid.

As soon as Chu Tao appeared, Song Mian began to nag: “You really are the product of your surroundings—birds of the same feather flock together. I think you should change classes early, or are you planning to fall in love at an early age tomorrow?”

Chu Tao looked up and sincerely replied, “Okay, let’s change classes.”

Song Mian was momentarily stunned.

Chu Tao lowered his head again and softly said, “I owe a classmate something and promised to return it today. I didn’t expect the class to start early, but I can’t go back on my word.”

He knew very well that Song Mian was just venting and would never actually change his class.

His family didn’t have the right connections, and Song Mian wouldn’t dare make a scene at the principal’s office.

Song Mian took a deep breath and softened her voice, calling to the other room, “Xingning, stop doing your homework and come eat.”

“Okay, I know.” A voice responded from the room.

Song Mian then turned to Chu Tao and said, “If your grades were as stable as your brother’s, I wouldn’t push you to take extra lessons. Since you know your class isn’t good, you’ll have to work harder than others. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask your brother.”

Chu Tao took a leftover piece of fruit candy from the New Year’s celebration out from under the table.

He unwrapped the candy and popped it into his mouth.

The strong apple flavor immediately filled his mouth. It was so sweet.

“I know,” he replied.

Chu Xingning walked out of the room, ruffling his messy hair.

He gave Chu Tao a meaningful look. “Went out to see a classmate?”

“To deliver something to a classmate,” Chu Tao mumbled, his words muffled by the candy in his mouth.

“Oh.” Chu Xingning looked slightly worried but didn’t say anything, especially with Song Mian around.

On Monday morning, Chu Tao arrived at school half an hour early.

He locked his bike at the small alleyway and bought a fried egg pancake outside the school before rushing to the broadcasting station to adjust the equipment.

Tao Song was already there. Upon seeing him, he muttered, “I thought your pheromone smelled like an egg pancake, it’s so fragrant.”

Chu Tao replied, “Just ate. Is the equipment okay?”

Tao Song patted the microphone. “It’s fine. Have you prepared your script?”

Chu Tao opened a piece of paper and handed it to Tao Song.

Tao Song glanced at it quickly. “What problem could there be with the script you wrote?”

“By the way,” Chu Tao suddenly remembered, “Can you find a recorder? Later, when I speak, could you help record the content?”

Tao Song was puzzled. “Why? We’ve never recorded this kind of formulaic speech before.”

“A junior needs it. His name is Mo Xi, and he’s coming to the broadcasting station soon. He wants to learn,” Chu Tao said seriously.

“Wow, the Omega with the little dimples?” Tao Song gave him a knowing look.

Chu Tao glanced at him. “Stop overthinking.”

“I’m not overthinking. He’s clearly trying to find an opportunity to meet you. There are plenty of professional broadcasting videos online. Why would he come to ask you for one?”

“He said he likes my voice,” Chu Tao emphasized.

Tao Song clicked his tongue. “Seriously, that junior isn’t bad. He’s small and cute, and I’ve heard he’s good at studying and pretty outstanding. He’s a good match for you.”

Chu Tao shot him a glare. “Say another word and I’ll leave.”

Tao Song touched his nose. “Bro, you’re an alpha, how are you so indifferent? Aren’t alphas supposed to have desires for Omegas? I’ve heard that quite a few people in our grade aren’t virgins anymore.”

Chu Tao rolled his eyes. “I’m not in heat.”

He really wasn’t in heat, but occasionally, Jiang She’s pheromones made him feel dizzy and overwhelmed.

On Monday, the flag-raising ceremony required the whole school to participate. At exactly 7:30 in the morning, all the students of Huainan gathered one after another on the sports field, lining up by class.

The national anthem was played as the flag was raised. Once the flag was up, it was time for Chu Tao’s speech.

The script was full of advice for study and encouragement to be kind, a bit like motivational “chicken soup for the soul.”^[1] they do not provide substantive information, but instead try to offer emotional support. Not many students enjoyed it, and some senior students even secretly pulled out their English vocabulary books to study.

Jiang She stood below the stage, looking up slightly, watching Chu Tao, who was standing straight behind the microphone.

He never noticed before, but the voice on the loudspeaker sounded so pleasant.

Chu Tao’s voice wasn’t very deep; it was clear and gentle. Listening to him speak didn’t feel boring; instead, it made one wish to have him close, whispering sweet words in their ear.

Jiang She’s fingers fiddled with the lighter’s cap, clicking it open and closed, making a crisp sound.

Fang Sheng leaned over to him and secretly took a photo: “Hey, A-She, Su Jingtong is secretly looking over here. Guess who he’s looking at?”

Jiang She replied irritably, “Get lost.”

Fang Sheng laughed: “I heard Su Jingtong dumped Liang Yitian. He said he was embarrassed after you cornered him in the alley and beat him up.”

Jiang She snorted, “That coward.”

“Liang Yitian was so pissed, he posted on the school forum cursing Su Jingtong, calling him a bitch, making a huge fuss. The teachers found out, but since it involved you, they couldn’t do anything about it.”

Fang Sheng rambled on for a while. After waiting a bit, he realized Jiang She wasn’t paying attention.

“Hey, A She, what are you looking at?”

Following Jiang She’s gaze, Fang Sheng saw Chu Tao on the podium, looking serious.

The sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, the orange light faded, and bright yellow rays shone down on the crowd. Chu Tao stood bathed in sunlight, even his hair seemed to be sparkling.

Fang Sheng was stunned.

How did he never notice before that the class president was so eye-catching?

After the speech, the classes disbanded and students returned to their respective classrooms.

Chu Tao asked Tao Song for a voice recorder, put it in his pocket, and planned to give it to Mo Xi after class.

However, before he made it back to his class, he ran into Jiang She in the hallway.

Chu Tao’s eyelids fluttered.

He wasn’t sure what Jiang She was doing there, but with their relationship, it didn’t seem like they were at the point of casually greeting each other at any time.

Chu Tao hesitated for a moment and then decided to walk around him.

Jiang She blocked his way and said loudly, “Huh, did I offend you? You’re just going to walk away when you see me?”

Chu Tao paused, “I thought you were going to pass by.”

Jiang She’s gaze dropped to Chu Tao’s hand. “What’s that you’re holding?”

Chu Tao raised the recorder and replied, “A recording for a younger student.”

Jiang She frowned. “What kind of recording?”

Chu Tao, annoyed by his probing, sighed and replied shortly, “The one from the speech. Do you have anything else? I need to go to the bathroom.”

He was used to going to the restroom before class to avoid any emergencies during lessons.

Jiang She looked displeased. “Are you giving it to him and not me?”

Chu Tao frowned, muttering inwardly, “Little brat.”

“Stop fooling around.” Chu Tao pushed past him and strode toward the bathroom.

Jiang She followed closely, walking with Chu Tao all the way to the restroom.

The restroom wasn’t very crowded yet, most students had already returned to their classes.

Chu Tao stood outside a stall and said to Jiang She, “What’s your problem?”

Jiang She shamelessly replied, “Is this bathroom your family’s? Can’t I use it?”

With that, he pretended to unzip his pants.

Chu Tao quickly turned his gaze away.

He really couldn’t stop Jiang She from using the restroom.

Chu Tao placed his hand on his waist, took a few deep breaths, but still couldn’t get himself to casually take his pants off in front of Jiang She.

He usually had no problem with this.

He pressed his lips together, feeling like he was about to hold his pee in.

Jiang She just pulled his school pants down a little, not fully taking them off. He even turned his head to look at Chu Tao. “Why aren’t you taking yours off?”

Chu Tao clenched his fists, his chest feeling tight. “I’ll take them off when you leave.”

Jiang She casually said, “Hey, this school uniform, you washed it for me, right? It smells nice. What kind of laundry detergent do you use at home?”

Chu Tao couldn’t take it anymore. “Jiang She.”

“What?”

With class about to start, Chu Tao pulled his pants up and lowered his voice, “What’s your deal? You’ve been bothering me since school started. Did I owe you something?”

“I’m jealous, alright! I’ve been good to you, haven’t I? You’re always thinking about that younger student. Why don’t you think about me?”

Jiang She blurted out, and the few other alpha students in the restroom were so startled they nearly pulled up their pants.

After Jiang She yelled, both he and Chu Tao froze.

The veins on Chu Tao’s neck tightened, his Adam’s apple moving awkwardly. He stared at Jiang She, his eyes wide in confusion and shock.

His reading comprehension wasn’t the problem.

But he wasn’t sure if Jiang She, with his poor grades, had a hard time expressing himself.

Could it be that he just casually said he was jealous?

Seeing that he had startled Chu Tao, Jiang She softened his tone. “You heartless person, do you think anyone else dares to treat me like this?”

Anyone else?

How has anyone else treated him?

Were they afraid of him, avoiding him by a mile, flattering him?

Chu Tao realized that he had never really given in.

His emotions were complicated, and his lips moved slightly, but he didn’t know what to say.

At that moment, the bell rang, signaling the start of class, and the loud, jarring sound urged all the students to return to their classrooms.

Chu Tao sighed in relief. “Class is starting.”

He brushed past Jiang She and hurried back to his class. Before he even reached his seat, he saw a bottle of yogurt neatly placed on his desk.

Aloe vera flavor.

Chu Tao’s gaze trembled.

The student in front of him, Dai Wenjian, turned around. “Hey, class president, you got one! I tried to buy it this morning, but they were sold out. There are so many people making luxury purchases on Monday.”

Chu Tao softly asked, “When did they run out?”

Dai Wenjian shrugged. “Before the flag-raising ceremony. You have to come really early to get one.”

Chu Tao nodded. “I see.”

---

Author’s note: Tao Tao, hubby really always buys you yogurt to drink!