After the city entrance examination was the parent-teacher meeting.

Class ten’s parent-teacher meeting was to be held on Friday. Duan Jiayan informed Fu Yuan of the date and after asking for more details on the time and location, she quickly agreed to attend. 

The parent-teacher meeting started during their big break and ended in the afternoon when the students will be dismissed to go home.

While waiting for Fu Yuan to arrive, Duan Jiayan had nothing to do. After thinking about it, he decided to head outside school to buy some snacks.

He went to a convenience store to buy a bottle of coke and a packet of chips. As he was leaving the store, he saw a car that just so happened to be parked right in front of him.

Duan Jiayan did not think too much about it. As he was thinking of walking around the car, Jiang Yao who was getting off the car caught sight of him and paused. 

She carefully studied the boy in front of her.

The colour of his hair and brows were not commonly seen, his eyes were sharp and his height seemed to correspond to the data she had been given.

Thinking back to how Lu Xingci was like during his rut, she hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Fellow student?”

He was the only one in the area so Duan Jiayan paused his footsteps upon hearing that.

He turned towards Jiang Yao. The lady had nicely trimmed eyebrows, a slender figure and a graceful disposition. Duan Jiayan figured she must be someone’s parent and politely replied, “Hello.”

Jiang Yao smiled, “I’m here to attend my son’s parent-teacher meeting but I’m not too sure of where the second year building is at. Are you an Yi Zhong student?”

“I am,” Duan Jiayan had just finished buying his snacks and had nothing else to do. “I’m a second-year student and I happen to be heading back to my class. I’ll bring you over then?”

“That’s great,” Jiang Yao thanked him. “Thank you and I’ll be troubling you.” 

“It’s no trouble,” Duan Jiayan glanced at her car. “Your car……?”

“I’ll just leave it here since it’s a car park,” Jiang Yao said as she got off her car. Lu Xingci had just sent her a message, asking if she needed him to come fetch her.

[No, it’s fine.] Jiang Yao replied. [There’s a cute student showing me the way.]

In the classroom, Lu Xingci looked at the tone of her message and could tell his mother was in a good mood. He did not think too much about it and put his phone down before casually asking, “Where’s Duan Jiayan?” 

Song Yi replied, “He went to buy something to eat.”

He tutted in his heart as he answered.

Hasn’t it been only a few minutes since he left and Lu Xingci is already looking for him? Then again, alphas are all like this, they won’t feel secure until they have their partner safely in front of them.

He recently seemed to feel that Duan Jiayan’s attitude towards Lu Xingci has changed subtly. At the very least he is no longer as avoidant of the other. Plus even Shen Chilie’s attitude towards Lu Xingci is getting better. Who knows…… 

Yi Zhong’s campus was fairly big, it takes approximately ten minutes to walk from the school gate to the second year building.

Along the way, Jiang Yao surreptitiously studied Duan Jiayan. The latter was tall and lean with fair skin, he was indeed a very good looking child.

Jiang Yao tried to be casual as she asked, “This year’s first place in the national entrance examination came from Yi Zhong?”

“En,” Duan Jiayan replied. “He’s called Lu Xingci, there was a photo of him on the commendation board just now.” 

Jiang Yao heard him mention Lu Xingci’s name and continued asking, “What’s your impression of him?”

Duan Jiayan did not think too much about it as he answered, “He’s not bad, his studies are also not bad.”

After hearing this, Jiang Yao started to have some disdain for Lu Xingci’s efficiency.

Since that day in the hospital when Lu Xingci asked her for help to deal with Duan Jiayan’s matters, she could already vaguely tell her son had good feelings towards this classmate of his. However, it’s been two months already and the only thing he says about him is that he is ‘not bad’? 

This fellow… was too disappointing.

Jiang Yao pondered for a moment before purposely asking, “But for a boy with such good grades, won’t you feel that he’s a bookworm? He might even be a little weird and not easy to get along with?”

Duan Jiayan paused.

Usually, when a parent hears about Lu Xingci’s grades, they’d find the boy to be very exemplary, one that will achieve anything he sets his mind out to do. 

This was the first time he met such an interesting parent. As he thought about how fun this auntie was, he replied, “No, he’s pretty easy to get along with actually.”

The look on her face said she was not convinced and for some strange reason, Duan Jiayan felt the need to defend Lu Xingci, “I’m in the same class as him, sitting in front of him. He usually gets along well with his classmates and if I have any questions, he’ll patiently explain them to me. There are times when I can’t seem to understand the question but even then he won’t find me a bother.”

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Duan Jiayan ended off with a “He’s perfect.” 

There is no mother on earth that does not like hearing someone praise their child.

Jiang Yao was over the moon as she listened to his praises. She even thought of recording it on her phone. She put on a regretful face as she said, “Then I should have taken a look at the commendation board just now, it’s a pity.”

Duan Jiayan saw that she really did seem quite regretful and added, “Then you definitely need to take a look later. The principal should have printed his face on the brochure when recruiting students, our enrolment rate would definitely increase.”

Jiang Yao was about to burst out laughing. 

Lu Xingci had never liked anyone since he was young. This boy in front of her had a good upbringing with a sweet tongue, Jiang Yao was more pleased the more she looked at him.

Jiang Yao smiled, “That’s good then.”

Even though Duan Jiayan was not sure what the auntie was talking about but she seemed to believe his words and so he nodded along.

They somehow made their way over to the second year building while chatting. 

As they made their way up, Duan Jiayan asked, “Which class are you going to?”

“Class ten.”

Duan Jiayan was slightly surprised, “I’m also from class ten, you are……?”

Just as he was about to ask Jiang Yao whose parents was she, a boy that was standing along the corridor spotted them. 

He heard Lu Xingci shout, “Mom.”

Mom?

Duan Jiayan was about to say ‘I’d rather be your dad’ when Jiang Yao beside him smiled and walked forward.

Duan Jiayan froze before realising what was going on. 

This auntie, it can’t be that……?

His ears turned red as he instantly wished for the ground to come up and swallow him whole.

Jiang Yao turned around and saw Duan Jiayan’s stunned expression. She felt a little apologetic, “My apologies, I wanted to understand how his interactions with you guys were like. I was afraid that if I was too straightforward, you wouldn’t dare speak and so I……”

Her actions were also understandable. Duan Jiayan shook his head, “It’s okay.” 

Jiang Yao saw that his expression was still unnatural and was still unsure. She asked again, “It’s really okay?”

‘It’s fine it’s fine,” In order to dispel her concerns, he even made up a white lie. “Actually even if you asked me directly, I’ll still tell you the same thing.”

Like hell I would.

At the very least he wouldn’t mention anything about printing his face on brochures to recruit students. 

Lu Xingci realised the ‘cute student’ that was showing his mother the way over here was Duan Jiayan and was a little curious, “What did you two talk about?”

As Jiang Yao opened her mouth to speak, Duan Jiayan who did not want to be around for such a conversation threw out an “I’ll be heading into the classroom now.” before leaving the corridor in a rush.

After he left, she thought of his red ears and smiled. She then gently commented, “This child is indeed quite cute.”

Lu Xingci turned to Jiang Yao and laughed, “Of course he’ll be cute, he’s your daughter-in-law.” 

Jiang Yao was slightly stunned. She did not expect him to already have made such plans. She initially thought Lu Xingci just wanted to date him.

She thought about it and said, “At your age, isn’t it a little too early?”

“It won’t be. I’m still chasing him,” Lu Xingci said. “By the time I manage to get him, we might have graduated already.”

“But even then, it still is……” 

“Then you want me,” Lu Xingci was a little troubled. “To be a scum?”

“……”

Not long after Duan Jiayan returned to his seat, Jiang Yao walked in with Lu Xingci.

Duan Jiayan was looking at his result slip when Song Yi, who was sitting beside him, turned around. 

“Xiao-Duan!” Song Yi’s parent was not here yet and so he could speak without fear. “Shen Chilie asked if we want to go to the internet cafe later. He said it’s to celebrate you getting into the top 500, that it’s the highlight of your life.”

Song Yi had his earphones on and so spoke in a loud voice.

Duan Jiayan, “……”

Duan Jiayan could somehow feel Jiang Yao looking at him. He thought of how Lu Xingci was the top score in the entire city, as compared to his earth-shattering rank of 500. Duan Jiayan felt a rare sense of shame and kicked Song Yi lightly, “Can you speak a little softer?” 

Song Yi took off his earphones, “Are you going? He can help us book seats together.”

Duan Jiayan nodded. After agreeing, Lu Xingci tapped him on the back with his knuckles, “You guys are going to the internet cafe?”

Duan Jiayan tensed after being suddenly tapped on the back. He turned around and gave an ‘en’.

Lu Xingci, “I want to go too.” 

Jiang Yao heard that and quietly asked, “So are you still going home with me in the afternoon? Auntie Shu steamed crabs today.”

Lu Xingci did not reply her. Instead, he looked at Duan Jiayan, “What are you eating for lunch?”

Duan Jiayan, “We’ll be eating takeouts in the cafe.”

He did not want to lead Lu Xingci astray right in front of Jiang Yao and so said, “No, don’t come along. Go home and have your lunch.” 

Lu Xingci paused for a moment and frowned slightly.

Jiang Yao saw their interactions and with a smile in her eyes, said to Lu Xingci, “It’s okay, you go have fun with your classmates.”

Song Yi was unable to hold it in any longer after hearing that.

He whispered, “Xiao-Duan, why do I feel like auntie is looking at you very profoundly? It’s as if she’s looking at her daughter-in-law.” 

Duan Jiayan whispered, “Scram.”

Song Yi, “The way I see it, she seems quite pleased with you. What if there comes a day when class monitor can hold it in no longer and schemes with his mom to ensnare you, you’ll be in danger then.”

Song Yi got excited by his own words, “Damn, how thrilling.”

“……” Duan Jiayan was about to take care of him when Fu Yuan’s voice travelled over. “Ah-Ye.” 

Duan Jiayan immediately stood up, “Mom.”

Zhao Minjun had previously instructed her students to bring in their own stools to sit while they let their parents sit on the classroom’s chairs.

After Fu Yuan sat down, the first thing she saw was Duan Jiayan’s result slip. Even though she knew that he had improved, she was still quite surprised.

Even her eyes were smiling as she said softly, “Why did you do so well this time?” 

Duan Jiayan laid on the table and inched towards her, “Teacher Zhao said that if we do well, she’ll bring the class to watch a movie. Besides……”

He hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Aren’t you leaving? If I do a little better in my exams, you can leave lesser worries.”

Fu Yuan froze. She lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at Duan Jiayan, a tinge of sourness evident in her eyes, “Originally… I was indeed a little worried. But you’ve recently become more sensible and you did so well for your exam. Mom doesn’t even know how to praise you.”

Duan Jiayan unconsciously smiled after being showered by her many praises. 

His arm was resting on the table and he placed his chin on top of it. It seemed like because Fu Yuan was beside him, Duan Jiayan’s demeanour became noticeably softer.

Seeing Lu Xingci inadvertently gazing towards him every so often, Jiang Yao smiled as she shook her head.

After the parent-teacher meeting, the students all left the classroom.

By then, Shen Chilie had already found seats for them in the internet cafe. Duan Jiayan had notified him beforehand that Lu Xingci was also coming along. Thus he had no choice but to hold onto four seats by himself, looking incredibly lonely. 

After spotting Lu Xingci, Shen Chilie took the initiative to greet him.

Lu Xingci was somewhat surprised at Shen Chilie’s change in attitude but he still reacted quickly and gently said, “I apologise for the incident from before.”

Know that he was talking about that day in the classroom where he used his pheromones to force him to retreat, Shen Chilie replied, “It’s no big deal, I understand completely. If it were me, I’ll definitely react the same way as you.”

Duan Jiayan casually butted in, “Why would you have the same reaction as others?” 

Shen Chilie, “You don’t understand alphas.”

Duan Jiayan, “I don’t even consider you an alpha.”

Shen Chilie, “……”

While waiting for his PC to turn on, Duan Jiayan wanted to go to the toilet. 

As he was flushing, a sound came from the stall near him, followed by the sound of laboured breathing.

Duan Jiayan could smell the scent of butter. It was an omega’s pheromones.

The pheromones were getting thicker. He could tell that the omega in the stall was probably in trouble. After exiting his stall, he knocked on the door beside him and asked, “Are you okay?”

The person inside was wary of him and so did not reply. 

Duan Jiayan released some of his own pheromones, letting the other know that he was also an omega.

A voice from inside tremulously asked, “……Would you happen to have an inhibitor?”

“I did not bring one but my friend should have, wait for me right here,” Duan Jiayan said as he rushed out of the toilet.

Seeing Duan Jiayan hurriedly make his way out of the toilet, Lu Xingci who had just made his way to the door gently pulled him back, “What’s wrong?” 

Duan Jiayan saw him and quickly said, “Don’t go in, there’s an omega in heat inside. I’m going to go ask Song Yi if he brought an inhibitor.”

Lu Xingci paused before letting go of him. He reached into his pocket and took out an inhibitor.

Duan Jiayan was surprised. Just as he was reaching out to take it, Lu Xingci stopped him and called out to a nearby male beta.

Just then, Duan Jiayan realised that if he were to run back in, he might end up being affected by the omega’s heat and go into his own heat. 

“Can I trouble you to bring this to the omega inside?” As he spoke, Lu Xingci turned to look at Duan Jiayan. “Which stall is he in?”

“The furthest stall,” Duan Jiayan watched as the male beta nodded and took the inhibitor. He added, “I’ll be troubling you.”

After the beta left, Duan Jiayan could not resist asking, “Why do you have an inhibitor on you?”

Lu Xingci did not reply, only looking at him for a long while. 

Duan Jiayan belatedly realised what was going on.

Duan Jiayan opened his mouth but before he could say anything, the boy in front of him leaned over, his eyes slightly curved.

“I brought it out for you,” he accurately said what Duan Jiayan had guessed.

“……” 

He lowered his eyes and studied him.

Just like a gentle hunter waiting for his prey to enter his trap.

“Song Yi mentioned that you constantly forget to bring an inhibitor,” Lu Xingci’s tone faint hints of amusement. In the noisy internet cafe, it was especially distinct.

“So I was thinking of when I can take this item out and show you my chivalry.” 

The author has something to say: Nothing to do so I’ll show you some chivalry, I really…really like you.