The awkward incident that night replayed repeatedly in Jiang Yi’s mind. As a result, despite enjoying sleeping naked in the summer heat, Jiang Yi now bundled herself tightly in blankets, terrified of being seen again.
Another autumn arrived, and Jiang Yi’s senior year began.
Even though many students at their high school came from wealthy families, their futures already meticulously planned, senior year remained a crucial period.
After school started, the little monitor, Chen Wanzhou, and the others were swamped with exams, their faces etched with exhaustion every time they visited Jiang Yi.
Seeing their fatigue, Jiang Yi felt both sympathy and a twinge of envy. After all, whether she could even participate in the college entrance exam was still uncertain.
Chen Wanzhou offered a suggestion: “If you want to take the exam, you could consider some specialized careers. They have special testing channels. As long as you pass the physical and your academic scores aren’t too low, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Jiang Yi had considered this. Given her current situation, if she didn’t go to a specialized school, she’d be stuck at home until she was twenty.
With this in mind, Jiang Yi began researching military academies and police academies, preparing to dedicate her youth to the nation. After all, besides serving her country, she had no better options.
However, when she brought this up with Jiang Qionghua, she was met with fierce opposition: “Whether it’s the police academy or the military academy, there are many Alphas. Your pheromone levels are too high, and they’re aggressive. They’ll easily gang up and bully you.”
“Besides, those places are tough. Why do you have to go? Isn’t it good at home? You can take the college entrance exam next year. I’ll pull some strings to get you into a special testing environment. You can enroll in university, then defer for a few years and start attending after you turn twenty.”
Jiang Qionghua tried her best to persuade her, but after two years of confinement, Jiang Yi was going stir-crazy. She said helplessly, “But staying home every day isn’t good for my mental or physical health. Besides, I told my mom I wanted to be a police officer. I’ve always wanted to apply to the police academy. Why can’t I?”
Jiang Qionghua’s initial firm stance softened upon hearing this. Unable to argue with her, she finally relented. “Let me think about it.”
Jiang Qionghua thought about it for a week, but she couldn’t withstand Jiang Yi’s persistent pleas and Ning Wenying’s persuasion. In the end, she agreed.
After that, Jiang Yi began training at home, preparing for the police academy’s physical examination.
In early November, the school’s sports and culture festival began again. Jiang Yi, relying on the little monitor’s live stream, participated virtually.
This year, the winner of the senior year 1500-meter race was Jiang Sixian. And something happened at the event—during the race, Song Yi suddenly differentiated, presenting as an Omega.
The little monitor lamented, “Gender differentiation is truly a mystery. What gender you become depends entirely on fate.”
Jiang Yi wholeheartedly agreed: “Exactly! I prayed to be a Beta, but ended up an Alpha.”
The little monitor added, “A super Alpha.”
Jiang Yi couldn’t stand hearing that phrase and retorted, “Thanks a lot!”
After her reflections, the little monitor suddenly said to Jiang Yi, “But I’ve come to realize that the gender you differentiate into isn’t important, and neither are the extra body parts you grow. What matters is the kind of person you become.”
“Today, seeing Xianxian win the 1500-meter race, I suddenly realized that whether before or after differentiation, Jiang Sixian is still Jiang Sixian. Always striving, always excelling, running unhesitatingly towards her goal.”
“I think, besides her looks, people admire her for these qualities.”
Jiang Yi paused, suddenly recalling Jiang Sixian’s determined expression last year when she’d torn a ligament but insisted on finishing the race. The image of Jiang Sixian’s stubborn face surfaced in her mind. After a moment, she replied to the little monitor, “Why are you being so philosophical today?”
The little monitor sighed. “Probably because my happy high school life is coming to an end. This is our last major school event.”
Jiang Yi pointed out, “There’s still the cultural performance night in a few days. You said you’re performing in Phantom of the Opera. And there’s another event for New Year’s. You can still have fun.”
This time, the little monitor’s sadness was palpable. “But there won’t be another sports and culture festival.”
Jiang Yi suddenly fell silent. She understood the feeling. It was like how she’d never have another fifteenth or sixteenth birthday.
The passage of youth was always melancholic. Even carefree teenagers, when contemplating the future and facing reality, would sigh when recalling past years.
Because time wouldn’t rewind, every day, past and present, was precious.
Jiang Yi felt a pang of sadness. She typed a reply to the little monitor: “Alright, stop talking. I’m already regretful enough. I didn’t even experience senior year campus life. I missed so much. You at least got to experience it.”
The little monitor sent a “wailing” emoji: “That’s why I’m even sadder! You could have performed in Phantom of the Opera!”
What the hell! Her performing in Phantom of the Opera? Playing which role? The Alpha lead or the Omega?
Just as Jiang Yi was utterly bewildered, Chen Wanzhou came online and sent a video call request.
Jiang Yi accepted the call and saw the little monitor, her eyes red-rimmed, leaning on Chen Wanzhou’s shoulder.
In the video, Chen Wanzhou and the little monitor were sitting on the edge of the track, their backs to the bustling sports field. Chen Wanzhou held her phone high, speaking loudly to Jiang Yi, “Jiang Yi, stop bullying her. Look, she’s crying.”
Jiang Yi thought, It’s you who’s bullying her, not me! Then she saw Chen Wanzhou move the phone closer to the little monitor. The little monitor reached out to push the phone away, sobbing, “Go away! This is so embarrassing!”
Chen Wanzhou chuckled. “If you’re embarrassed, then stop crying!”
The little monitor sniffled. “I just… I just… I’m so reluctant… thinking about senior year ending soon… I’m so reluctant…”
Jiang Yi was also amused and exasperated. Watching their antics, she sighed inwardly. After a moment of silence, she said, “It’s okay. Senior year is ending, but we’re still here.”
Chen Wanzhou, hearing this, offered gentle comfort: “Yes, we’re all here. Five years from now, ten years from now… we’ll still be your good friends.”
Jiang Yi and Chen Wanzhou coaxed her for a while before the little monitor finally stopped crying. This time, Jiang Yi didn’t tease her about being a “crybaby Alpha.” She just smiled and took screenshots of the little monitor’s tearful face, saving them to tease her with five or ten years later.
If she lived that long, looking back on these youthful antics, perhaps she’d feel a pang of nostalgia.
After the sports festival, it was time for the cultural performance night. This time, Jiang Sixian didn’t miss it. Wearing a red gown, she stood on stage and performed a violin piece.
When the music ended, thunderous applause filled the auditorium. Amidst the applause, a bold Alpha, holding a megaphone, shouted towards the stage, “Jiang Sixian, I love you!”
Her passionate confession resonated with many. That night, the confessions to Jiang Sixian were so loud they almost lifted the auditorium’s roof.
With each confession, many realized their youth was coming to an end.
Soon, it was mid-November, time for Jiang Yi’s police academy physical examination. Jiang Qionghua, driving a specialized vehicle, took her to the testing site.
Because applicants of all genders were present, the organizers cleared the area before Jiang Yi’s arrival.
The examination went smoothly. Besides Jiang Yi’s pheromones causing physiological discomfort and even anger in the examiners, there were no other issues.
After receiving the results, Jiang Qionghua patted her shoulder. “Study hard.”
Next up was the college entrance exam. To help Jiang Yi catch up, Jiang Qionghua hired several Alpha tutors, scheduling them meticulously to maximize her study time.
Jiang Yi hadn’t expected Jiang Qionghua to be so ruthless, practically working her to death to get her into the best police academy.
Studying tirelessly, Jiang Yi endured her birthday, New Year’s… and soon it was the Lunar New Year.
This year, Jiang Yi turned seventeen. Her pheromone levels were now under her control, suppressed to half their usual intensity. Compared to before, mature Alphas could now tolerate being near her.
However, Jiang Yi still couldn’t go out. Even though her pheromones were partially controlled, they still unconsciously affected Omegas, attracting them.
As the doctor explained, an Alpha’s desire for an Omega was a biological instinct. The still-maturing Jiang Yi couldn’t control this instinct.
Therefore, on New Year’s Day, Jiang Qionghua and Ning Wenying, along with Jiang Sixian, played mahjong at Jiang Yi’s cottage.
Mid-game, Ning Wenying received a call. The conversation seemed serious; Jiang Yi noticed Ning Wenying’s brow furrow, a rare sight.
After hanging up, Jiang Qionghua also frowned, looking at Ning Wenying with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Ning Wenying glanced at Jiang Sixian across from her and sighed. “Xianxian’s grandfather… had a heart attack last night. He didn’t make it. He passed away this morning at the hospital.”
Jiang Sixian, hearing this, looked up at Ning Wenying, her lips pressed together.
Ning Wenying looked at her daughter and continued, “The Jiang family just called. They want Xianxian to attend the funeral.”
Ning Wenying turned to Jiang Sixian. “Xianxian, come with me to Songshan later.”
Jiang Sixian nodded. “Okay.”
Jiang Yi, overhearing this, couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Sixian. Seeing her downcast expression, she felt a pang of worry.
Jiang Qionghua stood up and said to Ning Wenying, “Wenying-jie, I’ll go with you.”
Ning Wenying shook her head. “No need, Xianxian and I will go.”
This time, Jiang Qionghua was unusually insistent. She looked at Ning Wenying, her expression firm. “I’ll go with you. It’s better this way.”
Seeing her resolve, Ning Wenying nodded in agreement.
Soon, the mahjong game ended, and the three of them left. Jiang Yi, left alone, pulled out her game console and continued playing.
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