I Heard You Only See Me as a Friend - Chapter 6

When Ji Wan returned to the classroom, Feng Jin was already sitting in his seat, looking perfectly normal. Ji Wan cast a quick glance his way as he passed but immediately retracted his gaze and sat down.

It was the final period of the afternoon—math class. Everyone was restless. Before the teacher could even finish the word “dismissed,” half the classroom was already empty.

Ji Wan wasn’t in a hurry. He leisurely finished calculating a problem before packing up and heading to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria at dinner was different from lunch. At noon, it was a sea of people, but in the evening, many students went home or ate off-campus, leaving plenty of empty seats. Ji Wan grabbed a tray and sat down at an empty table to start his dinner.

Mealtime wasn’t exactly a break for him. Ji Wan ate while mentally reviewing formulas and mistakes from past tests. Because he was multi-tasking and felt safe in the familiar environment, he didn’t notice someone approaching.

It wasn’t until someone plopped down in the seat opposite him that Ji Wan snapped out of it.

The boy sitting across from him was about 185cm tall, with bulging muscles on his exposed arms and fists the size of casseroles—nearly as big as Ji Wan’s entire face. The boy didn’t speak immediately; he propped his face on one hand and leaned his entire upper body forward, staring intently at Ji Wan.

The gaze was uncomfortable. Ji Wan frowned, pulled back slightly, and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Seeing Ji Wan’s resistance, the boy stopped staring and shifted his gaze to Ji Wan’s dinner. It was simple: stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, greens, and a small dish of ribs. In this school, where throwing a brick could hit a dozen rich kids, it looked somewhat meager.

The boy let out an ambiguous chuckle and stretched his legs out from under the table, making sure Ji Wan could see his expensive AJ sneakers.

Ji Wan: “…”

“Why are you eating so little? Is that enough to get full?” The boy lowered his voice, making it sound more magnetic. His gaze moved from the food to the soup beside it, a flash of contempt in his eyes. “And drinking dishwater… that can’t taste good.”

Ji Wan looked at his seaweed egg drop soup: “…” How is this dishwater? It has eggs, seaweed, oil, and salt. The chef actually overachieved today.

Ji Wan lowered his eyes, planning to treat the person opposite him as air. Ignoring people was a skill he had perfected long ago at home.

The boy didn’t mind the silence and turned his focus back to Ji Wan. His gaze wandered over Ji Wan’s flushed lips, his white, slender fingers holding the dark chopsticks, and finally rested on the elegant, swan-like curve of his neck.

He suddenly asked, “How many times have you been bitten by other Alphas?”

Ji Wan stopped his chopsticks and looked up. The Alpha was leaning on his hand, seemingly unaware of how offensive his words were. Getting no response, the Alpha continued, “I guess you’ve lost count. You look clean on the surface, but in reality, the number of people who have come looking for you must be in the double digits, right? Tsk, that’s the thing about Betas—they’re too good at deceiving people.”

Ji Wan didn’t want to hear another word. He stood up, intending to take his tray and leave, but the boy grabbed the other end of it.

Ji Wan’s face went cold. “What exactly do you want?”

“Don’t be nervous. I just want to do something that makes everyone happy.” The boy’s lips curled into a smile. “I’ll cover your school expenses for a year, and you be my boyfriend for a year.”

Ji Wan wasn’t stupid. There was no such thing as a “boyfriend” with a fixed expiration date. Calling it a relationship was just a cover for being a kept toy.

Ji Wan said coldly, “Find someone else.”

The boy froze for a moment, then his smile widened. “Did you misunderstand something? I’m not here to negotiate with you; I’m here to notify you.”

As he spoke, his free hand reached out to grab Ji Wan’s wrist. Ji Wan simply let go of the tray. Caught off guard, the boy couldn’t pull back his strength in time, and the leftovers and soup splashed all over him.

A mocking smile appeared on Ji Wan’s face.

“You chose the hard way!” The greasy feeling of leftovers soaked through his clothes and onto his skin, making him look wretched and embarrassed. The boy, who had never suffered such humiliation in public, flew into a rage. “You’re looking for death!”

The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the cafeteria. A Beta girl eating at the next table, having heard the whole exchange, turned red with anger and shouted, “You’re threatening him! You’re the one who started this!”

“Oh? You’re sticking up for him? I’ll deal with you first!” The boy stood up. His Alpha height and build provided an immense sense of pressure. He took a large stride forward, intending to teach the girl a lesson.

The Beta girl shivered and instinctively closed her eyes. However, the expected pain didn’t come. She opened her eyes in disbelief and saw Ji Wan standing in front of her. Though his figure was tall and slender—even a bit fragile—he didn’t flinch.

Ji Wan turned his head slightly, revealing his exquisite features, and said warmly, “Thank you. This is a bit of trouble, so you should leave first. I’ll buy you dinner next time to make up for it.”

The girl blushed. She looked at Ji Wan, then at the Alpha, and hesitated. “But you…”

“Go,” Ji Wan repeated.

Understanding she might just be in the way, the girl gritted her teeth and left.

Ji Wan turned back to the Alpha, who let out a furious laugh. “Playing the hero? Fine. You save her, and let’s see who saves you!”

The Alpha stepped forward again, intending to restrain Ji Wan in a half-embrace to drag him out of the public eye and to a deserted place where he could do as he pleased. If I don’t make this Beta submit today, I’ll write my name backward…!

Before he could finish the thought, a heavy punch landed on his stomach. The boy let out a muffled groan, stumbled back two steps clutching his gut, and doubled over.

Ji Wan knew his body well; having been sickly since childhood, he was never a “power” fighter. To win, he had to rely on technique. Rather than letting the Alpha drag him to a secluded spot, it was better to make a scene right here.

Ji Wan didn’t stop, continuing his attack. However, the boy’s reaction was fast; despite the pain, he dodged and launched a counter-attack. The angle and style of the boy’s strikes told Ji Wan one thing: this Alpha was professionally trained, not just a common school bully.

This is trouble.

Ji Wan pursed his lips, dodging a punch and frantically thinking of how to stall until a teacher arrived. Suddenly, the Alpha’s movements went stiff. His eyes widened as if he’d seen a ghost, and he actually took a step back.

The expression of terror wasn’t fake. Surprised, Ji Wan followed his gaze and looked back. Two steps away stood an expressionless Feng Jin.

Feng Jin glanced at him, then at the tall Alpha, and said coldly, “Fighting?”

Before Ji Wan could speak, the Alpha—previously arrogant but now trying to shrink into a ball—pointed at him and said, “It wasn’t me! He accidentally spilled food on me and then got angry and tried to hit me!”

Ji Wan was stunned. He never expected this person to flip the truth so shamelessly.

The others in the cafeteria were also shocked. Someone tried to stand up and tell the truth, but the boy shot them a threatening look. At dinner, most wealthy students ate off-campus; those in the cafeteria were mostly ordinary students with no power or money. Under the boy’s glare, they lowered their heads in fear.

Ji Wan didn’t expect anyone to stick their neck out for him and was about to explain to Feng Jin when he heard a cold sneer.

“You’re trying to lie to me with that brain that scores 20 points on tests?” There was no mirth on Feng Jin’s face. “Your courage is getting bigger and bigger.”

“No… no…” The boy broke into a cold sweat. “I really haven’t hit him yet; he’s the one who punched me a few times!”

Feng Jin’s gaze returned to Ji Wan. Ji Wan met his eyes and felt a bit of a chill. Feng Jin’s current aura was very similar to the first time Ji Wan saw him beating someone. He even thought Feng Jin might bash his head in the next second.

However, Feng Jin said nothing. He shifted his gaze to the table dirtied by the spilled food.

“Clean up the table,” Feng Jin said, his voice laced with a chill.

Before Ji Wan could react, the previously arrogant Alpha immediately began bowing and scraping. He picked up the tray, quickly scraped the spilled rice and leftovers back into it, and finally wiped the table with a rag until it was spotless.

“Bro… Brother Feng, I won’t disturb you. I’m leaving now,” the boy said with a forced laugh.

“Leaving?” The chill in Feng Jin’s voice remained. “You think you can just leave after ruining someone’s meal?”

The boy finally understood: Feng Jin was here to back Ji Wan up! Damn, if you’re on good terms with Feng Jin, why didn’t you say so earlier!

Though he complained internally, the boy didn’t dare say a word. He ran to the window, ordered a fresh meal, and brought it to Ji Wan. “Brother, please just have a bite. I’ll never mess with you again,” the boy said pitifully.

Ji Wan: “…” Feng Jin: “Scram.”

The boy vanished instantly. Feng Jin took a long stride and sat down next to Ji Wan. Once seated, he glared at Ji Wan again. “What are you dazing for? Eat.”

“Oh.” Ji Wan sat down and started eating again, but the bubbles of confusion in his mind were getting bigger. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why was he so afraid when he saw you? Could he have predicted you’d step in?”

Feng Jin raised an eyebrow and took out his phone to start a game. “Because I’m the boss of this school. Fighting in school requires my permission. Otherwise, if I catch it, I’ll beat both sides.”

Ji Wan: “…” So this is a school bully? Terrifying.

“Thank you,” Ji Wan said seriously. Feng Jin staying to sit with him was clearly a deterrent to others.

Feng Jin hummed and ignored him. Ji Wan continued eating. After a while, he heard Feng Jin speak: “Does this happen to you often?”

Feng Jin didn’t specify what “this” was, but Ji Wan miraculously understood—the frequent harassment and malicious plotting.

Ji Wan lowered his eyelashes. “…Yes.”

“Tsk.” Feng Jin frowned. He didn’t say much else, only: “You’re actually pretty impressive.”

From the corner of his eye, Ji Wan saw Feng Jin discreetly close his game and switch the screen to study materials saved on his phone. So, calling me “impressive” means I managed to rank first in the grade despite all this?

As he ate, Ji Wan thought back to what the doctor had told him. Feng Jin was surprised that Ji Wan could rank first despite the harassment, but Feng Jin himself had that pheromone condition. Even with suppressants, the side effects made him prone to irritability and bad moods. To get such high scores under those conditions, Feng Jin was the one who was truly impressive.

I wonder if Feng Jin is looking for a suitable Omega. If so, I won’t interfere…

Just as he was thinking this, two people sat down in the seats opposite them. He looked up and saw two very beautiful girls. Ji Wan recognized one of them; Kong Liyan had gossiped about her—she was the sophomore Omega “grade-beauty” who had liked Feng Jin for a long time.

“Feng Jin, my birthday party is next Saturday.” The beauty tilted her chin up, a spoiled expression on her face. “You come too.”

“Busy,” Feng Jin declined succinctly.

The girl bit her lip unhappily. “Then when will you be free?”

Feng Jin: “Never. Busy studying.”

The beauty wanted to speak, but she remembered something and cast a very unhappy glance at Ji Wan. Ji Wan instinctively felt he might be targeted, but before the person opposite could speak, Feng Jin suddenly nudged him with his elbow and put his phone in front of him.

On the screen were several math problems. Feng Jin said, “Solve these.”

“What? Let me see.” Ji Wan scanned them and immediately stated his reasoning. “Draw three auxiliary lines, then…”

The two girls waited for a long time but couldn’t find an opening to interrupt. Finally, they left in a huff.

Watching them walk away, Feng Jin took back his phone and let Ji Wan finish his meal. Ji Wan glanced at him; Feng Jin didn’t look sad about the departure of two beautiful Omegas. Instead, there was a trace of irrepressible coldness in his eyes.

The intent to use him as a shield against Omegas was a bit too obvious. Ji Wan thought about it and asked, “Do you prefer other types of Omegas?”

Normally, an Alpha could take their time finding an Omega they liked, but Feng Jin was different. The longer he used suppressants, the more uncomfortable he became. Logically, he should be casting a wide net to find a suitable Omega as quickly as possible.

Feng Jin gave Ji Wan a look that said, “Even you like to gossip?” then turned away.

“I’m staying single until I die.”