Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 21

21

Today, Luo Hetu’s shopping trip was originally full of variety. She first visited a bookstore, where Southern Publishing House informed her that her book had officially gone on sale. She happened to be passing by, so she stopped to take a look.

Her book was displayed prominently, surrounded by a crowd of people standing still, engrossed in reading.

Luo Hetu picked up a copy. It was priced at 15 yuan, the same as what she sold it for herself. Considering the publisher’s printing costs were low, the price was reasonable, especially since this was only the first volume, with four more to come.

Leaving the bookstore, she headed to the commercial street. The people there were dressed in vibrant, festive clothing, and lanterns hung along the streets. Children in new padded jackets stood by the roadside, drooling as they waited for dragon’s beard candy to be made. Adults were buying chickens and ducks, while tangyuan stalls were already set up, steam rising into the winter air, tempting passersby to enjoy a bowl of sweet treats. Even in this ABO world, the Spring Festival still felt familiar.

Luo Hetu had bought a few new outfits yesterday and was now wearing a cream-colored padded coat. Afraid of the cold, she bundled up warmly, hands tucked into her pockets. She passed by Shanhe Tuling, where she bantered a bit and managed to snag an ice cream in the middle of winter, only to be chased off by an exasperated Ye Qingzhu. She then entered Jiang City’s largest and most upscale shopping mall.

Today, she planned to buy some New Year goods for Ye Qingzhu. Since they were about the same height, she considered Ye Qingzhu’s usual clothing preferences and bought her a padded coat and two sweaters before heading to an underwear store.

“Are you buying for yourself? What size?” the enthusiastic shop assistant asked.

Luo Hetu froze. “Do you have a phone here? I’m buying for someone else and need to ask.”

“We do.”

Ye Qingzhu was busy at her shop and thought the call was for an order. She was about to jot it down when she heard Luo Hetu ask, “What’s your underwear size?”

Ye Qingzhu gritted her teeth. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Hey!” Luo Hetu got annoyed. I’m trying to do something nice by buying you underwear, and this is how you react?

“Fine, forget it!” she huffed, hanging up the phone.

Ye Qingzhu paused, then called back. “You’re buying underwear for me?”

“No, I’m buying for myself. None for you.”

Ye Qingzhu sounded a bit embarrassed. “Who knows what goes on in that head of yours? Asking something like that out of nowhere—who wouldn’t think you’re a creep?”

“You’ve got three seconds. Tell me or forget it.”

“Fine, fine, fine.”

Ye Qingzhu told her, and Luo Hetu, pursing her lips, hung up and told the assistant, “Pick the most uncomfortable one for her.”

The assistant eagerly met the customer’s demands. “This one isn’t very comfortable but looks stunning. If you’re choosing for your Omega, would you like to see if it suits your taste?”

Luo Hetu took a look.

Tch.

Bold and gorgeous. It was really tempting.

Not that she was tempted by Ye Qingzhu, of course—they were just friends, both Alphas.

But… her Omega…

Luo Hetu stared at the underwear, lost in thought for a moment, before saying to the assistant, “No, just find something comfortable and good-looking.” Ye Qingzhu wouldn’t need that one—she was single, just like Luo Hetu.

As she turned around, she spotted Sun Yinuo walking into the store with Cheng Youqing.

Sun Yinuo was all excited. “Boss Xiao Luo! You’re here buying underwear too?”

What else would she be doing? Checking out the mannequins?

Luo Hetu suddenly felt self-conscious, worried that Cheng Youqing might have seen her intently examining the uncomfortable underwear. For some reason, she felt embarrassed.

She cleared her throat, trying to act natural as she greeted them, her gaze casually drifting to the side—only to meet Cheng Youqing’s cool, clear eyes.

Luo Hetu’s heart skipped a beat. She vaguely sensed that Cheng Youqing didn’t seem very pleased.

At that moment, the assistant brought over a few options. “These are our store’s bestsellers year-round. This one is a new import—excellent quality and design. We have all sizes. If you like the style, I can get the right size for you.”

Luo Hetu glanced at them briefly. “Pack them all up.”

“Alright, what size would you like?”

Luo Hetu felt herself starting to sweat. “34B.”

“You’re so sweet to your girlfriend,” the assistant said warmly before heading off to fetch the items.

Perhaps because society hadn’t developed too rapidly yet, people in this era were generally warm and chatty, even with strangers.

Luo Hetu grew even more uncomfortable and shouted after the assistant, “She’s not my girlfriend! I’m single!”

Everyone in the store: …

She’d definitely drawn some attention.

Luo Hetu didn’t care. After blurting it out, she let out a long breath. When she came to her senses and looked around, only Sun Yinuo was still there, browsing underwear. Cheng Youqing was gone.

“Where’s your sister?” Luo Hetu asked.

“She went to try on underwear.” Sun Yinuo replied, holding several shopping bags. She glanced at Luo Hetu, her eyes suddenly sparkling. “Boss Xiao Luo, are you and my sister pretty close now?”

“Not really.”

Who’d dare get close to her? She’s the chairman!

“You seem to care about her a lot.” Sun Yinuo said, looking like she was bursting to spill something. She pulled Luo Hetu closer and whispered, “You’re an Alpha, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Even a weak Alpha was still an Alpha, as Ye Qingzhu had said.

“We Betas aren’t sensitive to pheromones, so I’ve never smelled yours, but I think you’re probably an Alpha. Oh, by the way, I saw your book at the bookstore—it’s officially published! I bought a copy right away. Why’d they print so few? They should’ve released the whole series at once! Everyone in my class got a copy too. When are the next volumes coming out?”

“No idea. I’ve submitted all the manuscripts to the publisher. They’ll decide when to release them based on the market.”

“So, should I call you Teacher Luo now? Does being a writer make good money? How many people are in your family? Got any other publishing plans? Where do you live in Jiang City?”

Luo Hetu: ?

What was this kid up to?

Sun Yinuo’s questions were all over the place. Before Luo Hetu could finish answering, Cheng Youqing walked over.

“Let’s go.”

Sun Yinuo jumped. “You’re not getting anything?”

“I got it. It fits well.” Cheng Youqing said.

Luo Hetu’s not-so-clear mind flashed with four words: How well does it fit?

She snapped out of it, wanting to slap herself.

What was wrong with her? Ye Qingzhu was right—she was getting weirder. Had coming to this ABO world turned her into one of those Alphas obsessed with that? Picking up all the bad habits and none of the good ones. Tch, acting like a hooligan.