After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 49

The National Games lasted more than twenty days, a major sporting event held every two years, rotating across five continents in a twenty-year cycle. Highly competitive and fiercely contested, it was one of the most important events in an athlete’s career.

Dongcheng had begun preparations six months earlier, recruiting 5,000 volunteer positions nationwide to provide logistical support. An additional 2,000 slots were reserved for local universities, a privilege of being the host city and an opportunity for students to connect with the international stage.

That Friday marked the opening ceremony.

On Saturday morning, fifteen volunteers from Qingyu High School gathered at campus and boarded a school bus bound for Dongcheng Stadium.

The National Games encompassed all Olympic events—land and water, countless in number distributed across different venues by code.

On the first day, multiple competitions took place simultaneously.

Volunteers entered the stadium at 7 a.m. with their badges, then used the activity codes sent via text to locate their assigned supervisors—whether greeters, guides, cheer squads, cleaners, or other roles.

Meals were provided by the organizers, though only simple boxed lunches.

The ride from Qingyu to Dongcheng Stadium took about half an hour. To avoid traffic delays, they had assembled at 6 a.m. sharp.

The bus rolled steadily along the asphalt. Jiang He leaned against the window, dozing lightly.

The sky was only beginning to brighten. She had never risen this early before.

Dan Sirou, the leader of Qingyu’s volunteer group, sat at the front. With so many to oversee, she and Jiang He rarely interacted in public settings like this.

She thought back to that day outside the auditorium, how Dan Sirou had looked at her with a sincerity and gentleness she had never shown before.

Jiang He’s heart had already been restless, unable to meet her gaze.

No matter the setbacks, no matter the resolutions she had made, one look, one word from Dan Sirou was enough to topple her defenses completely.

March still carried traces of winter chill, but the bus’s heating filled the cabin with cozy warmth, lulling many into sleep. By the time they neared the stadium, most of the students were slumped in drowsy heaps.

Dan Sirou clapped her hands, her clear voice ringing through the bus:

“We’ve arrived. First, head to the back hall for breakfast. After that, don’t come looking for me, find your assigned supervisor using your code. Tonight at seven, we’ll regroup here. No one is to leave alone; I’ll be counting heads.”

The students shuffled off lazily.

The moment they stepped outside, the biting wind pierced their clothes, chasing away any lingering sleep.

Dan Sirou stood by the entrance, waiting for everyone to gather before heading to the back hall.

Jiang He descended from the bus. Inevitably, their eyes met.

Dan Sirou smiled warmly. Jiang He glanced back briefly, then quickly averted her gaze.

She walked a little away from the group, pulled out her phone, and checked her reflection. Relieved, no creases from her nap.

Once assembled, they moved toward the back hall.

Jiang He walked ahead, her presence cool and detached, contrasting sharply with the lively chatter of the group. Dan Sirou, surrounded by familiar faces, was carried along in the center.

They seemed like two extremes.

As they walked, a delicate floral fragrance drifted past Jiang He. She turned instinctively.

It was Dan Sirou.

“Did you sleep late last night?” she asked casually.

“No.” Jiang He quickly looked forward again, lashes lowering guiltily. “Not really.” In truth, she had stayed up until three on Friday night, barely sleeping two hours.

She couldn’t bear to look weak in front of someone she liked.

Dan Sirou hummed softly, not pressing. “Which assignment did you get?”

“Huh?” Jiang He blinked, caught off guard.

“You don’t know yet? You should’ve received a text with your code. You’ll need to find your supervisor later.” Dan Sirou’s eyes sparkled as she reminded her gently.

“I know,” Jiang He muttered.

Her lashes lowered again, her phone suddenly heavy in her pocket.

She dreaded the assignment. The name alone sounded unpleasant.

She didn’t want to face it at all.

Just then, a blonde girl with striking features appeared ahead. Jiang He glanced curiously, only to hear her exclaim in accented Chinese:

“Oh my God, Dan! What a coincidence, you’re here too!”

“Marina?” Dan Sirou smiled, embracing her warmly.

Seeing them reunite, Jiang He instinctively stepped aside, giving them space.

Marina, oblivious to courtesy, tugged Dan Sirou aside. “Dan, the girl next to you, she’s so cool! Is she with you?” Her Chinese was clumsy but enthusiastic.

“Mm.” Dan Sirou’s eyes curved with amusement. “Do you like her?”

Marina blinked rapidly, nodding eagerly. “Do you have?”

Jiang He, sensing they were talking about her, turned her head slightly.

Marina lowered her voice, “Her contact info, give it to me?”

Dan Sirou shook her head gently. “That wouldn’t be right. Ask her yourself, it’ll mean more.”

“Alright, alright.” Marina sighed, disappointed but understanding.

Soon they reached the back hall.

Originally a storage area, it had been cleared and repurposed as a volunteer lounge once Dongcheng secured hosting rights.

Marina, lacking a volunteer badge, shouldn’t have been allowed in. But with her charm and playful persistence, she convinced the guard to let her pass.

She followed Dan Sirou cheerfully.

Staff handed out breakfast boxes—usually buns, corn, eggs, or other simple fare. Dan Sirou picked up a bag of soup dumplings and a cup of soy milk. Opening the bag, she asked, “Want some?”

Marina shook her head, eyes fixed elsewhere, glowing with excitement.

Dan Sirou followed her gaze.

There, in the middle of the crowd, stood a tall girl with a high ponytail. Her aloof aura made her stand out starkly against the noisy backdrop.

Marina whispered, “Dan, I want to try.”

Dan Sirou blinked, caught off guard. “Now?”

“Mm-hm.” Marina grinned. “Dan, wait for my good news!” She blew a playful kiss, brimming with confidence after charming the guard earlier.

Dan Sirou watched her fiery figure stride away. Marina’s interest in Jiang He was unexpected. And Jiang He—so cold, so distant was hardly the type to entertain such advances.

She couldn’t help but wonder what sparks might fly between them.

Perhaps it was the stark contrast between the two personalities and the fact that both were people she knew so well that made Dan Sirou, rarely one for gossip, pay closer attention this time.

“Hi.”

The striking blonde girl stood confidently before Jiang He. She knew how to angle herself, tilting her body just enough to highlight her alluring curves, never seeming forced, yet perfectly showcasing her charm.

Hearing the voice, Jiang He turned her head, glanced at her from top to bottom, then deliberately stepped back to widen the distance.

Marina didn’t notice the intentional retreat. She moved closer, delivering her straightforward foreigner’s approach: “Hi, hello, I’ve been noticing you for a while.”

Normally, her voice carried a neutral tone, but now she deliberately softened it for flirtation, sweet yet bold.

“Mm.” Jiang He recognized her as the one who had spoken with Dan Sirou earlier, and offered a polite smile.

“Can I have your contact info?” Marina pressed, stepping forward again, her charm on full display.

“Alright.” Jiang He pulled out her phone, and they exchanged numbers.

Marina’s lips curved into a satisfied smile as she gazed at the digits, her expression sultry.

Jiang He thought she would leave, but suddenly her phone rang. She glanced down, it was the newly saved number.

Startled, she looked up. Marina was smiling brightly, eyes shimmering with playful intent, like a mischievous cat. “Jiang, do I have the honor of being your Omega?”

“Sorry. I already like someone,” Jiang He replied calmly.

Marina: “…”

The playful mood collapsed instantly.

“You’re lying to me?” Her voice slipped back into its natural neutral tone, rising in protest.

“No. I really do like someone,” Jiang He repeated firmly, without blinking.

Marina hung up, deflated. Her cheeks puffed like a sulky pufferfish.

The romantic bubble burst, leaving her suddenly clear-headed. She glanced across the crowd, spotting a girl with long black hair tossing it back casually. Every movement radiated elegance and envy-inducing grace.

Marina narrowed her eyes, playing detective.

“The person you like, is it Dan?”

Jiang He: “….”

Jiang He nearly choked on the water she’d drunk earlier.

Her usually calm eyes flickered with panic.

Admit it or deny it?

No. She and Dan Sirou were friends. To confess would be to confess directly to Dan.

“No,” she said, her voice lacking conviction.

“You hesitated.” Marina’s tone was sharp, unnervingly serious.

Jiang He: “…”

“Don’t tell her, please.” Her voice softened, tinged with pleading.

Marina burst out laughing at her flustered state.

She hadn’t expected the icy, aloof girl to look so awkward.

But she wasn’t cruel. After all, she had genuinely admired her moments ago. “Alright, I’ll keep your secret. But I don’t understand, if you like her, why not say it out loud? That way she’ll notice you.”

“If she knew I liked her, she’d avoid me,” Jiang He murmured, head lowered.

She understood Dan Sirou well. Dan had clear boundaries.

If someone had no Alpha-Omega intentions toward her, she could remain friends. But if she sensed ulterior motives, romantic pursuit she would distance herself, leaving no room for hope.

The only exception was Zhou Tingchen.

Jiang He didn’t have his privileges.

So, she could only keep her feelings hidden.

Marina nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, Jiang He’s words reminded her of her own past.

She remembered when she first met Dan. Both Omegas, they had linked arms like ordinary girls. But after Marina confessed her feelings, Dan never allowed such closeness again.

Marina had been too carefree to notice at the time.

Now she understood.

Dan was truly the hardest person she had ever tried to pursue.

“I get it,” Marina said sympathetically. “It’ll be tough. Dan isn’t easy to win over.”

Jiang He nodded silently.

Elsewhere.

Dan Sirou had run into a friend from another school. The girl chattered endlessly about campus life, while Dan mostly listened.

When the story finally ended, Dan smiled politely. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Marina returning, looking dejected.

“I’ll go over there for a bit,” she excused herself.

Her friend nodded reluctantly. “Oh, alright.”

Dan twisted open a water bottle, taking a sip as she waited.

Sure enough, Marina approached, sighing dramatically.

“Rejected?” Dan asked.

Marina pouted, casting her a meaningful glance. “She said she already likes someone.”

“I see.” Dan thought for a moment.

Her first instinct was that Jiang He had used it as an excuse.

But reconsidering, it didn’t match Jiang He’s style. More likely, she had spoken the truth.

Perhaps not enough to reject outright, but enough to suggest genuine feelings for someone unknown.

Dan’s gaze drifted across the crowd, catching only fleeting glimpses of the tall girl’s silhouette.

Someone she likes.