ALSACW – Chapter 99

A-Virtue was causing a massive stir within the Empire. The most embarrassed were the alphas whose own kind had produced such degenerates; the second most embarrassed was Spartacus.

Spartacus had always been known for its clear stance. Refusing compromise or exchange and demanding only explicit rights had always been its core appeal.

But how were they supposed to accept a surrender?

Without a doubt, the entire A-Virtue system was an acknowledgment of omega rights. Even if some details of A-Virtue theory differed from Spartacus’s—for example, it didn’t claim omegas were nobler than alphas, only that both were equal in rights and independent individuals in life—it was still a leap from a tractor to a hovercar compared to the common alpha mindset that saw omega reproduction as their sole right and responsibility.

Logically, Spartacus should have immediately voiced its support for the A-Virtue faction to further divide the alpha population and change the Empire’s overall AO environment.

However, there was a problem: their leader had yet to make a statement.

Clarence had not taken a stance on A-Virtue, nor on Tang Jianshen’s sister, who was enthusiastically supporting it from Golden Phoenix Star.

Or rather, his true attitude was inexpressible, so he could only refrain from taking a stance for the time being.

The problem was that the conflict had shifted from one between alphas and omegas to one within the alpha community. The interests of omegas were now represented by A-Virtue alphas, which meant that omega power would also be managed by A-Virtue alphas.

This was what his sister, who wasn’t entirely stupid, had been plotting.

As for him, regardless of who won or lost this battle, the battlefield had changed. He could no longer gain territory and could only remain in his current position—a position still a considerable distance from where he truly wanted to be.

The situation now was that he could no longer remain silent. Rumors were spreading both inside and outside Spartacus. His supporters said he was being cautious—after all, the Third Princess was no saint—but his detractors had already guessed a sliver of the truth.

If he delayed any longer, he might not even be able to hold on to what he already had.

He had to take the initiative.

Clarence accepted an invitation to speak at a university anniversary celebration in S-District and arrived the day before the event.

He refused his bodyguards’ escort and went alone to the door of a familiar apartment. The building’s identification system didn’t stop him, and Clarence successfully entered what was once their love nest.

He took off his coat. A white, lace-trimmed shirt outlined his figure like that of a deity, and he sat down with the grace of one. His long golden hair was tied back with a hair tie made of sapphires and purple gold. He looked as perfect and lifeless as a statue.

This was precisely the result he strove so hard to achieve.

About fifty minutes after he entered the apartment, its other owner pushed the door open.

Clarence put down the report he was halfway through reading and looked up at his fickle lover.

Strictly speaking, Tang Jianshen hadn’t fallen in love with someone else. He just, most likely, no longer loved him.

“You’re here sooner than I expected,” Clarence said with a smile.

Tang Jianshen’s face was cold. He remained standing in the entryway, not taking another step forward. He had withdrawn the tenderness he once showed Clarence, now treating him the way he treated everyone else in the world. “I thought we had reached an understanding.”

Clarence feigned confusion. “What understanding? I don’t recall us ever negotiating anything.”

“You’re aiming for that position, aren’t you?”

“And I am an omega.”

Hearing Tang Jianshen’s words, the confusion on Clarence’s face only deepened, like adding another spoonful of salt to soup.

“But you’ve always known I wanted that position.”

So, you should have been prepared.

To accept that I might have an official, public alpha partner.

The light in the entryway wasn’t bright, and as it was dusk, the light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows had a listless quality. It cast a hint of melancholy on Tang Jianshen’s face, which usually possessed an industrial, mechanical air. He was silent for a moment before speaking. “I used to think you couldn’t do it.”

Clarence raised an eyebrow, finally showing a hint of genuine surprise. “So, you’re saying you love me very much, is that right?”

“…”

“I’m in the process of correcting that problem.”

Clarence smiled. His beautiful eyes and brows held a charm that could easily move anyone’s heart. But unlike the Tang siblings, he didn’t deliberately hide this charm. He had always been aware of his advantages—all of them—and had always known how to use them well.

“There’s no need to correct it. You know Li Xiuyuan is just for show.”

“No. He will be your legitimate husband,” Tang Jianshen said calmly, looking at him.

Clarence stood up, shrugged, and said nonchalantly, “So?”

Tang Jianshen pressed his lips together and turned around. “I’ll unlink this apartment from my comm.”

“There’s no need for us to see each other again.”

Clarence sighed softly. Before the door could open, he said, “I didn’t come to see you as a lover today, Mr. Tang. I wonder if you’d be willing to discuss a business deal?”

Tang Jianshen froze. After a moment, he turned back, walked into the living room, and said, “Your Highness, what business would you like to discuss with me?”

“Hmm, I need Tang Jianxi and Yun Chuji to publicly support me.”

“You could speak to them directly.”

“But, obviously,” Clarence said with a faint smile, “the chances of success would be much higher if it came from you, wouldn’t they?”

“My relationship with them isn’t good. In fact, we had a huge fight not long ago.”

“Mr. Tang, that doesn’t matter. I simply wish to express my goodwill toward the Tang family. As I understand it, quite a few people are causing trouble downstairs at the Tang Group and in your business dealings. I can help you solve that problem.”

Tang Jianshen thought for a moment, then said apologetically, “Your Highness, I don’t intend to let the Tang Group get too deeply involved in the conflict between alphas and omegas.”

Clarence asked, confused, “But isn’t the Tang Group already involved?”

Tang Jianshen shook his head. “No, there’s a big difference between being passive and being proactive. I am the one in charge of the Tang Group. Tang Jianxi’s actions only represent herself. If I make a deal with you, it will drag the entire Tang Group into this.”

“I don’t believe the current situation is worth the risk for the Tang Group.”

The prince frowned, but his expression quickly smoothed over. He picked up his coat from the side and said elegantly, “Then I’ve disturbed you, Mr. Tang.”

“If you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime. You know all my contact information.”

“Goodbye, Your Highness.”

Tang Jianshen said in a low voice. His features were still like something shrouded in perennial ice and snow, exuding a contradictory sense of both hardness and fragility. This contradiction drew in the departing Clarence. He leaned over and left a kiss on the side of Tang Jianshen’s face before continuing toward the entryway.

His voice drifted to Tang Jianshen’s ears. “Hmm, Mr. Tang, you are indeed very beautiful. So, if you happen to change your mind about… other things, you’re also welcome to find me anytime.”

A very slight tremor appeared at the corner of Tang Jianshen’s lips, then quickly vanished. “I don’t think that time will come, Your Highness.”

Clarence chuckled softly, pulled the door open, and then closed it again.

He said to Tang Jianshen, “Mr. Tang, if we don’t talk about the future, would you be willing to sleep with me today?”

“…”

“What is it you really want?”

Clarence slowly approached, tilting up Tang Jianshen’s chin. “I just realized something, Mr. Tang,” he said flippantly. “If you truly do love me so much, then I suppose there’s no need for me to be so polite with you anymore.”

After all, the goal has already been achieved, hasn’t it?

With that, Clarence leaned down and kissed his old lover’s lips.

The kiss lasted a long time, until Clarence had once again taken off his coat and was about to remove the clothes underneath.

Tang Jianshen stopped the kiss.

He wiped his mouth and, without even straightening his clothes, ran for the door.

Clarence couldn’t stop him.

Perhaps it was due to his personality, but Tang Jianshen could always maintain his rationality in the throes of passion, while Clarence was often left weak-limbed by his omega physiology.

He watched him leave, then let out a short laugh.

He fell back onto the soft sofa.

Quite interesting, he thought.

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Two days later, the Sixth Prince, Clarence, announced the cancellation of his engagement to the nobleman Li Xiuyuan.

The reason was unknown, but some speculated it was because of Li Xiuyuan’s disrespectful attitude toward A-Virtue.

A week later, this speculation was confirmed.

Because the Sixth Prince’s new fiancée was an outspoken supporter of A-Virtue.

In an instant, the Sixth Prince’s reputation soared. He was once again drawn into the vortex of power, just as he had wished.

His secretary, Sandel, looked at his superior with adoration. This person was also his leader. Thanks to his brilliant decision, Spartacus had once again seized the initiative in this turmoil by exercising the right to choose a mate.

Meanwhile, Clarence arranged the next day’s schedule with his fiancée on his comm. After putting it down, he found himself, for some reason, thinking again of that unfinished kiss from a while ago.

He licked his lips, then opened a bottle of fruit wine. The sweet liquid flowed between his lips and teeth, finally suppressing the faint, restless feeling.

After drinking half the bottle, Clarence placed the wine back on the rack. His blue eyes were purer than the most expensive gemstone.

However, Clarence knew that was because there was no emotion in them.

Emotion was an impurity that brought chaos. Clarence had thought Tang Jianshen was the same as him, but it turned out he, too, lived among this impurity like most people in the world.

It was Tang Jianshen who had reminded him of this. He now understood the universality of emotion, to the point where he could now exploit it.

The prince lazily turned his head and said to his secretary, “Sandel, what do you think love is?”

Sandel’s face flushed red, and he stammered for a long time without being able to utter a single word.

“I’ll tell you. Love is a lie.”

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