PM Chapter 86

最佳契合 (Perfect Match) – 十九瑶

Extra 4: Fathers Back in the Day (Part 1)

　　“This is chasteberry oral supplement¹Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is a herbal supplement primarily known for its ability to regulate hormones and relieve female reproductive system symptoms, particularly those associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause., a seven-day supply, which needs to be taken with three tubes of nutrient solution every day. The instructions explains everything in detail, and someone as bright as you will have no trouble understanding it. If you feel really unwell and can’t push through, you can take one extra pill a day. Just one—no more. Otherwise it’ll affect your fertility. Understand?”

The school doctor in the white coat stopped talking and handed him a paper bag.

It wasn’t your typical thin white or brown rough paper. This one was thicker and smoother, with warm, vibrant watercolor-like patterns. It looked more like a gift bag from a store. The front had a printed line:

If you walk through the thorns, your youth will shine greater than before.

Young Yan Ning smiled, accepted it, and politely replied, “Thank you, teacher.”

“This is your general leave slip. I’ve already signed it—just turn it in to the Academic Affairs Office for record. And this…” The school doctor picked up another sheet of paper and placed it over the leave slip, “This is your isolation application form. You should go to the basement of your dorm building a day or two in advance to get familiar with the place. Of course, staying in the isolation room isn’t mandatory. Some of the more delicate omegas choose to go home and have their families look after them, but the school doesn’t recommend that. Do you know why?”

“Yes, I know.” Yan Ning replied, “You can only discipline your mind when you’re on your own.”

The school doctor was thrilled with his response and nodded approvingly, “Exactly. If an omega truly wants to mature, they have to take this thorny path. If you stay at home, you’ll instinctively feel you have support and a way to get out, making it easier to become dependent—which is bad for your development. That is why the school’s professional isolation rooms are the ideal option.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure to submit it on time.”

Yan Ning took the two sheets of paper, neatly folded them, and placed them inside the paper bag. He looked down at his watch, thanked the school doctor once again, and prepared to leave the clinic to join in club activities, but he was stopped, “Yan Ning, do you have an alpha you like?”

She asked him politely, but…

“Uh, no!”

Yan Ning’s face turned red, and he spoke out of the blue.

The school doctor has been a pheromone therapist for more than twenty years and has seen numerous young omegas who have recently started dating. A reaction this quick and firm was nearly a giveaway. Yan Ning’s looks confirmed her suspicions even more.

But she only smiled lightly and said, “It’s best if you don’t. But if you do, try not to see them these next few days. It’ll be like drinking poison to quench your thirst—makes things even worse when you’re stuck dealing with it alone. Alphas in their early twenties are all late bloomers. They look grown, act like they can handle things, but they’re really just kids. Their ideas about love aren’t even fully formed yet. The sweet things they say—just listen and let it pass. Don’t take any of it too seriously, okay?”

“Okay, I will. Thank you, ma’am.”

Yan Ning smiled brightly, nodded, and left the school clinic with the paper bag in hand.

⋮

　　He got to the classroom early. There was still a little time before the poetry club began. The majority of the students had already come, and the seats were nearly full, but the last row at the door was unoccupied.

Zheng Hongming didn’t come today.

Yan Ning remembered the school doctor’s advice to “don’t see them” and let out a sigh of relief, but then he couldn’t stop himself from being upset.

Whatever.

You fish for three days and then dry the net for two days.²This proverb criticizes people who fail to commit themselves regularly to a task, opting instead for a casual approach rather than consistent dedication. In simpler words, “Shows up three days, ghosts for two.” He’s not sincere about pursuing someone. No wonder he’s single.

“Senior, are you going to have your coming-of-age ceremony?”

When a keen-eyed junior noticed the paper bag in his hand, she spoke out. The others were thrilled and gathered around Yan Ning, as noisy as birds on a telephone pole.

“Wait, Senior hasn’t had his ceremony yet? I actually thought you already have!”

“You really don’t look like someone who hasn’t!”

“Yeah, not at all!”

“Senior, I have a cousin who used to be really bubbly—like a tiny bunny, jumping around. Then, last year, she had her ceremony, and when she came out of the isolation room, she was like a completely different person. She was more mature and gave off a cool, self-controlled vibe. Lots of alphas fell for her!”

“Oh man, I can’t help but feel a bit envious… I’ve got over six months to go still…”

“I just can’t picture what Senior Yan will be like once he moves up.”

“Same! That’s just unimaginable!”

“I think I’ll be holding my tiny heart and falling head over heels… Do you think he’ll turn into the legendary—top-tier, academic omega?”

“Ugh, I’m almost tempted to fall for him!”

Yan Ning burst into laughter. He went ahead and gently struck their foreheads one by one to send the flock flying. He folded the paper bag, tucked it into his shoulder bag, and settled into a seat by the window.

Honestly, if he had any idea they’d blow it up like this, he would’ve hidden the bag before he went in.

⋮

　　The theme for today’s Poetry Club was a crazy coincidence—”loneliness.”
Yan Ning sat slightly dazed near the window while the students on the podium talked about Rilke, Nietzsche, and Keats.

Loneliness.

A lonely coming-of-age ceremony.

Those six words had been plaguing him for far too long, and now he felt like time was speeding up, drawing him closer to the foggy window where he could see what the future held for an omega.

Growing up in a loving family, Yan Ning was a confident, carefree child. Having the qualities of an omega—sensitivity, adaptability, and sharp perception—had always been something he enjoyed. However, he was now at a tricky turning point.

He was about to get his first heat.

What was supposed to be “young love” between him and Zheng Hongming turned out to be more of a trigger for his untimely transition into adulthood.

He was still basking in the joy of his first love.

He was annoyed when he saw him, and he missed him when he wasn’t around. Playing pranks on one other, sharing occasional laughter, walking hand in hand, intentionally avoiding crowded places, choosing luxurious stationery, imitating poetry, avoiding eye contact, hearts pounding…

In the blink of an eye, his once innocent romance had turned into something filthy and humiliating, yet he still hesitated before admitting.

Yan Ning felt a mix of fear, embarrassment, and even insecurity.

In his head, he was already spending his first heat, this so-called “coming-of-age” period, crouched down in that isolation room, his thoughts consumed by an irrational desire to be with Zheng Hongming. Yet, just him and no one else would be there—no actual alpha. That never-ending, suffocating gloom would slowly wear away at his willpower until he reached what is called “Omega maturity.”

Yan Ning despised the idea.

He studied poetry and found a way to fully understand those complex feelings—not so he could destroy them with just one blow.

To him, the mental torture was far worse than any physical harm.

Based to whatever the elders often said to the younger generation, an omega’s fate was to bear the pain of the first heat. You could only be called truly grown if you got through that hurdle. But Yan Ning saw it all as useless and meaningless pain. Giving it fancy names and endless praise was just utter nonsense used to make themselves feel better.

They deceived themselves since they knew they couldn’t resist.

In the end, the first heat’s torment was made even more spiritual by turning it into a ceremony. It didn’t matter if you had a partner or not.

Omegas need to have self-control. Need to persevere.

“A Path of Thorns,” “A Coming-of-Age,” “Phoenix Rebirth,” and countless other lovely names were placed on it by the people.

But Yan Ning knew better. If you took away those nice words, what was left was a horrible, hopeless, and degrading limbo.

Who would actually like to change overnight?

Who wouldn’t want to always be a bouncing rabbit?

Being older than his classmates was something he used to take pride in. Now he didn’t feel that way. He wished he could stay innocent forever—forever a happy, hopping little bunny.

⋮

　　He lost focus all the way through the Poetry Club meeting. Even though Yan Ning was known to be the most attentive listener in the room, he completely lost interest today and didn’t understand a word. Irritated, he looked back. The corner seat in the last row remained empty.

Come or don’t come, it doesn’t matter.

But as soon as he left the classroom, he nearly bumped into Zheng Hongming. It was clear that the alpha was in a great mood because he was leaning against the hallway wall with his hands in his pockets and grinning like a fool at the ceiling.

As expected. They’ve got only one brain cell and are always happy.

Yan Ning turned around and left right away.

“Hey! Wait up !” Zheng Hongming saw him, then sprinted over in two long strides to grab his wrist. “Come on, let’s go somewhere!”

“No!”

Yan Ning pulled hard.

Unfortunately, he was unable to break free, and even his piercing “No” was swallowed by the hectic hallway. As he was dragged away, his body swayed helplessly, giving the impression that he was being taken somewhere against his will.

⋮

　　“The Lu Changgeng Cup Business Simulation Competition — Award Winners.”

Yan Ning stood in front of the bulletin board, staring blankly at the big headline.

Underneath the headline, Zheng Hongming’s name was printed, but he feigned not to notice. He faked a “Oh, I just saw that” moment when Hongming told him, and then he reluctantly kept reading, “Gold Prize, Economics Department, Class of XX, Zheng Hongming’s team. Award for Excellence in Economics Department—”

“Just read mine. Leave the rest out.”

Zheng Hongming, his grin wide, mimicked the magician’s pose and then, out of the blue, revealed a glistening gold medal under Yan Ning’s nose, “Can you guess why I skipped today? I was at the auditorium, picking this up!”

“I see. Impressive.”

Yan Ning gave the bland flattery without much thought, fixed his uneven backpack strap, turned around, and began walking toward the dorms.

He missed class the last time because he competed.
This time, he had to skip class to claim the award.

That makes sense. Completely acceptable.

Because Zheng Hongming was so happy, those three words, which were said without much emotion, sounded lovely to him. He followed Yan Ning and talked nonstop, like a one-man comedy show, the whole way. He talked about how the contest took dangerous turns and how he and his teammates almost lost, won over the judges, and got the gold.

After that, he went off on a long rant about his father’s awful business skills, his refusal to take criticism, and the downfall of a once-promising company that collapsed to four or five dying small hotels. Having received such a significant recognition, he felt empowered to disagree with his father’s choices.

“This is just the beginning,” Zheng Hongming said with pride. “Jiusheng is going to become the top hotel chain in Yuanjiang once I graduate and take over,” he declared. “And when that happens, I’m going to give myself a little extra credit and make a “Yan Ning Zone” in every hotel. It will have a café, an art gallery, or a small bookstore. That sounds good, right?”

Full of drive and desire, heading for the stars.

Yan Ning simply smiled.

Alphas were really God’s favorites. They saw such a big picture and planned their lives like they were stacking blocks.

“Oh, right. I reserved a large surf-and-turf dinner for tonight to celebrate with my team.” Zheng Hongming quickly changed the subject, his voice still warm. “You must be sick of the cafeteria food by now. Want to join us?”

“Thanks, but no. I don’t have time.”

“Hey, I’ve already… I already told them a while back that you’d be there.” Zheng Hongming was obviously taken aback by the rejection. After a short moment of hesitation, he quickly rushed after him, showing fragility as he asked, “Yan Ning, could you please do me a favor? If you don’t show up to such an important dinner, it will be very awkward…”

“…..”

Yan Ning didn’t say anything and just sped up.

At last, Zheng Hongming realized that something was wrong. Something must have happened for Yan Ning to be so quiet. He took a single step in front of him, frowning.

“What’s the matter? Are you mad?”

Yan Ning turned away, “I’m not.”

“What does ‘not’ mean? You have it written all over you.” Zheng placed a hand on his shoulder and pointed to his cheek, “Look at you—your left cheek is angry, and your right cheek is telling me to back off. Your eyebrows are saying “stay the hell away from me.”

“You can read it and still get in my way?”

He was so mad at himself that Yan Ning tried to push past him. Zheng Hongming not only refused to move, he let him crash into him and then put an arm around him to keep him there.

“Hey, exactly what are you doing?  There are people around!”

They stood on the main road leading to the dormitories from the academic building, where students rode their bikes nonstop. Yan Ning tensed up, lowered his head, stepped back, and nervously looked to the left and right.

Zheng changed his grip and put an arm around his shoulders like a friend. He then leaned in close and said, “Let’s talk somewhere private.”

Yan Ning quickly shook his head, “No. I’m going back to the dorm.”

“Request denied.”

“What gives you the right to “deny” it?'”

Zheng pulled him closer with a sudden tug, “I’m free, you’re free, and it’s obvious you’re mad, so let’s talk. I also know a nice place with tea, less people, and lots of birds. Come on.”

Yan Ning tripped as he was pulled onto the narrow path that went to Gardenia West Street.

✕✕✕

Translated and edited by janemoyu (12/07/25)

• 1
  Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is a herbal supplement primarily known for its ability to regulate hormones and relieve female reproductive system symptoms, particularly those associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.
• 2
  This proverb criticizes people who fail to commit themselves regularly to a task, opting instead for a casual approach rather than consistent dedication. In simpler words, “Shows up three days, ghosts for two.”