Even in this ABO era, banquet attire was still dominated by opulence and refinement. Tang Jianxi had changed out of her usual suit and into a floor-length silver gown. White-gold embroidery shimmered faintly on the skirt, and the graceful lines of her collarbones were left bare. Looking up, the beauty, enhanced by her makeup, was captivating whether she was pouting or smiling, enchanting all who saw her as she chatted and laughed.
Beside her, Yun Chuji was also uncharacteristically dressed up. Due to a series of lingering aesthetic constraints and the deliberate indulgence of a certain Miss Tang who wished to remain anonymous, Yun Chuji wore a long robe with a classical feel. It was the same color scheme as Tang Jianxi’s dress, combining the opulence of Huaxia style with the elegance of Grecian style. Her long black hair fell straight over her shoulders, and paired with her innocent yet slightly melancholic expression, she attracted the gazes of many omegas.
However, the radiant figure standing beside her greatly dampened the courage of the omegas on Cang Star, allowing Yun Chuji to quietly serve as a backdrop.
Until—Qi Sheng spoke those words.
Yun Chuji blinked, letting out a single, questioning syllable. “Ah?”
Qi Sheng’s face was slightly flushed, but his enthusiastic gaze was completely undisguised. “I’ve seen your videos on the StarNet. What you said was brilliant.”
The surrounding group of high-society connoisseurs immediately began to discreetly exchange intrigued glances. Had another omega said this, it might have been fine; after all, Yun Chuji’s words were indeed very appealing to omegas.
But Qi Sheng was a married omega, and his alpha husband was standing right beside him. Furthermore, their marriage had the undertones of social climbing.
This inevitably drew mocking looks toward the embarrassed alpha—had he failed to satisfy his partner?
Johnsen’s expression stiffened for a moment before he managed a warm, magnanimous smile. “Ah, yes. Ah Sheng heard you were coming and spent a long time preparing at home. It made me quite jealous.”
His witty response eased the awkwardness of the situation, but it did nothing to diminish the intensity of Qi Sheng’s gaze. Yun Chuji looked to Tang Jianxi for help, only to find her enjoying the show. Left to her own devices, she tried to recall movies she had seen, pondering what would be an appropriate response in such a situation. After much thought, she came up with an answer that was neither good nor bad. “Mr. Qi, thank you for your appreciation. I will continue to work hard.”
Although she didn’t know what she was supposed to be working hard on, saying so seemed very respectful.
Qi Sheng seemed to grow even more excited upon hearing this. “Really? Do you truly believe A-Virtue is practical in reality?”
All sorts of gazes turned toward them, barely concealed, making it difficult for Johnsen to maintain his composure.
What was the meaning of this? Did he really want him to abide by that blasted A-Virtue?
Johnsen tugged at Qi Sheng’s forearm and whispered, “Ah Sheng, there’s a limit to joking.”
But to his surprise, his usually gentle and obedient omega husband uncharacteristically pulled his arm free and, without lowering his voice, said, “I’m not joking.”
Johnsen put on a tolerant facade and forced a smile. “Ah Sheng, let’s talk about this when we get home. This is Miss Tang’s banquet. What does it look like for you to be chatting so enthusiastically with her alpha?”
As he spoke, Johnsen deliberately shot an apologetic look at Tang Jianxi.
Qi Sheng gave him a strange look. “We’re just having a normal conversation. I’ve never accused you when you chat with other omegas.”
Johnsen had no idea what had gotten into Qi Sheng to make him say such things in public. Thinking about the rumors that would be circulating in G-District tomorrow, the alpha couldn’t help but clench his jaw, a trace of his true ferocity showing through. “Ah Sheng, be good.”
Just then, Yun Chuji stepped forward, breaking the tense atmosphere between the two. She said to Qi Sheng, “Mr. Qi, I believe A-Virtue is practical.”
Qi Sheng’s attention was immediately captured. “How so?”
Yun Chuji gestured to the elaborate and ornate clothing worn by the guests in the hall, organized her thoughts, and said, “These clothes are not comfortable to wear, but almost no one would refuse to put them on. The reason behind this is simply that they are a symbol of high society and they are beautiful enough. A-Virtue is certainly uncomfortable for alphas, but the purpose of morality is not to make people comfortable. It is a symbol of spiritual nobility. If we can revere A-Virtue the way we revere these magnificent clothes, then alphas will surely not refuse to wear it.”
As soon as she said this, the people around them fell silent. Only the guests farther away continued their conversations, casting puzzled looks when they noticed the strange stillness in their corner.
Tang Jianxi was representing the Tang Group on Cang Star this time. The recent prominence of the Tang Group, coupled with the fact that she brought a large order with her, drew significant attention. Cang Star was famous throughout the Empire for its Blue Cherry Steel, and more than half of the local magnates had started out as ore merchants. Therefore, the people gathered here more or less represented the families behind them.
This also meant that they valued interests far more than emotions.
Most people here had assumed Yun Chuji’s previous statements on the StarNet were for sensationalism. But for her to articulate this set of ideas so coherently on such an occasion forced them to seriously consider her thoughts and her state of mind.
Quite a few omegas let out soft gasps. They had thought she was just a smooth-talking alpha, but it turned out there was some substance to her after all.
However, the omega in question had calmed down. Qi Sheng replied, “But the respectability of these clothes is supported by the owner’s wealth and family. Often, the meaning behind the clothes is more important than the clothes themselves. But what support does A-Virtue have?”
“Omegas.”
After she said this, Qi Sheng stared at her for a long time before smiling. “I didn’t expect you to be an omega-rights advocate.”
Yun Chuji nodded slightly and said earnestly, “Anyone who understands the living conditions of omegas would become an omega-rights advocate.”
A red-haired omega who had been observing from the side for a while suddenly stepped forward. He had deep black eyes that seemed to exert extra pressure on anyone he looked at. Of course, his identity also added to that pressure—he was the son of the G-District governor. In this banquet hall, he was certainly among the most distinguished.
“Miss Yun, you just mentioned the living conditions of omegas. May I ask what you currently understand about them?”
Yun Chuji didn’t recognize this omega, but Tang Jianxi had already pointed out the important people in the room to her earlier. Thus, Yun Chuji replied politely, “Low-class omegas are grateful for a cheap and inferior inhibitor. I think that says enough about the situation.”
The omega, whose name was Marco Davis, turned his head to look at Tang Jianxi and said with a smile, “Jianxi, you have to tell me how you trained your alpha. Compared to Miss Yun, I’m tempted to break off the engagement with my fiancée.”
This was, of course, a joke, but not entirely. The fiancée Marco spoke of was none other than the Third Princess. The Davis family behind Marco had deep roots in the Empire, producing five district governors and one planetary governor in this generation alone, making them an excellent political match. However, their discord was practically an open secret. Marco spent his years on Cang Star, while the Third Princess flitted from one romance to another on the Imperial Capital Star. Marco never questioned it, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his omega charity work in G-District.
Marco would certainly be willing to break the engagement, but it wasn’t a decision he could make.
Tang Jianxi knew the inside story, but since it was a public occasion, and despite her good relationship with Marco, there was no need to be too explicit. Yun Chuji could do so, but as the second young lady of the Tang family, she had to be mindful of certain boundaries. “What training? She figured all this out on her own.”
Hearing the unconcealable pride in her voice, Marco gave her a slight eye-roll.
Qi Sheng, the original focus of the conversation, remained standing to the side, silent but still looking at Yun Chuji thoughtfully.
Of course, he wasn’t the only one. Eighty percent of the omegas present were looking at her.
And sixty percent of the alphas were looking at her too—though their gazes were certainly not as friendly.
As for the betas, a small portion were also looking at her, but as if she were some newly discovered rare animal.
Meanwhile, seeing the conversation shift toward omega rights, Johnsen breathed a sigh of relief. At least now no one was paying attention to his and Qi Sheng’s marital relationship. Startled by the close call, Johnsen subconsciously sniffed his collar. Had Qi Sheng discovered something?
But he was sure he had used a blocker spray every time.
Johnsen decided to probe Qi Sheng when they got back. He still needed Qi Sheng’s mother’s power, so he couldn’t afford to be careless with Qi Sheng.
Just give me ten more years, Johnsen thought, clenching his fist secretly before putting on a gentle smile and walking toward his omega.
After Marco joined the conversation, it was mostly him and Tang Jianxi talking, with Yun Chuji only chiming in occasionally. Nevertheless, the surrounding stares still made her uncomfortable.
She lowered her head and sipped her drink, trying to use the alcohol to distract herself.
Until a long, beautiful hand covered her glass. Yun Chuji looked up and managed a smile. “Are you done talking?”
Tang Jianxi’s heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, even Marco’s expression froze for a second.
No, she couldn’t let Yun Chuji reveal her true nature here. It was too dangerous.
Tang Jianxi squeezed her hand and said with a hint of reproach, “I told you to drink less.”
The slightly tipsy woman frowned lightly and complained, “They’re making me so nervous with all their staring.”
Marco couldn’t help but curse inwardly. So this was an A-Virtue alpha?
That Tang Jianxi was one lucky woman.
Looking at the person who was already starting to speak without a filter, Tang Jianxi felt they couldn’t stay here any longer. But since the banquet was organized for her, leaving early would be impolite. So she excused herself to the crowd and led Yun Chuji toward the lounge.
Yun Chuji wasn’t actually drunk; she could hold her liquor quite well. It was just that after drinking, people naturally become a bit more willful, and Yun Chuji’s willfulness manifested as not wanting to stay at the banquet any longer. So, emboldened by the alcohol, she had deliberately acted coy.
And… Tang Jianxi had indeed taken her away.
Yun Chuji felt a little embarrassed for using such a petty trick, so she followed Tang Jianxi obediently, deciding that the next time she leaned in for a kiss, she wouldn’t dodge.
But Yun Chuji hadn’t expected the “next time” to come so quickly. The moment the lounge door closed, Tang Jianxi pushed her onto the sofa and kissed her urgently.
Soft lips moved against Yun Chuji’s, creating a subtle sense of tension. Unlike the tension brought on by the gazes of others, this tension stemmed from a fear of uncontrollable pleasure.
Both were wearing makeup, and the kiss filled their mouths with the taste of lipstick. It wasn’t bitter, but it couldn’t be called sweet either.
Yun Chuji was a bit dazed. This time, Tang Jianxi wasn’t just pressing her lips against hers motionlessly like before. She was moving, and moving frequently.
She had even almost gone inside.
If Yun Chuji hadn’t pushed her away.
Yun Chuji suspected that Tang Jianxi was the one who had been drinking, not her. Panting, she asked in a fluster, “Jianxi, what’s wrong with you?”
Tang Jianxi looked quite annoyed. She rubbed her temples and said, “Sorry, I was a bit impulsive.”
“You were just too alluring.”
After saying this, Tang Jianxi seemed to find a reason to justify herself and shamelessly accused, “A little lacking in A-Virtue.”
“Huh?” When it came to her area of expertise, Yun Chuji displayed an ill-timed rationality, correcting her, “But tempting one’s own omega doesn’t count as a lack of A-Virtue.”
Tang Jianxi took a deep breath, her misty fox-like eyes glancing at her, utterly captivating. “Say one more word, and I’ll kiss you again.”
Yun Chuji immediately covered her mouth.
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