“Hey, talk to me...”
“Don’t be mad anymore...”
Xia Shan watched Jiang Wei follow Tang Zihe back into the room with a look of utter bewilderment, as if he were meeting the guy for the first time.
Could you imagine an Alpha—one who usually spent his days acting cool and wouldn't dream of losing face—trailing behind another Alpha who practically had “Keep Out” written across his forehead, acting all cute and apologetic? The visual impact was no less jarring than Tang Zihe suddenly dropping from first place in the grade to dead last.
It was terrifying.
Especially after the scene he’d witnessed the night before.
Logically, since they were both Alphas, there was nothing weird about them going in and out of each other's dorms—Xia Shan shared a room with Tang Zihe every day, after all.
But his gut told him something was definitely off. At the very least, it wasn't as simple as it looked on the surface.
“Even though I can't go up on stage for you, I can help you write your self-reflection to make up for it...”
“Who?” Shen Yannan turned his head like a radar, eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Who’s performing?”
He hadn't quite controlled his volume, and Tang Wanbai and Yang Xiangtong, sitting diagonally in front, were immediately drawn in.
Jiang Wei propped his forehead in his hand and stole a glance at Tang Zihe.
Shen Yannan nodded knowingly. “Oh, so Tang Zihe has to perform in front of the whole school at the flag-raising ceremony?”
Jiang Wei: ...
If he could turn back time, he would never treat the bystanders like they were blind again.
Jiang Wei had finally managed to coax a bit of the frost off Tang Zihe’s face, but now the other boy’s expression was turning dark again.
Xia Shan nearly fell off his chair from the information overload, while Tang Wanbai couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Shen Yannan, clearly having no fear of death, continued, “But seriously, I've never seen you perform anything. I thought I'd never get the chance in this lifetime.”
“Truly a cause for celebration! Hahaha!”
By the time the second period started, the news had spread through the entire grade, with Xia Shan—the social butterfly—acting as the epicenter.
Eventually, various versions of the story began to emerge.
It went from “The Academic God is performing next week” to “The Academic God is going to play instruments and sing while wearing sunglasses.”
And then there was...
“Who said the Academic God is doing a striptease on the flag-raising platform? That person is a legend. They’re probably going to be murdered by your Academic God tonight.” Jiang Wei laughed until his stomach hurt, barely resisting the urge to pound on the desk.
“Hey, hey, hey, Brother Tang, stay calm! I didn't say that! I don't know who did! Have mercy!” Xia Shan scurried around with his head in his hands, still trying to defend himself. “Listen to that brainless comment—does it sound like something I’d say?”
“That is clearly a blatant disregard for school rules. Brother Tang, I believe the school would never allow such a thing to happen.”
Jiang Wei finally couldn't help it and thumped the desk twice.
“Xia Shan, shut up while you still have a chance to save your miserable life.” Ding Banfan, a lover of drama, popped up out of nowhere, looking thoroughly entertained. “You should make amends now. Express your sincere anticipation for whatever Brother Tang performs.”
Xia Shan: “I'm really looking forward to whatever Brother Tang performs.”
Shen Yannan: “I'm really looking forward to whatever Brother Tang performs.”
Tang Wanbai: “I'm really looking forward to whatever Brother Tang performs.”
Yang Xiangtong: “I'm really looking forward to whatever Brother Tang performs.”
Jiang Wei: “Whatever Brother Tang... performs, I'm... pfft, hahaha!”
As a result, Tang Zihe didn't say a single word to Jiang Wei until they were heading downstairs for their physical fitness test.
“Don't walk so fast... my leg hurts... slow down...”
Before this, Jiang Wei had racked his brain to say every flattering thing he could think of. If this last resort didn't work, he contemplated the possibility and concluded: *Then I'll give him the silent treatment for five minutes too.*
Everyone has a bit of a “little princess” temper.
Hmph.
The moment Tang Zihe heard Jiang Wei say his leg hurt, he stopped in his tracks. Frowning, he turned around and reached out to steady him.
As if afraid the other would change his mind, Jiang Wei immediately grabbed his hand, nearly tripping in the process.
Tang Zihe was startled and muttered under his breath, “Be careful.”
“I knew you weren't really mad at me.” Jiang Wei blinked and gave a genuine smile. Holding onto Tang Zihe's hand, he slowed his pace.
“Mm,” Tang Zihe replied softly. Then, as if possessed, he reached out and ruffled Jiang Wei's hair. “Not mad.”
Jiang Wei clearly didn't find anything wrong with the gesture. His eyes crinkled with joy. If it weren't for his leg injury, he might have sprinted down the stairs in excitement.
The two were the last to arrive at the field.
Xia Shan and the others were already standing in two loose lines. When they saw Jiang Wei and Tang Zihe, they waved.
Their PE teacher was the youngest in the school and the only female Alpha PE teacher. She wasn't nearly as fierce as the male Alpha teachers, except for the times she liked to pull stunts that made everyone's hearts race.
Like right now.
Coach Lu held three slips of paper, scanning the class with a smile. Ding Banfan, the PE representative, stood at the front. The girls in the front row were pressing their hands together as if praying to the gods.
“What's going on?” Jiang Wei asked Xia Shan, who was standing to his left.
“You two came late, so you missed it. Sister Lu said we're drawing lots for the fitness test today. The PE rep will draw for us, and whatever he picks is what we're testing this week.” Xia Shan looked incredibly nervous. If he weren't afraid of losing face, he’d probably be praying along with the girls.
*You can do that?* Jiang Wei felt like he’d discovered a new world. Caught up in the atmosphere, he also became inexplicably nervous.
Ding Banfan, however, seemed completely unbothered. Without even looking, he snatched the first slip from Coach Lu's hand.
He unfolded it.
“Sit and Reach.”
“???”
“What was that?”
“Sit. And. Reach.” Xia Shan looked like he’d just been granted a stay of execution. He patted Jiang Wei on the shoulder. “You heard right.”
No matter the result, some were always happy while others were worried.
Except for those who were always happy.
“I've been a shut-in for so long, I haven't moved at all. I'll be lucky if I can even touch my toes.” Tang Wanbai bent over to test her reach.
“Look on the bright side; at least it's better than long-distance running.” Xia Shan had regained his usual energetic self, comforting Tang Wanbai as if he hadn't been the most nervous one a moment ago.
“True.”
“Nice draw, kid,” Coach Lu said, glancing at the slip and nodding. “Alright, that's what we're testing today.”
“I'll lead you through some warm-ups first. Then the girls will test, followed by the boys, in the order of the roster,” Coach Lu said, putting down her clipboard and turning to Ding Banfan. “PE rep, please go grab the equipment we need. Thanks.”
“A score of 15 is full marks for Omegas; 12 for Betas and Alphas...”
Tang Zihe didn't listen to the rest of Coach Lu's instructions. He glanced sideways at the person next to him, sensing that Jiang Wei's expression didn't look quite right.
“What's wrong?”
It took Jiang Wei two seconds to realize the other was actually initiating conversation.
Just a few minutes ago, he was being ignored.
“Nothing. I was just thinking the injury is in a really inconvenient spot,” Jiang Wei shrugged. “I'm not sure if I can get full marks without pulling on it.”
“You can cheat a little,” Tang Zihe said, completely abandoning his principles. “Spread your legs a bit wider or bend them slightly. No one will notice.”
“Where are your standards?” Jiang Wei asked, amused.
“As you can see, gone.”
“You really care that much about your hard work from last night, huh? Throwing your standards out the window.” Jiang Wei grinned, but when he turned his head, he collided with Xia Shan's horrified gaze.
Jiang Wei: ?
Xia Shan felt like there was something wrong with his ears. Otherwise, why would he hear such scandalous phrases like “last night” and “hard work”?
If this were any other two Alphas, he definitely wouldn't have believed it.
But these were Brother Tang and Brother Jiang.
One had openly declared he liked Alphas, and the other was completely unpredictable. When these two were together, he felt like anything was possible.
So he didn't dare speak, didn't dare ask, and didn't dare seek confirmation.
Was he kidding? If Brother Tang realized he’d found out they were doing *that* at school, he’d definitely be silenced for good.
“What's with you? Why do you look so pale all of a sudden? Did you see a ghost?”
By the time Xia Shan snapped out of it, Jiang Wei was waving a hand in front of his face.
“Nothing, nothing! I just remembered I have some homework I didn't finish, haha!” Xia Shan gave a dry laugh and then bolted to Ding Banfan's side for protection.
“Is he really okay?” Jiang Wei turned to ask Tang Zihe. “What kind of homework could scare him like that?”
Tang Zihe thought for a few seconds. Suddenly, as if he’d figured something out, he smiled at Jiang Wei but said nonchalantly, “Maybe he didn't do any homework last night and turned in blank pages today.”
Oh.
*Do I look like I believe that?*
However, the matter didn't occupy Jiang Wei's mind for long.
Because something more interesting had appeared.
“When you push me later, don't hold back. Just push me like you're trying to kill me.” Tang Wanbai held Yang Xiangtong's hand, her expression as solemn as if she were giving her final testament.
“Stop being so dramatic and sit down.” Yang Xiangtong didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she pointed to the mat on the ground.
Tang Wanbai sat down, looking back over her shoulder every three steps.
“Arms forward, bend at the waist, don't turn your head. I'm afraid I'll accidentally snap your neck.” Yang Xiangtong used a rare commanding tone. She placed her hands on the upper part of the other girl's back, near the shoulders. Instead of following Tang Wanbai's instructions, she slowly increased the pressure to push her forward.
*You can do that?* Watching the scene, Jiang Wei suddenly started plotting.
He reached out and tugged on the person beside him.
“Sorry, my principles and standards have suddenly returned.”
He was met with a cruel rejection.
“Rude.” Jiang Wei expressed his dissatisfaction bluntly.
The two stood by and watched the girls finish their tests.
Coach Lu flipped through her roster. “Girls, you're free to go. By the way, call the boys who are playing ball back here.”
Ding Banfan didn't even need to be called. Seeing the girls leave, he knew it was their turn. He ran back faster than anyone.
“Coach, it's still ‘finish the test, then free time,’ right?”
“Yes. So you can start right now. PE rep, you're not allowed to play ball unless you get full marks.” Coach Lu was clearly on good terms with Ding Banfan and teased him.
“Don't worry, Sister Lu.” Ding Banfan rubbed his hands together.
Jiang Wei only saw the guy bend his waist for what couldn't have been more than thirty seconds total, easily pushing the slider a great distance.
20.
“Alright, go rest.” Coach Lu nodded and recorded the number in the roster.
Ding Banfan scurried off with his ball again. His speed made one wonder if he would die of oxygen deprivation if he stayed away from the court for more than five minutes.
“Is it really that easy?” Jiang Wei couldn't quite believe it. After all, while Ding Banfan looked very agile when playing ball, he sometimes groaned in pain just standing up and bending over to tie his shoes.
“It's not hard,” Shen Yannan said, walking over from the other side. “This is the only fitness test item Xia Shan can easily get full marks on. Have some confidence in yourself.”
*What a unique way to encourage someone,* Jiang Wei thought.
But he did feel strangely encouraged.
“Then can you help push me forward later?” Jiang Wei clearly wanted to try that maneuver.
“Sure.” Shen Yannan agreed, then glanced to the side. “But I have a question. Tang Zihe is standing right next to you; why didn't you ask him to help? He's definitely stronger than me.”
“He refused,” Jiang Wei said huffily, his gaze wandering through the crowd of people taking the test.
Xia Shan passed the test with a score of 18.
Shen Yannan's gaze swept back and forth between the two people beside him, and he started to laugh.
*How interesting,* he thought.
