I Heard You Only See Me as a Friend - Chapter 3

The rest of the way was made of bright, main roads. Ji Wan returned home safely, but his fleeting good mood dissipated the moment he entered.

To his surprise, his stepmother was the one cooking today. Ji Wan put down his schoolbag and looked questioningly at the butler standing nearby.

The old butler leaned in discreetly and whispered, “The Second Young Master only ranked in the 500s this time. The Madam was afraid he’d be sad, so she’s personally cooking to comfort him.”

The butler thought for a moment, then asked Ji Wan, “You took first place again?”

Ji Wan nodded. The butler cautioned him, “Then it’s best if you don’t mention it. If it triggers the Second Young Master and makes the Master and Madam angry, they’ll make you go reflect on your ‘mistakes’ again.”

“Thank you, Uncle Li. I know,” Ji Wan said with a small smile.

Ji Wan went to his room to drop off his things. The butler watched his retreating back and sighed softly. What a good kid; it’s just a pity he’s a Beta. No matter how excellent he is, he’ll always have his parents’ love and attention easily snatched away by his Omega younger brother.

At dinner, Ji Wan took his usual seat.

All the best dishes were piled in front of Ji (Ji Ke) and Father Ji. The closest thing to Ji Wan was a small plate of stir-fried peas. He was used to this and ate his meal in silence.

Sitting between his parents, Ji Ke wore a look of forced dejection. He pulled out a tissue and wiped away non-existent tears.

His stepmother placed food in Ji Ke’s bowl, saying gently, “Testing poorly once doesn’t mean you’ll always test poorly. Besides, there are over two hundred people behind you; that’s already very impressive.”

“Then… the formal suit we talked about before, can I still buy it?” Ji Ke looked up at his mother and then at Father Ji, acting spoiled. “Dad, I want to look pretty. Otherwise, my classmates will look down on me.”

A beautiful Omega always stirs the protective instincts of an Alpha. The sweet, fragrant pheromones of an Omega drifted faintly in the air. Father Ji’s stern expression softened, and he nodded.

“Buy it, buy it all. It’s just a few sets of clothes,” the stepmother chimed in. “What does it matter if grades are a bit lower? Our Keke has a good personality—that’s better than those bookworms who only know how to study.”

The comment seemed aimed at someone specific, but Ji Wan acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued eating. Father Ji, however, frowned and looked over.

Father Ji said in a heavy voice, “Your mother is right. Learn from your brother and fix that silent, stubborn temper of yours. Otherwise, when you enter society, people like you end up at the bottom—ignored and disrespected by everyone.”

The stepmother put on a fake show of being the mediator: “Alright now, Lao Ji, Betas are naturally easy to overlook. Why scold your son like that?”

Ji Wan suppressed the mockery in his eyes and stated the plan he had already decided on: “I want to live at school.”

“Live at school?” Father Ji’s frown deepened. “Why? Are your wings hardened? You don’t want to stay at home?”

Living at school was obviously to get away from this place, but the real reason couldn’t be said aloud.

“I’m not as popular as my brother, and I can’t easily fit in with new classmates. So I want to live on campus to see if I can make a friend or two,” Ji Wan said calmly.

This reason seemed acceptable to Father Ji. He pondered for a moment and then granted the request.

The next day at school, Ji Wan told his headteacher about wanting to live on campus.

“Dorming? It’s possible, but there’s only one dorm room left in our class with a vacancy…” The headteacher tugged at his beard. “Go back for now. I’ll ask if I can squeeze you into that room.”

Why would it be a question of ‘squeezing’ if there’s a vacancy? Ji Wan didn’t quite understand, but he didn’t ask. He thanked the teacher and returned to the classroom.

Feng Jin was already in his seat. After sitting down, Ji Wan tilted his chair back, leaning it against Feng Jin’s desk.

Feng Jin’s gaze lingered for a moment on Ji Wan’s clothes, which were encroaching on his desk space, before he lazily looked up. “What is it?”

“Thanks for yesterday,” Ji Wan said. “If you ever need help with anything, just let me know.”

Ji Wan’s features and temperament were on the cool, detached side, giving him an air of being separate from the world. But now, with a smile on his face, that sense of detachment faded. His long eyelashes lowered, and the corners of his eyes curved into a small, pleasant arc.

Kong Liyan, sitting next to Feng Jin, was dazed by the sight, but Feng Jin remained cold and ruthless.

“Help me?” Feng Jin said coolly. “Next time, you can rank second.”

Ji Wan: “…”

“That’s still impossible.” Ji Wan’s expression was polite, but his words were anything but.

The rest of the class had been paying attention since the two started talking. They couldn’t hear Ji Wan’s quiet opening clearly, but Feng Jin’s “Rank second next time” and Ji Wan’s follow-up “Impossible” were heard loud and clear.

Everyone collectively sucked in a breath of cold air. Truly, the newborn calf does not fear the tiger! Is this the warrior who dares to pluck hairs from a tiger’s head?

Ji Wan didn’t know he had attained “martyr” status in his classmates’ minds. The next period was P.E., and he followed the crowd downstairs.

The P.E. teacher led them across the playground into the indoor gym to show off a newly built rock-climbing wall. The wall was quite high; one could imagine that someone with acrophobia would feel terrible looking down from the top.

The teacher said, “No other sports today. Everyone will experience this climbing wall. Come draw lots; you’ll be in pairs, and the rankings will be based on the combined score of each pair.”

The crowd began drawing lots in a flurry. Ji Wan drew number 18.

Number 18… who else got 18? Ji Wan looked around and saw Kong Liyan scuttling over.

Kong Liyan was the boy in black he had met in the restroom on his first day—the one who claimed he was “cleaning up” after Feng Jin but ended up asking if Ji Wan was scared. He was Feng Jin’s childhood friend. Upon finding out Ji Wan was in the same class, Kong Liyan decided it was destiny and had already placed Ji Wan in his “inner circle.”

“Let me see, are you with me? If you are, I’ll carry you… eh?” Kong Liyan saw Ji Wan’s number and froze. “Crap, Brother Feng is also number 18.”

Ji Wan looked toward Feng Jin in surprise. He intended to check the number, but he noticed Feng Jin’s mood seemed off.

Feng Jin had his hands in his pockets, his thin lips pursed. He was staring at the ground with half-lidded eyes, but a trace of hostility still leaked through his dark pupils. This “everyone annoys me” look was common on Feng Jin’s face—Ji Wan had seen it when Feng Jin was hitting someone.

However, Ji Wan felt it was different this time. Having lived in his current family for over a decade—practically as an outsider—he was conditioned to be highly sensitive to the emotions of others. He felt that Feng Jin’s mood was different from usual, as if he were masking something.

Kong Liyan was startled, thinking Feng Jin was finally losing his patience and about to move against Ji Wan. He leaned in and said to Feng Jin, “Hey man, if you’re really unwilling, I’ll swap numbers with you?”

As he spoke, Kong Liyan checked the registration with the teacher and ran back. “The person with my number is the Class Beauty. She’s an Omega and she likes you. Want to swap?”

Kong Liyan glanced at the Class Beauty. She was indeed a good-looking Omega with a pleasant scent. Many Alphas wanted to pursue her, but she had eyes for no one but Feng Jin. In fact, at least half the Omegas in this school had eyes for no one but Feng Jin, but he had never given anyone a chance.

Feng Jin frowned and said irritably, “Swap my ass. You get what you draw. I’m not going to do anything to him.”

Kong Liyan remained skeptical but could only wish Ji Wan luck.

Once the drawing was over and everyone was paired up, the teacher explained the scoring: the total height reached by both partners would determine the ranking. However, participation wasn’t mandatory for everyone; a group could choose to let their strongest member climb twice.

“You’re in luck, buddy,” Kong Liyan patted Ji Wan’s shoulder. “With Brother Feng carrying you, you’ll definitely get first! Just let him climb twice. With his stamina, he could climb ten times without getting tired.”

This wasn’t just Kong Liyan’s thought. Around Ji Wan, many Omegas or Betas paired with Alphas were already negotiating for the Alphas to climb twice to secure the best score.

Ji Wan looked at Feng Jin. During the wait, Feng Jin remained silent. Occasionally, he would glance at a classmate climbing and then quickly look away.

Observing Feng Jin’s expression from the corner of his eye, a guess formed in Ji Wan’s mind. Could it be that Feng Jin… is afraid of heights?

“Feng Jin,” Ji Wan thought for a moment and said, “I have an unprincipled request.”

Feng Jin lifted his thin eyelids and said lukewarmly, “You’re afraid of heights and want me to take your turn?”

This sudden “fear of heights” hat being shoved onto his head made Ji Wan even more certain that Feng Jin was the one who was afraid. Otherwise, Feng Jin wouldn’t have thought of that reason out of the blue.

Before Ji Wan could continue, Feng Jin let out a cold laugh. “Sure. Call me ‘Daddy,’ and Daddy will take your turn for you.”

This was an incredibly provocative statement. Feng Jin was prepared for Ji Wan to get angry and insult him, but the boy’s expression remained as peaceful as ever. It seemed he wasn’t triggered by the words at all; he even smiled.

“Calling you ‘Daddy’ feels like I’m insulting you,” Ji Wan said.

Feng Jin: “?”

Ji Wan didn’t explain further. Instead, he stepped closer and whispered, “I haven’t had a chance to play on one of these before, and I won’t have time after school. This time, can you give the opportunity to me and let me do both rounds?”

Ji Wan’s sudden proximity caught Feng Jin off guard. His field of vision was mostly occupied by that exquisitely crafted face, and he was dazed for a moment. When he realized what Ji Wan was saying, his tightly wound nerves suddenly relaxed.

“Fine,” Feng Jin licked his lips, pulled back a bit, and said lazily, “Since you’re begging me so much, then you go.”

Ji Wan’s speed on the wall wasn’t particularly fast. He looked unhurried, his movements slow and steady, as if he didn’t care about the time and was simply enjoying the process.

Feng Jin watched from a moderate distance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw several Omegas from the class walking over with drinks. They froze when they realized the person on the wall was Ji Wan.

“I thought it would be Feng Jin climbing. I even bought milk tea to wait for him… turns out it’s not him.” “Me too… sigh, this person is such a killjoy.” “I don’t know what he’s thinking. Wouldn’t it be better to stay down here, watch Feng Jin, and then hand him a bottle of water? He’s not as strong as Feng Jin anyway.” “No one is bringing him water either. Hehe, he looks pretty pathetic.”

The discussion wasn’t loud, but it seemed they didn’t care if Ji Wan heard. Due to the angle, the Omegas didn’t see Feng Jin crouching behind a basketball rack, nor did they see the frown that appeared on his face as he listened to them before they laughed and walked away.

They had originally come to give water to Feng Jin, but after circling the gym and failing to find him, they went back to the classroom.

The school convenience store was on the path between the gym and the teaching building. Wanting to buy some snacks, they stopped by, only to see Feng Jin at the checkout.

The leader, Lin Xin, quickly adjusted his expression after the initial surprise and smiled, taking the initiative to strike up a conversation: “What a coincidence! So you like drinking ice-cold mineral water too? I like it too—it’s healthy and quenches thirst. Since we have the same taste, how about I treat you this time?”

Feng Jin turned to look at them, his face expressionless.

Lin Xin’s heart skipped a beat. If he could take this step, he could successfully pull them closer. Feng Jin had never shown interest in any Omega; what if he could use this chance to develop things further, let Feng Jin smell his pheromones, and become the only one for him?

While he was fantasizing, he heard Feng Jin speak.

“No need.” Feng Jin finished paying, picked up the water, and said coldly, “I’m buying this for Ji Wan. I won’t use someone else’s gift to show favor.”

Lin Xin: “…?”

Did he hear that right?

However, he had no chance to verify. Feng Jin had already bypassed them and strode away.

Ji Wan registered his score with the teacher and washed his face, tidying himself up before slowly walking back to the teaching building.

Since it was class time, he didn’t run into anyone on the path. As he walked, a voice suddenly came from behind.

“Hey.”

The voice was full of annoyance. Ji Wan turned around in confusion and saw Feng Jin with a dark face. Feng Jin radiated an indescribable awkwardness; it seemed that only by maintaining a black face could he find the strength to stand there and speak.

Ji Wan grew more puzzled. “…Is something wrong?”

Feng Jin approached with a black face, his expression quite fierce. A flash of alarm went through Ji Wan’s mind, and he was about to take a step back to keep his distance when something ice-cold was suddenly thrust into his hand.

Ji Wan: “…”

Ji Wan looked down to see an unopened bottle of mineral water. It still carried a trace of Feng Jin’s warmth, though that was quickly overwhelmed by the icy temperature of the water.

Ji Wan connected the water to Feng Jin’s black face, and a spark of insight hit him.

Could it be… Feng Jin thought I worked hard, so he brought me water? But he felt embarrassed, so he kept a black face the whole time?

Ji Wan looked up to see Feng Jin, but in just a few seconds, Feng Jin had already strode away, turned a corner, and vanished.