Golden September sunlight filtered through the lush canopy of the tree-lined avenue, scattering dappled fragments of light across the ground.
The opening ceremony had just concluded, and clusters of girls in white blouses with gray plaid skirts emerged from the auditorium, holding hands beneath a colorful sea of parasols as they strolled toward the school gates.
Tall and lanky Jiang Yi gripped her phone, moving against this vibrant mushroom-like tide as she headed toward the teaching building. Compared to the girls’ cheerful whispers, the voice of Jiang Qionghua on the other end of the line made Jiang Yi visibly irritable.
On the phone, Jiang Qionghua relentlessly reiterated tonight’s dinner plans: “This is the first time your Auntie Ning is bringing Xianxian to meet you. Mind your manners—don’t speak to her the same way you do with me.”
“Xianxian is slightly older than you and very sensible. Don’t go giving her the cold shoulder.”
“And your Auntie Ning—she’s been so good to you. Show some enthusiasm.”
Jiang Yi’s response to this biological mother she’d only known for three months remained tepid: “Yeah, got it.”
Afraid her daughter wasn’t taking this seriously, Jiang Qionghua nagged further: “Sister Xiao Qin is already waiting at the school gate. Hurry up—don’t keep her waiting.”
Sister Xiao Qin was the driver Jiang Qionghua had recently assigned to Jiang Yi. At sixteen, this was Jiang Yi’s first taste of elite family privileges.
She hadn’t wanted a chauffeur—preferring not to owe Jiang Qionghua anything—but Ning Wenying (Jiang Qionghua’s current girlfriend) had persuaded her: “Jiang Yi’s almost at differentiation age. Having an adult driver around is safer.” Reluctantly, Jiang Yi accepted.
Mumbling vague assurances to Jiang Qionghua, Jiang Yi hurried up the teaching building’s stairs: “I’m just grabbing my bag, then heading home. Won’t be late tonight. Bye.”
As Jiang Qionghua launched into another lecture, Jiang Yi swiftly hung up.
She stuffed her phone into her pocket and strode upstairs. Having just transferred today, she wasn’t yet familiar with the school’s routines and had left her backpack in the classroom.
With most students gone after the ceremony, the teaching building stood empty.
The sophomore classrooms were on the third floor, but Jiang Yi—having only been there that morning—couldn’t quite remember hers. Upon reaching the third floor, she began checking each room.
“Class B… Class B…” Jiang Yi muttered, passing several doors before arriving at hers.
She tried the closed classroom door. Locked.
Great.
Jiang Yi circled to the windows, testing one.
As the saying goes: When God closes a door, He opens a window.
She pushed open the unlocked window, braced one hand on the sill, and vaulted inside with practiced ease.
Once in, she headed straight for the seat nearest the back door. Jiang Yi yanked her backpack from the desk, slung it over one shoulder, then unlatched the back door to exit.
As she stepped out, a faint fragrance caught her attention—like sun-warmed grass or rain-freshened air, subtly sweet yet crisp.
Jiang Yi paused, curious, then turned toward Class A’s doorway.
The scent wafted through the slightly ajar door. Compelled, she extended a finger and gently pushed it open.
With a creak, the door revealed a gap wide enough to slip through. The hidden aroma intensified, now laced with muffled gasps that overwhelmed Jiang Yi’s senses.
She crept inside, scanning the empty classroom until her gaze landed on a figure slumped against a desk in the center.
A girl.
Dressed in the same white blouse and gray plaid skirt, her long hair disheveled as she hugged her knees on the floor. A spilled backpack surrounded her, stationery scattered like fallen soldiers.
From this angle, Jiang Yi could only see the delicate curve of her jaw and the striking profile.
The girl’s pained whimpers made it clear she was suffering.
Jiang Yi rubbed her nose and cautiously approached: “Hey… classmate…”
Each step forward intensified the scent saturating the air.
Jiang Yi froze. The realization struck—this fragrance emanated from the girl before her.
Suddenly, this world’s peculiar rules clicked into place. Hesitantly, she asked: “Heat cycle?”
At her words, the girl lifted her head, gaze clouded yet piercing—a mix of wariness, hope, and something darker.
Jiang Yi crouched a meter away, speaking softly: “Did you… forget your suppressants?”
Undifferentiated, Jiang Yi couldn’t discern the girl’s secondary gender, but this gentle pheromone suggested Omega.
An Omega in public heat was dangerous.
Even at an all-girls school—where most students were Omegas or Betas—female Alphas existed. Running into one now would be disastrous.
Jiang Yi wasn’t one for heroics, but this girl seemed newly presented.
She inhaled deeply, eyeing the discarded backpack before inching closer: “The infirmary should have suppressants. I’ll take you.”
“Don’t worry—I’m undifferentiated. No primary gender, zero threat.”
Just your average harmless pretty girl.
Jiang Yi extended a hand: “Come on, I’ll carry you.”
The girl bit her lip, eyes glistening, before nodding.
Permission granted, Jiang Yi set down her bag, guided the girl’s arms around her shoulders, and hoisted her up.
The moment that feverish body pressed against her back, Jiang Yi adjusted her grip, scooped up the girl’s backpack, and headed for the door.
Years of helping run her mom’s restaurant—hauling gas tanks and practicing martial arts—had made Jiang Yi stronger than most teens. Carrying a girl her age posed little challenge.
The real struggle? Her passenger’s restlessness.
Whether from hormonal torment or finding Jiang Yi’s body soothing, the girl began squirming halfway down the stairs.
When several licks landed on her neck, Jiang Yi recoiled: “Could you not lick me?”
Biting would’ve been preferable.
As if reading her mind, the girl paused—then sank her teeth into Jiang Yi’s shoulder.
“Ah!” Jiang Yi gasped. “I didn’t say bite instead!”
Ignoring her, the girl bit down several more times.
Tears pricked Jiang Yi’s eyes as she muttered, “This isn’t some romance novel where biting leads to love,” and quickened her pace toward the infirmary.
Fortunately, unlike the students, the medical staff remained on duty during ceremonies. A female Omega doctor greeted them.
With the doctor’s help, Jiang Yi deposited the girl into the infirmary’s specialized heat room.
Newly presented, the girl clung desperately—gripping Jiang Yi’s wrist to prevent her leaving.
Between them, the doctor struggled to administer suppressants until Jiang Yi pinned the girl down.
Once the injection took effect, the doctor activated the air filters, sealed the room, and escorted Jiang Yi out.
Gasping with relief, Jiang Yi rubbed her sore shoulder. If this was how Omegas behaved, she wanted no part of it.
The doctor, accustomed to presentation crises, smiled at her rattled state: “First heats are always intense. Once stabilized, suppressants maintain normalcy.”
“You undifferentiated kids should monitor yourselves. Discomfort often signals imminent presentation.”
Jiang Yi massaged her shoulder: “Doc, isn’t there a clearer way to predict it?”
“Typically between sixteenth and eighteenth birthdays, but specifics vary.”
The prospect of her own impending differentiation filled Jiang Yi with dread.
Noticing this, the doctor reassured her: “Cases this severe are rare. Plus, society’s safeguards prevent dangerous situations.”
True—this world executed those who assaulted minors.
Somewhat comforted, Jiang Yi answered questions about the girl. Knowing only her class, the doctor contacted Class A’s homeroom teacher for identification.
With her role complete, Jiang Yi grabbed her bag and headed for the gates.
En route home in Sister Xiao Qin’s car, Jiang Qionghua called again: “Dinner’s canceled. Your Auntie Ning has an emergency.”
“I won’t be home either. Ask Grandma Xu Lan to cook whatever you want.”
Clueless about the situation but thrilled to avoid socializing, Jiang Yi replied with a noncommittal “Okay” before hanging up.
