After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 56

After the badminton match, class was nearly over.

Zhou Yi, ever eager, volunteered to return the rackets to the equipment room.

That left three of them, Jiang He waiting for Zhou Yi, while Dan Sirou and Jiang Xinyi wanted to head back to the classroom.

Xinyi sensed the tension in the air. Jiang He looked like an iceberg, cold and distant, while Dan Dan had seemed off ever since the game began. So, Xinyi stepped forward politely to say goodbye.

“We’ll head back to class first,” she said.

Jiang He glanced at Sirou, dazed, then nodded.

On the way back, Sirou felt restless. She had stolen a glance at Jiang He earlier, only to find her cold, detached no warmth, no attempt to keep her.

She couldn’t help recalling how much Jiang He had changed lately.

Sirou didn’t understand herself. She had never welcomed Jiang He’s enthusiasm, even wanted to escape it. Yet now, because Jiang He no longer treated her the same, she felt unsettled.

Shouldn’t she be glad to keep her distance? Why then did it sting when Jiang He addressed her with the same polite “President” as everyone else?

These thoughts flashed through her mind whenever she had a quiet moment.

She forced herself to suppress them, to keep living as she had before.

Thursday marked her father’s death anniversary.

According to Dongcheng custom, for the first three years, the children of the deceased must bring apricot wine to pay respects.

That day, Sirou took leave from school.

It was close to Qingming Festival, and the skies had been draped in rain for days.

This was the second year of remembrance. Unlike last year, when she had gone only because tradition demanded it, now she had learned to make peace with the past.

The last two years had been hard, but she had endured. Though life was no longer luxurious, living simply with her mother was enough.

Leaving the cemetery, drizzle still fell.

She parted from her mother and boarded the bus back to school.

Raindrops tapped against the window, strings of silver beads. Outside, neon lights shimmered in the wet streets.

Sirou scrolled through her phone.

She was memorizing vocabulary, her pace quick. In science subjects, she was average, hard work brought results. But in literature and history, where memory and comprehension mattered, she excelled.

Halfway through the ride, she had nearly finished her word list.

Just as she leaned back to rest her sore posture, a notification flashed across her screen.

A message from Jiang He.

She opened it. The chat was empty except for one sticker.

It was a famous scene from a well-known anime: Fatty sitting with Xiaoran on the lawn at night, gazing at the stars. They had fought side by side through countless trials, and wherever Xiaoran was, Fatty was always there, invincible.

Sirou didn’t know why Jiang He had sent such an image.

There were no words, no explanation. Yet her heart warmed instantly.

Her eyes curved with a smile as she looked out at the shifting lights beyond the window.

Just the act of Jiang He messaging her sent ripples through her heart.

Then came regret.

How could she let Jiang He sway her emotions so easily?

As always, once she realized her weakness, she tried to suppress it.

By Friday, the campus buzzed with energy.

After second period, Jiang He went to the school convenience store.

She deliberately avoided the crowded main road during break, choosing instead a scenic path lined with trees and flowers.

Few people walked there, which made the group trailing her stand out all the more.

At first, they kept their distance, cautious. But soon they grew bolder, closing in.

Jiang He glanced sideways. Four girls—Alphas, Omegas, Betas. Their intent was unclear, but they didn’t seem hostile.

She thought back. Not to the fights in her first year, nor to the brawl last semester that had earned her a week’s suspension. Her reputation had long since spread, no one would be foolish enough to provoke her now.

So, she dismissed them.

But then, unexpectedly, the prettiest of the four jogged up beside her, slightly breathless.

“Jiang He, could I trouble you for a few minutes?” she asked.

Jiang He stopped, puzzled.

The girl had neat short hair, not stiff but elegant like a little princess. Her apricot eyes widened as she spoke, making her look endearingly cute.

She was an Omega, and likely a high-ranking one.

Jiang He studied her coolly, analyzing like a machine.

“What is it?” she asked flatly.

“I.” The girl hesitated, her gaze flickering, unable to meet hers. “I, could you hug me?”

She suddenly looked up, blurting it out.

Even Jiang He, usually calm and aloof, was stunned by such a bold request.

What did she mean? They weren’t even acquainted.

She had never seen anyone approach like this.

“No,” Jiang He said firmly. “I don’t know you.”

“But I know you.” The girl blinked, smiling. “I’m from Class Six, next door. We share responsibility for the same public area, remember? Last time during inspection, you came late. I ended up sweeping most of it for you. Don’t you recall?”

Jiang He thought back. Yes, she vaguely remembered. That day, she hadn’t realized the schedule had been shuffled until someone reminded her.

She owed her thanks, without that help, Class Five would have been penalized.

“So, it was you. Thank you.” Jiang He’s tone softened slightly. “But gratitude is one thing. If you want my thanks, ask for something less unreasonable.”

“I know.” The girl spoke quickly. “Don’t misunderstand, I don’t have feelings for you. But, you saw those people behind me, didn’t you?”

“We were playing a game, I lost, and as punishment they told me to ‘win you over’ to make you hug me.” The girl pouted, her expression coy and charming.

Jiang He nodded, her face still cold and detached. “Then you should accept their punishment.”

The girl: “…”

“Jiang He, can’t you pity me just a little?” The girl’s eyes shimmered, enough to stir compassion in anyone. “The punishment isn’t that simple, we play big. What if they make me clean the Alpha restroom? I.”

Quickly, she added, “Actually, there’s another way.”

“What is it?” Jiang He asked.

She wasn’t heartless. If she could help, she would.

“It’s just.” The girl looked at her nervously, speaking with caution. “Let me tap your forehead. As long as I touch it, that’s enough.”

Jiang He thought it over. She disliked being humiliated, even in jest, but since she owed the girl a favor, she could endure it.

“Alright,” she said.

The girl blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected Jiang He to refuse the hug but agree to this.

As an Omega, she had thought asking for a hug would be a gift to the Alpha, even if that Alpha was the famed S rank Jiang He.

“Then, I’ll tap you now,” she said sweetly.

“Mm.” Jiang He closed her eyes calmly.

The girl rose on tiptoe, fingers curled in an “OK” gesture, inching closer until she flicked lightly against Jiang He’s pale forehead.

Her three companions squealed with excitement, their whispers reaching Jiang He’s ears and making her frown in displeasure.

None of them noticed two figures approaching from the other side of the flower lined path.

The girl kept her hand poised, while Jiang He opened her eyes.

“Is that enough?” Jiang He asked.

The girl didn’t answer, her expression lingering with something unspoken.

Jiang He found it strange, puzzled by her look.

Just as she prepared to end this ridiculous charade, the girl suddenly leaned forward, lips puckered, rising on tiptoe. In a flash, Jiang He realized what was happening and tried to push her away but too late.

The girl pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.

Jiang He froze, stunned, her heart sinking.

The girl blinked innocently. “Sorry, that was the real bet. I tricked you. Thank you. I’ll repay you someday.”

From the side, they looked like a delicate Omega nestled against an Alpha’s chest.

“Hey! What are you doing?” A voice rang out from nearby.

Both turned. Wu Qing stood pointing at them, indignant.

Beside her was another figure, a tall girl, her cold gaze fixed on the scene. Whatever calm she had carried shattered, plunging into despair.

Jiang He stiffened, stepping forward. “Dan.”

Panic surged. She had no idea how to explain.

Dan Sirou’s eyes captured the moment, freezing it in her memory. She said nothing, simply turned and walked away.

“Dan Dan?” Wu Qing called, bewildered, unsure whether to follow.

Sirou’s figure receded quickly. Jiang He, frantic, chased after her.

Wu Qing watched them rush past, confused by the unfolding drama.

Jiang He strode after Sirou. She remembered vividly the time she had seen Zhou Tingchen marking another Omega, Sirou had said she left because she couldn’t bear the awkwardness. Perhaps this was the same.

But Jiang He longed to explain.

Sirou walked fast, so fast that even Jiang He, an Alpha, had to run to keep up.

She led Jiang He into a small grove, stopping before a tree. Her slender figure stood with her back turned.

Jiang He slowed, uncertain how to begin.

Maybe Sirou was simply avoiding embarrassment, as before.

Carefully, Jiang He stepped closer, resting a hand on her thin shoulder. Her head was bowed, dark hair falling to hide her face.

“Dan Sirou.” Jiang He whispered, circling to face her.

The sight struck her like a blade.

Tears streamed from Sirou’s reddened eyes, staining her pale cheeks. They wouldn’t stop. All the pressure, all the emotions she had bottled up, spilled out uncontrollably.

Jiang He stood frozen, unable to believe it.

It was the first time she had ever seen Sirou cry. She had always been so strong, enduring even the hardest times with her head held high.

“Dan Sirou.” Jiang He murmured, reaching to wipe her tears.

“Why did you follow me?” Sirou pressed a hand to her forehead, her voice trembling with frustration at Jiang He, at herself. “Why do you keep appearing? I’ve tried so hard to forget you, yet you’re always there, making me see you again and again. I have so much to do every day, but your coldness makes me doubt myself in class. Why does one photo from you make me happy the whole night?”

She choked back sobs, biting her lip as another tear fell. “Jiang He, why do you have to disturb my heart?”

Jiang He’s mind buzzed, her chest aching unbearably.

She couldn’t hold back. Her fingers brushed Sirou’s delicate face, wiping away the tears trailing down her chin. She had no words only apologies.

“I’m sorry, I.” She lowered her head, her eyes locked on the fragile girl before her, voice trembling. “I’m sorry. It’s because I like you. I wanted you to notice me, but I didn’t realize I was hurting you. Dan Sirou, I’m sorry. I won’t do this again. I, I really like you.”