“Chu Xingning?”

Song Mian stood up suddenly, the gentle expression on her face vanishing completely.

She had been prepared for the possibility that Chu Tao might be in a relationship, but she never imagined that even someone as obedient as Chu Xingning would be involved in something.

And Chu Xingning was an Omega, whose pheromones were uncontrollable and could cause harm.

Chu Xingning took a deep breath, looked up, and smiled, “What’s wrong, Mom?”

Song Mian licked her lips, trying to suppress her frustration, and tugged at her hair. “Why are you so nervous when I mention someone you like?”

Chu Xingning knew Song Mian too well, so he only panicked for a moment before quickly returning to his usual calm.

“Because I like someone too. Isn’t that normal? But he doesn’t like me.”

Chu Xingning then lowered his eyes in slight disappointment and picked up the chicken wing that had fallen near his bowl.

Song Mian paused, her anger subsiding a little.

If it was just a crush, then that meant nothing had happened yet. At this age, it was normal to have a crush. She hadn’t expected Chu Xingning, who had many admirers, to face rejection.

“Who is it? Who wouldn’t like our Xingning?”

Chu Xingning sighed softly and muttered, “It’s a senior from Grade 12. He’s an adult now, and he’s already found an Omega with a high pheromone compatibility. They’re getting along well now, and both of them are top five in the grade, so they’ll definitely make it to the top two. I mostly admire him.”

Upon hearing this, Song Mian was no longer as anxious.

The senior already had a partner, and someone with high compatibility. It wouldn’t affect Chu Xingning’s studies.

Moreover, it was normal for Chu Xingning to admire a senior who excelled in his studies. Song Mian had always taught her children to befriend good students so they could improve.

The more open Chu Xingning was, the more it meant there was nothing serious going on.

However, Chu Tao gave Chu Xingning a meaningful look.

He hadn’t heard about a couple in the top five of Grade 12.

Song Mian turned her attention back to Chu Tao. “Tao Tao, I’m not worried about your brother. His grades have been steady, but I want to know—have you been experiencing a lot of emotional ups and downs lately?”

Chu Tao thought to himself that he needed to come up with a reason. Otherwise, the label of early dating would be stuck on him.

Chu Tao poked the shrimp he had bitten in half with his chopsticks and remained silent.

Song Mian took a deep breath, sat down, and asked with concern, “Tao Tao, is there anything you want to tell us? That way, we can help you. You’re at an age where we can understand. Your Aunt Tang called today and said that Shen Hongfang has already had an early relationship.  I couldn’t believe it. Shen Hongfang is such an obedient child, but after Tang Lingmei had a serious talk with him, he understood and got over it.”

Chu Tao pressed his lips together, his eyelashes trembling. “I’m not in a relationship.”

Song Mian clearly didn’t believe him.

Chu Tao’s expression faltered. “Today, Teacher Yang also said that I had some conflict with a classmate. Actually, we fought. He stepped on my chair and unscrewed the nails from it.”

Song Mian was shocked. “What kind of child is this? How could he do that? Doesn’t he know the chair could break and cause danger?”

Chu Tao’s Adam’s apple moved, and the edge of his chopsticks pressed into the tip of his finger, leaving a shallow mark.

“I was really angry, and in the heat of the moment, I accidentally made his nose bleed.”

Song Mian frowned.

She had always taught Chu Tao not to make trouble and to get along well with classmates, but thinking about the situation in Class 3, she felt that maybe Chu Tao had a right to stand up for himself.

Chu Tao continued, “It wasn’t a big deal, but his mom is the head of the next year’s grade. She found me privately. Although my classmate Jiang and Teacher Yang helped me, I still feel a lot of pressure, so I’ve been in a bad state lately.”

Song Mian sighed, leaning back in her chair, and said to Chu Jiangmin, “How can there be such a head of  a grade like that? Just because their kid is privileged, it’s okay for them to bully other children?”

Song Mian was convinced by Chu Tao’s dejected expression.

Anyone under pressure from their elders couldn’t be completely free of resentment.

Even though Chu Tao was strong, he had never experienced something like this before. Before high school, he had always been supported by his teachers because of his school’s reputation.

Chu Jiangmin said solemnly, “This is quite serious. Why don’t you find some time to speak with the principal?”

Just as Song Mian was about to speak, Chu Tao stopped her, “No, it’s all over now. That classmate already apologized to me. Let it go, Mom. I just want to focus on my studies.”

Upon hearing this, Song Mian immediately dropped the idea of going to talk to anyone.

After all, studies were the most important thing, and Chu Tao still had to study at Huainan No. 1 High School. Offending the grade Head Teacher wouldn’t be good.

“Then you…”

Chu Xingning interrupted, “Mom, I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

Song Mian replied, “Ah, yes, let’s eat.”

She had prepared a whole afternoon’s worth of reasoning, but it seemed like none of it was needed.

Things weren’t as serious as she had imagined.

It was true that she had been frightened by what Tang Lingmei had said about early relationships.

But early relationships didn’t come without a cost. Chu Tao was still an Alpha, and if it were a relationship, the pocket money wouldn’t be enough for dating expenses. Moreover, she hadn’t noticed any changes in his appearance, and his use of inhibitors was normal, indicating he hadn’t had any intimate contact with an Omega.

Finally, after a calm dinner, Chu Tao, under the guise of discussing an issue, pulled Chu Xingning into his room.

Once the door was closed and he made sure their parents weren’t eavesdropping, Chu Tao lowered his voice and asked, “A senior from Grade 12?”

Chu Xingning knew there was no way to hide it from Chu Tao, so he just sat on Chu Tao’s bed and admitted, “A junior from middle school.”

Chu Tao immediately grabbed his shoulders and checked the gland on the back of his neck, looking for any signs of a mark.

Chu Xingning awkwardly pulled his neck away. “What are you thinking? The kid hasn’t even gone through differentiation yet.”

Chu Tao frowned. “When did you meet a middle school kid? Have you two already started dating?”

Chu Xingning vaguely replied, “Not really dating, it’s just that the kid is really clingy. Ugh, sometimes it’s really annoying, I can’t shake him off. He keeps pestering me with questions.”

While saying this, Chu Xingning tried to act indifferent, but Chu Tao could tell he was actually invested in it.

Chu Tao felt a bit of a headache.

Although Chu Xingning had always been popular, most of the people who liked him were either Alphas or kids who knew they would eventually differentiate into Alphas.

They all wanted Chu Xingning to be their wife, but Chu Xingning didn’t like any of them.

This was the first time Chu Xingning had encountered someone this clingy, and it seemed he had gotten tangled up in it.

“What will this kid differentiate into?” Before differentiation, everyone had a certain feeling about it, but for someone like Chu Tao and Chu Xingning, it was more of an exception.

Chu Xingning looked up at the ceiling. “He says he’s going to be an Omega.”

Chu Tao let out a sigh of relief.

An Omega was fine. Two Omegas together would never lead to anything dangerous.

Chu Xingning kicked Chu Tao’s calf. “I haven’t asked you yet, don’t think I believe that excuse you gave Mom.”

Chu Tao avoided his gaze. “I didn’t lie to Mom.”

Chu Xingning hummed lightly, though he felt something was off about Chu Tao, he had no real evidence.

Aside from Mo Xi showing some interest in Chu Tao, he hadn’t heard of anyone else showing affection toward him.

“Never mind. You dropped the chemistry class, what’s next? Want to look at my mistake book?”

Chu Tao shook his head. “Your mistake book won’t help me. Our knowledge gaps are different.”

Chu Xingning looked up seriously. “Why don’t you sign up for another offline class? Pick a good one, I’ll give you my pocket money. It won’t cost much more than online classes.”

Chu Tao smiled. “No need. Don’t add any more pressure on Mom and Dad. Today at the office, our teacher suggested it, but I could tell Mom was uncomfortable, probably because Dad doesn’t have a project recently.”

Chu Xingning sighed, “Ugh, being a programmer is really tough. Once you hit forty, it’s all downhill. I think I’ll study finance or law in the future—higher earnings and you get more respected as you age.”

Chu Tao nodded, “Mhm.”

He glanced out the window. The light inside the room made the view outside blurry.

Chu Tao walked over and closed the curtains.

“Alright, I’m heading back to my room,” Chu Xingning casually glanced at Chu Tao’s desk. “How long has this yogurt bottle been sitting here? You’ve probably finished it already. Should I throw it out?”

Chu Tao immediately said, “No need!”

Chu Xingning froze for a moment, then turned to look at him.

Chu Tao blinked, “I’m leaving it to insert a peach blossom or something.”

In the early spring of Huai City, new leaves were sprouting and flowers were about to bloom. Indeed, many people cut branches and brought them home, waiting for the flowers to open.

Chu Xingning said, “Oh,” and walked out.

Chu Tao sat back down in the chair, shaking the yogurt bottle and sighing.

Why was it that, of all people, he seemed to have feelings for the one who made his gland react?

—

Jiang She sat on the sofa, turning a walnut in his palm. The man opposite him glanced at him and said in a low voice, “Your mom called me. She said you’ve been causing trouble again recently, and told me to keep an eye on you.”

After Shen Qing and Jiang Qifeng divorced, Jiang She was given to Jiang Qifeng.

At the time, Jiang Qifeng’s business was booming, with higher income, and Shen Qing adhered to the principle of “Your mom’s money is always yours, but your dad’s money could go to some future young lover,” so she handed Jiang She over to Jiang Qifeng.

But Jiang Qifeng was often busy with work and traveling, leaving Jiang She at his mom’s house.

As Jiang She grew older, he moved out to live on his own, and by then, he and Jiang Qifeng had become estranged. So, other than sending money, Jiang Qifeng didn’t know how to communicate with Jiang She.

Shen Qing kept blaming Jiang Qifeng, saying that Jiang She turned out the way he did because of Jiang Qifeng’s irresponsibility.

But Shen Qing herself was no different—other than sending money, she did nothing to help.

Jiang Qifeng sighed, “Can’t you give me some face and stop letting your mom call me to complain? She’s always saying I didn’t take good care of you.”

Jiang She stopped what he was doing, lowered his head, and sneered, “Did you ever take care of me?”

Jiang Qifeng’s face showed a bit of embarrassment. “Of course I did, you just didn’t listen.”

What he called “taking care” of Jiang She was simply reminding him each time they met: study hard, don’t cause trouble, don’t waste money, and don’t bully other students.

Jiang She felt like it was the same speech over and over again—like a broken record.

But he didn’t bother arguing with Jiang Qifeng about this. At this point, arguing was pointless.

Jiang She set the walnut down, rested his elbow on his knee, and lazily said, “But lately, I’ve been thinking of studying hard. The problem is my foundation is too weak, and I can’t keep up with the lessons.”

Jiang Qifeng furrowed his brows, “Is the teacher talking too fast? If you’re serious about studying, I’ll call your principal right now.”

Jiang She raised his hand to stop him, “Don’t, that’s not necessary. Just find me a tutoring class.”

Jiang Qifeng seemed to think he was hearing nonsense.

His good-for-nothing son was finally thinking about studying, and now he wanted tutoring?

Hadn’t Shen Qing been saying the son was getting worse?

But this was clearly a sign he was maturing!

Jiang Qifeng was still willing to spend money on Jiang She, especially when it came to money—he felt most needed when it came to that.

“Alright, tutoring it is. Do you want to get tutoring for all subjects, or just one?”

“Just chemistry, my chemistry is the worst,” Jiang She said.

Jiang Qifeng muttered, “Which subject isn’t bad for you?”

Jiang She squeezed the walnut in his hand, applying pressure until it cracked, and then dug out the walnut kernel, handing it to Jiang Qifeng.

It was rare for him to show such attentiveness to Jiang Qifeng.

“You’ve got to find me the best teacher, the best in the city.”

Jiang Qifeng held the small walnut kernel in his palm, feeling warmth in his heart.

“I’m willing to do that. I’ll bring you the best teacher in the whole country.”

He popped the walnut into his mouth, the kernel crisp and tender, with a sweet taste.

He couldn’t remember the last time Jiang She had peeled a walnut for him, but it was definitely rare.