『Scumbag Alpha Trope? Really?』
Ancient ABO: Is She Just Pure Scum? | Quick-witted Kunze who loves and hates fiercely x Custom Persona Dynasty: Dayu Reigning Emperor: Li Ke Gender Classifications: Qianyuan, Zhongyong, Kunze Qianyuan: Possess scent glands at the nape of the neck, capable of releasing intensely oppressive pheromones that can suppress Kunze. They experience periodic ruts during which they become manic, irritable, and in dire need of soothing; in severe cases, they may lose all rationality. Kunze: Possess well-developed scent glands at the nape of the neck. Every month, they enter a heat where their bodies turn limp and involuntarily emit pheromones. Without soothing during a heat, their health will suffer, leaving them debilitated with high fever, or even endangering their lives in severe cases. Zhongyong: Make up the vast majority of the population. Their glands are faint or virtually nonexistent. They cannot sense the pheromones of Qianyuan or Kunze, are unaffected by heats or ruts, and cannot be coerced by pheromones. —————————— [Dayu Dynasty · 19th Year of Yuanzhen] Emperor Li Ke traveled south incognito from the imperial capital alongside his eldest daughter. Ambushed by bitter enemies along the way, the Emperor and Princess were separated. The Xuantai Guards arrived to rescue the Emperor and escort him back to the capital, but the Princess vanished without a trace. The Emperor was enraged, slaughtering all the culprits. Yet despite five years of searching, his daughter remained lost, her portraits circulated throughout Jiangnan. [Changqiao Town, Luoping Prefecture] Xiao Lian, the youngest daughter of the Xiao family, was an idle ne'er-do-well who skipped the academy and preferred idling in brothels. "Xiao Lian! I'm taking you to a great place today—you definitely won't regret it!" Her fair-weather friend's shout piqued Xiao Lian's interest. Following her, Xiao Lian arrived at a bustling trading market where food, livestock, knick-knacks, and even human beings were bought and sold. "Xiao Lian, look at that Kunze in the slave trader's hands. She looks skinny and filthy, but take a closer look" "Oh? The dirt obscures her face a bit, but looking at her bone structure, she's definitely a stunner. Still... if it's such a good deal, why give her to me instead of taking her yourself?" Xiao Lian knew her friend shared her exact low morals, so she asked suspiciously. "I'd love to, but I'm short on cash lately. Better to hand her over to you—that way I can still drop by and admire this little beauty now and then." Buying a person wasn't cheap. After hesitating a moment, Xiao Lian emptied her purse to purchase her. This Kunze appeared somewhat dim-witted at first. Xiao Lian originally thought she suffered from some hidden illness and feared she had made a bad deal. Later, she discovered the girl didn't even know her own name and had an old wound on the back of her head; she seemed to have amnesia. Luckily, once washed clean, the Kunze was strikingly beautiful. In high spirits, Xiao Lian named her Xiao Ling. Though Xiao Ling seemed docile and quiet, she was actually deeply guarded. She spoke not a word, silently observing Xiao Lian, eating when fed, accepting whatever was handed to her. Xiao Lian's interest was piqued; she felt she had found something genuinely amusing. How does one lower a Kunze's guard? Nothing more than playing the part of a gentle, considerate Qianyuan who respects and understands Kunze. Xiao Lian knew that routine inside out. She stopped frequenting brothels, spending every single day at home tending to this frail Kunze. Under Xiao Lian's persistent, tender care, day in and day out, Xiao Ling's guard finally melted. She spoke her very first words since arriving: "I want... to go outside for a walk." Hearing this, Xiao Lian was invigorated. Excitedly, she took Xiao Ling by the hand and strolled with her from one end of town to the other, buying her armfuls of trinkets, as if ready to pluck the very stars from the sky for her. "You're far too thin. Let's get more food; all you Kunze love these pastries." "You need new clothes too. It'd be a crime to waste such good looks." "Let's get another cotton quilt for you so you can sleep comfortably." Once Xiao Ling began responding, Xiao Lian realized she was not dim-witted at all; on the contrary, she was exceptionally intelligent and must have been well-educated in the past. Xiao Lian was merely the Xiao family's most useless youngest daughter, disdained by everyone. Soon after buying Xiao Ling, her money had almost run dry. Remembering Xiao Lian's kindness in saving her, Xiao Ling began looking for ways to earn an income. At first, Xiao Ling made money by transcribing books at the academy and ghostwriting letters for others. Later, she set up her own stall selling novel delicacies. Business boomed. She herself didn't know how she knew how to cook such dishes—perhaps from memories before her amnesia, though she couldn't recall. Seeing that Xiao Ling could bring in money, Xiao Lian felt she had struck gold. Becoming even more attentive, Xiao Lian pursued her tirelessly for two full years before Xiao Ling finally agreed to become her partner. Xiao Lian registered a new household identity for her, and before long, the two were wed. After they bonded with permanent marks, Xiao Ling gave her unconditional trust, turning over most of the money she made from her business. "A-Lian, your robe looks a little worn. Take this silver and buy two new sets." "A-Lian, when you go to study at the academy, don't skimp if you run short on paper and ink. Just buy what you need." "A-Lian, our cottage is getting old. Let's hire some workers to renovate it in a few days." As long as Xiao Lian appeared decent and studious, Xiao Ling would keep supplying her with money to study. Sitting at the academy for half a day was an easy price to pay—why wouldn't she? The turning point came after Xiao Ling gave birth to their child. Perhaps thinking she had Xiao Ling completely under her thumb, or simply growing bored, Xiao Lian relapsed into her old habits. Claiming she was heading to the academy, she actually slipped into brothels, carousing with those fair-weather friends once again. Xiao Ling soon saw right through her excuses: "How can you go to places like that? Do you have no conscience toward me and our child?" "I go wherever I please. It's none of your damn business. Even if I drop dead in there, it has nothing to do with you!" "Xiao Lian? Now you tell me it has nothing to do with me? We are married! We have a child! And you tell me it has nothing to do with me?! So everything before was an act, wasn't it? You're nothing but a hypocritical, utterly disgusting person!" That was the first time Xiao Lian raised a hand against her. The child cried nearby, and furniture was violently overturned. For the first time, Xiao Ling felt that her life had been a dream—and now she was awake. After that, Xiao Lian grew even worse. Every bit of savings Xiao Ling scraped together was forcibly snatched away. Xiao Lian squandered her days outside, her notoriety spreading far and wide. What was once a blissful home became a prison for Xiao Ling and her child. The first time Xiao Ling ever felt love was when she fell gravely ill, and Xiao Lian tended to her day and night for seven full days without undressing to sleep. And the first time Xiao Ling ever felt hate was right this moment.
"It was you I loved, and it is you I hate."