“Director Jiang, you misunderstood.” Duan Jiayan hastily said. “My relationship with him is a normal classmate’s relationship, we just came here to play some video games.”

Director Jiang was already convinced that they were having an early romance. This move by Duan Jiayan just felt like he was trying to cover it up, his excuse felt flimsy. Director Jiang laughed, “Then that exclamation for your boyfriend, they were calling for Jiang Lin?” 

Heipi was not expecting to be cued and took a step back in fright.

“No, I wouldn’t dare steal my father’s person. No… I wouldn’t dare be together with Duan Jiayan… No no no!” Heipi aggressively shook his head, he was about to scare himself shitless with that title.

Director Jiang looked at his good-for-nothing appearance and knew that the person they were calling for could only be Lu Xingci. At this point, Duan Jiayan was still trying to protect himself, “They were just joking, they weren’t being serious.”

Just based on his expression, he looked very sincere, acting as if it was true. 

Director Jiang silently shook his head, inwardly thinking about this kid, only knowing to try to escape whenever he got into trouble at such a young age, “I saw the both of you being touchy-feely with each other, and you still call it a joke?”

Duan Jiayan glanced at Lu Xingci.

In a second, Lu Xingci saw him clearly blinking at him, his face even took on a gentler expression as if he was trying to win him over.

Before Lu Xingci could react, he saw Duan Jiayan turn to face Director Jiang, “That’s because it was his first time getting caught. He was too nervous and when he gets nervous, his head gets muddled.”

Director Jiang, “……”

Lu Xingci felt his tooth itch, he sorely wanted to catch Duan Jiayan and beat him up. After being silent for a moment, he still decided to go along with Duan Jiayan, “My… hand cramped up a little.”

Director Jiang showed a knowing expression and looked at Lu Xingci, “You see, this is not even that big an issue and he was already rushing to dismiss your relationship. At your age, relationships formed are all very fragile.”

Lu Xingci, “……” 

Duan Jiayan, “……”

Duan Jiayan still wanted to speak but Director Jiang already no longer wanted to listen to anything he had to say. He waved his hand, “3000 words per person, properly reflect on what you have done. I’ll speak to your class teacher tomorrow, she’ll deal with this early romance.”

After he was done, Director Jiang left the both of them standing there and went to catch students in the male toilet.

Director Jiang swept through all the nearby internet cafes and caught around thirty students. They were all made to run laps around Yi Zhong’s field. 

As it was already close to 11 pm, everyone was made to run together to save time. At the thought of having to run ten laps, Duan Jiayan was too lazy to run seriously and slowly took his time jogging alongside Lu Xingci.

Suddenly, a shadow brushed past him.

“Duan Jiayan!”

Duan Jiayan turned around. 

A familiar-looking boy was running towards him, “Come compete with me!”

“…” Duan Jiayan looked at this hot-blooded youth and paused. “Who are you?”

The boy was caught off guard by Duan Jiayan’s question. His expression got distorted for a moment before he expressionlessly answered, “I’m Lin Zheng! The one you ran the 3000-meter race with, you even won me!”

Duan Jiayan gave an ‘Ah’ as he recalled. 

The specialised student from the sports class that ran the 3000-meter race. Back then the both of them were vying for the first place and he very nearly lost to the other guy.

Heipi had also ran up to their side and explained, “Lin-ge was depressed for quite a few days after losing to you, he said his self-esteem was trampled all over by you.”

Duan Jiayan looked at Lin Zheng and quietly said, “This is a punishment, not a competition. You think I’ll compete with you?”

“I don’t care, as long as I run faster than you it is my victory!” Lin Zheng said as he picked up speed. “I’m making up for my past shame tonight.” 

Duan Jiayan thought about his talk of shame, wasn’t it simply childish?

However, as he watched the other student run further away, for some reason Duan Jiayan felt inexplicably moody.

Increasingly moody.

He suddenly picked up speed, “Stop right there! Don’t even think about winning laozi!!” 

Lu Xingci stared as Duan Jiayan sped up and ran away. After a moment of being dumbfounded, he picked up speed as well.

Heipi let out an “Ai ai ai” as he watched the friends he was chatting with run away and followed behind while shouting, “Father! Father, wait for me!”

The four of them were fast thus it did not take long for them to create a distance between them and the rest of those running. Those who had originally decided to take their time running found their actions baffling.

“What’s going on? Is there a prize to collect if you run quickly?” 

“Lflql kts jgf sbe gecclcu?”

Lflql jcrkfgfv jr tf mbcalcefv gecclcu, “P’w mtjrlcu joafg ws ojatfg! Zs ojatfg… ws ojatfg lr mtjrlcu tlr qjgacfg!”

“Qtb lr sbeg ojatfg? Vlcmf ktfc vlv sbe ufa j ojatfg?”

Ktf klcv mjgglfv Lflql’r nblmf bnfg, “Zs ojatfg lr Oe…Wlcu…Jl…!” 

Ktf ybsr mbeiv cba qgbqfgis wjxf bea ktja Lflql kjr rjslcu jcv mjwf eq klat atflg bkc jcrkfg, “Cl! Pa rffwr ilxf jcsbcf atja wjcjufr ab gec lc ogbca bo Lflql klii ufa ab yfmbwf ab ojatfg!”

“Sh*t is that true? I’ve always wanted to be his father.”

“Seriously, don’t you see both Duan Jiayan and Lin-ge running? Even Lu Xingci is running! If Lu Xingci is willing to run, the prize must be good!”

That sentence was too convincing. Someone by the side added, “It seems that the first place will be given a partner?” 

“Dream on— No, why are you all running? If I don’t run I’ll look so lonely.”

The students at the back did not understand why the ones in front were running. They only saw others slowly running further away and decided to keep up. In the end, all the students on the field were running quickly.

“That’s more like it, very energetic, very youthful!” Director Jiang was very heartened to see everyone shedding away their previous laziness.

Even if Duan Jiayan had the heart to compete with Lin Zheng, by the end his physique was unable to keep up. 

When he was running the 3000-metre race, he could still rely on his explosive energy to accelerate and speed up at the end. But this kind of exercise that relied on pure athletic energy was still something that was a little difficult for Duan Jiayan. He was not like Lin Zheng who was a specialised student from the sports class and often practised his running.

When there was still one last round left, Duan Jiayan had run out of energy and was gradually slowing down into a walk.

Lu Xingci who was running behind him saw him slowing down and followed suit.

Heipi ran up beside them, “Father, you’re not running already?” 

Lu Xingci answered, “It’s just one last round, not running.”

When he finally passed the finish line, Duan Jiayan immediately spotted Lin Zheng who was standing nearby.

He was the first one to finish his ten rounds. In the cool autumn nice, his whole face was drenched in sweat and one could easily tell he was incredibly exhausted.

Spotting him, Lin Zheng pointed to himself, “This counts as my victory.” 

“Fine, you won.” Duan Jiayan saw him looking as if he was ready to drop dead anytime from exhaustion and laughed. “You’re amazing.”

Gradually, more students made their way past the finish line.

Listening in on both their conversation, someone said, “All this was just the both of you competing?”

A male student by the side rubbed his sweat while adding, “And here I thought anyone that ran in front will be able to be Heipi’s dad, how disappointing.” 

Heipi heard this and whipped his head around to scold him, “Am I someone that will call anyone ‘father’? Who wants to be my father? Come come come, step forward and let laozi see if you are more handsome than my Lu-die.”

The boys were all laughing as they nudged each other. All of a sudden, someone sniffed and said in confusion, “What’s this nice smell?”

Heipi smelled the fragrance too. After such a high-intensity exercise, everyone was bound to release a little pheromone. But this smell was too special, it smelled different from the sweaty odour coming from the group of boys, it was more like a clean and fresh mist.

He stared at Duan Jiayan in mild disbelief. The latter was raising a hand to wipe his sweat-soaked forehead with a slim white wrist. As he did that, an omega-like pheromone floated around the air. 

Aside from the alphas and betas on the field, the only one that could have released such a sweet scent was him.

Lin Zheng, who was standing beside Duan Jiayan, also smelled the scent and unconsciously blushed, “That, shouldn’t you…” go use more of your scent blockers?

Duan Jiayan looked at him suspiciously.

Lin Zheng turned around, “Don’t look at me!” 

Duan Jiayan, “???”

The originally rowdy group of boys gradually quietened down. This was the first time most of them came to the realisation that even if Duan Jiayan was the famous big boss of Yi Zhong, he was still an omega.

An omega that smelled really nice and was really pretty.

Duan Jiayan finally realised something was not right and just as he was about to say something, a uniform was suddenly draped over him. 

The owner of the uniform helped him adjust the collar, resulting in most of his body being covered by the uniform.

They had removed their outer shirt before running and had hung them conveniently on the wire fence near the finish line. It wasn’t sure when but Lu Xingci had gotten his shirt back.

The scent belonging to an alpha surrounded Duan Jiayan, as such the sweet smell floating in the air was suppressed.

In the event where a scent blocker isn’t used, to be able to use an alpha’s pheromones to suppressed an omega’s pheromones, this was the first time it worked as well as when a scent blocker is used. 

Lu Xingci draped his uniform over his back, stretching his arm over his shoulder, “Let’s go.”

Knowing that this was the other’s way to help block his scent, Duan Jiayan nodded his head.

Heipi was the first to react, “Lu-die! Duan Jiayan! I’ll see you during next Monday’s flag-raising ceremony!”

Duan Jiayan waved a hand towards him. 

After they were gone, the boys who were quiet just a moment ago all burst out talking:

“What was that, big boss’ scent smelled pretty nice.”

“Even if it smells nice, do you dare to woo him?”

“Don’t dare, don’t dare.” The male student was frightened. “I don’t want to be slammed into a wall by him.” 

“Then the campus hottie is amazing, to dare to hug him.”

“Of course my dad is amazing.”

……

…… 

Director Jiang was a man of his word and was extremely efficient.

The next morning, Zhao Minjun pulled Duan Jiayan and Lu Xingci to the office for a scolding.

As it was still morning study period, Zhao Minjun was the only teacher in the office. The morning study period was usually Duan Jiayan’s time to nap and so he was still a little groggy as he was pulled to stand in front of Zhao Minjun in the office.

“The both of you…” Zhao Minjun hesitated and finally chose to take a more gentle approach. “Last night you went to an internet cafe?” 

Duan Jiayan nodded, Lu Xingci nodded too.

“It’s almost time for your exams, take note of that.” She did not want to focus on this topic too much. One was a student that already had a gaming habit that she could not control and the other was someone that did not need her to worry too much when he chooses to relax occasionally. Zhao Minjun cleared her throat and went to the heart of the issue. “I heard Director Jiang mention that the both of you are in an early romance?”

Duan Jiayan noticed her talking about the issue at hand and sobered up. He cleared his head and started to clear his name, “You got it wrong Teacher Zhao. Director Jiang might not understand me, but even you are like this? I like Lu Xingci? What about him can I like? Look at us standing together—”

As he spoke, he inched closer to Lu Xingci, closing the distance between the both of them. 

“Teacher look.” He pointed to himself. “The both of us standing together, isn’t there the two words “Not compatible” written all over us?”

Zhao Minjun, “……”

Duan Jiayan’s explanation might be slightly incoherent but she could tell that he was sincere with his words. Having taught Duan Jiayan for over a year, she knew Duan Jiayan was not someone to not walk the walk after talking the talk. Adding to the fact that she felt Director Jiang’s mind sometimes works in weird ways, perhaps this was all a misunderstanding.

Zhao Minjun turned her gaze to the other person, “Lu Xingci, what about you? You don’t have anything you want to add?” 

As she moved her gaze over, it was as if Lu Xingci was in a daze.

The boy’s eyebrows were slightly wrinkled as if he wasn’t in the best of moods. Hearing her call his name, Lu Xingci first shot a look at Duan Jiayan.

Then he mildly said, “Director Jiang misunderstood, he doesn’t like me.”

Seeing both the student’s acting perfectly naturally, plus with her current impressions of both of them, Zhao Minjun nodded her head. 

“Then go back first. Next time cut down on gaming. A person’s energy has limits, you’re already in your second year, it’s time to pay more attention to your lifestyle.” After saying this, she paused for a moment. “Director Jiang wants the both of you to read your reflection essay next Monday during the flag-raising ceremony, remember to have that prepared.”

Next Monday, during the flag-raising ceremony.

As per Director Jiang’s request, Duan Jiayan, Lu Xingci and Heipi were made to read their reflection essays.

Heipi went up first, followed by Duan Jiayan. After him, it will be Lu Xingci’s turn. 

As Duan Jiayan was in the middle of reading his essay, Heipi noticed Lu Xingci’s gaze constantly falling on the flag-raising platform. He cleared his throat and softly said, “Lu-die, I want to ask you something.”

Lu Xingci’s gaze stayed on the platform, his mind seemingly elsewhere, “Speak.”

“Duan Jiayan and you…” He hesitated. “Those rumours, are they real or fake?”

Lu Xingci did not answer him directly. Instead, he raised his eyes and looked over at him, “What are you asking this for?” 

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, the expression in his eyes looked very mild too. Under his gaze, Heipi unknowingly started to feel nervous, “Someone bothered me to clarify this, there’s no other meaning besides that.”

Lu Xingci repeated his words and chuckled, “No other meaning?”

His laugh was both light and airy. Despite that, even Heipi who has seen his fair share of fights and battles took a step back on reflex and laughed.

Heipi thought to himself, “I’m just here to check the rumour out, there’s no need to scare me like that.” Seeing Lu Xingci like that, Heipi knew he could not keep it from him and chose to come clean, “It’s just… they have good feelings towards him. Don’t worry, my friend knows what is going on. As long as the both of you are in that kind of relationship, my friend will definitely not bother you two… Lu-die! Don’t smile at me like that Lu-die! I’m scared!” 

At this moment, Duan Jiayan had just finished reading his essay. He walked down the platform and handed the mic over to Lu Xingci.

Lu Xingci looked at Heipi who was struggling to speak and frowned slightly before heading up the platform without saying a word.

After he made his way up, there were some students who were unaware of his reason for being on the platform and even thought that the student representative was here to conclude the self-reflections.

As he opened his mouth to speak, everyone was focused on him. 

“I should not have skipped class to play video games, and should not have gotten into an early romance with my class ten classmate Duan Jiayan.”

Duan Jiayan was not expecting to hear his name and whipped his head up.

Lu Xingci continued reading. His voice was even and mild, sounding appropriately contrite, “It was as Director Jiang said, relationships formed when we are still young are very fragile, it’ll break with just the slightest pressure. He was eager to break off all relations with me, I don’t blame him, I can only blame the fact that this relationship is one that must be kept out of sight. As a second-year student, I did not put my heart into my studies and instead got distracted by these issues, I feel very regretful…”

Every word was clearly according to Director Jiang’s instructions. 

This was clearly a serious reflection essay.

But why did every word that came out of his mouth sound like a confession?

Chen Yue was the first to burst out laughing, “Hahahaha! He’s too hilarious, who says stuff like this when reading their reflection essay. Isn’t it embarrassing?”

Zhou Xingchen laughed as well, “No, you can’t blame Lu-ge. This is his first time writing such an essay, he has no experience.” 

Unlike those that were familiar with him, as those who were not in the know listened to him speak, coupled with his previous rumours, they only felt that Lu Xingci was changing the law to suit himself.

Duan Jiayan could hear some whisperings from the boys in class nine.

“F*ck, is this him reading his reflection essay or professing his love?”

Duan Jiayan’s gaze swept over and the few boys felt a chill run down their spine. Spotting him, they immediately shut their mouths. 

Lu Xingci was still on stage reading his essay. As he heard the other talk about how he should not have been touchy-feely with him, nor should they have been calling each other nicknames, Duan Jiayan could not hold in his laugh any longer.

He laughed while scolding out a “F*ck”.

Who writes such a sincere reflection essay? Writing down every single mistake made, was he dumb or what?

After Lu Xingci was done, he walked back to class ten where Zhou Xingchen patted him on the shoulder the moment he returned. 

“Lu-ge, let us take a look at your essay.”

Chen Yue was snickering by the side. After Lu Xingci handed over his essay to Zhou Xingchen, Chen Yue also hurriedly peaked over to take a look.

The entire essay was written with thin and beautiful handwriting, it was very easy to read.

Zhou Xingchen scanned through the essay twice and could not find any mention of an early romance. It was only after he scanned it a third time that he concluded Lu Xingci added the part in at the last minute. 

Zhou Xingchen was a little confused.

Why did he add that part in for?

For fun?

On the other hand, after looking at that part, Chen Yue glanced at Lu Xingci with a subtle look on his face. 

The author has something to say: Our Lu-gou is simply too outrageous.

–

Tea: LXC not being very subtle hahaha

Also I’m so sorry for the delayed release, irl work has been killing me  On that note, I will be taking a hiatus next week to finish settling my work but don’t worry, I will be back the week after!