Chapter 12: Single Mother
After finishing dinner, Jiang Zhaosheng received a call from Jiang Wan asking to meet.
“In fifteen minutes, I’ll wait for you at the park.”
Hearing Jiang Wan’s voice on the phone, Wen Zheng was unexpectedly sensible. He silently packed up the bento box, earning two extra looks from Jiang Zhaosheng.
The more they loosened their control, the heavier the wariness in Jiang Zhaosheng’s heart became—he didn’t want to become an oblivious, manipulated prey.
Little did he know, Wen Zheng was simply lost in thought… Is it useful to start sucking up to Jiang Wan now? No wonder Shang Yan had spent so much effort becoming “friends” with her; this adopted daughter’s weight in Zhaozhao’s heart was heavier than he’d imagined.
Wen Zheng realized that the more he spoke, the more mistakes he’d make. Just as he was thinking about how to deal with He Qianyu, he suddenly felt a light tug on his sleeve.
Jiang Zhaosheng had already finished the call. He was wearing a casual coffee-colored suit, his long hair tied with a blue ribbon draped over his chest. With a faint, indistinct smile, he tugged on Wen Zheng’s uniform sleeve and asked:
“Does your hand still hurt?”
Is this provocation? A deterrent? Or… concern?
But Wen Zheng felt as if his soul had been taken by those eyes. He had never seen such an expression on Jiang Zhaosheng… it was like when an unfriendly cat passes by and its tail quickly brushes against a person; his heart was scratched.
“…It doesn’t hurt,” he answered honestly.
“Let me see?”
A hand that could be called a work of art was extended, palm up. The palm lines were faint, and the fingers were slender, as if carved from jade.
Wen Zheng reached his hand toward him. The moment it was held, his silent nerve endings throbbed once, like a reflex—the last time Jiang Zhaosheng had guided his hand this way, he had driven a fountain pen into his palm.
His hand, set against Jiang Zhaosheng’s delicate one, looked exceptionally rough. His palm was calloused, and in the center, besides that scar, there was a smudge of ink that wouldn’t go away.
“Hmm,” Jiang Zhaosheng let out a breathy sound. Looking at the scar, he said with some satisfaction, “Now you’ve learned your lesson.”
Jiang Zhaosheng’s breath puffed right into Wen Zheng’s palm as he spoke.
the young Alpha’s fingers curled slightly, and he felt his heart itch even more.
Wen Zheng couldn’t help but associate Jiang Zhaosheng’s tone… it was exactly like a “stern mother” who had just finished teaching her rebellious son a lesson. Not only was he not angry or regretful, but he also faintly looked forward to more “discipline” from the elder.
Jiang Zhaosheng looked up to observe Wen Zheng’s reaction, only to meet the other’s expression that looked like he was about to suffocate.
Jiang Zhaosheng: “……?”
Are all these Alphas this weak? He had only suffered such a small amount of physical pain, yet he looked like he was about to pass out. Had he developed PTSD?
But the time to meet Jiang Wan was approaching. Jiang Zhaosheng lost the desire to investigate further and let go of his hand:
“I’m leaving. Remember to knock on the door next time you enter.”
The counseling room door closed behind him. Wen Zheng stood in place, staring blankly at his palm. After a long time, he loosely curled his fist and placed his hand over his nose and mouth—
The posture was practically as if he were trying to draw in the lingering Beta scent on his palm.
The environment of the small garden was even quieter than Jiang Zhaosheng had anticipated. As he approached, he saw Jiang Wan. The girl wore a Student Union armband, sitting on a bench with her legs crossed and her chin propped on one hand, looking impatient.
“Wanwan.”
Jiang Zhaosheng sat down beside her. He didn’t express an opinion on her somewhat “rough” sitting posture—he never required her to be a “lady” in the conventional sense.
“Your school garden… has so few people?”
“Because the school rules usually don’t allow students in,” Jiang Wan explained, being a bit talkative in front of him. “Before, people always came to the garden to make grand confessions. Though the school turned a blind eye, it almost became a ‘mating sanctuary.’ They were forced to revoke the access rights for ordinary students; anyone caught is punished.”
Jiang Zhaosheng: “……”
So Wen Zheng brought me here illegally last time—was the goal also ‘mating’?
“Then are you okay?”
“I’m responsible for patrolling.” Jiang Wan proudly showed her Student Union armband.
“Great,” Jiang Zhaosheng read out flatly. “So what business do you have with me?”
“Can’t I find you if there’s nothing?” Jiang Wan turned to look at him dissatisfied. “Yours is just an idle job. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have even heard that the school has a counseling room.”
Facing her, Jiang Zhaosheng was always the tolerant one. He let out a laugh. “True. I just feel you’ve been a bit busy lately. When you suddenly left the restaurant last time, was there some emergency?”
“An Alpha entered their rut,” Jiang Wan replied. Knowing he was worried about her safety, she quickly added, “But it’s fine; you know my skills.”
“Having you students handle an Alpha in a rut who has gone mad is too reckless,” Jiang Zhaosheng frowned in disapproval. “Why didn’t they find more professional people?”
Before the words had even landed, Jiang Wan gave him a glare: “I am the academy’s combat class champion!”
“Right, you’re amazing. But still, try to get less involved in things like that.”
“Got it, ‘Mommy.'” When Jiang Wan thought he was being naggy, she would deliberately call him “Mom.” Every time he was teased this way, Jiang Zhaosheng was speechless, appearing both annoyed and helpless as his blue-green eyes looked at her in disapproval.
“Don’t be angry, Mom,” Jiang Wan said, looking very excited as she saw Jiang Zhaosheng’s earlobes turn so red they looked like they were about to drip blood. “Soon, you won’t have to worry about me running into things like that.”
“…What do you mean?” Facing Jiang Wan’s “hooliganism,” Jiang Zhaosheng was always the one to back down. He didn’t dwell on her joke and moved with the flow to change the topic.
“I received a notice from Chelyster. The interview is next week.”
That was Jiang Wan’s dream school; its graduates were all dragons among men. Jiang Zhaosheng was sincerely happy for her, yet he also felt a faint sense of relief—fortunately, Jiang Wan’s application hadn’t been affected. If she could go there as an exchange student, the sky would be high and the emperor far away; it would be difficult for Shang Yan to touch her again. Once Jiang Wan was settled, it would be time for his counterattack…
“What are you dazed for?”
Feeling a surge of joy, Jiang Zhaosheng turned to look at her with a smile: “Hmm, congratulations.”
Even though she had grown up looking at this face, Jiang Wan found it a bit hard to resist. The blue eyes in the sunset were like transparent gems, and the black strands of hair hanging by his temples made that face look even more exquisite, a faint pink appearing on his cheeks. His skin was exceptionally white. This beautiful image was like a blooming water lily, silently telling people why they pursued such fleeting beauty.
“What’s this? You don’t look very excited.”
“No—I am very proud of you,” Jiang Zhaosheng temporarily set aside his plans for revenge, lightly hugging her shoulders and patting them. He asked gently, “When are you heading over? Have you prepared your clothes?”
Jiang Wan got a bit of goosebumps from his tenderness, mumbling, “I’m leaving tonight. Of course I’m prepared… you know my ability to take care of myself…”
“Hmm, Wanwan is very amazing.”
Jiang Wan didn’t understand why Jiang Zhaosheng was particularly… enthusiastic today? Perhaps it was because she’d be so far away after leaving. However, she hadn’t forgotten there was one more thing to notify him about.
“There’s something I need to apologize to you for…”
“Hmm?” Jiang Zhaosheng let go of her, looking confused—if Wen Zheng or Shang Yan were present, they would surely say Jiang Zhaosheng had been possessed; when had such a “pure” expression ever appeared on his face?
“I didn’t do it to disgust that…” Jiang Wan couldn’t remember Wen Zheng’s name. She said hesitantly, “Just that Alpha in the restaurant who was staring at you with a wretched look. I only told him you were my biological father…”
“Hmm, and?”
“It’s all Shang Yan’s fault, or his. For some reason, now everyone is spreading that you are my… ‘that’ biological father.”
“Ah?” Jiang Zhaosheng still didn’t understand her meaning.
“It’s just that,” Jiang Wan stuck out her tongue, tilting her head to avoid Jiang Zhaosheng’s gaze, her voice lowering. “They think you are an O pretending to be a B… and, at the craziest point, a lot of students suddenly looked for me, wanting to ask for your personal information.”
Jiang Zhaosheng had no doubt about who had done it—just how many people had Shang Yan shared that pitiful “heroic mother” story with? Though, it could also have been He Qianyu.
“Sorry, I might not have time to debunk the rumors. You’ll have to handle it yourself.”
Jiang Zhaosheng let out a laugh. How could this be her fault? He patted Jiang Wan’s shoulder: “It’s fine.”
“Ah? Don’t you hate men the most… especially those who come to harass you and ask if you’re single?” Jiang Wan was still worried, fearing she had caused him trouble.
That’s all in the past, Jiang Zhaosheng thought. Hating it now is useless anyway.
“It’s really fine.”
“…You aren’t planning on finding a partner, are you?” Jiang Wan suddenly raised her volume, grabbing his shoulders to question him.
“Nothing of the sort,” Jiang Zhaosheng said, knowing her worry. “I will always stay single. Besides, they are just students; I’m only here as a temporary fill-in. What can rumors do to me?”
“That’s good then.”
Having finished everything she had to say, Jiang Wan finally let go of the last concern in her heart and reached her hand toward him.
Jiang Zhaosheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly. “How old are you now…”
“I don’t care,” Jiang Wan maintained her reaching posture. “Give it to me, my charm.”
The blue hair ribbon was slowly pulled off. Jiang Zhaosheng’s long hair cascaded down. His black hair had a slight, unnoticeable natural wave; because it had been tied up for a long time, it fell over his shoulders in curls once released, with shorter wisps playfully landing on both sides of his face.
“Here.” When Jiang Wan lacked a sense of security during her childhood, Jiang Zhaosheng was used to leaving a hair ribbon behind before parting.
“Safe travels.”
Jiang Wan tightly clutched the hair ribbon with satisfaction: “Of course!”
She had always felt that Jiang Zhaosheng remaining single might also be due to her own influence. She would return with the halo of a victor in the worldly sense and bring him happiness for the rest of his life.
After bidding farewell to Jiang Wan, Jiang Zhaosheng, with his long hair loose, walked back alone along the wisteria path. The night deepened, the shadows of the flowers flickered, and the faint scent of plants lingered in the air. He reached the counseling room door. Just as his finger landed on the handle, his heart sank—it was an instinct honed by his profession, a frantic warning before danger!
Unfortunately, he was still one step too late. The door was suddenly pulled open from the inside, and the inertia made Jiang Zhaosheng tumble forward unexpectedly—
“Long time no see.”
A low voice carrying a smile rang out in the darkness.
The loose long hair now became a perfect constraint. Shang Yan fiercely gripped the back of Jiang Zhaosheng’s head with one hand, pressing him toward himself, while his other arm, like an iron pincer, tightened around the man’s waist, locking him firmly in his embrace. Hot breath puffed against the nape of the man in his arms. The Alpha maliciously used his canine teeth to lightly graze that delicate skin.
He lowered his head, his lips pressed against Jiang Zhaosheng’s ear:
“You’re so beautiful, Zhaozhao.”
“Tell me—”
“Whose ‘mother’ are you?”
Translator’s Note: “Safe travels” (一路順風 – yīlù shùnfēng) literally means “may the wind be with you the whole way.”
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