Mark Me, Okay? - Chapter 4

Before the sports meet, Qin Qing, the homeroom teacher of Class Three, specifically called Luan Li aside to remind her: “Make sure to keep an eye on our classmates and prevent any conflicts with Class Four.” Qin Qing paused, then added somewhat awkwardly: “Teacher Yue from Class Four… well, you know how competitive she is. Safety first, competition second.”

Luan Li understood Qin Qing’s meaning. Competition was fine as long as it remained healthy—they just needed to avoid any trouble.

She nodded in acknowledgment: “Don’t worry, I understand.”

Qin Qing smiled at her and patted her shoulder: “Go back to your studies now.”

Meanwhile, in Yue Qiu’s office, she was also giving instructions to Qi Xiangxing: “Teacher Qin from Class Three might seem gentle, but once she’s made up her mind, nothing can change it.” Under Qi Xiangxing’s teasing gaze, Yue Qiu coughed lightly in discomfort: “Keep an eye on our troublemakers and make sure they don’t provoke Teacher Qin.”

Qi Xiangxing replied seriously: “Got it! Don’t worry, Teacher, I’ll handle it!”

After Qi Xiangxing left, other teachers in the office remarked with a laugh: “Teacher Yue, your class monitor is quite responsible.”

Yue Qiu smiled proudly: “Of course! I handpicked her myself!”

On Monday afternoon, the autumn sports meet of City A’s No. 1 High School commenced. The lingering heat of the “autumn tiger” was still intense, the glaring sunlight making it hard to keep one’s eyes open. The hottest time of the day, around two or three in the afternoon, was when the opening ceremony took place.

In the restroom, Qi Xiangxing sat with her back to Luan Li, letting her pin the sports meet number tag onto her back.

Luan Li’s slender fingers deftly fastened the pin, carefully smoothing out the wrinkles on the white background with red-numbered tag. The contrast between her fair fingertips and the tag was pleasing to the eye.

She patted Qi Xiangxing’s shoulder: “All done!” Luan Li’s voice was soft, carrying an ethereal quality.

Qi Xiangxing stood up, now slightly taller than Luan Li, her posture straight and full of energy.

The sudden movement made Qi Xiangxing’s head spin slightly. Instinctively, she placed a hand on Luan Li’s shoulder, flashing her little canine teeth in a bright smile: “Luan Li, don’t worry, I’ll definitely beat your class!”

Luan Li smiled helplessly, her expression indulgent: “Alright, you’re the best.” As she spoke, she adjusted the number tag on Qi Xiangxing’s chest: “Go get ’em, top alpha! Do your best!”

Qi Xiangxing’s smile widened, her ears inexplicably turning red. She turned her face away awkwardly and muttered: “I just said I’d beat your class, why aren’t you mad?”

Luan Li heard her words and chuckled softly. The sound sent a tingling sensation through Qi Xiangxing, making her skin prickle.

Qi Xiangxing thought to herself—Luan Li is so good at flirting… If this keeps up, won’t I have no status left in bed later?!

No, this won’t do—she had to reclaim her dominance as the top alpha. She suddenly leaned in close to Luan Li, her eyes sparkling: “Do you like first-place medals?”

Luan Li blinked, momentarily thrown off by Qi Xiangxing’s abrupt action: “Huh?”

Qi Xiangxing grinned, showing her little canines again: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely win one for you!”

Five minutes before the race, the competitors stood by the track waiting for their turn. The spectator stands beside the field were filled with overwhelming cheers:

“Go Qi Xiangxing!” “Qi Xiangxing is the best!”

“Qi Xiangxing, charge ahead! Crush Class Three!”

Qi Xiangxing’s classmates had even unfurled a massive banner:

“Qi Xiangxing! The most formidable Alpha!”

“Fierce Alpha descending the mountain! Soft Omegas make way!”

The students from neighboring Class Three weren’t happy: “Why drag our class down while cheering for yours?”

A Class Four student rolled their eyes: “Who’s dragging you down? Isn’t your class monitor Luan Li a soft Omega?”

“She hasn’t even presented yet! Even the heavens haven’t decided—since when do you get to declare her dynamic?”

“Her differentiation test results are already out! Why are you still making a fuss?”

“Are you okay?” Luan Li stood by the track in her white school uniform, holding a water bottle. She’d noticed something off about Qi Xiangxing earlier—her breathing had been irregular when she got close.

Pulling a wet wipe from her pocket, Luan Li tilted her head slightly to wipe the sweat from Qi Xiangxing’s face, her expression full of concern: “Your lips look pale.”

Qi Xiangxing took a deep breath of the scorched plastic-scented air, rolling her neck as sweat droplets slid down, bypassing her collar to disappear beneath her collarbone.

Luan Li’s gaze deepened, following that falling bead of sweat until it vanished before regaining her composure. “Take a sip of water,” she said evenly.

Qi Xiangxing shook her head, seeing stars dance before her eyes. Though dizzy, she refused: “Comrade Class Monitor of Three, don’t think you can distract me! Your classmates just said they’d take me down!”

Luan Li arched an eyebrow, glancing at the Class Three student standing beside Qi Xiangxing. The latter suddenly felt a chill down their spine and looked around nervously.

Returning her gaze, Luan Li kept her voice gentle: “Come on, have some water. It’s too hot today.”

Qi Xiangxing felt her face burn, suddenly grateful for the sweltering weather—at least Luan Li wouldn’t know she was blushing because of her.

Her heart warmed even as she sternly accepted the water bottle. The cap was already loosened, though in her fluster Qi Xiangxing didn’t notice this small gesture. After a sip, the announcement blared:

“All non-participants please clear the track! The high school sophomore 400-meter finals will begin shortly!”

Shoving the bottle back at Luan Li, Qi Xiangxing flashed a grin with all her teeth, like declaring sovereignty: “Goodbye, non-participant! Class Four rules!”

The starting pistol fired as she finished speaking. Qi Xiangxing shot forward like an arrow, quickly leaving the other runners behind. Her long legs ate up the track, eyes sparkling with starlight, wind roaring in her ears.

Only one thought filled her mind—to win that gold medal for Lili.

Luan Li stood watching, holding the returned bottle. Remembering Qi Xiangxing’s radiant expression moments ago, she shook her head with a soft chuckle.

No, Xingxing is the best one.

The school’s track was 400 meters—starting and finishing at the same point.

Qi Xiangxing was the first to reach the finish line. As the referee blew the whistle, students from Class Four erupted into cheers, nearly rushing onto the track to celebrate with her. Luan Li frowned and exchanged a glance with the student council member maintaining order, who promptly picked up the microphone:

“Please maintain order, everyone! Do not run onto the track!”

“Please maintain order, everyone! Do not rush onto the track!”

After two announcements, the excited Class Four students gradually settled down.

Luan Li hurried to Qi Xiangxing’s side, only to find her bent over, hands on knees, gasping for breath. Her face had drained of color, leaving her frighteningly pale. Luan Li’s eyes widened as an unprecedented wave of tension washed over her. She reached for Qi Xiangxing’s hand—only to find her fingertips ice-cold.

“Qi Xiangxing? Xingxing?”

Qi Xiangxing lifted her head, gazing at her blankly with unfocused eyes. Her voice was faint: “Luan Li… I feel dizzy… Let me lean on you…”

Luan Li took her full weight onto herself and shouted, “Where’s the stretcher?! Get the school nurse—now!” The last words came out as a near scream. Clutching Qi Xiangxing’s cold hand, feeling her weak breaths against her neck, Luan Li was consumed by panic.

“Hey… just for a little while… don’t be stingy…” Qi Xiangxing murmured drowsily. “I’m a bit sleepy… just five minutes… wake me when Old Yue comes… I’m not slacking…”

“Oh, and remember to collect my medal… wait, no—your medal…”

With that, Qi Xiangxing gripped Luan Li’s shirt tightly, then went limp—unconscious.

“Where’s that stretcher?! Qi Xiangxing! Stay awake!”

“QI XIANGXING!!”

Luan Li’s so loud…

In her hazy dreams, Qi Xiangxing smacked her lips contentedly. Why hasn’t my secondary gender manifested yet? Once it does, I’ll be the most doting, top-tier alpha for my future wife!

“An Omega?” Mr. Qi, who had rushed to the hospital upon receiving the news, stared at the doctor in disbelief. “How could Xingxing manifest as an Omega? Her older siblings are all Alphas! We even had her tested on her eighteenth birthday—99% Alpha probability. I brought the report!”

The doctor accepted the document and cleared his throat reassuringly. “Please don’t panic. Such cases, though rare, do occur. While the test indicated high Alpha likelihood, Omega manifestation remains possible.”

In other words: 99% meant Qi Xiangxing had become the remaining 1%.

He added consolingly, “Look at the bright side—your daughter is an S-grade Omega. That’s exceptional!”

As Mr. Qi opened his mouth to protest, Mrs. Qi tugged his sleeve. He sighed and fell silent.

“Once she wakes up,” the doctor continued sternly, “you must properly educate her about Omega physiology. Especially for high-tier Omegas like her—going through heats without an Alpha’s mark is extremely dangerous. She must prioritize safety.”

Adjusting his glasses, the doctor concluded, “Other parents are waiting. You may take her home. Break the news gently when she wakes up to avoid shocking her.”

After bringing Qi Xiangxing home from the hospital, her father sat in the living room drowning his sorrows in water, only to find himself growing more distressed. After a long silence, he sighed deeply: “Had I known earlier, I wouldn’t have let Xingxing learn taekwondo and karate.”

Her mother slammed the table: “What’s the point of saying that now? We should be thinking about how to tell Xingxing she’s presented as an omega!”

The father shrank his neck: “Just—tell her directly.”

“What about the arranged marriage between Xingxing and Lili?”

The father slapped his thigh: “I think I just heard Lili has presented too! I’ll call Old Luan right now!”