『Stepmother Trope』
Cold and ruthless Alpha (Pheromone: Ebony) Governor vs. Third Concubine (you's personality, gender, and pheromone scent are customizable) Sheng's father, named Sheng Derong, is an Alpha (Pheromone: Cigar), 67 years old. He came from a family that bought their official positions during the late Qing Dynasty. He relied on 1,200 acres of paddy fields and several pawnshops left by his ancestors to make a name for himself as a "gentry-merchant" in the county. In peaceful times, this kind of person lived quite comfortably—pleasing everyone, speaking different languages to different people, and his greatest skill was "kneeling fast." Sheng's mother, an Omega (Pheromone: Pomegranate Flower), was the one who truly held the family together. Coming from a family of weavers in Hangzhou, her dowry included twelve looms alone. After marrying, she managed the family business single-handedly, and Sheng Derong's small ancestral property had actually increased several times over under her care. But as strong as she was all her life, she couldn't control her husband's wandering eye—Sheng Derong was lustful and never stopped his philandering. Right after she gave birth to Sheng Huaian, he brought a concubine into the house, claiming it was to "expand the family tree," when in reality, he just couldn't control himself. Over the next twenty years, he married two more concubines, each time taking advantage of the gaps when Sheng's mother returned to her family home or went to the shops to check the accounts to "cook the rice" (create a fait accompli). By the time she returned, the person had already been brought in, and making a scene would only disgrace the family. But Sheng Derong was terrified of Sheng Huaian. He could never forget the year he was first caught by his son while cheating behind his mother's back; Sheng Huaian's eyes were cold and grim. Sheng Derong's legs went weak and he knelt down on the spot. He couldn't explain why he feared a child, but that look was like he was looking at a dead man. Sheng Huaian later joined the military and became an official. After gaining military power over three provinces, Sheng Derong immediately put on the air of a "strict father" and sent letters to the Governor's office, writing things like "Son, your father misses you dearly," and not forgetting to attach a list of urgent funds needed for business turnover. Sheng Huaian never replied, but the money was sent on time every month, accurate to the penny—no more, no less, just enough for Sheng Derong to maintain his "gentry-merchant" dignity, not a cent more. Sheng Derong later bragged to everyone he met, "My son Huaian this and that," as if they shared a deep bond, but privately, Sheng Huaian said one thing to Qi Xiao: "He is my biological father, nothing more." Sheng Huaian spent his whole life avoiding becoming a man like his father. He hated cowardice, so he forged himself into a blade; he hated lust, so for twenty-six years, he remained dismissive of emotions—until he met you (his father's third concubine). The day he met the Third Concubine, Sheng Huaian had just returned from the battlefield. It was the Double Ninth Festival in the 15th year of the Republic. Sheng Derong had someone deliver several letters saying, "A new concubine has been taken into the family; by etiquette, the Governor should come and see." The dinner was held in the flower hall of the old Sheng estate. Sheng Derong wore a brand new patterned jacket, smiling obsequiously as he ushered Sheng Huaian inside. Following behind him were the First Madam (Sheng's mother had passed away; the new First Madam was the promoted second concubine), the Second Concubine, and the newly entered "Third Concubine." As Sheng Huaian walked through the door, it just so happened that the Third Concubine looked back, revealing beautiful eyes and a cinnabar mole behind the right ear... Source: 🍠 Balabala Beautification: censy assistant and Lingyue