Chapter 28
It was already spring. Sunlight sprinkled through the dense leaves of the small-leaf banyan trees, creating sparse patches of light.
In the swaying light, students pulling suitcases were everywhere, walking in twos and threes, trekking with difficulty, completely blocking the tree-lined avenue.
Haicheng University had a policy of lenient admission but strict management. Most freshmen would specialize their majors in their second semester and move from the old campus in the city to the new campus in the suburbs.
Therefore, the start of the second semester at Haicheng University also had a welcoming period.
Jiang Zhiyi had just taken a few freshmen to their dorms to report. He had carried three large bags of luggage by himself, climbing all the way to the sixth floor, and was now sweating profusely.
He had no strength left and was currently sprawled on a plastic stool, wailing:
“I’m dying of heat! Junior brothers and sisters, please spare your senior! Your senior just wants to earn a few more credits, not to work himself to death here.”
The Omega scanned his surroundings boredly and suddenly put down the promotional fan in his hand.
He shot up from the plastic stool, wrapped an arm around the person next to him, and hooked his index finger under his delicate chin.
Jiang Zhiyi blew a breath at Bai Yan and said with a mischievous smile, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen our little Bai. You’ve gotten prettier again. Did you go anywhere fun during the winter break?”
“Do you want to find a handsome Alpha to get out of being single this year? I happen to have a few single friends.”
“Puppy dogs, wolf dogs, cat-types, grass-types, you name it, we have it. You can be a million percent sure of their character, and I guarantee you’ll be satisfied with their looks and figures!”
Today was the first day of school. Assistant Song had already prepared everything and had driven Bai Yan to the school early in the morning.
Bai Yan wasn’t planning to live on campus this semester, and his counselor wasn’t in the office. Bai Yan had originally planned to get his books and go back to Yǎyuán.
But who knew he would run into a senior from the same club in the small square? Jiang Zhiyi said his friend had gotten food poisoning and asked him to help welcome the freshmen.
Bai Yan had sent a message to Song Jian, saying he would go back by himself in the afternoon.
“M-me?” Bai Yan, who was organizing the promotional brochures, stiffened and pretended to be busy, lowering his head.
The neatly stacked brochures were once again messed up. Bai Yan’s eyes darted around guiltily as he mumbled, “Just… the same as before. Went back to the orphanage, then did some part-time jobs.”
“As for dating, I don’t think so…”
He couldn’t possibly say that he had secretly gotten married, and a flash marriage at that.
Pale gold hair rested on the side of the young man’s long, jade-like neck. The naive Omega junior shyly lowered his gaze, a crimson blush quietly creeping up his beautiful earlobes.
Jiang Zhiyi’s heart itched, and he couldn’t help but pinch the young man’s cheek.
Mm, as soft as ever.
He said with some regret, “I knew it would be like this… Our Bai Bai is so cute, but his luck with romance is so bad.”
Jiang Zhiyi sighed, feeling sorry for Bai Yan.
Bai Yan had always been the face of their club. He was beautiful and had a quiet personality, but he came from an orphanage and was a rare albino.
Even if an Alpha expressed interest in Bai Yan and said they didn’t mind his physical condition, they would eventually be scared off by the baseless rumors surrounding the young man.
As for the rest, ha, he didn’t even want to talk about them. They were either complete losers, toads lusting after a swan’s flesh, or just plain scumbags.
He didn’t know who had started the rumors about Bai Yan’s bad character and chaotic lifestyle.
When he found the source of the rumor, he would definitely teach that person a lesson!
Jiang Zhiyi patted Bai Yan’s shoulder comfortingly. “Alright, alright, it’s okay. Good things come to those who wait. Only the most outstanding Alpha is worthy of our little Bai!”
“Come here,” he said, glancing around and beckoning to Bai Yan with a finger, lowering his voice. “I’ll tell you a secret.”
Bai Yan blinked and leaned in curiously. “What is it?”
Jiang Zhiyi had a gossipy look on his face. “Have you heard of the CEO of the Pei Corporation?”
“Pei Tingyu, an S-class Alpha, Haicheng’s famous golden bachelor! He’s handsome and rich. Who knows how many Betas and Omegas in all of Haicheng dream of marrying him.”
Jiang Zhiyi: “But unfortunately, he doesn’t like anyone. But then, last month, Pei Tingyu suddenly got married! I heard his lover is a male Omega, and a student in Haicheng.”
His eyes shone with excitement. “Although not many people know about this, you can’t wrap fire in paper.”
“Bai Bai, do you think this lucky Omega could be from our school?”
Bai Yan froze.
Bai Yan sat up straight, his eyes wavering. His voice became even smaller out of guilt. “It can’t be such a coincidence.”
“No,” Jiang Zhiyi suddenly narrowed his eyes suspiciously and leaned closer to Bai Yan’s face. “Rosy complexion, sweet-smelling pheromones…”
“Bai Bai, are you…” he raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on his face, “hiding something good from me?”
“No, what could I possibly hide from my senior?”
Bai Yan’s heart pounded, and a cold sweat broke out. His two hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
I’m doomed. How did Senior Jiang find out?
I made sure to spray scent-blocker before coming, and I even checked for any marks, making sure they were all gone before coming back to school.
I can’t possibly say that the Omega who married Mr. Pei is me, QAQ.
“Mm,” Jiang Zhiyi narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to Bai Yan. “Bai Bai, fess up!”
Bai Yan was in a panic, not knowing where to look. He raised his hands in front of him and retreated.
He opened his mouth, about to speak. “I—”
“Ahem, ahem, seniors, I’m so sorry to interrupt.”
A clear voice suddenly sounded above them.
“What? The welcoming event is over. You won’t get any credits for coming now.”
Interrupted before he could get to the bottom of it, Jiang Zhiyi turned his head in annoyance and looked at the person who had spoken.
“Sorry, senior,” the boy said with an embarrassed smile, explaining, “I’m not here for the credits.”
The speaker had a handsome face and a tall figure. He was pulling a suitcase and cast a large shadow over the two of them.
His black wolf-cut was tied back with a sports headband, revealing his superior, striking features. But his eyes were non-aggressive, drooping puppy eyes.
Sensing Jiang Zhiyi’s unfriendly gaze, the puppy eyes timely showed a look of innocence.
“I’m a new student from the Chongbei campus, transferred to the botany department. I wanted to ask, senior, which way is the student dormitory?”
“You’re a new student in the botany department? Then you’re my direct junior.”
Bai Yan immediately jumped in, his eyes shining.
He was just looking for an excuse to slip away. Isn’t this a ready-made opportunity?
Bai Yan stood up from his seat, a warm smile blooming on his face. “It just so happens we’re free now. I’ll take you there.”
The Omega’s smile was sweet and captivating, his beautiful features eye-catching. Beneath his glasses, his cherry-pink eyes shone brightly, his snow-white skin glowing with a soft luster.
A flash of amazement crossed the boy’s eyes. He hurriedly said, “How could I trouble you, senior? Just tell me the way, I can go by myself.”
No way! The gaze from behind him was scorching hot, almost burning a hole in his back.
The nerves in Bai Yan’s back tensed up. He let out a dry laugh and said, “It’s okay, the dorms here are hard to find. It’s easy to get lost on your own.”
An inexplicable blush crept up the boy’s cheeks. His puppy eyes curved happily, and his voice suddenly became smaller. “Then thank you, senior.”
Bai Yan smiled and said softly, “It’s okay. Let’s go.”
He didn’t dare to look back at Jiang Zhiyi. He took one of the boy’s suitcases and walked quickly toward the dorms.
Jiang Zhiyi frowned, his gaze fixed on Bai Yan’s retreating back, which was moving faster and faster.
“Something’s not right, still not right…”
He stroked his chin and muttered to himself, “That Bai Bai, he’s definitely hiding something from me.”
A flash of inspiration struck him. A possibility suddenly occurred to him, but he immediately dismissed it.
What? How could Bai Bai possibly marry Pei Tingyu? Jiang Zhiyi shook his head, pushing the strange thought out of his mind.
A poor but beautiful college student, and a wealthy diamond bachelor.
They’re from completely different worlds. Unless it’s an idol drama, how could they possibly be together?
Really, what am I thinking?
My stomach is empty, so my brain isn’t working properly.
Jiang Zhiyi let out a sleepy yawn and stretched his numb arms. It seemed he should also find an Alpha junior to have lunch with.
After turning past the small square, the dense shade of the trees completely obscured the “Welcome Freshmen” banner, and the sharp gaze from behind also disappeared.
Bai Yan could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He actually didn’t want to hide it from Jiang Zhiyi.
But his senior was always sharp. If he found out he was married to Pei Tingyu, he might figure out that it was a contract marriage.
And, possibly, a failed contract marriage at that.
The young man sighed to himself, forcing down the feeling of disappointment.
He silently said in his heart, I’m sorry, Senior Jiang.
The luggage rumbled on the asphalt road. It was almost lunchtime, and the once-congested road was now much less crowded.
Halfway there, the junior suddenly spoke. “Senior, you can just drop me off here. There’s no shade up ahead.”
Bai Yan didn’t hear clearly and looked up apologetically. “Hmm? Sorry, what did you just say?”
Being looked at directly by his crush, Shen Lin’s heart pounded, and the blush on his cheeks deepened.
He blinked shyly, his voice unconsciously becoming very soft. “There’s no shade on the road ahead. I didn’t bring an umbrella. Can your body handle it, senior?”
He said it tactfully, but Bai Yan understood what he meant.
Albinism made one sensitive to light, and his skin couldn’t be exposed to too much strong sunlight.
Bai Yan pressed his lips into a light smile, a soft curve on his beautiful lips as he shook his head gently. “It’s okay. I can handle this much sun.”
The boy was clearly relieved and smiled again. “That’s good. If you felt unwell because of me, I would feel terrible.”
“By the way, you don’t know me yet, senior.”
He stopped, his puppy eyes clear and bright as he bent down to look seriously at the Omega, who was a head shorter than him.
“Hello, senior. I’m Shen Lin, a freshman in the botany department. Please take care of me.”
Bai Yan blinked and replied in the same manner, “Hello, I’m Bai Yan, a sophomore in the botany department, one year your senior.”
“You’re new here. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always come to me.”
“Really?” Shen Lin said in surprise. “Then thank you in advance, senior.”
As they spoke, they had already reached the dormitory entrance.
There were many people going in and out of the main gate, and from time to time, appraising glances would fall on Bai Yan.
Shen Lin frowned alertly and slightly turned his tall body, blocking the prying, curious gazes of others.
Bai Yan, completely unaware, pointed to the dormitory door and said in a soft, clear voice, “We’re here. Go in through this door. There’s a check-in place on the first floor. you’ll see it when you go in.”
Shen Lin stared at the dormitory sign, his eyes wide in disbelief. He didn’t answer.
He glanced at the dormitory door, then at Bai Yan, his gaze darting back and forth twice, his expression a little conflicted.
Bai Yan was puzzled. “What, is there a problem?”
After a while, he said sheepishly, “Thank you, senior, but… this dormitory probably won’t let me in.”
Bai Yan was stunned. “Ah, why?”
“I’m an Alpha.”
Ah? Bai Yan’s expression completely froze.
Twenty minutes later
In front of the Alpha dormitory
“I’m so sorry for making you walk so much further.” Bai Yan’s face was beet red as he apologized in annoyance.
He hadn’t smelled any pheromones, so he hadn’t at all expected that the smiling, non-aggressive junior in front of him was an Alpha.
“It’s okay,” Shen Lin said with a silly smile, not minding at all as he touched his wolf-cut.
“You don’t have to apologize, senior. My pheromones are a bit special, and it’s my fault for not making it clear beforehand.”
“It was a good opportunity to explore the school. I won’t get lost in the future.”
He secretly glanced at the Omega in front of him and said cautiously, “My pheromones smell like plain water. My elders all say it’s strange.”
“Do you think… I’m not manly enough, senior?”
“How could that be,” Bai Yan said, looking up, his cherry-pink eyes filled with seriousness, his soft, clear voice very quiet.
“The standard for judging a person shouldn’t be their gender, nor should it be their pheromones.”
Shen Lin was deeply moved. “That’s good. I’m relieved to hear you say that, senior.”
The blush on the Alpha’s face spread all the way to his neck. He asked in a shy, small voice, “I wonder if I can add you on WeChat, senior? So I can contact you if I have any questions in the future?”
“Of course,” the naive and slow young man said, his eyes curving into a friendly smile.
Bai Yan opened his WeChat QR code and handed it over. He thought the junior’s flushed cheeks were purely from walking too much and didn’t at all notice the fervent heat in his eyes.
A faint scent of jasmine wafted into his nose. Even a little bit was enough to make the Alpha, who was experiencing his first crush, blush and his heart pound.
Shen Lin secretly swallowed, clutching his pounding heart, feeling as if his very soul was trembling.
He couldn’t help but say, “You’ve been a great help, senior. Can I treat you to a meal?”
Bai Yan blinked in confusion. “There’s no need. It was just a small thing. The registration is about to close. You should go in first.”
“Okay. Then you have to accept my invitation when you have time in the future, senior.” Shen Lin’s puppy eyes drooped in disappointment as he waved goodbye to Bai Yan pitifully.
“We’ll see in the future.”
Bai Yan didn’t take today’s events to heart at all. He said his goodbyes and turned to leave.
Click.
He watched as the white silhouette grew more and more distant, until it turned a corner and was out of sight.
Only then did the Alpha reluctantly lower his head, his fingertips lingering on the figure in the photo.
The horoscope said that Cancer would have great luck today. It’s true. Didn’t I just meet my fated Omega today!
He pressed his phone to his wildly beating chest, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
Sweet campus romance, here I come!
In a small grove not far away, the figure hiding behind a tree stumbled and almost twisted his ankle.
Under the strange gazes of the passersby, he acted as if nothing had happened, pushed up the sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, and put the raised phone back in his pocket.
Only after the people were long gone did Song Jian have a chance to wipe away the cold sweat that had broken out.
He cried out in silent misery, Mr. Pei, if you don’t come back soon, your home is going to be stolen!!!
