Chapter 16: Someone is Watching Him in the Dark
The two chose to remain silent in mutual understanding, falling quiet after their initial greetings.
Ariel mistakenly assumed they were simply being reserved. The corners of his mouth curled up as he teased, “Jiang Chenyan, I haven’t seen you this introverted before.”
Jiang Chenyan: “…”
Why does that sound so strange?
Kailan glanced sideways, his ice-blue eyes filled with a touch of nonchalance. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, he looked very much of mixed heritage. The collar of his white lab coat was buttoned precisely to the second button, accentuating the long, elegant line of his neck.
Jiang Chenyan couldnât help but let his gaze linger on Kailan for a few seconds before finally pulling his attention away. He turned to Ariel. “Professor, did you need me for something?”
“I’ve been researching higher-level vulnerabilities in the Star Network lately and thought about having you participate,” Ariel explained with a smile, before shifting his gaze to Kailan. “As for Kailan, he specifically asked to meet you, our SS+ Alpha.”
The moment those words were spoken, Jiang Chenyan and Kailan instinctively locked eyes.
There was no obvious emotion in the other manâs ice-blue eyes, but as his gaze landed on Jiang Chenyan, the air grew subtle.
Jiang Chenyanâs Adamâs apple bobbed slightly. Kailan knew he was an Omega…
He quickly changed the subject. “Professor, you trust me that much?”
“What’s there to trust or not trust? Your logic when you cracked the underlying Star Network vulnerabilities before…” Ariel was interrupted by Kailan before he could finish.
Kailan leaned against the edge of the desk, the hem of his lab coat brushing against the table leg. “Professor, I want some coffee to perk me up. Go brew a cup for me.”
“Don’t you have hands? Can’t you go yourself?” Ariel raised an eyebrow, clearly reluctant.
“I don’t know how to use that high-end coffee machine in your office.”
“…”
“Fine, fine. I give up on you.”
Ariel sighed as he stood up, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Once the sound of Professor Arielâs footsteps completely vanished at the entrance, Kailan didn’t intend to act anymore. His noble and icy aura vanished instantly. He let out a long breath and rubbed his temples. “Holy shit, he’s finally gone. This ‘cold and aloof’ image is absolute torture!”
Jiang Chenyanâs mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. “…”
Kailan didn’t mind Jiang Chenyanâs silence. He held out his palm, face up, toward Jiang Chenyan. “Classmate Jiang, want to cooperate?”
“Then tell me, how exactly are we cooperating?” Jiang Chenyan chuckled. He placed his fingertips on the otherâs palm and returned the handshake with moderate strength.
Kailan didn’t follow up on the cooperation talk. Instead, he stared into Jiang Chenyanâs eyes for two seconds. “Wow. I couldn’t see clearly from a distance before, but Classmate Jiang, your eyes are way too beautiful. So black and bright.”
Jiang Chenyanâs fingers paused. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. After a moment of silence, he replied somewhat stiffly, “You too.”
This is incredibly awkward.
As soon as those words left his mouth, Kailan suddenly burst into laughter.
He leaned his head back slightly, his shoulders shaking. His laughter carried an undisguised cheerfulness that bordered on the frantic.
“Hahahaha! Jiang Chenyan, your reaction is so interesting!”
Jiang Chenyanâs fingers instinctively tightened.
He had always thought of himself as an extrovert, but in front of Kailan, he felt like a raw recruit. For now, he didn’t want to discuss the “beautiful eyes” topic. “I still find it strange. Just because the look in my eyes was different? You concluded I was an Omega just from that?”
“Itâs not just the look.” Kailanâs lips curled, his tone becoming more serious. “Iâve seen so many Alphas, but the feeling you give off is different. Besides, you weren’t affected by Omega pheromones at all, were you?”
Jiang Chenyan couldn’t deny that. He asked again, “Then why did you help me?”
“You’ve already asked that once.” Kailan raised an eyebrow. “An O helping an Oâis there a problem with that?”
Jiang Chenyan still stared at him warily, not completely convinced.
“Fine, Iâll tell the truth.” Kailan sighed. “Jiang Chenyan, I just think it’s unfair. Why can Alphas enter the military academy while Omegas can’t?” His tone shifted, a hint of envy appearing in his eyes. “Maybe you really are the chosen one. The converter was useless for me, but it worked for you.”
“Can you stay this strong forever?” Kailan suddenly leaned in front of Jiang Chenyan, his ice-blue eyes full of anticipation. “Strong enough to surpass everyone?”
Jiang Chenyan twitched the corner of his mouth. “You really think highly of me.”
“You have SS+ potential, after all.” Kailanâs warm breath brushed against Jiang Chenyanâs ear, his voice pressed very low. “I’ll bring you suppressants regularly from now on. I hope you can safely weather your estrus.”
Bringing suppressants was a risky endeavor in itself, yet Kailan was willing to take that risk.
Jiang Chenyan thought for a moment and said, “Since youâre willing to help me, if you ever need anything in the future, Iâll definitely help you back.”
Hearing this, Kailan laughed. Before Jiang Chenyan could react, he reached out and gave him a light hug. “Then itâs a deal.”
Startled by the sudden embrace, Jiang Chenyan instinctively frowned and glanced toward the direction the professor had gone. “Does he know about my identity?”
“Don’t worry, how could I tell him something like that?” Kailan patted his back. Just as he was about to let go, a familiar voice came from behind them.
“You two…” Ariel was holding a coffee cup, walking slowly from the entrance. He looked up and stumbled upon the two embracing. “You got close that fast? You’re even hugging already?”
Kailan quickly released Jiang Chenyan. “You saw wrong. We just accidentally bumped into each other.”
“Do you really think my eyes are just for show?” Ariel raised an eyebrow and handed over the coffee cup.
Kailan took the coffee and took a sip, saying no more.
Ariel didn’t press him further. Instead, he looked at Jiang Chenyan and warned him seriously, “Youâre currently at the golden age for academic research. Don’t be in a hurry for puppy love. Emotional matters can’t be rushed.”
Hearing this, Kailan couldn’t hold back the coffee in his mouth. He sprayed it all out, coughing and laughing at the same time. “Your imagination is way too rich!”
The coffee splashed all over Ariel, a large brown stain blooming on his white shirt. The smile on Arielâs face vanished instantly, replaced by a dark expression. “We’re not doing the experiment. I’m going back to change.”
Staring at the coffee stain on himself, he truly found it unbearable. He turned and walked toward the entrance. “You two head back. I think I need to take another shower.”
Kailan held the mostly empty coffee cup, the smile on his face frozen. He went completely silent. “…”
Jiang Chenyan: “Do you regret laughing so loud now?”
“Mm. I truly know my mistake.”
Jiang Chenyan figured Shen Shiyue should have finished his level testing and returned to the dorm. He rubbed his temples. “I’m tired too. We’ll talk about the cooperation online. I have to go.”
“Fine. Iâll tidy up here and head out quickly too.” Kailan nodded, casually tossing the empty cup into the trash.
Just as Jiang Chenyan turned to open the door, Kailan suddenly called out to him. “By the way, because youâre SS+ rank, many people are watching you now. Be careful in the future, whether it’s at school or out on a mission.”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Jiang Chenyan turned back and nodded to Kailan before pushing the door open and leaving.
When he returned to the dorm, it was empty; Shen Shiyue wasn’t back yet.
He casually draped his coat over the back of his chair, fished out a mecha piloting manual, and sat at the desk to browse through it slowly.
The mecha structural diagrams and control parameters on the pages were dense. He read them meticulously, not immediately noticing the movement at the door.
It wasn’t until a faint scent of alcohol wafted over that Jiang Chenyan looked up.
Shen Shiyue was leaning against the doorframe. The stray hairs on his forehead were damp with sweat, and his face held the faint flush of alcohol.
His steps were steady; he wasn’t drunk. He casually tugged at his collar, his voice holding a slight huskiness as he spoke. “Not asleep yet?”
“Mm. I’ll sleep after reading a bit more.” Jiang Chenyan closed the book, his brow furrowing as he looked at him. “Why did you drink? Bad mood?”
Shen Shiyue nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, his voice muffled. “It was indeed not great.” Surrounded by a bunch of “old foxes,” they had spent the whole night trying to force alcohol on him.
Hearing him say this, Jiang Chenyan swallowed the question about the test results. He could only offer as much comfort as possible. “I know you’re unhappy, but youâre already impressive enough. Those things won’t limit you…”
Jiang Chenyanâs comforting words were very effective. Shen Shiyueâs tense shoulders relaxed slightly. When he looked up at Jiang Chenyan, most of his irritation had vanished.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, a faint, crisp fragrance began to emanate from him. It wasn’t intense, but exceptionally refreshingâlike the wind through a forest after rain.
Jiang Chenyanâs nose twitched. “I think I can smell your pheromones.”
“Do they smell good?”
Jiang Chenyan: “They smell quite nice.”
What a strange question.
Shen Shiyueâs voice deepened further, carrying the lingering huskiness of alcohol. He pressed, “What about yours?”
“What?”
“Do your pheromones smell good?” Shen Shiyue looked up at Jiang Chenyan.
His gaze lacked its usual cold detachment. Instead, it seemed to hold a flicker of scalding flame, somewhat hot.
Jiang Chenyan was stunned. He instinctively nodded. “Probably… they probably smell good. Do you want to smell them?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Jiang Chenyan regretted it. Exposing one’s pheromones was a private matter, especially since he was hiding his identity as an Omega. He was still defensive; the fewer people who knew his identity, the better.
He wasn’t sure if the Alpha pheromones induced by the converter were still present, so he quietly released an extremely faint wisp. A scorching pheromone scent lingered around his nose; the converter hadn’t worn off yet.
Shen Shiyue was still watching him. “May I?”
Jiang Chenyan gritted his teeth and changed his mind, taking a half-step back. “Never mind.”
Sniffing each other like this is pointless.
Shen Shiyue didn’t say anything more because he had already smelled it. Jiang Chenyan had released a little just now. He quietly suppressed the emotions churning in his eyes and lightly gripped his knees. When he looked up again, his face had returned to its usual calm.
Jiang Chenyan thought the matter had ended there. He exhaled and lay back on his bed. Before long, he was wrapped in fatigue, his eyelids heavy as he drifted off.
Until Shen Shiyueâs voice suddenly rang out, much darker than before. “Jiang Chenyan, are you an SS+ rank?”
Jiang Chenyan was startled. Before he could react, there was a shua sound. Shen Shiyue had pulled back the curtain of his bed. In the dim light, his eyes looked exceptionally dark. “Such a major thingâwhy didn’t you tell me?”
Jiang Chenyan: “…”
He opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked. What was he supposed to say? Knowing Shen Shiyue had tested as a low rank, should he have rubbed salt into his wound?
Besides, he wasn’t even an Alpha.
While he was struggling, the system notification suddenly rang in his mind:
[Host, just bear with it for now.]
[I have an absolutely brilliant idea. At this stage, you already have the attention that comes with being an SS+. You can divert the attention of the protagonist gongs from the protagonist shou onto yourself. That way, they won’t make things difficult for him anymore.]
After hearing this, Jiang Chenyanâs mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. So I have to actively act as a target?
Don’t bully the protagonist shouâbully me instead?
Jiang Chenyan composed himself and told the system to scram. He looked up at Shen Shiyue. “I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I just didn’t know how to bring it up for a moment.” He paused, his gaze landing on Shen Shiyueâs tense profile. “Shen Shiyue, why are you angry?”
These words struck Shen Shiyue. His Adamâs apple bobbed. The earlier heavy emotions loosened slightly. “Sorry, I…”
The words were at the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t say exactly what he was angry about.
Was he angry about the secrecy? Was he angry that Jiang Chenyan would face more difficulties from now on? Or… something else.
“It’s okay,” Jiang Chenyan spoke first. “I was in the wrong too for not telling you sooner.”
The two had cleared the air. Shen Shiyue asked Jiang Chenyan, “Then what do you plan to do from now on?” He had probably already been targeted by the entire school.
Jiang Chenyan rubbed his head against the pillow, his voice thick with fatigue.
He chuckled, sounding a bit heartless. “What else can I do? I’ll take it one step at a time. Let’s just sleep first.”
Shen Shiyue had no choice but to reach out and pull the bed curtain shut for him. “Then get some good rest.”
Jiang Chenyan didn’t respond. The tension and fatigue of the past several days surged up, and before long, he was completely submerged in dreamland. He thought to himself: Tomorrow’s troubles are for tomorrow.
In the middle of the night, Jiang Chenyan’s consciousness was hazy. After an unknown amount of time, he felt a gaze landing on him. it was chilly, like a venomous snake crawling onto his bodyâan unutterable coldness.
He wanted to open his eyes and look, but his eyelids felt as heavy as lead. His brain was too groggy to turn, and his body was frozen, unable to move.
He clearly knew something was wrong, yet he couldn’t wake up no matter what. He could only let that hair-raising gaze entwine him tighter and tighter in the darkness.
…
…
Early the next morning, Jiang Chenyan was not in good shape. The hair-raising gaze from last night felt far too real, yet when he woke up, there was nothing thereâit seemed as though it was just a nightmare.
He intended to tidy up and head to class, but the dorm door was suddenly knocked. When he opened it, it was a student council officer who handed him a notice. “The leadership and professors are looking for you. They want you to come over right now.”
Shen Shiyue approached, his brow instantly furrowing. Jiang Chenyan was also frowning, reluctant to go, but he couldn’t refuse. He could only nod. “Got it. I’ll go now.”
Shen Shiyue accompanied him. When they arrived at the entrance of the conference hall, Shen Shiyue stayed outside, knowing it was inappropriate for him to enter. Jiang Chenyan took a deep breath and knocked. Only after receiving a response did he push the door open.
Inside sat several professors and leaders. Their gazes fell on him in unison.
As Jiang Chenyanâs gaze swept across the group, he suddenly froze. Xie Huaijin was actually there as well.
Caught off guard, he locked eyes with Xie Huaijin. The other man stared back with dark eyes, his emotions unreadable.
The Vice Principal called Jiang Chenyanâs name. “Classmate Jiang, after a unanimous decision by our leaders and professors, the inappropriate remarks on the school forum must be rectified. Additionally, we are aware of Classmate Jiangâs situation and know that you hope for a reasonable apology. We have already drafted the form of the apology.”
Jiang Chenyan felt like laughing. He hadn’t expected the school to actually be willing to give a response, especially after the matter had been shelved for several days. “Please, go ahead.”
“Having every student who made inappropriate remarks apologize in person would be too cumbersome and would disrupt the school’s order.” The Vice Principal paused before slowly stating the decision. “We feel that appointing a representative to apologize publicly is most appropriate. After much selection, we believe Classmate Xieâs standpoint and ability are most suitable. He will act as a representative for the relevant students and deliver an apology before all teachers and students. What do you think?”
As soon as those words were spoken, Jiang Chenyanâs expression changed instantly. Ordering Xie Huaijin to apologize as a representative? Would Xie Huaijin be willing? He probably wants to tear me into eight pieces.
He turned to look at Xie Huaijin, who sat in the middle. The other man remained seated properly, no ripple of emotion on his face, as if this had nothing to do with him.
Just as Jiang Chenyan was about to refuse, Xie Huaijin suddenly stood up, a cold smile hooking his lips. “I am willing to represent the entire student body and apologize to Classmate Jiang.”
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