[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-113":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267733,4428,"Chapter 113","the-shadow-empire-chapter-113",113,"\u003Cp>The middle class aren’t the happiest people in the Federation, but they are undoubtedly the most fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because even millionaires’ lives lack their level of fulfillment—millionaires only feel waves of helpless emptiness, while the middle class know how to make their lives rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the first thing they do after waking up to the last thing before sleeping, they fill their days completely, with precision and elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence had just finished a… middle-class community women’s social gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These middle-class women, whether employed or not, gather every other weekend for a lively social event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men are barred from entry—only women from the same neighborhood attend, and only those who are close and familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone isn’t invited, that woman—and even her family—are very likely to be shunned by the entire community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Federals always pose as moral crusaders when discussing bullying, but in reality, bullying exists everywhere—from kindergarten to the Presidential Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On campuses, in workplaces, in politics—even within neighborhoods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People often hear rumors like, “The so-and-so family was forced to move out because they couldn’t take the neighborhood’s targeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before each gathering, they set a theme; this time, Mrs. Lawrence’s theme was “flower arranging.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flower arranging is a household social activity exclusive to the middle class—they bring vases to the venue, and someone provides various fresh flowers, mostly from outside florists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they invite a flower-arranging instructor who teaches them how to make their vases full and beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low-income and the unemployed have neither the time nor the money for such frivolous pursuits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Millionaires won’t do it themselves either, so only the middle class truly attempt and learn flower arranging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it looks… simple, actually making it look truly beautiful, elegant, and natural isn’t easy at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they arranged flowers, they chatted about private or public matters—neighborhood gossip or societal issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with the best family backgrounds and status always remained the center of attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class is everywhere—that’s the Federation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence ranked in the community’s top tier because her Lawrence family had many civil servants and some working at major corporations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They discussed recent election fraud, criticized current politics, talked briefly about next spring’s fashion shows, and finally touched on bedroom matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women sometimes discuss sex with a frankness even men can’t match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, two hours left every woman thoroughly pleased—that was the entire point of their social ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After socializing, relaxing, cultivating artistic taste, exchanging intelligence, and strengthening bonds—this is an indispensable part of middle-class social life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don’t do it, you’re just isolated—nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mrs. Lawrence returned carrying a squat, plump vase, she immediately spotted a luxury car parked in the driveway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at the window, then slammed the car door hard to give her daughter a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to tiptoe around and create awkwardness or an unmanageable scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even pretended to lose her keys, standing at the door for ten or twenty seconds, listening as the hurried footsteps upstairs gradually slowed, before finally inserting the key into the lock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Darling, did anyone come by?” she called out to Patricia the moment she opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans and Patricia came downstairs; her face was flushed. “Yes, Mom, we just came back from visiting our cousin Barbara.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward, took the vase, and placed it on the living room coffee table. Mrs. Lawrence looked at Lans with a faint, knowing smile. “Thank you for bringing her home—I thought she’d stay over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t tease Lans too much; after shaking his hand, she asked, “Did her uncles and aunts make you feel embarrassed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she quickly remembered something. “Then again, they wouldn’t—today you drove a nice car. They’d only smile at you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence knew William’s siblings well—typical Federals who consider themselves elite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They question everything inferior to them, but they can’t question a twenty-thousand-credit vehicle—or the man inside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded in agreement. “Everyone was very warm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence chuckled. “All because of the money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused. “Sit down for a bit, read the paper or listen to the radio. I’ll prepare dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She headed toward the kitchen and said to Patricia beside her, “Darling, come help me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother and daughter began preparing a lavish dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three laughed and chatted, and the meal ended quickly. Mrs. Lawrence politely offered Lans a place to stay—he could sleep in Patricia’s room, while Patricia would sleep with her—but it was only a formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like when you’re at a friend’s house until 11:30 p.m., and their wife appears with a pillow saying, “Why don’t you stay the night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans volunteered to leave—and did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia recounted every detail of what happened at Barbara’s—she clearly had a wonderful time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence stroked her daughter’s smooth hair and asked a question that made her choke on her own saliva: “When I came home, did you two… do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mom!” Her face turned bright red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence remained calm. “As a mother, I only want you to protect yourself—that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Patricia shake her head, Mrs. Lawrence exhaled slightly. “Wait until you’re certain you truly love him—not just youthful impulse—and try not to get pregnant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But before that, make your decision carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Patricia, Lans drove to Alberto’s. The luxury car was comfortable, its walnut and calf-leather interior smooth as a girl’s skin—but it wasn’t his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, Alberto was just about to leave when Lans arrived. He told Lans not to get out—just get in the car, along with Fordis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any plans tonight?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans shook his head. Alberto gave him an address. “Go there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans glanced at it—a Bay Area address. As he pulled the car out of the alley, he asked curiously, “Did you buy a new house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard Alberto’s place was in Sumuli—where all their people lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alberto seemed in good spirits. “Not a house—a new bar. Just opened. You know, your drinks…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans honked the horn, cutting Alberto off. Alberto snapped to attention. “Right, right—none of your business. My drinks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost every bar’s been packed lately. The owner wants to open one himself—see how it goes. If it works, he’ll open more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money’s the truth. Everything else is fake!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded as he watched the road. “You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes later, the car stopped outside a bar that didn’t look like a bar at all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a red-brick building, resembling a warehouse or… something else. This style was rare in the Bay Area, and it wasn’t on the busiest street—but not far off either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire square red-brick structure had no windows. Without the bright streetlamp, people might never walk over—but behind it, in the open lot, Lans saw many fine cars as he parked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind worth thousands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After parking, the three walked to a small door. Fordis stepped forward and knocked hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click. A narrow slit opened in the door. A pair of wary eyes peered out. A light above the door suddenly flared on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light illuminated the surroundings. When the guard inside saw Alberto, his gaze softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, Fordis, knock softer next time—I thought it was a raid!” Two bolts slid back, and the door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in a white shirt and brown vest—sleeves rolled up—stepped out. He hugged Fordis, then turned to Alberto. “Crowded tonight. Might not have room for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alberto frowned. “What do you mean by ‘raid’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard shrugged. “Ask Leonard.” He glanced at Lans, then back at Alberto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is Lans. The boss knows him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard stared at Lans a moment longer, then extended his hand. “Larry. Welcome, my friend. Hope you have a good night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside, Larry slammed the door shut and sat on a nearby chair, picking up a book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans glanced curiously. Fordis explained, “He says he’s studying for college.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up, Fordis!” Larry glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fordis raised his hands, laughing. “Sorry—I shouldn’t mock a college student!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He burst into laughter and ran off. Larry, who had just stood up, muttered curses and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alberto slung an arm around Lans’s shoulders and kept walking. “Ignore them. They bickered like this back in Sumuli.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the iron railing beside the hallway, a girl nearly bare-chested and heavily made-up seemed to be chewing something as she asked, “Alberto, need some change?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1371,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","34df26d548db4b0c5ecd5a7570d2802b66044255dee9107c869d5101b4d86413","the-shadow-empire-chapter-114","the-shadow-empire-chapter-112",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]