Chapter 11
One week may seem long or short, but usually, Gu Yang spends his time in class sleeping, playing games, and occasionally skipping classes to hang out. Time passes quickly in this routine.
However, things are different now. The passage of time feels stagnant, like a clock that has stopped ticking. Since entering high school, Gu Yang hasn’t attended classes seriously or done homework diligently. But now, due to Lin Xiaoran’s gestures and expressions, he involuntarily transforms into a diligent student.
Gu Yang feels uncomfortable with this change, and it bewilders his classmates in the third year of high school. Even the teachers, seeing him sitting attentively and occasionally taking notes, wonder if they’ve walked into the wrong classroom.
“What the heck is going on? Has Yang turned over a new leaf?” Chen Hongqiang and Jiang Tao, peeking into the classroom during break, are baffled. Watching Gu Yang writing with focus, they question whether they had a sleepless night and are experiencing hallucinations.
“It’s scary. I don’t even dare to get close to him. Did he experience some kind of shock? He skipped classes for half a day yesterday. Could it be the shock he received yesterday afternoon?” Jiang Tao asks.
Prompted by his question, Chen Hongqiang recalls, “Don’t mention it. Yang was really strange yesterday afternoon. He actually called me, asking for Lin Xueshen’s phone number.”
“What the heck! During the break, Lin Xueshen asked me for Yang’s phone number.”
At that time, Lin Xiaoran sensed the scent of Gu Yang and instinctively wanted to find him. Since he didn’t have Gu Yang’s number, he approached Jiang Tao and straightforwardly requested it.
Jiang Tao was confident that it couldn’t be true at the time. Today, however, he acts differently. Lin Xiaoran asks, and he answers. He doesn’t even consider the intention behind Lin Xiaoran asking for Gu Yang’s number.
Upon hearing Chen Hongqiang’s words, Jiang Tao feels that something is indeed strange about the situation.
The two exchange a glance, and their eyes focus on Lin Xiaoran. Without saying a word, they come to the conclusion that Gu Yang’s unusual behavior is definitely related to Lin Xiaoran.
So, after school, they rush over to pull Gu Yang out for dinner.
Seven Middle School requires the third-year students to attend evening self-study from Monday to Friday, and there is an hour for dinner and rest after the afternoon classes.
Although the school has a cafeteria, most students prefer to go outside during this time. Behind the school, there is a street filled with various eateries. It’s the busiest time of the day, with students who have been hungry like rabbits after the school closure gathering in groups to find food.
Gu Yang and his friends often go to a small restaurant with good food. As they enter, the owner greets them, “School’s out? Same as usual today?”
“Same as usual,” says Jiang Tao while grabbing three bottles of cola from the fridge.
As Gu Yang and Chen Hongqiang sit down, Chen Hongqiang can’t resist his gossiping nature, “Yang, what’s going on? How did you suddenly turn over a new leaf? If something happened, let your brothers know. Maybe we can help.”
Gu Yang takes a sip of cola, leans back lazily in his chair, and ignores Chen Hongqiang’s question.
Having known him for a long time, Chen Hongqiang understands that this is how Gu Yang is. Although he appears carefree and somewhat indifferent on the surface, in reality, he is quite discerning. He knows exactly what to say and what not to. At this moment, it’s clear that Chen Hongqiang has touched upon the part that cannot be disclosed.
But… Chen Hongqiang can’t suppress his curiosity.
Bearing it and bearing it, Chen Hongqiang couldn’t resist and tentatively asked, “Hey, Yang, why were you so urgent last night, asking me for Lin Xiaoran’s phone number? Could it be that he did something to you… how…”
Gradually, his voice got lower as he spoke, and Gu Yang, sitting across from him, looked at him with a smirk. He didn’t say anything, but the pressure on Chen Hongqiang suddenly increased, making him feel that he was about to say something he shouldn’t. Hastily changing his words, he said, “Uh, I…”
Before he could apologize, Gu Yang’s attention had already shifted to the door.
Lin Xiaoran’s tall and slender figure suddenly appeared at the entrance without any warning. He raised his head, glanced at the menu posted on the door, seemed to find the dish he liked, and walked in.
Gu Yang happened to be sitting directly across from the door. Their eyes met, and Lin Xiaoran looked somewhat surprised. However, it only lasted for a second. His clear eyes turned away, just like before, as if he didn’t recognize Gu Yang. He walked past the three without acknowledging them, headed to the owner to place his order.
Gu Yang lowered his head, rubbed his nose, and smiled faintly.
Seems like something’s different.
At Seven Middle School, it’s not a secret that Gu Yang doesn’t like Lin Xiaoran, thanks to having many outspoken friends. But almost no one knows that Lin Xiaoran doesn’t like Gu Yang either.
But Gu Yang knows it himself, based on the way Lin Xiaoran looks at him.
For example, in situations like just now, if Lin Xiaoran unexpectedly met his gaze, he would definitely disdainfully look away, maybe even roll his eyes to show his displeasure.
But that didn’t happen just now. Lin Xiaoran simply looked at him calmly.
In fact, not only now, but since last night’s marking, Lin Xiaoran hasn’t shown any obvious hostile emotions towards him.
So…
The curve of his mouth lifted a bit more.
It seems like he’s not the only one affected by the temporary marking.
Realizing this, his mood improved significantly. After all, this unpleasantness wasn’t something he had to endure alone.
With a better mood, appetite improves too. Gu Yang, along with Chen Hongqiang and Jiang Tao, quickly finished the table full of dishes.
After paying and preparing to leave, just as they reached the door, they encountered a girl coming in. Gu Yang was about to make way for her when the girl suddenly blushed, held a cup of milk tea, and nervously approached him, stammering, “Uh… Gu Yang, it’s quite hot today, and I just queued up to buy the neighboring milk tea. Would you… like to try it?”
Gu Yang: “…”
Who is she?
Wait!
Before he could figure out what was wrong, he instinctively turned to look at Lin Xiaoran.
At this moment, Lin Xiaoran was still quietly eating. Hearing the commotion, he raised his head and looked over. Unfortunately, he once again locked eyes with Gu Yang. In that split second, Gu Yang realized that the after-effects of the temporary marking had struck again. It made him instinctively think of the Omega he had marked, worrying that the other party might mind in such situations.
Damn!
Isn’t this a bit too much?
He was feeling annoyed and was about to turn his face away with a stiff neck, but his gaze caught Lin Xiaoran’s mouth.
A grain of rice was stuck at the corner of the studious student’s lips, and he seemed completely unaware, staring at Gu Yang and the girl with his beautiful eyes.
That expression… was unexpectedly a bit amusing.
“Heh…” Gu Yang couldn’t help but burst into laughter, instantly breaking the slightly strange atmosphere.
The girl blushed even more at his laughter, trembling with the cup of milk tea in her hands. She opened her mouth, intending to say something more, but Gu Yang didn’t even look at her. He walked directly to Lin Xiaoran, pointing at the corner of his mouth with a smile, “You have something here.”
The girl, Chen Hongqiang, and Jiang Tao: “…”
What’s going on?
Bro, this girl is confessing to you. Are you going to accept or reject her? How come you’re chatting with someone else, and it’s with Lin Xiaoran, whom you supposedly don’t like? And there’s something on his mouth? When did the school bully become so helpful, where’s his tough guy image?
On the other hand, Lin Xiaoran surprisingly reacted very calmly, seemingly not noticing anything unusual about Gu Yang’s response. He took a tissue from his pocket, pinched it with his slender fingertips, and wiped the corner of his mouth. The rice grain was removed, leaving only the two water-red lips to pursed. He looked at Gu Yang and then at the milk tea girl without saying a word. Gu Yang understood his meaning: the girl is waiting, isn’t she?
Gu Yang then turned to give the girl a glance, smiling gently, “It’s quite tiring to queue for milk tea in this hot weather. Keep it for yourself.”
Translation: No, thanks.
The girl naturally understood and, clutching the milk tea, almost squeezed the cup. Her face turned red.
At first, the girl took the initiative and needed courage. Now, being rejected publicly, she naturally couldn’t stand.
For a brief moment, Lin Xiaoran felt that the girl might cry, but in the end, she didn’t. Instead, she blushed, twisted and asked again, “Do you… not like… milk tea?”
Still not giving up?
Gu Yang was a bit surprised, his peach blossom eyes still containing a smile. His voice was gentle, “I love drinking milk tea, but I don’t like it when others buy it for me.”
Alright, the girl gave up this time. Biting her lip tightly, she turned around and ran away quickly.
Chen Hongqiang and Jiang Tao watched the girl’s figure and couldn’t help but feel sorry.
This girl is a well-known beauty at Seven Middle School, and boys who pursue her can be seen from the teaching building to the main entrance. With such a beauty delivering herself, Gu Yang actually only noticed the grain of rice on Lin Xiaoran’s mouth.
Isn’t this the privilege of being handsome?
Too damn frustrating!
The two couldn’t help but feel annoyed. Turning back, they saw Gu Yang and Lin Xiaoran, who had finished their meal, walking out together.
“Yang, why don’t we go play basketball?” Chen Hongqiang suggested.
Although Seven Middle School has arranged evening self-study, it’s mainly for diligent students. For Gu Yang, who is not academically inclined, it’s meaningless. They basically don’t attend evening self-study.
“Not going today, go to self-study. You guys go ahead and play,” Gu Yang said, leaving his two brothers behind and walking out with Lin Xiaoran.
Chen Hongqiang and Jiang Tao couldn’t help but look at each other, taking a while to react, and shouted simultaneously, “Damn!”
In fact, it wasn’t just their surprise. Lin Xiaoran was also somewhat unexpected.
Since Gu Yang obediently sat down and started studying all day, he felt that something was off. Just now, he casually mentioned going back to school after eating, but Gu Yang actually followed him.
It seemed like he was listening to him.
Unable to help it, he turned his head to look at the Alpha beside him, his eyes showing clear confusion. “You’re a bit strange,” he said.
Gu Yang, with his hands in his pockets, walked casually beside him, shrugging his shoulders. “I also think I’m strange. Since I bit you, I can only follow your words. It’s a side effect of marking.”
This person is open-minded. The whole day has passed, and he has already accepted this fact. Saying it out loud is also without any burden.
Lin Xiaoran, however, was momentarily stunned, looking at Gu Yang with surprise. He didn’t expect an Alpha to have side effects.
Gu Yang had never seen such a clear expression on Lin Xiaoran’s face. Unable to resist, he smiled, “Why are you so surprised? You also have side effects. Should I give it a try? Stare at me for a bit?”
In an instant, Lin Xiaoran shot him a glance, his voice cool, “Not only can I stare at you, but I can also beat you. Do you want to try?”
As if to confirm his words, after saying that, he put his hand on his glasses frame, looking like he was about to make a move.
Gu Yang quickly stepped aside a couple of steps, “Hey, it’s unfair to fight now. You know I can’t touch you at the moment. If you’re capable, wait for a week. After the marking is over, we can settle our scores.”
Lin Xiaoran stared at him. At this moment, where was any trace of the school bully? Standing two meters away from him, he watched warily, seemingly ready to dodge if Gu Yang were to make a move.
Lin Xiaoran couldn’t help but raise his lips slightly, putting on his glasses again. “Okay, let’s settle it after a week,” he said, then turned and walked away.
