The Cold Alpha's Black Lotus O Strategy Plan (GL) - Chapter 14

Late at night, rain began falling outside the window.

Jin Sique stared at the condensation forming on the glass and raised a hand to wipe it away.

Beyond the slanting curtain of rain, the cold window reflected Jin Sique’s indifferent eyes.

“You went drinking?”

The dean of student affairs looked Jin Sique over with disgust.

“Why couldn’t we reach you by phone?”

Jin Sique stepped through the glass partition leading to the balcony and said softly, “My phone ran out of battery. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol rubbed off on me because I shared a table with other people while eating.”

The dean said, “Go and clean yourself up.”

Once the partition door closed, the argument inside the dormitory immediately became quieter.

Jin Sique turned on the faucet, scooped up some water, and washed her face. She took a jacket hanging on the balcony into the bathroom and changed into it.

The argument behind the door drifted faintly into her ears.

“This matter has severely damaged the university’s reputation!”

“Chen Gang posted the video. What does that have to do with Sique?”

“Go to the academic affairs office first and record a clarification video.”

“But it’s already so late…”

Jin Sique changed jackets and opened the floor-to-ceiling glass door.

The argument inside quieted somewhat. Everyone’s gaze inevitably fell upon her, carrying the same subtle scrutiny and judgment they had shown when she first entered the room.

Jin Sique poured herself a glass of water.

After taking two sips, she finally put the glass down and asked tentatively, with apparent confusion, “What happened, Director?”

Zhu Wanqing froze before asking, “Sique, you… you still don’t know?”

Xiaobai tugged on Zhu Wanqing’s sleeve.

The room fell silent.

Jin Sique turned toward the dean of student affairs and the representative from the academy’s Youth League Committee.

“Isn’t this a dormitory inspection?”

Everyone: “…”

Ten minutes later, Jin Sique had roughly understood the situation.

“Your situation has already had an enormous impact on the university,” the dean said.

He held out the tablet in his hand toward Jin Sique, who was standing by the window.

“See for yourself.”

Jin Sique put down her glass and casually wiped one fingertip along its rim before turning around to accept the tablet.

Zhu Wanqing stood slightly behind the man, looking at her with concern.

“Sique…”

Jin Sique glanced at the tablet and nodded.

“All right.”

—

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

The argument inside the office continued without pause.

The academic adviser reprimanded him in a low voice.

“Chen Gang!”

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

The two people inside turned toward the entrance.

“Come in,” the adviser said.

Zhu Wanqing, the dean of student affairs, and the academy secretary entered one after another.

Jin Sique came in last. She gently closed the door and gave the two people inside a simple nod.

Chen Gang was sitting there angrily.

The moment he saw Jin Sique, he sprang to his feet in fury.

“Jin Sique!”

“Sit down!” the adviser roared.

“Everyone is here now. Student Zhu, you may return first,” the adviser said.

Zhu Wanqing looked from side to side and thought for a moment.

“It’s too late. I’ll wait outside and return with Sique afterward.”

Zhu Wanqing opened the door and left.

The remaining people found places to sit.

Because Chen Gang was emotionally unstable, he was placed between the academic adviser and the dean of student affairs.

The academy secretary sat beside Jin Sique.

“Slander and defamation are extremely serious matters,” the adviser said.

The dean snorted coldly.

“It may not necessarily be slander. Chen Gang is an Alpha. Falsely accusing her would bring him no benefit regarding his studies or future!”

Jin Sique lowered her head and looked at the tablet.

Displayed on the screen was the content that had trended on Weibo that afternoon.

These days, whether the subject was a celebrity or an ordinary person, sexual scandals were among the most entertaining and widely circulated forms of news.

The trending topic read:

#A University Campus Beauty’s Prostitution Diary#

March 5, Clear

Today, I wore a blue-and-white striped dress that fell to my knees. In the warm but slightly cool spring breeze, I paired it with the newest spring shawl from the S.A. brand.

It’s a niche but luxurious label. I doubt many people can recognize it. After all, most people only pay attention to luxury phones, bags, clothes, and jewelry.

A small shawl like this can satisfy my vanity while maintaining my pitiful image at school.

March 6, Overcast and Rainy

This morning, I attended Reading and Appreciation of Drama. Halfway through class, I received a call from my “Sister” and hurriedly left the university.

March 7, Rain

I rushed back to the university today.

My outfit was already different from yesterday’s. I replaced my scent-blocking patches, and my roommates asked curiously where I had gone.

I only told them that I had gone home and refused to say anything else.

My new bag was sitting on the desk. It was a tip earned from last night’s passionate encounter.

That Alpha was far too fierce and went well beyond what I had originally planned. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have accepted such an expensive bag so easily.

March 10, Clear

Another person confessed to me today.

I rejected the young Alpha very politely.

She looked so heartbroken, and I had to pretend to feel regretful and sad too. Otherwise, wouldn’t I appear cold and heartless?

But inwardly, I was delighted.

I love being surrounded and admired like this, though even if I enjoy it, I must pretend that I don’t.

This secret pleasure is thrilling.

It’s like being a false good person—appearing courteous, polite, and approachable, while secretly drawing a clear boundary around the people considered worthy of association.

Isn’t that boundary itself an imperceptible kind of coldness and arrogance?

When Jin Sique reached this part, she pressed her fist against the corner of her mouth and silently concealed the faint upward curve of her lips.

The academy secretary thoughtfully asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jin Sique shook her head slightly and smiled weakly.

“It’s nothing.”

Then she continued reading.

The posts included numerous photographs supposedly taken on the corresponding dates.

Sometimes, they showed outfits identical to those described in the diary.

At other times, they showed luxury goods.

Most often, they were mirror selfies taken in hotel dressing mirrors.

Jin Sique browsed through the photographs.

The clothing, handbags, and class schedule truly shared many similarities with her life.

Without these details, the diary would never have seemed so believable.

Even the figure of the person in the mirror resembled hers somewhat.

March 15, Overcast

I sold the bag.

Then I received a call and went to Taose Mansion in the city center.

To be honest, I dislike themed love hotels, but the client was a Beta and probably required certain external aids.

Going to the hotel also saved me the trouble of visiting an adult store.

It makes no difference to me anyway, as long as I’m paid.

March 20, Sun and Rain

Before seven in the morning, many young Alphas were already on the athletic field.

They were all secretly watching me.

All I needed to do was wear earphones and pretend to focus straight ahead while running, and I would receive plenty of attention.

Some of them are actually excellent Alphas.

Unfortunately, I never do business with fellow students.

Then the call came…

March 22, Clear

How awful.

That Alpha was in her nesting period and locked me away for three full days.

I haven’t returned to the university for three days. What should I do?

What else can I do?

Once the money arrives, I’ll have to cut off all contact with her.

March 26, Rain

How irritating. Yet another Alpha confessed to me.

But that isn’t even the worst part.

The tingling itch at the back of my neck is far too obvious. That Alpha nearly marked me permanently.

I can still feel the maddening, overwhelming pleasure from last night when the tip of her sharp canine almost pierced the membrane surrounding my inner gland…

How terrible.

My instincts are making me desperately want to approach her.

No…

I’m such a cheap whore!

Attached to the entry was a photograph of a slender neck covered by two layers of scent-blocking patches.

Jin Sique enlarged the photograph.

Almost unconsciously, she gently bit the inside of her lower lip.

Just as she was about to examine it more closely, the academy secretary took the tablet away.

She rested a hand against Jin Sique’s back and comforted her.

“The Weibo account was deleted after it began trending. Don’t take it to heart.”

Jin Sique nodded blankly.

She looked as though the sudden blow had left her unable to react.

“Because of this trending topic, many other quiet and attractive Omegas at the university have also been dragged into the center of public opinion,” the adviser said, tapping the desk.

“People have recklessly speculated about and slandered them. Some Omegas have even received harassing messages.”

“The situation has continued worsening. The university’s official website is filled with rows of comments mocking the ‘prostitution diary.’ Some online influencers have even filmed short comedy videos about it to gain traffic and attention…”

The dean of student affairs said, “The university originally had no intention of interfering. It was only baseless entertainment gossip, so we could simply wait for it to fade from public attention…”

After speaking, he looked accusingly at Chen Gang.

Chen Gang clenched his teeth and shouted angrily, “What does it have to do with me? I was only stating the facts!”

The “prostitution diary” had begun trending that afternoon.

After seeing the post, Chen Gang had not only liked it but had also published several Weibo posts insinuating that Jin Sique and other Omegas were involved.

He was the captain of A University’s basketball team, an Alpha majoring in sports who was highly active both on and off campus.

His family was well-off, he had received several awards, and he was followed by groups of fans attracted to his appearance as well as basketball enthusiasts.

As a result, he possessed a certain amount of influence.

Furthermore, his identity as an A University student seemed to verify the allegations.

The incident had already pushed many outstanding Omegas at the university into the eye of the storm.

In less than a day, footage of Jin Sique entering and leaving luxury cars at the university gates, the information she had submitted during enrollment, and her background as an adopted daughter had all been dug up.

Only part of her history ended abruptly when she was seventeen, as if severed by a fault line.

When she appeared again, she was eighteen and taking the university’s art entrance examination.

Other innocent Omegas who had been implicated had also experienced varying levels of harassment.

Many parents, students, and netizens regarded Jin Sique as a disgrace and demanded that the university take action.

Nearly ten thousand private messages and reports had already accumulated over the afternoon and evening.

“You are a student at A University. The university will find a way to protect you,” the academy secretary said considerately.

The adviser sighed.

“Should we record a clarification video? Or publish a statement? Perhaps sue the people spreading the rumors?”

She looked around.

“What do all of you think? Sique, what would you like to do?”

The dean snorted coldly.

Chen Gang’s angry expression turned nervous. He looked at the dean and then at the adviser.

Jin Sique’s eyes were red.

Although she appeared deeply wronged, she forced herself to look around at everyone in the room and clearly stated her position.

“Let’s call the police.”

The office fell completely silent.

A University was an arts institution that had produced many celebrities in film and television.

Whenever something like this happened, everyone’s first thought was public relations.

Very few people would call the police, because if the allegations happened to be true, the consequences would become unimaginable.

The dean flew into a rage.

He stood, pointed at Jin Sique’s nose, and shouted, “Impossible! What did you say? Call the police? Have you gone insane?”

The academy secretary was so surprised that she forgot to criticize the dean’s excessive behavior.

Only Chen Gang, restrained by the adviser, barely managed not to leap to his feet.

“Call the police,” Jin Sique repeated seriously.

She still wore the same soft face and obedient expression, yet her tone allowed no argument.

“Even if the person who spread the rumors deleted the account, do you think the police couldn’t find them?”

“No!” the dean said.

The adviser frowned.

“Sique, there are many ways to resolve this matter…”

“But none are as simple or effective as directly reporting it to the police,” Jin Sique replied.

“You’re insane, Jin Sique!”

Chen Gang stood up.

“The IP address came from the university. Are you trying to humiliate the school?”

The dean suddenly became energized.

“Chen Gang! Sit down!”

“We cannot call the police,” the dean emphasized.

Then he turned and poured a glass of water, apparently thinking about something.

The night had already grown late.

Had Jin Sique not returned so late with her phone switched off, the matter would not have been delayed until now.

Chen Gang remained standing, furious and disdainful.

“I’ll apologize! I’ll apologize!”

“I shouldn’t have liked the post or written those messages on Weibo. Are you satisfied now?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept your apology at this time,” Jin Sique said.

“You fucking bitch!”

Chen Gang began cursing.

“Don’t think I won’t do anything to you just because you’re an Omega!”

“Chen Gang, that’s enough!”

The adviser dragged Chen Gang back into his chair.

The dean poured a glass of water and pushed it in front of Jin Sique.

His expression was no longer as furious as before. He spoke to her seriously, as though negotiating.

“Have you considered the consequences if this matter becomes more serious?”

“You still have your studies and your future. Your acting career hasn’t even begun, yet you want to carry the stain of this scandal?”

The dean lowered his voice.

“What will you do afterward?”

Jin Sique held the glass and looked toward the academy secretary beside her.

The secretary avoided her gaze.

She then looked toward the adviser.

“Sique, the director has a point…” the adviser said.

Jin Sique suddenly wanted to laugh.

—

“This incident has an enormous impact on the black lotus,” 052 said. “In the end, however, it was simply left unresolved.”

“She never told me,” Lü Zhongcai said.

“Of course she couldn’t tell you,” 052 replied. “Wouldn’t telling you indirectly confirm that she really was being kept by someone?”

Lü Zhongcai frowned faintly and tapped one finger against the car window, apparently deep in thought.

“The black lotus is now in her third year. If she refuses to compromise over this matter, she may be unable to graduate successfully in the future,” 052 said.

“She frequently skips class. I thought she didn’t enjoy studying,” Lü Zhongcai replied.

052 laughed sinisterly.

“Yet her grades have always ranked near the top.”

“That’s the false impression the black lotus created for you. In reality, she is exceptionally skilled at pretending.”

“Being unable to graduate would be like breaking the wings she takes such pride in,” 052 said.

“President Lü, imprison her. Break her wings!”

“That isn’t acceptable.”

“Which part isn’t acceptable?”

“None of it is…”

—

Jin Sique was completely drunk.

She lay sprawled across the table, one limp arm still holding a can of beer as she tried to pour it into her mouth.

Instead, she tilted it incorrectly and spilled everything over her head.

“Hahahahaha!”

Xie Ying sat across from her, wearing an expensive fur coat.

She pointed at Jin Sique with her exquisitely manicured nails and laughed uncontrollably.

Jin Sique’s eyes were unfocused, and a rosy flush covered her face, making her look like a delicate flower in full bloom.

“I can’t keep going…”

“If I can’t repay the debt… I’ll have no choice but to die.”

“Find an Alpha to support you,” Xie Ying said with a laugh.

With one hand, she lifted the shawl that had slipped to her shoulder, concealing the bluish marks beneath it.

“Wealthy Alphas with high Alpha values all have a few unspeakable hobbies. As long as you’re willing to sacrifice yourself, what couldn’t you obtain?”

Jin Sique’s hazy gaze gradually focused.

She looked at Xie Ying, suddenly smiled helplessly, and waved a hand.

Xie Ying’s smile became mocking.

“Sooner or later, you’ll discover that your pride is completely worthless.”