The Alpha’s Hidden Marriage, Public Obsession (GL) - Chapter 6

The restaurant server greeted them warmly and immediately recognized Jiang Xue as an Omega and Xia Yin as an Alpha. Without much thought, she assumed they were a couple and enthusiastically recommended a couple’s meal set.

“Today is Valentine’s Day. We’re running a special promotion for couples. If you two take a photo together and sign your names on that wall, you’ll get a twenty percent discount.”

Xia Yin had almost forgotten what day it was, but she didn’t respond right away. Instead, she turned to watch Jiang Xue’s reaction.

As expected, Jiang Xue quickly explained to the server, “Sorry, we’re not a couple. We’re just friends. I didn’t get a chance to eat dinner earlier, and my friend was kind enough to come with me.”

The server’s face visibly shifted with embarrassment. She quickly apologized.

“I’m so sorry. You just look really good together, Alpha and Omega. I assumed you were a couple. I really didn’t mean to be rude.”

Jiang Xue had already felt slightly awkward. The server’s comment only made it worse, and her cheeks turned a light shade of red. She didn’t know how else to respond. Xia Yin’s appearance often attracted attention, especially when she was around Omegas at school. It wasn’t surprising that people would jump to conclusions.

Still, the situation was awkward. Even if Jiang Xue didn’t mind, Xia Yin probably would. And if Xia Yin happened to be interested in another Omega, this misunderstanding would only be more uncomfortable.

“It’s alright. We just wanted to clarify that we’re not in a relationship. We’re just two friends grabbing a meal,” Jiang Xue said. “We’ll take these two dishes. Please try to bring them out quickly.”

The server apologized again and led them to a window-side table. To make up for the misunderstanding, she also brought them two complimentary drinks.

It was the kind of awkward moment that could easily become worse, especially when you didn’t know each other’s romantic situations. But Xia Yin didn’t seem fazed at all. After sitting down, she joked, “Professor Jiang, that was a twenty percent discount. All we had to do was pretend, and we could’ve saved a few bucks. That’s practically a win-win. You really passed up a good deal.”

Jiang Xue hadn’t thought of it that way. All she had been thinking about was her upcoming marriage to Lin Yulan and how she needed to keep her distance from other Alphas to avoid misunderstandings. Lin Yulan probably didn’t care about any of that. In fact, she might even be happy to see her get close to another Alpha, just to have a reason for divorce in the future.

Still, Jiang Xue believed that once you agreed to marry someone, loyalty was the very least you owed them.

But now that Xia Yin pointed it out, she did feel a little regretful. A discount like that was rare. Missing out really was a shame.

“Stop it. If you keep talking about it, I’m going to regret it even more.”

“How about we find the server and lie about it now? We can say we had a fight and were angry earlier, which is why we said we weren’t a couple. What do you think?”

Jiang Xue fell silent, her expression clearly torn. Xia Yin noticed and her smile faded.

After a short pause, Xia Yin lowered her voice and asked, “Jiang Xue, do you already like another Alpha?”

If someone else had asked her that, she might have happily introduced the Alpha she liked. But Jiang Xue knew she couldn’t.

She didn’t want to cause misunderstandings, but more importantly, Lin Yulan wouldn’t want anyone to know.

Lin Yulan didn’t even want to admit that Jiang Xue was her future Omega. If Jiang Xue told Xia Yin now, and someday the two met in person, she wouldn’t know how to explain any of it.

Maybe it was better not to say anything at all.

“No,” Jiang Xue replied with a forced smile. “I’m already overwhelmed with work. How could I have time for a relationship? Why? Do you have someone you like, Xia Yin?”

Xia Yin didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked at Jiang Xue with a soft smile.

Jiang Xue felt a bit self-conscious under her gaze. She lowered her eyes and asked, “Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that? You still haven’t answered me. Do you really like someone?”

Jiang Xue was genuinely curious. Xia Yin was very popular at the university. Back when they first met, Jiang Xue often saw Omegas giving Xia Yin love letters. She had even seen posts on the school confession wall. It made perfect sense if Xia Yin had someone in mind.

She just wondered which Omega could be so lucky. Xia Yin was gentle, considerate, and always knew how to make others feel seen. She treated Omegas with such softness and patience that it was nearly impossible to resist.

“I do,” Xia Yin said with a smile. “But I don’t think she likes my type. I’ve made it pretty obvious, but she hasn’t picked up on it at all.”

Then she changed the subject.

“Professor Jiang, you’re smart and capable. Why don’t you teach me how to win her over?”

“What?” Jiang Xue was caught off guard. “You want me to teach you how to pursue someone?”

She had never been in a relationship herself. Sure, she liked Lin Yulan, but that was one-sided. Lin Yulan didn’t feel the same. Jiang Xue had no idea how to pursue someone, let alone teach someone else how to do it.

“Xia Yin, don’t tease me. I’ve never even been in love. How could I possibly give you advice?” Jiang Xue laughed. “You’d be better off asking one of those love gurus online.”

Xia Yin seemed to seriously consider it before shaking her head.

“Why would I ask them? They’re just creating content for views. Real life isn’t that easy. If it were as simple as they made it seem, nobody would be single. Besides, you’re smart and well-read. I’m sure you’ve seen more of the world than I have. Come on, give me a suggestion. What if it actually helps? Don’t you think so?”

Jiang Xue’s big, expressive eyes glanced at her. Seeing how serious Xia Yin was, she gave in.

“Alright. Tell me about her. What kind of Omega is she?”

As they spoke, the server brought over their food. Xia Yin had already eaten earlier that evening, so she only ordered a small dessert. The large plate of curry chicken with potatoes was Jiang Xue’s.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

They both thanked the server. Once she left, they picked up where they had left off.

“You want to know what she’s like? Let me think,” Xia Yin said, resting her chin on her hand as she considered it seriously.

Several minutes passed.

By the time Jiang Xue was halfway through her meal, Xia Yin finally spoke again.

“She’s an Omega. Very beautiful, gentle, thoughtful. The students really like her. But she seems to lack confidence. She often thinks, ‘Why would anyone like someone like me?’ So, Professor Jiang, what do you think I should do to let her know I like her?”

Jiang Xue’s hand froze over her plate. The description of this Omega reminded her of herself, and she hesitated.

“Professor Jiang?”

Xia Yin didn’t pressure her. She simply asked, “Is that too difficult a question?”

Jiang Xue snapped out of it and shook her head.

“No. If she’s really like that, then why don’t you just tell her how you feel? Some people are naturally slow when it comes to emotions. If you don’t say it directly, she might never realize it for the rest of her life.”

“I want to confess too,” Xia Yin said, pausing for a moment. “But I’m afraid that if I tell her directly, it might scare her away. What worries me more is that I don’t even know if she already likes someone. If she does, my confession would only make things harder for her. And our relationship might never go back to how it was. So, Professor Jiang, do you still think I should confess?”

In that case, no, she probably shouldn’t confess.

This kind of situation could ruin a friendship. Before confessing, the two might still be good friends, but once those feelings are spoken aloud, things become complicated, especially when the other person is an Omega.

Maybe the Omega wouldn’t mind, but the Alpha certainly would. There’s no such thing as a truly platonic friendship between an Alpha and an Omega when one of them harbors romantic feelings. People who claim otherwise are just fooling themselves.

“I…”

Just as Jiang Xue was about to say something, she suddenly heard a familiar voice near the front of the restaurant.

It was strange. The restaurant was noisy, filled with the sounds of people talking and eating. Even the owner and staff had to shout to be heard. Under such loud conditions, it should have been impossible to pick out a specific voice, yet somehow, she did.

She looked up sharply toward the front and froze the moment she saw who it was.

Standing there was none other than Lin Yulan.

Jiang Xue quickly lowered her head. Her mood dropped instantly. She had just scooped a spoonful of rice, but now it hovered in place, untouched.

Xia Yin immediately noticed something was wrong. She followed Jiang Xue’s gaze, but didn’t see anyone out of the ordinary. Or perhaps, whoever it was had already walked out of view.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Yin asked carefully. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Jiang Xue took a deep breath, tried to gather herself, and then finally lifted her head.

“I’m fine.”

Xia Yin didn’t press further. Instead, she gently brought the conversation back.

“So, Professor Jiang, what do you think I should do?”

“I…”

Jiang Xue’s thoughts were a mess. Her mind was completely focused on Lin Yulan. He hadn’t come alone. He was accompanied by a beautiful Omega, and the two of them seemed to be getting along very well. They were smiling, laughing, and clearly enjoying each other’s company.

They were probably just friends, Jiang Xue told herself, though the thought brought a bitter taste to her heart.

“Hmm?”

“I think… in that case, you could try to get a feel for her thoughts first. If she makes it clear she doesn’t have feelings for anyone else, then go for it.”

Xia Yin looked visibly brighter and more cheerful after hearing that. She smiled and said, “That makes a lot of sense. I’ll try that when the time comes.”

Once they finished eating, they went to the front to pay. Xia Yin had originally planned to treat Jiang Xue. She figured it would be a nice way to express her thanks, and it wasn’t an expensive meal anyway, so Jiang Xue wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable. But Jiang Xue moved faster, stepping up first and settling the bill before Xia Yin could react. Xia Yin sighed with slight regret and waited outside.

Still, there was no rush. They had plenty of time ahead. There would be other chances.

Just as Jiang Xue finished paying and was about to leave the restaurant, someone suddenly called her name.

She turned her head.

Lin Yulan stood there, arms crossed, looking straight at her.