Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 24
24
After everyone went their separate ways home, Ye Qingzhu insisted on dragging Luo Hetu to continue discussing the KTV business.
Influenced by Luo Hetu and Li Baitian, Ye Qingzhu believed opportunities were everywhere. She trusted Luo Hetu’s sharp instincts, convinced that anything Luo deemed promising would surely succeed. Brimming with enthusiasm to make money, she also wanted to bring her old crew along to prosper together.
Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, they had already chosen a storefront.
This time, Luo Hetu decided not to rely on her system for anything too special. Using Xiao Tong as a disc supplier was already unconventional enough and could easily raise suspicions. She planned to find a reliable supplier after the New Year to remove herself from the supply chain entirely. She had come to realize that she couldn’t hold onto money—every time she saved a few tens of thousands, she’d spend just as much. She wasn’t concerned about earning small profits from disc production anymore. With opportunities abounding, there were plenty of ways to make money.
By the end of the first lunar month, Ye Qingzhu had indeed assembled an excellent team. The milk tea shop was running smoothly, and she had gathered as many of her old comrades as she could. Although the specifics of opening the new store were still undecided, following Luo Hetu’s advice, they started “on-the-job training” in advance.
Luo Hetu explained, “If they’re only good at fighting and want to make money with their fists, there’s a way to do that. For now, teach them two things. First, clarify their roles—you’re the boss, they’re employees, not siblings who can act casually. You can care for them privately however you want, but at work, everyone must be treated equally.”
“Second, teach them how to excel in the service industry. Also, find a place for them to work out—set up some punching bags, tires, and have them run laps with weights around the venue to build their stamina and willpower. Most importantly, they need to work on their physique.”
“Physique?” Ye Qingzhu looked puzzled. “Why?”
“To look good. We may not have escorts like some places, but our servers will have impressive muscles, dress properly, act professionally, and never cross any lines while providing excellent service. Won’t that attract young people?”
Ye Qingzhu stared at Luo Hetu and said, “You’re a genius.”
Heh, I am indeed a genius.
Unfortunately, my genius hasn’t fully shone through yet.
While Ye Qingzhu was busy, Luo Hetu went to the convenience store downstairs. After hesitating for a while, she called Cheng Youqing.
Cheng Youqing didn’t pick up.
Luo Hetu, who had previously vowed not to bother the chairman, wandered home. In the afternoon, she tried calling again.
The second call was answered by an assistant, who promised to pass on the message. No response came, but Luo Hetu wasn’t in a rush and called again later.
This time, Cheng Youqing answered, her voice as cold as ever with a hint of fatigue. “What’s up?”
The casual opening made it sound like they were close.
Luo Hetu felt an inexplicable thrill at this sense of familiarity, a secret excitement at achieving such a trivial goal, though she was also a bit embarrassed. She explained her purpose clearly: she wanted to find a reliable disc supplier.
Cheng Youqing asked, “…What happened to your current supplier? Did they run off?”
What could Luo Hetu say? She could only hum and haw vaguely.
Cheng Youqing didn’t speak, letting out what seemed like a soft sigh.
Luo Hetu quickly reassured her, “She’s just not doing bulk disc orders anymore, but she can still supply rare discs, though the volume isn’t guaranteed. I don’t want to rely on just one source. I need a supplier for regular discs. I won’t mess around with my business, don’t worry, President Cheng.”
Cheng Youqing gave a noncommittal “Mm,” finding the explanation reasonable.
“My assistant will give you a few contacts. Don’t mention I referred you.”
These companies had good relations with the Cheng Corporation but no direct partnerships. After all, Sunday Audio was just an external record store, and the Cheng Corporation had no reason to vouch for it.
Luo Hetu agreed, feeling it was time to hang up. But, inexplicably, she asked, “Are you very tired lately?”
Silence on the other end.
Luo Hetu felt like she had some sort of illness. Cheng Youqing was the president of the Cheng Corporation—she had clearly overstepped.
“If you’re tired, eat something delicious and get a good night’s sleep. It’ll lift your mood,” she added quickly before Cheng could respond.
Cheng Youqing’s slightly weary voice came through, “You think everyone’s as carefree as you?”
Hey.
Carefree? Me? I’m Jiang City’s little genius, the great scholar of the south side, just praised by former gang leader Ye Qingzhu.
Luo Hetu couldn’t quite recall how the call ended. She only remembered walking down the street, hands in her coat pockets, exhaling faint puffs of breath. She stopped at the foot of her building, suddenly feeling a burst of joy and hopping twice, eager to find Ye Qingzhu for a drink.
By February, Luo Hetu had found a suitable disc supplier and signed a contract with them after discussing it with Li Baitian. From then on, Li Baitian could deal directly with the supplier, bypassing Luo Hetu. Luo Hetu would only provide rare discs that the supplier didn’t have, which came without invoices and cost 10 yuan each.
Li Baitian remarked, “That’s expensive.”
“Rare discs can be priced at 20 yuan or higher. We have what others don’t—that’s our edge. Scarcity allows us to set premium prices, and a touch of luxury can boost brand influence.”
Li Baitian nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been reading lately, and some books mention this theory.”
Luo Hetu gave her a second glance. Though Li Baitian wasn’t favored in her family, her background still gave her a foundation in business. With a bit of guidance, she could do well.
Thus, Luo Hetu offloaded another responsibility. The business was left to Li Baitian, and the need for her to personally produce discs dwindled, yet her earnings didn’t decrease. She frequently checked her system’s mall for updates, downloading high-quality foreign movies and CDs not yet available domestically. Later, she had Li Baitian create a slogan—“Sunday Audio, We Have Everything”—and hung it below the main store’s sign.
Ye Qingzhu’s KTV was under renovation, with the style set by Luo Hetu: private rooms with strong privacy, simple yet trendy decor. Over half of the 100,000 yuan budget went to state-of-the-art KTV equipment. Without significant capital, such a venture wouldn’t be feasible. Luo Hetu accepted her role as a spendthrift for now—savings or no savings, it wasn’t a big deal.
The KTV was located on a commercial street, just a few dozen meters from Shanhe Tuling. The rent was steep, but Luo Hetu emphasized building the brand. She valued brand influence and told Ye Qingzhu her goal was to make money effortlessly. The shop had to be sustainable, and the commercial street, a hub of fashion and affluent customers, was ideal for establishing a high-end, trendy image for their buffet-style KTV.
In early March, “Qianbao” KTV officially opened. Ye Qingzhu brought her loyal former crew, all standing tall and muscular, dressed in uniforms. They greeted customers with smiles, saying, “Welcome to Qianbao.” The buffet-style KTV focused on self-service, with clean and straightforward offerings—no escorts, with all funds invested in top-notch sound systems and song-selection equipment. Servers only delivered food and drinks, never disturbing guests in the rooms. Pricing was based on time and room size: the smallest room cost 20 yuan for 3 hours in the morning, 30 yuan in the afternoon, 60 yuan for the prime evening slot, and 40 yuan for 6 hours at midnight.
These prices weren’t cheap, targeting neither the 2-yuan-per-hour dance hall crowd nor middle-aged men looking for escorts or business deals. This business model was unique in Jiang City.
Business was slow at first, but Luo Hetu had Ye Qingzhu distribute flyers on the commercial street and near universities, offering discounts for membership cards and student IDs, plus promotions like free room fees with drink purchases. This quickly drew in young customers.
Young people valued private spaces, preferred hanging out with friends, and avoided shady venues. They were thrilled to find a clean, safe place to sing with friends, with great sound systems and attractive servers, perfectly meeting their needs.
By the second month, business was booming.
As spring arrived, Luo Hetu’s bank account grew steadily. While doing tasks in the system’s mall, she saw news that her few bungalows were finally slated for demolition. She slapped her thigh, excited about the incoming money, and noted that the male protagonist was indeed following the novel’s path to becoming a domineering figure. But that wasn’t important.
What mattered was a piece of news from a coastal city, buried in obscurity but long-awaited by her. She leapt off the sofa, excitedly tugging at her hair.
The internet was coming.
That morning, Luo Hetu ate breakfast at a street stall and then went to Ye Qingzhu’s courtyard to work out.
The bungalow and yard, once Ye Qingzhu’s grandmother’s home, had become the base for Ye Qingzhu and her crew after her grandmother’s passing. Following Luo Hetu’s suggestion, they had installed homemade gym equipment—punching bags, dumbbells, and more. For Luo Hetu, it was like having a gym. She worked out there daily without fail, then went home to relax, balancing both perfectly.
She had a busy day ahead. After exercising, she took a quick shower, hopped on her bike, and headed to Southern Publishing House.
Her book, Noble Lady of the Marquis, had gained such popularity that the publisher, after a post-New Year meeting, decided to release the remaining three volumes in one go and planned to publish a short story collection by Luo Hetu within the year. This visit was to discuss reprinting the first volume.
After the meeting, Luo Hetu was set to earn more money. She then visited the milk tea shop. With spring’s arrival, she introduced vibrant fruit teas and a visually appealing but less practical cherry blossom series. A stickler for aesthetics, she had the staff wear green grass-themed hairpins, and the cup sleeves were changed to green, creating a lively, adorable vibe.
Chen Fang greeted her warmly and instructed a staff member, “Make a cup of mango sago.”
Luo Hetu took the drink. The shop was packed as usual. Just as she turned to leave, she witnessed a common conflict.
“We were clearly in line first!” a delicate, pretty female Omega said softly, even when angry. “How could you cut in line?”
A tall male Alpha scoffed, “I’ve been standing here the whole time. Don’t think just because you’re an Omega, everyone will side with you.”
The girl’s cheeks flushed with anger, but she couldn’t outtalk the Alpha. Her friend pulled her back, urging her to let it go.
Such incidents were common. Shanhe Tuling’s booming business relied on long lines, which inevitably led to line-cutters. Though staff often reminded customers to queue civilly, and customers would collectively call out cutters, disputes often ended with one side conceding if no one saw the incident clearly or if people wanted to avoid trouble.
If conflicts escalated to shouting or fighting, Ye Qingzhu’s high-strength staff could intervene, tossing troublemakers out like chicks.
A staff member asked the crowd, “Did anyone see which of these two cut in line?”
An Omega auntie said crisply, “The girl was in front of me the whole time. I didn’t see that guy.”
The male Alpha’s brows shot up. “What are you talking about? I’ve been here all along. She can vouch for me!” He pointed to a female Beta behind him.
The Beta nodded. “This guy was here the whole time.”
Another he-said-she-said queue dispute. The staff scratched their head, about to suggest ladies first, when Luo Hetu spoke up.
“If everyone’s telling the truth, then the line must have split into two at some point and merged here. That’s our fault for not setting up a proper queue path. Sorry for the bad experience. Xiao Qi, give them each a drink voucher. This time, since the ladies’ line is the main one, sir, would you mind queuing behind her?”
The man glanced at her. “You’re the boss?”
“I’m a partner.” Luo Hetu said with an innocent smile.
The man huffed. “Fine, I won’t argue with a girl. She can go first.”
The issue was resolved. Xiao Qi gave both a voucher for a free drink under 7 yuan.
Luo Hetu spoke to Chen Fang and called Ye Qingzhu to order hotel-style retractable barriers to ensure a single queue. Through her system, she learned a company had developed order-and-call machines, and she had already placed an order for two for the milk tea shop.
After finishing up, someone called out to her as she left.
“Boss!”
If the voice hadn’t been so familiar, she wouldn’t have realized it was directed at her.
The girl from the queue incident, holding a milk tea bag in one hand and her friend’s hand in the other, rushed over. “Thank you for earlier.”
“No big deal. It was our oversight.” Luo Hetu replied politely.
The girl caught her breath and suddenly asked, “Is your surname Luo?”
Luo Hetu made a curious sound.
“I have a classmate who said the friend of Shanhe Tuling’s boss, the author of Noble Lady of the Marquis, is Teacher Xiao Luo. Is that you?”
Oh, that’s what this is about. Her classmate was probably Sun Yinuo, who clearly had a loose tongue, spreading gossip everywhere.
Luo Hetu smiled at the girl. “Guess.”
“I’ve got things to do, but come by the shop often. If I’m here, I’ll treat you to milk tea.”
Sun Yinuo’s classmate deserved a little generosity.
She rode off on her bike. The girl tried to say something but didn’t get the chance.
“She didn’t even ask my name,” she said to her friend, a bit resentful.
“No worries, you’ll see her if you come often. If she’s really Teacher Xiao Luo, Sun Yinuo wasn’t lying—she’s really pretty,” her friend, a seasoned fangirl, said enthusiastically.
The girl bit her lip, watching Luo Hetu’s departing figure.
Luo Hetu was indeed busy. She went to the demolition office, where her two bungalows were set to be demolished. Compensation was 200,000 yuan per house, or she could exchange them for a residential unit at market value.
Luo Hetu thought it over and said, “No cash or housing. I want commercial property.”
According to the novel, this area would become Jiang City’s new commercial hub, thriving over the next decade with tourism. While residential properties were valuable, prime commercial real estate was a goldmine.
The demolition office replied, “That’s not an option.”
Luo Hetu said, “We can negotiate the area. I’ll trade two bungalows for one commercial unit, or I’ll be a holdout.”
The office thought she was joking, but when demolition stalled, the developer considered cutting utilities, only to find the houses empty. They hired thugs for a covert demolition, but the bungalows were guarded by several muscular Alphas who beat the intruders soundly.
Zhang Sheng, a deputy general manager and project leader for one of the developers, had risen from a lackey to a key figure in just a year. Reviewing the holdout’s file, he saw Luo Hetu’s name.
Zhang Sheng’s life had always been smooth. Born poor with little education, his good looks, high emotional intelligence, and knack for seizing opportunities propelled him upward. Those who opposed him met misfortune, while his allies or former bosses became stepping stones. Even his stunning girlfriend, Chun Yuyan, was a local tycoon’s daughter.
Most who crossed him suffered, except for Luo Hetu, who, though rarely appearing, always opposed him.
Chun Yuyan claimed to be devoted to him, suggesting Luo Hetu’s actions stemmed from jealousy over their relationship. When Zhang Sheng had asked Luo Hetu to deal with Ye Qingzhu’s group, hoping to recruit their strength, she refused. Instead, she allied with Ye Qingzhu, whose new KTV was now outshining the “Dynasty” dance hall and whose milk tea shop was raking in profits. Now, as a holdout, Luo Hetu was obstructing his land development. It felt like she and Ye Qingzhu were conspiring against him.
Zhang Sheng knew Ye Qingzhu respected only those stronger than her. If Luo Hetu had helped him win her over, it would have been a huge asset. Now, seeing Ye Qingzhu’s thriving business, he felt a pang of loss over such a valuable opportunity.
Luo Hetu must be doing this on purpose.
If she knew Zhang Sheng’s thoughts, Luo Hetu would cry foul. Jiang City was big enough for her to avoid him. She was just running her business while he played his protagonist role—she had no interest in dealing with him.
In his frustration, Zhang Sheng took it out on Chun Yuyan that night.
Luo Hetu, unaware of this, was too busy to care about the “perfect couple.” She had saved up 150,000 yuan again, with a monthly income of 30,000–40,000.
With the internet’s imminent arrival, the idea of opening an internet café was stirring.
Luo Hetu considered starting an internet company at the dawn of the digital age, but it went against her goal of earning money effortlessly. In her hacking days, she had met countless industry tycoons—wealthy but too busy to enjoy it. Even when they wanted to retire, they couldn’t let go, driven only by ambition.
Luo Hetu didn’t want that life. She had earned enough as a hacker and quit when satisfied, even negotiating with authorities when they sought her help. She wasn’t cut out for running a company. Her dream was simple: open an internet café, surf the web legitimately, do some hacking on the side, and earn enough for retirement. With spare cash, she’d invest in early internet startups that others overlooked, letting them grow her wealth while she lived carefree, cooking, reading, and playing with pets.
The demolition office hadn’t responded to her commercial property request, and even if approved, construction would take a year or two. She decided to look for another storefront and order computers first.
She found computer manufacturers through Xiao Tong but found the bulky, expensive models—nearly 10,000 yuan each—lacking. Still, she needed computers, so she turned to Xiao Tong again.
Xiao Tong: trembling.
While busy, Luo Hetu learned from Chun Yuyan at Shanhe Tuling that the latter had been looking for her. Luo Hetu’s elusive habits made her hard to find, so Chun Yuyan went to Qianbao to see Ye Qingzhu, who met her once, claimed ignorance of Luo Hetu’s whereabouts, and then avoided her. Annoyed by Chun Yuyan’s persistence, Ye Qingzhu’s muscular Alphas escorted her out, leaving her fuming.
That day, Luo Hetu’s order-and-call machines arrived and were installed at the milk tea shop. She checked on their performance and was warmly greeted by staff, who praised the machines for eliminating queue disputes and streamlining phone orders. Business improved further.
Luo Hetu nodded, sipping mango sago at the counter, when the girl from the queue incident entered.
Spotting Luo Hetu, the girl rushed over, ignoring the order line. “Teacher Luo, we meet again!”
Luo Hetu smiled. “What’ll you have? My treat.”
The girl shook her head. “I’ll pay. I don’t need your treat.”
Seeing the girl’s flushed cheeks staring at her, Luo Hetu felt awkward and asked, “I haven’t asked your name yet.”
The girl lit up. “I’m Xu Ruyan.”
Luo Hetu froze. That name was familiar.
Wasn’t Xu Ruyan the studious Omega in the novel who loved Zhang Sheng?
Both she and Luo Hetu were unfortunate souls. Luo Hetu went to prison for love, while Xu Ruyan, though not as tragic, was a tool for Zhang Sheng, even falling out with her family. By the novel’s end, the author hinted she might join his harem.
What a trash male lead.
Luo Hetu cursed Zhang Sheng inwardly, her expression toward Xu Ruyan complex.
“Xu, do you… have someone you like?” she asked.
Xu Ruyan paused, her blush spreading to her ears and neck.
Luo Hetu: Oh no, she probably does.
Damn that dog of a man.
Luo Hetu sighed. “I’ve got time today. Let’s chat.”
She liked Xu Ruyan—a pretty, well-mannered girl who stood up for herself and showed gratitude. It pained her to think such a great girl was entangled with Zhang Sheng. A beautiful, studious Omega, just a bit blind.
She wanted to steer her away from trouble.
As they talked, a familiar figure entered.
Chun Yuyan, carrying resentment from Ye Qingzhu and relief at finding Luo Hetu, shouted, “Finally found you! Come outside!”
Luo Hetu: …
Chun Yuyan’s audacity made Luo Hetu question if she’d wronged her. In reality, they hadn’t seen each other in over half a year, and Chun Yuyan was now just someone Luo Hetu wanted to avoid.
Sensing trouble, Xu Ruyan grabbed Luo Hetu’s arm. “Is something wrong? Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
Luo Hetu: …
At this chaotic moment, a third person appeared.
Before Luo Hetu could process, Cheng Youqing’s assistant entered, grabbed a milk tea bag, and left. Through the bright glass window, Cheng Youqing stood on the sidewalk, expressionlessly observing the crowded shop—or rather, Luo Hetu, entangled with two Omegas.
Cheng Youqing was on her way to Sun Jin’s house for dinner, stopping by Shanhe Tuling to buy milk tea for Sun Yinuo, only to witness this scene.
At Sun Jin’s, Sun Yinuo gleefully pounced on the Shanhe Tuling bag like a hamster.
During dinner, Sun Jin casually asked if Cheng Youqing had met anyone suitable. She said no. Sun Yinuo started chattering about “Teacher Xiao Luo,” saying her books were a hit, her classmates idolized her, and she was a wealthy, honest Alpha.
Sun Jin found it odd. “Why do I feel like you’re hinting at something?”
Cheng Youqing: “Who said she’s honest?”
“She has more girlfriends than anyone—Alphas, Omegas, all tangled up. She’s the least honest.”
“Sun Yinuo, haven’t you caught up on physics? I found you a tutor. She’s coming tomorrow evening.”
Sun Yinuo: !!!
Luo Hetu, Chun Yuyan, and Xu Ruyan sat in a café.
Though unclear how things escalated, Chun Yuyan wanted to talk alone, but Xu Ruyan insisted on staying.
Luo Hetu coughed, interrupting their glaring match. “Chun Yuyan, say what you need to. I have things to discuss with Xu afterward.”
Chun Yuyan frowned, unable to shake Xu Ruyan. After a moment, she said softly, “Hetu, are you still mad at me?”
Luo Hetu: “…I suggest you get to the point. I can’t follow your logic. I’ve said multiple times we’re not related, but you don’t get it.”
Chun Yuyan, prepared with tender words, was choked by her bluntness. After a pause, she said, “It’s my fault. I like Zhang Sheng, but I don’t want you to sink deeper. If you’re upset, take it out on me. I can help you through your feelings. Just don’t make things hard for Zhang Sheng.”
Silence.
Luo Hetu tried to process Chun Yuyan’s absurd logic, feeling her brain was tainted.
“Chun Yuyan, what do I have to say to make you believe I’m not targeting Zhang Sheng or interested in you?”
Chun Yuyan looked at her with pity.
Luo Hetu’s frustration with stupidity flared. She glanced at Xu Ruyan, determined to clarify, if not for herself, then for Xu.
“Miss Chun, let me repeat: I have never had romantic feelings for you. Even if you misunderstood before, believe me now. If you don’t, tell me—have I ever sought you out? Have I ever expressed discontent with Zhang Sheng? No. It’s always been you and Zhang Sheng’s one-sided assumptions. I only helped you as a friend, but I’ve explained your misunderstanding. Think about it—haven’t I been avoiding you for half a year? I don’t want to see or talk to you. You’re the one clinging to me. If anything, it seems you can’t let go of me.”
Chun Yuyan, shocked by her “twisted logic,” covered her mouth dramatically. “How could you say something so hurtful?”
“If you keep acting clueless and bothering me, I don’t mind being harsher.”
Luo Hetu snapped her fingers coolly. “Xiao Qi!”
Xiao Qi, one of Ye Qingzhu’s former crew, a muscular young man who handled troublemakers at the milk tea shop, was brought along just in case.
“Escort Miss Chun away, and, as non-violently as possible, make her drop her self-absorption. Tell her to live happily with her boyfriend and stop bothering me.”
Xiao Qi found the request complex but grasped half of it. He dragged Chun Yuyan out of the café, tossing her out unceremoniously, and said, “Boss Luo finds you annoying. Don’t bother her again, or I’ll deal with you every time I see you.”
Passersby watched as Chun Yuyan was shooed away like a fly, whispering among themselves.
Xiao Qi, task complete, happily returned to the shop, leaving Chun Yuyan to face the crowd’s judgment.
Humiliated, Chun Yuyan hurried away, wondering if Luo Hetu’s “playing hard to get” had gone too far. Wasn’t she afraid Chun Yuyan would stop chasing her?
At a street corner, she froze, struck by a realization.
Could Luo Hetu genuinely dislike her?
Shocked by this unbearable thought, Chun Yuyan stood frozen, her worldview shattered.
Luo Hetu rubbed her temples, explaining to Xu Ruyan, “Xu, I can’t stand people who don’t listen. You say one thing, they hear another. If reasoning fails, sometimes force is the only way. I wouldn’t hit an Omega, but with someone who keeps bothering me despite being told off, what can I do?”
Xu Ruyan said softly, “You’re all talk. You wouldn’t bully anyone.”
Luo Hetu looked at her curiously. “How do you know?”
“I think you’re a good person.”
“Haha, don’t judge so quickly. By the way, I need to tell you—Chun Yuyan is Zhang Sheng’s girlfriend. They’re a perfect match, crazy in love, and they love using everyone around them as tools. Don’t fall for their sweet talk.”
Xu Ruyan blinked. “Oh.”
“That’s it?”
“What else? I agree with you.”
“So you won’t have anything to do with Zhang Sheng, right?”
“Nope,” Xu Ruyan said, pouring her more tea. “I don’t even know who he is.”
Luo Hetu: …
“Didn’t you say you liked someone?” Luo Hetu asked. “Is it someone else?”
Xu Ruyan’s ears reddened.
Luo Hetu scratched her ear. “Okay, that’s your private matter. I won’t pry. As long as it’s not Zhang Sheng. If you meet him later, steer clear. If you need help, come to me.”
After that, Luo Hetu frequently saw Xu Ruyan at Shanhe Tuling, sometimes at the first branch, sometimes at the second.
Considering she only visited once or twice a week, running into Xu Ruyan so often felt uncanny.
She asked the first branch’s manager, “Does that girl come looking for me often?”
The manager nodded, giving her a knowing look. “She comes all the time, asking if ‘Teacher Xiao Luo’ is here. When we say we don’t know, she stays, probably too shy to leave without buying something. She’s spent hundreds here this month.”
Luo Hetu scratched her ear, handed Xu Ruyan a milk tea, and watched her sip it with a smile. “How’s school? Good grades?”
Xu Ruyan pursed her lips and nodded lightly.
Luo Hetu advised, “You’re doing well in school, right? Don’t let this distract you. High school is important. A lot can wait until college.”
If she couldn’t tell Xu Ruyan’s intentions by now, she’d be an idiot. But she couldn’t discuss romance with a high schooler.
Xu Ruyan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her. “Will you wait for me to get to college?”
Luo Hetu, flustered by her intense gaze, hadn’t considered a relationship with Xu Ruyan and didn’t want to make promises. She shook her head. “Focus on getting into college. Your goals might change, and you don’t really know me. Just take care of yourself, okay?”
Xu Ruyan lowered her head, pouting slightly.
Luo Hetu wanted to pat her head but feared it’d be misinterpreted. Instead, she said, “We’re still friends. If you want to relax, go to Qianbao and mention my name—I won’t charge you.”
Xu Ruyan pouted. “I don’t need you to save me money. I’m not broke.”
She left.
Luo Hetu tossed her empty cup into the trash, teased by the manager. “Spring’s here, and your peach blossoms are blooming, boss.”
Luo Hetu scoffed, pinching the Beta’s neck. “She’s still a student, just momentarily confused. Don’t talk nonsense.”
As they spoke, Xiao Wu, another of Ye Qingzhu’s former crew from Qianbao, rushed in, panting. Pushing through the queue, he whispered urgently, “Boss Luo, something’s happened at Qianbao.”