Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 31
31
No one knew what was going through President Cheng’s mind. This marriage was baffling, to say the least. At the very least, President Cheng’s legally recognized Alpha was still living in a rented, rundown house. Well, that made sense—President Cheng probably never intended to live with her in the first place. This marriage must have been for some sort of benefit, though it was hard to see what kind of advantage picking an Alpha like this could bring to President Cheng.
Lost in these thoughts, the assistant heard Cheng Youqing say, “After we’re done shopping for clothes, go back home, pack your things, and move to my place.”
Luo Hetu replied with a simple, “Okay.”
The assistant: …
Luo Hetu added, “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about. Could you give me some money?”
The assistant: …
Cheng Youqing said, “This card has 300,000 yuan. That’s your allowance for the year. If you spend more, you’ll need to come to me to request it, and I might not approve everything.”
Luo Hetu: “Got it.”
Cheng Youqing gave a small hum and couldn’t resist asking, “Why do you need money so soon?”
Luo Hetu: “I haven’t been to the internet café much these days, and it can’t run without a manager. I need to hire someone. I’m pretty broke right now.” Not to mention, she still owed the bank quite a bit.
Cheng Youqing gave another hum, said nothing more, and calmly went back to reviewing documents.
The assistant suddenly felt that observing this peculiar Alpha-Omega couple was quite intriguing.
It was unheard of and fascinating—way more entertaining than the melodramatic TV shows from Hong Kong.
The car pulled into the parking lot of a large commercial street. As the assistant chatted with Cheng Youqing about the stalled relocation project in the East City commercial district, Luo Hetu suddenly remembered the issue with her storefront being withheld.
She knew Zhang Sheng had a hand in it. Xiao Liu had been updating her weekly about how that Alpha-Omega pair was causing trouble for Zhang Sheng and Chun Yuyan. She wasn’t sure what had gone wrong on Zhang Sheng’s end, but surely it couldn’t just be about her two small houses that the relocation had been halted.
After some thought, she asked Cheng Youqing, “The East City commercial street—I heard it’s a joint project by several companies?”
Cheng Youqing replied with a simple, “Yes.”
“Don’t you… want to get involved?” Luo Hetu asked.
Cheng Youqing glanced at her but didn’t respond.
The assistant thought to themselves, This Alpha she married is already meddling in President Cheng’s business. That’s not a good sign.
Surprisingly, Cheng Youqing was patient and even explained, “The board doesn’t see much potential in that area. It’s an old district with a lot of long-term residents. A commercial street might not take off.”
Luo Hetu let out an “Oh.” By then, the car had stopped, and Cheng Youqing was ushered out by the assistant. Luo Hetu got out on her own and walked up beside Cheng Youqing. As they headed toward the mall, she continued, “I think that area has potential. Plus, those companies are run by some shady big shots with social connections, not professional businesspeople. The fact that the relocation hasn’t progressed in so long suggests there’s a problem. Don’t you want to step in and try?”
Cheng Youqing straightened her posture and kept walking. The three of them—Cheng Youqing, Luo Hetu, and the assistant—entered the elevator. As the doors closed, Cheng Youqing said, “A project worth billions? The group doesn’t have that kind of cash flow. You’d have to convince me today.”
The assistant: Am I imagining things, or is President Cheng actually indulging her Alpha?
Luo Hetu scratched her cheek. “I can’t say for sure, but I think that area has great potential for development. High population density means strong purchasing demand. There are a lot of historically significant streets there, full of Jiang City’s cultural charm. If tourism develops in the future, it’ll attract a lot of visitors. A commercial street built there could be designed in a retro or unique architectural style, blending with the surroundings. It’d easily tap into the tourist market.”
They stepped out of the elevator. The assistant glanced at the Alpha, thinking she must have done her homework. Could she be a plant sent by those struggling companies to push the project?
Cheng Youqing didn’t comment and entered a store, casually browsing the racks of fashionable clothing.
“From what I know, those companies didn’t spend much to acquire that land,” Luo Hetu continued. “If you look into why the relocation isn’t moving forward, you might find something. If it’s an issue like a broken funding chain, you could potentially buy it at a low price.”
Cheng Youqing picked up a piece of clothing, held it up against Luo Hetu, then grabbed another.
Luo Hetu: “Also, I have a personal grudge with the deputy director of one of those companies. He really hates me and has screwed me over before. I don’t want him to profit from this.”
Cheng Youqing’s lips curved into a slight smile as she handed three pieces of clothing to Luo Hetu. “Go try them on.”
Luo Hetu pouted but went to try on the clothes one by one.
Cheng Youqing sat on a sofa, taking phone calls. Each time Luo Hetu came out in a new outfit, Cheng Youqing would show either approval or dissatisfaction. After trying on six or seven pieces, they bought three and moved to the next store.
Luo Hetu carried the shopping bags, walking beside Cheng Youqing, still persuading her. “I also own four small houses near that area. I tried to trade two of them for a storefront, but that guy wouldn’t budge. So stingy. You can tell he’s not cut out for big things. Trust me, that area will definitely develop well in the future. It’s a guaranteed profit.”
Cheng Youqing finally let out a thoughtful hum. “If you want a storefront, you can use the money I gave you to buy one.”
“It’s not about that. That area is genuinely valuable. I know your funds might be tight, but I think it’s worth considering.”
The assistant was increasingly convinced that Luo Hetu was a plant from a rival company. Who tries this hard to convince their wife to invest in some random commercial street? The more enthusiastic she is, the stranger it seems.
At the next store, Cheng Youqing bought another three pieces of clothing. At the third store, just as Luo Hetu was about to speak again, they heard a dramatic exclamation.
“Well, well, well! Look who it is! President Cheng, out shopping? Shouldn’t you be out dating some big-shot Alpha from another company, fishing for a rich husband to save the Cheng Group from ruin? Oh, wait, you’re still in the mood to shop for clothes. Of course, you’ve got to dress up to snag a wealthier Alpha.”
Luo Hetu eyed the woman who’d just delivered a whole monologue upon meeting them. She didn’t have much of a scent, so she was probably a Beta. She was dressed stylishly and was quite attractive, but her smug, mocking expressions made her less appealing.
Cheng Youqing listened to the tirade and let out a soft hum through her nose, brushing past the woman to enter the store.
Luo Hetu chuckled.
The Beta, perhaps thinking Cheng Youqing was mocking her, angrily stepped forward to grab Cheng Youqing’s arm. “You still think the Cheng Group is some kind of prize? Don’t you know how low your general manager has to stoop when negotiating with my family? Stop right there—”
Before she could touch Cheng Youqing, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.
Luo Hetu didn’t even use much force. She just grinned and said, “Don’t touch her.”
Sorry, you walked right into that one, cannon fodder villain. I’ve got this.
The Beta was furious. “Who are you?”
Luo Hetu mimicked her tone. “Who are you?”
“You don’t even know who I am? Cheng Youqing, is this your assistant? How can your assistant be so rude?”
Luo Hetu: “Are you someone important that I have to know? Stop yelling. It’s so classless.”
Luo Hetu always knew how to get under someone’s skin.
The Beta’s voice grew shrill with anger. “Cheng Youqing! Control your person!”
Luo Hetu: “You know I’m with President Cheng, so why would she listen to you and control me? She likes me too much for that.”
The Beta was stunned, and even more shocking was that Cheng Youqing didn’t say a word, clearly indulging her. She even smiled faintly.
The real assistant: …
This is getting juicy.
The standoff continued until Cheng Youqing spoke calmly, “Let go of her. Let me introduce you. This is Chen Yuanyuan, the heiress of Fengxing Group.”
Chen Yuanyuan puffed up with a “you see how important I am” expression. Luo Hetu released her wrist and said, “Oh.” It was practically written on her face that she’d never heard of her.
“And this,” Cheng Youqing continued, “is Luo Hetu, my newlywed wife.”
The air went still.
Luo Hetu extended her hand to Chen Yuanyuan with a natural expression, as if it were time for a handshake.
Chen Yuanyuan’s mind was a mess. She looked at Luo Hetu, then at Cheng Youqing, and after a long pause, managed, “Are you joking?”
“I’m not that bored.”
“But weren’t you going on blind dates?”
“Yes, and I found a match.”
Chen Yuanyuan’s eyes widened, the whites far outweighing the pupils. “What company’s second-generation heir is she?”
“Just an ordinary person,” Cheng Youqing said, glancing at Luo Hetu before adding, “No parents, and in debt.”
Luo Hetu nodded. Yup, that’s me.
Chen Yuanyuan: “Cheng Youqing, you’re always so cunning. There’s got to be a reason for this.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t just marry anyone randomly.”
“But I don’t understand you.”
“That’s fine. I also don’t understand the logic behind you giving a superiority speech every time you meet someone.”
Chen Yuanyuan: “Argh! You’re messing with me!”
Cheng Youqing: “I’m not.”
She didn’t have time to waste chatting with Chen Yuanyuan. She patted Luo Hetu. “Come on.”
Luo Hetu said, “Oh,” and followed closely, still talking as they walked. “So, what do you think? Did anything I said earlier convince you?”
“Not yet, but you can keep trying.”
Luo Hetu let out a hum, identical to the one Cheng Youqing had made earlier.
Luo Hetu followed Cheng Youqing as they bought nearly ten outfits, then headed to a jewelry store.
Luo Hetu stopped talking, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the gold.
Cheng Youqing: “Pick a few watches. An Alpha needs some decent ones to wear.”
In this era, even expensive watches were made of pure gold—ostentatiously so.
Luo Hetu shook her head like a rattle. “Too tacky. No thanks.”
The saleswoman’s perfect smile froze.
Cheng Youqing hummed. “I think they’re tacky too. Pick something else you like.”
But the other jewelry wasn’t much better. In the modern world, gold jewelry often used other materials to tone down the garish yellow shine. Here, every piece screamed, “I’m gold, I’m rich.”
Luo Hetu’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Cheng Youqing.
Cheng Youqing raised an eyebrow.
“Your stud earrings are nice. If I’m buying, I’ll get them from the same place as yours.”
The assistant thought, She’s not shy about it, is she?
Cheng Youqing hummed. “Don’t regret it.”
She led Luo Hetu out of the high-end mall and to a trendy commercial street popular with younger people.
In a beautifully decorated accessory shop filled with stylish items, Luo Hetu immediately spotted the same stud earrings as Cheng Youqing’s, priced at 5 yuan a pair.
Luo Hetu fell silent for once.
“Regretting it now? Choosing beauty over gold.” Cheng Youqing teased leisurely.
Luo Hetu looked at her. “No regrets. It’s not the earrings that are beautiful—you’re the real high-end beauty. Anything you wear looks expensive. I want to match you.”
Cheng Youqing’s lips curved slightly.
The assistant: …
This is too much. I’m getting dizzy from all this chemistry.