Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 143
by Little PandaFlowers in the Mirror (4)
Pei Xuezhi became Fu Chaoyun’s “teacher.”
—In name only, that is.
Truthfully, there wasn’t much to teach. Fu Chaoyun’s grades were no worse than Pei Xuezhi’s; it was merely an excuse to get closer.
In return, the time the two spent together, both in and out of school, did increase.
Pei Xuezhi wasn’t one for crowds, so during this period, the number of hangers-on who usually trailed Fu Chaoyun sharply decreased.
Pei Xuezhi noticed but didn’t ask.
After all, even Fu Chaoyun herself didn’t seem to care, and Pei Xuezhi had always been a cold and selfish person.
With the time they spent alone together, plus the advantage of proximity1, at seventeen or eighteen, an age ripe for youthful infatuation, rumors inevitably began to spread in school that the two were dating.
The rumors, not quelled in time, escalated, becoming quite vivid and detailed2, eventually even “dancing” their way right in front of Pei Xuezhi.
Pei Xuezhi usually couldn’t be bothered with such gossip, but since people were asking her directly, she simply answered.
“No.”
A denial.
Similarly, Fu Chaoyun faced the same questions. She was much more approachable than Pei Xuezhi. Instead of answering, she tossed the question back.
“Oh? And how did Zhizhi answer?”
“She said you two aren’t in that kind of relationship, that you’re not dating.”
Fu Chaoyun smiled, her gaze, when she looked at the person, still carrying that flamboyant yet unsearing quality. “Whatever Zhizhi says, goes. I listen to Zhizhi.”
Fu Chaoyun never lied, and Pei Xuezhi looked like a very serious type of person.
Now that both parties had given their answers, the rumors about them “dating” were quickly dispelled. But immediately after, more people’s minds started to wander—
Pei Xuezhi was stopped by a younger girl.
“What is it?”
She was cold but not harsh, her polite demeanor impeccably maintained. So, even though the other girl stammered, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, unable to utter a single word for the longest time, Pei Xuezhi still waited patiently.
After all, she had been called out by this person.
However, Pei Xuezhi’s patience was limited. Finally, just before it ran out, the other girl managed to say:
“Pei… Pei-xuejie… do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend right now?”
Pei Xuezhi paused, a little dazed.
In the past, when she was called out by someone of the same sex, it was mostly for troublemaking or provocation, and most of the time, the root cause was related to men. But now, this person was asking about “her” relationship status.
Her status.
The feeling was somewhat strange…
Pei Xuezhi once again clearly realized that she was now in an ABO world.
Here, AO relationships were mainstream. Under this premise, same-sex relationships between Alphas and Omegas were considered quite normal.
Just like now.
“Pei-xuejie?”
Seeing Pei Xuezhi didn’t reply, the younger girl called out twice more, finally pulling Pei Xuezhi back to reality.
“No.”
A denial, and also the truth.
This answer made the younger girl heave a huge sigh of relief. Coy yet bold, she asked, “Th-then, Pei-xuejie, if you’re looking for a girlfriend in the future… could you consider… me first?”
Pei Xuezhi was even more dazed.
She knew the pairing conventions of this world, but now…
Pei Xuezhi finally let her gaze fall back on the other girl, this time with a bit more seriousness. “You probably haven’t differentiated yet, have you?”
“En.”
The girl’s cheeks were red, but her tone was quite formal. “I still have more than half a year before I come of age and differentiate. My physical data report shows a 93% probability that I will differentiate into an Omega…”
“So you think—”
“Pei-xuejie is so outstanding, and your physique is great too, of course you’ll differentiate into an Alpha!”
By afternoon.
The news that “Pei Xuezhi was confessed to” reached Fu Chaoyun’s ears. During outdoor physical education class, Fu Chaoyun sidled over, and when no one was nearby, asked:
“How did Zhizhi answer?”
Her tone seemed extremely casual. Pei Xuezhi looked at her instantly. “How did you know?”
Logically speaking, this matter had been handled very discreetly. Regardless of the outcome, Pei Xuezhi hadn’t detected any malice from the prospective Omega during their interaction. Given the other girl’s shy personality, she should have kept it hidden.
Fu Chaoyun looked relaxed. “You were gone for a while, and someone I know happened to see it and told me.”
Seeing Pei Xuezhi’s serious expression, Fu Chaoyun added.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let the people under me spread rumors.” After a pause, she added with a playful smile, “What? Already protecting her?”
…Did she agree? Or perhaps something lighter, like not refusing and giving her a chance?
“No,” Pei Xuezhi replied.
Indeed, no one else knew about this matter, yet Fu Chaoyun somehow did, making Pei Xuezhi wonder if the other girl’s luck was just a bit too good.
Thinking back to the previous times she’d had accidents, Fu Chaoyun had always managed to be there right away…
While Pei Xuezhi was lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t notice the momentary relaxation in Fu Chaoyun.
“Why?” Fu Chaoyun asked, as if casually.
Since it involved the little girl’s privacy, Pei Xuezhi couldn’t reveal the details. Instead, she asked Fu Chaoyun, “What do you think I’ll differentiate into when I come of age?”
“What? What do you want to differentiate into?” Fu Chaoyun tossed the question back.
Pei Xuezhi didn’t speak.
Fu Chaoyun: “She thinks you’ll definitely differentiate into an Alpha?”
Pei Xuezhi still didn’t speak.
A silent admission.
“Adult differentiation does have some connection to one’s own wishes, but the influence is very small. Ultimately, it depends on genetic factors, just like biological sex, it’s determined at birth…” Fu Chaoyun explained.
She had actually noticed that although Pei Xuezhi hid it well, silently absorbing all the knowledge around her, she actually knew very little about ABO-related matters.
It was as if… she was encountering it for the first time.
Fu Chaoyun, despite noticing, pretended not to know. “No matter what you differentiate into, it’s you as a person who is strong, not your ABO gender.”
She paused.
“Of course, the same goes for romance.”
It’s determined by a person’s inherent attractiveness, not so-called pheromone attraction.
Pei Xuezhi looked up at her, her eyes dark and deep. “I remember, you’re an Alpha.”
Just as Fu Chaoyun had anticipated, she herself was, by now, also well-versed in this world’s gender structure.
The social status of the three ABO genders was initially unequal, with AOs being prized—the former for an Alpha’s inherent strength, the latter for an Omega’s reproductive value. Betas constituted the majority of the ordinary workforce and formed the foundation of society. This distorted social structure inevitably met with resistance. Thousands of years ago, an O-rights movement had arisen, and Betas had also launched various strikes and protests… It wasn’t until the last century that equality among the three genders was advocated. Yet, even so, Alphas still held privileges in certain positions.
—This was a legacy of history, as well as an inherent genetic advantage of Alphas.
“Enhmm~” Under Pei Xuezhi’s gaze, Fu Chaoyun admitted it without any attempt to hide it.
Pei Xuezhi thought of the little girl’s question. “So you plan to find an Omega to have children with in the future?”
AO unions had higher fertility rates and were more likely to produce outstanding offspring. For a prestigious family like the Fu family, this was the best choice.
“Not necessarily, oh.”
Fu Chaoyun said instead. She thought for a moment. “I think clicking with someone3 is more important.”
What does ‘clicking with someone’ mean?
“What kind of person do you like?”
The moment these words left her mouth, even Pei Xuezhi found it incredible. She wasn’t an impulsive or curious person, but in that instant, facing Fu Chaoyun’s beautiful and radiant profile, she had blurted it out uncontrollably.
Fu Chaoyun turned back.
The wind outside was a bit strong today, making the ends of her hair flutter. But the sunlight was bright, making her face appear even more fiery and vivid. Her amber eyes flowed with a gilded honey color, and even her hair tips seemed to dance with a playful golden hue. A strand of hair was blown before Fu Chaoyun’s eyes, somewhat obscuring her vision. The Alpha raised her hand—
—but instead pressed down on Pei Xuezhi’s dark hair that had been lifted by the wind.
Young, no, perhaps youthful was a better word.
The still-youthful Alpha tilted her head, smiled gently at Pei Xuezhi, and said, “Good-looking ones.”
Her voice was light and crisp, yet resonant.
The next moment.
She reverted to her usual casual demeanor.
As Fu Chaoyun smoothed Pei Xuezhi’s long hair, she said, “Little kids who haven’t differentiated yet don’t need to worry about so much.”
After speaking, her fingertip tapped Pei Xuezhi’s head.
When Pei Xuezhi looked up again, she saw Fu Chaoyun’s retreating figure. As Fu Chaoyun walked forward, her shadow stretched long, continuing to extend and cover Pei Xuezhi’s form.
Her light was obscured, yet it still seemed warm.
Another gust of wind blew.
—For an instant, even the wind was gentle.
A long time passed after the confession incident.
So long that both of them had graduated from high school and started their freshman year of university. Even the crowd following Fu Chaoyun had changed, yet Pei Xuezhi still showed no signs of differentiating.
“When on earth is Zhizhi going to differentiate?” Fu Chaoyun asked, fiddling with the ends of Pei Xuezhi’s hair.
Pei Xuezhi was not an easy person to get close to; she even carried an indescribable sharpness and a baleful aura.
Yes, a baleful aura.
One that hurt others and herself.
But after spending so much time together day in and day out, that baleful aura showed signs of dissipating—at least, she wouldn’t direct it solely at Fu Chaoyun.
Similarly, in their interactions, Pei Xuezhi had also discovered Fu Chaoyun’s different side. She wasn’t always so spoiled, willful, and insufferably arrogant. Stripped of her so-called halo and the public eye, this Alpha, who seemed as outstanding and fortunate as a chosen one, also had her childish side.
Just like now, playing with her hair like an elementary school kid4.
At first, Pei Xuezhi would rescue her hair from the other’s grasp. But gradually, over time, as Fu Chaoyun proved to be quite clingy and refused to change despite repeated admonitions, Pei Xuezhi no longer guarded it as strictly as before.
Of course.
A key reason for this was that Fu Chaoyun knew her limits and also possessed a beautiful, captivating face—perhaps the latter was the crucial part.
Habit truly is a terrifying thing.
“I don’t know,” Pei Xuezhi replied. Her tone was still somewhat cold, yet pleasant to listen to. When facing Fu Chaoyun, it held a bit more familiarity, no longer as guarded and distant as when they first met.
“Ai.” Fu Chaoyun let out a soft sigh.
Her ink-black eyes still rested on the Alpha. She said, “Perhaps I’m just an anomaly among them, and I won’t differentiate.”
Is that so?
Fu Chaoyun paused for a moment, no particular change in her expression, then suddenly lowered her head.
Curious, Pei Xuezhi uncontrollably leaned closer, only to hear the other murmur.
“Just how old is Zhizhi anyway…”
Pei Xuezhi: “…………”
“Forget it!” Fu Chaoyun abruptly looked up. “I’m not waiting anymore!”
Pei Xuezhi: “?”
The Alpha tilted her head, her eyes sparkling, acting cute and coquettish just like every time she made Pei Xuezhi feel helpless—Fu Chaoyun, who was so cocky5 in others’ eyes, was always soft with Pei Xuezhi.
“Zhizhi,” she called out softly and sweetly, as always, “can I get a love number tag6 from you?”
Pei Xuezhi froze.
This reminded her of a long time ago, the first time a little girl had stood before her and asked this question. How had she answered then?
—”Sorry.”
Now, the one before her was Fu Chaoyun.
Afraid the other hadn’t heard clearly, Pei Xuezhi repeated the “key point,” “I might always be like this, unable to differentiate.”
“Heard you, heard you, I’m not deaf yet.” Fu Chaoyun’s attitude was very casual.
Yet it was this casualness that, as Pei Xuezhi watched, made her unconsciously tighten her hands. “What… are you thinking?”
Fu Chaoyun showed a surprised expression. “Zhizhi isn’t paying attention when I speak.”
Pei Xuezhi: “…”
Fu Chaoyun cast a sidelong glance at her, then slowly said.
“I told Zhizhi before that I don’t care about the gender of my future partner, right?”
Pei Xuezhi didn’t speak.
But Fu Chaoyun’s eyes were on her, staring and staring… until Pei Xuezhi couldn’t take it anymore and nodded slightly, as a silent agreement.
Only then did Fu Chaoyun continue with satisfaction, “Then what’s the next sentence?”
“…”
A standard case of turning the tables7!
Fu Chaoyun launched another offensive with her eyes. Pei Xuezhi, unable to withstand the gaze, could only reply.
“Good-looking ones?”
A certain shameless Alpha nodded, twirling a strand of Pei Xuezhi’s long hair, her gaze fiery and intense. “I think Zhizhi is very good-looking.”
Thump-thump.
Pei Xuezhi had anticipated Fu Chaoyun might say this, but the moment she actually heard it, her heart still pounded uncontrollably.
—This isn’t like me.
She shouldn’t be immersed in these lovey-dovey matters.
Moreover…
Pei Xuezhi kept trying to control herself, to be calmer, more natural… A few short seconds felt as long as an entire century.
Ultimately.
Her face showed no change in expression; she remained composed, cool, and distant.
“Do you know what you’re saying?” Pei Xuezhi asked.
“I do.”
At this moment, Fu Chaoyun’s voice, on the contrary, became clearer. The Alpha gazed at Pei Xuezhi with those clear eyes that had never been muddled, so profoundly it was as if she wanted to carve Pei Xuezhi into her very bones, to brand her into her soul.
Fu Chaoyun touched her lips with her fingertips, her clear eyes now revealing a hint of lingering tenderness, her tone gentle and soft. “I most likely like Zhizhi.”
Pei Xuezhi lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling uncontrollably for a moment.
…Most likely?
Eighteen-year-old Fu Chaoyun—willful, flamboyant, having had smooth sailing all her life without encountering any setbacks—was far braver than anyone imagined.
And more direct.
That voice was exquisitely pleasant, drawing nearer from afar, finally transforming into a surging river, roaring endlessly in Pei Xuezhi’s ears; then like a blazing fire, shooting into the sky and exploding into countless fireworks.
Every wisp of residual heat streaking across the night sky left an indelible mark on her heart.
Fu Chaoyun leaned closer.
She abandoned the natural yet slightly frivolous act of playing with the other’s hair. Seen up close, that radiant face appeared even more flawless. The fireworks seemed to be born in her amber eyes, burning to engulf everything she saw.
…Pulling the other to fall with her.
“No.”
Fu Chaoyun corrected herself again, “I am very sure—”
“Fu Chaoyun likes Pei Xuezhi.”
“The kind of like where I want to spend a lifetime together.”
Footnotes
- 近水楼台 | jìn shuǐ lóu tái | Short for 近水楼台先得月 (jìn shuǐ lóu tái xiān dé yuè), meaning “the pavilion closest to the water gets the moonlight first.” An idiom signifying that those in a favorable position or with easy access to someone/something have a better chance of obtaining it. Here, it implies their increased time together naturally leads to developing feelings.
- 鼻子有眼 | bízi yǒu yǎn | Literally “has a nose and eyes.” An idiom meaning that a story or rumor is told with such vivid detail that it sounds completely true and as if witnessed firsthand.
- 合眼缘 | hé yǎnyuán | Literally “suits the eye’s destiny/affinity.” An idiom meaning to be pleasing to the eye, to find someone attractive or likeable at first sight, or to feel a natural connection or click with someone.
- 小学鸡 | xiǎoxué jī | Literally “elementary school chicken.” A slang term used to describe someone who is childish, immature, or petty, similar to calling someone a “kid” in a slightly teasing or derogatory way.
- 二五八万 | èr wǔ bā wàn | A slang term originating from Mahjong tiles (20,000, 50,000, 80,000). It’s used to describe someone acting arrogant, cocky, or putting on airs, as if they are a big shot.
- 爱的号码牌 | ài de hàomǎpái | Literally “love’s number plate/tag.” A metaphorical expression for queuing up or reserving a spot for someone’s affection, like taking a number at a deli, but for love.
- 反客为主 | fǎn kè wéi zhǔ | Literally “the guest acts as host.” An idiom meaning to reverse the roles of host and guest; to turn from a passive position to an active one, often by taking the initiative or control.
0 Comments